Graduation 2010

Logan-Magnolia Class of 2010 Class Colors: Black and white.

Class flower: Yellow rose.

Class motto: Don't be proud of where you came from, make where you came from proud of you.

Graduation: May 16 at 2 p.m.

Ryleigh Anderson

William Azinger

Lynn Benedickt

EBY DRUG STORE Logan 644-2160

STRONG INSURANCE AGENCY Ph: 712-644-2710 Logan, IA

WARNER INSURANCE AGENCY INC.

Michael Burmeister

KC Carritt

Rose Coffin

STRONG INSURANCE AGENCY Ph: 712-644-2710 Logan, IA

Seniors • Weddings • Families • Special Occasions

Serving Harrison County Since 1916

Skyler Bertelson WARNER INSURANCE AGENCY INC. 207 E. 7th., Logan, IA 644-2456

Jeremiah Brown

Dean W. Koster Logan 712-644-2701

Nikki Allen Photography 311 East 7th St.

Logan, IA

712-644-3073

207 E. 7th., Logan, IA 644-2456

MOSAIC

“A life of possibilities for people with intellectual disabilities” Serving Western Iowa since 1988

644-2234 217 E. 7th Street

Logan

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Woodbine Twiner & Logan Herald-Observer

Tabatha Craig

Abrielle Custer

Seniors • Weddings • Families • Special Occasions

LOGAN MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Nikki Allen Photography

Blake Dickinson FEED NOW at

215 N 4th Ave.

LOGAN

712-644-3073

644-2929 Logan, IA

644-3298 219 E. 7th

Jesse Garcia

Hannah Gibson

311 East 7th St.

Logan, IA

Missouri Valley 631 N. 8th St. 712-642-2794

Erica Hill

314 East 7th Logan, IA 712-644-2769

Stewart Johnson 712-644-2280

STRONG INSURANCE AGENCY Ph: 712-644-2710 Logan, IA

Megan Hutson

TH E LOGAN

LOGAN CAR CARE

107 N. 4th Ave. Logan, IA 712-644-2705

118 W. 7th St. Logan, IA

644--2281

Amanda Knudsen

Erica Lambertsen

Seniors • Weddings • Families • Special Occasions

LOGAN AUTO SUPPLY

Nikki Allen Photography 712-644-3073

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS 117 N. 4th Ave., Logan 644-2505

Brittany Loy

Christopher Mabbitt

Angela Mahoney

First National Bank of Logan

TH E LOGAN

Logan, IA Don’t Forget We Make Custom Fruit Baskets & Party Trays

24 Hour ATM (712) 644-2310 Member FDIC

311 East 7th St.

Logan, IA

Herald-Observer 107 N. 4th Ave. Logan, IA 712-644-2705

Regan Esser

Amanda Ganoe

First National Bank of Logan

TH E LOGAN

Michael Gross Loftus Heating and A/C 712-644-3260

Erik Hyllienmark Logan Country Store 121 W. 7th Street 712-644-3104 Pizza-by-the-slice or whole pizzas

Thomas Lathrop

314 East 7th Logan, IA 712-644-2769

Chance McDonald

Perfection Learning/Press Inc. 314 East 7th Logan, IA 712-644-2769

1200 Industrial Dr.

Logan, IA

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Logan, IA

Christina Hoffman

Herald-Observer 314 East 7th Logan, IA 712-644-2769

Brittany Gochenour

May 12, 2010

644-2831

Taylor Hartwig

First National Bank of Logan 24 Hour ATM (712) 644-2310 Member FDIC

Miranda Johnson

EBY DRUG STORE Logan 644-2160 Serving Harrison County Since 1916

Mikayla Lesline LOGAN MEMORIAL CHAPEL 215 N 4th Ave.

644-2929 Logan, IA

Stacia Morris 712-644-2280

Logan, IA Don’t Forget We Make Custom Fruit Baskets & Party Trays

May 12, 2010

Woodbine Twiner & Logan Herald-Observer

Emily Nield Loftus Heating and A/C 712-644-3260 Logan, IA

Cami Schramm

Emily Peterson

Perfection

712-644-2485

Devon Theile STRONG INSURANCE AGENCY Ph: 712-644-2710 Logan, IA

Logan Country Store 121 W. 7th Street 712-644-3104

1200 Industrial Dr.

Logan, IA

644-2831

Haley Springston

Michelle Riley TH E LOGAN

Learning/Press Inc.

