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Disney’s The Lion King returns to the Des Moines Civic Center
Tickets for Disney’s The Lion King are now on sale at the Des Moines Civic Center
Performances begin on Thursday, March 30th and play for 3 weeks through Sunday, April 16th at the Des Moines Civic Center
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Des Moines, Iowa- Disney Theatrical Productions and Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) announced that tickets for the long-awaited return engagement of Disney’s The Lion King are now available. Des Moines’ most eagerly awaited return will once again leap onto the Civic Center stage on Thursday, March 30th, 2023, for a limited engagement of 3 weeks through Sunday, April 16th, 2023. The opening performance is Friday, March 31st, 2023 at 7:30pm. In Des Moines, The Lion King will play Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm and Sundays at 1pm and 6:30pm. There will be a 2pm matinee on Thursday, March 30th. Premium Ticket Packages, which include a prime seat location, a souvenir program and a cinch bag, are also available. Tickets are now available at the Civic Center Ticket Office, and online at www.dmpa.org. To charge tickets, call (515) 246- 2300 between 10am – 5pm. Orders for groups of ten or more may be placed by calling (515) 246-2340. Ticket buyers are reminded that DMPA and dmpa.org are the only official retail ticket outlets for all performances at the Des Moines Civic Center. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that DMPA is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance. For more than 20 years, the North American touring productions of The Lion King have been seen by over 21 million theatergoers. Having already played more than 9,000 performances in over 90 cities across North America, The Lion King now proudly returns to Des Moines at the Civic Center.
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Felicidades a todas las ganadoras del premio 40 Women to Watch de la Asociación de Restaurantes de Iowa. En especial a nuestra querida amiga Carolina Hudman de Euphoria Cakes, ya que fue una de las latinas reconocidas esa noche.
Congrats to all the award recipients of the 40 Women to Watch Award by the Iowa Restaurant Association. Especially our dear friend Carolina Hudman from Euphoria Cakes, as she was one of the Latinas recognized that night.
La Asociación de Restaurantes de Iowa también reconoció a Blanca Plascencia, copropietaria del restaurante El Fogón, con el premio American Dream Award 2022. Felicidades Blanquita bien merecido.
The Iowa Restaurant Association also recognized Blanca Plascencia, co-owner of El Fogon Restaurant, with the 2022 American Dream Award Winner. Congratulations Blanquita, well deserved!
Follow us on Instagram @HolaAmerica December 8, 2022
22 St. Ambrose freshman earns prestigious $10,000 scholarship
By Jonathan Turner, OurQuadCities.com
Davenport, IA - Dora De La Cruz-Martinez is thrilled to be the first person in her family to attend college, and just one of 25 nationwide recipients of a $10,000 Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors. The St. Ambrose University freshman from West Liberty, Iowa, earned the honor (out of over 1,000 applicants) from Sallie Mae in partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund. De La Cruz-Martinez is majoring in political science, and minoring in pre-law. After submitting a two-minute video application as a high school senior, she was chosen based on her academic performance and upstanding moral character, both in her academic and personal life, according to the scholarship. Dora chose St. Ambrose over the University of Iowa, partly because it’s smaller and has a great academic reputation. “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made, honestly,” she said Thursday. “Going to a smaller school is what I needed, and I really appreciate all my professors.” Her mother (who is widowed) immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico with her family when she was 3, and didn’t go to college. Dora has a brother two years younger. “She’s been taking care of us for the longest time,” she said of her mom, who became a citizen in her 20s. Dora said it means a lot to be a first-generation college student. “I’ve been working really hard and I just want to prove to myself and to them, I don’t want to keep the chain of living paycheck to paycheck,” she said. “I don’t mean to say you need a college education to get a good job, but for me, that is the case.” Dora’s mom works in a natural foods supply warehouse in Iowa City. The freshman plans to go to law school. “I love my political science professors,” Dora said. “I feel like they’re really passionate about what they teach and just know so much about what they teach. That makes it easier for me. They really talk you through everything.” At SAU, she’s getting involved with the Latino Unidos club.
$3-million investment
The $250,000 in new scholarships for the 25 students is part of a $3-million commitment over three years by The Sallie Mae Fund, the charitable arm of Sallie Mae, to help students from underserved communities on their journey to access and complete higher education. Dora and the other winners will be highlighted on Sallie Mae’s Twitter and LinkedIn channels throughout November in celebration of National Scholarship Month. The scholarship, in partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, provides 25 deserving students from historically underserved communities with $10,000 each to help them access higher education. “Scholarships can be a real difference maker in opening the doors of higher education, particularly to low-income, underresourced, and underrepresented students, who often need the most support,” said Nic Jafarieh, executive vice president, Sallie Mae. “Our scholarship program and partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund continues to help level the playing field for those too often left out or left behind. This year’s diverse recipients are impressive and well on their way to accomplishing great things.” “Our partnership with The Sallie Mae Fund means we can reach more students in need and those who may have thought higher education was out of reach,” said Harry L. Williams, president and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “These scholarships can change the lives of students and ensure they have the opportunity to pursue higher education and build successful college careers.”
