Category Archives: Higher Education

Inaugural Lane intern cherishes legislative work

For recent Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduate Lauren V. Connor, learning first-hand about the legislative process in Springfield was an opportunity she will cherish.

Connor, the inaugural Alexander Lane intern, recently finished her work with the House Democratic Issues/Communications staff for the Illinois House of Representatives. Connor, who earned her bachelor’s degree in theater in May, worked from mid-January through May 31 on tasks including assisting representatives in communicating with constituents, and researching and analyzing proposed legislation.

Lauren Connor - Inaugural Lane intern

The daughter of Lawrence and Vernea Connor of Chicago, she said the experience at the Capitol “was a crash-course in state government, politics, policy and professionalism.”

“This is invaluable to anyone interested in pursuing a career in politics and government,” she said. “My knowledge of public policy, relationships with politicians, and understanding of the legislative and political process are the things I most cherish from my experience.”

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute established the internship program in November 2011 to honor Lane, the first African American male student at what would become SIU Carbondale. The paid internship allows at least one student each spring to work with a minority member of the Illinois General Assembly toward a goal of carrying on Lane’s legacy of high achievement and public service.

Lane rose from meager beginnings in pre-Civil War Mississippi to become a school principal, physician, and an Illinois state legislator, in addition to attending then-Southern Illinois Normal University, enrolling in the teachers college in 1876, just two years after instruction at Southern Illinois Normal University began. Lane was the ninth African American elected to the General Assembly in 1906, and was re-elected in 1908. He died in 1911 in Chicago.

“Lauren was a great student to have as our first Lane intern,” said David Yepsen, Institute director. “We got a lot of good feedback about her performance. I’m also grateful she was given the chance by the House to learn and to contribute in some way to the development of good public policy in the state. So thanks to Lauren and thanks to the Legislature for giving her the opportunity.”

With a passion for writing and public speaking, Connor said one of her favorite aspects of her internship was developing speech-writing skills for remarks prepared for House members for conferences and hearings. As a staff member she also worked with numerous committees.

Connor said one of her more memorable experiences was the General Assembly’s approval in late May of concealed carry legislation that is now awaiting approval by Gov. Pat Quinn. She wrote news releases, researched the topic, and recalls watching Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, give a closing speech prior House approval. She also recalls the passionate speeches of legislators opposed to the measure because of the possible detriment to their communities.

“I am still fascinated that I was able to participate in such a historic moment for Illinois,” she said.

Connor, who is living in Chicago, said she wants to continue to work closely with House Democrats who are in the Chicagoland area, and she also wants to proceed with plans to produce and direct her not-for-profit theater company while working as an actor and performer. She is also planning to attend graduate school.

Simon Institute associate director Matt Baughman noted private donors provided the Lane internship stipend.

“Dozens of individuals and corporations have generously supported this internship to provide an opportunity to change the life of a student while also preserving the legacy of Alexander Lane, who is an important figure in the rich history of our University and our state,” Baughman said.

Lane Internship endowment donations may be made online at www.paulsimoninstitute.org or sent to the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Mail Code 4429, Carbondale, IL 62901. Checks should be made payable to the SIU Foundation.

Greg Cook elected Foundation board president

Greg Cook

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A successful businessman and philanthropist who is a longtime advocate for Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been elected to preside over the SIU Foundation Board of Directors.

Greg Cook, president and co-founder of Cook Portable Warehouse (also known as Cook Sales, Inc.), is the newly selected president of the SIU Foundation. His appointment was effective July 1.

The volunteer board governs the SIU Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization that provides alumni and friends a means to invest in the University’s future. Established in 1942, the Foundation solicits and administers gifts from private sources in support of SIU Carbondale’s academic mission. Private funding is generated through annual giving, planned giving, major giving, corporate and foundation relations and campaigns.

“Being a part of the Southern Illinois University Foundation, and being asked to serve as its president, is an incredible honor,” Cook says. “I am happy to give back to an institution which I so dearly love. The act of ‘giving back’ or ‘paying it forward’ and seeing the impact one can make in other’s lives is incredibly rewarding.

“I look forward to working with the Foundation Board, the Foundation staff, our alumni, and our University along those lines.”

Cook, who majored in business administration at SIU Carbondale in the late 1970s, was initially elected to the SIU Foundation Board in 2006. He served the last two years as president-elect of the Foundation Board.

