J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation » Go On Idaho

Meridian Teen wins the second Go On essay contest

JKAF Staff — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:29:14 +0000

Patrick Adams’ essay describes his goal to become a good citizen.

Patrick Adams, 16, was already having a great day on Monday, when he found out he won the second J.A. and Kathryn Albertson and Idaho Statesman Go On essay contest.

“You totally made my day,” Adams said.

A student at Rocky Mountain High School, Adams is involved with the National Honor Society, enjoys basketball and plays a mean game of tennis.

He plans to go to college – University of California, Berkeley, would be his dream – to study civil engineering, he said.

“At least that’s what I’m thinking now. I’m really working hard in school because I’m hoping to get an academic scholarship or maybe a tennis scholarship,” he says. “I’m pretty good.”

The aim of the essay contest is to encourage young people to think about continuing their personal growth and development, through academics or other advanced training, to help them achieve a better quality of life.

Lumina Foundation research shows that kids today are less likely to continue their education than their peers from previous generations; and that people who “go on” are more likely to become engaged citizens and help others.

Adams’ essay, “Going On, Going Further,” speaks to the core of the Go On campaign.

“I plan to go on. And I wanted to tell them that I can help inspire people to do the same,” he said.

To write his essay, Adams spoke from the heart.

“I just put down what I felt at the time. I didn’t have a bunch of facts and wasn’t trying to prove anything,” he said.

Patrick lives in Meridian with his mom and dad, Angie and Matthew, and his little sister, Abigail. He wins $275.

The next Go On contest is a video challenge titled “Parents: Why Is Helping Your Child Go On Important to You?”

Dana Oland: 377-6442

PDF of Adam’s essay.

It’s Never Too Late To Go To College

MarilynMartin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:33:02 +0000

Don’t think college is just for kids; it simply isn’t so. Re-entry or adult students are generally age 25 or over and were once considered the “non-traditional” student. The U.S. Department of Education show these educational demographics are steadily increasing and becoming more the age of the “traditional” student population. Over 50% of the students in college today are over the age of 24. Many of these returning students have spent time in the workforce, the military or raising a family and want to go back to further their education. Economic reasons play a significant factor in this decision as many people return to college as a result of businesses closing or company downsizing. Even adults ages 55-79 are starting to return to college to pursue a second career, learn about starting a business or to fulfill a dream of earning a college degree. Breaking new professional ground to change careers and update professional credentials can be a scary undertaking. College admission staff realizes the intimidating nature of this process and many provide special services to assist in this transition.

It takes real ambition to think about returning to College. At times this process may feel complicated, confusing and often frustrating as you navigate the channels of investigating careers, colleges and funding opportunities. You have to think of this as a learning process in itself. And like other things in life after you have done it one time it always seems easier the next time (ie. Feel like you are going crazy registering for your first semester in college, don’t worry the next time it will be much easier).

Knowing the College Lingo

It is important to note there are many educational options to choose from. Your personal goals will lead you to the institution with programs to match your career choice. Do your research and ask questions. (Tips on research and investigating careers may be a topic for another article) Here is a sampling of terminology to be familiar with concerning community colleges and four year colleges or universities and funding options.

Community College:

Adult Basic Education includes English as a second language, basic skills improvement and GED completion.
Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) lower division transfer two-year degrees are designed to provide the general education foundation to later move on to a four-year degree.
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) two-year degree includes hands-on career specific professional technical education designed to lead to employment. Shorter term Technical Certificates are also offered in career specific areas.
Community Education classes provide personal enrichment in a variety of areas for people of all ages. Programs range from summer youth classes to classes specifically designed for seniors.
Workforce Development provides short-term skill-building programs focused in growing career areas, customized workforce training for businesses, and on-line courses.

