IV Leader, April 26, 2018; vol 52, issue 10

VOLUME 52 • ISSUE 10• April 26, 2018

Giving Day 2018 brings in more than $22,000

IV Leader photos/Akari Oya

Bringing it in

Left: Quintin Overocker, Director of Admissions, Records, and Transfer Services, and chemistry instructor Promise Yong are slimed. This event brought in more than $500.

Above: Willard Mott, agriculture instructor and program director, takes a drink in the middle of the donut-eating contest. Giving Day 2018 raised $22,800 to benefit the IVCC Foundation.

Students win SGA positions Xavier Braboy of Dalzell has been elected president of the Illinois Valley Community College Student Government Association following recent sophomore elections.

Vice president is Julia Browning of Ottawa. Joseph Marenda of Spring Valley was elected student trustee, Ricky Martinez of Mendota, treasurer, and Lauren Giordano of Peru, secretary.

Teresa Sajuan of Spring Valley was elected sophomore representative and Braidy Shipp of La Salle and Dash Burgess of Oglesby

Mu Alpha representatives

won election to the sophomore programming board.

A total of 82 ballots were cast.

Student Activities Coordinator Cory Tomasson said, “The 2017-18 SGA was very active and I am very proud of the way they represented the student body, the many service projects they took on and the creative campus events they planned.

“I am confident the three returning members, Braboy, Browning and Giordano, and the new members will continue this excellent work for the 2018-19 school year,” he added.

River Currents’ 2018 issue will be available Thursday, April 26 at the release party in Room C-316.

Cook Fesperman wins award

By Brittany Marx

IV Leader Staff Writer

Submitted photo

Justin Lewis and Taylor Johnson attended the Sigma Kappa Delta national convention to represent IVCC’s chapter.

SKD award winners Illinois Valley Community College’s Catie Calderon of La Salle earned a second in personal essay and Taylor Johnson of Tonica a second in literary analysis at the recent Sigma Kappa Delta writing competition in Cincinnati.

The national competition also awards firsts, seconds and thirds in poetry and short fiction. Winners receive a monetary award and their works are published in a national literary journal.

Sigma Kappa Delta is the English honor society for two-year colleges. IVCC’s chapter, Mu Alpha, was chartered in 1997 by instructor Kimberly Radek-Hall and is co-sponsored by instructors Radek-Hall and Delores Robinson.

Attending the annual convention hosted by SKD and its sister organizations Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society for four-year colleges and universities, and the National English Honor Society for high schools, were Johnson and Mu

Submitted graphic

Launch party

Alpha Secretary Justin Lewis of Princeton.

The conference, “Seeking Freedom,” included round table presentations, guest speakers and the awards luncheon.

Participants also toured the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the house and museum dedicated to Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of the anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Mu Alpha recognizes and rewards achievements in English language and literature, provides cultural stimulation and promotes interest in English on campus and in the community. In addition, IVCC’s chapter fosters English in all its aspects, including creative and critical writing, promotes professional interaction among members and exhibits high standards of academic achievement.

Student officers for 2017-18 are President Akari Oya of Peru, Vice-President BriAnna Hagenson of Sheridan and Secretary Lewis.

Amanda Cook Fesperman is the 2018 recipient of Illinois Valley Community College’s Stephen Charry Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence.

The goal of this award is to recognize instructors and counselors for exceptional services throughout the college and the community through their teaching, guidance, and assistance.

Cook Fesperman was nominated this year by Lisa Chounard, a student returning to school after almost 30 years.

“Professor Fesperman encouraged me to work hard, and not be afraid of failure,” Chounard stated. “She encouraged me to enter writing contests, and never once gave up on me.”

Cook Fesperman began teaching at IVCC 17 years ago.

Since then, Cook-Fesperman has worked hard to develop programs and activities for students, and has planned multiple lectures and brown-bag lunches that discuss humanitarian and current event topics.

She has also strived to promote diversity on campus by establishing programs that celebrate and acknowledge multi-

Cook Fesperman culturalism in our community.

She has chaired IVCC’s diversity committee for 16 years.

The award came as a surprise to Cook Fesperman.

“It was completely unexpected,” she said. “I have amazing colleagues, all of whom were very worthy of their nomination.

“Funny story, someone actually asked me if I had heard who had won this year, and, being on Spring Break at Disney, my answer was, ‘No. But I’m sure it wasn’t me.’ Imagine my surprise when I returned home to find out I had won.”

Cook Fesperman appreciates being an educator here at IVCC. “I believe that community colleges are the best place to be

a teacher in higher education,” she said. “We get the opportunity to work with a diverse group of students and we get to focus on teaching.

“I love to hear a student say to me, ‘I didn’t think I could write a 10-page research paper, but now I know that I can.’”

A few students noted that her passion for politics has always shown through her teaching.

“I am honored to know that students are able to see that passion and enjoy learning with me,” she said.

This summer, she plans on attending two professional development workshops. The first one is a week-long program on climate change and water resources in Kalamazoo, Ind., through the Midwest Institute of International/Intercultural Education, which she will use in her International Relations and African History courses.

The second workshop will be a three-day event on the European Union held at the University of Illinois, which will enrich her International Relations Class.

She plans to continue teaching at IVCC until she retires, challenging and inspiring the current and future students at IVCC.

Honor society welcomes 43 members IVCC’s Rho Omega chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, gained 43 new members this spring semester.

New members are: Kelly Alley, Mitchell Andersen, Tony Bacidore, Creighton Barnett, Samuel Becker, Rachel Black, Elle Bottom, Daniel Breyne, Andre Brockman, Christopher DeArcos, Michaela Eddy, Rachel Edgcomb, Ashley Frederick, Victoria Garcia, Mackenzie Geldean, Shawnna Goins, Noemi Gonzalez, Maleah

Greene, Danielle Hawkins, Brady Huebbe, Rachel Huska, Hannah Jenkins, David King, Vicky King, Emma Knirlberger, Mason Lucas, Amber Lynch, Julia Malosh, Hannah Miskell, Andrew Novotney, Courtney Ossola, Gianna Pattelli, Shane Peek, Jenna Pubentz, Alyse Ruda, Shay Scheri, Cameron Shumacher, Kapitola Van Mill, Kathryn Varland, Hannah Westphal, Brandon Wilson, Clayton Zelenik, Kendra Zitt.

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www.ivleader.com

IV LEADER

April 26, 2018

OPINION Alyssa McCauley

IV Leader Staff

It is difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that my adventure as a student at IVCC has reached an end.

This semester I will be graduating alongside many incredible others, who all deserve to celebrate their hard work and success.

Our success would not have been possible without the help of IVCC’s incredible faculty, supporting staff, administration and organizations.

When I came to IVCC, I was underprepared, lacking any sort of professional skills, and transferring seemed impossible, but in two short years, IVCC changed me in ways I could not have dreamed possible.

Before coming to this school, I hated being in school. Lacking effort and excitement towards school meant that I was hardly passing my classes and was just getting by, but because of IVCC, this is no longer the case. I am now an active student, community member and club member.

Our college has shaped me from a girl who lacked confidence and self-advocacy, into a powerful and confident woman: one who is unafraid to communicate her fears, desires, and thoughts and is courageous to pursue her future.

My journey began in Math 907 here on campus. I was placed into this remedial course, feeling far behind my class. From the first day, the lab teachers challenged me.

I spent over a hundred hours in that lab, working with the determined and highly qualified instructors.

Those instructors gave me a sense of hope. They want to see their students succeed, and I have been inspired by each and every one of them.

After that tough, but rewarding, first semester, I slung my heavy bag of books over my shoulder and walked the halls with a new-found heart and renewed determination. Each semester has come and gone, and I have had many setbacks along the way, but I have met each challenge.

Because of the second chance I was given, I can say I am proud of myself.

I would not mind staying a student here forever, but I know I am now ready to meet my future. The faculty and staff have become my family and IVCC, my home.

