IV Leader 04/28/22

IV Leader The award-Winning Student Newspaper of Illinois valley Community College

news:

sga eLeCTIoN reSuLTS MCCormack scholars studentS STuDy abroad Pages 2-5

volume 56 Issue 10 april 28, 2022

opinion:

trustee’s corner Page 6

iv leader photo/hope beelman

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news

april 28, 2022

iv Leader

FINAL EXAMS Visit ivcc.edu/finalexams/index.php to find out when each course will hold their final exam.

Hallock wins support staff award

Graphic/Emme Bottom

PAULA HALLOCK Paula Hallock of Tonica is the 2022 winner of Illinois Valley Community College’s Connie Skerston Memorial Award for Support Staff Distinguished Service.

Hallock, Human Resources administrative assistant, was nominated by Ottawa Center counselor Valery Calvetti.

“Like Connie – Paula has demonstrated service excellence to our college community,” Calvetti said.

“She has participated quietly and professionally on teams for the benefit of us all.

“Whenever I call Paula she makes me feel as if my time is the priority even though I know there are far more pressing matters needing her time and attention,” Calvetti added.

“When an employee turns to Human Resources it typically involves a very personal need. It is refreshing to have Paula serve as

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the gateway in HR. When Paula picks up the phone or greets you from her desk, we all breathe a little easier.

For years, Paula has served quietly and graciously – helping care for us all.”

Hallock has worked at IVCC since 1998. She and husband Nolan have two sons.

The award is named in memory of former assistant director of admissions and records Connie Skerston who died in 2015.

Hallock and the other 2022 support staff nominees: Dawn Lockwood and Mary Smith of CETLA; Gracelyn Quesse of Student Services; Donna Swiskoski of the Foundation office; and Manessa Trench of the Copy Center will be honored Friday night at IVCC’s employee recognition reception at Grand Bear Resort in Utica – an event Hallock has helped coordinate with colleagues since 2000.

IVCC announces sophomore SGA officers

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NICOLETTE KENDALL

TY PERIN

Nicolette Kendall of Streator has been elected president of the Illinois Valley Community College Student Government Association following recent sophomore elections.

Ty Perin of Peru was elected Vice-President.

Austin Dille of Ottawa was elected student trustee, Rilan Rosengren of Ottawa, treasurer, and Sydnee Wright of Peru, secretary.

Lauren Phillips of LaSalle won election to the sophomore programming board, while Raven Bridges of LaSalle won Sophomore

Representative.

Student Activities Coordinator Cory Tomasson said, “I am excited to have such a great group of students getting involved in the SGA. “We have a couple freshmen returning next year, who will give the group some prior knowledge of on-going projects. New members are already active in other areas at IVCC and will bring great ideas to the organization,” he added.

news MIMIC reinvents for fair iv Leader

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IV Leader Photo/Drew Farrell and Elisabeth Farrell

By Drew Farrell and Elisabeth Farrell IV Leader Staff Writers

MIMIC, an award-winning IVCC program established in 1995, stands for “Making Industry Meaningful in College.” The goal of the organization is to recreate—that is, mimic—real-world situations for students going into STEM-based fields.

MIMIC is not a club, but a computer-aided design (CAD) class. From the fall until spring, students work to market, sell, and design their own products to be sold to the public at the annual fair.

Since its creation, MIMIC has undergone many changes and challenges, but its goal has always remained the same—preparing STEM students for a career in the modern science industry. To achieve that, different classes have partnered with the program over the years.

For example, psychology students once worked with the MIMIC class to provide insight on the public’s mental processes.

One year, the MIMIC, art, English, and theater departments worked in tandem to create a play production. MIMIC developed a portable stage for IVCC actors to perform with. The play, a puppet show, was written by the English students, and art classes designed the scenes and props.

“They [the students] learn to work with people who don’t think the same as you,” explained Dorene Data, the MIMIC instructor, who was part of the team that thought of the original idea. “It helps them to get out of that ‘box,’ and see what it takes to form a company in all aspects.”

In the past, the CAD program would often work with accounting and marketing classes. The students would team up together to learn how to budget, develop, advertise, and design useful and aesthetically-pleasing products.

