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Features

New appointments at Lincoln College

[JAN. 25, 2003]  Mary McLaughlin and Jeris Donovan Vascellaro, both of Lincoln, have been appointed to new positions at Lincoln College. McLaughlin, a Lincoln College employee since 1976, has been named dean of the faculty. Vascellaro has become the newest member of the faculty, teaching English and speech.

The first in Lincoln College's recent history to serve as dean of the faculty, McLaughlin will be in charge of new faculty orientations, faculty evaluations and professional development, and she will coordinate academic development seminars for incoming students. Also, she will chair a faculty committee to review new student applications. Finally, she will assist Vice President Tom Zurkammer in matters concerning academic services.

McLaughlin has previously served Lincoln College in the areas of admissions, registration, public relations and continuing education. Most recently, she was a member of the faculty, teaching English and education. About her appointment, she said, "While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the classroom, I feel that this new position will give me an opportunity to influence more students in a positive manner and to contribute to the programs of our new president."

Mary McLaughlin holds a bachelor's degree from the College of St. Francis in Joliet, a master's degree in education from Illinois State University and a master's degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield. She is a native of Chillicothe, Mo.

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Jeris Donovan Vascellaro begins her tenure at LC by teaching English and speech. This is her first position as a college faculty member.

Prior to this appointment, she spent three years as a teacher, performer and director for the Improv Olympic live comedy program in Los Angeles, Calif. She had previously spent two years in Chicago studying and performing with the Improv Olympic group there, as well as with Chicago's famous Second City comedy group. In addition, she has experience in acting for television programs and commercials.

About embarking on such a major career change, Vascellaro said, "I have come to appreciate that I have a true love for teaching. After working for years with those who have already recognized their own talent and direction, I now want to help those who are still learning theirs. By working with the students at Lincoln College, I am determined to challenge and inspire them to discover what is best about themselves and to find their voice."

Vascellaro holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Illinois at Springfield and will complete a master's program in English literature and creative writing in 2003. During the 1983 school year, she attended Lincoln College.

[Lincoln College press release]

[JAN. 14, 2002]  All high school juniors and seniors who are interested in learning more about Lincoln Christian College are invited to come visit the LCC campus on March 3. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Warehouse (student center).

The day will include:

• Admissions presentation
• Campus tour
• Lunch in remodeled cafe
• Meet-the-faculty session

• Attend an LCC class

Please RSVP by Monday, Feb. 24. Call (217) 732-3168, Ext. 2228 or respond by e-mail to  coladmis@lccs.edu.

Honors & Awards

LJHS spelldown winner: Daniel Parson

[JAN. 30, 2003]  Daniel Parson, eighth-grade son of Paul and Gail Parson, won the Jan. 10 spelling bee at Lincoln Junior High School in 11 rounds. He will compete for the third time in the county event, which will be March 6 at the Logan County Courthouse. Runner-up was Donavon Dye, son of Don and Young Dye, also of Lincoln.

Eighth-grade spellers participating were Ariel Lopez, Daniel Parson, Brittany Dickson, Jonathon Leisinger and Donavon Dye.

Seventh-grade spellers were Daniel Garrett, Rebecca Kasa, Bethany Dickson, Nikky Kodatt and Jaci Gandenberger.

Ms. Elaine Knight, District 27 librarian, pronounced the words as Mrs. Karolee Johnson, Mrs. Carol Gleason, Mrs. Karen Lee and Mrs. Kathy Litherland served as judges.

[LJHS news release]

LCHS speech team stretched in difficult competition

[JAN. 29, 2003]  The speech team from Lincoln Community High School competed at Downers Grove South on Jan. 24-25.

Ty Sank placed fourth in special occasion speaking, and Tom Swanson was a semifinalist in original oratory.

"This tournament was a very difficult tournament," said Carrie Schreiber, a coach for the LCHS team. "We had several competitors very close to being in semifinals. The high level of competition was a wonderful motivator for our team."

[LCHS news release]

Speech team places first at Heyworth

[JAN. 23, 2003]  In competition at Heyworth on Jan. 18, the speech team from Lincoln Community High School placed first.

"First place at such a large tournament just emphasizes the first-rate competitors that we have on the team this year," said Ed Jodlowski, a coach for the Lincoln students. "With the state series looming, the sky is the limit."

Doug Rohrer, verse reading, first place

Betsy Buttell and Doug Rohrer, dramatic duet acting, second

Tim Fak, extemporaneous speaking, second

Amy Schumacher, oratorical declamation, second

Audrey Beach, radio speaking, third

Erica Brickey, prose reading, third

Erica Brickey, verse reading, third

Katie Muck, dramatic interpretation, third

Tom Swanson, original oratory, third

Abrigail Sasse, radio speaking, fourth

Betsy Buttell, dramatic interpretation, fifth

Kasey Pepperell and Tom Swanson, humorous duet acting, fifth

Ty Sank, humorous interpretation, fifth

Lindsay Boerma, humorous interpretation, sixth

Kasey Pepperell, original comedy, sixth

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Audrey Beach, radio speaking, first

Alex King, dramatic interpretation, first

Lindsey Boerma, special occasion speaking, second

Amy Schumacher, impromptu speaking, second

Ruth Ohmart, verse reading, third

Audrey Beach, verse reading, fourth

Beth Boch, original comedy, fourth

Cynda Kleinman, original oratory, fourth

Dana Landess, oratorical declamation, fourth

Brittany Feese, prose reading, fifth

Ruth Ohmart, dramatic interpretation, fifth

Amy Schumacher, oratorical declamation, sixth

[LCHS news release]

Hartem grad awarded JBT, U of I ACES scholarship

[JAN. 21, 2003]  URBANA -- Kent D. Leesman of Atlanta is a recipient of the Jonathan Baldwin Turner Scholarship. He was honored during a Dec. 13, 2002, banquet at the Illini Union on the Urbana campus of the University of Illinois.

Leesman is majoring in crop sciences. After college he plans to return home to manage the family farm and become a Pioneer dealer and agronomist. His JBT Scholarship is funded by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a DuPont company. He graduated from Hartsburg-Emden High School and is the son of Kevin and Joyce Leesman.

The University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences established the JBT Scholarship program to recognize high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence, good citizenship and leadership skills. Jonathan Baldwin Turner, a pioneer of agricultural education in Illinois and the nation, epitomized the spirit and intent of the scholarships bearing his name. A noted farmer and lecturer associated with Illinois College during the mid-1800s, Turner envisioned a nationwide system of educational institutions providing a "liberal and practical education" for citizens in the areas of agriculture and the mechanical arts.

This year, 54 high school students of diverse social background and geographic origins were awarded a JBT Scholarship, marking the 24th anniversary of the program. Over $800,000 in merit-based scholarships was awarded to students in the College of ACES in the 2001-02 academic year. The mission of the college is to enhance the quality of life of rural and urban people through teaching, research and outreach programs focused on human activity, food, fiber and natural resource systems.

[U of I news release]

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[Mark Timke presents Kent Leesman with a Jonathan Baldwin Turner Scholarship from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. A banquet on Dec. 13, 2002, honored all 54 JBT scholars for 2002-03.]

Menus

(Milk served with all meals)

Monday, Feb. 3 -- Cereal, toast with jelly, juice

Tuesday, Feb. 4 -- Silver dollar pancakes with syrup, sausage, strawberries

Wednesday, Feb. 5 -- Cereal, doughnut holes, juice

Thursday, Feb. 6 -- Cheese toasty, orange wedges

Friday, Feb. 7 -- Cereal, cinnamon toast, juice

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(Milk served with all meals)

Monday, Feb. 3 -- Hot dog on bun, potato wedges or fries or rounds, goldfish crackers, peas

Tuesday, Feb. 4 -- Ravioli with meat sauce, mashed potatoes, bread and butter, fruit cocktail

Wednesday, Feb. 5 -- Texas tacos with Fritos and cheese, corn, carrot sticks, orange juice

Thursday, Feb. 6 -- Chicken and noodles, green beans, bread and butter, pears

Friday, Feb. 7 -- Chili with crackers, peanut butter sandwich, dill spear, apple pudding cake

Announcements

Agriculture scholarships available

[Click here for details.]

