School news: Host family info meeting April 14

Host family info meeting April 14

Gaston Christian School will hold a host family informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 14 in the media center.

New Oasis Homestay 360 program seeks host families for international students for 10 months.

Host families provide students with three nutritious meals a day, a private furnished bedroom, and wireless internet, and they have the desire to welcome an international student into their family. All families are screened before being matched with a student.

Email jerwin@newoasisedu.com for more information.

Photo contest open to students

The York Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring a photography contest for York County students from kindergarten to college age.

Guidelines, judging and awards are as follows:

▪ Student amateur photographers may enter up to five photos.

▪ All entries must be digital and submitted electronically via email.

▪ A release form must be submitted for each photo.

▪ Photo categories are: Water & Land, Habitats & Wildlife and Agriculture across America.

At least one first prize of a $25 gift card will be awarded in three photo categories and by age group.

Deadline for entries is April 17. Complete rules and entry forms may be obtained by calling 803-684-3137 or emailing Barbara.oconnell@sc.nacdnet.net.

Bethel school carnival April 18

Bethel Elementary School’s 63rd annual Country Fair Carnival & Math Imagineering Day is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 18 at 6000 S.C. 55 E.

Check out the games, concessions, bake sale, raffle baskets and math displays.

Parking and admission is free. Call 803-631-8300 for information.

New student competition

The third annual S.C. 4-H Engineering Challenge, sponsored by EnlightenSC, offers students ages 9-19 a chance to participate in a multi-challenge competition April 18 at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

The challenge gives students an opportunity to compete in five distinct disciplines: Bridge Building Competition, Egg Lofter Rocket Contest, Energy Challenge, GPS Competition and LEGO Robotics Competition.

The cost to enter the S.C. 4-H Engineering Challenge are $5 per individual student or $10 per team. Interested students should visit scionthemove.org/engineering.

‘The Music Man’ on stage

The Choraliers spring show is “The Music Man.”

Dates and times are 8 p.m. April 30 and May 2, and 3 p.m. May 3.

Tickets go on sale at 2 p.m. April 23 at the box office. Email Choraliers@gmail.com for information.

Farm Bureau offers scholarship

York County Farm Bureau is accepting applications for its annual annual scholarship program through June 30.

The $1,000 scholarship, awarding $500 per semester, is given each year to a student pursuing higher education in agriculture or a related field, after finishing a first semester at a four-year college or university.

The scholarship will be awarded to a York County resident based on character, demonstrated leadership and dedication to agriculture or a related field.

Applications are available at the York County Farm Bureau. Call 803-684-4235.

Winthrop honor in arts event April 24

Winthrop University’s 12th annual Medal of Honor in the Arts ceremony on April 24 will recognize a rising comedic star, an arts-minded state senator, a celebrated sweetgrass basket weaver and an influential musician involved in civil rights struggles.

The 8 p.m. event includes an evening of performances by faculty and students, and a reception in Johnson Hall to honor this year’s recipients: stand-up comedian Fortune Feimster, S.C. Sen. Wes Hayes, artist Mary Jackson and musician and civil rights organizer Si Kahn.

Tickets cost $50 each at winthropalumni.com/events/moh. A portion of the event proceeds goes to a scholarship fund for students pursuing careers in the visual arts, dance, music or theatre at Winthrop.

Call 803-323-2399 for information.

Compare award letters to find best college deal

By now, most high school seniors should have completed the college application process and will begin receiving financial aid award letters. Seniors and their parents should compare those letters to find the one that offers the best financial aid package, according to KHEAA.

The letter will usually show the total cost of attendance — what that school costs for one year, including tuition, fees, room, meals, books, supplies, transportation and personal expenses.

It may also show how much the student’s family is expected to pay toward those costs, the expected family contribution. The EFC is subtracted from the total cost of attendance to get a student’s financial need. The letter will then list various sources of financial aid offered to pay for the costs not covered by the EFC. Students can accept or reject any or all of those proposed sources.

Students can also appeal the awards made if they believe their family’s financial circumstances have changed.

One consideration is how much of the aid being offered is in federal student loans, which will have to be paid back after a student finishes school. If the package includes federal loans and isn’t enough to pay all expenses, students may be looking at a private loan. Comparison shopping is a must in that case.

Visit kheslc.com for more information.

This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 12:38 PM with the headline "School news: Host family info meeting April 14."