STEVEN BARNHILL – THE END OF AN ERA IN EAST SIDE UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

/in /by

Hours after his last performance at the California Music Education Association (CMEA) Festival as Music Director at Evergreen Valley High School, I sat down with Steven Barnhill to chat.  The topic, of course, was his journey through a 35-year career as a music teacher in East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD).

A San Jose native, Steve “stumbled into” music, after a childhood friend urged him to go with him to see their school’s music teacher, Bill Nicolosi, at San Antonio Middle School. Nicolosi assisted him in getting his first trombone and continued to be a guiding force in the early years of Steve’s career.  While at San Jose State, his focus was on music performance, but various teaching opportunities came his way – teaching trombones at a program through Alum Rock District Jazz Band, teaching summer school, running rehearsals, and teaching stints at Silver Creek and Monte Vista high schools.

After graduating from San Jose State in 1984, Steve arrived at W.C. Overfelt High School in ESUHSD, to develop a band program for the school.  He described that first year as really starting from scratch with only 25 kids in the band.  “We didn’t have uniforms so I arranged to get extra practice jerseys from the football coach.  The band students sat in the stands at football games in their jerseys and played. They didn’t sound great, but they learned to sit properly with their instruments and carry themselves as if they were the sharpest, best-sounding band around.”  The second year was difficult in an entirely different way:  “I wanted them to go faster and they just weren’t ready for that yet, so I pulled back a bit in year 3, still challenging, but at a slower pace.  That year, we did introduce drill that had been written for the band.”  The Overfelt marching band achieved their first win at a competition in 1988, earning 1st place for high drums. “From football jerseys, to getting uniforms, to learning drill, to a first place performance within four years.  By 1989, we were a force to be reckoned with and it became cool to be in the band.” After a stellar, twenty-two year run at Overfelt, Steve joined the teaching staff as Music Director at Evergreen Valley High School (EVHS) in 2006.

EVHS opened in 2002 and the first graduating class was 2005.  The instrumental music program was in a state of transition when Steve arrived; he would become the 3rd band director in the school’s short history. He was greeted by a group of well-meaning and supportive parents, the Band Boosters, who had ideas about the direction the music program – especially marching band — should take.  While he was excited to have the parent support, Steve acknowledges that it was a little tense in the beginning, as he had to work with the Boosters to establish some boundaries. In a short period of time, there was a cadre of parents who showed up to offer their support in so many ways – measuring students for uniforms, making alterations, preparing meals on competition days, driving trucks to competitions, and more.  Perhaps the biggest gift of having a strong, supportive Booster organization was that they supported Steve’s vision of what the music program could be.  The Boosters obtained their 501c(3) tax-exempt status so that they could fundraise to further support the program’s activities.  Steve always made it a priority to personally and publicly acknowledge the support from the Band Boosters, many of whom continue in roles long after their children graduate from EVHS!

Meanwhile, Steve recalls the first EVHS marching band competition at Gilroy High School.  He had been “out of the marching band game” for about 11 years but left that performance feeling “Yes! I can do this!”  From that point through the most recent marching band season, EVHS has won numerous awards for outstanding performances at competitions throughout Northern California; a multitude of trophies are proudly displayed in the band room.

And then there was the trip to Carnegie Hall in 2008 – the first of 4 – only 2 years into Steve’s tenure at EVHS.  The Boosters were on board, the parents were excited and the 55 students in the Wind Ensemble who boarded planes headed to NYC knew this opportunity was a big deal.  The first stop was at the amphitheater in Central Park, on a cool, drizzly morning.  “They sounded so good.  The next thing I knew, I was walking down the steps into the audience to take it all in. It was an incredible experience.”  Conducting in Carnegie Hall was the pinnacle of Steve’s career and to accomplish that four times in a 13 year span is a dream-come-true for most conductors, let alone for a high school music director! Steve recalled a magical moment during the sound check for the 2018 Carnegie performance. “There was this intensity while we performed the selection – I’d describe it as ‘ferocious’.  The students were surprised by what they created at that moment on the ‘stage of all stages’. It was special…” A student was able to record the last few seconds of that sound check performance and created a replica etching of the actual soundwave from that recording snippet which was presented to Steve last year.  It is truly one of his cherished possessions, and his eyes watered just talking about it.