I am thankful for all of the other people that I have grown close to, and will miss them all.

I know that I can never fully repay our college for what it has done for me, but I will never stop sharing my story and encouraging others.

I plan to be a teacher, and because of our school, I have the tools and the courage to do so.

Editor-in-Chief: Martha Hoffman Opinion Editor: Rachel Einhaus Assistant Opinion: Kellsie Edgcomb Culture Editor: Summer H.- Abernathy Sports Editor: Tyler Towne Assistant Sports Editor: Aaron Pellican Photo Editor: Akari Oya Senior Photographer: Kyle Russell Cartoonist: Alex Bennett Web Manager: J.Q. Church Advisor: Lori Cinotte Staff: Erica Lawless Josh Rinehart Brittany Marx Jake Wertz Noah Currie Griselda Chavez Riley Johnson Madalyn Robbins Hannah Uranich Jacob Steinberg Mason Lucas Jordan Soja Chase Oschner Zach Kent Frederick William Becker II Olivia Heinzeroth

Staff Writer

IV Leader graphic/Kellsie Edgcomb

Martha Hoffman

IV Leader Editor-in-Chief

Well, the time has finally come. This is the final issue for the 2017–2018 school year.

Our staff has strived to serve you to the best of our abilities, giving you the news, sharing ideas, and engaging the community.

Thank you for this year, dear readers. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve as your campus newspaper.

I need to start off extending heartfelt thanks to the best advisor and mentor that anyone could ask for, Lori Cinotte.

You made this year a year of growth and learning for me, and I cannot thank you enough for everything: from the quick AP style question to the long career talks and everything in between.

You are one in a million, and I am ever so grateful to have been your student.

I also have had the honor of

working with a staff to be proud of. You are the strength, the energy, and the passion of this newspaper, and I am glad to have worked with each one of you.

My fellow sophomores are all heading in different directions as they pursue the degrees and careers with the determination and dedication they showed here. Join me in wishing them all the best!

There is strong leadership ready to take this newspaper forward into the future, and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish next year and in the years to come. I know you will support and encourage them as you have us.

This year has been such a blessing. I have been challenged, grown both my technical and interpersonal skills, and learned how to lead with humility and courage.

I walk out of the IV Leader office so much the richer for my experience, and I am so incredibly grateful for what I take with me as I leave.

My two years at this college have been rich ones, and I want to thank each faculty, administrative and support staff member for the part they play in each student’s life.

I am transferring to Northern Illinois University in the fall pursuing a journalism major and marketing minor.

In my career, I hope to combine my love of writing with my passion for agriculture.

As the curtain falls on this chapter of my life, I look ahead with confidence, knowing that my years as an IVCC Eagle have prepared me for what lies ahead.

And now, for the final time as your 2017-2018 editor-in-chief, I bid you all a fond farewell.

of Phi Theta Kappa–Rho Omega and the College Democrats. I was artsy: show choir and improv.

I worked hard: three different jobs, bookstore student worker, assistant opinion editor and built my GPA to above 3.5.

I found my love of writing again with the help of Mrs. Robinson and many Writing Center tutors. I surprised myself with my own ability to learn A&P with the help of Mrs. Johnson and Hartford.

I changed my education plan (away from pre-med) after realizing chemistry just was not my thing, despite Tricia (in peer tutoring), PK, Doc Johl and Mr. Ault helping me. I fell in love with the sociological theories of the human condition thanks to Mangold and Jared Olesen.

As the semesters ticked by, I looked to find a way to meld my passion of social sciences with my foundation in life sciences.

Ultimately, I have decided to

transfer to McKendree University located in Lebanon (the suburban Illinois side of St. Louis, Mo.).

My current plan is a Bachelor of Science in biopsychology with minors in sociology, biology and gender studies.

My plan after that is not totally decided. On the list of possibilities: a sociology graduate program, law school, having another go at pre-medical professional prerequisites, or maybe even starting my dreamjob-slash-boot-strapping-a-nonfor-profit as a sex educator and kink-aware professional. No matter my choice, IVCC gave me a great foundation to leap off of and I am ready to see what my future holds!

One final thank you goes to all of you, all of IVCC, and all readers of the IV Leader. I have taken every comment made about my writing seriously and each of you helped me drive forward be a better writer.

Kellsie Edgcomb

Assistant Opinion Editor

Where do I even start with saying goodbye to IVCC? I suppose first and foremost, I should start with my experiences with IV Leader and our astounding staff. This award-winning publication wouldn’t exist without the extra time and effort every member puts forth!

Thank you so much to Martha, our editor-in-EXCELLENCE, for all of her hard work and Lori for all of her support, and Akari for teaching me everything I know about Photoshop.

And frankly, I would not be here without the undying support of my parents, my friends (old and new) and my partner.

My first experience at IVCC was cut short when I enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. My second time around I will be leaving with many accomplishments and memories! I’m also walking out with two associate degrees with honors! I was able to expand my leadership experience: President Rachel Einhaus

Tyler Towne

Opinion Editor

Sports Editor

After graduation, I will be heading off to Northern Illinois University where I will continue to study journalism and psychology.

It will be a huge change, and I will miss this paper and school tremendously.

This school is so blessed to have the quality of a newspaper that we do. We have won so many awards just in my time of working with the paper and so many awards beforehand.

I am looking forward to continuing to watch the paper grow stronger and better as years go on. This paper has been the highlight of my time at IVCC. I had the pleasure of working with the past stu-

dent trustee Matt Pehoski, and the current trustee Joseph Marenda. They have worked extremely hard to inform the student body of the new happenings here at the school and Marenda has a great agenda to assist you in the upcoming year.

I could not thank our advisor Lori Cinotte for all I have learned through this experience and Martha Hoffman for all the work she puts into this.

Summer Hoagland-Abernathy has a lot of potential as next year's editor and chief and I definitely can't wait to see what she puts on the table.

Good luck with endof-year finals and have a wonderful summer.

Well, its hard to believe that two years have come and gone already, and I am definitely going to miss IVCC. It really is true when they say “No place so close, can take you so far.” But honestly that statement is only true if you allow it to take you somewhere.

I am a kid with a true passion for just about any sport you throw at me.

I was able to be so involved with the basketball program and sports section of the paper, and I absolutely adored it.

I have to take some time to thank our sponsor Lori Cinotte, because without her support and patience, the IVSN and sports section would not be the same. Sports were something I knew I wanted to be a part of while I was here. With no athletic ability to speak of, the ways I got to be involved were more than I ever could have imagined, and that credit goes to Lori.

There are a lot of excellent resume builders right here in the Illinois

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Valley, but you need to go out and find them.

Sure, you can sit around and be bummed that you aren’t at some crazy university, partying every night, but you can also begin the rest of your life, right here. I found jobs in radio, television and even the newspaper right in my own backyard, and the experience I have gained of the last two years will stick with me for the rest of my life.

My parting advice to anyone at IVCC is just to get out there and try new things, and eventually you will find something that you like. Once you find something you like, do your best to build upon that until you eventually fall in love with it and make it into a career.

One final time, this has been Tyler Towne, play-by-play man and sports editor, flying from the Eagle’s nest one final time. I will always be an Eagle and the last two years have been great.

Letters Policy

Akari Oya

Photo Editor

When I first came to IVCC, I was disappointed to find that they did not have a photography club that I could join.

So I became involved with the IV Leader, and I am so glad that I did.

As the assistant photography editor in my first year and the photography editor this year, I attended countless campus events.

From basketball games and golf tournaments to Spirit Day and musical performances, I saw the students growing at IVCC through my camera’s viewfinder.

It was a precious experience, following people’s lives like so.

I was also able to meet and exchange dialogue with many people I may not have come across if it were not for my camera. I am happy to have worked with this wonderful team as well.

Outside of the IV Leader, I spent a large portion of my time visiting professors and faculty during their office hours. I do not know what I would have done without their emotional support.

