Bettendorf, IA -  Please join us as we recognize our 2015 Business Integrity Award recipients as well as our 2015 Student Integrity Award recipients; honoring businesses and students that demonstrate superior ethics, reliability and trustworthiness. The Better Business Bureau of Iowa will present the winners at the BBB 75th Anniversary Luncheon, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 11:45 am, taking place at Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, IL.

"As Iowans we pride ourselves on integrity. For 75 years the BBB has been providing services that build consumer trust in our communities.  We consider it an honor to present this year's Integrity Winners and Student of Integrity Winners, they lead by example and embody the ideals of the Better Business Bureau." - Chris Coleman, President, CEO

Tickets for The Better Business Bureau of Iowa Integrity Award Luncheon can be purchased by phone at (563) 355-1705. Tables of 8 are available for $240.00.  Individual tickets are $35.00 per seat.  The public is encouraged to attend the event which starts at 11:45 a.m. For more information visit www.bbb.org/iowa

The Student of Integrity Awards program was established in 2001 to recognize and honor high school seniors who personify ethics and integrity.  The three Student of Integrity winners will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.  The winners are:

  • Molly Kelly, West Liberty High School
  • Claire Hamilton, Columbus community High School
  • Guadalupe Chavez, Davenport West High School

Sponsors include :

Premier Sponsors: Quad City Bank & Trust

Premier Media Sponsor: WQAD TV8

 

General Asphalt Construction Company                MidAmerican Energy

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center             Iowa American Water

Werner Restoration Services, Inc.               Creekside Vineyards Winery & Inn

Molyneaux Insurance

 

Brus Construction, LLC.  Bush Construction

D'Souza & Krutzfeldt-QC Dentistry                      DeWitt Bank & Trust Co.

Kaplan University              Rock Valley Physical Therapy

BBB is a nonprofit, non-governmental, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. All BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews on more than 4 million businesses, 11,000 Charity Reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region was founded in 1940 and is one of 112 local, independent BBBs across North America.

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DES MOINES, IA (04/01/2015)(readMedia)-- While the conference committee on Senate Files 171 and 172 met today, it was no April Fool's joke. The Democrats' funding offer of 2.625 was simply inadequate and the Republicans' rejection of this offer further demonstrates their callous disregard for the health and well-being of Iowa's public school students.

Thousands of Iowans have spoken out on the issue of funding for our public schools. They have spoken in favor of increased funding. At this point, we are gravely disappointed that both parties have now failed to listen to their constituents.

We stand with parents, students and citizens of Iowa firmly and strongly in favor of 4 percent funding for Iowa's schools.

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The ISEA is a professional organization made up of nearly 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students.

CONWAY 28528, SC (04/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Kelsey Birdsell, of Moline, IL, has been elected Vice President of Public Relations of the Student Government Association at Coastal Carolina University for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The University offers 67 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree and seven master's degree programs in accountancy, business administration, education, marine and wetland studies, and writing. The University is offering its first Ph.D. program, in marine science, in fall 2014.

More than 9,900 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

Learn more: http://www.coastal.edu/

April 1, 2015 - Rivermont was the only high school and one of only two middle schools to represent the Quad Cities at the Iowa State Science and Technology Fair in Ames on Thursday, March 27 and Friday March 28.  The competition was fierce with over 700 participants from across the state. Presenting their projects during the competition culminated a long journey of hard work, research, imagination and steadfast support of faculty, staff, parents and fellow students.

While congratulations are in order for every Rivermont student who participated in the Science Fair, these students excelled, capturing the following awards:

Upper School:  

9th grade  

Nikhil Wagher  

  • Awards: ASM Materials Education Foundation Special Award
  • 1st place - Category of Engineering
  • Selected as Student Observer for the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA (Top three freshman overall)
10th Grade

Maram El-Geneidy 

  • Awards: 3rd place - Category of Medicine & Heath Science

Manasa Pagadala

  • Awards: Champion Overall (2nd place project from overall categories)
  • Selected to represent Iowa in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1st place - Category of Energy and Transportation
  • $5000 Scholarship from Iowa Energy Center
  • $2000 Scholarship from Iowa Biotechnology Association

 

Middle School:

6th grade

Angela Jones

  • Awards: 1st place - Category of Chemistry
  • Overall Middle School Champion - Category of Chemistry
  • Qualifier in the Broadcom MASTERS (top 10% of Junior High projects)

