Advance to National History Day contest at University of Maryland next month

Pictured: (l-r) Governor Terry Branstad, Adam Dada, Lolly Telleen, Grace Moran, Department of Education Director Jason Glass and Department of Cultural Affairs Director Mary Cownie

DES MOINES - Three Rivermont Collegiate students received top honors at the National History Day in Iowa contest Monday at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines.

Lolly Telleen, Adam Dada and Grace Moran join a group of Iowa students who will compete against nearly 2,500 other students from the United States, Guam, America Samoa, Department of Defense schools in Europe, and Shanghai, China, June 10-14, 2012, at the 2012 Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland.

During this week's state contest, the students competed against nearly 270 other students in the senior division (grades 9-12) and received top honors for their entry, "Striking the Chains of Insanity" in the Senior Group Performance category. About 400 students in grades 6-8 will compete in the junior division contest Monday, May 7, 2012, also at the State Historical Museum.

National History Day is an academic-enrichment program that helps students learn about historical issues, ideas, people and events. The year-long academic adventure fosters students' enthusiasm for learning and encourages them to use primary, secondary, community and statewide resources on a subject of their choice related to an annual theme. The theme for 2012 is "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History."

Working individually or collaboratively in groups of two to five, students compete in the following categories: historical papers, individual and group exhibits, documentaries, performances and websites. Nearly 10,000 Iowa students competed in the program this year, with winners at school and district competitions advancing to the state contests in Des Moines.

In addition to helping students discover the world of the past, the NHD program helps them develop the following attributes that are critical for future success:

• critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• research and reading skills
• oral and written communication and presentation skills
• self-esteem and confidence
• a sense of responsibility for and involvement in the democratic process

The NHD program in Iowa has been coordinated by the State Historical Society of Iowa, a division of the Iowa Department Cultural Affairs, since 1994 and is sponsored by the State Historical Society, Inc., and the History Channel. More information about NHD in Iowa is available at www.iowahistory.org or by contacting Millie Frese at 515-281-6860 or millie.frese@iowa.gov.

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The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state's interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. The DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the general assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.

On May 1st, Illinois AEYC recognized twelve outstanding early childhood leaders from around the state
through a special proclamation in the Illinois General Assembly and a dessert reception in their honor.

The mission of Illinois AEYC is to facilitate the optimal development of young children by advocating for the
rights, needs, and well-being of young children; and educating, supporting, and collaborating with
individuals and organizations working in direct or indirect service to young children. To accomplish this
mission, the organization depends on the hard work of its members. Among them are dedicated leaders
whose hard work has made their local affiliate stronger and the lives of children in their communities better.

Illinois AEYC values the impact these exemplary volunteers have made as early childhood professionals.
Each stands out for their contribution to their communities, to the early childhood field, their local AEYC
affiliates, and to Illinois AEYC. The twelve represent a wide range of professional positions; many have
worked in the field for more than 25 years; some continue to volunteer after retiring. Illinois AEYC gratefully
acknowledges these contributions.

The twelve 2012 Children's Champions and the affiliate chapter they represent are:

LORI LONGUEVILLE - Illinois AEYC
JENNIFER BROSNAHAN - Joliet Area AEYC
ANGIE COX - Southern Illinois AEYC
ANNETTE HERBERT - South Suburban AEYC
LEON DENTON - Chicago Metropolitan AEYC
PEGGY PATTEN - East Central AEYC
LAURIE WALKER - Quad Cities AEYC
TAMMY HALTER - McLean County AEYC
BRENDA SMITH- Heart of Illinois AEYC
PAM GIERMANN- DuPage AEYC
CATHY ARMSTRONG- Capitol Area AEYC
CATHERINE (CASS) WOLFE - Golden Corridor AEYC (GOAEYC)

An Award Ceremony and Reception was held in their honor on May 1, 2012, at the Governor's Mansion,
401 E. Jackson St., Springfield, Illinois, 62701. The twelve 2012 Children's Champions and their guests,
AEYC members from across the state, and Illinois Legislators were invited to the dessert reception where
each 2012 Children's Champion was recognized for their achievements.

Everyone gathered at the Capitol for a special proclamation in both chambers and then proceeded to the
Governor's Mansion. The 2012 Children's Champions represent shining examples of those in our
communities doing good things for children, which led them to be nominated by their state/local affiliate

chapters and designated by the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children as Illinois 2012
Children's Champions.

