Et Cetera
AmeriCorps NCCC Team Gets Down and Sandy in Nebraska
By Maria Vaughan
AmeriCorps NCCC team Cedar 7 left Vinton on April 30, excited to serve on their second project with the Nebraska State 4-H Camp in Halsey, Nebraska.
Over the past two weeks Cedar 7 has assisted campers in various activities such as zip lining, high and low ropes courses, and initiatives. NCCC Team Performs Restorative Burns in Wisconsin
By: Steven Pisacrita
AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) team Maple 1 is serving with the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Necedah, Wisconsin. Their goal is to perform prescribed burns to between 2,500-5,000 acres of land in order to restore wild lupine, a plant that is necessary for the survival of the endangered Karner blue butterfly. Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Receives Grant
On May 6, 2015, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight received a grant of $10,000.00 from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation during their spring awards meeting. This grant will significantly contribute to continuing our mission of honoring our veterans with a trip to Washington, DC.
A 501(c)3 federally recognized charity, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight depends on donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses to fund and support flight operations. NCCC FEMA Corps Class 21 Team Leader Spotlight: Octavia Johnson
Octavia Johnson from Richmond, Virginia is serving on team Cedar 5 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in February of 2015 to start her 10-month service term with the program. Cedar 5 is made up of seven people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest.
Before her term of service, Octavia graduated from the University of Tennessee as a Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism major and Business minor. NCCC Corps Class 21 Spotlight: Bailey Kovall
By: Marilyn Ponce
Name: Bailey Kovall
Hometown: Clearwater, MN
Bailey Kovall from Clearwater, Minnesota is a Team Leader serving on team Oak 4 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in January of 2015 to start her 10-month service term with the program.
This is not Bailey’s first experience with national service and NCCC. Purple and Old Gold awards presented at UNI Commencement
Purple and Old Gold awards, were given recognizing meritorious scholarship or conspicuous achievement. They were presented to 56 seniors during the University of Northern Iowa's Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 9, in the UNI-Dome.
Named after the university colors, the traditional awards were first presented at Commencement ceremonies on May 29, 1939.
Conservation Poster Contest Winners Announced
The Benton Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners are happy to announce the 2015 Poster Contest Winners for Benton County. This contest is open to students K-12 who live in Benton County. Entries were judged in March by the Benton SWCD Commissioners.
This year’s contest Theme was “Local Heroes – Your Hardworking Pollinators”. Benton SWCD Awards Scholarship
This year, the Benton Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners sponsored a scholarship of $250. Students who reside in Benton County and are pursuing a course of study in the field of Natural Resources or Agriculture are eligible to apply. The Commissioners received and reviewed applications in March, making their selection. NCCC Corps Class 21 Spotlight: Patrick Valdez
By: Marilyn Ponce
Name: Patrick Valdez
Hometown: Gilroy, CA
Patrick Valdez from Gilroy, California is serving on team Oak 2 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. He arrived in Vinton in February of 2015 to start his 10-month service term with the program.
Before his term of service, Patrick went to Gavilan Junior college for one semester, worked at a local coffee shop during the weekdays, and for his father’s landscaping business on the weekends. NCCC FEMA Corps Class 21 Spotlight: Kaylee Torre
By: Marilyn Ponce
Name: Kaylee Torre
Hometown: Patchogue, NY
Kaylee Torre from Patchogue, N.Y., is a team leader serving on team Maple 6 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in February of 2014 to start her 10-month service term with the program. Maple 6 is made up of seven people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest.