Features,  Honors & Awards,  Menus,  Announcements,  Calendar

Features

[DEC. 30, 2002]  AURORA -- The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is seeking participants for its international problem-based learning symposium entitled "In the Service of Learning: Getting to the Heart of Problem-based Learning." The symposium will be Feb. 14-15 at the IMSA campus. Political analyst and CBS-TV investigative reporter Mike Flannery will co-present the closing session. 

Long recognized as a leader in problem-based learning, IMSA will welcome some of the best-known authors in the field. Practitioners from across the country will share the many ways they use problem-based learning in their daily classroom practice.

Technology showcases during the symposium will feature "EdVision," which provides an online tool for aligning curriculum and assessment to state standards. Other technology showcases, the "NASA Classroom of the Future" and "NASA Why? Files," will highlight methods for using electronic resources to further stimulate excellence in problem-based curriculum and instructional practices.

In addition to the professional development sessions, an exhibitor fair will feature publishers and distributors of products to help enhance learning in the classroom. In the closing session on Saturday, Feb. 15, author Linda Torp will summarize the two-day event with Mike Flannery of WBBM-TV, Chicago.

For further information or to register, visit www.imsa.edu/center or call (630) 907-5957.

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Located in Aurora, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an internationally- recognized pioneering educational institution created by the state to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12.

More than 14,000 teachers and 20,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership, and action research.

'Portraits of Great American Scientists'

[DEC. 27, 2002]  AURORA -- Fifteen Illinois students, including 14 from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, hope their book, "Portraits of Great American Scientists," will inspire other youth to pursue science education and careers. The collection, now available in bookstores nationwide, is being hailed by scientists and educators alike.

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IMSA invites students and
parents to visit its campus

[DEC. 27, 2002]  AURORA -- The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy has scheduled two Visitor Information Program Days this winter for prospective students and their parents to visit the campus and learn more about the academy's academic and residential programs.

IMSA's residential educational program serves Illinois students grades 10-12 who are talented in mathematics and science. Most room and board expenses are provided by state funds.

The VIP sessions are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, and Sunday, Feb. 23. Musical entertainment by IMSA students will be at 12:30 p.m. Advance reservations are not required but guests are encouraged to arrive on time for the structured program activities.

Applications for the class of 2006, which will enroll next fall, are now being accepted. Talented Illinois students enrolled in the equivalent of a ninth-grade program are eligible for consideration. A written application must be completed and returned to IMSA, postmarked no later than March 1, 2003. Students should contact their high school guidance counselor or IMSA's admissions office at (630) 907-5027 or 1 (800) 500-IMSA to receive an application.

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Located in Aurora, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the state to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12.

More than 14,000 teachers and 20,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.

[Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy]

Miss Heart of Illinois contestant
meeting Saturday

Eureka College student to relinquish title

[DEC. 27, 2002]  The 2003 Miss HOI Scholarship Pageant is set for the evening of Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center of Morton. The program is generously 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. You could be the next winner of thousands of dollars in scholarships and the chance to represent our area at the Miss Illinois Pageant in June.

This year's show will feature the current Miss Illinois, Michelle LaGroue, a professional actress, singer, dancer and model.

Miss Illinois top-ten finalist and talent winner Valerie Milam is the current Miss Heart of Illinois. Milam is a senior at Eureka College, majoring in music education with a minor in music. Upon graduation, she intends to obtain a K-12 teaching certificate and teach music and chorus at the secondary level.

[Photos provided by Miss HOI]
[Miss Heart of Illinois Valerie Milam will relinquish her crown Jan. 25.]

A classically trained vocalist since the age of 12, Val is studying fine arts and performing arts at Eureka. In late May of this year, she toured and performed with the Eureka College Chorale in southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

With a platform of "Donating Blood is Donating Life," and having been very actively involved in the area of blood donation for the past seven years, Val serves as a volunteer spokeswoman for numerous blood banks in Illinois and nationally. As a three-gallon CMV-negative blood donor, Val donates to high-risk neonates.

Val has been recognized both in Illinois and nationally for her seven-plus years of work promoting blood donations. She also has a scholarship named in her honor. Val was the recipient of the Michael J. O'Malley Community Service Scholarship at Miss Illinois 2001.

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[Valerie is crowned by outgoing Miss HOI Alyssa Gunderson.]

The Miss HOI committee is pleased to announce that Lisa Marie Grethey of Mackinaw is the new executive director for the program. Grethey is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker-Devonshire Realtors and is also a general contractor with Grethey Construction, Inc. She was on the board of the Homebuilders’ Association of Bloomington, is executive director for the "Miss Mack-Ca-Fest" scholarship program and is involved with Girls Scouts of America.

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 2000 it won the inaugural Outstanding Program Award from Miss Illinois.

Since 1998, it has awarded approximately $29,000 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, call (309) 208-LISA or visit the official Miss Heart of Illinois website, http://misshoi.homestead.com.