I also extend my gratitude to our readers, especially to the kind students and faculty that took the time to compliment my photos and express their excitement of having themselves featured.

Graphics and photos are some of the first things that readers look at in the newspaper.

I hope that through my pictures, I was able to capture the passion, love, and joy I experienced at IVCC. I will not forget my time here, and I will have the photographs to remind me even if I do.

Thank you so much for the memories, IVCC!

Have an issue you want to discuss? Have a comment or complaint about something in the IV Leader?

Write a letter to the editor and sign your name. Deliver your letter to the IV Leader office, B-316, or put it in the mail to IV Leader, 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Oglesby, IL 61348.

Letter also can be submitted through the IV Leader website www.ivleader.com.

www.ivleader.com IV LEADER April 26,2018

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OPINION Looking ahead: Here is my vision for the year TRUSTEE’S CORNER

Joseph Marenda Student Trustee

Hello, I am Joe Marenda. I am your new student Board of Trustees member for the 20182019 school year.

First, I would just like to say how honored I am to have been elected student trustee. Hopefully, I can fill Matt Pehoski's shoes

and continue his phenomenal work. Over the past few weeks, Matt and I have been in close contact, which has made my transition into this new position go very smoothly.

Second, I want to tell you a little about myself and why I ran for student trustee. I am 18 years old and live in Spring Valley.

My current goal is to transfer to either Northwestern University or the University of Illinois and double major in Finance and Accounting.

For high school, I chose to attend St. Bede Academy where I had an amazing four years.

While in high school I played football, basketball, tennis, and

ran track. Also, in high school, I was a member of Spanish club and Interact club.

Even though I was an athlete and a member of two clubs, I did not feel as if I was involved in my school as much as I could be.

This was my main push for getting involved more here at IVCC. Aside from being a member of Student Government, I am a member of the math club, I am a student ambassador and I am part of the honors curriculum.

Each of these organizations has allowed me to be introduced to a plethora of new people.

When talking to current student government members about the availability of positions for the

upcoming year one of them mentioned the trustee position.

After talking about it a few more times, the member agreed I would be a good fit for the position. I knew this position would allow me to meet even more people and expand my involvement at IVCC. On top of those two things, I also wanted to establish a leadership position that could benefit me later in my career. Thus, I ran for the position and thankfully won the election.

Lastly, I want to talk a little bit about what I hope to accomplish as the student Board of Trustees member.

A main goal of mine is to

strengthen the connection between Student Government members and all the other students.

I want students, when they have a problem, to know they can come to us and we can do everything in our ability to help them. There is almost always a member of student government in our office, which is in the Student Center.

Students should feel free to stop by and discuss anything with any of our members. Hopefully, we can have an amazing school year with input from all the students and the determination from me and my fellow student government members.

‘Hey, Millennial Falcon!’: My roller derby life MILLENNIAL FALCON

Kellsie Edgcomb

Assistant Opinion Editor

Roller derby has a way of finding people at just the right moment.

I first found roller derby while I was struggling to find a group I fit with. I was active-duty military living in the Metro-East St. Louis area and was not happy with my current life. I was depressed, but undiagnosed.

One of the amazing humans in my personal training group at my gym played roller derby. I remember looking up to her from the moment I met her. She was fierce: so strong and athletic. At that time, I knew I was moving away within the next six months and was not sure I wanted to start something new, but she convinced me to jump in.

I attended an informational night, which they called “Date the Crush,” and I was hooked!

I joined the Confluence Crush Roller Derby’s “fresh meat” and down the rabbit hole of derby I went!

Derby has its own culture and its own “language” surrounding it. You are not “new to the team” you are “fresh meat.” The skills you must learn include, “whips,” “knee taps,” and “hip checks.” We lovingly refer to all of our bumps and bruises as “derby kisses.” Finally, the term “recycling” is not a reference to saving the planet, rather, it’s about coming back together to play defense.

So, what the HECK even is roller derby?

Everyone always wants to know if modern roller derby is like what was on TV in the 70s and 80s. The short answer is no, however, we are still on quadstyle roller skates, NOT “roller blades,” and we are still skating on a track in a counter-clockwise direction.

Most leagues today skate “flat track” style, meaning we are not on a large banked track. This

Left: Submitted photo

Above: Submitted graphic by Amy Brubaker

The most fun you can have on 8 wheels

Above: This diagram shows the WFTDA flat-track set-up.

Left: Barbed Wire Betties practing a braced-wall drill in Sycomore. Pictured from left to right, Demon, Slaughtermelon, Millennial Falcon and TsumAmy.

means a track can be laid (usually with tape and rope) on any surface you can roller skate on.

We focus much more on the athletics than the theatrics. We are required by our governing body, Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), to wear full gear (a helmet, mouth guard, elbow pads, wrist guards and knee pads) and to learn specific minimum skills before being put on a roster for a “bout,” or game.

WFTDA has an entire rule book of game play and structure for leagues to follow. Members must pass a written test prior to being able to play against other teams. This assures members know how the game is played and understands the importance of safety. Similar to hockey, we have a penalty system where skaters are sent to “the box” if they violate a rule. This helps keep the other skaters and referees safe and keeps the game play focused.

How the game is played A bout is two periods of 30 minutes each with unlimited number of “jams.” At the beginning of each jam, the two teams put five players on the track— four blockers and one jammer.

The jammer wears a star over their helmet and are the offensive player that scores the points by making their way through

“the pack.”

The pack is the largest numbers of blockers together on the track. A point is scored for each opposing team’s blocker passed while upright and in bounds.

This is where the hard hitting and excitement happens.

As the jammers try to score those points, the blockers have two objectives: keep the opposing jammer from scoring and help your own jammer through the pack. The first or initial “pass” though the pack, establishes “lead jammer” and is scoreless.

The lead jammer has the ability to call off the jam early, hence the unlimited number of jams per period. One additional roll to mention is the “pivot.”

The pivot wears a stripe on their helmet; they are typically one of the more experienced players on the team.

This blocker has the unique ability to become the points-scoring jammer mid-jam if their team’s jammer passes them the star helmet cover.

The culture of derby Perhaps the most recognizable part of derby culture is the derby names players choose for themselves. The first right of passage most derby players undergo is passing out of Fresh Meat.

Each league sets their own spe-

cific rules for this but the general rule is passing enough minimum skills to be “contact eligible” (being able to scrimmage and start giving and taking hard hits) and attending enough practices and events to be a league member.

The most exciting part of this step is picking your derby name, the name that will go on your jersey and that your teammates will now start calling you. Say good-bye to Kellsie and hello to Millennial Falcon!

I chose this name because I am a huge Star Wars nerd while simultaneously being one of the youngest people in my friend group, the “token millennial” if you will. Most of my teammates call me Falcon for short—actually many of my non-derby friends have started calling me that too and I will always respond to “Hey, Falcon!”

For me, the most important part of derby is the friendships and support that comes from being a part of this sport. I have met amazing people who would not exist in my regular social circles outside of derby. When I am having a low mental health day, I don’t have to defend myself-—I can be honest and take a night off.

Derby is an amazingly welcoming community for those of us in the LGBTQA* community.

WFTDA has made many state-

ments about gender inclusivity and I know many, many queer/ non-straight and trans (transgender, non-binary, etc.) identifying individuals who love derby as much as I do.

Transferring to a new school this fall will be scary, but I know that I can transfer to a new derby league and have an instant circle of friends. Within the last school year, I have transferred from the local recreational league, Illinois Valley Vixens, to the Barbed Wire Betties out of DeKalb.

It’s not easy to balance school and commuting to DeKalb twice a week plus travel to numerous away bouts, but I have such a passion for the sport that it is worth it for me. Derby gives me a place to be athletic and be myself that I have not found anywhere else. The sport gives me something to work hard at and gives me an opportunity to better myself.

