It it Libel?

Janice Winowski, is a human being who has made mistakes. She was on a popular show called American Idol five years ago and that bought her 15 minutes of fame. This fame highlighted her struggles with drugs and alcohol but when she vanished from the lime light she made the effort to change her appearance. Gaining a college degree, landing a quiet teaching job, and starting a family, Winowski was finally able to return to "normal" life outside of her past short lived fame.

Now that she and her husband are divorcing, something that is common in this country, her name is being printed in the tabloids and gragged through the mud.

Her reputatiopn as a teacher at the High school where she works is being brought into question by parents who focus on her past and not her present.

This article can be seen by so many other people that the level of defemation is outstanding.

The statements are false and under researched. The writers negligence to the facts of the case call her a boozer while her husband is portrayed as innocent. All the court papers say are irreconcilable differences.

FInancial Aid Today

Waiting in line at the Washington State University Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Samantha Dillion chews her lip nervously.

Dillion has aspired to attend Washington State University since her freshmen year of high school. However, like many other students the full cost of attending a university may cut her dream short. The 19-year-old freshmen Zoology major, a native of Tucson Arizona relies almost completely on financial aid and scholarships to pay her out of state tuition.

Dillion’s first interaction with the Washington State University Financial Aid Offices in September of 2011 was not a pleasant one. When Dillion told the counselor that she did not know how to pay the remaining money she owed, the counselor told her that she might as well go home.

“Hearing that made me feel hopeless. Being a first generation college student I didn’t really know how the payment system worked here at WSU and I never really got a clear idea in the orientation process. ” Dillion said

Amid Washington State University taking in a record freshmen class of 4,174 students and constant budget cuts to Washington State school systems those in need of aid are finding it more difficult to receive.

Not all students who need the help of financial aid receive it. Jacob Simon is a high school senior from Denver, Colorado.  Simon's older sister attends Washington State University, but he will be crossing the state line to the University of Idaho campus.

“I was denied financial aid because on paper my parents look well to do, but it was never taken into account that my parents are going through an expensive divorce or that my dad is already paying for my sisters education. I chose the University of Idaho hoping to ease the burden on my dad at least a little” Simon Said.

Simon applied for scholarships but said he found it difficult to beat out the upwards of 4000 other students in his school back home.

 “I don’t feel like scholarships are hyped enough. Everyone talks about financial aid and you hear about some miraculous scholarship for a special boy or girl but finding one when you are young, white, and male, is practically impossible.” Simon said

Simon believes he can find a scholarship if he continues to hunt, but says he does not know where to start looking.

Dillion however already has scholarships, two of which she is quite proud. The Cougar Academic Scholarship which will pay about $9000 each semester of her four years in school if she maintains a high grade point average. As well as the Sybil Brooks Scholarship, which awards $1000 for one year. Dillion says even with Scholarships she owes about $6,500 per semester, her parents are unable to help her and her grandparents have pulled out their retirement to help her pay in hopes she won’t have to take out a loan.

Washington state legislature has been attempting to stop budget cuts to education. Washington State University may be facing  $9.34 million in budget cuts this year, but that is a far cry from the $26 million proposed in November of 2011, or the $13.5 million imposed in 2010.

Dillion swears she will continue to keep her 3.64 grade point average if it will help her to get the education her parents could not. Nonetheless if budget cuts continue, good grades may not be enough.

Trend Story- information sheet

Summary: 

Financial aid is something thousands of students in and outside of the state of Washington rely on in order to achieve a higher education. Although many are receiving aid for some it is not enough. The constant budget cuts our public schools including WSU face is not only cutting the quality of education but it is making said education out of reach.

Outline:

I.                What happened?

·       Interview with Samantha Dillion, missionaries, and Jacob Simon.

·       Both are out of state students. (didn’t write realize that at the time or I would have searched out an in state)

·       Dillion has struggled to continue paying for he education and fears that she will not be able to afford a second year.

·       Jacob Simon is moving to escape family problems and be closer to his big sister at WSU. But because his parents are in the middle of expensive divorce settlements he fears they will not be able to pay for he and his sister, neither qualifies for FAFSA.

II.                Why

·       Dillion was told by a financial aid counselor to go home. (According to Dillion that counselor has been reprimanded for her unprofessional behavior.)

·       Simon Cannot qualify for financial aid even though he is in need.

·       Both are afraid they won’t be able to complete their higher education.

III.             What Else?

·       Budget cuts are lessening in Washington State Legislature.

IV.              Finish

·       For now both students hold on to hope.

·       But it may not be enough.

 Sources:

1.        Samantha Dillion

Cell: (520) 861-2418
Email: SamanthaLDillon@email.wsu.edu

2.        Jacob Simon

Cell: 720-579-1368

10200 E Dry Creed Rd

Englewood, CO, 80112

Informational resources

·       http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/datacenter/studentaiddata.html

·       http://news.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=30355

My story is true because....

ADHD- Where is the true disorder?

The percentage of parents self diagnosing their children with Attention-Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder has increased by 22% from 2003- 2007, According to CDC. (Center for Disease Control Prevention)

Where is ADHD more prevalent on our campus? Which class? Is it still discredited by professors and students alike?

libel is written defamation or false statements.
> has to be witnessed
(story subject to change.)

Possible Trend Story

Financial Aid- is not helping.

- This is based off a scene I saw at work where a student broke down after a financial aid "counselor" told her if she couldn't call her mom (who the student is estranged from) than she should just leave school.

- How many students are being told simmilar things by people who are supposed to be helping them.
-The budgets are tightning and with more and more students receiving money for school is becoming more compettetive.

Sources:
Financial aid office

students in line

perhaps "the" student?

Math quiz 1-5

1. Last year, WSU's in-state tuition is $ 4,943.00. If tuition increases 13 percent for next year, how much will you spend in fall 2012?

Answer: $ 5585.59




2. The AP Style quiz was taken by 177 students. Twenty-three failed. What percent passed?


 Answer: 87%

3. A college’s budget increases from $100 million to $120 million. What's the percent increase?



Answer: 17%

4. a. Times are tough on College Hill. Your pizza budget has been cut from $200 to $150. What was the percent decrease?



Answer: 200-150= 50/200= 25%


    b. Bonus! You win $50 in a local pageant. Your pizza budget just jumped from $150 to $200. What was the percent increase?



Answer: 50/150= 33%


5. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase?

Answer= 10.6%

Orofino Idaho

Located in : Clearwater County
Information taken from Clearwater County Census.

Median income: $41,835 2006-2010

State Poverty Level: 13.6 %

County Poverty Rate (all ages): 11.7%

County Poverty Rate (under 18): 26.3%

Federal stimulus funding:

One project funded by stimulus:

Average commute:

County growth rate: -1.9%