In the groundbreaking documentary "Race to Nowhere," concerned mother turned filmmaker Vicki Abeles embarks on an inquiry into the insanely hectic lives of America's overstressed, overscheduled, overcompetitive students.  Students rushing from class to sports practice and from volunteer work to homework, increasingly relying on stimulants and sleep deprivation, are facing consequences ranging from depression to eating disorders to suicide.  The film points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating becoming commonplace, students becoming disengaged, and young people arriving at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.  "Race to Nowhere" is changing the dialogue on education, with nationwide coverage including the Today Show and Oprah.

How do we foster healthy development while maintaining rigorous, high-quality curriculum?  Experts agree that increasing student voice in the classroom increases engagement and encourages real learning instead of memorization.  Research shows that students who believe teachers listen to them and want to get to know them are more engaged in learning, less likely to cheat, and show fewer signs of stress.  In addition, experts recommend giving students quality time off and productive ways to cope with stress.

At Rivermont Collegiate, small classes and a continued relationship with a faculty advisor encourage in-depth student-teacher interaction and provide focused attention and support.  Students are encouraged to customize their education and design their own "Rivermont experience."  Rivermont features a nurturing, balanced environment where character counts as much as grades do.  Final exams followed by holiday, winter, and spring breaks offer quality time off and designated "no homework" nights allow students to enjoy extracurriculars without the added stress of homework.  Students are encouraged to participate in numerous stress-relieving activities, from video game parties at the end of finals week to yoga and knitting during "mini period."

What are you waiting for?  Explore the Rivermont approach to learning!  Join us for Open Tours the first Tuesday of every month.  The next Open Tour will be held Tuesday, January 4th from 8:30-10:00 a.m.  No appointment necessary!  Drop in to explore our philosophy and curriculum, take a tour of campus, and see our teachers in action.  Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only PS-12th private, independent, nonsectarian college prep school, located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.

In a grassroots sensation, theaters and schools nationwide are hosting community screenings of "Race to Nowhere."  The film will play in Des Moines, IA at Fleur Cinema & Café on January 25th at 7:30 p.m., as well as several locations in Illinois throughout January and February.

For additional information, including screening locations, visit http://www.racetonowhere.com

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Tuesday's Open Tours, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today nominated 46 Iowa students for appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, Merchant Marine Academy and Military Academy, West Point for the 2011 classes.  

"I would like to congratulate these students for their many outstanding achievements," Harkin said. "An academy nomination is a great honor because of the intense competition for these nominations across the state of Iowa."

In a typical year, Harkin receives more than 150 applications from young Iowans interested in pursuing a career as a military officer.   Students apply for admission to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; or the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

Academy nomination finalists are interviewed by Senator Harkin's Academy Selection Board, during which time their motivation, poise and self-expression are measured.  Harkin may nominate up to ten applicants to compete for each available vacancy.  From the Senator's nominees, the academy then selects the final candidate who will be offered an appointment.  
"In order for an individual to be nominated, he or she must demonstrate superior leadership, academic and athletic abilities," Harkin said. "Nominees also must exhibit the necessary motivation for serving in the demanding role of a career military officer and be of outstanding moral character."  

After March 1, 2011, men and women between the ages of 17 and 22 who are interested in pursuing a nomination to one of the academies for the class entering in 2011, should go to http://harkin.senate.gov and complete Senator Harkin's online Service Academy application, or they may contact Senator Harkin's Cedar Rapids Office at (319)365-4504.  

A list of this year's Quad Cities area nominees is below.

Bettendorf
Andrew Peterman has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Andrew is the son of Carolyn and George Peterman and is a senior at Bettendorf High School.

Blue Grass
Samual Godwin has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Samual is the son of Mary and Steve Godwin  and is a senior at Davenport West High School.

Davenport
Samuel Larson has been nominated to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Samuel is the son of Cynthia and David Larson and is a senior at Bettendorf High School.

Maquoketa
Isaac Kinrade has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Isaac is the son of Julia and Steven Kinrade and is a senior at Maquoketa High School.

Muscatine
Tyler Husar has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy. Tyler is the son of Cindy and Mark Husar and is a senior at Muscatine High School.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (12/15/2010)(readMedia)-- 903 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2010-11 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

Martha Ade from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Ade is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in music and English.

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Ahuja is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Katie Alms from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Alms is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in English and music.

Amber Anderson from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Anderson is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in accounting and math.

Samuel Anderson from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Anderson is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in math and computer science.

Anthony Ash from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Ash is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in accounting and business advising.

Erica Aten from Coal Valley, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Aten is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Angela Bahls from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Bahls is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in communication science & disorders and psychology.

Hannah Boyce from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Boyce is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology and history.

Austin Boyle from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Boyle is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in business advising.

Jasmine Brooks from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Brooks is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in political science.

Allison Brown from Milan, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Brown is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Courtney Brown from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Brown is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Ryan Brummet from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Brummet is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in math.

Anthony Chesser from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Chesser is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Cowherd is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Adelle DeVolder from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. DeVolder is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in business finance.

Grace Drenth from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Drenth is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Brianna Dyer from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Dyer is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in teaching English.

Owen Engstrom from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Engstrom is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in political science and multimedia journalism mass communication.

Trevor Fennelly from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Fennelly is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Kayla Ferguson from Orion, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Ferguson is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Alyssa Harmon from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Harmon is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in political science.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Harris is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in biochemistry.

Taelar Hillyer from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Hillyer is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Hullon is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Mohammed Hussain from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Hussain is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology, pre-medicine and religion.