Here at IVCC, I know at least two other current derby skaters. Katie “Slaughtermelon” Baker, first-year nursing student.

She is currently skating with the Barbed Wire Betties competitively and with the Illinois Valley Vixens recreationally. Ami Marshall-Jeffries, second-year nursing student, has recently joined the Illinois Valley Vixen’s fresh meat program and has volunteered with the Betties!

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www.ivleader.com IV LEADER April 26, 2018

NEWS ‘You can’t work forever’: Sankovich retires

By Martha Hoffman

IV Leader Editor-in-Chief

“This is a low-stress job, and sometimes I ask myself why I’m leaving, but you can’t work forever,” said retiring IVCC accounting professor Mike Sankovich.

He began teaching accounting part time at IVCC in 1981, and has been full time since 1987.

Reflecting on his years teaching at community college, he sees it as the best of both worlds: getting to teach adult students and being able to focus on teaching instead of research.

“It’s been a great career,” Sankovich said. “I think I lucked out here.”

He enjoys working with students and watching them succeed. He described how he enjoys seeing past students who are working in the industry come back and serve on the business advisory board.

“After three or four semesters, you kind of get to know them,” Sankovich said. “They’re like friends with you.”

He is impressed by the work ethic of the returning adult students, and finds teaching them very rewarding.

His students talk fondly of his sense of humor and skill as a teacher.

“He’s actually one of my favorites,” said Danielle Hawkins, one of his current students. “He

actually does make accounting fun.”

She shared that when she had a family emergency that required her to miss classes, he was very understanding and wanted to make sure everyone was okay.

“He’s kind and he cares,” she said. “I just like him a lot.”

In the challenging work of accounting, he has a way of inspiring his students to do their best.

“He encourages you to do what you feel you aren’t capable of doing, and in accounting, you feel like you’re not capable a lot,” Hawkins said.

Sankovich earned his Bachelor’s of Science from Benedictine University, and then drifted a few years, serving for a year as a teacher’s assistant for grades K–5 at Grand Ridge Grade School and as a junior high mathematics instructor in Aurora.

He worked as a CPA for one year, basically to say he did it, he explained. He went back to school and received his MBA with an emphasis in accounting from Northern Illinois University, teaching there for two years before a job opened up for full-time employment at IVCC. “I was in the right place at the right time,” he said.

In the early years of his tenure, his office was between the offices of former English instructors Dr. Rose Lynch and the late Dr. Mary Weeg in Building B. He

remembered that the English instructors were the first staff to get computers, so back in the 1990s his office moved to where it is now in Building A. He served for many years as the IVCC teacher’s union treasurer, and he has a baseball bat in his office inscribed with the title “Treasurer Emeritus” for his service to the organization.

That is certainly not the only thing gracing his office. His interests are on full display, with the walls covered with photographs of baseball players, movie posters, cassettes, and CDs. “I’m not looking forward to taking them all down,” he remarked wryly.

Sankovich has been dedicated to making IVCC courses rigorous, attending articulation conferences at NIU to ensure that IVCC’s accounting program is meeting or exceeding what the universities are covering for freshman and sophomore students.

“I think it’s important to cover the material and not water it down,” he said.

After he retires at the end of the semester, he has several vacations planned and is looking forward to spending time on his various hobbies and interests.

However, he is not ruling out coming back in two or three years to teach part time.

More than accounting

IV Leader photo/Martha Hoffman

Retiring accounting professor Mike Sankovich sits in his office surrounded by memorabilia from his different interests.

Skoflanc moves on to other art

By Madalyn Robbins and Riley Johnson IV Leader Staff Writers

Francie Skoflanc, retiring IVCC Graphic Design Technology program director and instructor, had always been the artistic type, finding art as a way to entertain herself as an only child and discovering she enjoyed it.

She participated in arts courses throughout high school, but did not begin graphic design until later.

She has held a variety of positions throughout her career, but she ended up at IVCC. “I worked for years as a graphic designer with the News Tribune, another local printing company, and an advertising company in Peru,” Skoflanc said.

“The Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts from IVCC was a former client of MCS advertising, so we got to know each other. He was aware of a new position at IVCC and encouraged me to apply.”

She started her work at IVCC in 2000 and has led the program for these 18 years.

She noted that she would miss being an instructor at IVCC. “I enjoyed being around the art department and working with Karen Zeilman and Said Burkzeeker, ” she said.

She enjoyed the creative environment she was able to be a part of each day.

Skoflanc said she loved to challenge her students to think

beyond their comfort zone.

“I love seeing the student blossom into a more mature adult and designer,” she said.

IVCC Graphic Design Technology student Peggy Schneider has appreciated Skoflanc’s program leadership and skill as a teacher.

“I’ve taken every course in the program, and graduate with a certificate this spring,” Schneider said.

“I walked into an established program built by a designer with years of professional experience who helped us understand graphic design in art and practice, and walked away with great experiences.”

As an instructor, Skoflanc gets excited when students of hers get accepted to a job.

She recalls a challenge of hers being trying to keep up with constant new technology as well as learning how to everyday situations that happened in the classroom.

Amongst her challenges, she has gathered knowledge from students along the way.

“With new technology, sometimes they knew the answer to things I knew very little about,” she said.

Skoflanc is thought of very highly by her students and other faculty members. After leaving IVCC, she will take her new knowledge and wonderful experiences with her.

She was named the 2012 Advocate of the Year by the Illinois

Skoflanc Small Business Development Center. She also has a published book called “Letting Go, Printmaking: Photocopier Transfer and Monoprint.”

Skoflanc still enjoys making art, especially collage, altered art, and recycled art, and her work has been displayed at various Midwestern art shows. She runs A Mess of Things, a store in downtown Ottawa selling a variety of items, including home décor, clothing, and accessories.

Skoflanc will be retiring at the end of this semester and plans to open a wine bar with her husband beside her current store. It will be called Cat’s Eye, referencing both her love for cats and the building’s history with the marble-manufacturing Peltier Glass Factory.

Submitted graphic

Submitted photo

Representing Rho Omega

Three Illinois Valley Community College students were honored at the Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team Awards banquet in Springfield Wednesday. The IVCC contingent included (left to right) Aseret Loveland, assistant director of admissions and PTK advisor, students Akari Oya of Peru, Lisa Chounard of La Salle and Martha Hoffman of Earlville, President Jerry Corcoran and PTK advisor Eric Schroeder.

News Briefs All-day drone workshop April 28 Illinois Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Office offers an all-day drone workshop Saturday, April 28 in CTC-124.

The 9 a.m. to noon “Drones 101” (HLR-5902-04) beginning class is for individuals thinking about getting a drone or who aren’t sure what to do with their new drone.

The 1-4 p.m. “Drones 102” (HLR-5902-14) advanced class is for individuals with some experience flying drones and is a more in-depth version of the beginning class. It will cover FAA rules and taking flying from a hobby to the professional level.

Cost for either class is $35.

Register for both at the $59 discounted all-day price using course number HLR-5902-24.

Adult Education event slated for May 15 Illinois Valley Community College’s Adult Education program will honor those who have passed the GED test to earn a high school equivalency, have obtained citizenship and have completed the Bridge to Careers program at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre.

Those who have passed the GED test or obtained citizenship and have not participated in a past ceremony and would like

to take part this year should call IVCC’s Adult Education program at (815) 224-0379 before May 4 to request an invitation. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony.

Wind ensemble concert set for May 3 Illinois Valley Community College’s Wind Ensemble will offer a free concert at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 3, in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre.

The performance will include the music of Percy Grainger, Sammy Nestico, Schonberg/Kretzmer, Robert Sheldon, Johan de Meij and W. A. Mozart.

Under the direction of Gene Montgomery, the ensemble includes IVCC students, local and regional music educators and community members dedicated to the promotion of quality wind and percussion music.

Choir concert, student recitals planned May 7 The Illinois Valley Community College choir will be in concert with student musician recitals at 7 p.m. Monday, May 7 in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre.