The Carbondale native and his father, John Cook, co-founded Cook Portable Warehouses, which are small to midsized residential wooden storage buildings; with manufacturing plants in Cobden Ill., Valdosta, Ga., Hattiesburg Miss., and Austin, Texas. The four plants service more than 250 dealers in portions of 13 states, with sales of more than 12,000 buildings annually. The company currently employs more than 250 people.

Cook and his wife, Nancy, a 1980 elementary education graduate of SIU Carbondale, are avid Saluki fans, and, life members of the SIU Alumni Association. They were both born and raised in Carbondale.

The Cooks are season ticket holders for Saluki football, men’s and women’s basketball, and softball. The couple donated $1 million to Saluki Way in memory of Greg’s father in 2008. Additionally, Greg also served on a six-member, volunteer steering committee to generate private support of Saluki Way, an $83-million project. Primary components of Saluki Way included building Saluki Stadium; renovation of the SIU Arena; and constructing Boydston Center, an athletics support facility housing locker rooms, meeting rooms and office space for Saluki men’s and women’s basketball, as well as football.

Cook and his father also served on the “Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment” planning committee.

A licensed pilot with a lifelong love for flying, Cook has owned and piloted four different aircraft that have been used to enhance his business. He often utilizes his aircraft to give back to organizations he is passionate about. In addition to Saluki Athletics, he generously supports the Corporate Angel Network, Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, and the Veterans Airlift Command in this fashion.

SIU breaks ground on baseball stadium renovations

Southern Illinois Athletics officially broke ground on a $4 million renovation of Abe Martin Field with a ceremony at the 49-year-old baseball stadium Tuesday afternoon. Speaking at the event were SIU Chancellor Dr. Rita Cheng, Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, Head Coach Ken Henderson and Saluki infielder/outfielder Donny Duschinsky.

Saluki Hall of Famer and former SIU coach Richard “Itchy” Jones also spoke at the ceremony. The new stadium will honor Jones, the winningest coach in program history when it reopens for the 2014 season as Abe Martin Field at Richard “Itchy” Jones Stadium. The new facility will feature a new seating bowl, press box and dugouts as well as the addition of stadium lights, a synthetic grass playing surface and a security fence around the facility.

In addition, the clubhouse, which was built largely by Jones himself, will be renamed to honor the late Dan Callahan. Callahan led the Salukis for 16 seasons and is the second-winningest coach in program history.

Jones was the final speaker of the afternoon. In 21 years as head coach at SIU, he led the Salukis to a 738-345-5 record along with 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and three College World Series.

“It is an honor for me and my family to have our name on the same stadium as Glenn “Abe” Martin and Dan Callahan,” Jones said. “This is the greatest athletic honor that I’ve ever received. I say that because our players took a great part in it.”

Well over 250 people were in attendance for the ceremony, which took place on the infield, 50 feet from the freshly demolished old stadium bleachers.

“We are celebrating an ongoing transformation of this campus,” Cheng said. “It is an investment in our students, our university and our region. The men and women of athletics deserve first class facilities.”

Moccia has overseen the construction of new football and track facilities as well as renovations to the basketball and volleyball facilities during his tenure at SIU. He thanked all of the donors whose efforts made the project possible. Moccia noted that 225 donors, including over 100 Saluki baseball alumni, have pledged to the project, which is being funded exclusively by private gifts.

“This is a great and historic day for Saluki baseball,” Moccia said. “It will be another piece of the puzzle of our sports park that is almost complete. But it is important to remember that we’re not through fund raising, and we will continue to fund raise as long as we have a need.”

Henderson spoke of the tradition of SIU baseball, which has been to five College World Series and 14 NCAA Tournaments, and how the renovation will help to recapture the success the program has experienced.

“The thing I’m most excited about today is that the people who built the tradition care so much about the future of Saluki baseball,” Henderson said. “This facility is going to allow us to recruit student-athletes that will give us a chance to win Missouri Valley Conference Championships and get back the NCAA Tournament year in and year out.”

Every baseball program in the Missouri Valley Conference has upgraded its baseball stadium in recent years while Abe Martin Field has remained largely untouched since 1964.

“Many players have come through here in recent years and watched plans for the new stadium evolve,” Duschinsky said. “Itchy Jones Stadium is for all those players and all future Salukis to come.”

Matt Baughman selected as a 2013 Edgar Fellow

Matt Baughman

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Matt Baughman, associate director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, has been chosen a 2013 Edgar Fellow.

Baughman is one of 41 Illinois elected and appointed officials, and business and community leaders to be part of an initiative to foster cooperation across regional, political and ethnic lines to address the state’s future challenges. The program is part of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois and under the stewardship of former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar.

Baughman and other fellows will gather Aug. 4-7 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to participate in an executive training program that includes scholars and practitioners in policy areas including health care and transportation.

“I am confident these emerging leaders representing the great diversity of our state will become friends. They will realize that they have much in common and appreciate differences in perspective. They will form bonds and sharpen leadership skills that should help them solve problems as they assume even more responsibility,” Edgar said in a release.

Baughman has been with the Institute since beginning as development officer in July 1998. He became assistant director in 2005, and associate director in 2009. A graduate of Illinois College, Baughman earned an MBA from SIU Carbondale in 1997. Chosen for the Dunn Fellowship Program in 1994, Baughman spent a year working in Edgar’s press office. Prior to coming to SIU Carbondale he was with the Executive Development Center at the University of Central Florida.

“It’s an honor to be selected to participate in the Edgar Fellows program. I have the highest respect for Gov. Edgar and was fortunate to have had the opportunity to start my career working for him and his outstanding staff,” Baughman said. “I believe in the mission of the governor’s initiative to bring together a diverse group of leaders to create strong personal relationships despite our partisan, ethnic and regional differences. Trust and respect are foundational to finding common ground and to solving disagreements.”

There were more than 160 Edgar Fellow nominees. The 2013 Edgar Fellows include state senators and representatives, policy analysts, local government officials, businessmen and community organization officials.

Alumni Association names scholarship recipients

CARBONDALE, Ill. — The SIU Alumni Association at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has announced 10 scholarship recipients for the 2013-14 academic year. The awards come from funds earmarked for the Roscoe Pulliam Scholarship, the SIU Legacy Scholarship, the Rebecca and Jerry Kill Scholarship, and the Connie Armstrong Scholarship.

The Roscoe Pulliam Scholarship awards three scholarships of $3,000 each to three SIU Carbondale students. Recipients must be closely related to an SIU alumnus or alumna who is a current member of the SIU Alumni Association.

This year’s winners are:

  • Kyle Adams, an incoming freshman from Carterville, who plans to major in accounting and finance. Adams finished in first place in the SIU Accounting Challenge this year and is an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the Illinois High School Association All-State Academic Team. His mother, Nancy Adams ’88, is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Emily Lyons, a senior from Heyworth, is majoring in marketing at SIU and plans to graduate in May 2014. She previously earned the SIU Alumni Association’s Legacy Scholarship, holds a 3.85 cumulative GPA, and has enjoyed a place on SIU’s Dean’s List each semester she has been in school. Her father, Bill Lyons ’81, is a member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Rebekah Nelson, a senior from Carterville, will earn a degree in elementary and secondary education this December. She was an honor student in high school and has continued her strong academic performance at both John A. Logan College and SIU. She represented SIU last year during the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education evaluation conducted by the Department of Education. Her grandfather, Jack Shelby ’61, is a member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Four students are receiving $2,000 each as SIU Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship recipients for the 2013-2014 academic year. The Legacy Scholarship is set up to assist students who have a relative that is an alumnus or alumna of the University. This year’s honorees are:

  • Aaron Beavers, an incoming freshman from Murphysboro, plans to major in music business. He has been an outstanding musician throughout his prep career, performing in several music festivals and in different jazz bands. He was one of 300 selected in the country for the Bands of America Honor Band that played in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade. His father, Kevin Beavers ’05, is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Kylie Crews, an incoming freshman from Makanda, plans to major in pre-medicine. She earned high honors throughout high school, and was a finalist for the SIU Carbondale Chancellor Scholarship. Crews was an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the color guard and concert band at Carbondale Community High School. Her grandfather, Kenneth Buzzbee ’61, is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Evan Ehrenheim, a junior from Owensboro, Ky., is majoring in engineering at SIU. A member of the SIU track and field team, Ehrenheim was the 2010 Kentucky Cross Country State Champion and his team won the state title. Since he has been at SIU, he has logged a 4.0 GPA and been on the Dean’s List all semesters. His grandmother, Carol Cross ’54, is a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • Kevin Hart, an incoming freshman from Springfield, will be majoring in mass communication and cinematography. Hart was the Sacred Heart-Griffin High School drum major and a volunteer with the Catholic middle school band. His mother, Clare Hart ’77, is a member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • The Rebecca and Jerry Kill Scholarship is awarded each year to a promising transfer student who maintains at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Preference for the $1,500 prize is given to those with financial need and students who have a relative that is an alumnus or alumna of the University. This year’s recipient is:

  • Kaylee Boland, a junior transfer from Shawnee Community College, is majoring in pre-nursing and healthcare management. The Ava resident played softball at Shawnee and was selected to be part of an internship at Southern Illinois Healthcare while attending Trico High School in Campbell Hill. Her grandfather, William Wilson ’70, is a member of the SIU Alumni Association.
  • The Connie Armstrong Scholarship is an award with preference given to residents of Perry County, female students, students with children, and students with physical disabilities who have at least a 3.0 GPA. Two scholarships of $825 each were presented to:

  • Deborah Simms, a junior from DeSoto, is majoring in social work. Simms is a fulltime student and the mother of two, who plans to attend graduate school and earn a Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.
  • Tayler Wilson, a senior from Du Quoin, is majoring in psychology. She is currently a student worker at the SIU Foundation, and hopes to become a counselor.
  • “We hope students and their families find such assistance helpful in obtaining a degree at SIU Carbondale,” said Michelle Suarez, SIU Alumni Association executive director. “Supporting students in these challenging financial times is something we feel is extremely important.”

    Pat Moline named associate vice chancellor

    Pat Moline named associate vice chancellor

    A woman known as an accomplished fundraising strategist has joined the development and alumni relations team at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

    An Indiana native, Patricia M. Moline began her tenure as associate vice chancellor for development and alumni relations on April 29.

    Previously, Moline was at Oklahoma State University, where she led and managed comprehensive fundraising for the University’s five campuses as vice president for development. She also served in multiple development-related positions during a 14-year span at Iowa State University, which culminated with her tenure as associate vice president for development at the Iowa State University Foundation. In this role, Moline directed and led the Women’s Giving Initiative, increasing the total amount of giving from women by 138 percent.

    Moline also has held positions at Kansas State University, Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Ga., and Florida State University.

    “My passion is helping make universities better – for students, faculty, alumni and beyond. I know what an institution on the move like Southern Illinois University can do to change lives and impact the future; and I’m excited to become a part of that,” she says. “I welcome this opportunity to coordinate efforts with our staff, and cultivate support from alumni, donors, businesses and corporations in support of this fine institution.”

    Moline earned a master’s of music education, and a master’s of music from Florida State University. She also holds a bachelor’s of science in mass communications, and a bachelor’s of music with a focus on performance, both from Miami University in Oxford.

    Three non-traditional students earn scholarships

    By Christi Mathis

    CARBONDALE, Ill. — Non-traditional Student Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale recently awarded scholarships to three students.

    Heather Will is the recipient of the Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship for $1,000, while Kenea Lee and Hubert Widener each received $500 Non-Traditional Student Services Activity Scholarship awards.

    Will, of Elkville, is a senior majoring in Workforce Education and Development. She is a first-generation college student who is active in her church, community and children’s schools. Will and her husband, Jason, have four children: Erika, Cutter, Addison and Jaycie.

    The Piper-McMahan Endowed Scholarship goes to a full-time, non-traditional sophomore, junior or senior who attended high school in Jackson County, Ill.

    Widener, a junior majoring in aviation technologies, is from Vero Beach, Fla. He earned his associate degree in 2003 and worked as a federally licensed aircraft mechanic before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2009, where he served in South Korea and stateside. He is one of just 200 from the Army to participate in the Green-to-Gold Active Duty Option Program, where he can complete his bachelor’s degree and become a commissioned officer. He is married to Allison Widener.

    Lee, of Chicago, is a senior business management major specializing in entrepreneurship. While caring for a young child and working at Student Support Services, she also serves as a math tutor for TRiO Achievers program students and assists with campus activities including the University’s Family Carnival.

    Applications for the Non-Traditional Student Services scholarships are due each March for the upcoming fall semester.

    For more information about the office, a unit of Student Life and Intercultural Relations, visit the website at www.nontrad.siu.edu, call 618/453-7521 or email dbarnett@siu.edu.

    Simon Institute Names Jerome Mileur Intern

    Simon Institute names Margaretmary Emefiele as Jerome Mileur Intern

    Margaretmary Emefiele, a junior from Chicago majoring in political science, has been awarded the Jerome Mileur Internship by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

    The internship will send at least one student each spring to Springfield to gain experience working in state government. Priority is given to students majoring in political science, history and journalism. Students who have reached junior status are eligible.

    Emefiele said she wants to do public policy analysis dealing with health care issues in a state agency. These agencies are now involved in implementing new federal health care legislation, and, trying to manage rising costs in the state’s Medicaid health care program. Dr. Linda Baker, a visiting professor at the Paul Simon Institute, will serve as her mentor in Springfield.

    Emefiele is a native of Nigeria who moved to the U.S. at the age of 11. During a study abroad trip to Ghana, she visited Parliament and says: “I realized even more that governance is what I wanted to participate in for a lifetime. Although I support grassroots movements, lobbying and such, decisions that impact lives are ultimately made by people who hold higher positions within institutions.”

    After completing her Mileur Internship, she hopes to attend graduate school to earn degrees in public administration as well as diplomacy and international relations.

    Jerry Mileur is a southern Illinois native who holds two degrees from SIU Carbondale. A lifelong educator with a passion for teaching, politics and baseball, Mileur retired as chairman of the political science department and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He also owned a minor league baseball team for many years.

    Mileur serves on the Institute’s Board of Counselors and is the author of books on the St. Louis Cardinals. He also endowed the Morton-Kenney Lecture Series at SIU Carbondale.

    Lauren Connor is First Alexander Lane Intern

    Lauren Connor First Alexander Lane Intern

    Lauren V. Connor, a senior from Maywood, has been awarded the first Alexander Lane Internship by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU Carbondale.

    Connor, who is majoring in theater with a minor in political science, will receive a $6,000 stipend to work for the Legislative Black Caucus at the Illinois Legislature in Springfield during the spring semester.

    State Senator Toi Hutchinson, the chairs of the Legislative Black Caucuses, congratulated Conner on the award during a visit to the Institute. Conner will work under Hutchinson and other leaders. Her mentor during the program will be Dr. Linda Baker, visiting professor at the Institute, who works in Springfield during sessions.

    Lane is the first black male student to graduate from SIU Carbondale and the internship was created to honor him. He was born a slave in pre-Civil War Mississippi, moved to southern Illinois as a child and used an opportunity for an education to change his life story. After graduating in the late 1800s, he proceeded to graduate from Rush Medical School and become a doctor in Chicago.

    Later, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives where he became one of the first African Americans to serve in that chamber. He is buried in Carbondale.

    “Lauren is an impressive person,” said Matt Baughman, the Institute’s associate director who spearheaded creation of the internship. “She will get this program off to a good start and what she learns will benefit her community.”

    In her letter of application, Connor said “I have always had the desire to use theater and performance art as a vehicle for social change and justice. I personally feel that both theater and political science are closely related in their attempt to better mankind by empowering people to be the change they want to see in the world.”

    She said the arts have a positive impact on the education of children and “one of my career goals is to create an entertainment company that focuses on expanding arts programming for at-risk youth. Using my knowledge of the political and legislative process, I will be more equipped to work with the legislative, cultural and technical details” of that goal.

    The endowment fund to honor Lane and finance the annual stipend is accepting continued donations. More than $125,000 in gifts and pledges have been raised to date toward an initial goal of $150,000.

    “Lane’s perseverance in overcoming barriers and achieving his goals serves as an inspiration to today’s students,” said Lane biographer Pam Smoot, an assistant professor at SIU. “We are grateful for the support in helping tell the story and to those who have made contributions to send a student looking for opportunity to serve an internship in the Illinois General Assembly in Lane’s name.”

