Historical society, Bennett calendars, Mount Pulaski Rotary, blood drive, Kristin Allen, Matthew Southerlan and Mount Pulaski State Scholars make Close Up

By Mike Fak

[December 30, 2011]  The Logan County Genealogical & Historical Society invites members and guests to bring an heirloom, antique or an old item to share. Objects with unknown purpose or origin are welcome for discussion and possible identification. The date is Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at 114 N. Chicago St. in downtown Lincoln.

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The 2012 large-print wall calendars are in at Holland Barry & Bennett Funeral Home. Stop in to get yours or call 732-2638.
 

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The Mount Pulaski Rotary Club will feature Mike Maniscalco, the new executive director of the Logan County economic development board, as their speaker on Thursday, Jan. 5, at noon lunch at Buff's Restaurant on the square in Mount Pulaski. Guests are welcome to attend. 

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To help ensure an adequate blood supply for the region, there will be a blood drive at Elkhart Christian Church, 113 S. Gillett in Elkhart, on Thursday, Jan. 5. The hours of the blood drive are 3 to 6 p.m. For your convenience, call Lucille to sign up at 947-2702 or schedule an appointment online at www.cicbc.org. Walk-ins are also welcome and truly appreciated.

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The 1st State Bank of Mason City and Illini Central High School selected Kristin Allen for the December Student of the Month Award. For demonstrating outstanding character, Kristin receives a $50 savings bond from 1st State Bank and an iTunes gift card from the Illini Central High School faculty.

Kristin is the daughter of Andy and Linda Allen. Her classes this year are AP Calculus, AP Biology, Spanish 4, AP Literature and Composition, Government, Ceramics and Sculpture, Psychology, Leadership, Band, and English 110 for college credit.

In addition, Kristin keeps busy with a number of extracurricular activities. She is president of the student council, senior class and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She is vice president of National Honor Society and Spanish Club. Kristin also participates in Science Club, Science Olympiad and the school newspaper, PawPrint. In athletics, she is the captain of the volleyball team and a member of the track and field team.

She has won several awards as well: 2012-13 State Scholar; Springfield Journal Register’s all-area first team in volleyball; first team all-conference in Tomahawk and Sangamo; and all-tournament team at Riverton, Clinton and Springfield Lutheran. On IC’s volleyball team, she had the most kills and was awarded MVP. She also holds the school record for the 100-meter dash.

Outside of school, Kristin is involved in her church youth group at St. Luke and is a member of the Springfield Shock Volleyball Club. She is also a Bible school art teacher.

Kristin plans to attend Concordia University, Chicago, where she will double-major in director of Christian education and elementary education.

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Matthew Southerlan has been named December Senior-of-the-Month at Mount Pulaski High School. Matthew is the son of Tim and Mary Southerlan of Mount Pulaski.

During high school Matthew has been active in National Honor Society, serving two years as vice-president and currently serving as co-president. He has been a four-year member of FFA, serving as vice-president. He also participated in Science Olympiad for two years and was a member of the Scholastic Bowl team. He served on the prom committee during his junior year.

Matthew is a four-year member of the soccer team, serving as captain his senior year. He also is a four-year member of the track and field team, and a four-year member of the Spirit Squad.

Matthew plans to attend the University of Missouri to major in journalism, with an emphasis in public relations and marketing.

The Senior-of-the-Month program is co-sponsored by Mount Pulaski Pharmacy and Johnson's Food Center of Mount Pulaski. Monthly winners receive $100 savings bonds and are eligible to compete for the $1,000 Senior-of-the-Year award.

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Three Mount Pulaski High School students have been named Illinois State Scholars for 2012-13. The honored students are Alexandra Conley, daughter of John and Lisa Conley of Mount Pulaski, Mark Foley, son of Robert and Sharon Foley of Mount Pulaski, and Carly Powell, daughter of Deron Powell of Mount Pulaski and Linda Smith of Elkhart.

Illinois State Scholars are named by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state's centralized provider of financial assistance aimed at helping students and families access postsecondary education or training. Each year, the commission awards scholarship and grant aid to qualified students, and also provides loans to qualifying students. The agency also offers a broad array of outreach and informational services to ensure that families have access to the information they need to pay for a college education.

Illinois State Scholars rank in the top 10 percent of high school seniors across Illinois. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and class rank at the end of the junior year. While the designation of Illinois State Scholar is not a monetary award, students who are selected are among the top students academically in each high school in Illinois.

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