Kadin Shaheen

  • Awards: Special Award in Excellence
  • 1st place - Category of Energy and Transportation?
  • Qualifier in the Broadcom MASTERS (top 10% of Junior High projects)

Sean Dougherty

  • Awards: 2nd place - Category of Energy and Transportation

Rohan Abernathy-Wee

  • Awards: 1st place - Earth Science and Astronomy
  • Qualifier in the Broadcom MASTERS (top 10% of Junior High projects)

Sarah McVey

  • Awards: 3rd place - Medicine and Health Science

Ava Satterfield

  • Awards: Honorable Mention - Category of Environmental Science

Alexander Xiao

  • Awards: Honorable Mention - Category of Environmental Science
Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only Private College Prep School for PreSchool through 12th Grade.
For more information visit www.rivermontcollegiate.org or call 563-359-1366.
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March 31, 2015 - Congratulations to the following students who have made the Rivermont Collegiate 3rd Quarter 2014-15 Honor Roll!  

Middle School (Grades 6-8)  

High Honors (All grades B+ or higher or B or higher for courses designated as High School level or advanced track math)  

Rohan Abernathy-Wee  

Asha Alla  

Harris Ciaccio  

Elizabeth Decker  

Annika Didelot  

Sean Dougherty  

Jessica Elliott  

Aislinn Geedey

Jacob Hansen

Emad Haque

Sofia Hunner Rojas

Mary Aisling McDowell

Sarah McVey

Nandini Reddy

Grace Sampson

Ava Satterfield

Lauren Schroeder

Peyton Seberg

Anna Senjem

Kadin Shaheen

Genevieve Strasser

Jack Westphal

Claire Westphal

Alexander Xiao

 

Honors (All grades B- or higher or C+ or higher for courses designated as High School level or advanced track math)

 

Christopher Cumberbatch

Michael Cumberbatch

Evan Didelot

Jaden Fee

Chirag Gowda

Angela Jones

Allyson Lewis

Dwira Nandini

Jozef Porubcin

Davis Priest

 

 

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

 

Headmaster's List (GPA 3.85 - 4.00)

 

Adam Dada

Clayton Douglas               

Faith Douglas    

Anastasia Eganova

Maram El-Geneidy

Tejasvi Kotte

Hayley Moran

Benjamin Nordick

Manasa Pagadala

Emilia Porubcin

Michal Porubcin

Suhas Seshadri

Alexander Skillin

Loring Telleen

 

Distinction (GPA 3.5 - 3.84)

 

Spencer Brown

Hema Chimpidi

Christian Elliott

Kenton Fee

Shivani Ganesh

Aditya Gohain

Carly Gott 

Ryan Howell

Andrew Laufenberg

Molly Lewis

Thomas Rodgers

Nikhil Wagher

Pavel Yashurkin

 

Merit (GPA 3.00 - 3.49)

 

Jacob Engelke   

Jesus Fuentes

Brittany McDonald

Nathan McVey

Bhavana Purighalla

Nadezhda Sinutkina

Gwyneth Vollman

 

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MOUNT VERNON, IA (03/26/2015)(readMedia)-- Students from Cornell College performed in the Steel Drum Ensemble concert March 27 in King Chapel.

Stephanie Campbell of Bettendorf is one of more than 20 members of the Steel Drum ensemble.

Andrew (Drew) Klocke of Coal Valley is one of more than 20 members of the Steel Drum ensemble.

The Steel Drum Ensemble is one of seven of the college's highly regarded ensembles, open to all students by audition. In addition to building group performance skills, the ensembles also offer exceptional undergraduate solo opportunities.

One of the 40 "Colleges That Change Lives," Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum. The One Course schedule provides students the chance to dive into their studies, focus more intensely on the disciplines of their choice, and learn authentically with the unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship--all without missing out on other classes.

Cornell has been recognized by numerous publications for the value its education offers and for academic excellence. This year it was named of the 100 best values in liberal arts education by Kiplinger's, one of the "Best Value Schools" among national liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report, and one of the 100 Affordable Elite Colleges by Washington Monthly. Ninety-three percent of Cornell graduates earn their degrees in four years. In 2013 Cornell was named one of the 25 colleges with the best professors by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity.

For more information, visit www.cornellcollege.edu.

DES MOINES, IA (03/25/2015)(readMedia)-- A coalition of education organizations which includes the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI), Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEA), the Urban Education Network of Iowa (UEN), and the Rural Schools Advocates of Iowa, gathered over 6,000 signatures on a petition asking the Iowa Legislature to adequately support supplemental state aid. Copies of the petition were delivered to members of the Conference Committee on Senate File 171 today.

