Photo by Mike Brothers
This inspirational stone was selected by Don Lockwood to help connect Sullivan teachers during the course of the school year. Lockwood chose “Inspire” for the rock he keeps on his classroom desk. Each teacher was given a stone and asked to write one word that represents a school year goal as part of the “ Morale Matters” program which started districtwide at the beginning of the school year.

Teachers Learn to Rock

•September 30, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

In a world of cut school budgets, unpredictable evaluations and a questionable pension plan it isn’t easy being a school teacher these days.

Sullivan Unit 300 administration and teachers are trying a proactive approach at improving morale.

Morale Matters was implemented by the Sullivan Education Association at the beginning of the school year.

“So many of the causes for lack of morale are simply out of our control,” SEA president Don Lockwood said of education. Teachers don’t control the state budget; they cannot control the changing times of how students are evaluated and they have no control over the mismanagement of their pensions by state government.

“It’s an excellent concept,” superintendent Brad Tuttle said of the Morale Matters program.

He explained the uncertainty teachers face these days has led to fewer people choosing education and even fewer wanting to get into public school administration.

“This is the third year the state has cut our budget by a quarter million dollars,” he continued, noting there is a negativity surrounding public education. “Schools aren’t getting the funding the way they were five years ago, yet the costs of operations continue to rise, and it forces cutbacks,” he continued

All things that contribute to lowering the morale in the schools. Read More

•September 16, 2015•

First Responders honored

By Mike Brothers

Even though many of the Sullivan High School and Middle School students who assembled in the gym for Patriot’s Day were too young to remember the attack on America they went away Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 with a better understanding of what it means.

Rebecca Lawson’s high school Career English students made sure of that honoring first responders from Sullivan Police, Fire and Ambulance Service along with the Moutrie County Sheriff’s Dept. and National Guard in an afternoon of song and reflection.

Illinois National Guard recruiter and keynote speaker David Kiefer had been called up when 9/11 happened and recalled what it was like.”It was a time that changed my life forever,” he began. “Instead of that attack on our freedom breaking us, everyone pulled together to prove what a great nation we live in,” Kiefer told the assembly.

Career English student David Conklin worked with classmates since the beginning of school on this program. “What I didn’t realize is just how much that attack brought this country together then,” Conklin commented.

Jordan Tuttle explained that each of the individual first responders were presented with gift bags prepared by students and community members. A reception honoring attending Sullivan first responders and Illinois National Guard was held in the media center prior to the program.

Each basket contained treats from the Sullivan Baking Brigade, who baked for the Illinois National Guard training in Sullivan a few weeks ago, and notes from 150 high school and middle school students thanking the first responders for their service to the community.

Aryn Rousser is a14 year old freshman who performed the original song “Twenty-four/Seven” for the Patriot Day assembly.

“Miss Lawson wrote the lyrics to the song honoring the great service of first responders,” Rousser said, noting freshman Dylan Sanders wrote the music.

Additional music included “You Raise Me Up” by Grant King and Dani Boyer, accompanied by Kelly Sullivan and “Danny Boy” by Emilee Elder, accompanied by Dylan Sanders.

Read More

•August 26, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

Photo by Mike Brothers
Ben Berner is getting ready for Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. He will be joined by mother Samantha in New York City while father Mike watches from Sullivan.

Summer camp changed Ben Berner’s life and Sullivan High School’s history at the same time.

The B-flat clarinet player from the Sullivan High School band will march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with the Great American Honor Band.

Ben attended summer band camp at Eastern Illinois University where Camp Director Barry Houser encouraged him to apply for the Honor Band.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” Berner said of his acceptance. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to go as the first kid from Sullivan.”

Clarinets are in the Berner family with Ben’s mother Samantha playing in high school. She plans to attend while dad Mike will hold down the fort in Sullivan with the rest of the family watching the parade on television.

“This is cool! “ Samantha said, noting this was the 10th annual Honor Band performance at the Thanksgiving Day parade. She will fly out later in the week to join Ben and take a place on the main stage to watch the parade.

“Ben will be a busy guy,” said Sullivan band director Brock Freece, “He will have to prepare for the Thanksgiving parade in addition to performing in all our competitions and games this season.”

Freece attended the Eastern band camp as a youth. He has been a resource to help find ways to help with expenses for Ben’s trip as he will have to take care of transportation costs. Read More

Photo Courtesy of the News•Progress Archives
Pictured are six members of the 1983 Blue Dolphins Swim team which qualified for the Junior Olympics that March. Those who qualified were, clockwise from the top, Heather Highland, Darren Powell, Brad Voltz, now current Blue Dolphins Head Coach Jason Drury, Trenton Guyot, and Justin Dunscomb.

Civic Center changes over time

•August 19, 2015•

By Joash Tiarks
Reporting in Sullivan

It is no small feat for a couple to live in harmony through a 50 year union; for it to remain a joyful partnership; to be a benefit to friends and to the community surrounding them.

On the 19th of this month, the Sullivan Civic Center celebrates 50 years of service to the community.

On the 18th of September the Sullivan Blue Dolphins swim team will also celebrate their 50th year.

As one mother put it “you can’t have a swim team without a pool!” And it was for this very reason, teaching kids to swim, that the Civic Center was first envisioned.

In the spring of 1961, the Sullivan Business and Professional Women’s Club collected names asking the city to set aside $150,000 for construction which the community approved by April 1962.

A Federal grant under the Housing and Home Finance Agency provided $250,000 for the project and construction began a year later.  Sullivan Civic Center hosted 525 swimmers on opening day, August 16, 1965 and and more than 1000 people attended the dedication.

When Charles Smith, 24, was hired as director an agreement was reached with the school district to allow the students to receive swimming lessons. The first competitive swim team was formed with Doug Shimp as coach of about 20 swimmers.

By March the next year the center hosted seven teams from surrounding counties. Included in the 200 swimmers, was a 1964 Olympic swimmer Lynn Alsup of Bloomington.

From the beginning Sullivan demonstrated its support; giving the team a free pass for practice and competitions.

When the doors reopened in 1974, after roof repairs,  director Steve Ludwig reorganized the swim team as the Blue Dolphins.  Read More