Keynote speaker, Bill Albracht, author of "Abandoned in Hell"

MOLINE, IL - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS, will hold a screening of the Academy Award- nominated documentary "Last Days in Vietnam: American Experience" at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 at CityView Celebrations in Moline. The screening is open free to the public.

The film chronicles the final chaotic days of the Vietnam War, as the North Vietnamese Army closed in on Saigon. City after city and village after village fell to the North, while the few U.S. diplomats and military operatives still in the country contemplated withdrawal. With the lives of thousands of Vietnamese hanging in the balance, those in control faced an impossible choice - who would go and who would be left behind to face brutality, imprisonment and even death. Directed by Rory Kenney the film marks the 40^th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.

Following the film William Albracht, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran and author of "Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Fire Base Kate," will discuss his experiences. Albrecht, who is a retired secret service agent, had a White House career spanning 25 years, in which he served on the protection details of four American Presidents and of numerous foreign dignitaries. Following his retirement, Albracht managed executive security operations for the Ford Motor Company before returning to the Quad Cities to open a security consulting business.

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University.

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Mayor Bill Gluba will welcome students to his third annual Teen Job Fair at the RiverCenter on April 23.

The job fair, from 3 to 6 p.m., will feature employers taking applications and workshops on interviewing and résumé writing for teens between the ages of 15-19.

More than 1,000 teens attended the previous two job fairs, including 600 in the first year.

"We brought area businesses together and made it easy for teens to meet them, attend workshops and apply for jobs right on the spot," Gluba said. "We were happy to do our part to help put young people on a path to economic opportunity."

Representatives from the City of Davenport, NorthPark and South Park malls, Hy-Vee and Happy Joe's are expected to be on hand to talk to teens and give out applications.

As teens enter the event this year, they will receive a passport and be directed to attend workshops before visiting with businesses. Someone who attends the workshops will win a $100 Visa gift card.

An area will be provided where teens can fill out job applications. Pens will be available.

Participants will also be asked to fill out a feedback form. For more information, call (563) 326-7701 or email khatfield@ci.davenport.ia.us.

Hello everyone!  Here are some happenings coming up at PV!

Real World Experience for PV Students

Tuesday, April 14th, 4th grade students will interview for JA BizTown!  As you probably know, at BizTown students build their own city, and do all the jobs that come along with it - banker, postmaster, DJ, restaurant owner, journalist.... You name it!  All students will be bussed to the Junior High for the interviews.  Real life experience for our kids!  You'll see a lot of smiling kiddos!  A great photo/video opportunity.  April 14th, Junior High 3501 Wisconsin Street, LeClaire, from 9 to 12.

Wall of Honor

Wednesday, April 15th, PV will add another distinguished alumnus to our Wall of Honor.  Every year we recognize one PV grad for his or her academic achievements and contributions to society.  Dr. Azeemuddin Ahmed is a 1992 graduate and is a professor of business and medicine at the University of Iowa.  He is also the Medical Director for University of Iowa AirCare and the EMS Learning Resources Center.  He will be visiting all PV schools on Wednesday.  There is also a meet and greet at 3:30 and the ceremony at 7:00 at the High School (it's a part of our academic awards night).  Feel free to join us at any point during the day!

Nomination process info here -- http://www.pleasval.org/wall-of-honor-nominations/

Background info attached!

Golf Outing!

Our Pleasant Valley Educational Foundation is holding its premier fundraising event April 27th.  Golfers will hit the links at 11am at Palmer Hills Golf Course.  This event raises 10s of thousands of dollars for the school's foundation.  This spring the foundation will give out 70 scholarships for graduating seniors.  Each scholarship is at least $1,000!  I'll do the math for you - that's $70,000 in scholarships!  All money raised in PV for PV students.  There are dozens of stories about our scholarships.  In particular, one of our teachers at the Junior High, Jeff Paul, decided to start a scholarship a few years back.  He chooses a student who needs an extra push and gives them an ipad.  If they continue to succeed through High School, they also receive a scholarship.  He funded the scholarship through monies he's won from road races across the country.  Others have heard of this and are also donating money won in road races - people from all over the country!

MOLINE, Ill. - A number of area high school students received recognition and cash prizes for their welding skills at the annual Midwest Technical Institute High School Welding Competition Thursday and Friday at the school's Moline campus.

The two-day competition featured more than 70 participants from 17 QCA high schools and career centers, including Moline High School; Clinton High School; Muscatine High School; Kewanee High School; Davenport West and Davenport Central high schools; Mercer County High School; and Whiteside Area Career Center.

Students were tested on a wide range of welding skills and theories, including live welding challenges as well as classroom-based testing. Ten students were recognized in each day of competition for their work with first place winners receiving cash prizes of $500 - second and third place winners received $250 and $100, respectively, and the top ten finalists were awarded commemorative medals for their efforts.

Thursday's first place honors went to Michael Koster of Whiteside Area Career Center, while Steven Comeaux of Davenport West High School took the top prize at Friday's competition. Thursday's top three finishers also included Drew Burger and Sam Wike, also from Whiteside, while Nate Anderson, of Davenport Central High School, and Victor Mendoza, of Davenport West, rounded out Friday's top three students.

Established in 2007, the competition offers high school students more than an opportunity to simply showcase their welding talents. Participants also had the chance to tour the Moline campus, meet with faculty and staff and receive valuable information on how to turn their passion into a lifelong, lucrative career.

MTI's Director of High School Development Eric Gleason believes the competition provides students with a well-rounded look at the skills and work ethic required to be a professional welder.

"The weld competition is designed to allow area high school students to not only showcase their skillset, but also to get a feel for the MTI environment and experience welding at the next level."

The Moline campus offers MTI's Journeyman Welder I and II Program to train students for employment as professional welders in as little as seven months.