This year, however, the MIMIC class

worked on their own.

“We reinvent ourselves each year,” said Data, when asked about how the change might affect the organization. “Whatever the year brought, we adapted.”

Data encourages all students interested in STEM to consider taking the MIMIC class.

“It’s such a wide open field,” she said.

“There are so many well-paying jobs out there, and they aren’t going away. It’s such an exciting field with so many opportunities.”

Many MIMIC students are pursuing a future in engineering, computer design, and manufacturing. In fact, about two-thirds of Data’s class are interns for local tech companies.

Students Jacob Smith and Max Walker plan to work in technology after their graduation. Smith stated that he enjoys the opportunity of creating projects.

Robert Matthews, who currently has an internship with James Hardie Industries, nearly sold out of his “Screaming Wedgie” products at the fair. He too seeks a career in tech design.

“I wanted to make something unique and useful for everybody to use,” said Nini Hoang in reference to her MIMIC fair merchandise, the “Travel Desk.” Hoang plans to transfer to Northern Illinois University after IVCC, then work for Nucor as a retailer.

Aaron Kerner, who is hopeful for a future in architecture, spoke on his time in the organization.

“MIMIC is a great class for a student to take if you are planning on going out into industrial design. The class helps understand that products need to be redesigned constantly to adapt new ideas and fix problems caused by design. It also helps by understanding that not everyone will buy your product, and certain groups of people will be interested in the product while others would have no need. It really makes a student think about the consumer when in the design process,” saud Kerner.

IV Leader Photos/Drew Farrell and Elisabeth Farrell

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april 28, 2022

news

iv Leader

Medical Assistant program celebrates first graduation Illinois Valley Community College’s Medical Assistant program celebrated seven gradates at its first graduation ceremony recently in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre.

Graduates include Brandee Bernhardt and Emily Mitchell of Oglesby, Christine Buckley of Ransom, Breanne Fultz of Mendota, Danya Garcia and Melissa Lisette Serna of Ottawa and Kelly Smith of Princeton.

IVCC’s four-semester, 29.5 credit hour program began

in January 2020.

Medical assistants perform a combination of administrative and clinical tasks such as initial patient assessment, physical exams, medical histories, collection and processing of samples and patient prep, among other duties.

A few seats remain in the program’s next start in August. Contact program coordinator Kaity Ritter at (815) 224-0274 or Kaity_ritter@ivcc.

Submitted Photo edu. To register, call Records at (815) 224- IVCC’s first Medical Assistant graduating class included, from left, Dayna Garcia, Melissa Lisette Serna, Breanne Fultz, program coordinator Kaity Ritter, Kelly Smith and Brandee Bernhardt. Graduates 0447.

Emily Mitchell of Oglesby and Christine Buckley of Ransom were unable to attend the ceremony.

IVCC names McCormack Scholars Illinois Valley Community College named five Thomas J. McCormack Scholars this spring including twins.

McCormack Scholars are Hope Beelman of Peru, Paige Blackburn of Spring Valley, Andrew and Ryan Gochanour of Wenona and Emily Schaibley of Marseilles.

To earn the college’s highest academic achievement, McCormack’s maintain a minimum 3.75 grade point average in at least 14 hours over three consecutive semesters.

The award honors IVCC’s first director, Dr. Thomas J. McCormack, who served La Salle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College from 1924 to 1932. The Princeton University-educated McCormack was renowned as one Submitted Photo of the nation’s outstanding 2022 McCormack Scholars are (left) Ryan Gochanour, Hope Beelman, Andrew Gochanour, Emily Schaibley and educators.

Paige Blackburn. The McCormack award is IVCC’s highest academic achievement.

news IVCC students to study abroad this summer iv Leader

april 28, 2022

IV Leader recognized with excellence awards

By Hope Beelman IV Leader Editor

IVCC students Sabrina Belmonte, left, and Raven Bridges.

This summer, Illinois Valley Community College students’ Sabrina Belmonte of Mendota and Raven Bridges of LaSalle will be taking advantage the college’s study abroad opportunities.

Bridges is a first-year student looking to graduate with her AS and then transfer to the University of Illinois for Biomedical Engineering. She will be traveling to France.

