Okaw Valley Observes Veterans Day 2023

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photo by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley Observes Veterans Day
Okaw Valley fourth graders perform “Fifty Nifty United States” in American Sign Language during the Veterans Day program held at Okaw Valley High School on Friday, November 10.

photo by Crystal Reed
OVHS Choir
The Okaw Valley High School Choir sings “Song for the Unsung Hero” during the Veterans Day program last Friday.

photo by Crystal Reed
Keynote Address
Allen Morrison, a Sergeant Major in the Army, was the keynote speaker during the Veterans Day program at Okaw Valley High School.

Okaw Valley Illinois State Scholars 11-15-2023

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Delaney Miller

Delaney Miller

Gabe Benning

Photos submitted

Okaw Valley Illinois State Scholars

The Illinois State Scholar designation is awarded to high school seniors based on ACT or SAT test scores and the sixth semester class size and unweighted class rank and Grade Point Average (GPA). ISAC gathers student data during one academic year that is used in making students awards for the following academic year. Test scores are gathered from the testing companies for the ACT and SAT exams taken during the student’s third and fourth semester prior to graduation. Each student designated as a State Scholar receives a congratulatory letter, a Certificate of Achievement and statewide recognition in the news media.

Rotary Makes Donation to Team IMPACT

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•November 15, 2023•

Team IMPACT was founded as a collaboration between Darby Poe of the Moultrie County Counseling Center and Kali Taylor of SHS as a way to meet the needs of CUSD 300 students. Personal hygiene products, clothing, and miscellaneous items have been collected and donated by the community as a way of helping students achieve maximum success. Read More

2023 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest Winners Announced

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photo furnished
SES student winners from left to right: Becky Lawson, contest director; Aidan Coil; Abagail Todd; Ruth Keown, vice president of Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68.

•November 15, 2023•

The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 recently presented awards to several Sullivan students who competed in their 2023 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest.

Junior Taylar Mercer won the 11th and 12th grade art division with her piece entitled “A Proud Veteran.” Her drawing combines two images of John James. According to her creator’s statement that, “He was an African-American World War II veteran who was denied an officer position for 76 years due to his race. After 36 years of retirement, he was recognized and rewarded his officer bars. He wore them with pride.”

Judges were particularly impressed by Mercer’s creativity in combining images of a young and older James in his uniform. One half of her drawing is based on a photo of him when he was younger and was denied becoming an officer because of his race. The other half is based on an image of him after he retired and was finally promoted. Read More

Ambucs Halloween Parade 2023

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photos by Crystal Reed

Ambucs Halloween Parade

The Sullivan Ambucs held their annual Halloween parade on the evening of Tuesday, October 31 on the square in Sullivan. Halloween parade winners were Shrek and Fiona-Rob and Michelle Young, Rainbow and Friends-Adah Ray-Allen, Lindsay Ray and John Paul Livergo, Spongebob and Friends- Maci Roggers, Wren Wall and Hannah Taylor, Skeleton Unicorn Inflatable-Charllttee Martin, The Loki Family-Zane, Kinsley, Beretta and Sam Black, The Chicken (Hey Hey from Moana)-Lydia Hayse, Lighted Elf-Hope Conner, Greek Goddess and God-Miriam and Simon Parri, Pirate-Koda Polley and Ghost Face from Scream-Trey Grimm.

Safe Trick or Treat On the Square 2023

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photos by Crystal Reed Safe Trick or Treat On the Square The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development sponsored the safe trick or treat held on Tuesday, October 31 in Sullivan. The event gave children the opportunity to show off their costumes and collect candy at various downtown businesses. More photos on page 9.

Fourth Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans Held on Lake Shelbyville

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photo by Crystal Reed
Veterans that participated in the 2023 Anglers Tribute to Veterans pose for a group photo at the Sullivan VFW on Saturday, November 4. It was the fourth year for the event.

•November 8, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The fourth annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans was held on Lake Shelbyville on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4. The event takes Veterans on an all day fishing trips on Lake Shelbyville with dinner and drinks at the Sullivan VFW later in the day. This year 21 Veterans were taken out to fish on Saturday.  Read More

Moultrie Habitat for Humanity Holds House Blessing

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•November 8, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

A house blessing was held Sunday, November 5, at the newest home built by Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity on Hope Lane in Sullivan. The new homeowners are Rebecca Comstock, Kylee, Clark and Owen. The ceremony began with a prayer from Pastor Doug Fultz of Solid Rock Chapel.

Fultz noted that God had blessed the home with a deserving and thankful family and that God blessed the home from the concept through completion with caring and faithful workers who gave their time and talents. “Today we recognize this home is more than a house,” he said. “It’s more than the materials that it’s made from. It’s more like a quilt that has been assembled with great love and prayer woven throughout.”

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Sullivan School District Breaks Ground for New High School

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photo by Crystal Reed
In attendance for the ground breaking of the new Sullivan High School were (in no order): Sullivan Mayor Mike Mossman, Moultrie County Board Chairman Bill Voyles and Vice Chairman Marsha Kirby, Executive Director of the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Laurrie Minor, Friends of Sullivan Athletics and Academics Representative Amanda Glazebrook, Judy England, Clayton Quick and Evan Sudkamp with Grunloh Construction, Architect Ben Dockter with Graham and Hyde Architects, Board of Education members Jeff White, Josh Green and Zak Horn, Sullivan High School Principal Dan Allen, Director of Buildings and Grounds Kevin Landrus and Sullivan School District Superintendent Ted Walk.

•November 8, 2023•

Sullivan School District broke ground for the new high school last Friday afternoon. Superintendent Ted Walk reflected on the past noting that the Sullivan Township High School opened over 100 years ago in 1916. It served students in the Sullivan community for over 105 years. Students served initially included high school students but the building hosted middle and even elementary students during its time. “The community should be incredibly proud of the efforts and decisions made by the staff and leadership of Sullivan Schools over this time to keep this three-story structure, built initially without electricity, operational for such an amazing stretch,” he said.  Read More