NOVEMBER 2009

November 19, 2009 -- NW-SCC Phil Campbell Campus to Host Blood Drive

Phil Campbell, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) Phil Campbell campus will host a LifeSouth blood drive Monday, November 30th. The blood drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The blood donated at Phil Campbell will stay in the community for local patient transfusions. Only when the local supply is met will LifeSouth share blood resources with other communities.
There are no substitutes for blood. Volunteering to give blood is giving the gift of life to patients who need transfusions. Please consider becoming a part of your community’s blood supply by donating blood at Northwest-Shoals with LifeSouth.

November 16, 2009 -- NW-SCC Ready to Work Program Partners with Muscle Shoals Center for Technology

Muscle Shoals, AL -- The Ready to Work Program at Northwest-Shoals Community College(NW-SCC) and Muscle Shoals Center for Technology have partnered together to give high school seniors workforce development certifications to enhance their job and training opportunities as they graduate high school.
According to Donna Peck, Director of the Ready to Work Program at NW-SCC, Muscle Shoals Center for Technology (MSCT) is the first of the local high school technology centers to see what a huge asset this type of partnership can be for their students. “Muscle Shoals Center for Technology took the initiative to implement the program for their students as they saw the benefits these invaluable certifications can provide their students,” said Peck. “It’s great to see them take the initiative to offer their seniors these credentialing opportunities as they seek employment and additional training.”
According to Gary Dan Williams, Muscle Shoals City School Career and Technical Director, the WorkKeys and AIDT program instruct MSCT students in skills needed in the workplace such as: resume building, interviewing, communications, team building, safety, interviewing, time management, problem solving, conflict resolution, applied math, reading, and manufacturing.
Elesia Crosswhite, Muscle Shoals Center for Technology Guidance Counselor, has been able to observe first hand how her (MSCT) students are becoming better prepared for the workforce. “I am excited for our students to have the opportunity to receive the Work Keys and AIDT certifications,” commented Crosswhite. “In talking with some of our (MSCT) students, they are learning more about what type of behavior will be expected of them in the workforce and how crucial the skills they are learning really are.”
The Ready to Work Program is a state-funded grant program that allows the students to earn the National Career Readiness Certificate and the State of Alabama Certified Worker Certificate. The program provides tutoring and testing for the Career Readiness Certificate which tests students in Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics and Locating Information. Students who earn this certification have the skills for approximately 85% of all the jobs available in the workforce today.
Additionally, the State of Alabama Certified Worker Certificate instructs students in areas such as Workplace Behavior, Workplace Ethics, Job Acquisition, Manufacturing Concepts, Computer Skills and Teamwork. AIDT developed the curriculum for this training and based the training modules included on interviews conducted with hundreds of employers as to the attributes they desired in an employee.

November 12, 2009 -- NW-SCC Phil Campbell Campus presents its Annual Fall Concert

Phil Campbell, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College’s Music Department will hold its annual Fall Concert, Thursday, November 19, 2009, at 7:30 P.M. in the Lou B. Bevill Fine Arts Center on the Phil Campbell Campus.
The Fall Concert will feature two of the college’s musical groups: The Northwest-Shoals Chorale directed by Jeff McAlister and The Northwest-Shoals Jazz Ensemble directed by George Crummie.
Admission is $8.00. Tickets are available at bookstores on both campuses and at the door. For more information, please call Jeff McAlister at 256-331-6299.

Chorale Member	Hometown	Jazz Ensemble Member	Hometown
Tashia Anglin	Hackleburg	Ashley Bendall	Russellville
Drew Benefield	Haleyville	Cara Kimbrough	Russellville
Cara Kimbrough	Russellville	Jessie Franks	Russellville
Chance Hall	Russellville	Justin Coan	Russellville
Patrick Hellums	Red Bay	Daniel Domingo	Russellville
Katilyn Patrick	Tuscumbia	Ryan Hollins	Russellville
Chris Russell	Haleyville	Jas Shackelford	Hackelburg
Beth Coker	Russellville	Colton Ward	Haleyville
Meghan Garrison	Double Springs	Drue Clark	Haleyville
Jacob Green	Belgreen	Alisha Bendall	Russellville
Travis Harkins	Tuscumbia	John Ross bolding	Red Bay
Crystal McNutt	Haleyville	Sarah Clingan	Haleyville
Ariel Murray	Russellville	Grant Collings	Russellville
Heather Parrish	Belgreen	Jerrica McGill	Muscle Shoals
Tommy Quinn	Hackleburg	Josh Graham	Russellville
Christopher Simms	Haleyville	Tyler Harbin	Haleyville
Stephanie Tyrell	Russellville	Adam Hicks	Haleyville
Kevin Vincent	Russellville	Jesse Kimbrell	Russellville