College or University:

Undergraduate Degree. A baccalaureate degree or, “ bachelor’s degree” as it is more commonly referred to, requires four-years or more of full time study to complete the degree. There are many areas of emphasis to choose from and the degrees offered will vary by college. Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) and more. Some colleges may also offer associate degree programs.
Graduate Degree. Master’s and doctoral levels of study. Degrees will vary by area of study.

Funding

FASFA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid . Federal student aid is financial assistance that’s available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid. There are three categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study and loans. This web site will provide additional information www.fafsa.ed.gov
There are government supported funding. Check the web sites for eligibility information.

*Idaho Department of Labor, www.labor.idaho.gov

*Vocational Rehabilitation, www.vr.idaho.gov

*Veterans Services, www.veterans.idaho.gov

*Job Corps, www.jobcorps.gov

Scholarships. Ask the college you plan to attend about their scholarship programs. Also inquire with professional organizations in the field you will be studying.
Employer Assistance. Some companies provide assistance with college tuition

It ‘s never too late to go to college. Become a lifelong learner knowing your education is something you will enjoy the benefits of for a lifetime!

: Marilyn Martin

Marilyn Martin is the Director of Workforce Development at College of Western Idaho

http://www.cwidaho.cc/workforcedevelopment/

“Coupon Mom” Go On PSA

JKAF Staff — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:28:46 +0000

Go On Idaho is an initiative by the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation to boost enrollment in post-secondary education in the state. With this new statewide initiative, the foundation and our partners seek to bring the issue to the forefront, inspiring students, parents, educators and all Idaho citizens to continue their educations.

Watch our “Coupon Mom” Go On Idaho public service announcement…

It’s Time to Go On, Idaho

JKAF Staff — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:36:59 +0000

More than ever, Idaho students need education beyond high school. The message isn’t just for seniors graduating from high school, it is also for adults who never finished their degree, and it is for employees already in the workforce who need to go back to school to gain the skills they need to enhance their earning power.

The fact is, the United States — and that includes Idaho — is not graduating students from college at a high enough rate for our citizens and our country to maintain its competitive status in the world economy. What is also alarming is that, for the first time in our history, according to the Lumina Foundation, this generation of students in the United States is at risk of being less educated than the generation before it.

Idaho is not alone at all. In fact, many states have a dismal dropout rate. Their students never make it to college because they don’t make it through K-12. That is not the case in Idaho. But what is equally unacceptable is the fact that, according to the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, Idaho is 43rd in the percent of its 9th graders who make it through high school and through college. We don’t finish.

We can change that, and we must change that. It doesn’t mean that every citizen needs a bachelor’s degree. It simply means that our students need to go on to apprenticeships, go on to associate degrees, go on to certificates, go on to professional technical training, and go on to better jobs and a better quality of life.

In the weeks and months ahead, our Foundation will be using the Idaho media and our web site — and we invite other sites to link in to ours — to build awareness statewide of the need for higher education, the personal benefit of learning beyond high school, what it takes to go on to higher education, how to make it through the system, how to be college ready, how to find the money to afford college, how to know the high-demand, high-pay, high-growth jobs, and much more.

That’s our goal as a foundation, and we are proud to be a part of a new alliance of business and education stakeholders, the Education Alliance of Idaho. Gov. Otter has provided leadership to make this a priority for his administration, and he is joined by State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Luna. The Idaho Business Coalition for Education Excellence (IBCEE) spearheaded the formation of the Alliance. This is a first for Idaho, and we believe it signals that Idaho is ready to tackle this challenge.

It will take all of us, and we invite you to sign up for our e-Blast and visit our web site for more in the coming weeks on what you can do to help you, your student, or your fellow Idahoans go on to an education that will help them, their families and our state become a national leader in educational excellence.

Behind The Scenes of “Aggro Dad”

JKAF Staff — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:40:01 +0000

While filming the “Aggro Dad” public service announcement a Fairmont Junior High student in Boise, Weston Durland, was there to capture some behind-the-scene footage. Weston also edited this footage and compiled his own “alternate version” of the public service announcement which can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos captured by Andy Lawless and Alex Davis…

Monique Diaz helps actor Geno Romo strike the balance between scruffy and camera-ready.