Pizza-by-the-slice or whole pizzas

Herald-Observer 107 N. 4th Ave. Logan, IA 712-644-2705

Tyler Rosengren 712-644-2280

Logan, IA Don’t Forget We Make Custom Fruit Baskets & Party Trays

Jackson Straight

Bo Suntken

Dwight Swift

LOGAN AUTO SUPPLY

TH E LOGAN

Missouri Valley 631 N. 8th St. 712-642-2794

CARQUEST AUTO PARTS 117 N. 4th Ave., Logan 644-2505

Herald-Observer

Seniors • Weddings • Families • Special Occasions

Heidy Vasquez

RyVen Vicary

Miriah Willard

Evin Wills

First National Bank of Logan

TH E LOGAN

Altwegg & Anderson Attorneys 110 N. 2nd Ave. Logan, IA

Bronwyn Pitt

3

TH E LOGAN

712-644-2280

Herald-Observer

Logan, IA

107 N. 4th Ave. Logan, IA 712-644-2705

Don’t Forget We Make Custom Fruit Baskets & Party Trays

107 N. 4th Ave. Logan, IA 712-644-2705

24 Hour ATM (712) 644-2310 Member FDIC

Nikki Allen Photography 311 East 7th St.

Logan, IA

712-644-3073

Herald-Observer 107 N. 4th Ave. Logan, IA 712-644-2705

Woodbine Class of 2010 Class Colors: Orange, yellow and red.

Class flower: Gerber Daisy.

Class motto: Together we experienced life, separately we will pursue our dreams, and forever our memories will remain.

Graduation: May 16 at 1 p.m.

Kyle Coleman 647-2361 Woodbine, IA ~~~ A Place to Call Home

Malene Andreassen

Christopher Beeman 1108 Park Street

Missouri Valley 631 N. 8th St. 712-642-2794

Alyssa Dunlop

Woodbine, IA 712-647-2010

Margaret Dunlop

Corey Berens

Robert Brown, Jr.

THOMSEN CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC

Bobs Service

506 Walker St. Woodbine 647-3444

Darrell Erwin

Lauren & Juli Cox,, Woodbine 647-2612 • 1-888-647-7829

Ryan Fouts

FOUTS

Eby Drug Store 423 Walker Woodbine, IA 647-2840

304 Lincolnway St. Woodbine, IA 712-647-3252

ROGER L. BARRY 414 Walker Street Woodbine, IA 51579 rlbarry@1040.com Phone: (712) 647-2323 www.1040.com/rlbarryaccounting

Funeral Home 501 Normal Woodbine, IA 712-647-2221

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Woodbine Twiner & Logan Herald-Observer

Travis Gagnon

Halie Hamilton

Kellie Hanson

647-2612 • 1-888-647-7829

Clarissa Herrick 647-2361 Woodbine, IA ~~~ A Place to Call Home

Hannah Malone 1108 Park Street

Woodbine, IA 712-647-2010

MIDLANDS Dental Group

Your Smile - a natural resource worth saving!

MIDLANDS Dental Group Your Smile - a natural resource worth saving!

214 E. Erie Missouri Valley 712-642-4136

Paige McMains

Call 712-643-1308 www.chellesphotos.com

214 E. Erie Missouri Valley 712-642-4136

Kylie Kerger

Kara Kuhlman

Scott G Thompson .

.

Logan, IA 51546 712-644-3692

www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

www.edwardjones.com

Member

SIPC

Cole Meeker

Woodbine 647-3375

Sean Monahan MOORES

Dustin Moores MOORES

Carter Oliver

PLUMBING & WELL SERVICE 647-2718 Woodbine, IA

PLUMBING & WELL SERVICE 647-2718 Woodbine, IA

Andrew & Hilary Moores

Andrew & Hilary Moores

Tyler Rains

Katrina Schwery

Missouri Valley 631 N. 8th St. 712-642-2794

Dillon Smith Best wishes to our graduating seniors!

We proudly support our area schools.

Nicole Melby

Heather Miller

Scott G Thompson Financial Advisor .

