Michael Anderson is a senior with the Davis County Homeschool Assistance Program. He was nominated by his mother and teacher, Zelda Anderson:

"Scholastic: Michael is a senior who has been homeschool since Kindergarten with the Davis County Homeschool Assistance program. He has done well with his Academics and will be graduating with a 3.86 GPA and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. He was on the honor roll for 2 years with extra classes he took at the Ottumwa Christian School.

Music: He has played the piano for over 10 years and was able to go to the Southeast Iowa State Competition in 2009 and 2010 receiving a Division I rating both years. For 2 years he enjoyed singing and was a member of GOVAP - the Greater Ottumwa Vocal Arts Project. This group traveled and sang and put on concerts in South East Iowa.

Sports: He has been actively involved with sports playing Basketball for the Ottumwa Christian School and Davis Co. High School; playing on Varsity and Junior Varsity respectively. He also played soccer through all his grade school years and in the 9th grade for the Ottumwa Community Soccer Club. For years he has attended the Gardner Tae Kwon Do class and was able to attain a First Degree Black Belt. In the spring of 2010 he just completed the American Red Cross Course to qualify him as a Life Guard for the local YMCA.

Community & Church: For the community he has been an active volunteer at the local hospital; Ottumwa Regional Health Center for the last 3 years. He is also a teen volunteer for the Heartland Pregnancy Center which is a crisis pregnancy center. He helps with fund raising, practical helps and services. He has been very involved in his church since childhood. As a teen he has worked as a leader for the youth group, assisted with the Awana kids Club, helped with youth and mission fund raising, working as an assistant in the Sunday School and nursery, helping with church maintenance, and other needs as they have arrived. He is an active member in the youth group. He has also assisted with the greeting visitor programs. During his grade school years he worked hard on receiving the Timothy Awana Trophy at Northgate Alliance Church. The work to achieve this award is similar to working for an Eagle Scout Award. For his community he has helped with the "Make Ottumwa Shine" program cleaning up streets and parks of litter. One spring in particular he and his family worked on a major highway and park area that helped prepare for the Ragbrai Biking Event that brings bikers from all over Iowa as well as from around the world through different cities in Iowa 2009 coming through Ottumwa. He also served as a volunteer helper for the NICHE (Network of Christian Home Educators) convention held each summer in Des Moines. This is the state convention for families that are homeschooling in Iowa.

Politics: For the last 2 years he has been an active member of an organization called TeenPact. This is a National Civic Leadership training program. He attended week long classes at the Des Moines State Capital learning how to be actively involved as a citizen with the political process. After the state convention he went to the National Convention where he participated in mock presidential elections. He also served in the fall of 2008 at the Republican local office in helping with campaign calling and work for the election. At his homeschool group in the fall of 2008 via mock elections he attempted to become President of the Herald Homeschool group. Him and his running mate placed second during these school elections."

Tonni Engle is a senior at Ottumwa High School. She was nominated by her mother Julie Engle:

"Tonni is an all around superior young lady! I am, of course, a little biased, being her mother. However, Tonni is a very dedicated student and her hard work over the years has earned her very good results. Tonni is very mature and highly committed to her education and extracurricular activities. Here are a few examples...President of the Ottumwa High Scool Future Educations Association (FEA), President of Tes Trams Sorority, member of Friends of Rachel, Teen Pregnancy Task Force, Students Against Destructive Desicions (SADD), Just Eliminate Lies (JEL), Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Girls Scouts (13 years), cheerleader (4 years), jazz-tap-ballet (15 years). I could go on and on. While being involved all these activities and working a part-time job she maintained and excellant GPA. Also her community service with Festival of Trees, Race For The Cure, Relay For Life, these are just a few to mention. She also started and organized a fundraiser in Ottumwa, Flock for the Cure to raise money for local Breast Cancer Awareness by flocking yards with Flamingos (because of my breast cancer). I believe her outstanding leadership, community service, dedication and leadership by example shows why she is a worthy candidate for INS Student of the Month."

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

"Carsen Anderson is an outstanding student. He is a member of the National Honor Society boasting a cumulative GPA of 4.0. Carsen demonstrates his school spirit through his extraordinary participation of extra-curricular activities. He’s active in baseball (3 yrs), basketball (3 yrs), football (2 yrs), tennis (2 yrs), cross-country (1 yr), concert and jazz band (2 yrs), choir (1 yr), and speech. He has received numerous varsity letter awards, is captain of the basketball team, and a 1st team all Lakes Conference basketball selection. While on the playing field, Carsen is a fierce competitor, but tempers that competitiveness with an easy going sense of humor, and a healthy attitude of fair play.

Carsen has also been involved in his community by volunteering to work with youth through the community education athletic programs and the Dollars for Scholars fund raising activities. He is also active in his church youth group community service projects and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership and planning committee. I heartily nominate Carsen for this award. His vigor for learning and serving the community reflect credit upon himself and Storm Lake High School."

Rachel Proffitt is a junior at Solon. She was nominated by teacher Joel Foreman:

"Rachel is one of the most outstanding students with which I have had the pleasure of working. She is involved in our concert band, jazz band, auditioned choir, jazz choir, and chamber choir. Rachel also performs at State Solo/Ensemble Contest each year and State Large Group Contest in the Spring. Groups in which she has been enrolled have received multiple superior ratings and consistently score at the top of their respective class. Rachel has also played principal roles in our musical every fall, been a member of our Varsity Volleyball team and is the drum major of our marching band.

Moreover, Rachel continually goes above and beyond the responsibilities of an ensemble member to ensure both her success and the success of others. She if frequently offering extra time to help with organizational needs, is the first person to arrive at rehearsal to help directors with setup, and always the last to leave. Rachel brings a positive spirit to every group and every rehearsal and maintains a ready and willing attitude no matter what the circumstance. She is a privilege to have in class and I give her my strongest recommendation. If a student like Rachel comes along once every 15 years, I'd consider myself and our program lucky!"