Ivy Tech seeks Youth Leadership Academy applicants

BLOOMINGTON — Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus is seeking area seventh- and eighth-grade applicants for the Judy O’Bannon Youth Leadership Academy.

The program is designed to foster civic engagement along youth. Participants will develop leadership skills, create a community service project, build communication skills and meet community leaders. There is no fee for participation.

Leadership development activities will take place on three Saturdays: Oct. 19, Oct. 26 and Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus.

Beginning in January 2020, students will meet twice a month with an Ivy Tech mentor to complete a project that meets the needs of youth or solves a problem faced by youth in their community or school. Students will complete their projects and make a presentation at a public event in the spring of 2020.

To apply, visit ivytech.edu/obannon and click “Youth Leadership Academy.” The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 27.

For more information, contact Jennifer Daily-Mantha at [email protected] or 812-330-4402.

National Oratorical Contest for high school students

STATEHOUSE -– State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) encourages local high school students to sign up for the American Legion’s annual National Oratorical Contest that awards college scholarships.

For the competition, contestants deliver a prepared eight- to 10-minute speech on an aspect of the United States Constitution before a panel of judges, plus a shorter speech on an assigned topic derived from the Constitution’s articles and sections.

Local contests are organized by individual American Legion posts, including Post 13 in Nashville. For more information, call Post 13 at 812-988-5600.

The national finals will take place in April 2020 in Indianapolis. The champion will receive an $18,000 scholarship, with second place receiving $16,000 and third place $14,000. State winners who participate in the first round of the national contest will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Those who advance to the second round but not the championship will get an additional $1,500.

Rules and information on the national finals can be found at legion.org/oratorical or by emailing [email protected] or calling 317-630-1204.

Students can get free tutoring at  schools

BETA (Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association Inc.) is providing free tutoring during with grants from the Brown County Drug Free Coalition for the 2019-2020 school year.

Tutoring for junior high students is offered from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays by math teacher Kaitlyn Christie and science teacher Erich Nolan in their classrooms at the junior high. Home-schooled students are welcome to join.

Please contact Clara Stanley at 312-310-3617 or [email protected] for any questions.

Teen center offering clubs, classes and more

BETA, 175 S. Jefferson St., is open on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Any students in junior high, high school or home schools are welcome to attend and join in the following activities:

• Tuesday, Sept. 17 — Toni Brumley from Narcotics Anonymous will speak; Nathan Dillon leads a free guitar/band session, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 24 — Sarah Lyttle, leads a yoga session, 3:30 to 4 p.m.; Dillon leads a free guitar/band session, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

BETA also will visit Brown County High School, 235 Schoolhouse Lane, on Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. with free snacks and drinks for students.

Any local volunteers or organizations who are interested in interacting with and having a positive impact on high school students are welcome to join. For more information, contact Clara Stanley at BETA at 312-310-3617 or [email protected].

Master Gardener meetings to be scheduled

The Purdue Extension Brown County Office is trying to contact all current Master Gardeners in the county.

If you have previously completed the Master Gardener course, whether in Brown County or another county, and would like to be involved in and notified of future meetings and educational events, notify Kara Hammes at [email protected] or 812-988-5495. Hammes will work with you to determine the status of your required volunteer hours and get you set up in the online system.

A meeting will be scheduled for late September or early October for county Master Gardeners to meet each other, participate in a brief educational session and discuss the future of the program.

Residents interested in participating in a future Master Gardener course in Brown County are also welcome to contact Hammes.

Enrollment open for 21st Century Scholars

Applications for the 21st Century Scholar program are being accepted for the 2018-2019 school year. The program offers income-eligible Hoosier students up to four years of paid tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university after they graduate from high school, dependent upon financial need.

In middle school and high school, scholars are connected to programs and resources the help them stay on track for college and career success.

Applications must be received by June 30 of the student’s eighth-grade year. Scholars pledge to graduate with a Core 40 diploma and cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.5. They also pledge to abstain from illegal drugs and alcohol and illegal activities.

For more information on requirements for the program, visit scholars.in.gov.

CRC adds hours for high school completion

Students can earn a high school diploma by spending six hours per week at the Career Resource Center of Brown County. Classes focused on the high school equivalency assessment exam — formerly called GED classes — are taught year-round from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the CRC, 246 E. Main St. There is no charge for the classes.

Students who cannot attend then can arrange instruction by appointment or by distance learning.

Those enrolled in adult education may be eligible for free job training through WorkOne.

For more information, call the CRC at 812-988-5880.

Ivy Tech courses available at CRC

The Career Resource Center of Brown County, 246 E. Main St., will offer Ivy Tech courses live by webcam and microphone.

Call the CRC at 812-988-5880 for more information.

CPR training to be offered at the CRC

An American Heart Association certification course for CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillators will be offered at the Career Resource Center of Brown County later in the year. The cost will be $60.

Call 812-988-5880 for more information or to register.

CNA program to begin in town in October

Start a new career as a certified nursing assistant by attending classes Oct. 15 through Dec. 17 at the Career Resource Center of Brown County, 246 E. Main St., two days a week for nine weeks. The class includes three weeks of coursework done at the CRC and six weeks of clinicals off campus.

This is a free certification program for those who qualify. Call 812-988-5880 for more information or to register.

Medical assistant certification offered at CRC

A 14-week certified clinical medical assistant class (CCMA) will begin in January at the Career Resource Center of Brown County, in partnership with Columbus Regional Hospital and Ivy Tech.

For general and class questions, contact Ivy Tech Workforce Alignment at 812-330-6044 or the CRC at 812-988-5880. Register online at ivytech.edu/bloomington/workforce/index.html.