He is involved in the community with the United Methodist Youth Group. He went on a Mission trip toMexico. Jack attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 2008 and he continues to serve as a leader for the BoyScouts in his troop. He is also a 4-H member and a leader in the county council.

Jack is a great kid, we are so proud of him; he is a leader in church, school, and community. He isoutgoing, friendly and easy to get along with. Jack is definitely deserving of the INS Superior StudentAward.

AUDIO: INS Superior Student Jack Goodlaxson

Kristen Ahlers is a senior at Le Mars Community High School. She was nominated by Julie Beitelspacher.

“I am honored to nominate Kristen Ahlers as the INS Superior Student. Kristen is an amazing young woman who is not only active in her school, but her church and community as well.

Kristen holds leadership roles at Le Mars Community High School in Student Council, National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, Band, Orchestra, Choirs, and Speech and Drama. She is also a letter-winner in track and cross country. She is the co-editor of the Bark yearbook and is a class officer. Besides her school activities, she is active in her church, and especially in our local 4-H program. Through 4-H she has been key in initiating community service activities such as the major recycling effort at our 5-day county fair. She led efforts in placing recycling stations throughout our fairgrounds saving tons of recyclables from ending up in the landfill! She has won numerous local and state 4-H awards and has exhibited at the Iowa State fair for 9 years.

She was named Miss Congeniality by her peers and also was named the Plymouth County Fair Queen as well as the LCHS Homecoming Queen this fall. She was nominated and had leadership roles at the 2010 Iowa Girls State event this past summer.

To exemplify her generous spirit, she spear-headed a project at her last year’s prom, assisting special needs high school kids and took them out for a prom meal, the promenade, and the prom dance, giving up her own prom to make it special for those less fortunate than herself!

She will continue to shine at Iowa State where she plans to attend after graduation, majoring in English secondary education. I am proud to know and nominate Kristen Ahlers as the INS Superior student!”

AUDIO: Interview with Kristen Ahlers

Nicole Trenkamp is a student at Preston High School. She was nominated by Elaine Watters.

Nicole maintains a grade point average of 3.9 and helps with milking and chores on her family’s dairy farm. Nicole is a member of the National Honor Society. She loves sports and is on basketball and softball teams. She runs track and cross-country for the Preston High School. She is currently the southeast district vice-president of the Iowa FFA. Nicole has been a member of the Preston 4H Club for eight years, and has shown in local and state fairs. She is a girl scout and mentor, and is an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Nicole is caring, thoughtful and loyal to her family, her friends and her country. I recommend Nicole Trenkamp, the INS Superior Student of the Month.

AUDIO: INS Superior Student, November, 2010

Rachel Hansen is a student at Des Moines Christian School. She was nominated by her father, Clint Hansen.

“Rachel is an outstanding student with an overall 4.3GPA.  She is a gifted artist winning many awards including the National Scholastic Gold Key, first places in district art competitions, Iowa State Fair People’s Choice, even the Pheasant’s Forever limited edition print. She volunteers her gift to create school T-shirts, programs, invitations and year book covers. She has had her art published in Australia by a tract publishing company.  She has been on the Student Council for 3 years, plays first chair flute and piccolo in marching, concert, jazz and pep band, honor bands (including Iowa State and Drake Honor bands).  She has a winning smile and kind heart to those around her.  Rachel strives to be her best in everything she does and deserves to be nominated for this honor.”

AUDIO: Superior Student

Emily Prilipp is a Junior at Algona High School. She was nominated by teacher Christine Schultz.

“I am an elementary teacher and the youth leader for Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. I have had the honor to get to know Emily Prilipp for the past few years. As a young girl, Emily had to face the challenges brought before her when she lost her father to cancer. I’m very impressed with her ability to look at life and all of its challenges with a positive outlook. At school, Emily takes part in the band, choir, volleyball, cheerleading and golf. She’s a very positive role model to all of her peers and everyone else she encounters. When I think of Emily, I think of a strong individual who is not afraid to share her love of life with others. Her smile brings a little piece of sunshine to all that see it.”

