Et Cetera

  Karleigh Miller, a native of Keystone, Iowa, competed in the Drake Bulldogs Invitational for the Central College mock trial team. Miller is a senior with a history and political science major. The team finished third in a field of nineteen teams with a 6-2 record. They defeated teams from Iowa State, Washburn (Kan.) and Drake Universities.

Area residents disposed of their Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns in the most fun way possible on Sunday, dropping them from the top of the water slide at the pool in an effort to hit a target on the sidewalk below. The annual Vinton Parks and Recreation Department event included certificates for Personal Pan Pizzas from Pizza Hut for those who hit the target.

The one play that Vinton-Shellsburg football players will remember most from the 2012 season – the play they are already talking about – ended with no points being scored. It was Homecoming. The Vikings had just scored one of their six touchdowns against Independence, and lined up for the extra point kick. But the snap was bad; the ball rolled toward kicker Cody Sojka.

  Name: Nidia Carreira            Hometown: Newark, NJ   Nidia is currently serving as a member of Cedar 3 with the AmeriCorps NCCC at the Vinton Campus. Nidia is fluent in Portuguese and brings a wide variety of experiences to NCCC.  She has had exposure to different cultures and backgrounds though her travel and work.

By: Rachel Lebeaux   Name: Keivon Henderson          Hometown: Richmond City, Virginia   Keivon is currently serving as a member of Oak 6 with the AmeriCorps NCCC at the Vinton Campus Keivon chose to join NCCC after getting advice from his father. His father was a corps member is Class 2 and described to Keivon how eye opening the experience was and the opportunities it presents.

By: Deon Johnson   AmeriCorps NCCC team, Oak 3, arrived in Belgium, Wis. eager to complete their last service project with the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust (OWLT). They are helping with land preservation, including removing invasive species and trail maintenance.   OWLT employees, Mike, the stewardship and restoration director, and Katie, a conservation specialist provided Oak 3 with an orientation.

  The annual Vinton Parks and Recreation Department "Halloween Skate Party" took place at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center Saturday night. The following picture features the Costume Contest winners. The three categories that were judged were Scariest, Funniest, Most Original. The winners and runner-ups of the costume contest are as follows (l-r): Lily Kerkman (Scariest Runner-Up), Addy Maynard (Most Original Winner), Colby Walker (Funniest Runner-Up), Renee Gram (Most Original Runner-Up), Ian Schuelka (Scariest Winner), Thomas Osborn (Funniest Winner).

  “Out on a Limb”                                                           With the                                         Parks & Recreation Department Winter is quickly approaching and we are still trying to get all of our outdoor projects done in the parks and facilities.

By: Krista Eichhorst   Name: Bethany Hill   Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.   Bethany is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Spruce 3 at the Vinton Campus. She chose to participate in NCCC FEMA Corps because she wanted to gain experience and direction in her life. She has always wanted to work in the area of disaster recovery and thought that NCCC FEMA Corps would be a good opportunity to explore the field.