Special to the Times Vedette

More than 4,450 graduates received degrees from Iowa State University this spring. Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies were held May 9-11 at Hilton Coliseum.

Of the 4,455 students who graduated in May, a total of 4,591 degrees were awarded (3,884 undergraduate, 552 graduate and 155 professional) with some students earning multiple degrees.

Following are graduates from the area:

Bayard

• Jacob Hoffman, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Summa Cum Laude

Guthrie Center

• SallyJo Geckler, Bachelor of Science, Agronomy, Seed Science
• Breanna Kesler, Bachelor of Arts, Women’s and Gender Studies, Magna Cum Laude
• Rylee Sloss, Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Studies, Summa Cum Laude
• Rylee Sloss, Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Studies, Summa Cum Laude
• Jacqueline Trujillo Garcia, Bachelor of Science, Finance, Summa Cum Laude

Panora

• Jaelyn Waddle, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Cum Laude
• Chloe Webster, Bachelor of Science, Family and Consumer Science Education and Studies, Summa Cum Laude

Yale

• Molly Simmons, Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science (AGLS), Summa Cum Laude
• Molly Simmons, Bachelor of Science, Global Resource Systems, Summa Cum Laude
• Molly Simmons, Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science (AGLS), Summa Cum Laude
• Molly Simmons, Bachelor of Science, Global Resource Systems, Summa Cum Laude

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Governor Kim Reynolds recently proclaimed June as Invasive Species Awareness Month in Iowa.

Invasive species, like emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, spongy moth and oriental bittersweet threaten Iowa’s ecosystem by competing with and destroying native trees and disrupting the natural complex habitat system.

Iowa woodlands, wildlands and waterways draw hundreds of thousands of tourists and recreational users each year. Much of the spread of Invasive species comes from people simply enjoying nature. Uninvited guests can hitch a ride on outdoor gear, shoes and clothes, traveling hundreds of miles in a single day.

Take these easy steps to stop the spread of invasive species in your community.

• Verify that the plants you buy for your yard or garden are not invasive. Many non-native plants can become invasive. Find quick ID photos and common management techniques to control 19 invasive trees, shrubs and plants on the DNR webpage at iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Forestry/Forest-Health/Invasive-Plants
• Look for spongy moth egg masses on all outdoor equipment when traveling from a spongy moth quarantined area.
• Clean your boots before and after you hike in a new area to avoid spreading seeds. This is a common way garlic mustard and other plants are spread.
• Do not buy or sell firewood from outside your county. Firewood can contain emerald ash borer, Sirex woodwasp, Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt and many more pests. Plenty of firewood is available locally near state and county parks. Make sure to burn all of the firewood at the campsite and not leave it or transport to a new area.
• Work with your private lands district forester for plans to make your forests more resilient to invasive species. Find contact information and forest landowner assistance resources online at iowadnr.gov/Conservation/Forestry/Forestry-Landowner-Assistance.

Learn more about forest invasive species on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/invasives.

Special to the Times Vedette

More than 400 Buena Vista University students graduated in spring 2024. Local students who graduated include:

• Spencer Hunt of Panora graduated with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and exercise science.
• Stephanie Schroeder of Guthrie Center graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in human services and psychology.
• Rachel Osbahr of Yale graduated with a Master of Education in teacher leadership, curriculum, and instruction (effective teaching and instructional leadership track).

Special to the Times Vedette

Alaina Bunde, Guthrie Center, class of 2026, earned Alpha Zeta Mu honors at Central College in the spring 2024 semester. Students with this honor must be full-time, complete at least three semesters at Central and achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The search is on for the 2025 Guthrie County Fair Queen. On Sunday, Sept. 3, the 2024 Guthrie County Fair Queen, Riley Gibson, will pass the crown to her successor. Below are a few of the qualifications for those interested in competing for the title.

• Each contestant must be at least 16 years of age and not more than 21 years of age on the first day of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.
• Contestants must never have been married or have had children.
• The Queen must reside within Guthrie County or an adjoining county if the majority of her activities are within Guthrie County.
• The contestants must be part of at least one service organization in her community such as a church group, girl scouts, 4-H, etc. (Eligibility is NOT limited to 4-H membership)
• Candidates will be judged on personality, leadership and beauty.

Full rules and entry form are available on the website of the Guthrie County Fair.