November 10, 2009 -- NW-SCC Phil Campbell Campus to Celebrate 28th Year of “The Legend of Toyland”

Phil Campbell, AL. -- "The Legend of Toyland", a holiday theatrical performance that traditionally opens the holiday season of music, dance and fun commemorates its 28th-year with public performances beginning Friday, December 4, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium on the Phil Campbell Campus of Northwest-Shoals.
According to Lanny McAlister, director and creator of “Toyland”, the area has truly embraced the annual production over the years making it the most successful and longest running Christmas production in the state. The college production has attracted audiences of all ages from all over the state and is viewed by over 10,000 people annually.
“Over the last 27 years, more than 310,000 people have made the journey to ‘Toyland’,” stated McAlister. “I get questions year round about what new section we are going to add this year. We are so thankful for the continued support from the community! It is this support that has truly made ‘The Legend of Toyland’ what it is today.”
Four public performances are scheduled December 4th through December 6th.
Friday, December 4th - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 5th - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 5th - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 6th - 2:30 p.m.
Tickets for public performances are $8.00 and are available at the Northwest-Shoals Community College Phil Campbell campus bookstore and Shoals campus cashier’s office or can be reserved with credit card by calling (256) 331-6382.
Due to production sell-outs in recent years, McAlister encourages individuals to purchase tickets in advance. Any remaining tickets may be purchased at the door prior to each performance. For more Toyland information please call (256) 331-6201.

November 2, 2009 -- NW-SCC SGA Helping Local Families During the Holidays

Phil Campbell, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College's Phil Campbell campus Student Government Association (SGA) will be collecting can goods to donate to local families for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. Can goods can be dropped-off on the Phil Campbell campus in the Administration Building (301) with Donna Green. Also, NW-SCC instructors Sherry Crabtree and Brad Pool will take donations in the Audio Visual Building (307). Monetary donations will be accepted and used to purchase additional canned goods. Donations can be made through November 19th. All support is greatly appreciated.

OCTOBER 2009

October 29, 2009 -- Northwest-Shoals Women's Softball Reschedules Open Try-out for November 7

Muscle Shoals, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) Women's Softball team will hold an open try-out for all 2010 High School graduating seniors.
Try-outs will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009, beginning with registration at 9:30 a.m. beside the Patriot's Softball field on the Shoals campus of NW-SCC.
The open try-out is free of charge. However, anyone interested in participating in the in the try-out needs to contact Coach Smith prior to Saturday, November 7 to reserve a spot.
For more informtaion on the Open Softball team try-out or to reserve a spot, contact Brian Smith, NW-SCC Softball Coach, at (256)331-5379 or email bsmith@nwscc.edu.

October 27, 2009 -- Fall Child Development Conference to focus on "Developing the Whole Child"

Muscle Shoals, AL -- Northwest-Shoals Community College's (NW-SCC) Child Development Program will hold its fall conference, "A Focus on the Whole Child," Saturday, November 7, 2009, on the Shoals Campus, in the Workforce Development Center (Building 127) from 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
The fall conference will feature Cindy Tidwell, MSN, NW-SCC Nursing Instructor and Pat Kuby, Ph.D. author of Jumpstarters and Professor of Early Childhood Education, Athens State University.
The keynote presentation will focus on children's health and the importance of safe environments and good health practices that lessen the chances of illnesses. Cindy Tidwell, MSN, will present the opening keynote session addressing these concerns and also allowing a time for questions and answers concerning children's health issues.
Morning breakout sessions will follow the keynote presentation:

• "Blocks - A LEARNING CENTER???" - Dr. Pat Kuby, Presenter -- Children love block play but WHY? Why is block play important to a young child's development? The session will focus on the importance of block play to the development of the young child. Suggestions about setting up the block center will be shared.
• "Reading Without Worksheets" - Heather Fowler, Presenter -- Fill your classroom with excitement and magic everyday! Discover new ways to teach reading across the curriculum with fun interactive activities that will motivate children. Ms. Fowler says, "They will beg to do over and over again!"
• "Helping the Grieving Pre-School Child at School" - Kay Parker, Presenter -- Kay Parker, Director of The Healing Place, will guide participants through an opportunity to learn the following throughout this presentation:
• Common grief responses of the preschool child
• Specific and simple ways a teacher and other school personnel can help
• How to tell when a student needs additional help

For additional information, please contact Sue Gibbs, NW-SCC Child Development, at (256) 331-5351 or email sgibbs@nwscc.edu.

