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Features

[MARCH 12, 2002]   NORMAL — What does making slime, agitating fish and examining animal feces have to do with a kid’s future? On Friday, March 15, 134 local fourth- and fifth-graders will find out when they do that and more at Heartland Community College’s Hands On Science event. The event will take place from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Instructional Commons Building, known as the ICB, on the Raab Road campus.

Groups of approximately 25 students will travel from lab to lab, discovering through experimentation the mysteries of biology, microbiology, industrial chemistry, forensics and hydrology. A faculty member will lead each presentation, and a local expert will explain how the experiment relates to his or her career.

Janet Beach Davis, HCC science lab supervisor, initiated planning for this event because recent research states that science scores are falling nationally and in schools located within the college’s district. She worked with Pam Westerdahl, HCC’s director of employment and workforce services, to create an event that would (a) help students become more interested and hence do better in science, and (b) introduce students to a variety of "cool careers" in science.

The response from teachers and schools within HCC’s district has been phenomenal. Capacity for the event was full within two days of sending the initial invitation. Approximately 900 students from 12 schools had to be turned away. Plans are already in place to accommodate these schools with another Hands On Science event, scheduled for Oct. 11.

Descriptions of the six labs follow. The grand finale is the "Bed of Nails." A volunteer pre-selected by HCC will lie on the bed of nails and allow a trained and trusted HCC representative to break a concrete block on his or her chest with a sledgehammer. (Quite a spectacle, this final experiment of the day is based in physics and is harmless to the volunteer.)

While wearing gloves, students will prepare a sample by soaking animal feces in a solution to remove the parasites. They will then make a slide from the solution and view it under a microscope to see what types of parasites could make pets sick. (ICB 100 1)

Science field: biology

Career field: veterinary technician

Faculty presenter: Verona Barr

Expert: Bernard Bleem, D.V.M., Krueger Animal Hospital

"Bettas Gone Bad"

Students will use deductive reasoning and observation to determine why male betta fish act aggressively when they see another fish. They will experiment with a fish drawing to find the exact behavior trigger. (ICB 1005)

Science field: biology

Career field: animal behavior

Faculty presenter: Thuong Jongky

Expert: Darryl Coates, district wildlife biologist with Illinois Department of Natural Resources

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"Fun With Fomites"

Students will be growing bacteria found on quarters after they have been "disinfected." (ICB 1009)

Science field: microbiology

Career field: bacteriologist

Faculty presenter: Leslie Cleary

Expert: Lisa Skinker, RN, BSN, cardiac screening manager at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center

Students will make slime to investigate the properties of polymers, specifically non-Newtonian fluids, which allow a person to stand on their surface, but act like a fluid if poked with a single finger. (ICB 1401)

Science field: chemistry

Career field: industrial chemistry

Faculty presenter: R. John Muench

Expert: John Mincy, owner and operator of Sign-A-Rama

Students will use modern police investigation techniques to try to solve a fictional, theatrical crime. (ICB 1405)

Science field: forensics

Career field: crime scene investigator

Expert and presenter: Tommy L. Walters, detective with Bloomington Police Department

Students will be taking and testing water samples from a closed system to find where the pollution is coming from. Students will be able to see and try on a real hazardous waste material reclamation suit. (ICB 1409)

Science field: hydrogeology

Career field: hydrogeology, health management

Faculty presenter: Mark Yacucci

Expert: Susan Sylvester, chemist and assistant supervisor of the treatment plant for the Water Department of Normal

 [HCC news release]

[MARCH 9, 2002]   Students at Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln spent all this week engaged in fun and educational activities, celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week.

[Click here for more pictures]

Students at Zion Lutheran School in Lincoln spent all this week engaged in fun and educational activities, celebrating National Lutheran Schools Week.

The week started with Hobby and Career Day on Monday.  Students chose hobbies and careers they wanted to learn about.  School administrators invited people from the community to teach the students about their activities.  Hobbies chosen included dog training and cake decorating

Tuesday, the Peoria Zoo came to teach the children about animals.

Wednesday, students invited their grandparents to come and visit their classrooms in the morning.  In the afternoon, the fun really started.  Students from Faith Lutheran and from Zion Lutheran got together and had a talent show.  Acts included Rich Mullins’ “Awesome God” with singing and sign language by Zion Lutheran students, various instruments (including a drum duet), gymnastics, and skits.  The show ended with all participants joining in “God Bless the USA.”