The importance of education
Dora found out about winning the scholarship in July, while she was on vacation with her family in Mexico. “It feels amazing and I feel fortunate,” she said. “I know it could have gone to anyone and I’m really happy that it went to me.” “I think it was because I talked about what higher education meant to me, and that higher education would get me out of the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck,” Dora said. “They really saw I had the intention of getting higher education.” She worked as a bank teller part-time and full-time this past year. She finished her course credits and tests (including AP Spanish and AP psychology) for graduation in May. While scholarships can be a helpful resource in making college more accessible and affordable, many families are unaware about their availability and what it takes to qualify. Recent research from Sallie Mae and Ipsos found nearly half of families think scholarships are only offered for academic or athletic excellence leading them to bypass applying altogether. Scholarships, however, are available for just about any and every interest and free tools like Sallie Mae’s Scholarship Search — home to more than 6 million scholarships collectively worth $30 billion – can help families research and apply.
Dora De La Cruz-Martinez, the St. Ambrose University freshman is from West Liberty, Iowa.
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Senior Spotlight: Cindy Barron
By Sandy Mouw, SLHS Writing Instructor, Courtesy of Storm Lake Times Pilot
Storm Lake, Iowa–“I think my best memory has not come yet; it’s about to come. The best memory for me will be walking that stage in honor of my mother and my siblings. I say this because I can already imagine the immense excitement my mother will feel when she sees her youngest finally graduating and growing up. Thinking about all the sacrifices my mother made to come to this country and to simply give us the best life and education represents the significance as to why graduating will be my best memory.” Inspired by her hardworking mom, Maria Barron, who raised six children alone after moving from Jalisco, Mexico in 1999 to Storm Lake and working at Tyson ever since, Cindy Barron, the youngest of the six, notes, “Kids don’t realize their parents do that for them.” “My goal for my senior year is to make as many memories as I can before the Class of 2023 departs. I want to make my family proud, and achieve my diploma in honor of them and my siblings, who unfortunately weren’t able to graduate. Overall I want to make this last school year one to remember for a lifetime, to get to spend the last moments with all my childhood friends.” Cindy currently works at Citizens Community Credit Union, but she has also been a dietary aide at Methodist Manor and worked the after school program at East Early Childhood School. STARS mentoring, Key Club, iJAg, National Honor Society, and volunteering have filled her high school years with experiences that align with her goals in life. “One of my favorite pastimes is performing self-care, either on myself or on family members. Self-care for me is making yourself feel beautiful again by either doing your nails, lashes, hair or giving a massage. My all time favorite is a nice relaxing facial that makes you feel rejuvenated and beautiful. It has truly been a passion of mine to make others feel wonderful in their skin, and I hope to accomplish that passion by going into Esthetics.” Cindy plans to go to La James and Iowa Central to earn her esthetician certification and a health and business management degree. At first Cindy wanted to graduate early, but her STARS mentor, Jordan Hewett, encouraged her to not miss out on her senior year. Cindy appreciates Jordan sharing stories about her sister who took the cosmetology pathway because it aligns with Cindy’s goals for herself and she appreciates others’ expertise and advice. “My mother inspires me daily. Being a single mother to six kids has not been easy but she has always done her best to give us everything we need, and that is one of the many reasons why she inspires me. She is just simply the most selfless person I know that will give up everything she owns to see her kids and her family happy. My volunteering side has been thanks to her. Ever since I was younger I remember my mother taking me with her to volunteering organizations, whether to help sick people in need or to help out our community. It naturally comes out of my heart to help someone when they need it.” “I would say that my mother is my biggest supporter. Through thick and thin she has always stood beside me no matter what the outcome might be. She is one to give an opinion before you do something but no matter what the decision might be she’ll be there. I was undecided as to what I wanted to do in the future. My younger self always said I wanted to be an Immigration Lawyer. Sadly, when I grew up the thought slowly faded away which made my mom a bit sad but she never gave up on me. She is there supporting me. That is why I consider her my biggest supporter in life. “My day usually always starts bright and early, as I get myself ready for school. Depending on schedules and errands I have to run, my outfit is based on my day. If I have to work a split shift I make sure to wear my most formal clothing to head to work after my classes. If that’s not the case casual is the way to go. I somedays go into work after second period, since I have several hours of open campus. Before 1 p.m. I make sure to be back on my way to school because I have two more classes before we end the day. After the day ends I head quickly back to work to finish my shift. Once my shift ends it’s time for me to head back home and finish my duties: doing homework, doing chores, or walking my dog.” “Being the first generation graduate does not come easily. I am expected to earn high grades to graduate and receive many scholarships for college. Believe it or not it is an obstacle many students like myself face. Not knowing how to apply for scholarships or simply how to even apply for college causes dread. Slowly but surely that is one obstacle that I am very close to overcoming. To those students who may feel the same way as I do, just know you’re not alone and that if you ever have questions there are people willing to answer them but you have to ask someone. “One teacher who will forever hold a special place in my heart is one of my iJAG teachers, Mrs. Vrenda Love. I wouldn’t say she is my favorite, I’d say she is more like a second mother to me. Her passion towards helping students strive and accomplish their goals is truly outstanding. Her selfless persona truly goes above and beyond to make her students feel as if they can open themselves up with her and in her classroom. Mrs. Vrenda Love will always mean a lot to me and I will always be extremely thankful for having her in my life. “It has truly been an honor to attend this wonderful high school. The energy and diversity it carries simply makes me want to never leave. I am proud to have been a part of this school, as it has taught me many things and it has given me many opportunities that I will forever be thankful for. I truly appreciate the administration for always putting the students first and for finding new ways for students to build relationships and offering new clubs that allowed students to get together.” Cindy knows this was not easy during the Covid years. “Giving the students many resources and many organizations they can include themselves in is a big plus. I tried International Club, taking college classes at Buena Vista University, Charter. They provided a food pantry during Covid for families. I hope my future kids are able to attend a school as diverse and supportive as Storm Lake High School.
