Opinion

Iowans need to take pride

Tabitha Thies
News Editor
TJTHIES@NIACC.EDU

“So where are you from?”

“Iowa”

“Oh yeah, you are the ones with the potatoes right?”

“Um…No.”

Sadly, this is a conversation many Iowans have. It seems that in the midst of our 50 beautiful states, Iowa doesn’t always rank at the top of everyone’s list.

It’s not surprising that Iowa is as most know the “Corn State,” that is when people don’t think we are known for our potatoes, but Iowa has so much more to offer.

According to www.iowalifechanging.com Iowa is known for its system of 15 community colleges as well as other universities. Those colleges are known for their high quality education and others are taking notice.

Iowa lands a 6th place ranking overall for getting a quality education by Business Facilities Magazine.

Iowa’s public school graduation rate in 2004 was 90.4% states the Iowa Life Changing Web site. This does not recognize the above average ACT scores or the 16% higher high school graduation rate.

The Web site also lists numerous facts in regards to the higher quality of life in this wonderful state.

Some of the facts listed include the 8th best place to raise a child, 9th in the nation for the number of state parks and recreation areas, 11th lowest housing cost and ranked 1st in the nation for social health based on 16 social indicators.

When many people think of Iowa, these facts are not considered. People think of the snow, the corn and the boredom, but I think those people aren’t really looking at Iowa.

Iowa has gorgeous scenery all around us, small town friendliness (in most places), larger cities for nightlife and great neighborhoods for a family.

Iowans need to step up and show off this great state we live in. It is not enough to say, “Yeah we are from Iowa.” We need to be proud.

From camping to farming, from health care to education, we have fields of opportunities all around us and we need to open our eyes and see that.