Et Cetera

By: Krista Eichhorst Name: Kaley Bartosik Hometown: Kettering, Ohio Kaley is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Pine 3 at the Vinton Campus. She chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps because volunteering has been a very important part of her life and she wanted to take some time to travel, give back, and figure out the next steps for her future.

The Vinton Parks & Recreation department Celebration Park Fundraising Committee is pleased to announce that they have now reached the $175,00 figure towards the goal of $250,000.  Pictured with this story are (L-R) Jeff Peterson, committee member, and Penny & Rick Ohrt with their generous gift of $500 toward the project.  If you are interested in donating to the project, contact Duane Randall, Director of Parks & Recreation at 472-4164 or vprdrandall@vintoniowa.

Name: Jill Jaeger Hometown: Aurora and Fort Collins, Colo. Jill is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Hickory 6 at the Vinton Campus. Her first experience with AmeriCorps NCCC was in third grade when a team helped out at her elementary school. She chose to participate in NCCC FEMA Corps because she is passionate about social justice and wants her actions to reflect her values.

Riley Ries said his eighth and ninth grade history teachers – Alex Vasquez and Kelly Steffen – have had such a great impact on him that already as a high school sophomore he knows that he wants to become a history teacher. Now, he hopes that a trip to one of the world’s most iconic, historic battlegrounds will make him a better teacher.

The Ternus family of rural Vinton has made and donagted a quilt with a pink theme to help the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikettes raise money to fight breast cancer.  On February 1, the Vikettes will hold their annual Breast Cancer Awareness night. The quilt will be sold via a silent auction  through the night of the game. The top bid wins and the winner will be announced at half time of the varsity girls game.

  What's not to love about the great Iowa State Fair? From funnel cakes, ferris wheels, food on a stick and free entertainment, to premier livestock events, expansive art exhibits and the country's largest state fair food department, the Iowa State Fair has something for everyone. This year, Iowans can show their love for the Fair on their tax returns and help the Fair continue on the path of preserving the historic Fairgrounds.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School 7th grade girls Lego League team, The Pink Chicks, received the Core Values award for teamwork at the district event in December and received an invitation to the state competition in Ames. The girls traveled to Ames on Saturday, Jan. 19, where they competed with 72 other teams. They did not place but did well, said teacher Ms.

  Emergency Responders and Public Officials are encouraged to attend educational event Interstate Power and Light Company (IPL), an Alliant Energy company, is participating in the Iowa Pipeline Association’s 2013 Pipeline Awareness and Education training offered at locations throughout the state. The training informs and instructs emergency responders and public officials about pipeline safety and prevention strategies.

  Atkins, IA  Cody Ayers, Criminal Justice;  Sydney Wallenfelsz, Management;  Blairstown, IA  Wendi Birch, Hum Res Mgmt;  Adrienne Elliff, Music;  Luzerne, IA  Sara Miller, Business;  Newhall, IA  Brittany Shepherd, Accounting;  Norway, IA  Connie Havran, Nursing;  Shellsburg, IA  Brittany Robertson, Psychology;  Urbana, IA  Travis Lohrer, Mgmt Info Systems;  Crystal McGuire, Accounting;  Nevin Snyder, English;  Lisa Wita, Business;  Vinton, IA  Sue Erickson, Nursing AP;  Brady Gerber, Biology;  Jessica Hoff, Nursing;  Elle Osborn, Psychology;  Walford, IA  Kristin Lee, Nursing AP;  The above were all named to Mount Mercy University Dean's List for fall 2012  Students with a semester grade point average of 3.

  Kelly Robertson, Master of Arts of Atkins graduated with a Master of Arts degree; Cody Robertson, of Shellsburg, graduated with a Bachelor of Business Admininistration;  Nevin Snyder, of Urbana, graduated with a Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts;  Sue Erickson, of Vinton, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mount Mercy University in December 2012.