Director's assistant Ben Frye balancing the camera on the jib.

Director Kevin Hutchison and Fairmont Junior High Football Coach Paul Altorfer call a huddle with the team and crew. Producer Alex Davis stands by with her two cents. The cheerleading coach tunes in for any special instructions.

Director Kevin Hutchison talks to the crew about the opening shot.

The Pixy Crane (jib) was placed on tracks for fluid forward motion used on the opening shot.

Fairmont cheerleaders bring great energy and movement, and supply the piece with fantastic believable audio.

The kicker practices his kick as the camera gets dialed in.

DP Tom Hadzor dials in settings on the HD Varicam. For the opening shot, we used a wide lens on the camera to emphasize the camera movement close to the ground.

Cheerleaders and parents gamely take their places when the Director calls.

As Hadzor pushes the dolly, Hutchison operates the remote head with a joystick and Frye swings the jib arm.

Time for a touch-up on the sidelines.

Director and Coach coordinate camera movements and the football play. The teams used their own plays that best fit what Hutchison was looking for.

The camera pulls away from the ball as the helmets collide. Because the plays were pre-planned, each play could be made the same way several times in a row.

Tom checks the audio being sent wirelessly from Geno's lav mic and the boom. Key Grip Dan Allers stands by...

Actor Geno Romo takes a break--somewhat hoarse from loudly delivering his lines.

Romo gives the players a hard time during a break in shooting.

A second dolly was used to capture moving telephoto shots of Geno through the players. A microphone on the boom pole was used to get audio of the players, crowd and cheerleaders.

Geno, pumped about the play, is captured in HD slow motion.

The football teams consisted of real players from Fairmont Junior High and Capital High School in Boise.

Kevin and Geno discuss what happens in the next shot. Audio mixer Bill Krumm listens in.

The camera moves along the track with the actor and player.

The ending shot is the last shot of the day.

Weston Durland from Fairmont Junior High School in Boise, had a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the Go On campaign’s “Aggro Dad” commercial. Weston filmed the shoot and taped interviews with his fellow students, all of which he has kindly shared with us. Take a look!

“Aggro Dad” Go On PSA

JKAF Staff — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:32:31 +0000

Watch our “Aggro Dad” Go On Idaho public service announcement…

The 43rd…

JKAF Staff — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:30:36 +0000

The Go On Campaign wants to help boost the percentage of Idahoans with education beyond high school. The campaign has based its goals, strategies and tactics on credible data. It’s not easy to hear a statistic like “Idaho is 43rd in the nation for its students going on the college and graduating.” But that statistic is the kind of research Idaho will need to uncover, face, and address if we are to become a national education leader. Idaho is not alone. All 50 states have areas that need improvement. The sooner we identify our weaknesses, the sooner we can turn them to strengths.

Listen and learn more about how high school is not enough

JKAF Media — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:31:37 +0000

By 2010, two out of three jobs will require some form of higher education or training. Now is the time to Go On beyond high school to training or to a degree. Learn more about why by listening to our radio spots.

Por 2010, dos por cada tres trabajos van a requerir una forma de educación más alta o una diploma. Hoy es cuando se debe Go On y seguir a obtener tu diploma. Escucha a los anuncios del radio para aprender más. Haz clic aquí para escuchar a los anuncios del radio, “Trabajo Duro e Independencia”.

Go On Campaign Radio Ad – “2 out of 3″

Go On Campaign Radio Ad – “The 43rd”

Go On Campaign Radio Ad – “Hard Work & Independence”

Go On Campaign Radio Ad – “Money On The Table”

ESPANOL – Anuncios del radio de la Campaña Go On – “Trabajo Duro e Indepencia”

Go On Idaho PSA

JKAF Staff — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:35:40 +0000

Watch our Go On Idaho public service announcement…