Et Cetera

By: Sarah Williams Taylor English, from Kempton, Illinois is serving on team Maple 8 in AmeriCorps NCCC Class 20. She arrived in Vinton on February 11 to start her 10-month service term. Maple 8 is made up of seven people from across the country who will serve together around the Midwest. Taylor says “I have a passion for helping people and I want to make a difference.

The American Legacy Scholarship is for high school seniors who is the child or legally adopted child of a United States military member whom died while on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. The child or legally adopted child of national guard and reserve personnel whom were federalized and died while on active duty are also eligible. The number and amount of the scholarships awarded each year will vary depending upon the availability of funds.

Upper Iowa University announces the Dean's List for the Summer term 2014. To be honored, a student must have earned a minimum 3.50 grade point average for the semester and be enrolled as a full-time student. Carmen Caruso from Dysart, IA, majoring in Psychology at the UIU Waterloo Center. Phillip Close from Dysart, IA, majoring in Criminal Justice at the UIU Waterloo Center.

   New alumni were added to the roster of graduates of the University of Northern Iowa .  Congratulations to our Benton County grads!   Belle Plaine, IA   Lauren Kurovski    Bachelor of Arts

Each year, The American Legion of Iowa gives its Department Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to a well-rounded law enforcement officer who has exceeded the duty requirements expected of his or her position and has demonstrated a distinct pattern of community service coupled with professional achievement. The award, which especially takes into account heroic acts, is presented annually at the Legion's Department Convention.

The student(s) listed below graduated from Mount Mercy University in August 2014. Graduates were part of a spring commencement ceremony held in May. Michele Lynn VanScoyoc, Belle Plaine, IA, Bachelor of Business Administration Sara Jo Miller, Luzerne, IA , Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude Travis J Lohrer, Urbana, IA , Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude  Lisa Coleen Wita, Urbana, IA , Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude Alyssa Breanne Klein, Van Horne, IA, Bachelor of Arts 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.

Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) is the landmark program of The American Legion’s National Commission on Children & Youth. TFA can provide financial assistance to help meet the basic needs of veterans’ children when it is established there are no other resources available to provide the required assistance.  For a family to be eligible for consideration, there are two basic requirements: The veteran must have served a portion of their active duty during one of these dates: December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946 June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955 February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 August 24, 1982 – July 31, 1984 December 20, 1989 – January 31, 1990 August 2, 1990 – Present There must be children in the home under the age of 18.

The American Legion National Emergency Fund can provide monetary assistance to meet the needs of a Legion Post (up to $5,000) or an individual member of the American Legion, the Auxiliary** or Sons of the Legion (up to $1,500) in areas stricken by natural disasters. Not meant to replace or repair items, only to meet most immediate needs, such as temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.

Jennifer Olson of Corcoran, Minn., captured Best of Show honors in the 2014 Iowa State Fair Llama show held August 16. The winning llama was selected from Grand Champion females and males in the Light Wool, Medium Wool, Heavy Wool, Sliky Wool, Suri Wool, Non-Breeder and Miniature divisions. Additional results below: COSTUME Junior Costume – 7-11 Years Old 1) Rustic Ridge Llamas, Winterset 2) Trisha Tjarks, Alden 3) Ashley Brighton, Steamboat Rock 4) Ashley Brighton, Steamboat Rock 5) K-Lane Farms, Blakesburg Intermediate Costume – 12-15 Years Old 1) Rustic Ridge Llamas, Winterset 2) Shelle and Joel Heroes and Friends Farm, Grundy Center 3) Shelle and Joel Heroes and Friends Farm, Grundy Center Senior Costume – 16-18 Years Old 1) Rustic Ridge Llamas, Winterset Advanced Costume 1) Bushwhacker Llamas, Nevada, Mo.

Owen Brothers Cattle Company of Bois D’Arc, Mo., was awarded the Grand Champion Purebred Bull banner in the Simmental Cattle show judged August 16 at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Reserve Grand Champion Purebred Bull honors were awarded to Schick-Haefner Cattle Company of Clinton, Ill. The Iowa Champion Bull was exhibited by Sherrie, Bradley and Ashl Moores Simmental Farm of Rose Hill while Springer Simmentals of Cresco was awarded the Reserve Champion Iowa Bull banner.