Evans, who is one of 11 scholarship winners, will use the $750 scholarship money to attend a course in Municipal/County Administration at the SOG at UNC-Chapel Hill. Alston will use her $575 award to attend the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) Certification Institute at the SOG.

“The credit union is proud to partner with the School of Government to offer these scholarships to North Carolina’s local government employees,” said LGFCU President Maurice Smith. “As a result, LGFCU members are able to strengthen their skills and enhance their job performance, thereby better serving their communities.”

The SOG is the largest university-based local government training, advisory and research organization in the United States, offering up to 200 classes, seminars, schools and specialized conferences for more than 12,000 public officials each year. For more information on LGFCU scholarships, or to apply, call their Financial Wellness staff at 877.367.5428 or visit www.lgfcu.org.

Local Government Federal Credit Union serves North Carolina’s local government employees, elected/appointed officials, volunteers and their families. The $842 million federally chartered credit union is a cooperative of more than 167,000 members associated with various facets of local government in North Carolina’s 100 counties and 546 cities, towns and villages.

Source: http://www.lelandtribune.com/

A student borrower can repay a Direct Subsidized Loan or Direct Unsubsidized Loan one of four ways, while a Direct PLUS Loan borrowers may choose from three options

Here’s a brief overview of four student loan repayment options:

- Standard Repayment Plan: Requires fixed monthly payments (at least $50) over a fixed period of time, up to 10 years. The length of the repayment period depends on the loan amount. This plan usually produces the lowest total interest paid because the monthly payment is higher and the repayment period is shorter than under the other plans. (This plan is available for Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Direct PLUS Loan borrowers.)

- Extended Repayment Plan: Allows loan repayment to be extended over a period from generally 12 to 30 years, depending on the amount borrowed. Payment is a fixed amount, but usually the monthly payment will be less than the amount under the Standard Repayment Plan. While lower monthly amounts may make repayment more manageable, a borrower will usually pay more in interest over the payback period. (Available for Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Direct PLUS Loan borrowers.)

- Graduated Repayment Plan: Allows payments to be low at first and increase generally every two years. The monthly payments must be at least half, but may not be more than one-and-a-half, of a payment under the Standard Repayment Plan. The repayment period varies from 12 to 30 years, depending on the total amount borrowed. (Available for Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Direct PLUS Loan borrowers.)

- Income Contingent Repayment Plan: Determines monthly payments on adjusted gross income (AGI) and the total amount of the Direct Loans. As personal income rises or falls each year, repayment amounts will be adjusted accordingly. Required monthly payments will not exceed 20 percent of an individual’s discretionary income. (Discretionary income equals your AGI minus an amount based on the poverty level for a family’s size.) The plan’s repayment period will not exceed 25 years. After 25 years, any unpaid amount will be discharged, but the borrower will still pay taxes on the discharged amount. (Available only for Direct Subsidized Loan and Direct Unsubsidized Loan borrowers.)

Source: U.S. Department of Education

During World War II, members of the Stow Culture Club, as the woman’s club formerly was known, met in homes, said Club President Janet Howard of Stow.

“They met for the whole day, sewing bandages for the wounded [soldiers],” she said. “Then, they had lunch.”

These days, meetings are conducted at First Christian Church in Stow.

One thing that has been consistent, though, is the group’s scholarship fund. Scholarships have been awarded since 1935, Howard said.

In keeping with the long-standing tradition, club members this year raised and donated college scholarships to two local 2008 Stow-Munroe Falls High School graduates — Stow residents Karen Smearsoll and Courtney Erin McCoy.

Smearsoll is studying early childhood education at Kent State University, while McCoy is enrolled in the broadcast journalism program at Kent State University, according to their application letters.

Smearsoll and McCoy each received $1,400 from the Anna Grubb Scholarship, in memory of one of the woman’s club founders, during the high school’s recognition awards night in May, said Howard.

The money was raised largely through fund drives and investments, she said.

“We buy out the house at Stow Players each February for one night, and all the proceeds go to our scholarship fund,” said Howard.

Providing scholarships has been an annual effort for the woman’s club since 1935, Howard said.

“The first was for $50, and that was a fair amount of money in those days,” she added.

She said the club, which has about 60 members, also raises funds to donate to several area organizations, such as Good Neighbors, Friends of the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Haven of Rest, Open M and the Stow Historical Society.

“The money given depends on the amount of money available in the fund,” said Marjorie Durbin, scholarship chairperson for the club. “Last year, we gave two scholarships for $1,200 each.”

