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

Carson Anderson is a junior at Storm Lake High School. He was nominated by teacher Jay Grimes:

“Carsen Anderson is an outstanding student. He is a member of the National Honor Society boasting a cumulative GPA of 4.0.Carsen demonstrates his school spirit through his extraordinary participation of extra-curricular activities. He’s active in baseball (3 yrs), basketball (3 yrs), football (2 yrs), tennis (2 yrs), cross-country (1 yr), concert and jazz band (2 yrs), choir (1 yr), and speech. He has received numerous varsity letter awards, is captain of the basketball team, and a 1st team all Lakes Conference basketball selection.While on the playing field, Carsen is a fierce competitor, but tempers that competitiveness with an easy going sense of humor, and a healthy attitude of fair play. Carsen has also been involved in his community by volunteering to work with youth through the community education athletic programs and the Dollars for Scholars fund raising activities. He is also active in his church youth group community service projects and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership and planning committee.I heartily nominate Carsen for this award. His vigor for learning and serving the community reflect credit upon himself and Storm Lake High School.”

AUDIO: INS Superior Student, March 2010

Rachel Proffitt is a senior at Solon High School. She was nominated by teacher Joel Foreman:

AUDIO: About Rachel Proffit

Rachel is one of the most outstanding students with which I have had the pleasure of working. She is involved in our concert band, jazz band, auditioned choir, jazz choir, and chamber choir. Rachel also performs at State Solo/Ensemble Contest each year and State Large Group Contest in the Spring.

Groups in which she has been enrolled have received multiple superior ratings and consistently score at the top of their respective class. Rachel has also played principal roles in our musical every fall, been a member of our Varsity Volleyball team and is the drum major of our marching band.

Moreover, Rachel continually goes above and beyond the responsibilities of an ensemble member to ensure both her success and the success of others. She if frequently offering extra time to help with organizational needs, is the first person to arrive at rehearsal to help directors with setup, and always the last to leave.

Rachel brings a positive spirit to every group and every rehearsal and maintains a ready and willing attitude no matter what the circumstance. She is a privilege to have in class and I give her my strongest recommendation. If a student like Rachel comes along once every 15 years, I’d consider myself and our program lucky!

Mariana Ramirez is a senior at Schaller-Crestland. She was nominated by teacher Kelly Wiener:

AUDIO: About Mariana Ramirez

“Mariana is a true Scahller-Crestland success story. She is an inspiration to all of our students as she shows daily what hard work and determination can accomplish. Mariana arrived in the United States as a 5th grader. She started her education at Schaller-Crestland as a 6th grader with limited English and a burning desire to learn. As a senior, Mariana is planning to attend Buena Vista University and major in pre-dentistry and minor is psychology.

She has received the Presidential Academic Achievement Award, Governor’s Volunteer Award and Character Counts Honorable mention recipient for all of her volunteer work which includes: After School Program at S-C, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Mentor, Student Advisory Committee Member, and National Honor Society Member. This fall Mariana organized a group of Hispanic students and their families to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by creating a display in the library, creating a PowerPoint for students and staff and organizing an assembly that provided Hispanic food, music and activities for the Schaller-Crestland student body. Mariana competes in individual speech, quiz bowl, TAG and golf.

In her community, Mariana was selected as a 2008 Schaller Popcorn Queen and represented Schaller in various community and area activities. She is a member of Lutheran Youth of Christ at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller and serves as Vice President of the organization. She helps with the summer Vacation Bible School at church, adopt a highway clean-up, helped create care packages for victims of natural disaster and worked at various church fundraisers.

Mariana has had many obstacles to overcome and yet she accepts all honors and awards with grace. She is the most appreciative person I have ever met. As a teacher, it is a joy to have a student who sets such a high bar for all of us through her actions and her work ethic. Mariana is not just a superior student, she is a superior person and I nominate her for your fine award and honor.”

Luke Symonds is a Senior at Cumberland-Anita-Massena (CAM) High School. He was nominated by Debra Brown:

AUDIO: About Luke Symonds

“Each and every Friday night Luke Symonds takes the field, he’s one of the smallest players on the gridiron. As a 5’8”, 155 pound starter on the fifth-ranked CAM football team, Luke has never let his small stature be a deterrent to success. Instead, he’s used this challenge to not only motivate himself but encourage others as well. His coaches describe him as a tremendous team asset, a great team member who leads by example.

While the CAM football squad has enjoyed recent success, the school’s baseball team has faced much adversity. Challenges include numerous coaching changes and rebounding from 0-22 and 4-18 seasons. As the lone senior on this year’s team, Luke has already begun planning upcoming projects that will positively impact future Cougar baseball programs.

From organizing elementary skills camps to heading up fund-raising efforts for new dugouts, Luke’s dedication to his school’s baseball program is unwavering. This enthusiastic team captain will use his experience and positive attitude to help rally this spring’s baseball team. Luke’s leadership spans far beyond athletics.

The Boomerang Character Ed Program is a positive character-building program which partners high school students with elementary youth. Luke is one of only eight students selected by his teachers to serve as a Boomerang leader at the Anita Elementary. Over the course of twelve weeks, this young community volunteer encourages respect and responsibility while helping impressionable fifth-graders make wise choices.

This CAM senior continues his volunteerism and service to others by being an active member of his church and youth group. Luke serves regularly in his church and is always eager to roll up his sleeves to assist with community betterment projects.

For the past four years, Luke has helped organize and sponsor benefit basketball tournaments, involving youth from more than eight different communities. Designed to encourage fun and fellowship among teenagers, this annual event has also raised dollars to assist the needy with medical expenses and restock depleted food pantries.

From athletics to school and community events, Luke Symonds has devoted many hours to improving the quality of life for others. His positive attitude, great work ethic, and ability to lead others by his example make him a worthy candidate for the INS Superior Student of the Month Award.”

Jason Meyer is a junior at Olin Consolidated School. He was nominated by Brenda Farrington who says:

“I believe Jason Meyer deserves to be recognized as an INS Superior Student for several reasons. Jason is a junior at Olin High School. Jason is a superior student in academics as well as community involvement, drama, church, sports and music. Jason demonstrates excellence in all he does. Jason is from a single parent home and you could not ask for a more dependable, polite and giving young man to be a part of our future. Jason has been involved with Boy Scouts of America for many years. Jason has also been involved with the Youth Group at the United Methodist Church and has been involved with several out of state mission trips to help those in need. Jason, as well as his family, has been involved with the holiday church plays for the surrounding communities. This brings the true spirit of the holidays alive.

When the flood devastated our town, Jason and his entire family were the first to volunteer to fill sandbags and save other homes from the water. Jason worked tirelessly for many hours non-stop. Jason also unanimously gave half of his birthday money to the local food pantry to help others in need. How many high school students would do this?

Jason is on his school’s football, basketball and baseball teams. Jason has participated in Drama, Band and Choir and is on the honor roll. Jason is also involved with Student Council and is active in Red Ribbon week and LRP. Jason is currently taking Kirkwood classes along with his regular academic classes.

Jason is aspires to become a plastic surgeon to help those with severe disfigurements. Jason and his family put on an annual Halloween Haunted House for the children of the community. This allows the children to be safe and have some fun. Jason puts in many hours and lots of work to set up, participate and tear down within twenty-four hours.

Jason Meyer is an all around INS Superior Student.”

AUDIO: About Jason Meyer