Heartland Community Schools Holds First Annual Academic Letter of Intent Day [PHOTOS]

Most of us are familiar with the athletic National Letter of Intent ceremonies held in the spring in high schools across the country. Heartland Community Schools has now added an Academic Letter of Intent ceremony for those students that also excel in the classroom. The only criteria for recognition is for the student to accept a scholarship from the college they will attend that is specifically awarded for academic achievement.  School officials believe that this may be the first of its kind in Nebraska.

“We are excited every year to celebrate signing day for our student athletes that will continue to participate at the collegiate level,” said Superintendent Brad Best. “We are equally as excited for those students that exhibit academic excellence in the classroom. Today was a day in which we invited the students’ parents and college representatives to commemorate the hard work of these students in the classroom,” he continued. While not part of the criteria, all of those recognized participated in extra-curricular activities and many will continue those experiences in college.

Language within the academic letter of intent speaks of the student’s commitment to continuing their focus on excellence in the classroom and giving of their talents to the college they are attending. “They are making a public statement that they will work diligently to maintain their established pattern of academic excellence beyond high school,” Best said.

Heartland officials plan to make this ceremony an annual event. College representatives in attendance included: Cacia Barnes of U.N.K., Kym Wallingford of Southeast Community College, Kara Baney of Concordia University, and Dr. Norm Yoder a representative of Hesston College.  Graduation for these seniors and others in their class will be held this Sunday, May 7^th, at 2:30 PM.

Those students signing letters of intent, college they will attend, and planned program of study:

Heartland officials participating included:
Brad Best – Superintendent of Schools
Tim Carr – Secondary Principal
Linda Koehler – Guidance Counselor