Recipients must be graduates of Stow-Munroe Falls High School who have not already received other scholarships, Durbin said.

“We work with the guidance staff of the high school. Students have to first apply for scholarships,” she said.

The Stow Woman’s Club meets at 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month, October through May, in the fellowship hall of the First Christian Church, 3493 Darrow Road in Stow.

“Women of the community are always invited,” said Howard.

For more information, call 330-689-0826.

E-mail: twolfe@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3916

Bute figured that meant quitting soccer.

But she discovered she could combine both passions in one place at The Academy of Art University in downtown San Francisco.

The university is in its first season of competing in intercollegiate athletics, and Bute is one of its inaugural athletes.

“I was just going to turn in the cleats and focus on art,” Bute said. “But then I heard about this, and I was really excited I could keep playing.”

AAU offers athletic scholarships for 13 teams in nine sports, and plans on adding more next year. The Urban Knights compete in the Pac West Conference and are seeking NCAA membership in Division II.

Olivia White (La Reina) planned to continue her volleyball career at a different college, but AAU coach Marcus Young convinced the freshman setter to travel north up the coast and be a trailblazer.

The volleyball team registered the first victory in school history last weekend with a 3-1 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills.

“It is really awesome because it is like we are starting the pathways and setting the standards for teams to come,” White said. “Everything we do is making history.”

White was initially worried about how athletics would be viewed at AAU. But the crowd of students at the athletics booth during orientation put her mind at ease.

“I wasn’t sure how the school would react to having sports since a majority of the people are here for art and not for athletics,” White said. “But the students were really interested and I haven’t really felt like we aren’t accepted. That makes it even more exciting.”

Although she realizes it will be tougher to juggle art and soccer in college, Bute is thankful for the option.

“It is cool being in the middle of this big city and being able to be around artists and art and then being able to go onto the field and kick a ball,” said Bute, a computer arts new media major. “I am having the time of my life.”

Best in conferences: BYU senior outside hitter Bryn Porter (Thousand Oaks) and Pepperdine senior outside hitter Julie Rubenstein (Oaks Christian) were named volleyball players of the week for the Mountain West and West Coast conferences, respectively. The 5-foot-11 Porter earned Most Valuable Player honors at the BYU Molten Classic after leading the Cougars to the title. In the championship match, Porter had a career-high 19 kills and 16 digs. The 6-foot-3 Rubenstein earned Most Valuable Player honors at the Radisson Suites Buena Park Volleyball Classic after leading the Waves to the title. She averaged 5.1 kills and hit .418 in three victories at Cal State Fullerton.

Fourth and long: Cal redshirt freshman Bryan Anger (Camarillo) launched punts of 56, 59 and 56 yards against Michigan State in the first three collegiate attempts of his career. He finished with an average of 48.0 yards. … San Jose State kicker Jared Strubeck (Rio Mesa) had an extra-point attempt blocked in the third quarter of SJSU’s season-opening victory over UC Davis. The block snapped a streak of 23 straight successful PATs for Strubeck dating to the 2006 season. … Oklahoma backup quarterback Joey Halzle (Oaks Christian) completed 14 of 16 passes for 122 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Oklahoma’s 57-2 victory over Chattanooga. … Senior midfielder Caitlyn MacKechnie (Oaks Christian) was one of seven players to score in UCLA’s 7-0 victory over Portland State. … UC Santa Barbara sophomore forward Kylie McDonald (Westlake) scored the opening goal in a 3-2 victory over her former Pepperdine team. McDonald started 11 of 19 matches for Pepperdine last season before transferring to UCSB.

By Rhiannon Potkey
http://www.venturacountystar.com

“Obviously, we are very proud of the football team and the championship,” said Anthony C. “Bum” Borruso. “Our class was blessed with an outstanding group of athletes, but many others excelled in other areas.”

Borruso and his classmates will be talking about those achievements — and other subjects — when they gather for a 46-year class reunion on Oct. 11 at Monongahela Valley Country Club.

Why a 46-year reunion?

“Interest kind of fell off after our 30th (reunion),” said Borruso, who lives in Bullskin. “We tried to have an impromptu picnic-type get-together for our 45-year reunion, but it was put together rather quickly and wasn’t received too well. So we decided to try for a 46th with more advanced planning.”

The Oct. 11 festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and will include dinner and entertainment by disc jockey and classmate Michael Apostolakis. Costs are $35 per person or $70 a couple.

“The response has been picking up,” Borruso said. “Sadly, about 20 percent of our class has passed away. But we’re confident we’ll have a good turnout.”

