The seminar offered parents and students valuable advice and instruction on how to develop a plan for local high school students to get into college.

Counselors Allison Zameck Lieberman from ZBTHS and Barry Goldman from New Tech explained how students and parents can investigate their options and listed many factors to consider in planning for college, a process that should begin as early as freshman year.

Graduation from middle school is the signal for both parents and students to start planning. Input from parents is absolutely essential, but the family discussion should be done with the student as the driver. “Think about what is important to you,” Zameck said. Parents also need to be up-front with their students about how much they will be able to pay for school, one college rep said, which might be a major consideration in the choice.

Be cautious in considering a school that your high school friends have selected. A student’s life usually changes dramatically during college years. You must make the call for yourself, the counselors said.

College-bound students should have list of 5-10 choices to apply to before your senior year begins. The list should include a mix of public and private schools, as well as a mix of admission risk categories — some that are a “reach,” and some that are “safe.”

A new factor to consider is an initiative called the Midwest Student Exchange, which is a consortium of schools that agree to charge out-of-state students a tuition that is less than their regular out-of-state rate, but more than the in-state rate.

Another new college planning innovation is the net price calculator, which is available on all college web sites. It estimates what a specific student’s tuition will be for that school.

However, tuition is only a part of the total cost of attending college, which also includes room and board, books, personal expenses and travel. All of those costs added up is the “sticker price” of a college education, but it’s only a guide, like the sticker amount at a car dealership.

“Don’t just look at the sticker price,” one college rep said, because you won’t know what the real cost will be until after your financial aid application is filed and the schools you apply to send a financial aid award letter. That will knock down the sticker price. The amount will be different for every school, so compare the award letters in determining your choice.

Pursue scholarships right away, Zameck advised, the earlier the better, even starting during your junior year. The counselors also advised to utilize the financial aid offices at the schools on your list. Just like at high school, they have counselors there to advise and guide you to maximize the financial aid you receive.

Adding to that point, one college rep suggested finding and contacting the college rep from the schools you are interested in. Every college and university has someone assigned to cover a region, he said, and they can be helpful in providing the legwork in filing an application.

Goldman strongly urged visiting the schools during the late spring and early summer as one of the primary steps in selecting the right school. Refer to the schools’ web sites to find out when they hold orientation days and open houses, he said. Another strategy that is highly beneficial is to call ahead and schedule an appointment for an individual visit of a campus.

Get acquainted with the web sites of ZBTHS and New Tech, Goldman advised, because all the scholarship and college prep information you need to successfully get into college is there. Learn how to navigate the site and get guidance from Student Services.

One of the most alarming findings of the survey found that about a third of the teenage mothers surveyed said they did not use birth control because they did not believe they would get pregnant engaging in unprotected sex. The survey revealed several other findings that related to misinformation or ignorance regarding sex and pregnancy.

There is one place that’s available and accessible with resources and staff ready to provide knowledge and information on this and any other issue facing teens: your local public library.

• “Love is like a box of chocolates – it’s sweet at first; then you want to puke”
• “Love is like a rose – it looks beautiful, but it has thorns”
• “Love stinks”
• It puts love up for sale through crass commercialism.

Any reason is good enough for teens to get together for an after-hours Anti-Valentines Day party at the ZB Library on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6-8 p.m. Open to teens only, the free event will offer snacks, beverages, video gaming, contests and other anti-love activities, but it’s mostly an opportunity for teens to hang out on a Friday evening.

Admission is free, but the number of attendees is limited. Reserve your spot by registering with your name, phone number and age.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form must be filled out and submitted for any college-bound student to be considered for state and federal financial aid, including student loans.

Here’s a list of the scheduled workshops:

• Saturday, Jan. 14 at Waukegan Public Library from 2-4 p.m. 
• Saturday, Jan. 21 at Waukegan High School Brookside Campus from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Thursday, Jan. 26 at College of Lake County in Grayslake from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. 
• Saturday, Jan. 28 at Saint Martin de Porres High School from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Saturday, Feb. 4 at Highland Park High School from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Saturday, Feb. 11 College of Lake County Grayslake campus from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Monday, Feb. 13 at Mundelein High School from 6-8 p.m. 
• Thursday, Feb.16 at University Center of Lake County in Grayslake from 6-8 p.m. 
• Saturday, Feb.18 at Round Lake High School from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Saturday, Feb.25 at College of Lake County Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Thursday, March 8 at College of Lake County in Grayslake from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
• Wednesday, March 14 at College of Lake County Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills from 6-9 p.m. 
• Tuesday, March 20 at University Center of Lake County in Grayslake from 6-8 p.m.

For more details and a list of documents, go to this site.

All school activities, events and athletics will resume on Wednesday. Final exams are rescheduled for Jan. 18, 19 and 20.

School will be in session on Jan. 16, Feb. 20, March 5 and April 6 to make up for the four cancelled school days.

