We're changing the look of SMNOF on Facebook AND redesigning our SMNOF.org website. Watch for changes in the coming days and weeks ... and visit often to learn more about the Opportunity Fund. The buttons are not active in the image above, but when you see one on Facebook or the web, please don't hesitate to REGISTER so you will be kept up-to-date, and please use that DONATE NOW button to 'Help NORTH Students'! Want to volunteer? Contact us!

Proposed new HOME PAGE for SMNOF.org

After four years of operation and steady expansion of the Opportunity Fund mission, SMNOF is taking the major step of redesigning the main web site – SMNOF.org.  “Visitors need a clearer navigation layout and the SMNOF board and staff need a user-friendly maintenance platform”, was the conclusion by our Board of Directors; both will be accomplished when the new site comes online this spring, and SMNOFnews.org will become SUCCESS STORIES at SMNOF.org!  Our original web site design services were donated by alum Gerrad Fase, with all programming development by Jason Young (who has been on our board for three years).  Jason is working with our president to coordinate the site redesign by professional graphic/web designer Michael Berndt (owner of http://www.mberndtdesign.com).  Thank you all for your invaluable contributions!

There is so much Opportunity Fund news to be shared with the Shawnee Mission NORTH Community … SUCCESS STORIES that include new grants and scholarships, Caring Heart Awards, Essay Contest rules and prizes, major donations, new contributors, Advocacy Council memberships, reunion information, and – of course – SMNOF Banner Worldwide Tour photos, have gone UNshared simply due to the challenges of prompt posting to the web.   With increased registrations for the SMNOF All School REGISTRY, and WHO WE ARE updates to staff, volunteers, and contributors, we had fallen behind in updating this important information for our supporters.  All of this will change soon, and news will begin to flow continuously.

Our Facebook social network activities are also undergoing changes, thanks to alum volunteer Meg Swagerty, with professional input by photographer’s advocate, Pilar Law (http://www.pilarlaw.com).  Give Back and the SMNOF GROUP are moving to a new SMNOF PAGE that will deliver more timely features and posts about all the things SMNOF is doing to “Help NORTH Students” … Come back and visit us again soon at SMNOF.org (SMNOFnews.org is going away), or follow us on Facebook … call 913-722-3984 or email inquiry@SMNOF.org with questions or to ask about volunteering.

Caring Heart recipient Connie Gandy with SMNOF Vice President Larry McCarthy and President Eric Berndt. Connie Gandy surrounded by her medical science program students.

Another North teacher receives a CARING HEART AWARD from the Shawnee Mission North Opportunity Fund.  The fourth Caring Heart was presented to Medical Science Program Coordinator, Connie Gandy.  Only a few are awarded each year by the Opportunity Fund.  The Caring Heart Award is a way for SMNOF board members to express appreciation to those who have contributed in a very personal way to the success of this unique non-profit, dedicated to Shawnee Mission North High School.  Although she was quick to remind students when she received the award, “remember, this is about you guys – not me”, Connie Gandy had been unanimously selected by the SMNOF Board in recognition of her long-time support of the organization and its mission of “Helping NORTH Students”.  Since its creation in 2008 SMNOF has enjoyed her support and encouragement, and Connis was instrumental in helping Opportunity Fund staff develop and establish the first SMNOF Mini-Scholarship Program offering – a needs based subsidy to help high school students pursue Certified Nursing Assistant training as part of their participation in the Medical Science Signature Program at North.

The Opportunity Fund – a unique 501-c-3 non-profit charity funded primarily by alumni contributions, provides financial aid to help pay incidental fees for low-income students at North, giving them additional opportunities to participate in school activities.  Most SMNOF programs are intended for students and families that qualify by demonstrating financial need, such as the expanding Mini-Scholarship Program with offerings in certified nursing, first responder, culinary arts, restaurant management, commercial baking, debate & forensics, plus summer school subsidies, and much more.  The general-need Opportunity Funding Application [OFA's] is available for any at-risk student to request assistance if it is unavailable through traditional school resources.  A Teacher Supply Network, All-School Registry, and Spring4NORTH Community Outreach are also a part of the Opportunity Fund’s expanding efforts, along with opportunities for community service through volunteering.  The Opportunity Fund’s twice-annual Essay Contest delivers a (grand prize) laptop computer and gift cards every semester, and provides a friendly student competition that also gives SMNOF staff insight into community issues, from the students’ perspective.

North alumni, parents, area businesses, and local residents may support the Opportunity Fund by making a donation to expand the Mini-Scholarship Program, insure prizes for future Essay Contests, or contribute to other activities that aid students and families at North.  Visit SMNOF.org to learn more about the Opportunity Fund or to donate.  Call 913-722-3984 or email inquiry@SMNOF.org to ask about volunteering or sponsoring one of our programs that are ‘Helping NORTH Students’.