115 North 4th AveScott Ste G200 Thompson Logan, IA 51546 Financial Advisor 115 North 4th Ave Ste 200 712-644-3692 .

Logan, IA 51546 712-644-3692

www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

www.edwardjones.com

Phone: 647-2340

Member

SIPC

If no answer, call 647-2345

www.woodbineia.org

Alexander Pauley

Woodbine Municipal Gas

Phone: 647-2550 If no answer, call 647-2345 www.woodbineia.org

Nicholas Powers 647-2361 Woodbine, IA ~~~ A Place to Call Home

Adam Taylor

Derek Wagner

Boustead Real Estate

Boustead Real Estate

712-647-2442 61 Fourth Street, P. O. Box 2 647-2727 or 800-822-5591 Woodbine, IA 51579-0002

• Grain • Agronomy • Fuel • Propane • Feed and Farm Supplies

214 E. Erie Missouri Valley 712-642-4136

Marilyn Boustead

Your Smile - a natural resource worth saving!

214 E. Erie Missouri Valley 712-642-4136

Your Smile - a natural resource worth saving!

Woodbine Municipal Light & Power “Your Bank for Today and Tomorrow”

MIDLANDS Dental Group

Thomas Maaske

MIDLANDS Dental Group

115 North 4th AveScott Ste G200 Thompson Logan, IA 51546 Financial Advisor 115 North 4th Ave Ste 200 712-644-3692

712-647-2221

647-2361 Woodbine, IA ~~~ A Place to Call Home

Woodbine, IA 712-647-2010

Financial Advisor

FOUTS Funeral Home 501 Normal Woodbine, IA

1108 Park Street

Your Smile - a natural resource worth saving!

1571 Tracey Dr. Dunlap, IA

214 E. Erie Missouri Valley 712-642-4136

Emily Kerger

Austin Hedstrom

Kimberly Hardy

MIDLANDS Dental Group Lauren & Juli Cox,, Woodbine

May 12, 2010

REALTOR

510 Walker, Woodbine e-mail: mybstd@iowatelecom.net www.bousteadrealestateservice.com

Marilyn Boustead

712-647-2442

REALTOR

510 Walker, Woodbine e-mail: mybstd@iowatelecom.net www.bousteadrealestateservices.com

WOODBINE TWINER & LOGAN HERALD-OBSERVER

May 12, 2010

College Preview

5

How to ‘Go Green’ in your dorm room Come the back-to-school season, parents may have mixed emotions about sending their child off to college. It’s a bittersweet moment, one in which a parent is proud and accepts their son or daughter is ready for independence. It is also a time when parents worry about what the next few months will bring.

Shopping for college dorm supplies is one way to bond while parents and students count down the days to the start of the semester.

When purchasing necessities and extras, think about making ecofriendly choices.

Many of the items college students need (or want) for their school dorm can be substituted with greener options.

• Choose all-natural, organic linens for the bed and bath and skip synthetic comforters and the like.

Today it’s possible to find inexpensive, natural fiber options right next to the less earth-friendly ones.

• Skip the fire hazard halogen lamps in lieu of light fixtures that can accept compact fluorescent bulbs.

• Invest in a power strip so that the myriad electronics students rely upon can be turned off in one step. This eliminates phantom loads — power being used even when devices are in the off position.

• This may be a student’s first foray into laundry duty. Stock up on “free and clear” laundry products.

Also, give lessons about washing in cold water to conserve on energy.

• Skip the chemical-laden air fresh-

eners for all-natural options like regular baking soda to combat dorm-room odors. For students who are responsible enough to have candles in their room (and if the dorm allows), choose beeswax candles scented with essential oils over paraffin candles with artificial scents.

• Stock up on houseplants that filter the air and can beautify bland dorm rooms. Plants especially effective at filtering the air and providing balanced indoor humidity include areca palm, Boston fern, English ivy, Peace lily, and a Rubber plant.

• Dorm food is rarely the healthiest, and late-night junk food runs are the staple of many a co-ed’s diet.

However, instill lessons in choosing whole foods free of preservatives instead of chemical- and calorie-laden convenience snacks. For a coffee pickme-up, suggest fair trade coffees.

• Instead of stocking up on bottled water, invest in a table-top water filter that can be used to filter tap water for drinking.

• Try buying as many products as possible locally near the school campus. This eliminates the need to ship or transport the supplies, wasting gas and creating a bigger carbon footprint.

• Instead of buying everything new, don’t be shy about accepting hand-me-downs or gently used items from friends and family. Be creative about recycling some items into new ones. For example, old blankets or sheets can be used as pillow covers or even curtains on the cheap.

