ANKENY - The Iowa FFA Supreme National Chapter Award Program will be held during the 87 Iowa FFA Leadership Conference in Ames, on April 19-21, 2015. 31 chapters participated in this year's award program. The first place chapter for the event was the Oelwein FFA Chapter. The Agricultural Education Instructors/FFA Advisors are Mr. Michael Haden and Mr. Daniel Doeing. The second place chapter for the event was the West Liberty FFA Chapter. The Agricultural Education Instructors/FFA Advisors are Mr. Dick Brand and Mr. Zach Morris.

The National Chapter Award program encourages participating chapters to plan activities and carry them out with a successful Program of Activities. Chapters are recognized for outstanding  achievement in the areas of Student Development, Chapter Development, and Community Development. The National Chapter Awards are sponsored by John Deere as a special project of the National FFA Foundation.

Three FFA Chapters were recognized for outstanding achievement in the three development areas. The Oelwein FFA Chapter was named the winner in Student Development as well as the top chapter in Chapter Development. The West Liberty FFA Chapter was named the top Community Development Chapter. The top 22 FFA Chapters in Iowa will advance to the National FFA competition and will be recognized at the 88 National FFA Leadership Conference in Louisville, KY.

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About Iowa FFA Association
The Iowa FFA Association is a youth organization of over 14,600 student members as part of 225 local FFA chapters across Iowa. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The Iowa FFA Association was organized by delegates from 23 schools at Iowa State College on May 17, 1929 and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The Iowa Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the Iowa FFA Association online at IowaFFA.com, on Facebook, and Twitter.

Rock Island, IL: Local libraries have announced a new partner in the goal to help Quad Citians protect their identities with this year's Community Shred Days. Arc Industries, a division of The Arc of the Quad Cities area, will provide four free drop-off events at Rock Island, Bettendorf, Davenport, and Moline Libraries during Money Smart Week Quad Cities, April 18-25.

Arc Industries secure document destruction operation will provide free shredding of up to two containers of personal papers per person dropped off during Shred Days at the Rock Island, Bettendorf, Davenport, and Moline Public Libraries. The 2015 events are made possible with sponsorship from Vibrant Credit Union, the new name for DHCU.

The first drive-up and drop off event is Saturday, April 18, from 9:30 to 11:30 am at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, Rock Island. Additional Shred Days in the Arc Industries/Library partnership include the Bettendorf Library, on Tuesday, April 21, and the Davenport Library Eastern Avenue Branch, on Thursday, April 23, both from 10:00 am to noon, and the Moline Library on Saturday, April 25, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. More information is available at presenting libraries.

Arc Industries document destruction operation is certified by the National Association for Information Destruction. Under NAID guidelines, all materials collected will be secured in locked bins and shredded under monitored conditions at Arc Industries secure shredding facility in Rock Island.  Paperclips should be removed if possible. Participants do not need to remove staples from materials.

Local libraries host annual Shred Day events during Money Smart Week as a money-saving means of identity protection. Money Smart Week is an annual program of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, www.moneysmartweek.org.

For more information about Rock Island Library services and programs, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ (7323) or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library provides resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination through the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities.

Arc Industries provides work opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and provides business services to the highest quality professional standards.

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Following the Release of James O'Keefe's Latest Undercover Video, Barry University has Suspended Their Star Communications Student Without Explanation or Cause

Barry University Creates Hostile Environment for Honor Student After University Brass Expresses Support for Pro-ISIS Club

(New York, April 6, 2015) - Earlier today, Laura [surname redacted], an honor student at Barry University, was placed on "interim suspension" following the release of a video featuring her investigative journalism. The video, which was taken weeks ago, was lawfully recorded in compliance with Florida's privacy laws. The vague language used by Barry University in issuing the suspension, coupled with the timing, suggest that Barry does not have an actionable claim against Laura. Rather, it appears that they object to the negative publicity the school has received due to the statements of their administrative and academic staff.

The charges levied against Laura in her suspension notice were far from explicit and ambiguously read "your alleged actions were the cause root [sic] of disruption of the University community and the creation of a hostile environment for members of the University staff."

Perplexingly, Laura received an award for being the most outstanding senior in the Communications Department after the release of the video. "It is difficult to comprehend how Barry University simultaneously deems Laura as an honor student and a disruption; with each resulting in a formal University action: an official University honor and an interim suspension," says Founder and President of Project Veritas James O'Keefe.

Instead of holding University faculty and staff accountable for approving the pro-ISIS club, Barry University is inexcusably trying to use an honor student as a scapegoat for their own mistakes. Remarkably, this suspension not only infringes upon Laura's free speech, it eradicates it. Laura has been banned from Barry's campus and prohibited from attending any classes. At this time, Laura has been given no due process in this proceeding. There have been no clear charges filed, nor have there been any specific allegations made. Further, there has been no indication of how long the suspension will last and if and when a hearing will be held.

"Project Veritas' video recordings at Barry University were accomplished within the spirit and letter of the law. In Florida, where Barry University is located and where the recordings took place, it is perfectly legal to record an oral communication if a person does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy.  This is defined in Fla. Stat. 934.02(2)."

Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois Launches Capital Campaign to Expand and Renovate its New Liberty, Iowa, Camp,
Enhancing Girls' Leadership Success

The public phase of the "Outdoor Odyssey" campaign kicks off to raise remainder of $3 million goal

Who: Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois is a nonprofit organization that builds girls of courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place.

What: A public launch of the "Outdoor Odyssey" capital campaign to build a new, climate controlled, year-round lodge with adjoining cabins; update the equestrian area; remodel the pool house; and improve the entry road and parking, all at the Girl Scouts' New Liberty camp. Campaign chair, Marie Ziegler, retired John Deere executive, will be introduced and provide brief remarks. A Girl Scout who participated in camp activities will share how the program has positively impacted her life.

When:             Sat., April 11, at 9 a.m. Program beginning at 9:15 a.m.

Where:            iWireless Center - Outside Pavilion on the East Side, 1201 River Dr., Moline, IL 61265

Why: The campaign steering committee has exciting news to share regarding the campaign goal and amount raised to date. The committee now asks community members and businesses to help fund the infrastructure needed to give girls the opportunity to create leadership skills through the outdoors. Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois has a proven track record of helping girls become leaders. With more than 19,000 girls and 5,000 volunteers across the 38-county council, Girl Scouts has encouraged girls to discover, connect and take action through hundreds of programs offered each year, teaching leadership skills to last a lifetime.

Girls participate in outdoor programs such as Archery Adventure, Family Camp, Challenge Quest, Teen Mentoring and Day Camp. It is now time to expand the opportunities by providing them year round. This project will provide the environment to do just that.

Outdoor activities are a major part of the Girl Scout leadership program. Through the outdoors, girls are exposed to challenges that require problem-solving and decision-making to overcome obstacles. They grow in courage every time they try something new whether zip lining or hiking; and, through working with others, they learn cooperation and conflict resolution.