Choir and voice students perform under the direction of instructor Jenilyn Roether and piano students perform under the direction of instructor Brad Fritz.

The performance is free and the public is welcome.

www.ivleader.com IV LEADER April 26, 2018

5

NEWS

Submitted photo

Award-winning again IV Leader photo/Martha Hoffman

Light versus Dark

The MIMIC Star Wars chess table features characters from the original trilogy.

Sith down for this one— Edgcomb won in less than 12 parsecs

Kellsie Edgcomb

Assistant Opinion Editor

And the winner is...

IV Leader wins again For the second straight year, IV Leader, the student newspaper at Illinois Valley Community College, was awarded the Mike Foster Award for General Excellence, the highest award presented, at the Illinois Community College Journalism Association annual spring conference.

“Wow. Tons of local content relevant to your campus,” the judges commented. “All of it was interesting. Paper is well-designed. Great job.”

Sophomore Martha Hoffman of Earlville serves as editor-in-chief for IV Leader.

Student newspapers from across the state can earn recognition at the conference hosted this year by Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. Some contest categories are based on enrollment while others are open to all newspapers.

In addition to winning first place for general excellence in Division II, IV Leader won first place for news story for its coverage of the tornado that hit Naplate and Ottawa. “Nice job covering a major news event,” the judge said.

“Your coverage was thorough and compelling.”

In the open division, IV Leader received awards for multime-

MILLENNIAL FALCON

On April 18, MIMIC (Making Industry Meaningful In College) had their 23rd Annual MIMIC Fair in the hall near the cafeteria.

This year, they had many original items for sale. This includes the “Torch-nado,” a tabletop fire feature that uses physics to create a swirling flame and Bluetooth-enabled lamp with built-in speaker.

Arguably, the most anticipated item of the day was the “Star Wars” themed chess table.

The top is the Millennium Falcon—Han Solo’s ship, the base is a Tie-Fighter—the ships used by the Sith for battle, and the adjustable feet of the table look like the feet from the At-At Walkers from “Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” (1980).

Even the chess pieces are Star Wars characters divided into The Light Side and The Dark Side!

The King and Queen sets are Princess Leia and Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader and Empire Palpatine from the original trilogy.

This table was made and designed by Travis Mclaughlin, a former MIMIC lab assistant and student. Each year, he comes back to assist current students with projects.

Dorene Data, Computer Aided Design instructor here at IVCC and one of the original founders of MIMIC, said that over 200 tickets were sold for the Star Wars table. They raised over $600 for the student group.

All the proceeds go into their student organization account and will help fund future projects and trips. With such a high profit, the group is discussing a

IV Leader staff attended the Illinois Community College Journalism Association spring conference and accepted awards.

Back row: Noah Currie, Summer Hoagland-Abernathy, Rachel Einhaus, Alexandria Bennett, and adviser Lori Cinotte. Front row: Kellsie Edgcomb and Martha Hoffman.

dia story, reporter of the year, and graphics.

Award winners included: Stephanie Bias of LaSalle, honorable mention in the open division for reporter of the year; Bethany Black of Oglesby, second place in sports feature; Aelsa Butler of Arlington, first place in news column; Kellsie Edgcomb, of Peru, first place in headline writing; Summer Hoagland-Abernathy of Marseilles, second place in arts review; Martha Hoffman of Earlville, honorable mention in feature writing; Brittany Marx of Peru and Josh Rinehart of Oglesby, first place in arts review; Akari Oya of Peru, first place in sports photo; Aaron Pellican of LaSalle, honorable mention in the open division for multimedia story; Kyle Russell of Utica, first and second place in feature photo, first and third place in news photo; Peggy Schneider of Ottawa, second place in the open division for graphics; Tyler Towne of Peru, honorable mention in multimedia story, third place in headline writing, first place in page design, third place in sports news, and third place in sports feature; Lori Cinotte, journalism instructor, is faculty adviser for the paper.

Submitted photo

Kellsie Edgcomb, seated at the Star Wars chess table.

possible charitable donation to help give back to the community.

Kellsie Edgcomb (yes, me!) was the lucky winner of the Star Wars table! I could not be more thrilled to take home this table! I have been a huge Star Wars fan since I watched the first film as a child.

My dad actually had to critique the film for a class he was taking here at IVCC back in the early 2000s. Winning this table at IVCC comes full circle and makes the item even more meaningful to me.

I know I made many people envious: Dorene Data told me that one person spent over $100 on raffle tickets trying to take this one-of-a-kind piece home with them, but I am here to say I am very grateful and will love

this chess set very much!

I only spent $20 on my six raffle tickets and knew that even if I didn’t win, the money was going to a good place.

Additionally, I told Dorene that I was thankful that this was a raffle item, not a silent auction or an item for sale. Being a raffle means students on a budget, like myself, have an equal chance of winning such an amazing item.

Thank you to all of the MIMIC students and to you Star Wars fans that also spent some of your lunch money on raffle tickets, rest assured that I, “Millennial Falcon,” (see my roller derby article) will give this table a great home.

P.S. I will 100 percent be learning chess this summer!

Sharing challenges and success

IV Leader photo

An IVCC student tells about the obstacles she has overcome at the Women of IVCC presentation led by Nora Villarreal, IVCC English instructor and Writing Center director. A link to the video shown can be found on Villarreall’s faculty web page.

Klieber shows fitness is a lifestyle for everyone

By Erica Lawless

IV Leader Staff Writer

Tracie Klieber wishes students would realize that every time they step into the fitness center or a gym, it’s an opportunity to change their health and their life.

Klieber is a 57-year-old fitness instructor at Illinois Valley Community College.

She has been working at the IVCC Fitness Center for more than 10 years.

Her colleague, Tony Ruda, enjoys working with Klieber because she has a passion for fitness. “[Her] energy and service to the college make her a valued employee who provides a spark of positive energy to our workplace,” Ruda said.

Klieber was born in Spring Valley and is the second daughter in a family of five children. When she was two, her parents moved to the suburbs of Chicago. Her dad was an iron worker and that’s where he could find work.

Her father worked on what used to be the John Hancock Building and many other wellknown buildings in Chicago.

When she was 14, her family moved to Peru.

She went to LaSalle-Peru High School from 1975–1979. Klieber has spent the majority of her life living in the Illinois Valley.

Her memories of fitness begin at a young age. Her family did not sit around the house because “there were more exciting things to do outside.”

In the summer they would go hiking, bicycle riding and swimming. They would build forts, play tag, and hang out with neighborhood friends. In the winter, they would play in the snow, sled, or ice-skate and shovel driveways for neighbors who would sometimes reward them with a couple of dollars.

They also had a lot of housework and chores to do and, combined with their homework, it made for some busy days. In her teens, her transportation was her

Klieber bicycle or her own two feet.

“We would walk and walk for miles,” she said.

Klieber began her career as an aerobics instructor at age 19. She had heard about an aerobic studio, which was new at the time. It was named The New You. Klieber decided it would be a good way to keep in shape, so she took the time to attend some classes.

These classes were an hour

long, and the instructor would play a record describing the workout moves. Some examples of the records are Jane Fonda, Joannie Griggins and Richard Simmons.

Since it was hard to figure out what exercise you were supposed to be doing, the instructor would learn the exercises and instruct to what the record described.

After Klieber had attended the class for a couple weeks, the owner felt she would be a good instructor. That was the start of her career, which has evolved greatly over the years.

After two years of instructing to records, she went to Chicago to become a Certified Fitness Instructor. It was a 3-day workshop.

At 21 years old, she received her certificate through IDEA Health and Fitness Association.

Shortly after she applied at Leisure World, and that was where her real instruction began. She also instructed at Body Works, Causas, and ran her own business for two years, which

was Heart Beat Aerobics.

Her life as a fitness instructor has proved to be more than she ever dreamed of.