The 1962 graduates will have a lot of memories to rekindle.

For instance, the class was recognized as the “brainiest” group — to that point in time — in Monessen High’s 62-year history. That designation evolved because:

• Scholarships worth $109,350 were awarded to members of the Class of 1962. This was double the amount in 1961.

• Five of the 178 graduates ranked in the upper 10 percent of students taking the National Merit Scholarship tests.

• About 45 percent of the class would continue its education. This was the highest in the school’s history and 5 percent above the 1961 figure.

• Seven students won full academic scholarships and 13 received partial scholarships ranging in value from $800 to $1,000.

Six members of the football team received athletic scholarships and two basketball players landed partial scholarships.

Class officers were Ronald Klasmeyer, president; Michael Grammatikos, vice president; Angeline Mavias, secretary; Irma Borsevich, assistant secretary, and Stephanie Stieska, treasurer. Joining those leaders on the Senior Council were Etta Santoro, Jim Cocchiara, Susan Stewart, Vitale, Jill Zubrisky, Mike Nicksich, Canova, Skurkay and Sandra Kurytnak. Tegnelia served as president of Student Council.

Jill (Zubritsky) Chelko recalled that Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners entertained at the Class of 1962’s junior and senior post-prom parties.

“That was something, having the Skyliners at our party,” said Chelko, now executive secretary to the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Gannon University in Erie. “They were one of the top groups in the (recording) business at the time. My dad (Lou Falbo) helped plan the parties. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, which sponsored the post-prom activities.”

Chelko also was one of four seniors on the cheerleading squad in 1961-62. The others were captain Suzy Williams, Marietta “Etta” Santoro and Billie Lynn Dragan, the energetic Greyhound mascot.

“We had a lot to cheer about that year,” Chelko said. “The football team won the WPIAL championship and the basketball team also had a great season. We were proud to be cheerleaders, proud of our school and our community. I remember trying out when I was a sophomore in 1959. Betty D’Antonio was head cheerleader then and she told us at our first meeting, ‘You girls are the cream of the crop.’ I’ve never forgotten those words.”

By Ron Paglia
http://www.rosyid.smilejogja.com/2008/09/06/arts-center-scholarships-still-needed/ Just a few weeks ago I wrote about the need for scholarship funding here at the Arts Center. The start of the school calendar is when the demand is the greatest for scholarships. Everyday we get calls and inquiries from parents that would like to enroll their children in art or music classes but, unfortunately, the monthly tuition fee is not in their family budget. Our goal here at the Arts Center is never to turn away anyone due to an inability to pay for an art or a music lesson. All scholarship applications are reviewed carefully and are awarded based on need. We ask everyone to pay some portion of the monthly tuition to help make the limed available funding stretch as far as possible. I want to get the school year off to a good start, so I am asking, once again, for individuals and businesses to contact the Arts Center to make a scholarship donation.

Unfortunately not one person or business has contacted the Arts Center to offer any scholarship assistance as a result of my last request. I often hear people in the community talking about the need for after school programs and activities for kids and young adults. What I would like to point out is that we already have programs for young people to get involved in. We have families and their children that would like to come to our Arts Center after school and on Saturdays to take art and music classes but, unfortunately, there are not always adequate financial resources to accommodate everyone. We need to take advantage of and support what we already have in place.

We have received generous scholarships in the past and they have all been put to good use. Many young students have been given the opportunity to learn about art and music that may have not had that chance if not for the generosity of others. Unfortunately, the demand outweighs the current level of contributions for the number of needed scholarships.

The Arts Center already partners with the YMCA, Communities in the Schools, the Moultrie Housing Authority and the Doerun the Housing Authority. The Arts Center also works with the Colquitt County School System on program called Creative Afternoons that brings elementary students from all over the Colquitt County for after school art programs. All of these great programs have room for more participation and growth. These programs are made available to every child in our community at little or no cost.

There is no shortage of art programs at the Colquitt County Arts Center. Dance, theater, music and the visual arts programs are offered each and every month. The Arts Center has scholarship opportunities available for Youth Studio Classes such as painting, drawing, ceramics and other visual arts disciplines. Music classes at the Arts Center include voice lessons, choir, guitar, piano, drums and violin. I have mentioned in past articles that studies show that music lessons improve math scores and drawing and painting are beneficial to communication skills. Art and music classes build confidence in children which translates into making them better students and future citizens.

Scholarships are $50 per month. You can purchase as little as one month to introduce a child to the arts or you can sponsor a full eight month program (September through April) to cover the entire school year for $400. There are additional summer scholarship opportunities that you can be sure that I will mention next spring. Any donation amount can be put towards a scholarship sponsorship.

Please contact the Arts Center at 985-1922 if you have a particular student that you would like to sponsor or we will be happy to identify one for you. We can’t meet our goal of not turning anyone away from participating in the arts without your participation and financial help. Please remember that the Colquitt County Arts Center is not supported by any local city our county tax dollars. The only state funding available is from the Georgia Arts Council and that represents less than 3% of our total annual budget. We were just notified that this funding will be cut by 10% this year! So you can see that your support is essential for the Arts Center to continue offering quality art programs for the people of Colquitt County.

I also want to let you know that the Colquitt County Arts Center is proud to have works by Southern Watercolorist Randy Gibbs on display in the Vereen Gallery through Nov. 15. If you are familiar with Randy’s work you will enjoy seeing this large collection of paintings. If you are unaware of this great local artist, you are in for a real treat. Also on display are works by wife and husband artists, Jean and Dell Gay. Painting and a selection of ceramics by Jean perfectly complement the photographs of nature by her husband, Dell. Please do not miss seeing these collections of great art by local talent.

By Jeff Ophime, Arts Center director
http://www.moultrieobserver.com/

Eleven Ghanaian students at the University of Nottingham, in the UK, might any moment from now be fully suspended by the university following the continuous failure of the government to pay their fees.

A letter addressed by the University dated August 8, 2008 informed the students that if their fees are not paid in full within three weeks of the letter, they will all be fully suspended from the University of Nottingham.

The letter continued as follows: “The consequences of a full suspension will be that you will no longer be a registered student and you will have none of the associated privileges. You will not be able to attend any classes, tutorials or supervision sessions; you will not be able to use the facilities of the University and your door access will be cancelled.”

Other additional consequences and humiliation to be suffered by the hapless Ghanaians students are the loss of university accommodation and the loss of student visa, which most likely will lead to repatriation back to Ghana .

The letter, signed by Jackie Codrington of the University’s Credit Contol office, also informed the eleven students that they were to return all library books immediately because the university has already withdrawn all their IT and library access rights.

Source: Lens

India’s largest IT Scholarship Program—‘18th Bhavishya Jyoti Scholarship Test’ will be conducted on Sunday, September 21, 2008 by leading Global Talent Development Corporation, NIIT, across over 400 education centres in the country.

The 18-year old Annual Scholarship program rewards fee waivers to meritorious students and graduates desirous of building successful careers in diverse industries that require Information Technology skills. NIIT plans to offer scholarship to 20,000 students in the country, this year, based on their performance in the competitive written test, personal interview and Class XIIth score.

With the theme of ‘Prepare to Win’, this year’s program will offer Merit based fee waiver of up to Rs. 40,000 on NIIT’s IT training programs. A special feature of this year’s Bhavishya Jyoti Scholarship is that NIIT will also offer 100% scholarships to up to 500 graduate-applicants, based on merit. This is NIIT’s gesture to enhance employability of meritorious graduates and make them job ready to meet the industry needs.

Additionally, for Graduates who have job-offer letters from IT companies and are on wait list, NIIT will offer enhanced scholarship to enable them to enroll for relevant programs and enhance their IT skills.

Announcing the launch of Scholarship Test, Mr. G. Raghavan, President-Individual Learning Business, NIIT said, “Bhavishya Jyoti Scholarship Test has become India’s largest IT Scholarship Test with over 300,000 students benefitting from it in the last 17 years. This is NIIT’s effort to recognise and encourage meritorious students from varied economic backgrounds, and enable the global IT industry find skilled talent pool”.

As per NASSCOM, there is an estimated demand for 850,000 skilled professionals in the IT services domain, by 2010.

Students who have completed their Class XIIth or equivalent, those currently pursuing graduation and/or completed graduation in any stream, and Polytechnic diploma holders are eligible for NIIT Bhavishya Jyoti Scholarships. The scholarship will be offered on a wide range of NIIT programs including GNIIT, NIIT Edgeineers and NIIT Globalnet+.

The application forms for the test are available at NIIT education centers across the country. Students can also log on to www.niiteducation.com/bjs and register for the examination. The last date for receipt of application is September 20, 2008.

The Bhavishya Jyoti Scholarship was launched by NIIT in 1991 to enable financially challenged meritorious students to pursue a career in computers and add to the nation’s trained manpower base.

About NIIT
NIIT, Asia’s No. 1 IT trainer and leading Global Talent Development Corporation, offers learning and knowledge solutions to 5 million students across 34 countries.

Leading IT magazine Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT, the Top IT Training Company Award 2007. Rated among India’s Business Superbrands 2008, NIIT’s Individual Learning Business offerings include: Industry-endorsed programs for students seeking careers in IT: GNIIT, Integrated ANIIT for Engineers (IAE) and Advanced Technology Programs for IT professionals.

For working professionals, NIIT Imperia, Centre for Advanced Learning, offers Executive Management Education Programmes in association with Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) at Ahmedabad, Indore and Kolkata.

NIIT Institute of Finance Banking & Insurance (IFBI), formed by NIIT with equity participation from ICICI Bank, offers programs for individuals and corporates in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance.

NIIT Institute of Process Excellence Ltd., formed in joint venture with Genpact will address the increasing demand for skilled workers in the business & technology services industry by providing training programs in relevant areas.

NIIT offers turnkey IT integration program for schools. NIIT has provided computer-based learning to over 7700 government and private schools.

NIIT’s Corporate Learning Solutions, offers integrated learning solutions (including strategic consulting, learning design, content development, delivery, technology, assessment and learning management) to Fortune 500 companies, Universities, Technology companies, Training corporations and Publishing houses.

Element K delivers learning solutions for customers and partners through a tailored combination of catalog learning products, technology, and services. The offerings include: vLab®: hands-on labs, instructor-led courseware, comprehensive e-reference libraries, technical journals, and KnowledgeHub™: hosted learning management platform.

NIIT together with Element K is now the first and the best choice for comprehensive learning solutions, worldwide.

Brad Stevens was named Butler’s head basketball coach on April 5, 2007 and became the third-youngest NCAA Division I coach to guide his team to 30 wins and the youngest in more than half a century. His team approach includes a high commitment to personal integrity and character. Stevens is a 1999 graduate of DePauw University where he lettered four years in Basketball and was HM All Conference and Academic All Conference. Originally from Zionsville, Stevens and his wife Tracy have a son Brady, three.

The service will also feature{$326}

Special music

Recognition of FBA honorees and Hall of Fame members

A reception afterwards

This FBA worship event culminates a celebration, which has included a community carnival, an anniversary golf outing, and an essay/art contest on sportsmanship and character.

FBA offers soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball for children. The program has touched tens of thousands of families in the community over the past 40 years. Many have enjoyed the benefits of this unique athletic program, which has been a model for others across the country. The First Baptist Athletic program teaches the fundamentals of the game, with an instructional focus. “Our program may be considered less competitive than most, but we stress winning and losing graciously, and kids having fun,” explains George Robinson, the FBA Director.

“There are also giving opportunities which will help us bridge to the future by contributing to the FBA40 Endowment Campaign. We want to find ways to honor the past while building a bridge towards the future so Indianapolis area children can continue enjoying athletics in our family environment,” adds George Robinson. “FBA offers player scholarships to families demonstrating a need and we hope to continue that community benefit long into the future.”

If you are interested in participating in FBA sports or contributing to the FBA Endowment, check out our website at: www.firstbaptistathletics.com. First Baptist Church Indianapolis, www.fbcindy.org, is an American Baptist Church which holds four weekly services: 9 a.m. chapel, 10 a.m. Karen worship, 11 a.m. Sanctuary, and a 9 a.m. casual service in the west Fellowship Hall called The Gathering.

April Giannini is Communications Director for First Baptist Church of Indianapolis. Contact Giannini at Agiannini@fbcindy.org or call (317) 846-5821.

The students, who wrote essays on how a Realtor helps a community, received $5,000 scholarships for first place, $1,500 for second place and $500 for third place.

Local first place winners were Jennifer Mann of Merritt Island, a student at Edgewood Junior/Senior High School; Samantha Ramsdell of Mount Dora, a student at Christian Home and Bible School; and Benjamin Thomas of Geneva, a student at Oviedo High School.

Other Central Florida award winners are: Andrew Kramer of Titusville, Astronaut High School, Heather Allshouse of Leesburg, Leesburg High School, and Sloane Davis of St. Cloud, Harmony High School, second place; and C. Tyler Adkins of DeLand, DeLand High School, and Shannon McEnteer of Winter Park, Lake Howell High School, third place.

The association’s scholarship program is open to all Florida seniors, except for immediate family members of those in the real estate industry.

The top winning essays from the group’s 13 districts in the state will now compete to win one of three $5,000 state-level FAR scholarships. Scholarships from FAR this year total $106,000.

Orlando Business Journal
www.bizjournals.com