[News release]

Honors & Awards

Illinois State Scholars announced

[JAN. 7, 2003]  Among this year's Illinois State Scholars are 28 students from Lincoln Community High School. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has announced the names of those honored in the program, which recognizes high school students in the state for outstanding academic achievement.

Illinois State Scholars from Lincoln Community High School are Megan Boyer, Elizabeth Brooks, Justin Bruns, Erin Clark, Amanda Davison, James Ewins, Kirsten Gandenberger, Tyler Gehlbach, Thomas Gramley, Amanda Harmsen, Chelsea Jones, Brandon Judd, Jerrod Marten, Deborah Martincic, Sara Matthews, Lydia Moehring, Michelle Rogers, Abrigail Sasse, Miranda Schumann, Amanda Shelley, Lindsay Struebing, Gerardo Valdes, Adam Voyles, Collin Voyles, Deamondo Welsh, Jennifer Whalen, Eldon Wiggers and Melissa Windham.

Students ranking in the top 10 percent of the state's 135,600 high school graduating seniors are named Illinois State Scholars. Rankings are based on a combination of test scores from the ACT and SAT I and class rank at the end of the sixth semester in high school.

While the program does not provide a monetary award, the designation as an Illinois State Scholar can be listed on applications for college admission and scholarships.

"These students should be extremely proud of their accomplishments,'' said Larry Matejke, executive director of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. "The commission congratulates them and wishes them the best in their future endeavors.''

[News release]

Menus

(Milk served with all meals)

Tuesday, Jan. 7 -- Cheese toasty, fruit

Wednesday, Jan. 8 -- Cereal, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, juice

Thursday, Jan. 9 -- Trix yogurt, rice crispy treat, banana

Friday, Jan. 10 -- Cereal, pop tart, juice

Monday, Jan 13 -- Cereal, cinnamon toast, juice

Tuesday, Jan. 14 -- Oatmeal, toast, fruit

Wednesday, Jan. 15 -- Cereal, graham crackers with dip, juice

Thursday, Jan. 16 -- Pancake bites with syrup, fruit

Friday, Jan. 17 -- No school; teacher workshop

Monday, Jan. 20 -- No school; Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday, Jan 21 -- Cereal, toast with jelly, juice

Wednesday, Jan. 22 -- Cereal, cinnamon toast, juice

Thursday, Jan. 23 -- Cinnamon iced pastry, fruit

Friday, Jan. 24 -- Cereal, doughnut holes, fruit

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(Milk served with all meals)

Tuesday, Jan. 7 -- Chicken strips with sauce, mashed potatoes, bread and butter, peaches

Wednesday, Jan. 8 -- Tacos with lettuce and cheese, corn, tortilla chips with salsa, pears

Thursday, Jan. 9 -- Barbecued chicken sandwich, french fries, carrot sticks, applesauce

Friday, Jan. 10 -- Spaghetti with meat sauce, peas, garlic toast, strawberry shortcake

Monday, Jan 13 -- Corn dogs, potato rounds, pretzels, peaches

Tuesday, Jan. 14 -- Chicken fajitas with salsa, peas, tortilla chips, strawberry applesauce

Wednesday, Jan. 15 -- Sausage pizza, green beans, carrot sticks, pears

Thursday, Jan. 16 -- Chili with crackers, corn bread with butter, dill spear, cheese stick, whipped dessert

Friday, Jan. 17 -- No school; teacher workshop

Monday, Jan. 20 -- No school; Martin Luther King Day

Tuesday, Jan 21 – Beefy macaroni and cheese sauce, green beans, bread and butter, pears

Wednesday, Jan. 22 – Chicken and biscuit, peas, carrot sticks, jello with fruit

Thursday, Jan. 23 – Sloppy joes, cole slaw, french fries, peaches

Friday, Jan. 24 – French toast sticks with syrup, potato rounds, sausage links, fruit cocktail

Tuesday, Jan. 7 -- Ham horseshoe, french fries, broccoli, mixed fruit

Wednesday, Jan. 8 -- Soft tacos, lettuce and cheese, nachos, raw vegetables, fruit crisp

Thursday, Jan. 9 -- Creamed turkey on biscuit, potatoes, peas, strawberry applesauce

Friday, Jan. 10 -- Grilled chicken on bun, potato rounds, corn, peaches

Monday, Jan. 13 -- Breadsticks, meat sauce, salad, green beans, pears

Tuesday, Jan. 14 -- Cheese pizza, potato rounds, slaw, fresh fruit

Wednesday, Jan. 15 -- Chili, crackers, toasted cheese, raw vegetables, cake and fruit

Thursday, Jan. 16 -- Hot ham and cheese sandwich, french fries, baked beans, mixed fruit

Friday, Jan. 17 -- No school

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Monday, Jan. 20 -- No school

Tuesday, Jan. 21 -- Chicken fingers, cheesy potatoes, corn, peaches

Wednesday, Jan. 22 -- Chicken noodle soup, crackers, sub sandwich, raw vegetables, chocolate pudding

