High School Counselor

Stephanie Merickel

Upcoming Events

Required College Credit Plus Meeting

Thursday February 13

6:30 PM-new CCP students; 7:15 PM-returning CCP students

All incoming 9th-12th grade students interested in earning college credits while in high school must attend this meeting.  This is the first and most important step in this process.

ACT Test for Juniors

Tuesday February 25 @ 8:00 AM

Juniors will take the ACT on this date at HHS.  This includes students who may not normally be in the Houston building (UVCC, Edison, Opportunity School).   The 2025 test is optional.  

Saturday ACT Testing

The ACT is being offered to any high school student who would like to take/re-take the test.  Ensure you are meeting your college’s deadline to submit scores.  Register online at act.org.  If you need a fee waiver for the ACT, you can get one by stopping by the office.

ACT Prep Workshops

A pair of Ft. Loramie teachers who have been offering this class for many years.  They have workshops available at various times throughout the year. Consult their website here for more information

 

Graduation Requirements

Please find graduation requirements here.

The classes of 2023 and on will utilize the Graduation Audit and Career Planning Sheet to track all graduation requirements.  Part of that is earning two graduation seals.  Electronic versions of each document are below.

Graduation Audit and Career Planning Sheet

Houston High School Graduation Seals 

You can find more information on at the Ohio Department of Education’s website on Grad Requirements here.

Scholarships Available Now

Local scholarship applications, of which the office is made aware, are posted here.  Students are encouraged to check this information periodically through the Winter and Spring months to find updates and new applications. 

Wright State Lake Campus Scholarship Application

Deadline February 1, 2025

Please see flyer for QR code to access the scholarship application.

Midmark Scholarship

Deadline February 7, 2025

This scholarship is for a student entering the fields of either Engineering or IT.  Please find the application here.

Shelby County Community Foundation

Application opens on December 12.

Regular Deadline February 13, 2025

Skills Deadline March 13, 2025

Their website offers a number of scholarships by filling out one online application.  There are multiple scholarships available for Houston students only.

Ohio State University Alumni Scholarships

Deadline February 15, 2025

Utilize ScholarshipUniverse to apply.

ACME Baseball Scholarship

Deadline February 15, 2025

Must have played at least one year of Varsity ACME baseball.  Application available here.

Pioneer Electric Scholarship

Deadline February 23, 2025

Seniors who live in a home powered by Pioneer Electric may apply.  Minimum GPA is 3.5.  Application available here.

Ginn Agricultural Scholarship

Deadline February 28, 2025

This scholarship is specifically for students planning to pursue a college degree in a farming or ag-related field.  Application packet available here

Edison State Community College Scholarship Application

Deadline March 1, 2025

Complete this one application to be considered for 40+ scholarships that Edison offers.

Masonic Scholarship

Deadline March 1, 2025

Application available here, or you can email Mrs. Merickel for a fillable PDF.

Knouff Memorial Scholarships

Deadline March 7, 2025

There are two different scholarships, and these are open only to Houston seniors.  For both, the student must have a 3.0 GPA and must not be ranked 1st or 2nd in the class.  These are applied for through the Troy Foundation, and the link is here.  A description of the requirements for each scholarship can be found here.

YMCA Scholarships

Deadline March 13, 2025

Jim Lantz Scholarship Information and Application

Lee E. Schauer Scholarship Information and Application

Shelby County Coin Club Scholarship

Deadline March 28, 2025

Open to any graduating senior.  Information available here.

Barnes Trust Student Loan 

Deadline March 31, 2025

This is a loan, not a scholarship, but it has a low interest rate and provides a locally-run alternative or supplement to the loans students can get from the federal government.  Application is available for download here, or you can pick up a hard copy from Mrs. Merickel.  Find more information about the Barnes Trust on their website.

WCOMP Scholarship

Deadline March 31, 2025

These scholarships are awarded to students planning to pursue continuing education in the following fields: manufacturing, electronics, engineering, maintenance, robotics, or automation.  Please find the application here.

Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship

Deadline April 1, 2025

This scholarship is for graduating seniors who are going into the field of Education.  Application available here.

Houston Community Association Scholarship

Deadline May 7, 2025

You must have volunteer hours with HCA to qualify.  These opportunities include the Houston Food Booth at the Shelby County Fair, Lake Loramie Fall Festival, and the HCA’s Pizza Nights and other dinners.

This application will be included in the Houston Scholarship Packet, which will be on this page by the end of January.

College and Occupation Search

Job Shadowing

Job shadowing is typically one of the most important things a student can do to help them decide what path to pursue after high school. 

9th through 12th grade students at Houston High School are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and shadow someone who works in a job or profession of interest.  Any student who wishes to take part in a Job Shadow experience may do so by talking with Mrs. Merickel.  There is a brief application form, but the process is easy and fun!  


Current Employment Opportunities

Hometown Opportunity website – local job postings and resources

Ohio Means Jobs Website

Honda – Anna Engine Plant is hiring.  They hire through Kelly Services.  Must be 18.  See flyer.

Bachelor’s Degree Seekers (4 years):

Detailed information on Ohio’s Public Colleges and Universities
List of Ohio’s Private Colleges and Universities

***Click on “Ohio’s Private Colleges,” then click on “View Ohio’s Private Colleges.” This will allow you to look at a great fact sheet on any chosen college, as well as take you directly to the school’s website.

Nearby Branch colleges:
The Ohio State University, Lima Campus
Wright State University, Lake Campus Celina

Certificate/Associate’s Degree (2 years or less):

Associate Degree and Certificate Programs at Edison Community College, Piqua
Associate Degree and Certificate Programs at Rhodes State College, Lima
Associate Degree and Certificate Programs at the University of Northwestern Ohio, Lima
Associate Degree and Certificate Programs at Sinclair Community College, Dayton
Certificate Programs in the Adult Division of the UVCC

ACT/SAT links

ACT site

SAT site