Count On Immigrant Urbandale Teacher To Always Say The Right Thing

Teacher Elvira Mehic knows what it's like to be a student at Urbandale Middle School where she teaches literacy.

She also knows what it's like being an English language learner.

And now she's learning what it's like to become an American citizen.

Mehic, a Bosnian immigrant, came to Urbandale in 1999 at the age of 12. Last month she took and passed the written test to become an American citizen. On Dec. 10, she'll participate in the Oath of Citizenship ceremony where she will receive her certificate of naturalization.

"I'm very proud of my Bosnian heritage and culture," Mehic, 23, said.

Mehic lived in Germany for seven years during the Bosnian War. When the war ended her family of five had the option to return to their war-torn country or move to America. Her parents decided to take Mehic and her older siblings to Iowa.

"They felt we had more opportunities," Mehic said.

When Mehic began sixth grade at Urbandale Middle School she spoke German and Bosnian. It was challenging to go from getting good grades and having lots of friends to not being able to speak the language and no longer being involved in activities. But Mehic picked up English quickly and was able to skip seventh grade to join her age group.

"I still wasn't fully fluent in eighth grade, but by high school I felt like I had adjusted," she said.

Mehic graduated from Urbandale High School in 2005 and graduated from Grand View University in 2009. She's currently working on a master's degree in education.

She is in her second year of teaching at Urbandale Middle School.

"I always felt I had teachers who were great to me," Mehic said.

Middle school Principal Dan Meyer said Mehic is a good role model for the school's Bosnian students. The majority of the school's English language learners are Bosnian.

"She is without a doubt one of the shining stars in our building," Meyer said.

Sixth-grader Rhea Gaskins of Urbandale said Mehic is her favorite teacher at the school.

"She helps you with everything," Gaskins, 11, said.

Gaskins was impressed when she learned Mehic had passed her citizenship test.

"I probably wouldn't be brave enough to do that because it's a big test," Gaskins said.

Students are often impressed that Mehic attended the middle school just like them.

"It's kind of inspiring because you don't even think you're going to be somebody," said sixth-grader Blake Lange, 12, of Urbandale.

Mehic is looking forward to having the right to vote and being able to travel more easily with a U.S. passport. Her first trip will be to southern Europe.

People born in America often take for granted their citizenship, said fellow sixth-grade literacy teacher Ann Presler. She was impressed with Mehic's dedication to achieving her dreams.

"I think it's neat for the student to see that, too," Presler said.

Mike Tompkins Today Show Viral Video, 5 Things About Mike Tompkins

Posted by WendyM on November 15th, 2010 at 11:34 am

Mike Tompkins' Today Show viral video for Dynamite

MIKE TOMPKINS work on the Today show Dynamite viral video can be seen in the clip below but who is Mike Tompkins?

No doubt he's well on his way to becoming a household name, but if you re looking for more about Who is Mike Tompkins, check out these 5 things about Mike Tompkins:

1. Mike Tompkins, 23, is an a capella artist who became famous for his YouTube viral videos that are covers of popular songs.

2. Tompkins started beatboxing at age 8.

3. Tompkins shows off his variety of talents in his YouTube viral videos, by doing all of the singing, percussion, synthesizer and other instrument noises with his own voice.

4. Mike Tompkins assisted Today show anchors Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry and Al Roker with the singing and beat boxing to make the Dynamite viral video. No doubt they all just racked up some cool points with their kids!

5. Mike Tompkins viral videos on YouTube include Miley Cyrus Party in the USA, Teenage Dream, Misery and of course, Dynamite.

Check out Mike Tompkins YouTube channel for more of his viral video talents!

Source

Watch Today Show Dynamite Viral Video:

Here's a look at how Mike Tompkins creates his videos:

COMMENTS: (0) TAGS: 5 things about Mike Tompkins, celebrity disabled, exclusive Mike Tompkins, Mike Tompkins Today show viral video dynamite, watch Today show Dynamite viral video, who is Mike Tompkins

Messy Mya Murdered And Death Pictures Spread On Internet

MESSY MYA MURDERED AND DEATH PICTURES SPREAD ON INTERNET

Published: November 15, 2010

MESSY MYA WAS SHOT DEAD IN NEW ORLEANS LAST NIGHT, BUT MORE SICKENING IS THE NEWS THAT PHOTOS OF HIS DEAD BODY HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED AROUND THE INTERNET THIS MORNING.