I asked Steve what he enjoys about conducting and he responded:  “It’s something I get to do directly with the students. I get to perform with the kids and share the excellence with them. We get to share, react and get direct feedback – it’s like having a deep conversation with the students.” If you’ve ever attended a concert at EVHS, you can witness and feel the interaction he describes.  So why retire now? “I have no more hills to climb. I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall four times, started a string ensemble and orchestra here at EVHS that has tripled in size since its inception, and had the pleasure of being around and working with so many great kids and parents.  I don’t have any regrets about my career – I believe that everything in life is an opportunity to learn and there are no opportunities that came my way that I turned down.” “But honestly, the strain on my shoulders and back from all of the years I’ve been conducting is a big factor in my decision to retire at this time.”

“Excellence in All Things” is the motto that sets the tone for expectations throughout the instrumental music program at EVHS. Steve sincerely enjoys working with students, so I asked him about the impact he has had (and wants to have) on young people – beyond music. “I tried to give them what I didn’t have.  I find students to be interesting people and I genuinely enjoy their company because they are fun to be around.  I get to watch them on the cusp of adulthood – that last part of their innocence. I try to help them make decisions that will affect their lives.  I get them to produce at a high quality and create stellar moments of musicality that they won’t experience in other places…”  Steve also mentioned that it brings him great joy to connect with former students and see them as successful people with great work ethic, good values, and engaging personalities, especially those students who participated in the program all 4 years.

Never far from his side is Steve’s wonderful wife, Erl, the ultimate “band mom” to the 200+ students in the program each year. “She is completely a parent and provides insight. I could put myself in the student position but not the parent so Erl is my test-bed for parent understanding so that I am more prepared to provide parents with the dialogue that’s needed.  She’s also been a great mentor to the young women in the program which she enjoys.  Plus she gets to see me do something I’m good at!”

As for his legacy, Steve hopes that the standard of expectations for excellence remains high and that students remember that they can do more than they think they can.  After a bit of rest and relaxation, Steve’s plan is to do something near and dear to his heart:  mentor other musicians and music teachers.  Steve will conduct his Farewell Concert on Tuesday, May 21st, at the California Theater in Downtown San Jose and retire at the end of the academic year on May 30th.

Thank you Steve Barnhill for 35 years of exceptional service to ESUHSD, and for a positive and lasting impact on the young lives you’ve touched.  You are a gift and we salute you on your retirement. Best wishes for your next phase!

WHAT I LEARNED AS A BAND MOM – A LOT MORE THAN MUSIC!

/in , /by

I was a band mom. It started when my son joined the band at Chaboya Middle School, and I attended each concert or performance as one of many proud parents in the audience.  I encouraged him to expand his horizons by finding opportunities for him to enrich his musical exposure and hone his saxophone skills.  There was La Honda Music Camp and Jazz Goes to College at San Jose State.  Mrs. Kolber, music teacher at Chaboya, told him about an opportunity to play with The Villages band, which proved to be a wonderful inter-generational experience. He was excited to attend EVHS, as he’d heard great things about the marching band there – and the band trips to Disneyworld! He arrived at EVHS at the same time as the new band director, and plans for a performance at Disney were scrapped. By the end of that first year, there was talk of a new band director coming in at the start of his sophomore year.  And then Steven Barnhill arrived at EVHS as the music director, and we stepped up our game as a band family.

I had joined the parent-led Band Boosters organization the first year, but Mr. Barnhill’s vision for the music program necessitated changes in the group’s focus and operations. I became president of the Band Boosters junior year and held that position for 4 years – including 2 years after my son graduated! Alongside other parents, I did it all – organized fundraisers, baked treats for concessions at concerts, chaperoned 110 students to Disneyworld, and accompanied 55 amazing students to witness them perform at Carnegie Hall.  To say it was a labor of love is an understatement.  It was about so much more than the music!

The time I spent supporting Mr. Barnhill as he expanded the instrumental music program at EVHS gave me an opportunity to interact and engage with the students as well.  Overall, they were a great group of young people, some extremely focused and others still finding their way.  The counselor in me would emerge, as I inquired about how their classes were going, test prep they were doing or college notifications they were receiving.  While often reluctant to respond, they students quickly learned that I cared about them not just as band members but as young people navigating their way through high school.

I learned that students possessed many “and 1” skills.  Several were great musicians on multiple instruments, while excelling in the classroom and participating on one of the school’s sports team. Others were experiencing family challenges and hardships, yet they still showed up for rehearsals competitions and performances, because they were committed to the program.  One student was experiencing the unimaginable – her father was in the fight of his life, battling cancer that had metastasized.  I didn’t want him to worry and I wanted to minimize at least some of the stress that comes with being a rising senior, so I committed to the dad that I would be his daughter’s college counselor.  It was a wonderful journey with her – she had great college options and successfully completed her post-secondary education at UC Berkeley.  I saw her a couple of months ago for the first time in a long while and fond memories came rushing back; my heart was filled with joy.