 
[Students from Faith Lutheran sing and sign
“Awesome God.”]

[Zion Lutheran gymnasts]

Thursday night, however, saw the climax of the week.  Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders displayed for judging their History Fair projects.  Students worked either alone or in pairs to create a project and report on some aspect of Illinois history.  There were projects on important people, places, businesses, events and activities.

People included Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan and Dick Van Dyke.  Some places studied were Middletown, Wrigley Field and the New Holland Railroad.  Businesses included the Lincoln Glass Factory, McDonald’s and Caterpillar.  Historical events included the Chicago Fire and World War II.  Activities ranged from the Railsplitter Festival to the Logan County Fair to skateboarding.

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[“Ronald Reagan” by Ethan Neitzel]

[Lincoln Developmental Center” by Josh Bartels]

 Other interesting projects included Lincoln Developmental Center, two projects on American Indians, and two on Lincoln Christian College and Seminary.

Projects were awarded ribbons rating them as “Good,” “Excellent” or “Superior,” and 20 of the 45 projects were chosen to go on to the State History Fair.

[“Abraham Lincoln National Railsplitting Festival”
by Allyson Fuiten]

[“Skateboard Parks” by Peter Ayars]

For a complete list of projects, including those going on to the State Fair, see below.

 Zion Lutheran School has a history fair only every two years.  To read about the last fair click here: Last year's fair

 [Gina Sennett]

[MARCH 8, 2002]  Chad Minier, the new jazz band director at Lincoln College, is in the process of forming a pep band, which the college has never had before.

Lincoln College is internationally known for its fine arts program. Students have opportunities to perform for the community and throughout the world, and the music department seems to grow each year.

Minier was aware that the college has many clarinet and flute players, but most jazz music does not have parts for those instruments. He does arrange parts for flute and clarinet but wanted a way for woodwind players to be more active in an ensemble. The pep band will be open for all Lincoln College students who play an instrument.

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The jazz band performed at a women’s basketball game on March 2, and Minier wants the pep band to eventually play at around eight games a year. He hopes the pep band can be a separate ensemble in the future and said that the faculty and administration have been very supportive.

This year’s jazz band put on its first concert in the fall with the Illinois State Jazz Ensemble. The band is going to play at a few coffee shops and will have another concert in May.

[Lincoln College news release]

[MARCH 2, 2002]   Every year, the National Education Association sponsors a special event at the beginning of March known as “Read Across America.”  Usually centering around the March 2 birthday of Dr. Seuss, schools around the world plan activities and parties, all centered around reading.

[Click here for more pictures]

Local activities for the last couple of years have been planned by Renee Dreusicke and Tammy Barcalow.  Ms. Dreusicke works for both Jefferson and Northwest elementary schools.  Ms. Barcalow teaches fourth grade at Northwest.

 Northwest School had the largest area involvement this year.  Each day of the week they had a special theme and event.

Tuesday’s theme was “Hats off to reading!”  Students and faculty wore hats all day.  Hats ranged from normal baseball caps to “Cat in the Hat” hats.  One student was even spotted sporting a dinosaur hat.  The special activity for that day was “Drop everything and read!”  Throughout the day, teachers would announce that it was time to “drop everything and read.”  Students then did exactly that.

[Photos by Gina Sennett]

 Wednesday’s theme brought back memories for some with “Sock it to me with a good book!”  Everyone wore strange, mismatched or just plain weird socks.  The special activity of the day was the “Round-robin reading.”  Students progressed from class to class to hear each teacher read to them.

 With Thursday’s theme, “Sweat it out with a good book!” students and faculty wore sweatsuits.  On that day the upper grades volunteered their time to read to the younger grades.

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 Friday, the final day of Read Across America week, dawned with teachers in matching Read Across America T-shirts and all in sunglasses for “Brighten the day with a good book!” day.  The event for this day was extra-special.  18 members of the local Rotary Club volunteered their time to come to both Northwest and Jefferson to read to the students.  In addition, they donated 100 new books to the Lincoln elementary schools.

 The climactic event, however, occurred later in the afternoon.  One class selected from kindergarten to third grade and one class from fourth to sixth grade got a party to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday.  The classes were chosen for their percentage of participation in the activities of the week.  At Jefferson, the school as a whole had a party.

