PAGE A8 • APRIL 19, 2011
THE POSEY COUNTY NEWS • SERVING THE COUNTY SINCE 1882 • WWW.POSEYCOUNTYNEWS.COM
SCHOOL
High school students get head start at VU High school students curious about college life will now be able to enroll in a two-week summer program called X-Mester, June 5-17, at Vincennes University. Designed for students who have completed their junior year of high school, X-Mester simulates the first year on a college campus, including living in a residence hall, participating in extra-curricular experiences, and enrolling in accelerated coursework. “What makes X-Mester truly unique is that it is high on both value and experience. Unlike most summer residential programs across the nation, X-Mester allows students to earn actual college credit at a fraction of
the cost that many colleges charge for a non-credit program,” said Carolyn Jones, assistant provost for Curriculum and Instruction. Jones says that one of the strengths of the program is that the X-Mester Fellowship program brings in successful collegians from leading universities to oversee the program. The applicant pool for this summer includes students from Princeton, John Hopkins, Harvard, Virginia, Yale, Purdue, Brown, Indiana, and Columbia. “The Fellows will teach, mentor, facilitate activities, and counsel students as part of the process of preparing XMester students for the rigor and expectations of higher education,” Jones said.
Accelerated courses offered during the two weeks include accounting, broadcasting, business, history, journalism, music, political science, psychology, technology, and theater. A sampling of extra-curricular activities includes bowling, dance, swimming, basketball, audio production, and X-games. “Our goal is to motivate students to complete a twoor three-credit-hour course so they can understand what it means to succeed at the college level. This will make them better prepared to succeed by boosting their confidence in their ability to achieve success,” Jones said. Detailed program information is available at www.XMester.com.
Mrs. Whitfield, Spanish Teacher at North Posey High School, took some of her students and their families on a cruise to Mexico over Spring Break. Posing for a picture at dinner during formal night are: Front Row: Miranda Schmitt, Ashley Whitfield, Baylee Pate, and Mallory Schmitt. Second Row: Mater Dei guest Emily Pfister, Brianna Perry, Morgan Pardon, Melissa Schorr and Ty Stock. Third Row: Mrs. Whitfield, Tessa Stephens, Jace Gentil, Scott Schapker, Will Heldt, Rylan Gentil and Mitchell Heldt. Absent from photo: Ashley Schorr. Photo submitted
Deadline nears for Baier Youth Award The deadline for submitting applications for the Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award is rapidly nearing. The Award, in the amount of $500, is given annually to a high school junior who resides in Posey County and who is involved in community activities in Posey County. Applications must be postmarked no later than May 2, 2011, for consideration. The Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award was created in September 2007 in honor of Elizabeth D. Baier’s 25th Anniversary as Executive Director of the United Way of Posey County. Michelle Hudson, chairperson of the committee charged with
the task of selecting an Award recipient, said “ The United Way of Posey County wanted to recognize Elizabeth for her service to the United Way, but we also wanted to honor her for her many years of leadership, community involvement, and volunteer services to Posey County. An award recognizing exemplary volunteerism by young people had been a dream of Elizabeth’s for many years, so the creation of the Youth Spirit Award in her name seemed to be the perfect way to honor her.” Funding for the Award was obtained entirely through private donations. An applicant for the Award
St. Wendel Student of the Month
St. Wendel School “Student of the Month” for March was Caleb Dyson. Caleb was chosen because he always helps other students, especially those who need an extra boost. He always puts forth extra effort in school. Pictured from left to right are: Julie Mayer, CSB State Bank/Caleb Dyson, Student/Ron Pittman, Principal.
must be a Posey County resident but may attend high school in Posey, Gibson, or Vanderburgh Counties or may be home schooled. Applicants for this year’s Award must currently be in their junior year in high school and a member of the graduating class of 2012. Applicants must have exhibited outstanding leadership, volunteerism, and community involvement. Two or three letters of recommendation must accompany the application. The Award recipient will be notified no later than June 15, 2011. An organization may nominate a student for the Award and provide supporting letters, but the nominated student must complete the application. The Elizabeth D. Baier Youth Spirit Award was given for the first time in 2009 and was awarded to Abbigail Mayer, a student at North Posey Senior High School. Last year’s recipient was Johnathan Bradford, a student at Mount Vernon Senior High School. The Award for 2011 will be presented at the United Way of Posey County Leadership Giving Dinner in August. Applications for the Award have been mailed to schools, churches, clubs and civic organizations. Students wishing to apply for the Award may obtain an application at the office of the United Way of Posey County, 128 West Third Street, Mount Vernon, Ind.