There really are takeaways from my trip down memory lane.  I was inspired by the feature article on Mr. Steven Barnhill, someone for whom I have a tremendous amount of respect, and am honored to call him a friend.  If you’ve read any of my articles, you know that I am a strong proponent of students participating in extracurricular activities that are of interest to them. I’ve seen – and experienced first-hand – the benefits of involvement in music programs in particular.  The band community was a source of support for my son as he transitioned from elementary to middle school and then to high school and even to college. If you are committed to and passionate about an activity, find your community of like-minded people that share your interests, where you can explore, develop, excel and enjoy them together.  Remember, The Journey Begins with You…

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

 

BE CONFIDENT, BE YOU – AUTHENTICITY IN THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS!

/in , , /by

“Be true to yourself.” “It doesn’t matter where you go.” “Find the college/university that is the best fit for you.”  These phrases are like guide posts in the world of college admissions – at least in my little corner of it.  Yet, students are bombarded with messages like “You need at least 10 AP courses to be competitive,” “It takes a 1600 on the SAT to be accepted to Highly Selective University,” “You’ll never be admitted to Selective College if you haven’t launched your own company.”  And that line of messaging continues.  As I reflect on the college admission scandal dominating the evening news and social media, the work I do with students on a one-to-one basis, and the many students I advise in workshop settings, I feel compelled to share a few thoughts.

Did you know that the average acceptance rate for all four-year colleges in the US is approximately 66% (~2/3 of applicants) according to a 2017 report from the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC)? But we don’t hear much about those schools because the emphasis is typically on a small number of ‘elite’ institutions with single-digit or less than 20 percent admit rates. A broad brush is painted over schools with a higher admit rate, and without a deeper dive, we are led to believe that such schools are inferior. As the stress levels for students, parents and counselors continues to climb during the college application and admission process, unfortunately some are compelled to engage in unethical actions.

I prefer to challenge students and parents to think differently and I choose messages to help families broaden their own thinking about this process.  Here are a few examples:

  • With 3,000+ post-secondary institutions, there is a college right for you/your child
  • Be open-minded about exploring colleges/universities
  • Don’t limit yourself (and your options!) by focusing only on “name brand” schools
  • Know yourself and the “gifts” you would bring to a college community
  • Work hard, do your best and know that you still may not be admitted to your first choice school
  • Keep your college list manageable: 12-14 schools is reasonable; 20+ is excessive
  • Be your authentic self throughout this process; stop trying to second-guess admissions officers

March and April tend to be agonizing for seniors, awaiting college admission decisions. And yes, many of them will receive unfavorable results. I recently shared the following words of encouragement to all of my seniors, and I include them here, as they can never be said too often:

“PLEASE DO NOT INTERNALIZE THESE ADMISSION DECISIONS AS A REFLECTION OF YOUR SELF-WORTH. Each one of you are smart and talented young adults, with many gifts to share.  Do not allow these admission decisions to define you to be anything or anyone less.”

I have never been more proud to hold memberships in 5 professional organizations that enforce adherence to a code of ethics, and require ongoing training and professional development:

  • Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
  • Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)
  • National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC)
  • Western Association for College Admissions Counseling (WACAC)
  • Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling (SACAC)

All of these organizations have a wealth of information and resources for families navigating the college admission process and even resources to support middle school students.

And on that note, I close with a simple reminder that The Journey Begins with You…!  Good luck!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

FINDING A HIDDEN GEM – LET THE DISCOVERY BEGIN!

/in , , /by

A few weeks ago, while shopping at the Evergreen Village Square farmers’ market, I noticed one of the vendors was wearing a shirt that had the UC Merced logo on it.  I asked him if he attended Merced and his replied “yes”. I then began a conversation with him, asking the usual questions – how do you like it? What are you majoring in? What made you choose Merced? Etc.  The young man was very enthusiastic in his response, stating he loved it and that he’s majoring in mechanical engineering. He also mentioned that it was ideal for him because he’s from the Central Valley and attending Merced allows him to be close (but not too close) and still help his family out with their farming business.  We both remarked about how so many students and parents look down on Merced as the “undesired” UC campus, yet there are indeed great opportunities there for students interested in the sciences.  He talked about the variety of clubs on campus, and various field trips to companies like Tesla that occur on a regular basis.

