Spring is nearly here and that can only mean one thing: The Fifth Annual Licking River Writers Writing Contest at the Maysville Community & Technical College, Licking Valley Campus.

The Fifth Annual Writing Contest is open to both children and adults and includes the following categories:

• Youth (K-5 grades) Poetry, max three poems; Story, max 600 words.

• Juvenile (6-8 grades) Poetry, max three poems; Story, max 1,000 words.

• High School (9-12 grades) Poetry, max five poems; Story, max 2,000 words.

• Adult Poetry, max five poems per entry.

• Adult Non-Fiction, max 3,000 words.

• Adult Fiction, max 3,000 words.

New! Adults Writing for Children:

• Adult writing for Primary Group (for K-3rd grade) max 600 words.

• Adult writing for Intermediate Group (for 4th -6th grades) 600 - 1,000 words.

• Adult writing for Young Adult, max 2,000 words.

Entry fees for K-12 grades, and current LVC students have been waived. Entry fees for adult submissions are $20 for the first entry, and $10 for each additional entry. (Two adult entries would be $30; three would be $40, etc). Each entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form.

The writing contest runs from February 1 through April 1 (postmark date). Stop by the Licking Valley Campus, located at 319 Webster Avenue between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to pick up an official entry form, or to drop off a completed form and manuscript. Checks for the adult portion of the contest may be made out to LVC Foundation and manuscripts need to be sent to the attention of Kristy Horine.

For more information or for an email copy of the entry form, please contact Kristy Horine via email at ecox0045@kctcs.edu.

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Student Council will be hosting their third blood drive of the school year along with the Kentucky Blood Center on February 14, 2013.

Blood drives are one of the many community service projects Student Council organizes throughout the school year. The school has donated over 100 pints of blood this year and are hoping that they can get many more! Each pint of blood saves three lives.

To donate you must be at least 16 years old and Student Council is asking for anyone who is willing to donate blood to come to Pendleton County High School and give the ultimate gift of love this Valentine's Day!

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Southern Elementary School’s SBDM would like your input in determining the characteristics desired in our next principal. As stakeholders in the education of the students, we hope to identify those qualities that will best meet the needs of our school and the students.

You're invited to take a few minutes to rank these qualities by completing a survey either by going to http://www.pendleton.kyschools.us / “Southern Elementary Needs Your Input” under District News or picking up a paper copy of the survey in the office of Southern Elementary School. Deadline for completing survey is February 25, 2013.

As you complete this survey, remember that you are providing input in the qualities you, as a stakeholder, would like to see in the principal of Southern Elementary School. Your interest and support is appreciated!

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Following a successful season the Sharp Middle School's Academic Team placed second overall and second in quick recall at the district Governor's Cup competition at Harrison County on Saturday, January 19. Several students placed in the written assessment part of the competition as well. Results are as follows: Science: 1st - Andrew Hicks, 4th - Luke Nordheim; Language Arts: 2nd - Andrew Hicks, 3rd - Ben Bowen; Arts & Humanities: 2nd - Wyatt Melton, 3rd - Ben Bowen; Math: 2nd - Amelia Franxman, 5th - Evan Thomas. Front row, pictured from left, Evan Thomas, Bailey Hardy, Ben Bowen, Andrew Hicks, Francis Gales, Jahziah Jensen. Back row: Amelia Franxman, Wyatt Melton, Luke Nordheim.

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The federal government sponsors numerous financial aid programs that can help students and their parents pay college expenses. This brief summary from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) describes the more common federal grant and loan programs. Grants generally do not have to be repaid, but loans do.

• Federal Pell Grant: Pell Grants provide up to $5,550 per year for undergraduates with financial need.

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: grants that provide up to $4,000 per year for undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need.

• Federal Perkins Loan: loans for students with exceptional financial need. Undergraduates can get up to $5,500 per year, while graduate students can get up to $8,000 per year.

• Federal Stafford Loan: Stafford Loans are available to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The amount students may borrow depends on their year in school.

• Federal PLUS Loan: Parents of dependent undergraduate students may qualify for PLUS Loans, depending on the parents’ credit ratings. The amount available depends on how much other financial aid the student receives. Graduate students may apply for PLUS Loans if they have exhausted all of their Stafford Loan eligibility.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to apply for all of these programs. Families seeking a PLUS Loan must also submit a separate application.

To find links to other useful education websites, go to www.gotocollege.ky.gov. For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602; or call 800-928-8926, ext. 6-7372.

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The Pendleton County Conservation District will be accepting applications for three scholarships of $1,000 each to be given by the Ky. Association of Conservation District Auxiliary. Will Browning, chairperson of the Pendleton Conservation District, says that the deadline for taking applications is at the closing of business on February 27, 2013 in Bowling Green.

The Soil Conservation Natural Resources Scholarship is for any student currently enrolled in college and has declared a major in the field of agriculture or related fields.

The George Crafton Scholarship is for a high school senior that will be entering college this fall, enrolled in the area related to agriculture or natural resources.