 For completion of the event, all students and guest readers received participation certificates from the NEA.

Special thanks and recognition go out to the Rotary Club members who gave their time: Bonnie Young, Terry Lock, Chris Graue, Bob Kidd, Bobbi Abbott, Frank Adubato, Shanda Roderick, Deb Conlin, Wally Reifsteck, Jim Ash, Joe Ryan, Darren Humphres, Joe Runyon, Art Rohrer, Mary Bruns, Cynthia Kelley, Dayle Eldredge and Don Jordan.

 [Gina Sennett]

For more information, visit the Read Across America website: http://www.nea.org/readacross/

NEA’s Read Across America
partners are the cat’s meow!

National organizations come together to celebrate reading

[MARCH 1, 2002]  WASHINGTON, D.C. — In its fifth year, the National Education Association’s Read Across America promises to be the biggest and best yet, thanks to some extraordinary partnerships with more than 40 organizations. The annual celebration of reading that attracted 35 million children, teens  and adults last year kicks off March 1. Read Across America coincides each year with the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel).

NEA President Bob Chase said, "Read Across America’s supporters and partners work tirelessly year-round providing books, dedicated volunteers  and enriching activities to America’s children. We are proud and pleased that these stellar organizations make an extra-special effort to celebrate the joys of reading with the NEA through Read Across America."

For the fifth year in a row, the publisher of Dr. Seuss titles, Random House Children’s Books, has generously donated thousands of Dr. Seuss books for Read Across America events, created materials to share with booksellers, educators and librarians, and sent the Cat in the Hat himself on endless cross-country road trips.

The cats at PBS’ "Between the Lions" have provided NEA with a wealth of activities, reading materials, reading tips for parents and book lists to share with both English and Spanish readers.

Around the country, members of the NFL Players Association will trade in their helmets for red and white stovepipe hats to read to children.

This year, NEA and the American Library Association have come together to promote "Read Across America @ your library," with English and Spanish language posters featuring actor Esai Morales that encourage children to find reading fun at their local library.

Here’s a sampling of how some other Read Across America partners are planning to celebrate.

•  First Book, a national nonprofit organization that provides disadvantaged children with their very own first books, will send participants to Culver City, Calif., to celebrate reading at a taping of "Reba." Reba McEntire is First Book’s spokesperson and has invited kids to see what kind of reading takes place during the production of a television show.

•  Through the Reach Out and Read program, pediatricians encourage parents to read aloud to their young children and give their patients books to take home at pediatric checkups. Involvement of local ROR sites includes Reach Out and Read of Toledo, Ohio, which is partnering with the local children’s hospital to promote reading to families of children who are hospitalized and children visiting outpatient clinics on March 1. Staff will wear Cat in the Hat hats, give away Dr. Seuss books, and patients will get to visit with the "good doctor" himself: a city councilman dressed as Dr. Seuss.

•  Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic in Upland, Calif., will be taking recorded versions of Seuss books "The Butter Battle" and "Fox in Sox" to schools in Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario. The students will listen to the stories on four-track tapes and CDs recorded by volunteers from Boston. There will also be birthday cakes with candles to blow out after singing "Happy Birthday" to Dr. Seuss!

•  There will be tons of after-school reading fun at local clubs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. For example, the Boys & Girls Club of Yuma, Ariz., will have a read-a-thon with members. If they read a certain number of books by the deadline, all of the Boys & Girls Club staff will "color" their hair green. Children reading the most will have the honor of "greening" the staff's hair. And boys and girls from Port Charlotte, Fla., clubs will get to read with new Boys & Girls Club spokesman Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers.

•  Reading Is Fundamental is encouraging its grassroots network of volunteers to kick off RIF’s "Read with Me Community Reading Challenge." RIF President Carol Rasco and Daisy the Reading Pig will do so in Mattapan, Mass. You can also find RIF fun in places like Bear, Del., where Leasure Elementary’s Reading Is Fundamental Program is having a "Mystery Book" marathon. Each grade received a clue every day during the month of February. By the end of the week, when the students figure out the book’s "identity," they will get a special "Super Sleuth" sticker.