Fast forward to this past week.  While again shopping at this vendor’s booth, I overheard a woman asking the same young man the questions I first posed to him – Do you go to Merced? Do you like it? She went on to say, “My son applied there and he’s interested in engineering, so I was just wondering.”  I smiled as I listened to the conversation and then remarked to the mom “I asked him those same questions a couple of weeks ago.  I’m a college counselor and I’m always interested in hearing what students have to say about different schools.” As I paid for my produce, I told the young man, “it’s great that you are representing your school” and he beamed with pride.

I share this story because it reflects one of the many ways I learn about different colleges – from a student perspective.  Conversations like these are not scripted or with student ambassadors on a formal college tour so often they represent a truer picture. Yes, it’s only one student’s response, but it opens up areas for further research or discussion. I’m always happy to hear students clearly articulate why a particular institution is a good fit for him/her specifically as this young man was able to do.

The beauty of working with students individually is that I get to build relationships with them over time. As we work together to build a college list, I press them on the things that really matter to them as part of their college experience. Sometimes they aren’t really sure or they only identify attributes that comprise the “outer layer” of the experience – name familiarity, geographic location, size, major. I challenge them to explore more deeply and consider attributes like collaborative environment, political climate, hands-on learning, disability support, test-optional, and more. One of the best tools I’ve found to use with my students is Corsava Card Sort (https://corsava.com/) which allows students to assess 100+ attributes and categorize them into 4 categories:  Must Have, Nice to Have, No Way, and Don’t Care.  These ratings are used to open dialogue about their categorization (which often leads to a few being moved around) and begin building a list of colleges based on those attributes for the student to explore.

The process comes full circle when I’m able to follow up with students, especially after their first year of college to get an update on their college experience.  I absolutely love these check-ins! After arriving on campus students may change majors, explore new interests via campus organizations, engage in local community activities, get a part-time job, or pursue a club sport.  The stories and experiences are endless! As I visit campus across the country, the joy I get from actually seeing former students in their new “homes” is absolutely priceless!  Staying in touch with students – and even parents – is a bonus for me because it provides me with a source of students who are able to speak to their experiences at a particular college much like the young man at the farmers’ market.

So what are the takeaways?  College students, “rep your school”, because you never know who’s paying attention and it’s always a great conversation starter.  High school students, if you’re curious or want to know more, just ask; be open to gathering a variety of data as you research schools, including current and former students.  Parents, just like your students, I encourage you to continue being inquisitive – and open to learning about new schools that may not have been on your radar previously.  Remember, the rock you turn over may reveal a brilliantly shining jewel.  The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

 

STEM? STEAM? GETTING TO THE HEART OF YOU!

/in , /by

My phone is ringing, alerts from incoming emails are buzzing and I am a happy camper.  Why?  Because parents and students are reaching out to me, ready to get started with the college preparation and application process. It means I get more time to ‘hold up the mirror’ while guiding students in self-discovery to help them find the post-secondary educational opportunity that best suits them.

I just returned from a week-long conference with nearly 1400 colleagues who focus on the needs of students and families.  The Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) is a not-for-profit, international professional association representing experienced independent educational consultants. IECA offers information to students and their families regarding school selection issues, and works to ensure that those in the profession adhere to the highest ethical and business standards.  The conference sessions spanned a variety of topics, but presentations in two of them really resonated with me.  Both, in their own way, focused on the individual student in this daunting landscape of college admissions.

Mark Hofer, a Certified Educational Planner from Seattle, presented “Critical Considerations for STEM Students.” He spoke about how students should be challenged to think about WHY they are considering a career in STEM and shared these thoughts:

  • Having math skills is important in most STEM occupations;
  • Math is the language of science and students should be “to and through” calculus going in; however
  • Being good at math does not mean you will be happy in a STEM major or career

He then highlighted skills and attributes that are important and ‘behaviors of mind’ to cultivate:

  • What can you do today? What are the skills that you bring with you on day 1?
  • How quickly can you learn? What evidence can you provide?
  • Can you communicate effectively – writing and speaking?
  • What are other useful skills and hobbies you possess?
  • Think through questions – process an answer for questions instead of just Googling answers
  • Think like a scientist – utilize a methodology, understand the variables, and apply logic
  • Read – the more the better
  • Practice the art of asking good questions – intentional, thoughtful, respectful
  • Meet people and learn to build relationships
  • Be comfortable opening conversations
  • Please, Thank you, You’re Welcome – are not overrated!