The Natural Resources Scholarship is for non-traditional students, at least twenty-five years of age and pursuing an undergraduate degree in agriculture or related natural resources.

Participation is state-wide, you may receive one of the scholarships, but you can't if you don't apply! Applications are easy to complete. If you are interested, pick one up at the Conservation District Office, 814 US South, Falmouth or call 859-654-3376, ext. 3 and one can be mailed to you.

Applications for the George Crafton Scholarship (high school seniors) are available  at the Pendleton High School Guidance Counselor office. Again the deadline is February 27, 2013. You can either mail or bring your conpleted application to out office.

All programs and services are offered on a non-discriminatory basis.

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Kentucky parents overwhelmingly favor increasing the state’s high school dropout age, according to the Kentucky Parent Survey.  The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky released the polling data, along with a comprehensive summary report for the complete survey, today.

“People may not realize that education is a health issue, but research tells us that completing high school is directly related to our health status in later life,” said Dr. Susan Zepeda, President/CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

The next few months will be very exciting, as well as busy for the Senior Class of 2013.  Graduation Walking  information and pictures are due by February 1.

Senior Council will be hosting a Quarter Auction on Saturday, February 9. The auction will be held at the Pendleton County High School cafeteria beginning at 6 p.m. Please see any Senior Council member, Mr. Brown, or Mrs. Hart for information or to purchase paddles.

There are new senior shirts being sold that will be on sale until February 13, before school and during lunch.  On March 1st the senior class will be having their “2013” picture taken.  All seniors will need to wear their charcoal gray class shirt.

Another exciting event will be a Spaghetti Dinner on March 16, at Tim’s Kitchen in Butler.  All proceeds go towards the Senior Class for Class Night and Graduation.

The Senior Trip will be March 31 - April 5. All senior trip payments should be paid by March 15.  The seniors will be traveling to Washington D.C. and New York to see many historical sites and a Broadway show.

Senior Week will be April 8-12 followed by the annual Powder Puff Football Tournament on April 13.

Other important senior information and dates to remember include January 30 which is the last day to turn in cap, gown, and invitation orders to Balfour. February 11 is the boys’ basketball senior night and February 15 is the girls’ basketball senior night. Senior mock interviews are scheduled for April 25 and 26 and Prom will be at the Newport Aquarium, April 27.

We hope to see you at the Quarter Auction February 9 and all of the other events.

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Pictured is PCHS sophomore Sarah Tackett working with students on the choreography for a scene in Annie Jr.

A talented group of Phillip A. Sharp Middle School students have been practicing almost every afternoon since returning from Christmas Break, working on lines, songs, and dance steps to bring the musical Annie Jr. to the Falmouth School Center stage.

The 26 member cast of sixth through eighth graders would like to invite community members to see their energetic production.

The show is scheduled to be performed on the Falmouth School Center stage Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26.  Each show will begin at 7 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the production will be $10 for adults and $5 for students. Daytime dress rehearsal performances have been scheduled for school groups on the 24th and 25th.

Pendleton County High School GATES students have been working as directors, choreographers, music directors, costumers, and set designers for this production.  Former PCHS student and current UC student, Brett Price, has also been serving as a co-general manager with GATES teacher, Michelle Lustenberg. This is truly a Pendleton County student collaborative effort that is a “must see” for everyone.

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Freshmen: Chandler Aulick, Tyler Baker, Jordan Bishop, Alexandra Blackaby, Bailey Boden, Shannon Carey, Bobbie Carroll, Amber Deaton, Sidney Dietrich, Erin Fitzpatrick, James Holder, Adrianna Howard, Xanthia Jensen, Garret Marshall, Brian McElfresh, Taelor McMillin, Kiley Monfils, MacKenzie Moore, Jacob Nordheim, Carlee Peters, Zachary Rogers, Henry Roseberry, Austin Schneider, Dawn Shaefer, Nancy Shoemaker, Kimberly Styer, Morgan Sydnor, James Thompson, Jordan Trimble, Lily Wang, Victoria Wanstrath, Kaylin Wells, Madison Wirth, Jared Wolfe, Holden Wolfe, Hunter Wolfe.

Sophomores: Naomi Antrobus, Abbilgale Bex, Sydney Brinkdoepke, Joshua Brown, Montgomery Franxman, Walker Lea, Eric Messmer, Courtney Moore, Melanie Mullins, William Redden, Kaitlin Smith, Caleb Vanorio, Ian West.

Juniors: Luke Banfield, Kendra Hughes, Ronica Hutchison, Cameron McClanahan, Holly Owens, Colton Pugh, Jose Sanchez, Madison Steele, Samuel Turner, Nathaniel Wright.

Seniors: Garrett Appleman, Brittany Baumgartner, Brianna Crouch, Charles Flaugher, Aaron Gibson, Racheal Griess, Christopher Harper, Emily Hutchison, Erin Kirby, Megan Lee, Kymberlyn McIntosh, Mariah Moore, Jennifer Owen, Christopher Turner, Ashten Wolfe, Austin Workman, Kelsey Young, Ania Zmyslo.