While there, she will be taking French I and staying in a private dorm sharing a communal kitchen with other study abroad students.

Bridges chose France initially for her love of Johnny Depp, but also because of the culture. She took 2-years of French in high school and felt a longing to experience the country herself.

“I am looking forward to meeting new people and having the chance to grow socially as I become more diverse in my travels and networks,” Bridges said.

Belmonte, a first-year marketing student

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will be studying in Costa Rica, where she will be immersed in the culture of a Spanish speaking community.

As someone who studied Spanish all four-years of high school and speaks it at home, Sabrina hopes to become fully bilingual.

While in Costa Rica, Sabrina will be staying with a host family while taking a history course and intermediate Spanish.

Belmonte received a $500 Founders Scholarship through the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs.

“Studying abroad is only my first adventure. I plan to continue traveling when I receive my degree. I’ve always wanted to travel and IVCC has given me the opportunity to achieve my dreams.”

For information about IVCC’s study abroad program, contact IVCC political science instructor Amanda Cook-Fesperman at Amanda_CookFesperman@ivcc.edu.

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Illinois Valley Community College’s student newspaper, IV Leader, won 16 awards in Division 2 of the Illinois Community College Journalism Association annual competition. All the entries were published by students in 2021.

All participating community college newspapers were “divided into two divisions that are based upon school enrollment” with all entries eligible to compete in the eight Open Divisions.

In addition to earning second-place in both Best Student Media and Mike Foster General Excellence, a category that “examines the overall quality of the publication’s media operation” and content, students won four first-place awards.

Hope Beelman, IV Leader Editor-in-Chief, earned three first-place awards in Division 2 for Front Page Design as well as Sports Game Story and Sports Feature with IVCC graduate Naomi Ochuba for their April 30, 2021 “Women’s soccer celebrates season” story.

“The writer[s] did a good job including many voices in the piece,” a judge emphasized.

Grace Spolec received a first-place award in Sports

Photo for her coverage of Women’s Soccer in early November. “It’s the sharpest photo of the action,” explained a judge.

IV Leader earned four second-place awards including Front Page Design and Staff Editorial by Hope Beelman. Leah Meyers received a second-place award in News Column for the “What ‘Asking For it’ Really Means” story from April 8, 2021, which discussed a Woman’s History Month presentation on violence against women.

Brianna Sloop and Grace Sparling won a second-place award in Sports Feature for their “Lady Eagles softball team ready for season” March 11, 2021 story.

Three third-place awards were earned in News Photo

by Hope Beelman for her coverage on COVID-19 testing, Sports Photo by Grace Spolec, and Staff Editorial

by Justice Petersen, former IV Leader Editor-in-Chief, for her opinion story “I Quit Social Media – Here’s What Happened” from March 11, 2021.

Honorable mention awards won included Page Design by Hope Beelman, Sports Game Story by Brianna Sloop and Grace Sparling, and Editorial Writer of the Year by Hope Beelman.

Wind Ensemble concert May 5 Illinois Valley Community College’s Wind Ensemble will offer a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5 in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre.

The performance will likely include the music of Morton Gould, Franz Biebl, John Philip Sousa, Percy Aldridge Grainger, Carolyn Bremer, David Maslanka, Alfred Reed and James Curnow.

Selections will include American Salute, Children’s March “Over the Hills and Far Away,” Early Light, Punchinello, and Give Us This Day, amongst other selections.

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

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opinion

april 28, 2022

iv Leader

Hello from 2022-23 Student Trustee

By Austin Dille

2022-2023 Student Trustee

Hi there, Eagles! My name is Austin Dille and I will be filling the role of Student Trustee.

I would like to recognize our previous student trustee, Madison Miranda. Madison was a star Student Trustee who helped me immensely through this transition.

Although it is upsetting to see Madison go, we all look forward to seeing what else she will accomplish.

She also provided me the tools and knowledge to be a successful Student Trustee.

My plan as Student Trustee is to inform everyone on what was discussed during the monthly board meetings.

I also plan to give updates on the Student Government Association meetings. As Student Trustee, I plan to listen and voice the concerns of all students, staff and faculty. Thank you all and I look forward to being this year’s Student Trustee.