 

The conference ended with a presentation by Richard Shaw, Dean of Admission & Financial Aid at my alma mater, Stanford University.  Dean Shaw addressed “The State of College Admissions,” where he spoke of trends like the impact of lower birth rates on college enrollment, the high percentage of incoming freshmen who sit in the top 25% quartile of their graduating classes, the implications of the Harvard University discrimination case currently being held in the courts, and more.  He also spoke about student stress which often stems from a lack of awareness of opportunities, is self-imposed and leads to mental health issues among students.  Dean Shaw summarized by stating “We want kids to capture their adolescence back and pursue what makes them happy.”

 

The words of wisdom shared by these gentlemen aligns well with my message to students and parents as they navigate the college admission process – get in touch with yourself and remain true to yourself no matter how many zigs and zags you encounter along the way.  Find your passion, nurture it and always be confident about what you can – and will – contribute.  Remember that being good at something and being happy doing it may not be the same thing!

 

As you prepare to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends, take time to reflect on the gift of YOU, because… The Journey Begins with You…!

 

Happy Holidays!

 

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP)

THE COLLEGE ESSAY – A TIME TO EXPRESS YOURSELF

/in , , /by

Whether you are a parent, student, teacher, coach or neighbor, there’s a good chance that you know it’s college application season.  How can you tell?  Because it consumes the conversation at the dinner table, fills the air while in the car riding to school, becomes the distraction during class or on the field, and causes angst for the entire family of a college senior in the midst of the process. These students are no doubt pulling their hair out trying to respond to questions and prompts like:

  • What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give younger siblings or friends (assuming they would listen to you)?
  • Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of this university.
  • What historical moment or event do you wish you could have witnessed?
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  • Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

And two of my favorites:

  • Hashtag to describe yourself:
  • What is your theme song?

During the last 5 years or so, I’ve seen a tremendous uptick in the number of colleges to which students apply.  This has been made easier to do with the advent of the Common Application, the UC Application and recently, the Coalition Application.  Utilizing these platforms, students can complete one basic application, write one main essay of 650 words, and submit to multiple colleges and universities.  Sounds simple, right?  While it is more efficient than completing multiple, separate applications, there are still two important caveats.  First, some schools require additional essay questions, which could be more essays, short answer responses, lists, etc.  Second, although there is one main application, each school typically has a separate application fee. For example, the fee for each UC is $70 and $55 for CSUs; private colleges range from about $60 to $90 for Stanford’s application.

I often caution students that although the application process is streamlined, each application submitted will have its own admission decision rendered.  In other words, if you apply to all of the 9 UC campuses, you will be waiting for 9 separate admission decisions – even though there was only “one” application.  For the first time, I am working with several students who have 20+ schools on their college lists! I implore my students (and their parents!) to focus on having a quality list, that is balanced in terms of selectivity (reach, target, likely) in terms of the student’s academic, standardized testing and extracurricular profile.  Once the balanced list is developed, then the student can focus on enhancing his/her profile with thoughtfully written essays that provide the reader (admission officer) with an opportunity to learn more about the student, how s/he would fit at and contribute to the specific college community.

So the next time a high school senior comes to you seeking input or asking you to help them brainstorm for their college essays, consider passing along these reminders:

  • Follow directions and make sure to answer the prompt – all parts of it!
  • Don’t write to impress by using flowery, thesaurus-driven language
  • Do not procrastinate, as this type of essay writing is different and it’s an iterative process

Most importantly, I tell students: “Be your authentic self in your response.”  That really is the goal.  Good luck, and remember, The Journey Begins with You…

 

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators (SCCABE), Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency (AACSA), and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents (NCAMP).

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID – IT STARTS WITH THE FAFSA!

/in , /by

While in the Hallmark store earlier this week, I couldn’t help but notice the change of seasons within. Signs of Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas were sprinkled throughout the store, and I thought “it must be Fall.” Days are getting shorter.  Families are back in the groove of the school year. Football, soccer and other sports are in full swing.  High school seniors are taking their final SAT and ACT tests, while cranking out college essays and applications.  And just when you think you have a handle on all of the application and essay types – Common Application, Coalition Application, Cal State Apply, main essay, supplemental essays, UC Personal Insight Questions — there’s one more application to add to the mix.  The 2019-2020 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on October 1, 2018.