•  There are some 2,050 Head Start programs in America, and like the 28 classrooms of Sioux Falls Head Start in Sioux Falls, S.D., many will participate in Read Across America activities. Sioux Falls’ plans include quilting a story quilt, pajama story night, a book swap, making Cat in the Hat hats, and eating green eggs and ham.

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•  Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life has recently joined NEA as a partner in Read Across America and will be encouraging students around the country to read with children as part of Yom Yeladim.

•  In collaboration with Youth Service America, the NEA is again sponsoring the "Youth Leaders for Literacy" grant awards program which encourages young people to carry out literacy service projects in their communities. In Pierce City, Mo., high school students are getting ready to launch their seven-week service project that will include regular story readings at the public library, a book drive and a poetry reading.

•  The strong support of the International Reading Association for Read Across America comes from its members, like those of the Leon County Reading Association and the Media Specialists of Leon County in Tallahassee, Fla., who will read to children at schools, at the public libraries, in the malls, and at local book stores and fast food restaurants for "Read Across Leon County."

•  Cable in the Classroom is a public service effort supported by 39 national cable networks and over 8,500 local cable companies. Time Warner Cable in Garden Grove, Calif., will sponsor its third annual "Seuss Style Story Writing Contest" for students in kindergarten through grade six. Students are asked to work as a group or team to write and illustrate their own story a la Dr. Seuss. Winning stories are featured on their website.

To support NEA’s Read Across America and children’s literacy in your community, we encourage you to explore new relationships around reading at the local level with the regional, state, or local chapters or affiliates of our National Partners: Afterschool Alliance, American Association of School Librarians, American Library Association, ASPIRA, Between the Lions, BookPALS, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Cable in the Classroom, Congress of National Black Churches, Council for Exceptional Children, Everybody Wins!, First Book, Friends of Libraries U.S.A., General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, International Reading Association, Journalism Education Association, Kiwanis International, Learning First Alliance, Library of Congress—Center for the Book, LULAC, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Association for Bilingual Education, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association of Broadcasters, National Center for Assessing the General Curriculum at CAST, National Center for Family Literacy, National Conference of Black Mayors, National Conference of La Raza, NFL Players Association, National Head Start Association, National Institute for Literacy, National PTA, Organization of Chinese Americans, PBS, Random House, Reach Out and Read, Reading Is Fundamental Inc., Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, Saturn/UAW, Teachers.net, The Read In Foundation Inc., The Village Foundation, YMCA of the U.S.A., Youth Service America, and Zero to Three (National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families).

For more information:

• Melissa Marion
  NEA Communications
  (202) 822-7235
  mmarion@nea.org

• Lian Skaf
  NEA Communications
  (202) 822-7259
  lskaf@nea.org

• Rachael Walker
  (703) 237-5455
  reading@mindspring.com

[NEA news release]

Honors & Awards

[MARCH 22, 2002]   A few students from the Lincoln Junior High band got a taste of the good life. The special incentive for the band’s fall fund-raiser was a free limousine ride to lunch from Jeff Waggener of Great American Opportunities.

"Mr. Minier and the L.J.H.S. band are an outstanding group and did a wonderful job," Waggener said.

The white limousine picked the students up from school during their lunch period. The chauffeur exited the car and opened the door for the lucky band members and their director. Envious students watched from classroom windows while the group boarded the limo. The band members enjoyed the fact that many people in the community were staring at the car and trying to figure out what rock star or movie star was inside.

The students ended up at Pizza Hut, where Mr. Minier treated them to a free meal for their hard work. Each student had sold over 30 items. Many cars were pulling into the restaurant’s parking lot to figure out who was in the car, and the band students received some funny looks when spectators figured out that they were the people in the limousine.

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Pictured above are the top sellers receiving their "Limo Lunch" from Jeff for a job well done. The students are, from right to left , Lori Knollenberg, Nathan Courson, Amber Phillips, Sonya Twist, Victoria Jones, Jared Andreason, Chad Minier and the limo driver.

