Career and College Advisor Notes for February 2026

Hello Students and Families,

February may be a short month, but it’s also packed with opportunities! There are many scholarship deadlines and applications for summer programs and jobs coming up in March, and now is the time to put in the work.

Okanogan PUD Industry Bootcamp, April 23 - applications due March 20, 2026

Okanogan PUD is excited to announce their first-ever Industry Bootcamp! This hands-on experience gives students interested in energy careers the chance to spend a day in the field with Okanogan PUD employees. Students may choose one of the following fields: Lineman, Mechanic/Welder, or Engineer/Electrician.

The PUD’s goal is to engage students who are interested in these fields and considering further education or a career path in one of them. Participants will spend the day alongside industry professionals in the field they have selected, gaining in-depth, hands-on experience. Space is limited to approximately three students per school. Students will be selected through an application process, with placement adjusted as needed based on the number of applicants. Students must submit both the Application and Consent Form to be considered.

Where: Okanogan PUD, 1131 Second Ave. North, Okanogan

When: April 23, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (please arrive by 8:45)

Who: Juniors and Seniors pursuing careers in the listed fields

All students must wear proper attire and be prepared to participate. Students working with the Lineman and Mechanic/Welder must wear boots. Personal Protective Equipment will be provided, as will lunch.

Pre-College Summer Programs

Summer at UChicago - applications due March 12, 2026

Current 9th-11th graders are eligible to apply for the University of Chicago’s one-week enrichment programs (see link for full list of all twelve program options). If accepted, these programs are free for students with a household income of $120,000 or less, and students with a family income of $65,000 or less qualify for additional funds to cover all transportation expenses to and from campus!

Girls Who Code 2026 Summer Programs - early applications due February 25, 2026

Girls Who Code offers two free summer program options, and all girls in grades 9-12 are welcome to apply. You’ll learn to code through hands-on real-world projects in game design, cybersecurity, data science, web development, and artificial intelligence. See link for more information.

Summer Employment

Park Aide at Pearrygin Lake State Park and other area parks

Washington State Parks is recruiting seasonal park aides: a typical work day may include anything from registering campers and collecting camp fees, to cleaning facilities, mowing lawns, or explaining park rules. (You must be at least 17 years old by the start of work.) Park aides have the chance to grow with the agency, and many have gone on to success as rangers, customer service and human resources managers, environmental planners, and more. Former park aides also have found work in the outdoor industry, for nonprofits, or with other public lands agencies.

Post-High School Programs for Students with Disabilities 

There are many post-high school educational options available for students with disabilities! If you are interested in pursuing one of the three programs linked below or researching other plans for after high school, talk with Beth Anderson, Jill Driver, Kim Brunelle, or Alicia Covell.

Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College

Achieve at Highline College

WSU ROAR

Scholarships

Seniors, keep checking the Scholarships 2026 Google Classroom page for new scholarship opportunities. Remember – scholarships are available for ANY post-high school education or training you’re planning to do, including apprenticeships, 2- or 4-year colleges and universities, and technical programs (both college-based and industry-sponsored training). Senior parents, use this link for the guardian view of the Classroom: https://classroom.google.com/guar/ODMwMzEyMzI4NjIw.

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Thursday, February 26 — Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Application Due

Another great funding opportunity for seniors who are planning to major in healthcare or STEM fields at a 2- or 4-year college or university in Washington. Income limits are quite high—a student from a family of 4 with an income of $174,500 or less would qualify for the award. See Ms. Anderson with questions about whether your chosen program qualifies for this funding.

Saturday, March 1 — Community Foundation of North Central Washington scholarship deadline

Nearly all of the 130+ scholarships available through CFNCW’s universal application have March 1 deadlines. This is one you don’t want to miss, seniors! Create a profile and CFNCW will match you with the awards you’re eligible to apply for, submit the general application, and then add any additional materials requested by individual scholarships.

Friday, March 6 — Scrubs Camp in Omak

A great opportunity to explore careers in healthcare! Scrubs Camp offers hands-on experience of a wide variety of healthcare options – students will rotate through stations where they’ll learn about ultrasound technology, medical assisting, pharmacy technology, emergency medicine and other high-demand healthcare fields. Talk with Beth to sign up!

Tuesday, March 24, 5:45am-5:30pm — College Planning Day at Eastern Washington University

College Planning Day is a chance for high school students to learn about many of the 4-year colleges & universities in WA (and a few 2-year schools) in a college fair-like atmosphere. We'll eat lunch in the main EWU dining hall and do a walking tour of the EWU campus. Interested juniors and seniors should talk to Beth to sign up.

Ongoing — Complete the 2026-27 FAFSA or WASFA

Seniors & families: there’s still plenty of time to complete your 2026-27 FAFSA or WASFA application in order to receive scholarships and financial aid at post-secondary institutions for the fall of 2026. See me for help in filling out either financial aid application: I’m available to meet with students and families individually to answer questions and provide real-time support. BTW, we’re doing a great job! The Methow Valley School District currently leads the state in FAFSA completion at 76%!

Be well,

Beth/Ms. Anderson

Beth Anderson

College and Career Advisor

Methow Valley School District

banderson@methow.org

509.996.2215, x4175

Career & College Advisor webpage

About the College and Career Advising Program

The goal of our College and Career Advising program is to provide students and their families with the information and resources necessary for them to make well-informed choices about their post-secondary education. Liberty Bell recognizes the diversity in our families and understands that what might be right for one student may not be a good fit for another.

Therefore, we work individually with students and their families to help them successfully develop and achieve their post-graduation goals – whether that is applying to a 4-year, 2-year or technical college, designing a productive gap year plan or entering the military or workforce. Some of the specific services that we offer include:

  • Educating students and parents about the full range of post-secondary educational options.
  • Meeting individually with juniors, seniors and parents to help them with their college lists, the application process, college essays and financial aid needs, including the FAFSA, the CSS Profile, and scholarship applications, as well as with SAT prep and registration.
  • Holding financial aid information sessions for students and parents to make sure that they have all the resources and support they need to reach their goals.
  • Working with the school counselor to ensure that 9th and 10th graders take the necessary classes to be eligible for their post-HS goals, including college admissions.

Planning for life after high school should be a fun and exciting process; but at times it can be a bit overwhelming. If you find yourself feeling stuck, or if you have questions about any part of the process, contact our office at (509) 996-2215.