Gone are the days of January 1st of a student’s senior year heralding in the start of FAFSA season.  Students will complete the FAFSA using tax information from two years prior to their anticipated college entrance date.  For example, current high school seniors planning to enroll in college in Fall 2019 will file the FAFSA using tax data from 2017. Because the FAFSA asks for older income and tax information, most of you will already have done your taxes by the time you fill out the FAFSA, thus the need to estimate and then update information is significantly reduced.

Here’s what you will need to get started.

FSA ID – a username and password that you can use to log into US Department of Education websites. Each student and one parent will need an FSA ID.  Go to http://fsaid.ed.gov to create your FSA ID.

Social Security Number

Driver’s License Number (if you have one)

2017 Tax Records – you will be reporting income information from 2017.  If you already filed your 2017 taxes, you may be able to utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) to import your tax information. Using this tool can save you time and reduce the likelihood of entering incorrect information.  For more information about the IRS DRT, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out#parent-info.

Records of your untaxed income – examples include child support received, interest income and veterans noneducation benefits

Records of your assets – includes savings and checking account balances as well as the value of investments such as stocks and bonds and real estate (except the home in which your family resides). These figures should represent the current amounts as of the date you sign the FAFSA form rather than the 2017 tax year amounts.

List of the colleges/universities where you are applying – include schools in which you are truly interested in alphabetical order.  You can list 10 schools on your FAFSA form at a time, however if you are applying to more than 10 schools there is a workaround:  https://fafsa.ed.gov/help/fotwfaq14.htm

All too often I hear families question why they should complete the FAFSA, based on their income.  Instead, they choose to rely on receiving merit-based aid from institutions and outside scholarships.  The reality is that many times families overestimate their merit-based aid and underestimate need-based aid.  Also, in some cases, institutions require a FAFSA to be on file to be considered for merit aid.  And then there’s the possibility that “life happens” and a family’s situation can drastically change in an instant.  There are so many misconceptions about completing the FAFSA that the Federal Student Aid Office published a document of myths about financial aid (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/financial-aid-myths.pdf)

And file early! Learning how much aid you qualify for earlier in the admission process can help you determine the affordability of certain schools on your list and which schools will best fit your needs academically and financially. If you’re not ready to file a FAFSA form, you can use the FAFSA4caster to estimate your federal student aid (https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cform). Applying isn’t the last step; your FAFSA form has to be processed, and then you get an Expected Family Contribution, which your college or career school uses to figure out how much aid you can get.

Check out these two resources for learning more about the FAFSA:  Federal Student Aid (https://fafsa.gov), Edvisors (www.edvisors.com/fafsa ), which offers an opportunity to download a free copy of their complete guide on the website.

Being an informed consumer is important in the college application and selection process.  There are so many outstanding colleges and universities that offer a great undergraduate experience at an affordable cost to families.  Cast your net wide – you’ll be surprised at the hidden gems you may reel in!  Good luck and remember The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.

IN HER OWN WORDS – REFLECTIONS ON MY FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE

/in , , /by

Welcome to July! This month always means transition for me – winding down my work with recently graduated seniors, ramping up application and essay work with rising seniors and checking in with my freshmen and sophomore students.  But I always try to find time to re-connect with my former students who have just completed one or more years of college. Sharing their reflections about their college application process or experience of transitioning to college is fun and I hope informative for students embarking on the process.  This month features an interview with a former student, Kira Griffin, a sophomore at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.   Here’s what she shared about finding the right college fit and her first-year experience as a college student.

With so many colleges to choose from how did you build your list of prospective schools? I first built my list of colleges simply by doing research online and seeing which schools grabbed my interest. I had a few local schools and I had a lot of schools in Southern California. I’ve always had the idea that I wanted to attend school in Southern California so those universities were higher up on my priority list. I applied to a few schools that were very new to me (schools I hadn’t heard of), which I then later researched more.

Did you visit all of the schools to which you applied? During the spring break of my Junior year in High School, I went a college road trip with my best friend. We looked at five schools in Southern California and three schools in San Diego. I did not visit all of the schools that I applied to because some of those schools were safety schools. I didn’t see a point visiting schools that I wouldn’t want to go to if I had already gotten into schools higher up on my priority list.