[LJHS press release]

[MARCH 21, 2002]   

Fifth grade — Michelle Boyer, Kayla Jenkins, Kelsey Jurgens, Katie Mason, Jessica Mehan, Josh Mehan, Diane Monday

Sixth grade — Jacob Harnacke

Seventh grade — Katie Conklen, Jennifer Dammerman, Kimber Davison, Jason Dean, Justin Harnacke, Brandee Heidbreder, Jeremiah Kirby, Justin Mason, Lincoln Moore, Jill Patrick, Molly Tobias

Eighth grade — Michael Bates, Laura Moehring

Fifth grade — Nikki Becker, Zach Gasparini, Danielle Horn

Sixth grade — John Fink, Brandon Merriman

Seventh grade — Nick Apke, Jenna Hutchison, Jewel King, Staci Otto

Eighth grade — Serena Tripplett

[MARCH 20, 2002]  The Lincoln Junior High School band competed in the Illinois Grade School Music Association’s District I Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 9 at the Glenwood Middle School in Chatham. LJHS received two ratings of "First Superior" and 21 first-place ratings.

The following students received a First Superior rating:

Rachel Kasa, B-flat clarinet solo

Rachel Kasa, piano solo

The following students received a first-place rating:

Victoria Jones, flute solo

Mindy Malerich, oboe solo

Sarah Edwards, B-flat clarinet solo

Lori Knollenberg, B-flat clarinet solo

Nikki Shehorn, B-flat clarinet solo

John Cosby, E-flat alto sax solo

Rebecca Kasa, E-flat alto sax solo

Whitney Kincheloe, E-flat alto sax solo

Max Pozsgai, E-flat alto sax solo

Hannah Snyder, E-flat alto sax solo

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Tim Wiser, B-flat tenor sax solo

Nathan Courson, B-flat trumpet solo

Kelsey Dallas, B-flat trumpet solo

Jonathon Leisinger, B-flat trumpet solo

Daniel Parson, B-flat trumpet solo

Amber Phillips, B-flat trumpet solo

John Dallas, trombone solo

David Mauhar, trombone solo

Wes Shrader, snare drum solo

Hannah Michalsen, piano solo

Sonya Twist, piano solo

Kyle Edwards and Brad Whiteman, percussion duet

[LJHS press release]

[MARCH 18, 2002]  Members of the Lincoln Community High School speech team participated in IHSA sectional competition March 15 and 16 in Charleston. The LCHS contest play entry placed first in a tie with Normal West and Olympia.

Carrie Schreiber and Ed Jodlowski were co-directors of the contest play.

The LCHS group interpretation entry placed second at the sectional. Carolyn Schreiber was the group interpretation director.

"In just four short weeks these students have put together two solid productions," the directors said. "We are happy to see that their efforts have been recognized."

The team will travel to Harrisburg to compete in the IHSA state tournament at Southeastern Illinois College on March 22 and 23.

"The experience of the IHSA state competition will be one that they will never forget," the speech coaches said. "We want to thank the community and parents for all of their support throughout the entire season. Without support and cooperation, this type of activity would not be possible."

[LCHS news]

Individual honors

Eric Agostino and Beau Hanger — All-sectional contest play members

Betsy Buttell, Doug Rohrer, Stanton Schumacher — Honorable mention contest play members

Kerry Dobihal, Doug Rohrer, Tom Swanson — All-sectional group interpretation members  

Betsy Buttell, Ty Sank, Eric Agostino — Honorable mention group interpretation members 

[MARCH 16, 2002]  NORMAL — At a presentation March 1, Heartland Community College President Jonathan Astroth received recognition from the National Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and from the 183rd Fighter Wing, Illinois Air National Guard

Lt. Col. Michael Meyer, 183rd Fighter Wing vice commander, Illinois Air National Guard, presented Dr. Astroth with a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to the National Defense, "For the College’s support by making Major William Marrs’ time and talents available to the 183rd Fighter Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, Springfield, Illinois."

The honors were issued for the college’s support of Maj. William C. Marrs, chair of the Business Division at Heartland, who reported to duty soon after the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. Marrs serves as management and systems officer for the 183rd Fighter Wing. He is a third-generation guard member.

"The National Guard recognizes these skilled reservists’ value to their employers," Meyer said. "The available use of these skills would not be possible," he noted, "without the support of employers like Heartland — willing to sacrifice for the benefit of the country."

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"We acknowledge and appreciate your patriotism," he said.

In his acceptance of the certificate and plaque, Astroth responded, "To actively support our nation in these times is the least we can do."

In his nomination of Heartland for the award, Marrs stated: "I consider the actions of the college to be above and beyond the obligations imposed on them by law, exhibiting a commitment to current and future operations. This is the highest level of consideration given to those serving on military duty of any organization for which I have worked."