Cutting every day costs at college Being broke is part of the rite of passage for many college students across the country. While tuition costs are often at the core of the college finances discussion, for many college students

the day-to-day expenses are a far bigger concern than how much they will owe their creditors once college is over and it’s time to repay their student loans.

Since college is the first

time the majority of students are on their own, understanding finances, budgeting money and learning how to save money can be a trial and error process, with lots of errors along the way. For

students about to head off to college, whether it’s for freshman year or the scholastic swan song of senior year, the following money-saving tips should help make money a little less tight.

• Shop around: One of the biggest expenses a college student will have is books.

Depending on a student’s major, the book bill for a single semester can exceed $1,000. Resourceful students, however, can almost always trim such a bill.

While freshmen might not know who will be teaching their classes in the fall, second semester freshmen, sophomores and upperclassmen should check a professor’s Web site to see the required textbooks. If a student does this well enough in advance, then sites such as Amazon.com or Overstock.com can be used to find textbooks at much lower costs than those at the campus bookstore. Such Web sites often boast lower prices than even a campus bookstore’s used books, and students can potentially save hundreds of dollars.

Another way many students save money on textbooks is to find a book’s

international edition. These books are almost exactly the same as the regular texts, except for their substantially lower price.

• Make some money of your own: The market for used textbooks is often great, as few professors change texts from year to year.

There’s no reason a student who buys books from a Web site such as Amazon can’t turn around and become a seller on Amazon once the semester is finished. Campus bookstores are notorious for giving students 10 cents on the dollar for their textbooks, so a resourceful student can make more money by cutting out the middle-man (in this case, the campus bookstore) and simply selling their used textbooks online.

• Learn to save on the essentials: College students waste substantial amounts of money on food each and every year. That’s understandable, since most students have had their culinary needs taken care of by Mom and Dad since the day they were born. But next to books, food could be the easiest way for college students to save a good deal of money.

Take, for example, college students’ growing love for coffee. Thanks to the standard late nights of college, lots of students grow enamored with coffee by the end of their first semester of college. But buying coffee at the campus coffee shop or convenience store can be an expensive habit. Students can save money by learning

to meet their own java needs.

Rather than spending $2.50 each day on a large coffee on the way to class, students can make their own coffee in their dorm room or apartment and simply bring along a reusable travel mug. A can of coffee will last a long time, and by the end of the month students will have saved a bundle.

Another way students can save money on food is to use a meal plan to their advantage. Some schools don’t prohibit students from taking food to go, so be sure to use your meal plan to the fullest extent. This can save money on snacks and beverages. Whether it’s the student or the parents footing the bill for the meal plan, the food’s already been paid for, so it might as well be eaten.

• Go desktop, not laptop: These days, students are at a great disadvantage if they don’t have their own computer. However, the notion that a laptop computer is more valuable because it can be carted off to class and the library is a bit misleading.

Most schools make computers available to their students in the library, and even more are making computers as much as a part of their classrooms as green chalkboards were 20 years ago. So while laptops have their advantages, they are also more expensive than their desktop counterparts.

Students can save money by going with dekstops, which still provide the same technical support, but at a much lower cost.

WOODBINE TWINER & LOGAN HERALD-OBSERVER

6

College Preview

May 12, 2010

For the class Not just the classes are different of 2011: It’s

harder than it sounds By the time many high schoolers reach senior year, few things can faze them. After three years of moving up the totem pole, high school seniors often feel as if there’s nothing high school can throw at them which they can’t handle and that they’re on top of the world.

As many seniors find out, however, the last year of high school can be as hard or harder than the years that came before it and now is not the time to take a laid-back approach to schoolwork. Consider the following tips.

• Don’t procrastinate: Plenty of high school grads have put off their responsibilities until it’s almost too late and have then spent the last month or so of high school scrambling to catch up. Be sure to get college applications done in the first semester, and don’t put yourself in a position where you have to work extra hard at the end of the school year to pass all of your classes.

• Stay motivated: While it’s common for high school seniors to take a more lax approach to their studies during that final year, it’s also short-sighted. Students who worked hard for the first three years of high school should use that hard work as motivation to maintain their solid GPAs through the end of high school. Colleges with extra scholarship money might re-examine aide applications after you’ve enrolled, so maintaining good academic standing during senior year can earn applicants more money.

