Et Cetera

By: Marilyn Ponce Name: Brandy Meador Hometown: Richmond, Virginia Brandy Meador from Richmond, Virginia is serving on team Oak 3 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in February of 2015 to start her 10-month service term with the program. Oak 3 is made up of eight people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest.

Upper Iowa University is pleased to announce the names of its December 2014 graduates, followed by the degree earned and respective honors. Phillip Close of Dysart,IA, with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Melissa Schwan of Vinton,IA, with a Master of Public Admin in Health & Human Services Emphasis Carol Zieser of Walker,IA, with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 5,800 students--nationally and internationally--at its Fayette campus, 25 U.

And now (for those of you who remember Paul Harvey) for the rest of the story. About a month of so ago, we were invited out to St Pius in Cedar Rapids to talk to the school about Honor Flight. The grades range from kindergarden to 5th grade. It was a whole school assembly. While there, a young man read a story he had written about his Grandfather who had gone on one of our flights.

The student(s) listed below graduated from Mount Mercy University this May. A commencement ceremony was held Sunday, May 17, 2015, at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 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.

Buena Vista University's (BVU) eleventh annual Scholars Day was held Friday, April 24. The event provided students from all disciplines an opportunity to present their best presentations, original research, academic posters, artistic creations and performances to their peers, professors and the public. This year's Scholars Day event featured 43 presentations from 86 students, exploring topics from art and business to science and history.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.