Mount Vernon High School art students on their field trip to participate in the annual First Brush of Spring Plein Air Paint-Out in New Harmony, Ind. on April 14-16. Back L-R: Quintin Rutledge, Jon Hoehn, Kendra Glaser, Tim Stevens, Sabrina Hollar, Cassandra Baker, Reilly Clark, Amanda Kester, Brittany Mills and Jami Hollar. Middle L-R: Kimber King, Mariss Puntney and Tristan Englert. Front L-R: Breeann Woods, Cassie Keitel, Paige Stallings, Audrey Summers, Whitney Denning, Brooke Stewart, Erica Martin, Katy Norrington and Katy Herrenbruck. Photo submitted
MV jazz band hosts An Evening of Jazz The Mount Vernon Senior High School Jazz Band proudly presents An Evening of Jazz. The event will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011 at the Mount Vernon General Baptist Church Family Life Center, located at 1717 North Main Street
in Mount Vernon. Come for an evening of fine food and entertainment, featuring the best jazz band in the tri-state area. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 7 p.m. and will include baked ziti, salad, Italian
bread, dessert, and beverage. Cost is $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 4 to 10. Children ages 3 and under are free. For more information, contact Tim Stacy at 4709112 and Stephanie Stacy at 459-9059.
Benjamin Wilson Arthur Spirit Award deadline May 2 The Posey County Community Foundation has announced that applications are being accepted for the Benjamin Wilson Arthur Spirit Award. The award is made possible by Robert and Sara Arthur who created the Benjamin Wilson Arthur Spirit Fund with the Posey County Community Foundation, in memory of
their son, to provide martial arts instruction at Brice’s ATA Black Belt Academy to third- and fourth-grade students who have learning differences. Third and fourth grade students who attend elementary schools or who are home-schooled in Posey or Vanderburgh counties are eligible to apply. Applicants must have an interest in martial arts instruction and have the ability to commit to the class schedule as prescribed by Brice’s ATA Black Belt Academy. Applicants must demonstrate their learning difference by an Individualized Education Program (IEP) pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or by their qualification for special education under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For purposes of demonstrating
a home-schooled applicant’s learning difference, a written statement from the applicant’s healthcare provider or mental health professional attesting to his or her learning difference must be provided in lieu of an IEP or Section 504 status. The scholarship is intended to cover one-year’s tuition at Brice’s ATA Black Belt Academy, including required gear provided by the facility. Estimated award amount is $1,412 and will be paid directly to the Academy. For additional details or to request an application form, contact the Community Foundation Alliance program director, Melinda Waldroup, at mwaldroup@alliance9.org or 812.434.4923. Application deadline is May 2, 2011.
Register now for June ACT Test Registration is now open for the June 11, 2011 ACT achievement test. Students who wish to take the college admission and placement exam must register before May 6, 2011. The ACT is a curriculumbased achievement exam. It tests what students have actually learned in school, not their aptitude for learning. The ACT also measures what students need to know to be ready for first year creditbearing college courses based on ACT College Readiness Standards™. Every student’s results can be tied directly to these consistent standards. The ACT has four sections—English, mathematics, reading and science— and takes about three hours to complete. Students who take the ACT Plus Writing complete an optional writing test that requires an additional 30 minutes. Unlike other exams, students are not penalized for guessing or answering all the questions on each test section. In fact, it is beneficial for test takers to answer all questions within the time allowed. During registration, students may select up to four universities to receive their score reports. ACT scores are accepted by all four-year colleges and universities across the United States. ACT re-
ports scores only when requested to do so by the student. Additional score reports are available for a small fee. All students complete a detailed inventory of questions during ACT registration. Each test taker receives an ACT score report that includes a wide variety of information to assist with high school course selection, college readiness, career planning, and college admissions. The cost for the ACT test without writing is $33. When combined with the optional ACT Writing Test, the total cost is $48. Students who qualify may apply for a fee waiver through their high school counselor. The ACT website, www. actstudent.org, has helpful information, free sample items, and options to order inexpensive test prep materials to assist test takers get ready for the exam. However, the best preparation is to take rigorous core courses in school, study hard, and learn the academic skills needed in college. Most students register online at www.actstudent.org. Students may also pick up registration forms from their high school counseling offices. Late registration is available until May 20, 2011 for an additional $21 fee.