How did the campus visits impact your final decision? After I got all of my results back regarding the schools I got into, I was able to narrow down my list to the ones I was really considering. I thought back to the campus visits and which campus I felt most at home at. As I was on the college tours, there were certain campuses where I literally couldn’t picture myself walking around as a student on that campus. When that was the case, I instantly knew that it wasn’t the school for me to attend. I believe campus visits are a ​very important part in the process of choosing your college. Loyola Marymount University’s campus instantly attracted me with all of the palm trees and modern looking buildings. Also, when visiting my final schools there were just some things that LMU had that others didn’t and I really took that into consideration. I just really believe that visiting and picturing yourself on the campus is very important because you could read about the school online, but you don’t truly know what it’s like to be on campus until you actually are there.

What made you consider out of state colleges? Was that scary/uncomfortable for you? To be completely honest, I wasn’t really interesting in applying to out-of-state schools. After having meetings with Ms. Antoinette, she really encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and apply to at least a couple of out of state colleges. I ended up applying to Arizona State and University of Nevada Reno, and was accepted to both schools.  Applying to schools that weren’t in California was scary for me because I never imagined myself going out of state for college. I was worried and anxious about how diverse those universities would be compared to California schools, because diversity is very important to me for my college experience.

What strategies helped you acclimate to college life? Joining different clubs and also attending a lot of school events definitely helped me become accustomed to college life.  Going to these things really got me involved in the campus activities and I was able to meet so many new people.

Did you declare a major when you arrived on campus?  If so, what was it? When I was applying to Loyola Marymount University I chose Business Marketing as my major. I chose this because it is really something that I am interested in and I believe that with my creativity and leadership skills, this field would be something that I can excel in.

What surprised you the most?  Something that has surprised me the most is how welcoming college is. I feel like in college people are able to do whatever they want without being judged, unlike high school where everything is like a competition between one another. The sense of community, specifically at LMU, really surprised me. When I came to visit LMU I was only here for a couple of hours so I couldn’t fully experience the people. Living on campus this past year showed me that everyone is so inclusive, no matter what, which makes me feel really supported.

In what ways did you feel the most (and least) prepared for your transition to college? Honestly, coming into college I felt like I was very prepared. My high school, Moreau Catholic High School (Hayward), is a college-prep school and I believe they did a good job on preparing the students. I also, have a cousin that is a year older than me who also attends Loyola Marymount University, so she was very helpful in telling me what to expect especially at LMU. I would say that coming into to college I wasn’t prepared for how much free time I would have. However, with that being said, managing your time is very important — Just knowing what you can and cannot handle in terms of putting too much on your plate, while also learning not to let the free time lead to you procrastinating.

What do you look forward to doing differently next academic year? Something that I look forward to doing differently my sophomore year is participating more in class. I’m the type of person that talks a lot, but I’d rather listen. These past two semesters I feel like I participated an average amount, but next year I want to get more out of my comfort zone and push myself.

What advice would you give recent high school grads who are transitioning to college this fall? I would tell them to really make the most of it. It sounds cheesy but I can’t even explain how fast this year has gone for me. It feels like yesterday I was filling out college applications. I just truly suggest to have fun and make lots of memories, but also don’t forget what you’re there for… your education. Another thing that I would advise upcoming college freshman is to go to their professors’ office hours. It may seem intimidating, but they are here to help you succeed. I can say that creating that bond with your professor for them to get to know you, can help you throughout the class

What advice would you give to rising high school seniors about the college application process? My biggest piece of advice is to be patient. It is a process that can feel so long and so tiring. Once you start to research different colleges, seeing their averages for test scores or GPA can be very daunting. I would just say don’t let that discourage you from applying to a school because honestly, you never know. Sometimes you may not have the best grades, but your extracurricular activities could make up for it. Finishing all of the college applications can be a very stressful process as well but working with Ms. Antoinette and her giving me deadlines to have certain applications due was very helpful in my experience. Regarding patience, after you submit all of your applications, you will be playing the waiting game. I actually think that this part of the application process is the worst because the mystery of not knowing what will happen can drive you crazy! You will start to see your friends getting acceptance letters which also makes it hard because you start to question where your letter is or why you haven’t gotten that email. Just be patient. It’s all a process (a long one), but in the end it will be worth it.

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.

GRADUATION SEASON – CELEBRATIONS, REFLECTIONS AND TRANSITIONS

/in , /by

Humans are the only creatures with the ability to dive deep in the sea, fly high in the sky, send instant messages around the globe, reflect on the past, assess the present and imagine the future. ~~ Sylvia Earle

June has arrived!  Many of you have recently attended one or more graduation or promotion ceremonies for your children, relatives, or friends.  This is a wonderful time of celebration, acknowledging the hard work put in to get to this very special day. By the time this article is published, I will have attended 3 graduations on the East Coast for family members – two from high school and one from college – as well as celebrated the middle school graduation of my grandson.  Every week I smile when I open another graduation/commencement announcement.  My summer travel will include more graduation celebrations and an opportunity to visit colleges in the cities where my family will gather.  Supporting, Nurturing and Celebrating the accomplishments of young people is my calling – it’s in my DNA!