AUDIO: Emily Prilipp nomination

Michael Anderson is a senior with the Davis County Homeschool Assistance Program. He was nominated by his mother and teacher, Zelda Anderson:

AUDIO: INS Superior Student for May, 2010

“Scholastic: Michael is a senior who has been homeschool since Kindergarten with the Davis County Homeschool Assistance program. He has done well with his Academics and will be graduating with a 3.86 GPA and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. He was on the honor roll for 2 years with extra classes he took at the Ottumwa Christian School.

Music: He has played the piano for over 10 years and was able to go to the Southeast Iowa State Competition in 2009 and 2010 receiving a Division I rating both years. For 2 years he enjoyed singing and was a member of GOVAP – the Greater Ottumwa Vocal Arts Project. This group traveled and sang and put on concerts in South East Iowa.

Sports: He has been actively involved with sports playing Basketball for the Ottumwa Christian School and Davis Co. High School; playing on Varsity and Junior Varsity respectively. He also played soccer through all his grade school years and in the 9th grade for the Ottumwa Community Soccer Club. For years he has attended the Gardner Tae Kwon Do class and was able to attain a First Degree Black Belt. In the spring of 2010 he just completed the American Red Cross Course to qualify him as a Life Guard for the local YMCA.

Community & Church: For the community he has been an active volunteer at the local hospital; Ottumwa Regional Health Center for the last 3 years. He is also a teen volunteer for the Heartland Pregnancy Center which is a crisis pregnancy center. He helps with fund raising, practical helps and services. He has been very involved in his church since childhood. As a teen he has worked as a leader for the youth group, assisted with the Awana kids Club, helped with youth and mission fund raising, working as an assistant in the Sunday School and nursery, helping with church maintenance, and other needs as they have arrived. He is an active member in the youth group. He has also assisted with the greeting visitor programs. During his grade school years he worked hard on receiving the Timothy Awana Trophy” at Northgate Alliance Church. The work to achieve this award is similar to working for an Eagle Scout Award. For his community he has helped with the “Make Ottumwa Shine” program cleaning up streets and parks of litter. One spring in particular he and his family worked on a major highway and park area that helped prepare for the Ragbrai Biking Event that brings bikers from all over Iowa as well as from around the world through different cities in Iowa  2009 coming through Ottumwa. He also served as a volunteer helper for the NICHE (Network of Christian Home Educators) convention held each summer in Des Moines. This is the state convention for families that are homeschooling in Iowa.

Politics: For the last 2 years he has been an active member of an organization called TeenPact. This is a National Civic Leadership training program. He attended week long classes at the Des Moines State Capital learning how to be actively involved as a citizen with the political process. After the state convention he went to the National Convention where he participated in mock presidential elections. He also served in the fall of 2008 at the Republican local office in helping with campaign calling and work for the election. At his homeschool group in the fall of 2008 via mock elections he attempted to become President of the Herald Homeschool group. Him and his running mate placed second during these school elections.”

Tonni Engle is a senior at Ottumwa High School. She was nominated by her mother, Julie Engle:

“Tonni is an all around superior young lady! I am, of course, a little biased, being her mother. However, Tonni is a very dedicated student and her hard work over the years has earned her very good results. Tonni is very mature and highly committed to her education and extracurricular activities. Here are a few examples…President of the Ottumwa High Scool Future Educations Association (FEA), President of Tes Trams Sorority, member of Friends of Rachel, Teen Pregnancy Task Force, Students Against Destructive Desicions (SADD), Just Eliminate Lies (JEL), Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Girls Scouts (13 years), cheerleader (4 years), jazz-tap-ballet (15 years).

I could go on and on. While being involved in all these activities and working a part-time job she maintained an excellant GPA. Also her community service with Festival of Trees, Race For The Cure, Relay For Life, these are just a few to mention. She also started and organized a fundraiser in Ottumwa, Flock for the Cure to raise money for local Breast Cancer Awareness by flocking yards with Flamingos (because of my breast CA).

I believe her outstanding leadership, community service, dedication and leadership by example shows why she is a worthy candidate for INS Student of the Month.”

AUDIO: INS Superior Student