One of a growing number of YouTube celebrities Messy Mya was gunned down after an apparent altercation last night and people quickly flocked to the scene. It is thought that mobile phones were used to take pictures which have since been spreading rapidly across the internet.

The 22-year-old comedian had been attending his girlfriend's baby shower and was shot around 8pm. No motive has been determined as yet although various reports indicate he had been busting someone's balls .

Rightly so, many news sites this morning are in uproar about the indignity Messy Mya must suffer, even in death, because heartless individuals have their own sensationalist agendas. By publishing those photos they have not only trivialised his death but also caused more pain for his family.

It is thought that the first pictures were linked on Twitter and were subsequently retweeted countless times. Twitter have since deleted the images from people's home pages.

The internet is fairly well policed these days, unlike the early days when almost any information was available, US governors wish to see an even bigger increase in censorship through the Internet Blacklist bill. Citizens and voters are campaigning against the bill but with events like the death of Messy Mya it's hard to argue against further censorship.

Whatever happens with the bill it won t change that fact that Messy Mya and his family will have to suffer the ignominy of people gawking at pictures of his dead body for nothing more than entertainment.

Please share you feelings on this tragic turn of events by leaving a comment.

Read about other stars who died young like Heath Ledger, Brittany Murphy, John Belushi, Corey Haim, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Lee, River Phoenix and John Candy.

Images: thefabfemme.com, os.be

Published November 15, 2010 by Lee in Celebrities Tags: messy my death pics, messy mya, messy mya death, messy mya death pictures, YouTube

Girls' Football: Magic Melissa Lifts Banbury

GIRLS' FOOTBALL: MAGIC MELISSA LIFTS BANBURY

10:00am Wednesday 20th October 2010

Melissa Tovey's hat-trick helped Banbury United maintain their fine start with a 5-1 win at Summertown Stars in the Oxford Mail Girls Under 15 League.

Banbury pressed straight from the opening whistle and after an unfortunate own goal by Joy Perry, Banbury incre-ased their lead.

Tamara Powell pulled one back for Summertown but Banbury ran away with it in the second half.

Natasha Sweeney also got on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Katie Mullis, Jade Keenan-Naf, Jodie Luker, Georgea Winstone and Lucy McDonough hit the target for North Leigh in their 5-1 win over Marston Saints Angels. Rebecca Ritchie replied.

Under 16 Both teams squandered opportunities in Crowmarsh's 1-1 draw with Marston Saints Angels.

A centre from Tessa Brown was met superbly by Abi Lanning to put Crowmarsh ahead.

Brianna Douglas got on the end of another great cross to equalise.

Braces from Steph Carrick and Sara Comley helped Radley beat Wychwood 6-0, with Amy McDonald and Laura Thomas also scoring.

Oxford City saw off Kidlington 2-0 thanks to goals from Abi Curry and Lauren Smith.

Under 14 Kidlington kept up their 100 per cent record with a 5-0 victory at Didcot Casuals.

Only a penalty save late on for Kidlington separated the two teams in the first half.

Beth Hawtin and Olivia Gardner each bagged two goals as Kidlington took charge and grew in confidence.

Hannah Vincent got their other goal.

Chinnor took advantage of Highworth Town's slow start to go in at half-time 4-2 up.

It would have been more, but for Anna Margett's penalty save.

Natalie Haines hit three for Highworth, but in vain.

Two goals from Leah Maemon, and one from Charlie McMahon saw Marston Sai-nts Angels to a 3-1 win at Kennington United, who replied through Keownie Steptoe.

Under 12 Well-organised Summertown Stars worked hard to hold Oxford City 1-1.

Ellie Burt chipped the keeper from 20 yards to put Summertown in front, but Miriam Pritchard levelled for City.