"Clearly there is tremendous support for the needs of our students and schools. Iowans are demanding that legislators take action to fix the problems caused by years of inadequate funding in their neighborhood schools. It is not acceptable to expect students to sit in classes of 30-35 and receive the quality education they deserve, or study from textbooks that are old and worn. Our students are entitled to rigorous course offerings and programs that will help them compete in a 21st century economy," said Tammy Wawro, President of the ISEA.

"Iowa citizens make an investment in public education because as a society we believe that public schools support not only individual success, but shape and create our democracy and communities. Providing these centers of learning comes at a cost and it deserves our support," said Lisa Bartusek, Iowa Association of School Boards executive director

"Iowa schools have been underfunded for the last four years. A minimum of 4 percent supplemental state aid is now needed to avoid large disruptions to local district programming," emphasized Dan Smith, School Administrators of Iowa executive director.

Dr. Paul Gausman, speaking on behalf of the Urban Education Network of Iowa said, "The Sioux City Schools will reduce between $2 million and $2.3 million in personnel and programming, for anything less than 4 percent SSA, and 4 percent would even stress our budget (we have spending authority limitations rolling forward). If 6 percent SSA had become reality, we would not have to make that level of reductions. The personnel portion of these reductions include 20 Instructional Assistant positions (about $570,000), and three teaching positions (all of the personnel reductions are being accomplished through attrition).

The Our Children, Our Future coalition began gathering signatures in response to Governor Terry Branstad and House Republican's inadequate supplemental state aid proposal and subsequent inaction on passage of any aid before the budget deadline.

The Our Children, Our Future coalition is working together in support of adequate funding for Iowa's schools.

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CLARKSVILLE, TN (03/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Austin Peay State University has awarded the Provost's Out-of-State Scholarship to high-achieving freshmen for the Fall 2015 semester.

William Fisher of Moline (61265)

Asher Johnson of Bettendorf (52722)

Brett Newberg of Moline (61265)

Moline, Ill. - What starts here, changes the world one student at a time. Black Hawk College is proud to host the 2015 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference, a three-day event at the iWireless Center in Moline, Ill. expected to see more than 1,000 attendees from across the United States betweenApril 8 and 10.

NACTA is an organization committed to advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning in agricultural, environmental, natural and life sciences, and this annual judging contest will bring that commitment to the heart of the Midwest in 2015.

"This conference is really an investment in the future of our agricultural young leaders." said Andrew Larson, an organizer of the 2015 NACTA Judging Conference and a recruiter for the Agriculture Department at Black Hawk College. "Our event will provide collegiate and high school students the opportunity to learn and develop valuable agricultural skill sets, while also getting the chance to network with key industry leaders and companies."

Attendees will range from 4-H members at the high school level to agriculture students at the collegiate level, and the main focus of the conference will be the judging competitions, which cover everything from soils and agribusiness to crops and livestock management.

The conference will also include the first Agricultural Networking Fair on Thursday, April 9, sponsored by Pfister Seeds. This networking fair is designed to provide participants and volunteers valuable opportunities to engage with industry leaders like John Deere and also give participants additional learning experiences in a unique environment.

Black Hawk College, along with many conference sponsors, are also organizing group activities in the Quad Cities to involve students and volunteers when they are not participating in a contest. These activities include a tour of the John Deere World Headquarters, a visit to the Niabi Zoo and a tour of the Figge Art Museum.

Interested participants can register for the conference, competitions and group activities on the 2015 NACTA Judging Conference website at www.BHCNACTA.com. Also posted online, a complete schedule of events for the weekend. Registration is open until March 25.

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PELLA, IA (03/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Ashley Ramker of Davenport was chosen to present research entitled "Power of Positive Thinking: Effects of Positive Psychology Exercises on Well-Being" with collaborative professor Randall A. Renstrom at the annual Midwestern Psychological Association (MPA) conference in Chicago, April 30-May 2

This year holds a record number of 38 students presenting their scholarly research at the MPA conference. Central graduates were also selected to present research in the professional program alongside Ph.D and graduate students.

Founded in 1853, Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, residential four-year liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and strength in global experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sustainability education, athletics success and tradition, and leadership and service. Central continues to value its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America that began in 1916. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Iowa Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just two minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.

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