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Extreme Makeover: College Edition image


Two of these finalists won a
 FREE year of college at NIACC!
 

Winners are Announced for EXtreme Makeover: College Edition

Teresa Brandau photo
Teresa M (Jensen) Brandau

The 2010-2011 winners,
Teresa Brandau and Amber Ferry,
 will receive
1 FREE year of college at NIACC
Amber Ferry photo
Amber A Ferry

3 Finalists won a $1000 SCHOLARSHIP for NIACC’s 2010-2011 academic year.
MollySuzanne Johnson photo
MollySuzanne B. Johnson
Amber Tabbert photo
Amber L Tabbert
Stephanie Thurnau photo
Stephanie A Thurnau

 

Sponsored by: NIACC logo image Globe Gazette logo image NIACC BookZone logo


The five finalists and their entries:


Teresa Brandau photo

Teresa M (Jensen) Brandau, Mason City, Iowa

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

I've wanted to go back to school and further my education for several years, but there has always been some "obstacle", or excuse that stood in the way of getting that done. I started a family shortly after graduating high school, and now at 35 years old, I am the mother of 2 wonderful children, aged 11 and 16, and a homecare aide at Hospice of North Iowa for the past 6 years. I earned my CMA (med aide) in 1998, and my CNA in 1999. With the unstable economy and the constant threat of losing jobs, I worry daily that what little extra education and hands-on training I have isn't going to be enough.
After working in healthcare for over 12 years, I know the nursing program at NIACC is where I want to further my education. I'm proud of who I am, but I know I can be so much more, and I want to show my kids that education opens up a world of doors, no matter how old you are. Now that I'm a "grown-up, it's time to stop making excuses and make my dream a reality. With the drive, determination, and passion I have for taking care of people, I know I can become a good nurse and continue to provide loving and quality care to those in need. [Top]


Amber Ferry photo


Amber A Ferry
, Mason City, IA

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

In one word, I can sum up why I deserve a college makeover: determination. After high school, I assumed I was headed toward a higher education. Instead, being young and unsure of where I would procede in life, I opted to put college on hold and began working at a daycare center. I soon realized, I had a passion for working with children and after three years, I wanted to expand upon my experience and naturally Early Childhood Education was the perfect path for me. I thought I was finally ready for the journey, unaware there were other plans in store for me. May 2006, my boyfriend and I found out we were expecting and I put my education on the back burner again. In August of 2006, due to a family history of birth defects, we chose to have prenatal testing. When the lab work came back positve for neural tubal defects, I was refered to a Perinatal doctor. The doctor ordered a level two ultrasound and assured me, it wasn't uncommon to have a false positive result. Unfortunatly, the positive was accurate, that was the day we learned our daughter had Spina Bifida (an opening on the spine, that causes irreversable nerve damage) and I felt so scared and confused. Fast forward three years, I have a beautiful daughter named Isabel, that despite being wheelchair bound, is one of the most determined people I know. Isabel's determination drives me to utilize mine.


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MollySuzanne Johnson photo

MollySuzanne B. Johnson, Clear Lake, IA

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

I had been working in the lab of a medical facility as a Phlebotomist. I absolutely loved it. I loved all the people I worked with. I loved the people I worked for. I loved meeting the new patients and being a positive influence in their care. It was the first job I ever loved. I felt at home in the medical field and realized that's where I belonged. I had my second child, a little boy, in October. My first, [a daughter], is three. I returned to work after maternity leave only to have my shift terminated. This is it. This is a push in the right direction. Doors close so that others may open. This is my new chapter and I'm writing it for my children. They are everything to me, my heart, and now they are also the motivation to better myself. So, I am writing in hopes of another blessing. I am ready to become educated in order to get a job where I am of service to others and I am happy. Being a single mom may be hard, but it is the best thing I ever did. And this mom needs all the help she can get!


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Amber Tabbert photo

 Amber L Tabbert, Osage, IA

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

Nine years ago I enrolled at NIACC. I was a recent high school graduate taking that first step in building the foundation for my adult life. As we all know, change is certainly a part of adult life and I was soon reminded of that when I was blessed with the birth of my son later that year. Without a moment’s hesitation, I knew I wanted to be a stay at home mom. Fortunately I was able to do so; however, that meant putting my education on the “back burner”.
Those nine years have come and gone. I have become the mother to two other wonderful children and a wife to a very supportive husband. I am truly blessed. I have happily given my all to my family, unconditional love and support, and will forever do so. Although recently I have felt, in order to better provide for my children in the future, I would need to pursue my personal dream of earning a degree in elementary education. I am aware the journey I am about to begin will not always be easy but I am determined to succeed.
Among the fears and concerns of becoming a college student while raising a young family is the financial stress it may cause. It would be nothing less than a gift to be able to focus solely on academics without the worry or guilt of the finances weighing on me. For the first time in a long time I am putting myself first and with your help I hope to make this transition easier. I would be forever grateful for the opportunity!


[Top]


 Stephanie Thurnau photo  

Stephanie A Thurnau, Osage, IA

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

I am a 23 year old mother that has hopes and dreams. Everyday I look in the faces of my children and I don't want to be that mother that has to explain to her children why I never went to college. I never graduated high school. I should have graduated in 2004, but got my GED in 2005, which I am very proud of. I always got awesome grades in high school but there were just things in my life at that time that seemed to keep me from attending school, hence the GED. I am motivated mom that wants to better myself in order to be better for my children. I always told myself that I wouldn't go to college straight out of high school and now, looking back, there are a lot of decisions that I would have changed. I won't lie, one the reasons I haven't enrolled in any classes yet is because I am a wife and a mother that has a family to take care of and feed. I work a full time job as a lab tech in Osage, then I come home and the job will never stop. I would love to pursue more schooling to discover myself and my passions again.

Thank you for taking the time to read my application. 


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Read the Official Rules
 


What is EXtreme Makeover: College Edition?

EXtreme Makeover: College Edition is an easy way to makeover your life with a new education! Contestants wrote a 250 word essay telling us why their life needs or deserves an educational makeover. Then, a panel of judges selected five finalists. The final step is for the public to vote on who is in need of the Extreme Makeover: College Edition. That’s it – all five finalists will receive something!

When should I enter?

Entry essays for EXtreme Makeover: College Edition were accepted through May 26, 2010.

Who enter Extreme Makeover: College Edition?

If you’re at least 23 years-old and haven’t taken a NIACC credit class in the past three years, you’re eligible.

How do I enter EXtreme Makeover: College Edition?

The deadline to enter was Wednesday, May 26, 2010.  Please help one of the finalists to get an EXtreme Makeover: College Edition by submitting an electronic ballot at the top of this page. Vote Now

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Who can I contact for financial aid information?

NIACC Financial Management Advisor
500 College Drive
Mason City, Iowa 50401
641-422-4417 or toll-free 1-888-466-4222, ext. 4417
www.niacc.edu/admission/finaid.html
Title IV School Code: 001877

NIACC just made hitting the books a little easier...Check out NIACC's Books @ 1/2 Price offer!

Other Financial Aid Web Sites

Going Back To School @ NIACC

If you think going back to school sounds good, but you don’t know where to start, just call our

  • Admissions Office at 641-422-4245 or toll-free at 1-888-466-4222, ext. 4245.

One of our Admissions Representatives will walk you through the steps you can take to an educated future.

Choose NIACC First to makeover your life!

EXtreme Makeover: College Edition Official Rules

The deadline to vote is Friday, June 19 at 12:00 Noon

NIACCWhere You Want To Go

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