Congratulations to Nathan Vonnahme, 4th grader of Adams Elementary School

"Nathan stepped in during a playground incident and showed great character. He comforted a student in need and assured her that everything was ok. He took time from his fun at recess to stand up for a student. I figured if he showed this kind of character at school, he has to be a neat kid! In talking to Mom, she reinforced that he is a big help at home with his new little brother. He also stays busy with padded football league and plays soccer. Nathan likes to go with his Dad on his semi trips. Mom said he doesn't just like to go on the trips, he helps too. Thanks Nathan for taking the time to help others!."

Congratulations to Olivia Eischeid, 3rd Grader at Fairview Elementary

"Olivia's hard work and positive attitude is displayed not only at school and in sports, but as a daughter and big sister. She loves school and would someday like to be a teacher. Olivia is currently working on multiplication and has already earned 17 AR points for this year. She is so excited to learn new things and works very hard on perfecting them. Olivia has been involved in tumbling for five years and earned 2nd place at the Iowa State Fair in 2008. She is also a softball and soccer player and loves to ride her bike. At home Olivia is an unbelievable helpt to her mom, who is expecting twins. We are sure she will be as big of help with her little brothers when they arrive as she is with her little sister, Marin. She loves entertaining her sister, taking her for walks, reading to her and helping bathe and dress her. There are many days that we are amazed by her hard work and helping hands."

Congratulations to Nicholas Brinks, Senior at Kuemper Catholic High School

"He is exactly what a "Student of the Month" should be! He constantly goes above and beyond in ALL aspects of life! From schoolwork, to volunteer work, to his own internship to better himself, to his two jobs, he manages to keep a full plate and run it smooth. He rarely has a moment that he isn't out doing something (mostly volunteer work) but he finds time to squeeze in a few hours with us all the time too. Just an amazing kid! He's gonna go far because of his motivation. Nick is truly what most parents would want their child to be. He always wants to do better and does."

Congratulations to Amy Hinners, 9th grader at Ar-We-Va

"At the end of July, I tore my bicep muscle. Since that time I haven't been able to lift over five pounds. During the time, my daughter has been the biggest help. She has baled hay this summer, she has helped feel cows and she has helped put in a fence. Aside from all of this, she has played softball, volleyball, track, and basketball. She is also involved in 4-H, band, and honor choir. She has babysat whenever needed and she has helped with the housework, all the while maintaining a B average in school. She has been the biggest help to me and my wife. Always there when you need and hardly complaining at all. I would have been lost without her. And if her grandparents called she is always the first one there."

Congratulations to Kelly Kilbride, 7th grader at Kuemper

"Kelly is a very outgoing student. She may only be 12 but she is the youngest member of Bugles Across America in the United States. She plays her trumpet for Veterans funerals. She has played all over the state of Iowa. She is called regularly by the Navy and local VFW's. She is also a good student and has a very good report card. She is in the Carroll Symphony, Jazzers and the high school Jazz band at Kuemper. She is active in Destination Imagination. Kelly has had to overcome a lot of obstacles. She was born with Ricketss and has had numerous surgeries to correct her legs at Shriners Hospital for Children. She has done many presentations to local groups for Bugles Across America and she also sings the praises to the Shriners for all they have done to help her."

Congratulations to Levi John Riesberg, 1st grader at Kuemper

"I'm nominating Levi for all the great things he's been doing in school and bringing it home. He's been doing so wonderful with his reading, he sits down with his little brother Justin, and reads him his favorite books, and these are not the little baby books either. He will be at the dinner table with his dad and just start spelling from anything he sees that may be sitting close to him. Then his dad will find items throughout the kitchen and ask him to spell them and he usually gets them right. I can't quit until I mention his drawings. He is awesome when it comes to pencil, pens, crayons and even paints. His imagination is one of a kind to me. He'll draw out a whole story for you and then color it in. I'm so proud of how he's doing in school and how he brings his love for school home."

Congratulations to Addison Ross, 6th grader at Carroll Middle School

"Addison is always on the Honor Roll and is in his second year of the Gifted & Talented Program. Also taking math at the 7th grade level and can do problems in his head without paper or a calculator. He is Q.B. for the Carroll Cougars football team, also on the basketball and soccer teams. Plays on the Iowa Elite traveling basketball team. Was picked for IAAU player of the year. He does his very best at everything, always reading and thinking. After his dad's fight with cancer, he said he was going to find a cure for it! His good manners and "can-do" attitude make him a pleasure to be around."

Congratulations to Spencer Owen, Freshman at Ar-We-Va

"Spencer is a hard working student. He is involved in Concert Band, Jazz Band, State Large Group Band and Choir. He is known as Senator Owen at school because of his knowledge in his history classes and with the 2008 election. He also helps in his community along with school. He volunteers at his church. He is involved in the Westside 4-H Club and has been the treasurer for the past two years. He goes to the Nursing Home every August along with other friends to help and play BINGO with the Residents of the Carroll Health Center. Spencer is on the Ar-We-Va High School Student Council for the 2009-2010 school year. He also is on the Dort's DOTS (Dedicating Ourselves to Saving) Relay for Life team in memory of his Grandma Dort. Spencer is really interested in Law School. He is also interested in politics. He spends his spare time working at the Arcadia American Legion and also reading, volunteering and helping others."

Congratulations to Leroy Schulte, Senior at Carroll High School

"Leroy comes to my room every Friday to work with my students who have special needs. The students are SO excited to have him in our room and think they are quite special to be the ones working with him. Leroy is genuinely interested in working with my students who need a lot of guidance and redirection to get some of the simplest tasks done. The students anxiously await his visit each week...they often ask if he could come more than just one day a week. He is one of the most kindhearted and sincere young individuals I have met. His parents should be very proud of him! Here are a few things my students wanted to share: Leroy is fun! He is cool! It is nice to see the smiles on my students' faces when he enters the room!!!"

Congratulations to Parker Klocke, 2nd Grader at Fairview Elementary in Carroll

"Parker is an all around great kid. He has a great attitude about life and all people. He always asks questions and really wants to learn about things and people. Parker has been involved in wrestling for 3 years. His record for this year is 38-5. We took him to a lot of tournaments around Iowa and he has done very well. He is also involved in baseball and football. Sports are his thing. Parker is always willing to try new things. At school, he is working on the "Wall of Fame." He is now on 2-digit subtraction. It has been tough, but he is not giving up. He loves gym, art history and has 100% in spelling. He loves to get up in the morning and go to school. Parker is also the oldest of four kids at home. He is a kind big brother and is always willing to help out around the house. He is a good role model for his sisters and brother. We think he is a great kid and cannot wait to see what the next years hold for him."

Congratulations to Toni Boyle, Senior at IKM-Manning High School

"I was her daycare Mom when she was little. She has grown up to be a good student, an excellent athlete, a respectable young lady and most of all a wonderful person to everyone no matter the age, race or ability. Even though I have not cared for her for many years, she never fails to call me, visit with me and the greatest thing is I am nearly 68 years old and she will call me to go on walks with her. She talks to me as no other teenager would and always makes sure she is interested in me and my life as opposed to what she is doing. She is an awesome young lady. Besides being so busy in school, she works at the daycare center after school, Generations (a retail store) on weekends, and does Children's litergy on Sunday morning at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning."