In the fall, most schools were back to in-person learning with
occasional relapses to on-line education when the virus reared its
ugly head again.
In spite of this, schools from elementary through colleges and
universities in the area made some remarkable strides in education
for Logan County youth.
Some of the notable achievements was the completion of the Mount
Pulaski High School, a new playground at Washington-Monroe School,
and Lincoln College hosted its first hooding ceremony since 1919.
On the college front, both Heartland Community College and Lincoln
College signed a number of agreements that will further education
for their students and offer continued education opportunities
beyond Lincoln.
Elementary schools
March 13
Staff at Abraham
Lincoln Memorial Hospital received a nice surprise recently. During
National Lutheran Schools Week students at Zion Lutheran School in
Lincoln prepared and delivered thank you baskets to the hospital and
other local front line workers.
The theme for
the week at the school had been "sent to serve." The children wanted
to acknowledge and thank the many groups who daily serve our
community selflessly.
August 23
On Friday
afternoon Harper Williams, assisted by mom Ali, snipped the ribbon
on the new Ryan Williams Memorial Playground at Washington-Monroe
School in Lincoln. Harper's little brother Barrett watched from the
arms of Aunt Amy.
The new
playground is the product of a huge fundraising effort and many
people coming together to build it at the school. The playground was
a dream of the late Ryan Williams. Before the ribbon cut, it was
officially named the Ryan Williams Memorial Playground at a
dedication ceremony.
August 23
Ryan Williams Memorial Playground
dedicated at Washington-Monroe School
Ryan Williams Memorial Playground in the
blink of an eye - slideshow
Ryan Williams Memorial Playground
dedication day bittersweet and memorable - slideshow
September 3
Students at Olympia South enjoy a trip to
the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus in Atlanta
Olympia South students learn about the
circus - slideshow
December 18
Illinois
American Water recently announced the winners of the 2021 art
contest open to school children within communities served by the
water company. Among the 22 winners was one from Lincoln.
"Mia C.," a
third-grader at Central School, won recognition with her lovely
rainbow in a rain shower. She noted in her submission that "Water
makes rainbows." The theme for this year's contest was "Water Keeps
Life Flowing."
Congratulations
to Mia on her beautiful winning entry.
December 22
Congratulations
to the Carroll Catholic School Kindergarten Class, who won the
People's Choice Award at Logan County Tourism Bureau Gingerbread
Contest this year.
The popular vote
decided the winner.
The class put
together a cute little community with several structures. In
addition, they decorated the landscape with many wintery items and
put together an "Eye Spy" game for viewers, challenging all to find
the many unique components in the display.
High schools
March 27
Mount Pulaski High School Tour
May 1
Land of Lincoln CEO
tradeshow puts the icing on the cake of a challenging yet good year
Part one: Overview of the tradeshow
Part two: Young entrepreneurs Eli Hewitt
and Ruthie Ruhl
Part three: Young entrepreneurs Bree
Morrow, Hattie Langley and Gage Codding
Part four: Young entrepreneurs Alena Reed,
Ty Qualters and Marilyn McGill
May 13
The Latham Fire
Protection District recently donated retired firefighter gear to the
Lincolnland Technical Education Center Fire Science Program. Latham
is the second department to give gear to the new program introduced
this year at LTEC.
The donation
included nine sets of bunk gear, gloves and Nomex hoods.
"This is our
first year of offering fire science to our students at LTEC and we
appreciate another local department donating gear to us," said LTEC
Director Matt Puckett. "As we look to build and improve this program
over the next several years, it is great to have local support.
Thank you for your support Latham Fire Protection District."
Students in this
year's class are Noah Young, Eldon Barger, Christopher Gunter,
Braxton Maxey, Kevin Maxheimer, Wiat Miller, Ian Stauffer, Adam
Stoltzenburg and Brennan Whitehead.
July 19
Land of Lincoln CEO program kicks off
2021-22 year with meet and greet for new facilitator Lisa Kuhlman
June 21
Mount Pulaski CUSD 23
Board of Education
Board approves SRO Officer and tentative
back to school plan
September 17
Mount Pulaski Board of Education earns
special recognition
October 2
Friday afternoon
was perfect for the Lincoln Community High School Homecoming Parade.
The parade was well attended with people lining both sides of the
street coming up Kickapoo from Wyatt Avenue and around the Logan
County Courthouse Square.
There were class
floats, local clubs, bands from local schools, homecoming class
attendants and their escorts, and of course homecoming King and
Queen. The 2021Queen is Brooklyn Summers and King is Evan Maynard.
The theme for
the parade this year was "Space: Out of this world." The high school
classes, in particular, did an excellent job of interpreting that
theme into large floats.
Denise Alexander chosen as LCHS Homecoming
Grand Marshal Class royalty and county fair royalty big part of
parade - Album
Town fills with excitement as parade
begins - slideshow
Parade participants enjoy the route -
slideshow
Bands and floats a big part of parade -
slideshow
Athletes and Seniors offer grand finale' -
slideshow
October 21
Mount Pulaski Board of
Education
District shines in the Annual Financial
Report
Maintains financial
recognition
November 11
Logan County
native Molly Schempp and Bailey Rogers from nearby Armington have
been selected for the American FFA Degree, a very high honor within
the FFA organization. To earn the degree, candidates must "have
earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised
agricultural experience program in which they own their own business
or hold a professional position as an employee. Recipients must also
complete 50 hours of community service and demonstrate outstanding
leadership abilities and civic involvement through completion of a
long list of FFA and community activities." Less than one percent of
FFA members earn the American FFA Degree.
Both women are members of the Olympia High School FFA. After the
award, the women were congratulated by the Olympia FFA Advisor Bryce
Hoffman.
Olympia FFA Members Awarded American FFA
Degree
November 16
At the end of
October, 14 Olympia High School FFA members were able to attend the
National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition to
attending workshops and break-out sessions over the three days, the
group had a chance to explore some of the city's sites.
One of their
favorite stops was at the NCAA Hall of Fame, where the group posed
for a photo with the well-known "Flying Wedge." Other places they
visited included the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hannah Haunted
Acres.
Colleges
March 29
Lincoln College
has welcomed students back to campus for the spring semester. The
school has acted with an abundance of caution throughout the
pandemic and says the coronavirus positivity rate on campus has
remained very low. With students back, the college reports that all
are returning with "not a single case of the novel coronavirus
contact-traced to any classroom environment."
The college is
also anticipating 'in-person' classes for the fall semester.
[to top of second column] |
April 19
National Science Foundation awards
Heartland Community College with $296K grant
April 30
Governor JB
Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity (DCEO), joined by Heartland Community College and Rivian,
have announced an investment to build two advanced manufacturing
training academies to expand training for high-demand manufacturing
jobs in Illinois. A $15 million capital investment through the
Governor’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan will establish
two downstate manufacturing training academies that will provide
hundreds of Illinois residents the opportunity to develop
specialized skills for a career in advanced manufacturing.
(L-R) Governor
J.B. Pritzker, Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille,
Rivian VP of Public Policy James Chen.
Pritzker Joins Heartland Community College
and Rivian to Announce First-of-its-Kind Electric Vehicle
Manufacturing Training Program in Illinois
May 18
It's time to
chalk up another significant accomplishment for well-known
Lincolnite Bill Gossett. On Saturday, May 8th, at age 97, Gossett
crossed the stage at Lincoln College and officially became an LC
graduate with an Associate of Arts Degree.
Gossett had
begun his college education at LC in 1941. He then transferred to
the University of Illinois to finish his degree. However, Pearl
Harbor and a tour with the United States Army Air Corps halted
Gossett's education endeavors.
In 2019, Gossett
approached LC president David Gerlach and said he wanted to get his
Associate at his original alma mater and thereby became the
college's most seasoned student.
William “Bill” Gossett Earns Associate of Arts
Degree
June 17
Lincoln College and Heartland Community
College Announce New Articulation Agreement
New Agreement Helps
Working Adults at State Farm Insurance Finish Their Degree
June 24
Heartland
Community College (HCC) has recognized fourteen individuals for
their integral role in expanding the college, serving its students,
and paving educational pathways for the larger community.
The inaugural
recipients of the HCC President’s Medallion Award were honored on
June 11, 2021, with eight of the fourteen being Heartland’s Founding
Board members.
Eight recipients
or their representatives were present for the awards. Front row from
the left: Allan Saaf, Cindy Brand (standing), Betty Pilchard and
Julie Dobski. Back row from the left Willie Brown, Jim White, Hallie
Chadwick (accepting for father, Gregg Chadwick), Robin Walter
(accepting for spouse, Gregg Chadwick) and Alan Chapman.
August 20
Heartland
Community College (HCC) has signed an agreement with Nussbaum
Transportation Services, Inc. to create a new academy for Truck
Driver Training.
The agreement
between HCC and Nussbaum Transportation forms the Nussbaum Trucking
Academy at Heartland Community College. In this unique
public-private model, HCC’s Continuing Education will provide
advising, orientation, maintain student records, ensure curriculum
and instructional efficacy, and offer Essential Workplace Skills.
Nussbaum will hire all instructors, create class schedules, oversee
training, and provide trucks, lots and fuel.
Pictured left to
right are District 540 Board of Trustees Chair Jeffrey Flessner, CEO
Nussbaum Transportation Brent Nussbaum, & President of Heartland
Community College Keith Cornille sign the Nussbaum Trucking Academy
Agreement.
August 27
Lincoln College Partners with U.S. Steel
Top Steel Producer in
United States Offering Internship Opportunities to Students
October 2
On Friday,
September 24th, 2021, a ceremony was held at Lincoln College to
award Byron S. Bagby an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Congratulating the awardee outside the Johnston Center for
Performing Arts was the 2020 Honorary Doctorate Bill Gossett.
Lincoln College presents Retired Army Major General Byron S. Bagby
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
October 8
ISU stadium to be re-named for Hartem
Alumnus Rudy Klokkenga
October 23
Lincoln College and Northern Illinois
University College of Law Announce New Partnership
NIU Law Lincoln
Scholar and Diversity Pipeline Programs Available to Students
October 28
On Saturday,
Wibben Lookout at Creekside Outdoor Center for Environmental
Education offered a serene and restful view for those who took the
long walk on the boardwalk from the center's parking lot to deep
into the heart of the property.
Guests were
invited to Creekside to enjoy nature and participate in special
activities in celebration of fall.
Guests enjoy a day with nature at Creekside
Art and nature come together - slideshow
Food, fun and games surround the pavilion
- slideshow
Head to the wood on the boardwalk -
slideshow
Nature and history on the boardwalk -
slideshow
To Sugar Creek and back on the boardwalk -
slideshow
November 4
Lincoln College and Palmer College of
Chiropractic Announce New Articulation Agreement
Chiropractic Education
Pathway Available for Lincoln College Students
November 5
Lincoln College
has named Alicia Sparks to the Lincoln College Board of Trustees.
Sparks will help lead the College as the institution continues to
integrate post-graduate degree options, new four-year bachelor’s
degrees, and the recently approved online programs.
November 18
Lincoln College students participate in
Music Industry Conference and Career Fair
Diversify the Stage
grants two students invitation to attend Rock-Lititz
December 7
The Illinois
Community College Trustees Association recently established a new
scholarship program in honor of the late Greg Chadwick. He was a
member of the Heartland Community College Board of Trustees.
The scholarship
will be available to students statewide beginning in 2022.
More details
about the new scholarship are in today's edition of Lincoln Daily
News.
December 10
Lincoln College Offers Scholarship to Land
of Lincoln CEO Students
December 27
Lincoln College
Hooding Ceremony for Master Degree recipients held on Friday,
December 10th was the first in 102 years. It was in 1919 when
Lincoln University last held a graduates ceremony for master's
degrees. LC President Dr. David Gerlach was brought to the college
to develop the higher degree programs that have been highly
successful. Vice President of Academic Affairs Donna Bradley, PhD.,
J.D. oversees the programs.
Sixteen students
were hooded for their completion of the Master of Science in
Organizational Leadership or Master of Business Administration
programs.
Lincoln College Hosts first Hooding
Ceremony since 1919
Lincoln College hosts December Hooding
Ceremony - slideshow
REGIONAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION 17
December 15
Regional Office of Education #17 Awarded
$4M Grant from the US Department of Education
Award will impact
DeWitt, Livingston, Logan, and McLean counties
[Nila Smith]
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