• Avoid burnout: While procrastinating and losing motivation are common pitfalls for high school seniors, burnout is as well. Many seniors find themselves overwhelmed when applying to and visiting colleges, keeping up with their studies, working a part-time job, and participating in extracurricular activities. Be sure to go out and have fun with friends as well. Senior year of high school should be an enjoyable time, too.

• Ask for help: Senior year of high school, particularly when applying to colleges, can be overwhelming at times.

The good news is that many have been there before you. If you’re struggling with yet another college essay, ask an older brother or sister or a teacher for help. Help is even provided by schools in the way of guidance counselors, who are there to help navigate you through the process as smoothly as possible.

Handling the stress of being a student In light of the country’s economic downturn, few topics are as prevalent as stress. In the course of the last year, many families have suffered the loss of their income, and many more have even lost their homes.

The reality of a recession always illustrates the problem of stress. But for the nation’s students, stress is a reality that, unlike economic woes, is more permanent than it is temporary.

Handling stress is a large part of being successful in the classroom, particularly as students advance through high school and into higher education. But handling stress is different for everyone, and there are myriad healthy ways in which students can cope with stress.

• Combine regular exercise with a healthy diet.

Studies abound as to the mental benefits of exercise.

Exercise not only improves a person’s physical health, but also has a positive impact on mood, often times making it easier to cope with stress.

Part of that is because exercise relieves muscle tension, which can build up greatly in individuals suffering from significant stress. In addition, the negative effects of stress can be weight gain and other damaging physical effects, making exercise especially important for those under constant stress.

• While a healthy diet can be difficult for the nation’s college students, that doesn’t mean it isn’t important.

Recognizing that, many of the nation’s universities have increased their efforts to provide students with healthier fare at dining halls or other campus eateries.

Students should take advantage of this whenever and wherever possible. Eating well can also help reduce stress, as a balanced diet will provide both the energy and nutrients necessary to handle a full load.

• Learn to take a breather.

Adults often take breaks when going through the daily grind, and students

should make note and follow suit. Studying for too long without taking a break can be counterproductive, as concentration will begin to wane after too long, making it increasingly difficult to soak in studies. Schedule breaks into each study sesssion, whether it’s to go for a walk, jog or simply fit in a healthy meal. But don’t allow break time to become too big a distraction.

• Determine the root cause of the stress. Work is typically the root cause of adult stress, and school is often the cause for students.

Many students stretch themselves too thin, hoping to gain as much as they can from their high school or college experience and therefore filling their schedules.

But students who feel as though they’re being pulled in too many directions should drop an activity or two. For instance, playing a varsity sport while holding down a part-time job and having a full courseload is simply doing too much. If a class is getting to be too much to handle, students should consult a teacher and explain the situation. * Don’t be afraid to speak about stress. Many students find it healthy and rejuvenating to simply speak about their levels of stress. This helps to get things off their chest, and it also inadvertently gives them time away from studies. Be it sharing experiences with stress among fellow students or simply talking to mom and dad, students should speak about stress in an effort to combat its ill effects.

High school seniors and others preparing for college this fall should be ready for many changes, according to Deb Barry, financial literacy specialist at the Iowa College Access Network.

“A lot of students expect harder classes, and they look forward to some additional freedom,” Barry said. “They may not realize, though, that their choices will have consequences. Students moving away from home will face a lot of differences.”

ICAN experts provide these tips to help new college students prepare for the experience.

Academics • Take effective notes.

Barry recommended using a loose-leaf binder rather than a spiral notebook for taking and organizing notes.

Rewriting and combining study and lecture notes help organize the material.

• Be present in class.

Even if attendance isn’t taken, students should

attend class to get all the information they need and to get to know the professor.

Once there physically, students should focus on the topic at hand and participate if possible.

• Manage time. A college student should plan to spend two hours studying for every hour in class, Barry said. She also advises breaking research and writing projects down into manageable segments from the time it is assigned.

Social Times • Be a good roommate.

Those who share living quarters need to make sure they clean up after themselves and do their share of tasks.

“Nobody’s mom comes to college with them,” Barry said. “Pick up your laundry, empty your garbage and respect your roommate’s space and privacy.”

• Use your resources.

Students who live in the dorms can get help from res-

ident assistants for roommate issues. Those who feel homesick can touch base with friends and family often while they develop a new support base at school.

• Get involved. Most campuses offer a wide variety of social opportunities through student groups, activities and events. The college experience tends to be better for those who get involved and meet different people, Barry said.

