2015 SCEF Awards

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Photos by RR Best SCEF Awards The Sullivan Community Education Foundation held its annual District Staff Appreciation Dinner funded by the SCEDF on March 19 where $26,897 in grants were awarded to the Sullivan community and school district. Pictured, above, (from left to right) are the major grant award winners which included the Moultrie County Counseling Center represented by David Cole and Katrina Shain ($1,250 for basic self-defense and personal safety classes); SHS science teacher John Bertetto ($2,000 for human anatomical models) and the SES second grade teachers represented by Leslie Auten, Melissa Haegen, Ashley Christensen, and Danielle Braiding ($14,969 for 30 iPad air tablets with cases and charging cabinets). Pictured, below, are the minor grant award winners, which included student Wesley Standerfer and SES teacher Lynette Rotramel ($650 for a Nikon camera, tripod, and replacement insurance for school newspaper); Elizabeth Titus Library represented by Michelle Nolan ($500 Summer Reading Program); SMS teacher Marissa Wright ($900 for Canon T3i for SMS yearbook); SES social worker Poppy Graham ($800 for iPad and apps); SES second grade teachers represented by Haegen, Braiding, Christenson and Auten ($990 for Lexia Core 5 software for second graders); the Moultrie County Beacon represented by Kari Ruppert ($998 for two Wi-Fi iPad tablets); SHS athletic department represented by Chester Reeder ($501.38 for upgrade of SHS weight room); SES speech and language teachers represented by Jessica Reeder and Ann Osthoff ($930 for two iPad Air Tablets); Central Illinois Public Transit represented by Jennifer Moore ($960 for one day bus trips for senior citizens); SES special education teacher Christine Grohler ($950 for Hand in Hand Kids Summer Autism Camp); and the Sullivan preschool represented by Tonya Rose ($500 for two iPad minis). The Sullivan Community Education Foundation was formed in 1995. The mission statement of the Foundation is “to promote lifelong learning opportunities in its community and schools”.  The board is comprised of community and school district men and women who oversee the awarding of major and mini grants each year.  Since the formation, the SCEF has awarded more than $450,000 in grants.  This money is not tax money but funds obtained by donations and fund-raising.

Photos by RR Best
SCEF Awards
The Sullivan Community Education Foundation held its annual District Staff Appreciation Dinner funded by the SCEDF on March 19 where $26,897 in grants were awarded to the Sullivan community and school district. Pictured, above, (from left to right) are the major grant award winners which included the Moultrie County Counseling Center represented by David Cole and Katrina Shain ($1,250 for basic self-defense and personal safety classes); SHS science teacher John Bertetto ($2,000 for human anatomical models) and the SES second grade teachers represented by Leslie Auten, Melissa Haegen, Ashley Christensen, and Danielle Braiding ($14,969 for 30 iPad air tablets with cases and charging cabinets). Pictured, below, are the minor grant award winners, which included student Wesley Standerfer and SES teacher Lynette Rotramel ($650 for a Nikon camera, tripod, and replacement insurance for school newspaper); Elizabeth Titus Library represented by Michelle Nolan ($500 Summer Reading Program); SMS teacher Marissa Wright ($900 for Canon T3i for SMS yearbook); SES social worker Poppy Graham ($800 for iPad and apps); SES second grade teachers represented by Haegen, Braiding, Christenson and Auten ($990 for Lexia Core 5 software for second graders); the Moultrie County Beacon represented by Kari Ruppert ($998 for two Wi-Fi iPad tablets); SHS athletic department represented by Chester Reeder ($501.38 for upgrade of SHS weight room); SES speech and language teachers represented by Jessica Reeder and Ann Osthoff ($930 for two iPad Air Tablets); Central Illinois Public Transit represented by Jennifer Moore ($960 for one day bus trips for senior citizens); SES special education teacher Christine Grohler ($950 for Hand in Hand Kids Summer Autism Camp); and the Sullivan preschool represented by Tonya Rose ($500 for two iPad minis). The Sullivan Community Education Foundation was formed in 1995. The mission statement of the Foundation is “to promote lifelong learning opportunities in its community and schools”.  The board is comprised of community and school district men and women who oversee the awarding of major and mini grants each year.  Since the formation, the SCEF has awarded more than $450,000 in grants.  This money is not tax money but funds obtained by donations and fund-raising.