    ‘First Scholars’ program benefactors visit students

    By Andrea Hahn

    First Scholars recipients with benefactors - Eric and Deb Suder of The Suder Foundation

    First Scholars — These Southern Illinois University Carbondale freshman who are participating in the First Scholars program for the 2012-2013 academic year met recently with program benefactors, Eric and Deb Suder of The Suder Foundation. Pictured from left are: front row — Sarah Menckowski, Jacqueline Lopez, Christina Gilroy (SIU Carbondale First Scholars program coordinator), Eric Suder, Deb Suder, Lindsie Lafferty and Rachel Berry; second row — Alexander Schneider, Kelsy Hanley, Annette Torres, Ilcen Lopez, Jazmine Garcia, and Camille Kelly; third row — Ashley Tobin, Steven Ta, Holly Conner, Khadijah Daniels, and Amanda Novak; and back row – Kelsey Becker, Abel Aguilar, Jason Howell, Janeesha Hammond-Bryant, and Pedro Razo. (Photo by Russell D. Bailey)

    CARBONDALE, Ill. — Students in the First Scholars program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale recently met their scholarship benefactors when Eric and Deb Suder visited campus.

    First Scholars is a grant program backed by The Suder Foundation that provides scholarships and a support system for first-generation students. First-generation students are those whose parents (or grandparents, or great-grandparents) do not have college degrees or certificates, and who completed less than two years of school after high school.

    The Suders themselves were on campus recently to meet the students currently enrolled in the First Scholars program. This is the second year for SIU Carbondale students in the program, and the third year the grant has been in place. The first year of the grant was to plan and implement the support system for students.

    According to The Suder Foundation, first-generation students may face a variety of challenges once they enroll in a university. These challenges can include students having limited access to information about the college experience; a limited knowledge of time management, college finances, budget management, and the bureaucratic operations of higher education; doubts on their academic and motivational abilities, and difficulty balancing family, work and school responsibilities.

    The program provides much more than financial assistance to students. Program coordinator Christina Gilroy said program goals center on helping students feel connected to the University and to the academic community, while simultaneously encouraging them to develop into community leaders who will “pay it forward.” Students work closely with a peer mentor, participate in community service projects, and join registered student organizations to help them be involved in the college experience.

    Gilroy said the Suders’ visit was inspiring for the students.

    “I think some of them were intimidated at first at the idea of meeting people who seemed so remote to them,” she said. “But once they met them, they were enthusiastic about how down-to-earth the Suders are. The students are grateful for the assistance that the Suders are providing for them — not just financially, but also in anticipating and providing for some of the challenges unique to first-generation students.”

    The Suders were on campus in late October. Eric Suder has said that SIU Carbondale’s mission and the goals of First Scholars Program mesh well.

    For more information about the program at SIU Carbondale, visit firstscholars.siu.edu/. To learn more about The Suder Foundation, visit www.firstscholars.org/.

    The First Scholars for 2012-2013 listed by hometown are:

    ILLINOIS

    Antioch: Kelsey Becker

    Aurora: Rachel Berry

    Blue Island: Victoria Manna

    Brighton: Lindsie Lafferty

    Calumet City: Taylor Townsend

    Carpentersville: Steven Ta

    Chester: Britney Schroeder

    Chicago: Jazmine Garcia, Janeesha Hammond-Bryant, Camille Kelly, Jacqueline Lopez, Amanda Novak, Asurca Rodriguez, Annette Torres, Alexus Travis

    Chicago Heights: Alejandra Esparza

    Chrisman: Amanda Ingram

    Christopher: Sarah Menckowski

    Cutler: Amie Conway

    Elk Grove: Abel Aguilar

    Evanston: Khadijah Daniels

    Fults: Aaron Mueller

    Grayslake: Damian Zieminski

    Gurnee: Kaitlyn Griffin

    Ingleside: Cody Hepner

    Manito: Sarah Lohman

    Mineral: Amber Blackert

    Mount Vernon: Ashley Tobin

    Norridge: Nicole Kmiotek

    Oak Lawn: Pedro Razo

    Pekin: Holly Conner

    Rockford: Ryan Fernandes

    St. Joseph: Cody Dees

    Vandalia: Cameron Keppler

    Rolling Meadows: Kelsy Hanley

    St. Joseph: Cody Dees

    Yorkville: Ilcen Lopez

    INDIANA

    North Vernon: Alexander Schneider

    MISSOURI

    Festus: Jason Howell