Finances • Maximize financial aid.

Students should continue to look for scholarships, grants and employment opportunities throughout their college career. In addition, they should be aware of guidelines for keeping any awards so they don’t lose money.

• Create a budget. A good budget will help students track spending and make good decisions to minimize their debt when they graduate, Barry said.

• Avoid credit cards. With

new laws limiting credit card marketing to college students, they may be harder to get anyway. If students do have a credit card, Barry recommended making at least the monthly interest payments and paying down any debt as soon as possible.

Health and Well-Being • Maintain physical health. Students should make sure they get enough sleep and eat a balanced diet, even if it’s not easy.

“Being healthy will help students do what they need to do without becoming more stressed,” Barry said.

•Stay safe. Newfound freedoms are often tempting, Barry said, but students should make sure they avoid dangerous situations and know how to summon help if it’s needed.

• Find assistance.

Colleges offer health centers, counseling services and safety programs for their students. Many offer services at reduced or no cost.

Balancing work and school With the costs of a college education continually on the rise, more students than ever before are looking for parttime jobs that can help them earn some money. Whether they’re hoping to contribute to their tuition or simply gain spending money, the question for many students these days isn’t, “Should I work?” but, “How much should I work?” What’s more, many college freshmen will be balancing work and school for the first time, as many high school students only work during the summer. While academics should always be first and foremost on a student’s priority list, the College Board, a not-for-profit association aimed at helping students be as successful as possible, offers the following tips for balancing work and school.

• Talk with parents and/or counselors. Parents might not be on board with their children working, particularly if they think it will distract them from their studies. Counselors can be an asset in helping to make the decision by suggesting job opportunities or offering

time-management tips to help the transition go more smoothly. Colleges with work-study programs, for instance, often offer jobs with flexible schedules aimed at ensuring students can work without sacrificing their studies.

• Schedule classes and work as far ahead of time as possible. If students know what their time commitments will be far in advance, they can find a suitable job that meshes well with their class schedule. The longer a student waits to schedule classes, the less likely he or she is to get a class schedule that’s amenable to working.

• Use your commute. Commuter students who take public transportation to school should use their commuting time to catch up on studies or homework. Oftentimes, successfully balancing work and school comes down to simple time management, so any free time that is routine, such as that during a daily commute, should be optimized as much as possible.

• Be sure to schedule relaxation time.

Burnout is common for students who

work too hard, whether they’re engrossed in their studies, taking on too many hours at work or a combination of both. Semesters are long and tend to get more difficult as they go on, so students need to recognize the need for relaxation time throughout the semester to make sure they make it through and do their best.

• Take it easy at first. For college freshmen who didn’t work during the school year when they were in high school, adapting to classes and working can be tough. Because the first year of college and the freedom that comes with it is tempting on its own, students should start slowly and see what they can handle. Scheduling too many hours at first could negatively impact a student’s studies. Students should take it easy at first, see what they can handle, and then add more hours if they can effectively manage it.

To learn more about successfully adapting to college, visit the College Board Web site at www.collegeboard.com.

we salute all 2010 harrison county graduates

Culligan Water Conditioning 113 S. 9th Street • P. O. Box 384 Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555-0384 712-642-2595 • 712-322-2046 • 1-800-798-2046

WOODBINE TWINER & LOGAN HERALD-OBSERVER

College Preview

May 12, 2010

7

Finding the right college for you 1. Start with who you are and why you are going.

You need to examine yourself and your reasons for going to college before you start your search. Why, really, are you going? What are your abilities and strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you want out of life — something tangible or intangible?

Are you socially self-sufficient or do you need warm, familial support? Talk with your family, friends and high-school counselors as you ask these questions. The people who know you best can help you the most with these important issues.

2. Size matters: Your college does not have to be bigger than your high school.

Most good liberal arts colleges have a population of fewer than 4,000 for a reason; college is a time to explore, and a smaller community is more conducive to internal exploration. It is not the number of people, but the people themselves and the kind of community in which you will learn that really matters. Many large universities have established “honors colleges” within the larger university for these same reasons.

3. A “name-brand” college will not guarantee your success.

Think about the people in your life who are happy and successful and find out where (and if) they went to college. Ask the same about “famous” people. You will likely find that success in life has less to do with the choice of college than with the experiences and opportunities encountered while in college, coupled with personal qualities and traits.