On Thursday, April 21, the SGA held a meeting at 7

a.m. There was a Zoom session between the students in SGA and Dr. Matthew Seaton, to disucss Illinois Valley Community College’s new food provider, Arbor Management. Dr. Seaton was seeking ideas from students of what we would like to see.

Exciting news as there was talk about opening up the coffee bar and there might even be a app to order ahead of time.Our president, Dr. Jerry Corcoran envisions a learning space for students where food is provided, instead of students having to leave campus.

Also, a spring picnic will be held at IVCC. There will be a ton of food, snacks, and activities. Be sure to check it out!

On Thursday, April 14, there was a board meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, Madison was recognized for all the hard work and dedication that she put in over the past year. Afterwards, there was a friendly welcome to the new student trustee, me.

Then, Garrick Whitehead

was congratulated on filling the position for IVCC’s new computer networking and information technology instructor.

Additionally, the new technology bill was passed for $453,000. IVCC has a plan to replace 25% of old technology a year, until all is replaced and new. This bill will bring technology items such as 350 desktop computers with 24-inch monitors, 80 faculty laptops and 160 Hub monitors.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday, May 12 at 5:30 p.m.

To anyone who may have any questions, concerns or comments feel free to contact my email, K00341D1@office365.ivcc. edu. In the future, I plan to set up an office hour. Once my office hour is set up, I will be sure to post the day of the week and time for everyone to see.

Keep up all the hard work and good luck on finals. Just think, summer is right around the corner.

As the year comes to a close, I want to say thank you again for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Student Trustee. It has been such an honor and I am very grateful for the knowledge and leadership skills I have gained while serving in this position.

I am excited to continue on with my educational career at the University of Loyola Chicago to earn my bachelor’s degree in communications.

Truly no place so close can take you so far.

Austin and I will be speaking at the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 14.

Staff: Madison Miranda, Macy Anderson, Drew Farrell, Itzia Casas, Drake Weber, Nyah Nowakowski, Elisabeth Farrell, Nathan Orlandi, Emma Zelenik, Ricardo Diaz, Grace Spolec, Hope Stunkel

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AUSTIN DILLE

I have faith that Austin will serve as a wonderful Student Trustee and the next group of SGA members will continue to put together fun activities and events and serve the student body well.

Good luck on your upcoming finals and future endeavors.

Peace out, Eagles!

Trustee’s Corner

BY MADISON MIRANDA STUDENT TRUSTEE

Editor: Hope Beelman Sports Editor: Noah Simon

Student Trustee wishes luck to Eagles with a final farewell Hey, Eagles! Student Trustee Madison Miranda here for one last time.

I am happy to report that Austin Dille has been elected as the next Student Trustee.

The Student Government Association met on Tuesday, April 19 to welcome newly elected members and have them shadow their predecessors.

Everyone went around and introduced themselves and gave background on what SGA was currently working on.

Cory Tomasson and current members have ensured it will be a smooth transition for the newly elected group.

IV LEADER STAFF

IV Leader, a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, is published monthly by students of Illinois Valley Community College. Editorials and columns express opinions of student and staff members and do not necessarily express the views of IVCC, the administration or the Board.

Editorial opinions are those a student editorial board.

Letters to the editor must be signed and should be addressed to the IV Leader Office B-316, IVCC, 815 N. Orlando Smith Rd., Oglesby, IL 61348-9691.

IV LEADER ONLINE www.ivleader.com

FOLLOW @IVLEADER

Read the IV Leader online, meet the staff, apply for a staff position, and explore the newspaper’s long, distinguished history online.

INTERESTED IN THE IV LEADER? Contact Hope Beelman at K0036453@ office365.ivcc.edu or Lori Cinotte at lori_cinotte@ivcc.edu.

sports Men’s tennis off to rocky start iv Leader

By Nyah Nowakowski and Nathan Orlandi IV Leader Sports Writers

The Men’s Tennis team at Illinois Valley Community College has only played in four games with a record of one win and three losses. The last game of the season is approaching on either April 29 or 30, weather depending.

The team has only had a total of seven practices, only one of which took place outside due to the inclement weather the area has experienced this spring.

