Voyager Academy High School News, Oct. 27, 2023

GO VIKINGS GO!

New this week:

  • Thank You To All Who Helped With The Blood Drive Led By Sophomore Morgan King
  • Redefining Leadership
  • Senior Sunrise! (Help Needed From Parents/Guardians)
  • Helping Refugees In The Area
  • El Dia de los Muertos (A day to remember loved ones who have passed)

Recent news items:

  • Take Free College Classes While In H.S.: Durham Tech Career & College Promise Interest Meeting (Nov. 1)
  • 2024 NC Governor's School Application Process
  • VAHS Student Band, “ROAD AHEAD” Makes Its Debut At Bahama Day on Oct. 28
  • Yearbooks Are On Sale Now

News You Can Use

  • Seniors: Here Is An Excellent Resource To Find Scholarships
  • The Voyager Academy "Bring Your Own Device" Policy
  • Student Clubs And Organizations
  • The Voyager Academy High School Website
  • VAHS Counseling Department Blog
  • Athletics: Calendars, Schedules, And More
  • Important Dates

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Thank You To All Who Helped With The Blood Drive Led By Sophomore Morgan King

A special ‘thank you’ goes out to VAHS sophomore, Morgan King. Through the hard work and leadership. VAHS hosted another successful blood drive this week.  Thank you Morgan, and all who lended a hand…and a pint!



Redefining Leadership

Viking Leadership is a new elective class that has come to Voyager Academy High School.  In this class, students mentor elementary and middle school students to improve their reading, math, and writing skills, help with several events throughout the school, hear from different kinds of leaders about what they do and how they exemplify the Voyager core values, and even go on field trips to further our knowledge on different types of leadership. On September 19, the Viking Leadership class took a trip to the Durham City Council. We were led by Council Member DeDreana Freeman, who talked about why she ran for the city council and what aspects of leadership are important in service to the community. We also took a tour of the city council building and got to see the mayor's office. The questions we have asked different leaders include: How do they define leadership? How do they handle difficult decisions? And, how do they empower others? As a leadership class, we are always looking for leadership opportunities and also looking for different kinds of leaders to visit  or to come in and talk to us. Please reach out to sgatlin@voyageracademy.net if you have ideas, opportunities, or contacts. 



Senior Sunrise! (Help Needed From Parents/Guardians)

When: Monday, October 30, 2023 at 7am
Where: at Voyager's Turf Field
What: The 12th graders are invited to attend a senior sunrise hosted by the student council. This will be a time to enjoy a light breakfast while surrounded by their classmates.

Viking families, thank you to those who have volunteered to help. We are still in need of a few things If you can help, here is the sign-up genius link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45A8A823A5FD0-45405626-senior


Should you have any questions, you may contact Tricia Higdon, VAHS Math Teacher/Student Council Sponsor (thigdon@voyageracademy.net)



Thanks in advance for your help!


Helping Refugees In The Area

International Relations class is partnering with a local organization that helps resettle refugees in the Triangle area. We are hosting a winter clothing drive that will culminate on November 13th (Exhibition Day). We need gently used coats, hats, and gloves of all sizes. Donations can be dropped off in Mr. Gatlin's room now or brought to Exhibition Day on the 13th. If you have questions or would like a complete list of supplies requested, please email Steve Gatlin , VAHs Social Studies teacher at sgatlin@voyageracademy.net



El Dia de los Muertos (A day to remember loved ones who have passed)

To celebrate El Dia de los Muertos, the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (VAHS Spanish Honor Society) will maintain an ofrenda near the front of the school. This is a day and event at which we remember our lost loved ones. On this ofrenda will be photographs of those who have been important to you and who have passed. Feel free to bring in photographs of all those you would like to honor. The ofrendas will be decorated traditionally and will be on display from October 30-November 2. Please let Dr. Bankhead (sbankhead@voyageracademy.net) know the names of those you want remembered no later than October 31, and he will include them in a memorial "roll call" for November 2.



Take Free College Classes While In H.S.: Durham Tech Career & College Promise Interest Meeting

The last Interest Meeting for second semester dual enrollment classes at Durham Tech.  is November 1. It is a virtual meeting from 5:30-7:00. p.m. Current  Juniors and Seniors with an unweighted g.p.a. of 2.8 and higher are eligible to take dual enrollment courses at DTCC  to earn college and high school credits. 


Please check the website  https://www.durhamtech.edu/dual-enrollment  for more information. Students need to register for the final Interest Meeting using the QR Code below to initiate the first step in the registration process.  Contact Jill O’Kane with any questions.     



NC  Governors' School 

The North Carolina Governor's School is a four-week summer residential program for gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses. Learning focuses on the exploration of the most recent ideas and concepts in each discipline, and it does not involve credit, tests, or grades. Students are selected to attend through a competitive process after being nominated by their public school unit or non-public school.


Check out the website for more information. https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/north-carolina-governors-school


Voyager can nominate two Juniors for World Language, Two for Academics and  four in the Arts Disciplines. Please see the VAHS Selection Process below if you wish to apply. Contact Jill O'Kane (jokane@voyageracademy.net) for assistance or questions.  Also, click here for more info.



VAHS Student Band, “ROAD AHEAD” Makes Its Debut At Bahama Day on Oct. 28

A small group of students from VAHS, (Bull City Sound and Bull City Lights–the VAHS school band)  have formed their own group, ‘Road Ahead”.  They are scheduled to perform live at the Bahama Day Event on 28 October 2023, from 1-2 PM, in downtown Bahama. 

Jarrett Paul Morrison and Zach Hanspal have put this specialty band together to share their musical skills and organize for this non-profit, community event given by the Bahama Ruritan Club located in Bahama, NC. This will be the first time a youth group will be on stage performing music and this will be their first debut as a band! 

Band members performing and/or organizing from Voyager High School are
Jarrett Paul Morrison, Zach Hanspal, E.J. Ignacio, Bailey Clark (lead singer), Carson Jewell, and Peyton Farrish.

To qualify, the band was required to submit a demo tape with two songs to the Bahama Day event coordinator, Ms. Ada Glenn. It was a success; thus, they were given approval. This is a major accomplishment and opportunity to showcase some of the skills of Voyager High School.

She and her husband, Greg Glenn, are members of the Bahama Ruritan Club who have supported this band.  Greg Glenn is a member of a professional group, “Southern Guns Band” who will be the first to perform at 10:00 AM.  Bahama Day event expects an audience of over 2000 people.

Special thanks goes to Mr. Pahala, Music Director of the Voyager High School Bull City Sound, in supporting their achievement and being their music teacher.

Many thanks to the Voyager High School Administration in promoting this and the Bahama Ruritan Club for given them this opportunity.

As they continue their education, their ROAD continues AHEAD!



Yearbooks are on sale now!

Order a yearbook today to get the lowest price of the year!

Click here to order.



Seniors: Here Is An Excellent Resource To Find Scholarships

With scholarships for “Women in Stem,” for “Community Service,” for outstanding GPAs and more, the scholarship resource Goingmerry.com, is an excellent place to begin your search.


To find and apply for scholarships, students and parents can sign up for Going Merry (https://www.goingmerry.com) -- it’s free! Going Merry has thousands of national, regional, and local scholarships. There are also opportunities for every grade level, from freshmen to seniors. Check out the current list in Going Merry: https://www.goingmerry.com/blog/category/scholarship-lists/

Also check out this Scholarship Website handout for additional Scholarship Platforms (click here).



Questions, or need assistance?  Please contact VAHS School Counselor, Jill O'Kane (jokane@voyageracademy.net)



The Voyager Academy "Bring Your Own Device" Policy

Hey Voyager Vikings, remember that Voyager Academy is Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school. All students are required to bring their own device to school each day. Please click here for the Voyager Academy BYOD policy.  (Also found in the Voyager Academy Student/Parent Handbook).



Student Clubs And Organizations

Hey Vikings, Check Out All The VAHS Clubs!

Student life at VAHS isn’t all tests, quizzes and homework.  We have Chess Club, Ice Skating Club, Gamers Club, Service Club, Computer Coding Club, American Sign Language Club, Business and Leadership Club and more.  VAHS students are encouraged to join a club or other extra-curricular activity! Get involved.


Click here to see a list of VAHS Clubs.



Other Useful Sources of Information


The Voyager Academy High School Website

One of the first places to check for basic information about VAHS is the VAHS website.  Among the information you can find there are calendars and schedules, student clubs and organizations, faculty directory, the counseling page, special bulletins, etc. Here is the VAHS website:

http://voyageracademy.net/vahs


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VAHS Counseling Department Blog

Please be sure to check the VAHS Counseling Department blog frequently. The blog provides news, information, and opportunities for VAHS students and parents all in one convenient location. Topics range from Career/College Counseling and Application Support to Summer Programs and Opportunities. Check it out!


CLICK HERE FOR THE VAHS COUNSELING DEPT. BLOG



Voyager Athletics: Click here for the sporting events calendar, and more.



Voyager Academy Student/Parent Handbook




Important Dates


Dates

Events

Oct. 28

VAHS Student Band, “ROAD AHEAD” Makes Its Debut At Bahama Day

Oct. 31

Pre-ACT/CRAA (required for all 10th graders)

Nov. 9

Teachers alert parents/students w/grade below 60

Nov. 13

Project Exhibition Day:  2:00-3:45pm

Nov. 28

NC Biology Check ins (diagnostic exams)

Dec. 12 - 20

Final Exams



VOYAGER VIKING VALUES

CONFIDENCE   -   CURIOSITY   -   EMPATHY

REFLECTION   -   INTEGRITY