Employers and graduate

schools are looking for outstanding skills and experience, not college pedigree. As you search for colleges, ask about student outcomes; you will find many colleges that outperform the Ivies and “name brands,” even though you may have never heard of them! Visit the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) for help on sorting through the information and for great questions to ask when visiting and choosing a college.

4. You don’t need to pick a major to pick a college.

Very few high-school students have enough information or experience to choose a major. You need the variety and depth of college coursework to determine your interest and aptitude. Most college students change their minds two or three times before they settle on a major, and they can still graduate in four years! Being undecided is a good thing and will leave you open to more academic experiences.

5. Don’t be scared by the stories.

If you only pay attention to the headlines, you might start to believe that “no one is getting in anywhere!” The truth is that the majority of the colleges and universities in this country admit more students than they reject. If you’re worried about your chances of getting admitted — and you’re willing to investigate beyond the very narrow band of highly selective colleges — you’ll find that you have many options that will lead to a great fit for you.

Be informed about your academic profile and compare it to the profile of the most recently admitted and enrolled class for the colleges

you are investigating. Check the college admission Web site for this information and contact them if you can’t find it. Ask your high-school counselor for additional advice and guidance as it applies to your school.

6. You can afford to go to college.

If you make the assumption that you cannot afford college based on the “sticker price” of tuition, you will miss out. It is difficult to talk about money, but if you investigate all the options and ask for help and advice, you will find affordable choices. Online resources, as well as financial aid workshops sponsored by high schools in local communities, are widely available to get you started. College and university financial aid Web sites offer useful information and links as well. Investigate early and ask for help.

7. You don’t have to go to college right away, and it’s never too late.

There is no such thing as the perfect time to start college. Some students benefit from a year off to work, study or travel, and these experiences allow them to be better, more engaged students. Some students choose to apply to college and gain admission and then defer their entrance, while others wait to apply until after they have had an alternative experience.

Either way, admissions officers will be anxious to learn about your experience during your time off, and they’ll ask you to write about it as part of your admissions process. High-school and college admission counselors can provide resources for investigating alternatives that may be right for you.

You could apply for an internship, study abroad, or participate in a community service project.

8. The most important factor in choosing a college is fit.

Choosing a college because your friends are going there or because of where it ranks on a list does not take into account who you are and who you will become. College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. Finding a good fit requires time and thought-

fulness.

Visiting college Web sites and learning about what events take place, who visits as guest speakers, and how to get in touch with current students and faculty is a good way to supplement a campus visit — or to decide if you want to spend the time and money on a visit. Check a school’s Web site to find the admissions officer assigned to your region of the country.

Send them an e-mail to ask about getting in touch with students from your area or

identifying a few with interests similar to yours.

When you visit, try to build in time to sit in on classes, eat in the dining hall and hang around in the student center or other hightraffic areas. That will help you imagine yourself as part of the community. Talk to a few students and ask if they would make the same college choice if they had to do it again. Go back to the first item in this list as you consider the information you’ve collected about the colleges.

Catch Reiver Fever!

Iowa Western Community College than 90 programs of study, athletics, student activities Moreand clubs, and transfers to four-year schools.

Our new Student Center facility opens in June, featuring a cyber café, a student center complete with game room, culinary arts classrooms, a wireless access library and full-service cafeteria.

Student Center

In addition, another 144 units in the Reiver Suite Village will be open to prospective students for the Fall 2010 semester. has begun Alsoon, construction Iowa Western’s new

Nursing Center of Excellence!

Reiver Suites

8

Come visit our beautiful campus and experience Reiver Fever for yourself!

800.432.5852 or email: admissions@iwcc.edu 2700 College Road, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Find out more @ www.iwcc.edu

WOODBINE TWINER & LOGAN HERALD-OBSERVER

College Preview

8

May 12, 2010

A financial aid calendar for your college education As the cost of a college education continues to escalate, more and more families are looking to financial aid to pay the tuition. Whereas the upper-middle class might once have ignored financial aid altogether, nowadays financial aid is being relied on by nearly everyone to varying degrees.

In a 2005 survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, 63 percent of students were receiving financial aid during the 2003-04 school year, a significant spike from the 1999-2000 school year, when 55 percent of students received aid. During the 2005-06 school year, Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, provided roughly $78 billion in new aid to nearly 10 million postsecondary students. Simply put, without financial aid, many of the nation’s students would not be able to afford a college education.