Thank you for supporting the Opportunity Fund, Connie … and CONGRATULATIONS!

Expect BIG changes to our web presence in the coming weeks.  The Opportunity Fund web site – SMNOF.org – will be changing to a new format that will provide more information, delivered on a more timely basis, and in a more user-friendly layout.  Our FACEBOOK presence is undergoing changes even sooner, and ‘Give Back’ friends will be directed to our new SMNOF PAGE. Our group members can become SMNOF fans!  Please visit often as we update our online presence and social network … and please spread the word to your fellow Shawnee Mission North classmates, alumni, teachers, parents, and area businesses.

The Opportunity Fund is here to stay – see you tomorrow … and for decades to come!

Caring Heart Award recipient is SMN Band Director Chad Reed, with SMNOF Board Members, Colleen Triplett, Eric Berndt, and Jill Blakeley.

Shawnee Mission North Band Director Chad Reed is another recipient of an SMNOF Caring Heart Award.  These awards are typically given to select teachers at SMN in recognition of their support of the Shawnee Mission North Opportunity Fund.  SMNOF is a local non-profit who’s mission is  providing financial assistance with high school fees and expenses, to students & families in-need at North High School.

Mr. Reed was the subject of the winning composition in the Spring 2011 SMNOF Essay Contest.  Kerianne Peterson, grand prize winner of the laptop computer, wrote about a North teacher that “goes above and beyond” and “reflects extraordinary dedication to North students” – North Band Director, Chad Reed.  The SMNOF Board selected Mr. Reed as a Caring Heart recipient, due to the impact that he has made on band students at North.  Previous recipients include Drama Teacher Maureen Davis and Journalism Teacher, Becky Tate.

Held every semester, the Spring 2012 SMNOF Essay Contest will get underway in February.  The grand prize in this fourth contest will again be a laptop computer, with gift cards awarded to the two runners-up.  Not only are these a friendly competition in which North students compete for a valuable academic ‘tool’, the compositions provide a valuable insight into issues important to the Opportunity Fund – from a student perspective.  The SMNOF Mini-Scholarship and Community Service programs are a direct result of ideas presented in previous essay contest submissions.

Visit our website at SMNOF.org to learn more about the Opportunity Fund, and to register or donate.  If you would like to help insure that essay contest prizes will be available for future essay contest winners, contact SMNOF at inquiry@SMNOF.org or call 913-722-3984.

SMN Journalism Teacher Becky Tate is shown with her SMNOF Caring Heart Award, presented by (l) President Eric Berndt and (ret) Board Member Frank Robertson.

Another SMNOF Caring Heart Award has been presented to Becky Tate, teacher at Shawnee Mission North High School. This is the second such award to be presented to individuals that have been selected by the Opportunity Fund Board of Directors for recognition of their support of the mission of the SMNOF organization. Becky is the journalism teacher and Head of the Fine Arts Department at North. “Becky has been a consistent supporter of our efforts to establish and grow the Opportunity Fund at North, always encouraging us to forge on and providing suggestions for expanding our programs and improving our on-campus visibility, especially for teachers and students in-need“, comments SMNOF President, Eric Berndt. He adds, “I nominated her to receive our Caring Heart Award because her support shows that she cares about her students, recognizes the ways that the Opportunity Fund can and does ‘Help NORTH Students’ through its programs, and is willing to contribute her efforts to help us grow.”

The Caring Heart Program is a modest way for SMNOF’s staff to show appreciation to those who have contributed in a very personal way to the success of this unique non-profit that is dedicated to Shawnee Mission North High School.  The first Caring Heart award, (a red glass heart etched with the SMNOF logo and recipient’s name, with accompanying certificate signed by the Opportunity Fund Board) was awarded to Drama Teacher Maureen Davis.   The third was awarded to another North teacher; the fourth and fifth nominees have been approved by the board – for award in the Spring of 2012.

The Opportunity Fund – a unique 501-c-3 non-profit charity funded primarily by alumni contributions, provides financial aid to help pay incidental fees for students at North, giving them additional opportunities to participate in school activities.  Most SMNOF programs are intended for students and families that qualify by demonstrating financial need, such as the Mini-Scholarship Program with offerings in medical careers, culinary arts, restaurant management, plus summer school subsidies, and more.  The general-need Opportunity Funding Application [OFA's] is available for all students in-need to request assistance if it is unavailable through school resources.  A Teacher Supply Network, All-School Registry, and Spring4NORTH Community Outreach are also a part of the Opportunity Fund’s efforts, along with opportunities for community service through volunteering.

When the Opportunity created its Essay Contest, with a laptop computer as the grand prize, Mrs. Tate helped promote the program by permitting exposure through the school newspaper, the Mission.  The Spring 2012 SMNOF ESSAY CONTEST – our FOURTH – will begin in February. North alumni, area businesses, and local supporters of Shawnee Mission North are invited to sponsor future Essay Contest’s by providing grand prize and runner-up awards through cash or in-kind contributions. Visit SMNOF.org to learn more about the Opportunity Fund or to donate. Call 913-722-3984 or email inquiry@SMNOF.org to ask about volunteering or sponsoring one of our programs that are ‘Helping NORTH Students’.