“I started something on a whim or an impulse, for something to keep me in shape, and it became a lifelong career,” Klieber said.

She believes that one of the most challenging things about fitness is finding the time and making the time. She loves that while teaching the class, she is working out as much as anyone taking the class.

Klieber’s hobbies outside the Fitness Center include spending time with her three daughters and family and planting and harvesting a huge vegetable garden from spring to late fall. She does a lot of canning as well.

She has a German shepherd dog that needs lots of attention and love.

Klieber never forgets her religion and takes the time to give thanks for all her and her family’s blessings.

6

www.ivleader.com IV LEADER April 26, 2018

CULTURE ‘Disaster!’ is ‘Hot Stuff’ this ‘Saturday Night’

“Disaster! On Broadway” hilariously transports the audience to a decade of disco, dancing and apparently FRONT ROW TICKETS dramatic death.

Though the show takes place during the late 1970s, Olivia Heinzeroth people of IV Leader Columnist all ages will find humor in the plot, characters and inevitable catastrophe that no one can escape. By utilizing ‘70s-era pop hits, various plot lines and the imitation of disaster movies of the same decade, every person in attendance is guaranteed to laugh out loud.

Illinois Valley Community College’s production of this off-beat musical opened on April 19th to an audience unsure of what to expect.

Unlike the theater department’s previous musical productions of “Sweet Charity” and “Young Frankenstein,” “Disaster!” isn’t as well known due to how relatively new it is to the theater community and perhaps due to its lack of a Hollywood movie adaptation.

However, director and choreographer Don Grant Zellmer found the right production to showcase the talent of IVCC students and community members.

“Disaster!” features a cast of a diva, gambling nun, a lonely reporter, a depressed waiter, a nightclub fixture and her twin children, a penny-pinching con man, a disaster expert and even a terminally ill wife with her freshly retired husband—all of which are attending the opening night of the Barracuda: a new casino and disco club on a boat.

With trouble lurking around every corner for those in attendance of the casino’s opening night, the characters go from asking “what could possibly go wrong” to “what the hell is happening now” all while boogying to the sounds of the decade.

“Disaster!” is a guaranteed hit for the theater department and all who can are Photos by Akari Oya. highly encouraged to attend it on the last ‘Disaster!’ is ‘Still the One’ musical to see this weekend weekend of shows.

Brush up on the 1974 film “Earthquake,” memorize the lyrics to “Feels so Good” by Chuck Mangione, put on those go-go “Disaster!” runs April 26, 27 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., and a final show on April 29 will boots and head out to the final weekend of “Disaster!” As always, IVCC students who present their student IDs will be granted free admission. be at 2 p.m.

The Newsies Strike of 1899: Still making headlines “Newsies: The Musical” hit the Broadway stage in 2011 and Netflix in 2017, and throughout those years, young fans across the country have been cheering for their favorite newsboy rebels.

Disney’s hit musical, which was based on their 1992 film by the same name, which was based on the Newsboys Strike of 1899, was targeted to an audience of teenagers and preteens, which shows in the energy of the audience. Where usually, a Broadway audience is full of fervent clapping and maybe a few whistles, this was all the screaming of a boy band concert.

But where boy bands are perceived to be shallow imitations of performance art, even the youngest and most inexperienced performers in “Newsies” brought all the talent and flair of a seasoned professional.

And they needed to with their songs

and choreography, which FROM THE MEZZANINE played by John Dossett, were so intricately written owner of The World, makes and designed that Alan them worse when he raises Menken and Jack Feldthe newsies’ price to fatten man, creators of the score, his own pockets, knowing and Christopher Gattelli, what it would do to their choreographer, won the already destitute lives.

Tony Awards for their But one factor that Purespective categories. litzer does not count on his Summer H.-Abernathy Although, all the daughter Katherine, played Cultural Editor spectacle in the world

by Kara Lindsay, who is could not get this musical trying to break her way into to Broadway if there was not a solid story the journalistic world without the help behind it. of her father. She sides with the newsThe musical showcases the newsies, ies’ strike against this price raise so that who are a group of poor children, most The Sun will finally give her a chance to of whom lived on the streets of New York report news, instead of having to review in the late nineteenth and early twentieth vaudeville acts. And from there, the rest is centuries, and whose only income comes history. from buying newspapers for a low price Lindsay and Jeremy Jordan, who plays and reselling them to the public. Working Jack Kelly, the leader of the newsies, both conditions are poor, but Joseph Pulitzer,

have the vocal ranges to topple broadway, but my one qualm with this musical is that the two were forced into a romantic subplot that may have damped the effect of the themes.

Yes, young people can do anything they put their minds to, and yes, a woman can do anything a man can do, but Katherine’s willingness to go wherever the wind might take Kelly, takes away from her struggle as a woman in what was “man’s work.”

However, for a target audience of young Disney fans, this musical did great work in teaching children that just because an adult does something does not make it right. Themes along this line in the script were well-performed, and deserved all the teenage screams they received.

What are African-American superheroes trying to say?

On Sept. 16, 2016, Netflix released a straight-to-series season of “Luke Cage” where we were finally introduced to the bulletproof D-list hero, formally known as Marvel’s Power Man, in modern day Harlem.

Only two years later did The CW television network release DC Comic’s Black Lightning about Principal Jefferson Pierce overcoming a strong negative presence toward people of color while also feeling the old spark of his light—Black Lightning.

And as of Feb. 16 this year, we encountered the monumental Black Panther.

Already, we have a strong superhero presence from people of color. Filled with morals and ways or steps to deal with life’s issues, these heroes have more to say than just their abilities.

In “Luke Cage,” we discover that he was a framed officer, taking the heat for another, and was imprisoned in a harsh environment where correctional officers and the warden used heavy hitting inmates as boxers for their gambling benefit.

Flash forward some time to his stand alone, he is an escaped convict named Carl Lucas, now hooded under the name of Luke Cage. Luke returns to Harlem and works a field of jobs to make ends meet. Known to the community as a helping hand and a

BOX OFFICE BLITZ

J.Q. Church

IV Leader Columnist

man who stops violence in the community without the use of a gun. This is one message that tells that a hooded black man does not pose a threat, even at his staggering figure of 6 feet 3 inches and over 200 pounds However, whilst fighting crime, Cage spreads messages of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. He also looks up to the works of Don King and many others to provide a truer, more respectful view of the person of color.

While my best friend had a hard time wanting to watch this show due to its strong color and lack of white characters, he found the capacity to sit forward and binge the show to its end to tell me he thoroughly enjoyed its “black positivity.”

Watching “Cage,” you see some situations like in Episode 3 of “The Defenders”: Luke visits a mother who lost her children to the streets of Harlem. She talks

about trying to provide the view of a better life outside of poverty and police brutality, yet she cries out “all my babies are gone.”

This is a sad reality and truth about urban communities, with systemic issues that made and kept ghettos had gone to affect them to the point where life is gangs, drugs, and school-to-prison education.

The most powerful image is a bulletproof black man passively facing off with armed police.

Seen as a hero, rapper Method Man says in his Bulletproof Love freestyle, “look dawg, a hero never had one / Already took Malcom and Martin this is the last one,” to say that colored heroes have all be taken from us, they won’t have this one.

That’s where Black Lightning comes in. Affected by an American government-sanctioned drug experiment meant to make the colored city of Freeland ‘docile’ and ‘responsive’ to commands, Jefferson was the lone survivor who accumulated abilities from it.

Although in different companies, Black Lightning, or Principal Jefferson, is shown years after his youth spent being a superhero. He had returned to Freeland after being an Olympic runner and turned its high school into a prep school, serving as its principal.

He negotiated the neutrality of the school’s grounds to gang leaders to allow public growth.

One thing gang members would prefer to see is colored youth getting their education.

Jefferson’s presence in Freeland shows us exactly what success looks like in a colored community. He provides foundations of codes and deviates the ‘banging’ out of troubled students. He is a strong colored man who guides the youth.