“For it being the first time playing tennis, I think as a player, I am playing well,” says sophomore, Emilson Castro.

“Our coach knows it is my first time playing. She is very patient with me and that has been the key to learning how to play.”

“It is also my first time ever playing tennis,” says freshman André Mendes.

“We are improving fast. Our coach has helped us a lot and goes over everything in practice multiple times.”

The team lost three of its players to different reasons during the transition from the fall season to the spring season.

Coach Julie Milota recruited players to fill those spots with very little notice.

“I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys,” stated Coach Milota. “They have been great all the way through and no matter what happens I really think some great relationships have been built between the guys.”

This will be the last semester that IVCC competes at the D3 level as they will be moving up to D1. This decision was made by the school board based on what’s best for student athletes and the school overall in terms of being able to offer financial aid to student athletes.

The tennis team got a glimpse of what the D1 competition may look like during the 2020-2021 year when all schools competed at the D1 level in the nationals due to COVID-19 and lack of competition.

Only one of the current players will be returning for the 2022-2023 year.

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Submitted Photo/Julie Milota

EMILSON CASTRO AND ANDRE MENDES

Men’s baseball reflects with positivity

By Madison Miranda, Drake Weber, and Noah Simon IV Leader Sports Writers

Assistant Coach Nick Harsted was asked about how he became a coach for the team, how the season has gone so far, and what the expectations are for the rest of the season.

When he was asked about how the season has unfolded in his eyes he responded, “The season has had many ups and downs. The biggest takeaways I have seen in the response the boys have had so far.”

Adding that wins and loses are not the only way to measure a season’s success. He is happy to see his player’s keep a good attitude throughout the ups and downs. “The boys are continuing to stay positive and show up with an winning atti-

tude everyday,” said Coach Harsted.

Additionally, he also praised the players ability to always keep a positive attitude and work ethic.

When asked about what drew him to the coaching position at Illinois Valley Community College, he replied, “The opportunity to impact young lives is something that is important to me. I am able to coach a sport that I love but also watch their growth over the two years they spend here” He was also optimistic about the team’s potential.

“IVCC baseball can be something special but it will require a lot of time and effort,” explained Coach Harsted.

He currently works as a GIS coordinator for the city of Ottawa, as well as a engineer technician for Estchied, Duttliner, & Associates.

When asked about how he manages to inte-

By Noah Simon and Madison Miranda IV Leader Sports Writers

Michael Cortez, who is both a catcher and outfielder for the Eagles, and Jace Addis, who is a pitcher and centerfielder, were asked about the current season, their expectations for the end, as well as their decision to come to Illinois Valley Community College to play baseball.

Cortez said, “I chose to come to IVCC because at the time before I transferred (here), I was at a different university getting ready to play football.”

He added that he viewed transferring to IVCC as a opportunity to get away from football and clear his mind.

Addis said he picked IVCC because it was close to home for him and he did not have to move away to go to school.

The two players were also asked about what they expect for the end of the

grate coaching baseball into his daily life he explained, “Coaching is a passion of mine. In my current situation in life I have every reason not to coach.” While coaching takes up valuable time available away from work.

“Being involved in helping people is something that gives me purpose. It makes me happy. I’ll never be too busy to help people.”

Lastly, he was asked about his hopes and expectations for the end of the season.

“My hope is that we end the season on a high note. We continue to get better week to week and it’s shown.”

He added, “Continuing to build a positive and winning culture is the stepping stone to a successful baseball program.”

season and what they hope to achieve in that time. Cortez answered, “The way I see the season ending up is that regardless of the record, this team will have worked really hard through some very tough adversity whether it was in the fall, winter, or spring.”

Acknowledging the tough season they have had, currently sitting on two wins compared to 13 loses, while also recognizing the positive aspects of a rather disappointing season. “I will always be proud to be a part of this team and I know that I have created some lifelong friendships regardless of where the team ends up.”

Addis said that he expects to end the season on a positive note and without a losing record.

The players and the team hope to end the season on a high note and build on the positive aspects of this year’s season next fall.

IV Leader sports volume 56 Issue 10 april 28, 2022

men’s tennis and baseball Page 7

submitted photo/chet phillips