Thank you, Becky … and CONGRATULATIONS!

SMNOF began their Essay Contests three semesters ago to expand the ways that the organization is able to ‘Give Back‘ to the North Community and, specifically, to Shawnee Mission North students.  The themes presented as the subject for the written competitions reflect issues or concerns that relate to the activities of the Opportunity Fund – a unique 501-c-3 non-profit charity, funded primarily by alumni contributions, that provides financial aid to help pay incidental fees for at-risk students at North, giving them additional opportunities to participate in school activities. In addition to the insight which the essays provide the SMNOF board, they are an avenue for all North students to benefit from SMNOF. Most other SMNOF programs are intended for students and families that qualify by demonstrating financial need, such as the Mini-Scholarship Program with offerings in medical careers, culinary arts, restaurant management, plus summer school subsidies, and general-need Opportunity Funding Applications [OFA's]. A Teacher Supply Network, All-School Registry, and Spring4NORTH Community Outreach are also a part of the Opportunity Fund’s efforts.

The Spring 2012 SMNOF ESSAY CONTEST – our FOURTH – will begin in February. North alumni, area businesses, and local supporters of Shawnee Mission North are invited to sponsor future Essay Contest’s by providing grand prize and runner-up awards through cash or in-kind contributions. Visit SMNOF.org to learn more about the Opportunity Fund or to donate. Call 913-722-3984 or email inquiry@SMNOF.org to ask about volunteering or sponsoring one of our programs that are ‘Helping NORTH Students’.

Pictured (l-r) are SMNOF VP Larry McCarthy, Benjamin Harrison, Grand Prize Winner Micaela Hegarty, Randi Nimz with her parents, Barb and Daryl, SMNOF Treasurer Jill Blakeley, and SMNOF President Eric Berndt. Not pictured are the hundreds of SMN alumni and supporters that make these SMNOF success stories possible.

SMN Counselor receives first Mini Scholarship on behalf of a North Student for the C.N.A. program. From Left: Jill Blakeley, Connie Gandy, Colleen Triplett, and Eric Berndt

The Shawnee Mission North Opportunity fund continues to help North students by delivering the generous donations of teachers, alumni, and businesses in the community to hard working young men and women who are trying to overcome the financial challenges of their families and get the most from the educational opportunities at their high school.

The first Mini Scholarship was given for a student to participate in a Signature Program unique to Shawnee Mission North High School and in cooperation with Johnson County Community College.

Mini-Scholarships outlined below are available to qualifying applicants thru SMNOF’s [OFA] Opportunity Funding Application process, subject to the requirements outlined. Our offerings are needs based, & “first-come / first-served”

Certified Nursing Assistant Training is encouraged in the Medical Health Science 2 course. SMNOF Mini-Scholarship funds up to $300 toward the CNA course fee ($400 + Insurance at JCCC). An application requires  proof of a “B” or better grade in Medical Science 1, a personal recommendation from the teacher, plus a student essay expressing their health care career goals. Scholarships are limited.

Mini Scholarship funds have also been allocated by SMNOF for the following programs:

First Responder Training – Offered Through Johnson County Community College is encouraged in the Medical Health Science 2 course. SMNOF Mini-Scholarship funds up to $300 toward the First Responder Training course fee (approx. $430 at JCCC). An application requires  proof of a “B” or better grade in Medical Science 1, a personal recommendation from the teacher, plus a student essay expressing their health care career goals.

Culinary Arts 1 and 2 -Offered through the Broadmoor Technical Center SMNOF Mini-Scholarship funds the entire course fee of $50 for Culinary Arts 1, plus a $50 allowance for appropriate professional attire, and you may qualify to extend this Mini-Scholarship to fund the $50 course fee for Culinary Arts 2.

Commercial Banking 1 and 2 – Offered through the Broadmoor Technical Center SMNOF Mini-Scholarship funds the entire course fee of $50 for Commercial Baking 1, plus a $50 allowance for appropriate professional attire, and you may qualify to extend this MiniScholarship to fund the $50 course fee for Com’l Baking 2.

Introduction to Restaurant Management – Offered at the Broadmoor Technical Center SMNOF Mini-Scholarship funds the entire course cost of $50. This scholarship may be applied for, and awarded, with a Culinary Arts and/or Commercial Baking SMNOF Mini-Scholarship. Mini-Scholarships are limited.

Learn more about the Opportunity Fund at www.smnof.org , or follow SMNOF on Facebook. Ask a teacher, or tell a counselor, if a student is interested in SMNOF Mini Scholarships.