Another notable character is Inspector Henderson, the Commissioner Gordon of this series, who helps Black Lightning investigate. Although he stays out of battle, he looks out for Freeland and believes in saving Freeland.

Although his ex-wife hates the return of his alter ego, he keeps fighting for Freeland because in the end he will regret the chances he never took.

Back to “Cage,” we also have Detective Misty Knight who fights for her city. In Harlem, she works with Cage to fight the negative presence. She is the first colored woman hero to hit the screen. With strength, independence, and her intuition, Misty becomes a force to be reckoned with: a dominant force of woman on the streets of Harlem.

Across the margin, or well overseas, Black Panther hits many views of power. A sover-

eign country of Africans, Wakanda housed an all-woman elite military guard who spoke several languages and provided a view of girl power to all who watched.

We see a queen whose love provided to all, a teen princess whose brilliance would overthrow herself with more brilliance, and a new king who wished to bestow benevolence and peace to other nations.

We learned from T’challa that “In times of crisis, the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.”

But what exactly do these heroes all represent? Beyond a strong representation of ‘black excellence,’ what these people did without their abilities was extraordinary.

These people could lead their communities and provide balance and strength. They could overcome racial oppression with positive messages of unity and combined intelligence.

These people were heroes because of their community work and messages.

Their work was to show that you don’t need abilities to be a good person or to show strength.

It was conviction and the knowledge of right and wrong to drive you to do selfless actions.

www.ivleader.com IV LEADER April 26, 2018

7

STUDY ABROAD

Photo from publicdomainpictures.net.

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go” Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs proudly proceeds leadership in international education and cultural diversity throughout Illinois and other states. The ICISP offers cost-effective programs, services and opportunities. The ICISP offers five study abroad destinations: Austria, Costa Rica, France, England and Ireland.

Study abroad: Open your mind and a book Salzburg College is a private college for English-speaking students located in the heart of Salzburg, Austria. At this college, students attend classes taught in English by Austrian professors. The classes are small and allow for a close relationship with the instructors.

Program Credits: Students will receive up to 18 transferable college credits in the semester programs and 6-7 credits for the summer.

Required courses: • Austrian Civilization (3) • Music History or Art History (3) • A German course at the appropriate level (3-4) • 1-2 elective courses Cost Includes: • Instructional costs • Homestay and most meals (except during college break and field trips) • Some meals during major field trips S • Personal expenses • International Student ID card • Fees associated with certain courses Lodging and Meals: Housing is provided in Austrian homes with local families. Meals will be provided by the host family, except for lunch, which is provided via the college meal plan.

Austria

Official photo from the Salzburg College Facebook.

“Climb Every Mountain” Find your dreams at Salzburg College in Austria. Including scenic views and language studies of all levels in German, this educational opportunity is a must-try.

Students will attend Carlow College, 45 miles southwest of Dublin. This is a small college around 800 students, which allows them to engage with student-centered faculty.

Ireland Photo from the official Carlow College website.

March into success Culture abound, this Carlow College is an experience for anyone looking to learn about Irish history and modern life.

Program Credits: Students will take 12 transferable college credits.

Required courses: • The Irish Expierence (3) • 3 elective courses (9) Cost Includes: • Instructional costs • Housing • Course- related field trips • Insurance Not Included: • Airfare • Passport • Visa • Home institution tuition and fees Lodging and Meals: Students will live in a newly renovated residence hall on the college campus. Students will share bathrooms, living and kitchen space with 3-4 other students. The bedrooms are private and there is a cafeteria on campus all though meals are not included.

Students will attend Canterbury Christ Church University, a growing institution with 14,00 students. It is located near the medieval city wall and a few blocks away from the well-known Canterbury Cathedral. Being surrounded by the English countryside, Canterbury has an easy access to London.

Program Credits: Students will receive up to 12 transferable college credits in the semester programs and 6 credits for the summer.

Required classes (semester program): • British Politics and Society (3) • Survey of British Lecture OR Survey of British History (3) • 2 elective course (6) Cost Includes: • Instruction costs • Homestay • Breakfast Daily • Course-related field trips • Insurance Not Included: • Airfare • Passport • Noon and evening meals • Books • Refundable Library Deposit (campus & town) • Personal experiences • Home institution tuition and fees Official photo from the ICISP website.

Lodging and Meals: Housing is provided in British homes with local students. The homestay provided Be your own Victorian romance novel students with wonderful opportunities to gain firsthand experience with British culture. At Canterbury Christ Church University, students can experience the historic views of London, while learning about politics and life in England.

England

Prep time Students looking to study abroad must first fill out a 21-page ICISP form that they can acquire from Steve Alvin in room D305 or by his office number: 815-224-0423. There is a certain level of maturity and responsibility that an applicant needs to have before they even fill out the form, but if they meet all of the requirements, the form is sent to another group to be reviewed.

It is only after the travel group accepts the application that the process of fees may begin. Although the application process lengthy, kind words from former students prove its worth.

Official ICISP form.

Excerpts from former IVCC student Stephanie Bias’ article on studying abroad: “I did not know that IVCC offers classes abroad until my second semester at IVCC. After learning about the programs through a faculty member, I realized that I may be able to afford an experience abroad. I decided to apply. The College of DuPage directors reviewed my application, and four weeks later, I was informed that I would soon be studying Spanish in Costa Rica...

“The program placed me with a host family in the neighborhood of Curridabat. I struggled immensely with this element of my experience because I could hardly communicate with my “host mother.” The language barrier divided us and forced me to depend on my pocket dictionary and my roommate’s elementary Spanish vocabulary.

“This challenge caused an enormous amount of frustration for me, but thanks to my Spanish teacher, I learned how to form complete sentences and maintain simple conversations by the end of my trip. Learning to speak Spanish was perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my experience abroad...

“I encourage students to take advantage of IVCC’s study abroad opportunities. I highly recommend the Costa Rica program due to the fact that it is the cheapest program available and includes the most in terms of airfare, food and housing. Now is the ideal time to study abroad for most community college students.”

VOLUME 52 • ISSUE 10 • April 26, 2018

7th-Inning Stretch Softball season winds down

By Tyler Towne

IV Leader Sports Editor

The Lady Eagles have had an unconventional season.

After returning home from their opening games in Florida, they have found weather that is not conducive to their sport. From rain to snow, the softball team has had their fair share of rescheduling and postponements. But the bad weather has not yet dampened the mood for the Lady Eagles.

“Softball is my entire life,” said sophomore Grace Honiotes. I’m always ready for game day.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature won’t let us play when we want to. But my mind is always game ready.”

Since returning from the trip, the Lady Eagles are 5-7. While the record won’t blow many people away, the girls are confident with their team going forward.

“I think there were a lot of games that we could have won this season so far, but it just came down to a few mistakes that proved to be the difference,” said second-year player, Brianna Lau. “We are still just trying adjust and work

well together as a team.”

The offense has been there thus far for the Lady Eagles led by L-P Alumnus Quincie Weber, and two freshmen Rena Barroso and Brenna McCann. McCann leads the team in runs batted in (RBIs) this year with 15 while hitting a remarkable .500. Barroso and Weber have been getting on base a lot and scoring a majority of the runs for the Lady Eagles so far. Weber is hitting .452 and has scored 14 runs while Barroso follows with a .386 average and 12 runs scored.

In the circle, its been a three-woman crew between McCann, sophomore Lauren Tjaden, and Ottawa Marquette alumnus Maddie Dougherty. McCann and Tjaden have led the way with 31 innings pitched a piece, while Dougherty has added 13. Tjaden has led the team striking out 21 batters, followed by McCann with 15 and 6

by Dougherty.

If the Lady Eagles can clean up the defensive side of the ball (33 errors), look for them to get right back into the swing of things and make a run at the end of the year.

“We have a lot of talent on this team,” said Lau. “I know we can put it together by the postseason and turn some heads in the tournament.”

