Iowa Public Radio highlights ReportBullyingIowa.com in their week-long series.
Today, Iowa Public Radio continues its week-long series “Being Gay in Iowa.” It’s often a tumultuous experience when young people acknowledge they’re gay. It opens them up for teasing and downright bullying from classmates. In part-four of their series, reporter Rob Dillard looks into what’s being done in Iowa to protect gay students from the taunts of their peers.
Matthew Shepard Scholar Julius Carter debutes tomorrow in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Julius is a 2003 Matthew Shepard Scholar from Des Moines Lincoln High School. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 2007 and most recently was on the national tours of Moving Out and The Color Purple.
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is a rock musical with music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge and a book by Julie Taymor, Glen Berger, and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. The musical is based on the Spider-Man comics created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, published by Marvel Comics, as well as the 2002 film about the character and the Greek myth of Arachne. lt tells the story of the origin of the character, his romance with Mary Jane and his battles with the evil Green Goblin. The show includes highly technical stunts, such as actors swinging from "webs" and several aerial combat scenes.
Stickers are now available to show your support for ending bullying with reportbullyingiowa.com!
Make sure to pick up your sticker at one of the many events we'll be at across Iowa, or email us your name and address to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and get one today!
Reportbullyingiowa.com is a website for reporting bullying and harassment in Iowa. Students, parents, teachers and staff may report bullying easily using the online form.
Press Release
Des Moines – Applications are now available for the 2012 Howard and Mildred Eychaner Minority Scholarship. The Scholarship Program invests in minority students graduating from DeKalb High School in DeKalb, Illinois. Applications are available at hme.eychanerfoundation.org and due by March 16, 2012.
Scholarships are awards of up to $40,000 over four years and pay full tuition, books and fees at one Northern Illinois University.
All scholarships are renewable annually for up to four years upon evidence of academic achievement and continued community service.
The Eychaner Foundation is proud to be a sponsor of the 2012 National GSA Day.
GSA Day is a time to strengthen the bond between LGBT people and straight allies and in particular recognize and honor student organizations called Gay-Straight Alliances (also known as a GSA). These student led groups work to educate their peers to stop homophobia, transphobia and violence in schools and colleges throughout the country. The day is coordinated and sponsored nationally by Iowa Pride Network (IPN). National GSA Day will be held on January 25, 2012.
This national event serves as a “day of action” for these student groups who employ creative ways to: Be visible; Honor those who have shown dedication in ensuring all students feel safe and supported; and, Prepare for the future. Ultimately, National GSA Day lets lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight allied (LGBTA) students know that they aren’t alone and that their work in creating safe learning environments is important to our schools, our communities and our country.
Learn more at GSADay.org.
Fourteen scholars have earned Academic Scholarship Bonuses for their exceptional academic efforts during the 2011 Fall Semester. Matthew Shepard Scholars may earn an additional $500 per semester for achieving exceptional academic results.
Scholars receiving a Scholarship Bonus for the 2012 Spring Semester are:
Howard and Mildred Eychaner Minority Scholar Chanta Sam graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science. Chanta finishes her degree in Nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.789.
I have enjoyed my experience at Northern Illinois University and at the School of Nursing. I am sincerely thankful to you for helping me achieve this dream by funding my education. It is an honor to be an Eychaner scholar. I am excited to start my career as a registered nurse. Thank you once again for your generosity and support.
The Eychaner Foundation is proud of Chanta's accomplishments at Northern Illinois University and know she will accomplish much in her career!
Support the Eychaner Foundation with a pledge to the Principal Charity Classic
Birdies for Charity is a fundraising program designed to give participants an opportunity to generate contributions based on the number of "birdies" made by Champions Tour players during The Principal Charity Classic®. With 879 birdies made in last year's tournament, Birdies for Charity raised nearly $173,000 for local organizations serving youth populations.
Every birdie made during the Principal Charity Classic means bucks for the Eychaner Foundation!
Press Release
Des Moines – The Eychaner Foundation is today launching reportbullyingiowa.com for reporting bullying and harassment in Iowa. Students, parents, teachers and staff may now report bullying easily using the online form.
Executive Director Michael Bowser says, “Iowa law requires both public and private schools to establish policies prohibiting harassment and bullying against students by other students, employees or school volunteers and to quickly investigate any reported incidents. Regrettably it is often difficult for students and parents to find reporting procedures, forms and contact individuals. This online form makes it easy for victims to collect and submit information about the incident to the school, so the school can begin their investigation.”
Press Release
Des Moines – Applications are now available for Iowa's 2012 Matthew Shepard Scholarship Program. The Scholarship Program invests in distinguished Iowa high school seniors who are openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Applications are available at apply.matthewshepardscholarship.com and due by March 15, 2012.
Gold Scholarships are awards of up to $40,000 over four years and pay full tuition, books and fees at one of Iowa's three state universities: Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa or the University of Iowa. Silver Scholarships are awards of up to $9,000 over four years and may be used at any college or university in the United States.
All scholarships are renewable annually for up to four years upon evidence of academic achievement and continued service to the LGBT Community.
Applications for Iowa's 2012 Matthew Shepard Scholarship will be available on December 1, 2011 at eychanerfoundation.org.