Heidi Behal of Bettendorf

Keri Cannon of Moline

Jenna Crookshanks of Port Byron

Erica Engelbrecht of Moline

Katelyn Flynn of Davenport

Miranda Geever of Moline

Rebekah Harrison of East Moline

Michelle Imig of Moline

Lucas Mellinger of Moline

Nicholas Mizeur of Moline

John Quandt of East Moline

Sarah Quinlin of Milan

Jacob Ridenour of Bettendorf

Hannah Rowen of East Moline

Michael Tuttle of Orion

Kelsey Warp of Parnell

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering over 120 areas of study. It is centrally located in the historic village of Bourbonnais, Illinois - just 50 miles south of Chicago's loop - with additional School of Graduate and Continuing Studies locations in Rolling Meadows, Ill. and throughout Chicagoland.

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Losing sleep over selecting a college major?  For many students preparing for college, this is a daunting task.  How can one be sure to make the right decision?  How does a student balance their interests, strengths, and dreams?  What resources are available for guidance?  Rivermont Collegiate invites all Quad City students and their families to attend College Night at Rivermont on Thursday, March 3rd from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Guest speaker Eric Rowell, Director of Career Development at Augustana College, will provide advice to students preparing for college.  Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to get professional recommendations and feedback on selecting a college major and minor, charting your college path, and discovering resources available for guidance.  Bring questions!  This event is free and open to the public.

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only independent, nonsectarian, multicultural college prep school for students in preschool through twelfth grade.  At Rivermont, college counseling begins in the ninth grade and encourages students to explore a variety of college opportunities.  Counseling is custom built to each student and limitless, offering specialized attention throughout the often complicated application process.  100% of Rivermont graduates are accepted to 4 year colleges and universities and over 90% earn renewable college merit scholarships.

This event will be held in the Joseph Bettendorf Mansion on the Rivermont campus, located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.

WEST POINT, N.Y. (02/18/2011)(readMedia)-- Situated along the Hudson River 50 miles north of New York City sits the oldest of the United States five service academies. The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy.

In the fall of 2010 four Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers entered the academy as freshmen or fourth class cadets. On Reception Day the freshman, plebes, start cadet basic training also known as Beast Barracks, or simply Beast.

Most cadets consider Beast to be their most difficult time at the academy because of the strenuous transition from civilian to military life. However for the Soldiers from Illinois it was somewhat familiar. As Soldiers entering West Point, one of the requirements is that they have already completed basic training.

"It was very rewarding to be able to assist some of the other cadets who had never experienced military life like this," said Cadet John Jordan Leskera of Edwardsville. "In turn, since we have started classes some of those I helped during Beast have in turn helped me with the academic side of things."

As members of the Illinois National Guard, these four Soldiers recently sat down with Maj. Gen. William Enyart of Belleville, the Adjutant General of Illinois, during his visit to West Point Feb. 16. Enyart fielded question from the four cadets after having lunch with more than 4,000 cadets in the academy's dining facility.

The questions centered on the well being of Illinois National Guard Soldiers, more specifically the ones serving overseas in Egypt. Enyart said that while the situation in Egypt has been over the past several weeks, all of the Soldiers serving on the Sinai Peninsula are accounted for and safe.

Cadets Anthony Mendez and Jeffery Perez both of Chicago, told Enyart how they both went to high school together, joined the National Guard, and are now in the same class at West Point.

"The experience here has taught us all so much in the short amount of time we've been here but most of all I think it has matured us faster than if we had gone to any other college, " said Cadet Joseph Cotton of Wayne.

The Illinois National Guard contributed the most cadets to the fall 2010 class than any other Army National Guard in the country. West Point reserves a number of slots each year for National Guard Soldier.

"Having four Illinois National Guard Soldiers in the same class attending West Point is something I've never seen before," said Enyart. "It's quite an honor and such a great program, we need to get the word out about it. "

West Point believes Soldiers enhance the Corps of Cadets, and values the life experiences they have earned as a Soldier, said Maj. Brian Easley, Soldiers admissions officer at West Point. For a Soldier wanting to be an officer in the U.S. Army, West Point will give an excellent education and the training they need to lead Soldiers as they continue to serve, he said.

Soldiers who are serving in an Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard capacity are encouraged to apply to West Point to further their education. West Point is committed to helping qualified Soldiers reach their full potential and secure commissions in the Army, Easley added.

According to Forbes Magazine the United States Military Academy at West Point has repeatedly been one of the nation's top schools, reaching the number one spot in August 2009.

"West Point is again honored and pleased to be selected as one of America's top five best colleges," said West Point Superintendent, Lt. Gen. David Huntoon. "It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our exceptional cadets, faculty and staff operating in world-class facilities.

"This excellence, as recognized by Forbes, is a key element in preparing our cadets for the challenges they will face as future Army officers,"

Upon graduation, cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army and serve for five years on active duty. During their senior year, cadets find out which specialized field, or branch, they will enter. Both the needs of the Army and individual preferences will be considered.

The Soldiers from the Illinois National Guard all expressed an interest in some day returning to Illinois to serve once again in the Illinois National Guard.

MIAMI (02/17/2011)(readMedia)-- Kaplan University celebrated the graduation of its winter 2011 class during a live graduation ceremony on February 5 in Miami. Bill Richardson, former two term governor of New Mexico, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, U.S. Energy Secretary and multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominee, served as the commencement speaker.

The following local students were awarded degrees:

Mike Bixby of Davenport, IA was awarded a Master of Science in Criminal Justice.

M. Elizabeth Blaha of Davenport, IA was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Management in Management.

Fred Monfeli of Davenport, IA was awarded a Bachelor in Business Administration.

Catanna Dement of East Moline, IL was awarded a Master of Business Administration in Business Administration.

Ryan Hazen of Moline, IL was awarded a Bachelor in Information Technology.

Richardson referenced his path from student to governor and told the approximately 1,000 graduates in attendance that "when you combine diversity and creativity with energy, commitment and a strong work ethic, there is no limit to what you can do."

"I feel very strongly about providing opportunities and increasing access to education, which Kaplan University does very efficiently and very effectively. And what they've done is adapt to a changing world and respond to the needs of students - to your needs," Richardson added.

The Kaplan University winter 2011 class, which included more than 5,600 graduates, earned associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees - as well as professional certificates - completely online. More than 1,000 of them traveled from around the country and the world to attend the ceremony, meeting face-to-face for the first time. Kaplan University has graduated nearly 27,000 online students since it began offering web-based degrees in 2001.

The Kaplan University winter 2010 class, which included more than 5,600 graduates, earned associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees - as well as professional certificates - completely online. More than 1,000 of them traveled from around the country to attend the ceremony, meeting face-to-face for the first time. Kaplan University has graduated nearly 27,000 online students since it began offering web-based degrees in 2001.

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (www.ncahlc.org) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University has more than 125 academic programs and offerings, and serves more than 75,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 100,000 students online and through more than 70 campus-based schools across the United States and abroad. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), and its largest and fastest-growing division. For more information about Kaplan University, visit www.kaplanuniversity.edu.