WASHINGTON – The Coast Guard announced Friday its partnership with the U.S. Navy and Operation Sail, Inc., for The Star-Spangled Banner and War of 1812 essay and art contest, part of this year's commemoration of the War of 1812 and the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Winners of the contest will be invited to sail aboard America's tall ship, the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, during one of the six, planned OpSail 2012 events.

The essay contest requires entrants to submit a 1,000-word essay on one of three topics:

• The role of the USS Constitution and the U.S. Navy in the War of 1812
• What The Star-Spangled Banner means to me
• The role of the Revenue Cutter Service in the War of 1812

The essay contest requires entrants to submit a copy of their original watercolor, oil, or pencil artwork, depicting one of three topics:

• What The Star-Spangled Banner means to me
• A maritime scene from the War of 1812
• A Revenue Cutter in action during the War of 1812

"It's an honor for Eagle's officers and crew to both celebrate and increase public awareness of our nation's history," said Capt. Eric Jones, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle.  "The fledging U.S. Navy along with the U.S. Revenue Marine, the predecessor of today's Coast Guard, "cut their teeth" in engagements with the royal navy during the War of 1812.  We hope that Eagle's appearance in ports along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts this summer will inspire students to reflect upon the significance of this oft-forgotten conflict."

One prize will be awarded in each of the OpSail 2012 event cities of New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Va., Baltimore, Boston and New London, Conn.  Entrants must name the one port for which their work is competing.  Deadlines vary by port city - full rules and deadlines for the contest may be found online at http://www.opsail.org/press-releases/45/opsail-announces-essay-and-art-contest/ and questions regarding contest rules may be directed to contest@opsail.org.  The six OpSail events are part of the nation's commemoration of the War of 1812 bicentennial.

The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle was taken from Nazi Germany by the United States as a war prize after World War II and has been homeported at the Coast Guard Academy in New London ever since.  As America's only active-duty, square-rigger, sailing ship, the Barque Eagle offers future Coast Guard officers the opportunity to put into practice the navigation, engineering and other professional theories they have learned in the classroom, and everyone who trains aboard Eagle experiences a character building experience.

FAIRFAX, VA (02/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Josie Mumm, of Davenport, a student at Davenport Central High School has been selected to represent Iowa as a National Youth Delegate at the 2012 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment at George Mason University.

Mumm has been awarded opportunity to join a select group of 250 students from across the country to participate in an intensive study week-long of leadership in environmental science and conservation. Mumm was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in leadership in the sciences and conservation studies.

George Mason University along with partners, National Geographic and the National Zoo are excited to welcome the nation's youth scholars to Washington, D.C. With distinguished faculty, guest speakers, and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment offers aspiring environmentalists and student leaders an unparalleled experience. The week-long program is held at George Mason University's state-of-the-art campus. The Summit will encourage and inspire young leaders who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic industry.

The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment will be held June 24-29, 2012.

About George Mason University

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. Located in Northern Virginia minutes from Washington, D.C., Mason provides access to diverse cultural experiences and the most sought-after internships and employers in the country. In addition to environmental science and policy, Mason offers strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering and information technology, organizational psychology, health care and visual and performing arts. With Mason professors conducting groundbreaking research in areas such as climate change, public policy and the biosciences, George Mason University is a leading example of the modern, public university. George Mason University -- Where Innovation Is Tradition.

About the 2012 Washington Youth Summit on the Environment

The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE) is a unique student leadership conference designed to develop and encourage future leaders in the important field of environmental studies and conservation in the 21st century. The Advisory Board, is chaired by Mark Bauman, Executive Vice President of National Geographic Television and co-chaired by Joe Sacco, Educational Director for the National Zoo. Additional members include world renowned scholars, distinguished scientists and award winning university faculty, such as Dr. Tom Lovejoy, noted environmentalist and former executive vice president of the World Wildlife Fund. Delegates gain an insider look at environmental science, policy and conservation issues. For more information visit us online at wyse.gmu.edu.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS is pleased to offer a $500 Broadcast Scholarship to students pursuing a career in broadcasting.

Last year's recipient Paul Strater said "As a nontraditional student, the financial realities of later life such as mortgages and car payments and the challenges of funding a college education without parental help or the loans available to parents are quite a challenge.  This scholarship will be a great help as I finish my degree at Western."

Interested students may log on to http://wqpt.org/scholarship for an application or by calling (309) 764-2400.  The criteria for the scholarship is:

v  Overall 2.5 GPA

v  Broadcast Classes 3.0 GPA (not applicable to incoming college freshmen)

v  Preference given to full-time students although part-time students may apply.                        

Applications will be accepted through May 18, 2012for this scholarship.  New and continuing students in any broadcast curriculum may apply.  WQPT will select the recipient prior to the fall semester.

WQPT General Manager, Rick Best said "The scholarship is just one of the ways that WQPT endeavors to be a community partner."

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University Quad Cities located in Moline, Illinois.

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LINCOLN, NE (02/22/2012)(readMedia)-- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced its Deans' List/Honor Roll for the fall 2011 semester. Local students included were:

Bettendorf: Hannah Marjorie Kurth, junior, music major College of Fine and Performing Arts, .

Bettendorf: Kera Anne Linn, freshman, pre-health major College of Arts and Sciences, .

Bettendorf: Nathaniel Robert Sullivan, sophomore, music major College of Fine and Performing Arts, with a 4.0 grade-point average.

Davenport: Samantha Walton Adrales, freshman, English major College of Arts and Sciences, .

Qualification for the Deans' List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Honor Roll for the Division of General Studies. Listed below are the minimum grade-point averages on a 4-point scale (4.0 equals A) for each entity and the name of its respective dean. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a minimum of 12 or more graded semester hours. Students can be on the Dean's List for more than one college.