Des Moines, IA., July, 30, 2009 - Today, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid) released a list of 69 top-ranked Iowa students who were named Robert C. Byrd Scholars. Thomas Harris, high school graduate from Davenport Assumption High School and Austin Laugen, high school graduate from Davenport Central High School in Davenport, Iowa were selected for this prestigious scholarship from among 191 applicants statewide. A comprehensive list of the 2009-2010 Byrd Scholar recipients is available from Iowa College Aid's website at:

http://www.iowacollegeaid.gov/commissioncentral/schgrants/byrdscholars.html.

The Byrd Scholar program rewards students who demonstrate the highest levels of academic achievement and leadership. Each recipient will receive a $1,500 college scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year. The award is renewable for up to four years, based on federal funding and the student's continued academic performance.

"The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards given to college-bound students," said Karen Misjak, executive director of the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. "These are exceptional students who met high standards in education and leadership and all Iowans can be proud of their accomplishments."

In addition to other outstanding credentials, the 2009-2010 Byrd Scholars rank within the top 2% of their graduating class, have an average GPA of 3.99 (based on a 4.0scale) and average 33 on the ACT exam and 2190 on the SAT exam.

About the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is a federally-funded program. The Iowa Department of Education is designated to ensure qualified Iowa students receive the scholastic awards and collaborates with the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Commission) for administration assistance. The Commission's working relationship with high school guidance counselors, as well as college and university administrators, provide a supportive framework for the annual Byrd Scholarship competition. Scholars compete for the top honors by submitting applications that support superior academic credentials, leadership qualities, and service records. To apply, an Iowa high school senior must be in the top 10 percent of his or her graduation class, obtain a minimum score of 28 on the ACT or 1860 on the SAT exam, earn a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), an must have taken rigorous coursework outlined in the application. Applications are reviewed, and scholars selected, by a panel of academic officials.

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About the Iowa College Student Aid Commission
As the state's designated guaranty agency for the Family Federal Education Loan Program (FFELP), Iowa College Aid guarantees more than $696 million annually in student loans from private lenders to support over 77,000 Iowa students and parents.. In addition, Iowa College Aid administers state scholarship, grant, and loan forgiveness programs totaling over $69.5 million, provides borrowers with assistance to avoid the serious consequences of default, conducts research and distributes higher education data, and offers Iowans assistance in obtaining student financial aid and college-related information. More information is available at www.IowaCollegeAid.gov.

The Quad City Sports Center is excited to announce that it will be hosting the 2009 Central States Hockey League Junior Showcase December 18-21^st. The last time the showcase was held here was in 2007. The showcase brings in 13 teams from across the Midwest, including teams from Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania & Michigan. The four day tournament has a projected economic impact of $600,000 on the Quad Cities. Attendee's include fans, parents, and scouts for Midwest colleges and higher level leagues. This is not the only time these teams will be in the Quad Cities. They will return at varying times over the regular season to face off with the Jr. Flames. Games times will be released this fall as a final schedule is put together. Be sure to come down and support the Jr. Flames on their home ice during this tournament.

The Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau assisted in providing funding through the Iowa Regional Sports Authority grant to win this event for the Quad Cities.

For more information please contact the Quad City Sports at 563-322-5220.

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Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) will host its annual Barge Party at the Lake Davenport Sailing Club on River Drive and Oneida Avenue in Davenport on Thursday, August 13 from 5:30pm until 9:00pm.  Chad Pregracke and his LL&W staff and crew are celebrating twelve years of river cleanups, environmental education workshops, river forest restoration projects, engaging communities in river stewardship.  During these twelve years, Chad has been the recipient of many awards including the Jefferson Award, American Institute for Public Service; Heroes of Conservation Nomination, Field & Stream Magazine and The Alumni Award and Dedication of the Pregracke Center at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois.

Attendees will enjoy a true river feast with a fish fry and shrimp boil next to the Mighty Mississippi River.  The LL&W crew will give tours of the house and garbage barges.  There will also be a silent art auction, live music and a few words from Chad and his crew to update you on their progress.  "This event allows us to thank the Quad Cities for all they do to help us continue to make the rivers a cleaner place.  It all makes a difference and everyone should be rewarded," says Chad, founder and president of LL&W.  Tickets for the event are $35 per person.  Reservations can be made by calling the LL&W office at (309) 496-9848 or going to their website at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Chad Pregracke started Living Lands & Waters in 1998 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the beautification and restoration of America's major rivers and to the education of people about environmental issues.  From its single boat beginning, LL&W has grown to an internationally known organization with a fleet of barges and work-boats, engaging thousands of volunteers each year in river cleanups, hands-on environmental education workshops, Adopt-a-River-Mile programs and now the MillionTrees project.  "This thank you and fundraiser is a perfect example of how much momentum and teamwork has helped this project progress.  We have supporters flying in from all over the country to celebrate what we have accomplished so far," says Chad.

For more information, please contact Natalie Linville-Mass at Media Link, Inc., (309) 785-5142 or natalie@medialinkinc.com.

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Bettendorf, IA - Jessica Palmer, Director of Marketing and Research at the Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CRACVB) will be speaking to local public relations, marketing and media professionals on August 20, 2009 at 3:00 pm at the Quad City Area REALTOR Association office located at 1900 State Street, Bettendorf, IA on behalf of the Public Relations Society of America - Quad Cities Chapter.

Jessica will be speaking about the Cedar Rapids flood and the overall crisis response from your organization to the citizens and businesses.  Also she will talk about what was done as a city to overcome the devastation and how the community retained and encouraged area businesses to stay in the community after the floods.

PRSA members, Local Public Relations, Marketing and Media professionals, students, and the general public are invited to hear Jessica discuss the CRACVB's response and overall role in this crisis.

Jessica Palmer is currently director of marketing and research for the Cedar Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (CRACVB). Her responsibilities include working with community and partner organizations to support regional needs. She is responsible for strategic planning, marketing and communication activities. Prior to joining the CRACVB, Jessica was manager of communication and research with Priority One.

Jessica serves as a board member of YPIowa, Co-chair of ImpactCR, Chair of the Corridor MPO MAC, Cedar Rapids Area Recovery and Reinvestment Coordinating Team, Rebuild Iowa Economic and Workforce Development Taskforce, United Way Young Leaders Society Committee, Cedar Rapids Downtown District Committee, Eastern Iowa Marketing Roundtable and is a 2008 graduate of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber Leadership for Five Seasons program. In 2007, Jessica was named as one the region's "40 Under 40" by the Corridor Business Journal. A Cedar Rapids native, Jessica earned a B.S. in business marketing from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids.

The Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CRACVB) is the area's official destination management organization. The CRACVB is entering its fourth decade of operation. Over the past 30 years, the CRACVB has played a variety of roles in the community from destination marketing leader, to event developer, to facility development advocate.

Formed in 1978, the Quad Cities Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America serves public relations and communications professionals throughout the greater Quad Cities region. The chapter offers programs, resources and networking opportunities for area PRSA members.  www.qcprsa.org

To RSVP for this event please email Cissy Wendt, Chapter Administrator at qcprsa@gmail.com