Education

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) brought together more than 16,000 students and academic advisers from 48 states and territories to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL from June 28-July 2 for the annual FBLA National Leadership Conference. The Conference is an opportunity for the best career and technical education (CTE) students in the nation to compete in more than 100 competitive events, take part in workshop sessions with industry leaders and state meetings, visit the expo exhibit hall, and conduct networking throughout the conference with the traditional state pin trading.

By Suzette Radke, Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation board member

College bills for the next semester are looming, and students and families are looking for ways to pay for any amount not covered by financial aid, savings or earnings. Many turn to private education loans. Because most traditional-age students need cosigners to qualify or receive better rates or because you would like to take out a loan in your name to help pay a child’s expenses, you as a parent may be investigating student loan options specifically for yourself.

Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation educates students and families on planning and paying for college, as well as providing education loans under the name ISL Education Lending. As an ISL board member, I want to help ensure that families understand the pros and cons of taking out student loans. I encourage you to remember the following tips for parents who want to help with education loans:

Gardening and pizza went together perfectly in Waukon and Lansing at recent youth sessions hosted by Allamakee County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Youth learned the different parts of a plant, and how each part is edible depending on the fruit or vegetable. It was discussed which parts help make a pizza, while everyone designed their perfect pizza. Ideas ranged from pepperoni to ice cream to candy pizza. Youth used English muffins to make personal pizzas for lunch.

They also discussed the four needs for plants to survive: air, soil, water and sun. To highlight soil, everyone was able to plant their own pizza garden to take home, using a variety of seeds used to make pizza such as tomato, pepper, basil and thyme. To highlight sun, they made UV bracelets, which turned colors in the sunshine. Other skills gained were knife cutting, correct handwashing using the Glo Germs, and measuring and making their own snack.

Four individuals of the Little Switzerland FFA Chapter from Waukon High School competed in the Agronomy career development event (CDE) at both the District and State levels earlier this summer. The team included members (left to right in the submitted photo above) Sarah Stock, Kendra Gibbs, Caleb Helgerson and Olivia Marti. May 13, the team competed at the Northeast Iowa District Contest held at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo and was named the Reserve Champion Team. In the final individual standings, Olivia Marti placed 2nd, Sarah Stock placed 5th, Kendra Gibbs placed 12th, and Caleb Helgerson placed 16th.

April 24, three members of the Little Switzerland FFA chapter at Waukon High School participated in the District Agriculture Mechanics career development event (CDE) at the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) campus in Calmar. The team, which included Ethan Gibbs, Ryan Kolsrud and Drake Hankes, achieved a 15th-place finish out of 39 teams. Individually, Ethan Gibbs placed 11th, Ryan Kolsrud 36th, and Drake Hankes 89th at that District level of competition.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) School Board met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, July 15. Under the Consent Agenda, the board approved the following personnel items (pending a satisfactory background check): Katelyn Thiessen, 9th grade volleyball coach; Jarod Dahlstrom, Jon Snitker and Chris Dahlstrom, volunteer varsity football coaches; and Cassie Schellsmidt, high school night custodian.

There were four open enrollments out of the school district that were approved. A Student Teaching Agreement with Luther College was also approved, as well as a Day School Agreement with Chileda Institute, Inc.

by Nancy Dunkel
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation

Chances are, you and your student will rely on multiple sources of funding for a college education. Common funding sources are your own savings and earnings, your student’s savings and earnings, scholarships and loans.
Make a resolution to reduce the amount of future student loans with these tips:

By Jim Schipper
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation Board Member

Many families turn to federal and private student loans, like those offered by Iowa Student Loan (ISL) Education Lending, to cover remaining college costs after savings, earnings and other financial aid. But the options for college financing can be confusing. Here are seven tips for finding the right loans for your family.

A pair of young ladies from the 2024 graduating class of Waukon High School were awarded scholarships from the P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) Sisterhood. The scholarships were distributed at the school’s annual Senior Awards Night held in May.

Olivia Marti was selected to receive a $2,500 STAR Scholarship from the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was recommended by P.E.O. Chapter EK, which has been a part of the Waukon community since it was organized in 1914.

The P.E.O. STAR Scholarship was established in 2009 to provide scholarships for exceptional women in their final year of high school to attend an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada in the next academic year. The competitive STAR Scholarship is for women who exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.

Andrew Kelleher of New Albin is one of 10 students from the University of Iowa (UI) - all hailing from hometowns in Iowa - who have been granted a prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which awards the recipient up to $5,000 to study abroad.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, these experiences offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, languages, and economies, fostering a deeper understanding of the world, and better equipping them with skills to excel in leadership positions within both government and the private sector.

“These Gilman recipients are incredible individuals who will study abroad in varied and unique locations,” said Teresa Kout, participant services coordinator in UI International Programs. “One of the most satisfying aspects of my position is to interact with students who are applying for the Gilman Scholarship.”