Isla Nugent, Jasmine Lawton, Allie Lynn and Charlotte Guppy struck in Didcot Cas-uals 4-0 win over Chinnor.

Carterton's improvement was clear, but they went down 3-0 at home to Bardwell.

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man With Cocaine In Trunk

A federal grand jury this week indicted a St. Louis man accused of having more than $1 million worth of cocaine in his car when he was stopped on Interstate 55 near Bloomington.

Larry Bentley Jr., 39, faces a charge of possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was ordered held in custody of the U.S. marshals pending his Dec. 13 trial before U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm.

Bloomington police have said the street value of 15 pounds of cocaine is about $1.5 million, making it the largest cocaine seizure by the department.

Bentley was arrested Oct. 14. According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, an officer saw Bentley's car cross the fog line on the right side of the road about 12:30 a.m., prompting the officer to pull over the car.

Bentley said he was passing through on his way home from Chicago. A few misstatements and seeing the car's spare tire in the back seat made the officer suspicious, the complaint states.

A police dog was brought to the scene and picked up the scent of drugs. Officers found a compartment in the car's trunk where the spare tire would normally sit. Inside the compartment was 15 packages of cocaine.

Also indicted this week were:

- William P. Hill, 26, of Loami: armed bank robbery.

- Tamara L. Powell, 32, of Galesburg: possession of pseudophedrine pills with the intent to make methamphetamine.

- Christopher L. Porter, 26, of Bloomington: possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and possession of a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime.

Car Hits Bikers In Socal; 5 Killed

Published: Nov. 14, 2010 at 12:08 PM

OCOTILLO WELLS, Calif., Nov. 14 (UPI) Police Sunday sought a car that may have triggered a collision that killed five people on a rural Southern California highway.

The California Highway Patrol wanted to speak to the driver of a gold Honda Accord that left the scene of a collision between another car and seven motorcycles on Route 98 in the Imperial County desert east of San Diego, KUSI-TV, San Diego, reported.

The Accord reportedly tried to pass the motorcycles, which forced an oncoming Dodge Avenger to swerve into the path of the bikers.

Four of the riders were killed and five were injured. A passenger in the Dodge also died.

KUSI said the driver of Dodge, a resident of Mexicali, Mexico, was arrested at the scene after an officer smelled alcohol on his breath.

The Los Angeles Times said the motorcyclists were members of the Saddle Tramps, a San Diego County club that was marking its 10th anniversary with a ride along the desert highway 80 miles east of San Diego.

Chp Searches For Driver Who Caused Accident That Killed 5; 1 Arrest Made

November 14, 2010 | 9:27 am

Authorities Sunday morning were searching for a driver who they believe caused an accident in Imperial County that killed five people and injured six.

Four of the dead belonged to a Lakeside motorcycle club called the Saddle Tramps, according to CHP Officer Deeann Goudie. Goudie told The Times that the club was celebrating its 10th anniversary Saturday with a ride across the desert.

The members met at 9 a.m. for breakfast in Lakeside before getting on the road, Goudie told The Times. They were riding east on Route 98 near Ocotillo, about 80 miles out of San Diego, when a gold Honda Accord revved up behind them and tried to pass. Authorities believe the Honda driver caused the crash, but the driver fled from the scene.

A white Dodge Avenger coming from the opposite direction swerved to avoid the oncoming Honda, lost control and then crashed into the pack of motorcycles.

Four motorcyclists including a husband-and-wife team who were riding the same bike were killed, Goudie said. A passenger in the Avenger was also killed.

CHP officials told the Associated Press on Sunday that the driver of the Avenger, who suffered injuries, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. But officials said they don't consider him responsible for the accident because the Honda forced him off the road.

Several of the people who were injured were airlifted to hospitals.

The gold Honda that tried to pass the motorcycles did not suffer any damage. Goudie said. She said authorities did not know the year of the car or the license plate number. Witnesses said the driver was a man wearing a baseball cap.

Kate Linthicum

Photo: Scene of accident in Imperial County. KTLA News