Perfect pitch

IV Leader photo/Akari Oya

Maddie Dougherty delivers a pitch for the Eagles during a home game.

Key players stand out for Eagles Pohar selected for third team honor

By Tyler Towne

IV Leader Sports Editor

The IVCC Eagles have had a rough 2018 campaign. Out of the gate, the Eagles are 13-23 overall and 2-11 in conference.

While the team may have a disappointing record thus far, there are some key players that have stood out.

Brady Huebbe’s bat has been rather impressive this year. Huebbe is hitting a team leading .400 while also leading the team in home runs (9) and runs batted in (38).

“I’ve just been trying to keep my composure, and not think about the score,” said Huebbe, when asked how he can continue to hit even in losing efforts. “I focus on my fundamentals, relax, and let the game come to me.”

Huebbe along with fellow L-P graduate, Austin Prybylinski, have been driving in a lot of runs with Prybylinski’s 22.

Putnam County graduate and Sophomore Neal Stasell has been getting it done with the bat and his

legs with 18 RBI’s and a team leading 8 stolen bases.

On the mound this year, Stasell, Sullivan Stickann, and Jake Hanlon have been leading the way as far as innings pitched go.

The three combine for over 60 innings pitched and 53 strikeouts. Prybylinski has led the team thus far on the mound in strikeouts totaling 25 in his first 19 innings pitched.

“I love pitching and I’ve been doing it for a very long time, said the freshman Prybylinski. “It’s really special for me to pitch at the collegiate level. I am happy, but not yet satisfied, with how I have done on the mound.”

The Eagles still have six more conference games to go before the season ends, against Sauk Valley and Carl Sandburg, before heading into the postseason.

The playoffs are a completely different season, however, and the guys know it.

“Everyone gets a little more serious and guys start to buckle down when it becomes crunch time,” according to Huebbe. “I definitely think we have some postseason magic in us.”

By Tyler Towne

IV Leader Sports Editor

IVCC standout guard and sophomore Julia Pohar of Peru was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II All-American third team. She is the first player to hold this honor in the Tom Ptak’s tenure.

Pohar had earlier been named MVP of the Arrowhead Conference. The St. Bede Academy graduate averaged 21.4 points per game, shot 84.5 percent from the free throw line and scored 1,000 points as a Lady Eagle. She also helped lead the team to a co-conference championship and an overall 18-11 record.

“I was very surprised about the selection, there were a lot of very good players nominated so I am very honroed to receive such a prestigious award,” said Pohar.

Recently, Pohar also was named one of 12 Thomas J. McCormack Scholars, IVCC’s highest academic achievement. She will transfer to the University of Iowa to study finance next fall.

Double standard plagues NFL, hurts integrity The National Football league may be the king sporting league in this country. From television ratings to overall revenue, the NFL takes the cake over the MLB, NBA, and NHL. While all that is good for the NFL, they very well could have an extremely costly problem on their hands.

When Colin Kaepernick and then teammate Eric Reid started kneeling for the National Anthem in August 2016, it was a stance on racial injustice in this country, though many citizens felt differently. This issue become extremely polarizing among fans, players, political figures, and more.

It’s been nearly a year and a half since Kaepernick took a knee.

After opting out of his contract the following season, Kaepernick became a free agent. Today, he is

SPORTS REPORT

Jacob Steinberg

IV Leader Sports Columnist

still a free agent.

Most recently, the Seattle Seahawks were going to bring Kaepernick in for a workout.

However, they decided against it at the last minute. Adam Schefter of ESPN stated in a tweet that it was because Kaepernick would not give them an answer about whether he would kneel this season. Seattle ended up signing

Stephen Morris, who has never played a meaningful NFL snap in his career.

Colin Kaepernick is better than all the free agent quarterbacks that have been signed off the streets. For example, Brandon Weeden, who signed with the Titans during the middle of last season, has not taken a meaningful snap since 2015. Josh Johnson, who has not played in a single game since 2013, signed with the Texans in the same time frame.

Yet the question among all the best reporters and analysts remains. How has Kaepernick not been signed yet?

The answer is simple. Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed from the NFL, and that is where the problem comes to light. NFL teams are willing to have known

domestic abusers on their teams, but not willing to sign Kaepernick, who took his team to the Super Bowl in 2012. This is seemingly a double standard that is hurting the image of the NFL. It is what Kaepernick’s former team, the San Francisco 49ers, are dealing with now.

Reuben Foster, a first round pick in 2017, was charged with three felony charges on domestic violence, and a misdemeanor weapons charge. Authorities say that Foster attacked a woman who was 28 years old. She was left with bruises and a ruptured ear drum and was taken to a hospital. If he is convicted on all charges, he faces up to 11 years in prison.

It also applies to the Cincinnati Bengals, who drafted Joe

Mixon in the second round in last years draft. In 2014, Mixon was caught on tape knocking a woman unconscious. Their owner and general manager, Mike Brown, recently questioned Reid if he planned to continue protesting.

Reid was caught off guard and did not answer the question. Reid is still a free agent.

That is an example of the double standard that hurts the league’s integrity. It sends a terrible message to fans that domestic abusers are welcome in the league, but players who take an unpopular political stance are not.

Now is the time for the NFL to clean up its act. It needs to happen immediately, or the NFL faces a risk of being eclipsed by the NBA as the king sporting league

Philadelphia 76ers follow process to playoff spot Prior to this season, the Philadelphia 76ers had not made the playoffs since the 2011-2012 season. Since then their former General Manager, Sam Hinkie, was a man who believed in analytics.

He studied the numbers precariously, tanking began, and “The Process” was underway.

Through all the bad seasons, the bad draft picks, the awful records, and the injuries to promising young players the 76ers had drafted, Hinkie still believed. Unfortunately, Hinkie would not last long enough to see the rewards of his hard work.

This season, the 76ers have risen in the Eastern Conference behind The Process. One major reason is Joel Embiid, superstar big man in his second season

SIDELINE NOTES

Mason Lucas

IV Leader Sports Columnist

after being injured the last two seasons. A second, goes by the nameme Ben Simmons. The first overall pick last year who is a rookie this year due to an injury that kept him out of the entire 2017 campaign..

Embiid, aka “The Process,” averaged 22.9 points per game (ppg), 11.0 rebounds per game (rpg), and 1.8 blocks per game

(bpg). He lead the way for the 76ers as their best player on both sides of the floor. Embiid is a dominate low post presence with great skill and footwork to be the complete package on offense, while serving as an anchor on the defensive end.

Simmons, in his “rookie year,” averaged 15.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg, and 8.2 assists per game (apg). Simmons was the 76ers second best player in his rookie campaign. His allaround versatility was shown on the offensive end as a constant triple double threat and a great defender when he wants to be (1.7 steals per game).

The 76ers also had a plethora of great young talent, as well as a few good veterans around these two superstars. Dario Saric,

second year player from Croatia, is a great shooter and passer off the bench. JJ Redick is an all-time great shooter, and Robert Covington is a fantastic three-point shooter and defensive stopper.

The 76ers added two other good veteran pieces in sharpshooters Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova mid-season. The moves made the 76ers a sharpshooting all-around team with almost enough space to seamlessly drive a truck through the paint on offense.

And of course, who could forget about Brett Brown, head coach of the 76ers, who has the team firing on all cylinders. The team is the best passing team in the National Basketball Association and finished the regular sea-

son on a 16-game winning streak.

They finished with a 52-30 record, good enough for the third seed in the east, and have been butting heads with the Miami Heat in ther first-round..

The team has developed an all-around style of basketball and a winning culture. They have two superstars they can build around, and they are currently on fire. As they are becoming a favorite in the Eastern Conference to take the conference champions.

Even if they do not win the conference this year. Their culture and roster are set-up to be a big problem for all Eastern Conference foes. Then begging the question of not if they will complete the process by winning an NBA championship, but when?