Mini Grant SCEF

WHS Student of March

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Submitted WHS Student of March Windsor High School has named senior Melanie Adams, daughter of Robert and Ruth Adams, as March student of the month. She is involved in volleyball, dance, art club, Spanish club, physics club, scholastic bowl, student council, WYSE, national honor society, band, and 4-H and was named a State Scholar. She plans to attend Lake Land College and then transfer to a four year university majoring in psychology.

Submitted
WHS Student of March
Windsor High School has named senior Melanie Adams, daughter of Robert and Ruth Adams, as March student of the month. She is involved in volleyball, dance, art club, Spanish club, physics club, scholastic bowl, student council, WYSE, national honor society, band, and 4-H and was named a State Scholar. She plans to attend Lake Land College and then transfer to a four year university majoring in psychology.

Trying to Hold On

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Photo by RR Best Trying to Hold On Sullivan Elementary teacher Scott England tries to hold on to the reins Monday, March 23 during donkey basketball hosted by the Sullivan Elementary School PTO.

Photo by RR Best
Trying to Hold On
Sullivan Elementary teacher Scott England tries to hold on to the reins Monday, March 23 during donkey basketball hosted by the Sullivan Elementary School PTO.

OV Debuts Tentative End of Year Budget

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Public hearing to be held in May before vote

April 1, 2015

by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter

Coming out of school board meetings in February and March, Okaw Valley’s administration has been focused on rolling out a tentative end-of-year budget that, according to superintendent Kent Stauder, would largely act as “the start of next year’s budget.” The process has not been without some difficulties though, Stauder explained to school board members during their most recent meeting. Since Governor Bruce Rauner took office in January of this year, school districts have faced numerous financial uncertainties in the wake of his efforts to make good on campaign promises of drastically cutting the state budget. Read More

April 7 Election Will Sport Several Contested Races

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Submitted Pictured is the approximate Sullivan school district boundary map (red line) along with approximate township and range boundaries.

Submitted
Pictured is the approximate Sullivan school district boundary map (red line) along with approximate township and range boundaries.

Sullivan school board sees four new faces run for seats

April 1, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Next Tuesday’s election will see three contested village trustee races, one Sullivan commissioner race, and a contested Sullivan school board.

Sullivan School Board
Out of the eight candidates representing four congressional townships, not one is a shoo-in. The only fact prior to Tuesday’s election is that at least one individual from 13N5E will be elected to the board since that township allows voters to elect no more than two on the ballot while only one candidate may be voted upon for the other three townships. With that said, there in lies the possibility that one of the three remaining townships may not elect a candidate to the board. Read More

Yost Pleads Not Guilty to First Degree Murder

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Requests trial by jury

April 1, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A man accused of murdering a Sullivan woman pled not guilty Monday morning and requested a trial by jury.
Michael Yost, 40, of Sullivan, appeared before the Hon. Judge Dan Flannell Monday morning along with public defender Bradford Rau. Yost was to appear that afternoon for his preliminary hearing of which he instead waived.
Yost was found unresponsive on March 4 inside a Graham Street apartment along with Sheri L. Randall, 43, also of Sullivan. Randall was pronounced dead by Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed. A preliminary autopsy the following day concluded that Randall had died as a result of multiple stab wounds on the abdomen. Yost had also been found with stab wounds, but which appeared to emergency personnel to have been self-inflicted. After being transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur and released six days later, Yost was promptly arrested and brought up on four counts of first degree murder. Read More

Sullivan City Council Approves Wayward Signage for Hamilton, Jefferson Streets

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April 1, 2015

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

Members of the Sullivan City Council met briefly at their final meeting of March to discuss the addition of wayward signage throughout areas in Sullivan to direct visitors to dining/shopping areas, The Little Theatre on the Square, the public pool, and the Welcome Center. The Sullivan Chamber of Economic Development proposed that two signs be installed on Hamilton Street (Route 32) that would direct people east on towards the downtown square – one northbound and one southbound. An additional two signs to be placed on Jackson Street (Route 121) that would direct people south on Washington Street to the downtown square, one eastbound and one westbound were also proposed. Hamilton street signs would display “The Welcome Center,” and the Jefferson Street signs would display “The Public Pool.” Read More

