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Arthur kindergarten teacher Kristin Nall says goodbye to her class as she moves into the principal’s office at Atwood-Hammond Grade School next year.

•June 8, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

The principal of Atwood-Hammond Grade School Lindsay Blickenstaff resigned in April.

This left an open position within the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond school district finding a replacement who wouldn’t be too far away. Arthur Grade School kindergarten teacher Kristin Nall was interested in the vacancy.

“I have had my administration degree since 2007. I have been looking to move forward in administration the last couple of years. My heart is and always will be in this school district. When the opportunity came up for me to stay in the district that I am raising my family in, I knew I wanted to move forward,” Nall commented.

Nall had been teaching kindergarten in Arthur for the past four years. Before that, she taught early childhood special education for six years in Sandoval, Illinois as well as preschool in Arthur for six years. She is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and the Arthur High School class of 1995.

Transitioning from kindergarten teacher to principal is quite a change, but Nall is up for the challenge and has become established with communication and building relationships within the school system. Read More

•June 8, 2016•

By Brynna Sentel
For the News Progress

Kick off your Summer with Shrek the Musical.

Shrek the Musical is showing in Sullivan’s The Little Theatre on the Square through Sunday, June 12.

This delightful spin off of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film is a must see for the whole family.

Shrek the Musical follows a rare duo of a humorous donkey and an angry ogre. This long and difficult journey to ultimately save their swamp will leave the audience thinking, “What the Shrek Just Happened?”.  Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Greenhill Cemetery Memorial Day program speaker Rita Florey expressed gratitude to those who have served. Post #68 Commander Bob Sims, Charles Bragg and the Honor Guard are in the background.

•June 1, 2016•

Thanks to those who gave their lives fighting for America.

It was the expression of Taps as Memorial Day Services ended at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan on Sunday morning.

American Legion Post #68 Honor Guard, Auxiliary and Lincoln Trails Council Boy Scouts marched from the Moultrie County Courthouse to the cemetery with Sullivan Police Dept. escort.

Sullivan High School band, directed by Brock Feece opened the 8 a.m. ceremony with the Star Spangled Banner.

Rita Florey, founder of the present day Sullivan’s Memorial Celebration emphasized those who stepped forward to serve, didn’t do it for glory, but for a greater cause.

A cause and freedom we can enjoy because of the price they paid.

“Those who selflessly served exemplify patriotism at its core,” Florey said of the fallen. “This is the highest form of citizenship that deserves our respect and gratitude.”

She told the crowd gathered in the morning sun about a prisoner of war in North Vietnam in 1967.

Mike was a 17 year old from Selma, Alabama who had enlisted in the Navy and was captured.  Read More

Photo by RR Best
Dylan Park adjusts his cap before Okaw Valley High School graduation ceremonies in Bethany Sunday, May 29. Thirty three graduates received diplomas during the outdoor ceremony. PTO Provides
Help with Funding
The continued underfunding of schools in Illinois is no secret. Fortunately, the Sullivan PTO has stepped up its efforts to provide opportunities for the students of Sullivan Elementary School.

•June 1, 2016•

Seventy five students were recognized with Okaw Valley High School Awards prior to graduation.

Thirty-three OVHS graduates gathered under sunny skies in Bethany at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29 for commencement.

Okaw Valley High School recognized more than 75 students for their academic achievement and awarded several scholarships May 11. Eastern Illinois University scholarship was presented to senior Devan Nave, Lake Land College presented scholarships to Nicole Miller, Gretchen Macklin, and Adam Bricker.

Other scholarships presented include the Toby J Jump Memorial to Alex Martin, George A Sentel Lodge #764 to Devon Meredith, Jackson Masonic Lodge to Nicole Miller, American Red Cross to Charli Uhlrich, Okaw Valley Education Association to Nicole Miller, Bethany Sons of the American Legion to Race Underwood, Angela Marie Diss Memorial to Nicole Miller, Community Service to Charli Uhlrich, Overlot Memorial to Nicole Miller, Psi Iota Xi winners Charli Uhlrich and Race Underwood, OV Booster to Alex Martin and Charli Uhlrich. Receiving the Eastern Star Scholarship was Madison Fox, and Findlay Fireman’s Association recipients Charli Uhlrich and Robbie Stiner. Other special recognition awards were presented to Alex Martin and Nicole Miller for LOVC Student Athletes as well as Army Scholar Athletes. Brianna Creviston was recognized as a delegate at Youth Day to Springfield and Gretchen Macklin received the DAR award. Gretchen Macklin, Alex Martin, Nicole Miller, Nick Tipsword, and Charli Uhlrich were honored as Illinois State Scholars. Receiving honors as Heartland Students of the Quarter were Jasmine Guzzie, Cole Thompson, Preston Gibbons, and Brianna Clardy. Those students receiving perfect attendance for the entire year were Quinn Brooks, Tyus Brooks, Taylor Coleman, Race Underwood, Shelby Hagerman, Preston Gibbons, and Isabella Benning. Sophie Zimmerman received the volunteer of the year award from the Heartland Mini Hooves.  Gretchen Macklin, Alex Martin, Nicole Miller, Charli Uhlrich, and Race Underwood received recognition from the CBAI.   Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Babe Ruth is ready to hit as Jake Stewart. Click the photo for the photo page.

•May 25, 2016•

The fourth grade wax museum at Sullivan Elementary School displayed a mix of pop culture and history Wednesday, May 11.

Students in the three fourth grade classes of Kurt Friese, Drew Campbell and Kay Lehman spent the past two months learning about characters from history and pop culture.

Inside the elementary school gymnasium on Wednesday those students became the characters they were studying.

“Students were given a month to select their character,” said Kay Lehman, noting they had to make the case for their character having an influence on history before approval was given.

Social studies help provide many of the characters. “Those choosing pop culture characters had to show how they impacted America,” Lehman explained.

This is the third year for the wax museum, and students added an iPod dimension to their character displays. Read More