Last week my family and I toured the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University, where my granddaughter will be attending in the Fall.  As we strolled along, I asked my daughter how it feels to have all three of her children in a state of transition – to high school, college and law school.  Her perspective as a psychologist and an educator was clear – you acknowledge the emotional turmoil that exists, get everyone to where they need to be, and keep moving to the respective finish lines.  She also mentioned the need to pause and reflect on the journey, with all of its twists and turns.

Transitions are inevitable, but reflections are intentional.  When was the last time you paused and thought about your path to your present? Did things go according to your plan? Are you happy where you are in your life?  What would a ‘do-over’ look like for you? With each accomplishment and milestone achieved, did you stop to pat yourself on the back?  My guess is that it’s been way too long since you gave yourself permission to celebrate and reflect.  And as parents, we are far better at managing the celebrations than we are at encouraging our children to pause, reflect and be “in the moment.”

I get excited when I am contacted by former students who reach out just to let me know how they are doing, especially during their freshman year of college. When I connect with the students, my check in consists of questions about what they feel they could have done differently (especially first semester of freshman year) and what they will do differently the next semester.  I also suggest that parents encourage their own children to do the same.  Even if the student never shares the information with anyone, the exercise provides them with an opportunity to really give a hard look at what they learned and how they wish to change the experience – and possibly results!

As we dive into the months of Summer, partaking in graduations and other educational-related celebrations, pause and take stock of the accomplishments and achievements being recognized.  Then use these celebratory events as springboards to plan the next milestone or goal along your educational journey.  Be intentional and honest with yourself – it’s how we grow and improve.  And remember, The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.

 

GRATITUDE – GIVING THANKS ALONG THE WAY

/in , /by

Welcome to May!  For many this signals the last month or so of the school year.  Seniors have made their final college choice, summer plans for family vacations and enrichment programs are being solidified, testing is on the horizon – AP Exams, SAT, ACT, Placement exams.  It is definitely the home stretch on many levels.

As you near the proverbial finish line, crossing all “t’s” and dotting all “i’s”, here’s something to ponder:  When was the last time you took a moment to express gratitude to those who have helped you along the way? Remember the teachers who wrote letters of recommendation on your behalf in support of your college applications? The counselor who reached out to you with information about scholarships for which you were eligible? The coach who helped you identify schools with DIII sports after a “reality check” conversation about the likelihood of playing at the DI level in college? The camp director who tapped you to be a lead summer camp counselor?  These are people who believed in you and supported you along the path to your goals.

Gratitude – the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Expressions of gratitude and appreciation don’t have to be grandiose!  A short, handwritten note, a “thinking of you” card, an email or even a voicemail all work. Not sure what to say? Speak from the heart – there are no “perfect” words.  This is an opportunity to let the person know what’s new with you – progress in school/college, accomplishments in sports or music or the arts, internship experiences, travel adventures – lots of possibilities! You’d be surprised at how well these small actions will be received – and remembered. Yes, you can think of this as a form of networking, which we know is definitely a life skill!

As a counselor who’s worked with a wide variety of students of all ages, one of the greatest joys is reconnecting with former students. Visits and graduation announcements bring a special smile to my face.  There’s a special young lady whom I’ve known since her senior year of high school (2009), and I’ve had the pleasure of staying in touch with her through her undergraduate and graduate programs, and also during her 2 year assignment in the Peace Corps. Now that she has returned home, we are scheduled to meet and discuss her job search.  The mom of a former student sent me one of his cap and gown pictures, as he prepares for graduation from CSU Northridge this month. I chuckled as my eyes watered, knowing this young man’s journey – math was his nemesis, film is his passion – to receiving his degree in Communications and Film Studies.  I recently witnessed a friend beam with pride as one of her former students who is now a local police chief, recognized her and shared fond memories from having her as his 5th grade teacher. It never gets old….

The takeaway is really simple.  Recognize that none of us gets to where we are in life totally on our own.  With that in mind, take action to express your thankfulness for someone’s kindness. They made a choice to support you, now you have the opportunity to let them know it mattered.  Give it a try!  And remember, The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.