Phillip Carter: Doin my best to do my thing today but my mind just won’t let me. I can’t even crack a smile not a real 1 anyway.

Torie Marie Pasiewicz: my heart continues to go out to myself, my little brother, his friends, and everyone at zion benton who not only lost a friend, but someone we loved. as a whole, our community has been effected and in faith, we can believe that now, he is in a better place

Paris A’ney: couldnt sleep all nite or go to school today jus too sad

Martha WestCudi: it’s the first week of 2012, my friend died, my bf and I’s anniversary is tmrw, my mom’s pissed at me, college stuff is becoming stressful, I just got my cap and gown order form today (senioritis), and now this district #126 strike bs. I hope I can manage to get through all this :/

• Jordan Prezidential Moye: pray on it
• Martha WestCudi: WILL DO.

Myranda Gives’None Diaz: I miss him. I used to love his random videos.

Taylor Jane Saunders: It sucks that an unfortunate death is what it takes for people to realize how short life really is.

Stephanie Schnettler: These halls have never been so quiet..

Myranda Gives’None Diaz: I woke up thinking this would all have just been a bad dream. All the posts on facebook, all the tears I’ve shed, everything. But it’s not. You’re really gone, I still cant believe it. </3 —

Jessie M Ruple: He was to young to go. But he is with god and he will watch over his family and friends. RIP

Carly Pickos: Y.o.l.o I can see you now cracking jokes up there, you really are missed. I can’t wait.

to see you again and say whuddupdoeeee(:

Kaeli Lawson: Dean whoever is reading this, Stay strong, you’ll get through this

Elisa Ashley Cwookie Hinog: Rest In Peace – Bernard Everitt. You’re in a better place now dude

Tavares Noheart Shaw: R.I.P Bernard Everitt , YOU WILL BE MISSED DEARLY BRUH

Dante OffsetShawty Wilson: Damn the class of 2012 just had a loss I can’t even believe it just the a few weeks ago we was staring each other down f***in around R.I.P brah we all gone miss you

Izaiah Vela: Damn those bus rides too our meets, just arent gonna be the same with out you rappin . R.I.P Bernard Everitt

Lee Ray: At first i was mad at er body for saying something about bernard like they was his closes friend. But the thing about it is everyone was a close friend to him. It still hasn’t hit me that i wont be able to see him ever again. He wont be able to stay over my house, he wont be able to go in my kitchen and eat er thang up, he wont be able to make a funny ass joke or another one of our funny videos. I wont be able to talk shit back and forth with him. All he want was to be loved and thats real. I love you brother you will never be forgotten. You are in a better place now with your mother and father.

Bernard Everitt, the funniest and most honest man i knew.

Tray Thomas: Life is so short.. :(

Diana Ocampo: Its gonna suck not seeing you in 7th periodd. Our conversations were never boringg. you always knew what to sayy when i needed your advice. Thank you for everythingg, thank you for being a great friend. I know your making Everyone laugh up there. See you soon -Bernard Everitt R.I.P

Jalen Torresaurus: I hope we all learn something today, I hope from this day forth this brings us together. That we drop all of our differences all of the pointless drama. This is life, there is no use for useless stress, we are all going through life and we all go through shit. Let’s not judge, let’s not hate. Let’s love, because you never know when you will never see someone again, you can’t apologize to someone you can’t talk to. I love you all, I love you Nard. Live life, Love life.

Josh Benson: To My Dueee Bernard..I miss Yo Funny Ass..R.I.P Bernard..

Victor Número Ocho Henderson: Monday when we went to school 2nd period in study hall he was complaning his chest was hurting to me and scooter and he got ah pass to go home and i aint heard frm him untill i got on facebook and heard he passed :’( imma cry you ah river bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cristal Lugo: Today sucks . . R.I.P Nastasha lee Santiago & Bernard Everrit

Trell Walker: A million feelings, a thousand thoughts, a hundred memories ; all for ONE person. R.I.P. Bernard

New data from a 2011 teen driving study by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) reveals that teens realize New Year’s Eve is the most dangerous time of year to drive, yet it also is the holiday or event when teens most frequently drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

The study also offers a preventative measure to keep teens safe: Passengers exert a powerful influence on the decision of drivers to drive under the influence. So that’s the way to stay safe: Say something when someone under the influence wants to drive.

The Zion Public Works Department and the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, in conjunction with Zion Township and Zion Elementary School District 6 will be accepting holiday light strings for recycling. Lights may be dropped off now through January 31st, 2012 during normal business hours at any of the following locations:

• Zion City Hall
• Zion Township Office
• Zion Central Middle School
• Shiloh Park School
• Lakeview School
• East School
• West School
• Elmwood School
• Beulah Park School

Holiday light strings of any type will be accepted, including regular, miniature or LED types, working or not. Light bulbs need not be removed. Light strings only, wreaths, figurines and other lighted holiday decorations cannot be accepted.