Et Cetera

Wartburg College awarded diplomas to 323 students during Spring Commencement May 25. Area students include: Alyssa Hanson of Vinton graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Mathematics. Kathryn Henderson of Vinton graduated with a degree in Biology. Kathryn Henderson of Vinton graduated with a degree in Biology. Weston Hennings of Dysart graduated with a degree in Biology.

Jesse Crouch, from Harlem, Georgia is a corps member for Maple 4 in AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20. He arrived in Vinton on February 11 to start his 10-month service working with a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Maple 4 is made up of six people from across the country and they will serve together around the Midwest. When asked why he decided to serve in the NCCC program, Jesse says, “I want to expose myself to greater diversity and help Americans in need.

Alyson Garwood, majoring in sociology, earned a spot on the spring 2014 dean's list for Central College. Garwood, a native of Dysart, is the daughter of Scott and Leann Garwood. The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester.

Heather Elbe, from Osborn, Wisconsin is serving on team Maple 3 in AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20. She arrived in Vinton on February 11 to start her 10-month service term. Maple 3 is made up of nine people from across the country who will serve together around the Midwest. Heather says that “This program seems like a good opportunity and will help me become more diverse.

By VS FFA Co-Reporters Katie Isbell and Jessica Alderson On the 26th of June, Vinton community members were getting ready for the fun time to be had at Vinton's annual Party in the Park. People were out and about setting up for the picnic Farmers Savings Bank holds, the Farmer's Market, the Kiddie Parade, and all the other fun activities that were held down town.

Join Ronald and Evelyn Bland of Shellsburg, Iowa as they celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  A reception will be held on Sunday, July 13th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Bland farm located at 6409 29th Ave, Shellsburg, Iowa.  Ron and Evy were married on July 11th,1964 in Vinton, Iowa and have lived in Shellsburg for the past 50 years.

The following Benton County students are among honorees of the Spring 2014 semester Dean's List at the University of Northern Iowa.  To be included on the list, a student must have earned a grade point of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, while taking at least 12 hours of graded work during the semester. On the 4.0 system, an A is worth four points; a B, three points; a C, two points, and a D, one point.

The students listed below graduated from Mount Mercy University this spring. A commencement ceremony was held Sunday, May 18, 2014, at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Atkins: Cody Ayers, Bachelor of Business Administration  Janetta Schmuecker, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Cum Laude Sydney Wallenfelsz, Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude Shellsburg: Brittany Robertson, Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude Vinton: Jordan Barnes, Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude Virginia Dickerson, Bachelor of Science Kristi Elwick, Bachelor of Science Mackenzie Ford, Bachelor of Arts Brady Gerber, Bachelor of Science, Honors Magna Cum Laude Brooke Martin, Bachelor of Science Walford:  Kurt Kaufman, Master of Business Administration Watkins:  Jeremy Waters, Bachelor of Business Admininistration About Mount Mercy   Founded in 1928, Mount Mercy University offers students a personal, practical and faith-inspired education that distinctly blends professional career preparation and liberal arts with a strong curriculum grounded in leadership and service.

Purple and Old Gold awards, recognizing meritorious scholarship or conspicuous achievement, were presented to 58 seniors during the University of Northern Iowa's Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 7, in the UNI-Dome. Named after the university colors, the traditional awards were first presented at Commencement ceremonies on May 29, 1939.

Local teacher, Sara Arnold, who teaches Talented and Gifted students in the Cedar Rapids CSD, is one of nine educators from across the country who was nominated to participate in the National Education Association (NEA) Raise Your Hand: Empowered Educators July 2nd at the Colorado Convention Center. Sara and her colleagues are representing New Voice Strategies as VIVA Teachers, past participants of a VIVA Idea Exchange.