MEDALS: Chaperone Registration

Dear Counselor or Parent:

We are very excited to announce registration for Maximizing Educational Development through Academic & Leadership Skills (MEDALS) is underway! MEDALS with be held on Friday and Saturday, November 21-22, 2008, bringing high school students from across the state to the Texas A&M University campus for the unique experience of viewing college opportunities and Texas A&M University from a diverse perspective.

The MEDALS spirit and atmosphere resonate as appealing aspects to our participants. The acronym MEDALS is synonymous with a student organization and high school conference. Texas A&M students plan all year to host the MEDALS conference, designed to include a higher education focus, the feel of college life, as well as interactions with a diverse group of peers.

During our two-day program, students are placed into peer groups of eight to ten high school students and experience topics such as college life transitions, higher education opportunities, college admissions process, college life and paying for college. Peer groups allow participants time to discuss the college admission process, and gain insight into the transition from high school to college. In addition, there will be separate workshops for parents and counselors to equip them with strategies to guide their students. The weekend will prove to be an exciting and informative weekend.

Registration
The $40 student conference fee includes program materials, workshops sessions, meals, overnight lodging and a MEDALS shirt; Transportation to and from College Station is not provided. In order to provide the best experience for all participants, MEDALS is limited to the first 350 students who submit ALL registration materials and fees by the deadline. There is not a limit to the number of parent and counselor participants; however, there must be at least one counselor/parent chaperone per 15 students from a single school or organization. Before registration is complete:

Each participant must submit a STUDENT REGISTRATION FORM and have a registered chaperone.
Each participant and their parent (if under 18) must complete the RELEASE WAIVER AND AUTHORIZATION FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT and sign the PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT.
Each participant must submit the $40 registration fee ($35 for chaperones) via money order, cashier's check, or school district check payable to MEDALS, including the full name of the participant or high school. Partial refunds of $20 must be requested in writing; Refunds will not be given after Friday, October 26, 2007.
Students with disabilities and/or need special accommodations will need to contact us at (979) 862-3361.
Registration must be postmarked not later than Friday, October 26, 2007 and sent to:

ATTN: MEDALS
Student Organization Finance Center
Texas A&M University
P.O. Box 5688, Aggieland Station #956420
College Station, Texas 77844

Student Housing - SECURED BY MEDALS, PLEASE DO NOT PHONE HOTELS
Students will be housed at two different Holiday Inn's, one for males, and one for females. In order to make their stay as comfortable as possible, we are asking students bring the following items:

Toiletries and other personal items
Money for souvenirs or snacks
Business attire
Umbrella, etc.
Hats, radios, cameras and cellular telephones will be allowed only at certain times.

Upon registration, we will follow-up with more specific information. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at (979) 862-3361, email to MEDALS@stuorg.tamu.edu or visit http://medals.tamu.edu.

Sincerely,

Christen Sutton
Director of Registration

Temitope Ojo
Associate Director of Registration

Please Note: This years lunch will be provided after you register.