While the high cost of a college education might not come as a surprise to most people, to some the financial aid process might be unchartered territory. Financial Aid Officer, a financial aid help and advice service, offers the following financial aid calender to those who might be new to the process or simply need a refresher.

January Begin compiling financial records, such as earnings statements, bank statements, reports of interest earned, etc. If possible, file your federal tax return as well. While this isn’t a requirement, filling out a financial aid appli-

cation is much easier if you’ve already filed a federal income tax return.

February Financial aid applications should be completed and mailed in February. Even if a student hasn’t chosen a school yet or even narrowed their list, simply list all schools on the financial application to which applications were sent. When filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid a report will automatically be generated for all schools listed on the application. Once the FAFSA has been filed, a “Student Aid Report” will be sent out confirming the data submitted on the application. It’s important to keep a watchful eye out for this, as any mistakes or changes will need to be reported as soon as possible.

Parents and students should know the report can be submitted to schools not listed on the original FAFSA, so students can apply to schools they didn’t include on the FAFSA without penalty. If you add schools, those schools will then receive a copy of the SAR as well.

March Many schools begin making awards in March, emphasizing the importance of submitting a completed and correct FAFSA as early as possible once the new year begins. An awards report will include a package of information from a school’s financial aid program detailing the programs and amount of awards. This report will also include important dates and dead-

lines for accepting these awards. Make special note of these deadlines to avoid losing out on any awards.

May May is the time to ensure all of the correct documentation (i.e., income tax returns, verification worksheets, etc.) has been provided to schools. This is also the time when parents and students should subtract their amount of aid from the total cost of attending a given school. The resulting figure is essentially what it’s going to cost to attend school right now. Determine if that figure is affordable, and examine different payment plans available to determine the best course of action.

If the immediate cost figure is deemed unaffordable, this doesn’t necessarily eliminate a school from a student’s list. A student could still attend the school if alternatives such as private loans are explored and subsequently granted. Because these are private loans, parents and students can apply for them whenever they choose, though it’s best to do so soon after receiving the SAR. June-August Tie up all loose ends, such as signing paperwork, making a list of your requirements as a borrower or aid recipients and contacting your chosen school’s financial aid office to see if there’s anything you need to do before the school year begins.

To learn more about financial aid, visit the FAFSA Web site at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Essay tips for high school juniors As a host of current high school seniors are readying themselves to don a cap and gown and walk across a graduation stage to accept their diplomas, an entirely new class of would-be seniors is waiting in the wings to take their place atop the high school food chain.

While ruling the social roost is often the one thing would-be seniors most anxiously anticipate, there’s also a lot of work ahead in the coming months for current high school juniors.

Perhaps no task is more important for current juniors than deciding where to apply to college, and how to make those applications the best they can possibly be. Of particular importance is the college essay, where prospective college students set themselves apart by writing thoughtfully and in a way that compels an admissions board to look at them as serious candidates for admission to a given university. When writing a college essay, today’s juniors should remember the following.

• Keep things personal: An effective college essay will let an admissions board understand who you are, as opposed to what you’ve done. Your activities list and high school transcripts will let them know what you’ve done, but an effective essay should give them a glimpse of who you are as a person.

• Be specific: Being specific doesn’t necessarily mean you need to write things like, “I want to go to medical school to study orthopedic surgery.” Most high school juniors have no idea what they want to be.

However, you can be specific about what you hope

to gain from college, as opposed to using predictable cliches such as “I hope to have a great experience.”

• Don’t make an essay into a resume: Too often, college applicants use their essays as a means to recite their high school resume.

Rather than repeating items that are included elsewhere in the application, use the essay as a chance to explain how your resume has helped mold you into the person you are today and how this makes you a viable candidate for admissions. For example, rather than simply saying, “I played varsity baseball for three seasons,” say, “My experience playing varsity baseball taught me to work well with others and contribute to goals that were bigger than myself.”

Congratulations

GRADUATING CLASS GRADUATING CLASS OF 2010 OF 2006 As your State Farm Agent, I am proud to support your commitment to education excellence. Wishing you the best with your future endeavors.

Steve Keller, Agent 409 E Erie Missouri Valley, IA 51555 Bus: 712-642-3568 steve.keller.nywc@statefarm.com

Providing Insurance and Financial Services P065057 04/06

statefarm.com® State Farm Bloomington, IL