Thursday, Jan. 23 -- Spaghetti, meat sauce, salad, green beans, garlic bread, pears

Friday, Jan. 24 -- Sloppy joe on bun, french fries, slaw, sugar cookies

Monday, Jan. 27 -- Turkey patty, bun, potato wedges, baked beans, applesauce

Tuesday, Jan. 28 -- Soft tacos, lettuce and  cheese, nachos, green beans, pears

Wednesday, Jan. 29 -- Tomato soup, crackers, toasted cheese, raw vegetables, jello, fruit

Thursday, Jan. 30 -- Open-faced beef sandwich, potatoes, mixed vegetables, peaches

Friday, Jan. 31 -- Tenderloin on bun, french fries, corn, fruit ice

Announcements

Scholarship fund established for
2003 State Farm Holiday Classic

[JAN. 2, 2003]  BLOOMINGTON -- To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Bloomington-Normal basketball tournament (now known as the State Farm Holiday Classic) in 2003, the Classic Organizing Group is establishing a scholarship fund. The announcement was made Wednesday evening at Illinois Wesleyan University's Shirk Center on championship day of the 2002 State Farm Holiday Classic.

The scholarship fund, known as the Classic Organizing Group Scholarship Fund, will award four scholarships to eligible students from the 64 participating teams at the 2003 State Farm Holiday Classic. The scholarships will be awarded to two boys -- one from a McLean County school and one from a school outside McLean County -- and to two girls -- also one from a McLean County school and one from a school outside McLean County. The first recipients will be introduced during the final night of the tournament next December. All senior students from the participating schools will be eligible for the scholarship.

The Classic Organizing Group is currently developing guidelines and will announce them to the participating schools early in the fall.

"We feel this is a great way to give back to the students and schools that have helped us grow our tournament in the past 24 years," said Dan Highland, president of the organizers. "When this tournament started, I don't think the organizers knew it would ever grow into the largest coed holiday basketball tournament in the nation. We just want to keep building onto the illustrious tradition with this tournament."

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Highland said next year's awarding of the four scholarships will begin a new tradition with the tournament. "We'll start with four next year, with a goal to increase scholarships in the future," he said. "We're not just providing the 'Best Basketball this side of March,' but we want to advance the educational opportunities to students who don't have the full financial resources to attend a community college or four-year school."

The Classic Organizing Group Scholarship Fund has been established through the Community Foundation of McLean County, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Donations made to the fund are tax-deductible.

The Classic Organizing Group has other special activities in store to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the tournament. More details will be released in the fall.

For more information about the Classic Organizing Group or the State Farm Holiday Classic, visit the official tournament website, www.theclassic.org.

[News release]

Lincoln Junior Woman's Club scholarships

[DEC. 5, 2002]  The General Federation of Women's Clubs has announced a number of scholarships available for students planning to attend Illinois colleges or vocational schools during the 2003-2004 school year.

Included in the list are the Arthur Grant Smith Drama Scholarship, $300; the GFWC Illinois Centennial Library Science Scholarship, $300; the Hamilton Ridge Music Scholarship, $500; Illinois Cottage Park Ridge Vocational Scholarship for Girls, $500; the Lincoln Lodge Vocational Scholarship for Boys, $500; and the Lorado Taft Art Scholarship, $500.

The Vina A. Miller Memorial Scholarship, $500, is also being offered to students planning to make the field of public affairs their career. Vocations in the field of public affairs include the study of crime prevention, life safety, fire, police, historical preservation and veterans affairs.

A new scholarship being offered by the GFWC Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs for the coming year is the Illinois Cultural Exchange Student Scholarship for students planning to study abroad.

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Students for all of these scholarships must be Illinois residents attending an Illinois school.

Winners will notified by May 1, 2003, and scholarship funds will be disbursed to the college financial aid office after verification of student registration is received at the Illinois GFWC headquarters.

Applications for these scholarships are available from the guidance department at Lincoln Community High School or may be requested by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Lincoln Junior Woman's Club Scholarship Chairman Judy Rader at 132 11th St., Lincoln, IL 62656. Completed applications must be returned to Rader no later than Feb. 8, 2003.

[Judy Rader]

Epsilon Sigma Alpha scholarships available

[NOV. 26, 2002]  The ESA Foundation of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, a women's leadership organization, is announcing the availability of scholarships for college-bound high school seniors, college students, trade school-bound students, as well as nontraditional students.

Individuals may go to the ESA Foundation website, www.esaintl.org/esaf, to find out more about the ESA Foundation and download the current application. The deadline for receipt of applications is Feb. 1, 2003. (If you get only as far as the Epsilon Sigma Alpha website, click on "Foundation" located at the bottom of the left-hand pick list.)

To find out more about Epsilon Sigma Alpha International, visits the website: www.esaintl.org.

[News release]

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