Girl Scouts announce scholarship opportunities

[JAN. 24, 2003]  SPRINGFIELD -- Girl Scouts, Land of Lincoln Council is announcing college scholarship opportunities to all eligible Girl Scout members within the 6½-county jurisdiction who are continuing their education at an accredited college or university.

Girl Scouts attending an accredited college, university or technical school may apply for the Girl Scouts, Land of Lincoln Council Scholarship. This scholarship is a one-year, $1,000 award and is renewable. To qualify, girls must be currently registered with Girl Scouts, Land of Lincoln Council and have been a member with the council for a minimum of three years.

Active Girl Scout members enrolling as a junior, senior or graduate student in an accredited college or university are eligible for the Linda S. Culver Scholarship. This scholarship is a one-year, $1,500 award and is renewable. To qualify, girls must be registered members with the Land of Lincoln Council and have been so for a minimum of three years.

Girl Scouts enrolling at Springfield College in Illinois also have the opportunity to apply for the Springfield College Girl Scout Scholarship. This scholarship is a $500 award and is renewable. For more information, please contact the college's financial aid office directly at (217) 525-1420.

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Finally, Senior Girl Scout Gold Award recipients graduating in 2003 are encouraged to apply for the Elks National Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship is a $6,000 award.

Information on all Girl Scouts scholarships is available upon request by calling the Girl Scout Service Center, (217) 523-8159, or visiting www.girlscoutsllc.org. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Friday, April 11. Please note the Springfield College Girl Scout Scholarship has its own deadline.

Girl Scouting helps cultivate values and real-life skills so all girls will succeed as adults. Through the power of Girl Scouting and its all-girl environment, girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together.

[News release]

Health career scholarship applications available

[JAN. 21, 2003]  Applications for the Dwight F. Zimmerman Scholarship, sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation, are currently available.

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[ALMH news release]

Zonta scholarships

[JAN. 20, 2003]  The Zonta Club of Lincoln again will sponsor health career scholarships for residents of Logan County who are enrolled in or accepted to a health care professional curriculum.

The scholarship award is for one academic year and is contingent upon the student's sustained academic achievement. Former recipients may reapply. Application forms are available by request at the high schools in Logan County, ALMH, several long-term care facilities and pharmacies in the county.

All completed applications, including references, are due to the scholarship committee by March 10 to be considered for interview. For applications and information, contact Mary Bruns, 778 Prairie St, Lincoln, IL 62656.

[News release]

State Bank of Lincoln offers scholarship program

[JAN. 17, 2003]  State Bank of Lincoln announces a scholarship competition that enables Illinois high school seniors to enter a statewide essay-writing contest. The bank is working with Lincoln Community High School, Mount Pulaski High School, Hartsburg-Emden High School and Olympia High School to invite seniors to submit short essays on the theme: "Does technology help or hinder the philosophy of community banking? Why?"

The scholarship competition is part of a program sponsored by Illinois community banks and the CBAI Foundation for Community Banking to increase public awareness of locally owned banks and their contributions to the community. State Bank of Lincoln is a member of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, which formed the foundation in 1996.

A scholarship in the amount of $1,000 a year for up to four years of higher education will be awarded to the author of the best essay submitted to the CBAI Foundation from participating Illinois high school seniors. Up to 12 additional $1,000 awards are available in each of the regions of the state. An additional $500 will be awarded to the high school of the overall winner.

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William M. Hull, executive vice president stated, "Any high school senior student in the area served by the bank is encouraged to participate. Four past regional winners have been submitted to the CBAI by the bank. Winners were from Lincoln Community High School and Mount Pulaski High School."

Entries must be submitted to the bank by 5 p.m. on Feb. 10. The bank will then submit selected entries to the CBAI Foundation to be eligible for the statewide competition.

Information on the contest is available at the bank, through William Hull, at the schools and at http://www.cbai.com/schannual.htm.

Based in Springfield, CBAI is a professional association that represents approximately 520 banks and thrifts throughout Illinois.

[News release]

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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