Quad Cities AEYC Nominee - LAURIE WALKER

Laurie Walker has always been a Children's Champion! If she has not found a way to speak out for
children, we are sure she is in the process of discovering it! Laurie has no problem being the voice for
Children, Families, and Early Childhood Providers. She sits on various boards and meets with individuals
all across the State of Illinois in order to make sure that the voice of young children do not go unheard.
Laurie is a member of the IL Action for Children Board of Directors and past Board Chair, the IL Governor's
Early Learning Council Oversight and Coordination Committee, the IL State Board of Education
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Stakeholder Committee, the IL Department of Human Services
(IDHS) Child Care and Development Advisory Council and co-chairs the Quality Committee, the Bi State
Leadership Committee, and the United Way Women's Leadership Council Steering Committee. She was
formerly Chair of the United Way Agency Director Association, Chair of the IL Department of Human
Services Statewide Advisory Council, and co-Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and a member of
the IDHS Tiered Reimbursements Committee, the IDHS contract Deliverables Committee, and the IDHS
Great Start Committee. Laurie, truly, has a passion and commitment to children and excellence and her
dedication to this field is what Early Childhood is all about.

Over the next several months the Hawkeye Caucus will profile "A day in the life" of a typical student on campus.

Last Tuesday, I woke up and got my day started at 8:00 am. I grabbed my laptop and checked emails from the night before for about 30 minutes, as I do every morning.  I then got ready for the day and ate some breakfast.

After breakfast, I read for my Health Economics class for about an hour or so to prepare for my class later that night. At noon, I went to the College of Public Health building for my Human Resources for Healthcare Organizations' class, which lasted until 2:00 pm.

After class, I walked over to the Iowa Memorial Union to eat lunch and held the first part of my weekly office hours for Dance Marathon. During these few hours, I caught up on more emails and then worked on improving one of our development areas for Dance Marathon. This included doing some data analysis and comparing it to previous years to see how we could improve for this year.

At 4:30, I started my Health Economics which goes until 7:30 pm. Following my class, I ate dinner and then read for my Maternal/Child/Family Health class, which occurs on Wednesday. After reading, I prepared for what I needed to do for the rest of the week and prioritized what needed to get done first.

Afterward, I checked emails for one last time and then talked with my girlfriend before falling asleep around 12:30 am.

Nic Rusher is a Master of Health Administration Candidate and is the Executive Director of the University of Iowa Dance Marathon.

DID YOU KNOW?

The University of Iowa Dance Marathon is the largest student-run philanthropic organization west of the Mississippi River.

Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation, Quad City International Airport  was just named as Chair for 2012-2013 of AAAE, the American Association of Airport Executives. It's a very prestigious role, as he will be involved at the regional and national levels, representing the membership of this organization. (I have included the AAAE history below.)

I have included a link to the AAAE release (below).  I have also included his biography which we typically use for introductions prior to speaking engagements, for more detail about his career history.

ABOUT AAAE: Founded in 1928, AAAE (www.aaae.org) is the world's largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE's 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program.

BIOGRAPHY:

Bruce Carter started his aviation career in 1975 as an FBO fueler and later became a charter pilot in Mankato, Minnesota.  In 1978, he was hired as an air traffic controller until the PATCO strike in 1981. Bruce owned a Fixed Based Operation in Clarion, IA, before becoming involved in the airport management field in 1984 when he became the Operations Manager at the Waterloo Airport. In 1986, he became the Airport Director at Waterloo Airport. He was Director of Aviation in Springfield, Illinois, for three years and Director of Airports in Peoria, Illinois, for five years.  Since 1999, Mr. Carter has served as the Director of Aviation at the Quad City International Airport.  Mr. Carter is an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) and has served as President of the Great Lakes Chapter of AAAE, chaired the NAC and the Airport Ground Handling Association (AGSA). He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the American Association of Airport Executives as Chair, as well as serving on the International Association of Airport Executives.   Mr. Carter is also a commercial pilot, holding an instrument and multi-engine rating, and was previously a certified flight instructor logging over 2800 hours.

Personal:  Bruce is married to Faith Carter and they have two grown sons and two grandchildren.

Born:                            Kanawha, IA

Graduate:                      Waldorf College, Forest City

Airport Manager:          Clarion & Waterloo, IA

Dir. Of Aviation/Dir. Of Airports:  Springfield, IL, Peoria, IL, Quad City International Airport, Moline, IL