October 26, 2009 -- Northwest-Shoals Women's Softball Team to Hold Open Try-Out

Muscle Shoals, AL -- Northwest Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) Women's Softball team will hold an open try-out for all 2010 High School graduating seniors.
Try-outs will be held Saturday, October 31, 2009, beginning with registration at 9:30 a.m. beside the Patriots' Softball field on the Shoals campus of NW-SCC.
The open try-out is free of charge. However, anyone interested in participating in the try-out needs to contact Coach Smith prior to Saturday, October 31st to reserve a spot.
For more information on the Open Softball tean tryout or to reserve a spot, contact NW-SCC Softball Coach at (256) 331-5379 or email bsmith@nwscc.edu.

October 9, 2009 -- NW-SCC Receives Over $1 Million in Adult Education Grants

Muscle Shoals, Ala. -- Dr. Humphrey Lee, president of Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC), recently announced the college had received $1,026,500 in adult education administered grants to fund the college's Adult Education Program for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
The 2009-10 NW-SCC Adult Education program funding is the result of the
following three grants:

• $950,000 Adult Education Grant
• $46,500 Employment Preparation (JOBS) Grant
• $30,000 EL Civics Grant

According to Donnie Sweeney, Director of NW-SCC Adult Education program, the 2009-10 Adult Education program funding was an increase of approximately $10,000 over the 2008-09 allocation. "The increase in funding is really needed to continue growing the Adult Education program in Northwest Alabama," says Sweeney. "The additional funds will assist us in reaching our goal of increasing GED completion rates in our program by 5% and participation rates by 10%." The NW-SCC Adult Education program ranks among the top five of the 27 adult education programs in the state. Over the past year, the program has served 1,372 students throughout Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale and Lawrence County as well as Haleyville in Winston County. This is an increase of 17% over the previous year. The program has grown by 41% over the past three program years. All NW-SCC Adult Education classes are free and enrollment is open ended. The NW-SCC Adult Education program offers day, night and online GED classes. Participants also have the opportunity of obtaining Career Ready Alabama certification by taking the Workkeys test free of charge.As of October 1, 2009, those Adult Education Program students who meet the necessary criteria (listed below) will pay only $25 to take the GED Test. Those who are not Adult Education Program students will pay the full price of $50.
1) Be enrolled in an Adult Education Program in Alabama
2) Have logged a minimum of 30 contact hours as an Adult Education Program student
3) Make 500 or more on each of the GED Practice Tests
For more information, call the NW-SCC Adult Education Program at (256) 331-5440.

October 7, 2009 -- NW-SCC to Offer Free ACT Workshop

Muscle Shoals, Ala. -- Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) and Educational Talent Search will sponsor a free ACT workshop for the first 100 participants Monday, October 19, 2009, in building 127 on the NW-SCC Shoals Campus.
The workshop will provide participants with preparation for the English, Math and Science Reasoning portions of the ACT test.
NW-SCC, Shoals Campus, Building 127

• Math, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Science Reasoning, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• English, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Registration is not required and participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to the workshop.

October 2, 2009 -- NW-SCC Foundation to hold 17th Annual Pathfinder's Dinner

Northwest-Shoals Community College's (NW-SCC) Foundation will hold the 17th Annual Pathfinder's Dinner Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Listerhill Credit Union Banquet Room. The Pathfinder's Dinner will be preceded with a silent auction at 6:00 p.m. and dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m. The evening will feature keynote speaker, Patrick Henry. Entertainment will include the Northwest-Shoals Community College Singers led by Eric Kirkman and a special presentation by Eric Kirkman.
Henry is a professional speaker who uses music, original songs, and humor to entertain, educate and inspire audiences across the country. For ten years, Patrick was a professional songwriter and musician in Nashville, Tennessee. Patrick has spoken across the country to more than one thousand audiences ranging from students to executives. (Resource: http://www.patrickhenryspeaker.com)
The semi-formal evening will consist of dinner, music and surprise entertainment. Contributions are federal income tax deductible and all proceeds will go to the NW-SCC Foundation Scholarship Fund.
Tickets are $75 and include reserved seating. For more information or tickets, please contact Teresa Harrison (256) 331-5215 teresah@nwscc.edu or Adriana Wuotto (256) 331-5240 awuotto@nwscc.edu.