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, or ESGR, promotes both public and private understanding of the National Guard and Reserve through community and employer support to encourage employee and citizen participation in National Guard and Reserve programs. According to the ESGR, the nation’s Ready Reserve components comprise approximately 50 percent of the nation’s total available military manpower.

[Heartland Community College]

Announcements

Deadline for enrollment in College Illinois! approaches

[MARCH 16, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Sen. Claude "Bud" Stone reminds area residents that there is limited time left to enroll in a program designed to help parents and students save thousands of dollars on college tuition. The deadline for the program named College Illinois! is March 27.

"With tuition costs rapidly rising, College Illinois! is a sensible way to plan for the future and save money," said Stone, R-Morton. "Numerous Illinois families have taken advantage of the program that could literally save thousands of dollars in tuition costs. The program allows families to lock in future college costs at today’s prices, helping to keep a lid on tuition inflation."

There are three payment plans to choose from with a variety of pricing options, varying in cost depending on each institution’s tuition amount. Prepaid tuition through the program is not restricted to Illinois schools. The savings plan also can be used at out-of-state schools and can be applied to both public and private institutions.

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Benefits provided by the program are entirely exempt from Illinois state income tax. Federal tax (on earnings; not on payments) will begin only after the student enrolls in college and begins to use the purchased benefits. Additionally, benefits are backed by the state and do not fluctuate with the stock market.

For more information and an application, call 1 (877) 877-3724. Phone representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Also, access the program’s website at www.collegeillinois.com.

[News release]

[FEB. 28, 2002]   If you live in the Chester-East Lincoln School District, please take advantage of the school’s developmental screening days. Any child from birth to 5 years old is eligible to take part in the free screening.

All children who will be 5 years old before Sept. 1 and plan to enter kindergarten for the 2002-2003 school year need to go through the screening.

The process will take about one hour.

•  Monday, March 11 — 3- to 5-year-olds

•  Monday, March 25 — Infants to 5-year-olds

Screenings will be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Please call C-EL at 732-4136 for an appointment for your child.

[C-EL news release]

[FEB. 15, 2002]   The 2002 Miss HOI Scholarship Pageant is set for the evening of Saturday, April 6, at the Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center of Morton. The program is sponsored by the Morton Area Players, the Morton Park District and Bearce Automall of Washington.

Entries are now being accepted from young ladies ages 17 to 24. Applicants have a chance to be the next winner of thousands of dollars in scholarships and to represent our area at the Miss Illinois Pageant in June.

Bethany Von Behren of Peoria, Miss HOI 2000, won more than $6,000 in scholarships through her competition at Miss HOI and Miss Illinois. Von Behren is a 2001 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and was a top ten finalist at Miss Illinois. She was also a preliminary talent winner.

This year’s show, "Celebrate America," will feature award-winning twirler Alyssa Gunderson, the current Miss Heart of Illinois. Gunderson is a special education teacher in suburban Chicago and has been volunteering for mentoring programs for the past five years. She has worked closely with the Bloomington Housing Authority and has started mentoring programs in four states. Gunderson is a 2001 graduate of Illinois State University.

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The Miss Heart of Illinois program was honored at the state level for the quality of its show on pageant night, winning the Best Production Award in 2001. In 1999 and 2001, it won the inaugural Outstanding Program Award from Miss Illinois. Since 1998, it has awarded approximately $26,000 in cash scholarships to central Illinois women, thanks to area sponsors. Scholarship funds are sent directly to the contestant’ s university to pay for tuition only.

For more information on entering, sponsoring or volunteering for Miss HOI, e-mail misshoi@hotmail.com or visit the official Miss Heart of Illinois website: misshoi.homestead.com.

[News release] 

[Alyssa Gunderson, Miss HOI 2001,
is crowned by Bethany Von Behren, Miss HOI 2000,
and Jennifer Powers, Miss Illinois.]

You can help junior high students go to band camp

[FEB. 4, 2002]  The Lincoln Junior High School band director, Chad Minier, is continuing the tradition of giving scholarships to band members who are interested in going to band camp. The junior high plans to send more than 15 students to band camp this year at the University of Illinois in Champaign and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Band camp gives students the opportunity to meet and perform with band students from all over the country. Participants have many rehearsals and classes throughout the day. College professors and college students direct ensembles and teach the junior high students. Band camp participants learn about music history, theory and even composition. The camps always end with a concert featuring all of the students.