Gaetano Iaccarino from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Iaccarino is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in music and anthropology.

Michael Kautz from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kautz is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in accounting.

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kilbride is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in communication science & disorders.

Lauren Kirik from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kirik is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Koger is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kumar is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Matthew Kustes from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kustes is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in business administration management information systems.

Mary Lambrecht from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Lambrecht is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in sociology and psychology.

Anna Letendre from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Letendre is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in business advising.

Madison Logan from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Logan is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Lovaas is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Maccabee is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Amy Malmstead from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Malmstead is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in business marketing.

Crystina Mayfield from Coal Valley, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Mayfield is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in French.

Courtney Mitten from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Mitten is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Narvaez is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology and Spanish.

Jenna Nelson from Orion, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Nelson is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Neziroski is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Justine Nuguid from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Nuguid is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Jacob O'Rourke from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. O'Rourke is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in pre-medicine, business advising and accounting.

Kayla Papish from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Papish is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in teaching math and math.

Aubree Payne from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Payne is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Peters is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in neuroscience.

Owen Pomije from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Pomije is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Sarah Potter from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Potter is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Anna Press from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Press is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Katherine Rea from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Rea is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Michael Reeves from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Reeves is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in accounting.

Lauren Reid from Sherrard, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Reid is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in business marketing.

Alan Sabat from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Sabat is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

James Sales from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Sales is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology.

Michael Seevers from Cordova, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Seevers is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in geography.

Britta Shold from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Shold is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in communication science & disorders.

Kalin Showers from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Showers is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in political science.

Meghan Showers from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Showers is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in Asian studies and political science.

Moselle Singh from Le Claire, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Singh is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in anthropology.

Anna Smith from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Smith is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology and psychology.

Jonathan Smith from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Smith is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Amber Soike from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Soike is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in elementary education.

Cristina Stan from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Stan is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

James Stratton from Sherrard, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Stratton is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Mark Stumphy from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Stumphy is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology.

Audrey Taylor from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Taylor is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in teaching biology and biology.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Tello-Rodriguez is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in biology and psychology.

Theodore Teros from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Teros is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in philosophy.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Thompson is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Anna Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Tunnicliff is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in history.

Anne VanSpeybroeck from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. VanSpeybroeck is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Janelle VanWatermeulen from Silvis, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. VanWatermeulen is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in business marketing.

Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Vandewiele is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in political science and accounting.

Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Vickerman is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in business advising.

Emily Voigt from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Voigt is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in business marketing.

Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Voigt is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology.

Audrey Waner from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Waner is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in art.

Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Wessels is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in business advising and accounting.

James Wiebler from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Wiebler is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Peter Wiese from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Wiese is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in neuroscience and math.

Ian Williams from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Williams is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Laurel Williams from Milan, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Williams is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in communication science & disorders and English.

Kelsey Winter from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Winter is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Youngs is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology and political science.

Alyssa Zwicker from Orion, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Zwicker is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 70 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty members and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) has been recognized by Community College Week as one of the top 20 fastest growing community colleges in the nation.

EICCD was listed as the 14th fastest growing community college among those with enrollment between 5,000 and 9,999. The college posted a 22 percent enrollment increase between 2008 and 2009 (8,480 students in 2008 compared to 6,975 the prior year).

"I'm very excited that we made this list and received this recognition," said EICCD Chancellor Dr. Pat Keir. "We knew, of course, how much we have grown these past two years but we didn't realize how well that compared with other colleges across the country."

EICCD includes Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges.

Dr. Keir pointed out that the ranking only tells part of the story. On top of the 22 percent increase in 2009, enrollment increased by another 10.4 percent in 2010. Fall enrollment at the three colleges this year was 9,365 students.

The college's students attend classes at the three main campuses and satellite sites in Maquoketa, Wilton, downtown Davenport and the Blong Technology Center just off Interstate 80 in Davenport. Partnerships with high schools throughout the EICCD region also allow for current high school students to take college classes right in their school buildings.

"There's no doubt that economic factors have contributed to that growth," Dr. Keir said. "But we need to also recognize the tremendous amount of work being done by our staff and faculty in providing educational opportunities to students. Without all of the work that our people are doing, without all of the partnerships they are building with high schools and the community, none of this would have been possible."

"It's also very important for me to mention and thank the public for its support," she added. "Without that support, especially their approval of our bond referendum three years ago, we would have not been able to accommodate the growing number of students."

Voters in the eastern Iowa district approved a 2007 bond referendum for $33 million. That funding has allowed the college to build new science centers at all three colleges, a new university center in Muscatine, CCC's Maquoketa Center, expansion of the career technologies wing and construction of the new Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center at SCC, and support of a new Wilton Library and Community Center with classrooms dedicated for MCC. Additional renovations are still underway and future plans call for construction of a new west Davenport center, located next to the city's Fairmount Street Library, scheduled to open next fall.

In addition to the students in the traditional classrooms, the college's online enrollment is also increasing. The number of students in online programs increased to 2,837 in 2010, compared to 1,957 in 2009. Approximately half of these students are enrolled exclusively in online classes while the other half are in both online as well as traditional classroom-based classes.

EICCD partners with six other Iowa community colleges in the online program, making it possible for students to earn their Associate in Arts Degree entirely online. The local college also has unique online programs available in Health Information Technology, Cancer Information Management, and Health, Safety and Environmental Technology.

For more information about the colleges' programs call 1-888-336-3907 or e-mail eiccinfo@eicc.edu