<p>Vandy: True…$$ is always welcome 
Her “Cheer” bill for the year always comes out in May, so for years that has been worked into her Birthday present. And since she is going back to All Star competitive Cheer, this year it will be a hefty chunk after adding travel expenses. But…it’s what she loves to do.</p>
<p>Lacrossemom- Yearbook senior portraits for us are in a month. All have to use the same photographer. I won’t buy them (horrible quality), so I am thinking about finding my own for our own photos.<br>
SteveMA, I hope your D appreciates her “earning power” as an athlete now that you laid it out for her. Growing up is so hard to do.<br>
CBG- It is probably frustrating that your S is so nonchalant about the awards, but it is great that he is so humble. Our schools awards are during the day. I think it is some secret meeting as parents are never included.<br>
Ama- Amen!
MegP- D reports that they are entering a month of movies in most of her classes. AP and IB are mostly done, and another month of classes.
Tx5. I am considering an Essay camp. It is only $250 ish and three sessions. I think it will help to keep D on track and remove me from nagging. $650 is high to me but it could be a regional price difference.
MDMom- we got D a new Martin Acoustic guitar. I like Vandygrads idea.</p>
<p>MDMom…If she Loves Disney…you can arrange a special meet and greet with her Fave character…at least at the Fl one…or do they have character lunches at a themed restaurant you could make reservations at for her and her friends??? I know they do Birthday Buttons that are free that she can wear…
Last year for her Sweet 16…I got mine a little Blue Box from …yes Tiffany…a lovely Sterling heart with a little key…she wears it All the time and she doesn’t wear jewelry…cost $125…smile…priceless…</p>
<p>SteveMA…Great thinking on Athletic Value…mine plays but doesn’t want to in College…even got a recruiting letter…but still…no sports in College 
She wants to go with her passion…volunteering…ok I lost that argument…to a good cause… :)</p>
<p>TX5…I have been thinking a second pair of eyes too…Just remember it Must be in their Voice…maybe have one written first…then see if you do indeed Need to spend the money…you might be surprised…and there are several hints on the “how to” on the various web sites…</p>
<p>MDMom…I’m still laughing…</p>
<p>Movies in Class…Kids today actually Listen to movies…so that can be a win-win…and they need a break!!!</p>
<p>Walker…Calc grade…Outstanding !!!</p>
<p>Haystack…Visits are good for them even the ones they don’t like…gives them a better perspective of their future Homes…</p>
<p>SORRY about all the Award Cancellations…</p>
<p>Swizzle…I LOVE your posts…So nice to have a kid here…keeps things Real for us…</p>
<p>Vandy…CONGRADTS…Awards are so Special…</p>
<p>MDMom, I agree that $$ is a good idea! We gave D13 a collection of Jeeves and Wooster DVDs for her birthday this week but other family members gave her some money and she plans a shopping spree. We will chip in to help with the clothes because she will need some work attire for a summer internship but fortunately she has grown vertically rather than horizontally so most of last summers casual wear still fits!</p>
<p>Next week will be very busy and Im very glad that Ive sent off the big project that I was working on. Ill have to take some time off. S12 graduates next Wednesday evening, but before we go to the ceremony well have to rent a van. Next morning we have to be at the hs to pick up semi-comatose members of the tennis team at 6am and dash to the ferry. With the teachers strike it was uncertain whether or not we would be able to go to the provincial championships and we didnt know until today that it was on. They need an adult female to chaperone and H is the assistant coach so we will both be there with the kids. Unfortunately, Prom was scheduled for the Friday and there are a number of seniors on the team so some may come back before the final matches on Saturday. S12, however, is a trooper and will stay on to give the younger team member some moral support (he was just going with a group of friends so hes not letting anyone down). Anyway, feeling a little frazzled now and thinking of all the things that Ill need to do!</p>
<p>MDmom: D1 is now 21, but I am pretty sure she got a “blue box” from Tiffany’s.</p>
<p>Haystack==looking for 90+ degrees in Minneapolis tomorrow–</p>
<p>Which St. John’s–New York</p>
<p>Since Texas was mentioned–anyone know anything about Southwestern in Texas? DD has been getting a LOT of information from them–something she should consider?</p>
<p>I have friends that went to Trinity and Southwestern in Texas. The biggest issue for Southwestern might be that 90% of the students are from Texas. It is a fine CTCL school.</p>
<p>I think Trinity might be a better option and worth looking into. More of a national student body and lots of money. Endowment is in the $1 billion range.</p>
<p>Haystack…any relation to the Trinty in Ct? That’s a Huge endowment…</p>
<p>No relation, totally different schools. Lots of oil money.</p>
<p>Ah Yes…Black Gold…Texas Tea…Am I dating myself? Lollollol</p>
<p>Southwestern is well-regarded. I know/have known lots of kids who went there. But it’s DIII, so there aren’t athletic scholarships.</p>
<p>Ds is at the Spurs game, having the time of his life. And it hasn’t even started yet!</p>
<p>YDS–DIII programs tend to find money (merit) for kids they want, usually anyway :D.</p>
<p>I’m jealous of all of the kids that are done with school. We still have almost a month left…kids are done with AP tests though.</p>
<p>One thing I really like about Southwestern is how transparent they are about their merit awards. [Southwestern</a> University: Financial Aid: Types: Scholarships: Merit Scholarship Program](<a href=“http://www.southwestern.edu/assistance/types/scholarships/merit.php]Southwestern”>http://www.southwestern.edu/assistance/types/scholarships/merit.php)</p>
<p>It’s true that DIII’s often find merit aid, but I wouldn’t assume they can/will.</p>
<p>Go spurs go!!!</p>
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<p>:) 
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<p>Y’all are cracking me up!</p>
<p>That’s what I’m talking about, Walker! :D</p>
<p>YDS–we aren’t assuming anything, just know that it is pretty standard practice for their top recruits. At the other D3 programs she is considering, they will have merit information available before the first “signing” date in the fall so the kids can weigh options. Not sure if SW does this as well but she has been getting stuff from them almost daily so I am guessing they want her. :D.</p>
<p>YDS: I love me some Spurs!!! Didn’t care anything about BB until we lived in SA for five years. I think we are the only Spurs fans in KY!</p>
<p>I just want everyone to know that the sports (or URM or whatever) marketing is just like the other marketing colleges do and isn’t a guarantee or admissions or money. I don’t know what sport your dd plays or her position, but if a higher-ranked one of those comes along she might be out of luck. A school offered ds1 an all-expenses-paid visit, which he took, and they WL’d him. Seemed like a lot of bother/expense for a kid they ended up WL’ing, but I guess they had the money to spend.</p>
<p>Regardless, I’m sure all our kids will have lots of choices!</p>
<p>ETA: I was a Mavs fan while I lived in Dallas but quickly switched to the Spurs when I moved to Central Texas. And I love Kevin Durant, a former UT player, and OKC (I was born in OK). I really hope they take the Lakers down.</p>
<p>Good luck at Provincials. Glad HS tennis is done around here. That would have made the last 2 weeks much harder.</p>
<p>No St. Johns email here, but Case Western Reserve sent S '13 a letter offering to waive the admission fee. I guess that strategy works because he never even thought about that school and now he’s going to look them up on the web.</p>