Extreme Makeover: College Edition image


The two winners of a
 FREE year of college at NIACC!
 


Cari
Cari A Barry

The Winners are:

Cari Barry, Charles City, IA
 and Angel Walker, Mason City, IA
Angela
Angela K Walker
The other 2011-2012 Finalists:
Dori
Dori A. Ashburn
 Mindy
Mindy M. Baker
Wendi
Wendi Coen-Ward
[ Click a name or picture above to read the entries and learn more about the finalists. ]

All five finalists participated in Clear Lake’s 4th of July parade. The two winners were announced after the parade at  the band shell in City Park.
 

 

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


The five finalists and their entries:


Dori

Dori A. Ashburn, Mason City, Iowa

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

I chose NIACC first and graduated in the early 80's. One of my instructors at that time referred me to a local company for a job interview. I received that job and enjoyed being employed there for nearly a decade.

Fast forward twenty-five years to 2008. Our area, including my home, was devastated by the worst flooding on record. Like most people, we had no flood insurance and were not included in any buyouts. We went into debt to restore our home to it's original condition.

At that same time our country was enduring the worst economic times since the Depression. I didn't think this would affect me much but I was wrong, twice. One business I worked at for many years closed and I was recently laid-off from another.

When I learned that NIACC is now offering a Pharmacy Technician Program, I was thrilled. This program had previously only been available out of this area. The only thing holding me back from registering immediately is the financial aspect. I do not qualify for any grants and at 49 years old, I really don't want to take on a student loan.

I would like to choose NIACC first...again! It was pivotal in enriching my life when I was twenty. Times have changed since then but I truly believe NIACC can help change my life a second time.

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MindyMindy M. Baker
, Algona, IA

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

Public service has always been an important part of my family. My father was one of the first respiratory therapists licensed in the state of Iowa, my step-mother, a registered nurse. Both were very active members of our rural town’s emergency medical squad. For years I believed I didn’t have the courage to be an emergency medical technician, but continued the thread of volunteer work while I built a career in journalism.

Last year, at the age of 43, I was talked into taking a basic EMT course, and I fell in love with emergency medicine and patient care. I love my volunteer work with the Algona Ambulance Service as a nationally certified EMT-Basic.

The need for advanced emergency care is great in northern Iowa. There are towns in my county more than 30 minutes away from advanced hospital care. A car crash, a farm accident, a stroke, a heart attack — these all demand immediate response and care, yet precious minutes are lost as a patient is transferred to a hospital and the care available there. A paramedic on the ambulance increases the chance of survival.

North Iowa Area Community College is the closest college to me that offers a paramedic level course. Winning Extreme Makeover: College Edition would not only allow me to switch from a struggling career field to a thriving, needed position in my community, but it would give the residents of northern Iowa one more paramedic available for rapid, on-scene advanced life support and medical care.

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Cari

Cari A Barry, Charles City, IA

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

My dream has come true! I’m married to my high school sweetheart, we bought a house in our hometown and we recently welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our family. The only thing missing is a college degree.

In high school, I was excited for the college experience. I had dreams of being a teacher, a dietician and even a detective. When I got to college, the emotional aspect of being away from home consumed me and I was unable to focus on studies. I gave college several tries, but I was never able to get over the social and emotional characteristics of just growing up.

The birth of my daughter changed my life. I was so lucky to have the support of numerous nurses. Not only were they knowledgeable, but they coached me throughout the entire process. Those nurses inspired me and convinced me that I could do anything. I look at my daughter everyday and want to be a better person. My goal is to pursue a nursing degree and pass my experience on to others.

My husband and I often talk about how we wish we would have chosen NIACC first. Extreme Makeover: College Edition would give me a second chance to do so. I feel so lucky to be where I’m at in life, but I want to show my daughter, my family and myself that I can do more. With the support of my family close by, I know I can be successful!

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Wendi

 Wendi Coen-Ward, Charles City, IA

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

I believe that I would benefit a great deal by winning the “NIACC Extreme Makeover”. I attended NIACC right out of high school twenty-some years ago and at that time in my life, I didn’t realize or appreciate how much a college education meant. I did not graduate because I was three credits short of a degree, due to my failing a class that I stopped attending because of immaturity. Now, working a part-time dead end job, receiving minimum wage for a company that I work very hard for, I know that I have to go back to better my life. Not only for myself, but to demonstrate to my three children how important an education past high school is, and to show them that their mother is smarter than my job reflects.

I want to go into a field where I can help others. I have survived domestic abuse in my past marriage and I am interested in social work, human relations, pyschology and/or nursing. Something that I can do day to day to give back my experiences and be able to help others.

My entire family has always wanted me to return to college because they know that financially I am struggling and they want something better for me. They also believe that I am capable of working hard and making a new change in my life. I believe in myself too. I kept thining that I was too old to go back, but seeing other friends my same age graduate recently, I know I want this!

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AngelaAngela K Walker, Mason City, IA

Why I Deserve A College Makeover:

Well, where do I begin? I am a mother of 3, need I say more? I am a stay at home mom, recently my husband lost his job at the Railroad, and we have been suffering since. I quit my job as a cosmetologist when he got the job about 5 years ago, and have found it very hard to get back into the workforce after being out for so long. To go back to doing hair, I would need to take over several classes of Continuing Education, which is not cheap, not to mention it is mostly nights and weekends, which leaves not much for daycare or extra activities for the kids this summer.

I would love for my kids to be proud of their mom for going to college, I push them even at this young age that college is very important. Now that they are bigger, I think it's my time. We are currently loosing our house due to foreclosure, we were affected by the flood of '09, and unfortunately, just couldn't afford to fix the foundation, and they didn't want one house out of the block for flood buy out. I need to go back to school to get a good job, and be able to provide for my family. I have never taken a class at NIACC, I guess I just always put it off, no money, no time, the usual excuses, but it's my time. This would be a huge jump-start to a new future for me and my children, Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. Maybe I can be an example that things can change for the better, after all there is only one way to go when you are down, UP.
 
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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!

The deadline to enter was May 25, 2011.  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/finaid/
Title IV School Code: 001877

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 Tuesday, June 28 at 12:00 Noon.

NIACCThe Perfect Fit for You!

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