JHS seniors to celebrate college opportunities

JOPLIN, Mo. –  A VU Your Horizons Scholarship Ceremony will celebrate the outstanding opportunities available to Joplin High School’s Class of 2024 graduating seniors from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, January 19. The ceremony will be held in the JHS Performing Arts Center, 2104 Indiana Ave.

During the 2022-23 academic year, the Joplin Schools Board of Education approved the district’s enrollment in VU Scholarships, a platform that matches high school students with college scholarships ahead of application. According to JHS Counselor Jessica Burroughs, the platform is a way for graduating seniors to learn more about their college opportunities and the immediate financial aid they would qualify for based on their academic record.

“Many of our students think college is out of reach for them financially, but we want to make sure they know there are a lot of schools out there who will offer scholarships,” said Ms. Burroughs.

“It’s overwhelming sometimes to know where to start looking for that information, so I’m excited to share the VU reports with our students and families.”

During the scholarship ceremony, students will participate in a pep-rally-like event, complete with performances from the winter drumline, an appearance by Eddie the Eagle, JHS Cheerleaders, JHS Varsity Dance team, popcorn, music, and more. Parents of seniors will be invited to attend if able, but the event is not open to the general public.

JHS Principal Dr. Randy Oliver said his team’s goal is to celebrate the hard work of their outgoing seniors and highlight the possibilities available to them for post-secondary education.

“This is just another way to open doors for our students and help make them aware of the opportunities to go to college if they so choose,” said Dr. Oliver. “This will be an amazing experience for some students who thought college would not be a possibility. I am excited we have another way to highlight all of the Joplin High School Class of 2024.”