Students stay on campus in dorms during the band camp.

Many students do not have the opportunity to go to camp. The camps are very expensive. Lincoln Junior High wants to give all band students the chance to have a challenging but fun experience in music.

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Band camps are not just work. Students are given the opportunity to attend concerts, go on picnics, swim at the campus beach, canoe on the campus lake, attend dances and participate in many other fun activities.

The average cost of band camp is around $400. Last year the Lincoln Junior High band was able to award $200 scholarships to more than 10 students. Community members and generous businesses donated money to help band students have new and inspirational experiences in music.

Lincoln Junior High will be accepting donations toward band camp scholarships throughout the school year. Donations can be dropped off at the school office, at 208 Broadway. Checks should be made out to Lincoln Junior High Band Boosters.

[News release]

Health care career scholarship applications available

[JAN. 26, 2002]  Applications for the Dwight F. Zimmerman Scholarship, sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, are currently available.

Applicants must be seniors graduating from Lincoln Community High School, Mount Pulaski High School, Olympia High School, Hartsburg-Emden High School, Delavan Community High School or Illini Central High School, or students currently attending Lincoln College.

All applicants who are chosen as finalists to interview with the scholarship selection committee will receive an award to be applied directly toward tuition, fees and books. The two top applicants will receive scholarships of $1,500. Other finalists will be awarded $500 scholarships.

  Applications are available in the guidance offices of the above-listed schools. Applications are to be submitted to the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, 315 Eighth St., Lincoln, IL 62656. The deadline to submit an application for the Zimmerman scholarship is April 5. For more information, call the foundation office at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 405.

People wishing to contribute to the scholarship fund may send their contributions to the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, 315 Eighth St., Lincoln, IL 62656.

[News release]

Menus

• Lincoln Elementary Schools

• New Holland-Middletown Elementary District 88

• West Lincoln-Broadwell Elementary School District 92

(Milk served with every meal)

Thursday, March 21 — Iced pastry, orange wedges

Friday, March 22 — Cereal, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, juice

(Milk served with every meal)

Thursday, March 21 — Turkey or pork roast, mashed potatoes, bread and butter, fruit cocktail

Friday, March 22 — Tomato soup with crackers, cheese toasty, celery with peanut butter, apple crisp

(Two percent white or chocolate milk, bread, butter and peanut butter served daily. Menu may be subject to change.)

Tuesday, April 2 — Corn dogs, peas, peaches, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie

Wednesday, April 3 — Chicken patty, mashed potatoes and gravy, pineapple, oatmeal cake

Thursday, April 4 — Chicken noodle soup, carrot sticks with dip, fruit cocktail, Texas cake

Friday, April 5 — Cheese pizza, lettuce salad, pears, chocolate pudding

Monday, April 8 — Hamburger, CB, bun, french fries, pineapple, ice cream treat

Tuesday, April 9 — Dismissal before lunch

Wednesday, April 10 — Hot dog, bun, corn, applesauce, chocolate chip cookie

Thursday, April 11 — Nachos, corn, strawberries, sugar cookie

Friday, April 12 — Ravioli, green beans, pears, no-bake cookie

Monday, April 15 — Macaroni and cheese, peas, applesauce, O’Henry bars

Tuesday, April 16 — Sloppy Joe, bun, green beans, mandarin oranges, oatmeal cookie

Wednesday, April 17 — Ham and cheese sandwich, corn, peaches, vanilla pudding

Thursday, April 18 — Beef "tator" bake, peas, apple slices, Texas cake

Friday, April 19 — Cheese pizza, lettuce salad, strawberries, peanut butter fingers

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Monday, April 22 — Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, pears, "go gurt"

(Milk is included with every meal.)

Thursday, March 21 — Chicken fried steak, potatoes and gravy, broccoli and cheese, peaches

Friday, March 22 — Tomato soup, crackers, toasted cheese, raw veggies, fruit ice

Monday, March 25 — Oven-fried chicken, potatoes and gravy, green beans, applesauce

Tuesday, March 26 — Sloppy Joe on bun, assorted chips, corn, assorted desserts

Wednesday, March 27 — No school; spring break

Thursday, March 28 — No school; spring break

Friday, March 29 — No school; spring break

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