Seth Dunscomb 14th Annual Opener

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Submitted Seth Dunscomb 14th Annual Opener The Sullivan Blue Dophins entered 58 swimmers in the 14th annual Seth Dunscomb New Year’s Opener in January. Pictured left to right are Connie Dunscomb, Dalace Ray, Brodie Goss, Dylan Sanders, McKenna Kull, Brynna Sentel, Calista Clark, Charlie Goss, Anna Wooter, and coach Jason Drury (not pictured is Noah Spain). Seth Dunscomb began his swimming career with the Sullivan Blue Dophins when he was just a boy. Each year, the dolphins remember him when they attend the Seth Dunscomb New Year’s Opener in Decatur. Dunscomb was a record-setting swimmer who died suddenly of a heart ailment in 1997 during a practice for the University of Kansas swim team. Dunscomb was a state champion in the 200-yard individual medley while at Sullivan High School and still holds 16 records with the Sullivan Blue Dolphins that have not been broken in more than 15 years. This year marked the 14th year the meet has been held at Millikin University’s Griswold Center. With ages ranging from 5 to 18 years old in a total of 506 races, the Dolphins brought home a hefty amount of hardware, with the following swimmers receiving overall trophies: Open Division - Brynna Sentel 1st place; Charlie Goss 2nd place; Dalace Ray 3rd place.13-14 age group - McKenna Kull 1st place; Anna Wooters 2nd place;  Brodie Goss 2nd place; Dylan Sanders 3rd place. 11 - 12 age group - Calista Clark 3rd place. 9 -10 age group  - Noah Spain 3rd place.

Submitted
Seth Dunscomb 14th Annual Opener
The Sullivan Blue Dophins entered 58 swimmers in the 14th annual Seth Dunscomb New Year’s Opener in January. Pictured left to right are Connie Dunscomb, Dalace Ray, Brodie Goss, Dylan Sanders, McKenna Kull, Brynna Sentel, Calista Clark, Charlie Goss, Anna Wooter, and coach Jason Drury (not pictured is Noah Spain). Seth Dunscomb began his swimming career with the Sullivan Blue Dophins when he was just a boy. Each year, the dolphins remember him when they attend the Seth Dunscomb New Year’s Opener in Decatur. Dunscomb was a record-setting swimmer who died suddenly of a heart ailment in 1997 during a practice for the University of Kansas swim team. Dunscomb was a state champion in the 200-yard individual medley while at Sullivan High School and still holds 16 records with the Sullivan Blue Dolphins that have not been broken in more than 15 years. This year marked the 14th year the meet has been held at Millikin University’s Griswold Center. With ages ranging from 5 to 18 years old in a total of 506 races, the Dolphins brought home a hefty amount of hardware, with the following swimmers receiving overall trophies: Open Division - Brynna Sentel 1st place; Charlie Goss 2nd place; Dalace Ray 3rd place.13-14 age group - McKenna Kull 1st place; Anna Wooters 2nd place;  Brodie Goss 2nd place; Dylan Sanders 3rd place. 11 - 12 age group - Calista Clark 3rd place. 9 -10 age group  - Noah Spain 3rd place.

SHS Boys’ Basketball Banquet 2015

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Submitted by Charles Brown SHS Boys’ Basketball Banquet The SHS boys’ basketball banquet was recognized March 18 at their banquet. Pictured, left to right: Nick Frerichs (defensive award), Jacob Piper (practice player award), Alec Ballinger (free throw award), Ty Molzen (rebounding award, most outstanding player), and Zach Hrvol (most improved).

Submitted by Charles Brown
SHS Boys’ Basketball Banquet
The SHS boys’ basketball banquet was recognized March 18 at their banquet. Pictured, left to right: Nick Frerichs (defensive award), Jacob Piper (practice player award), Alec Ballinger (free throw award), Ty Molzen (rebounding award, most outstanding player), and Zach Hrvol (most improved).