IV Leader
Solar-powered charging, outdoor seating
Grant funds new addition to campus
By Maggie Spratt IV Leader Staff
Trying to beat the late summer heatwave but still want to stay outside?
The newest edition to campus can help you.
The Sunbolt Campus XL, located directly outside the main entrance, is the newest edition to the IVCC seating arrangements.
IVCC’s Director of Business Kathy Ross, along with Nikki VanNielen, worked with Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) to obtain a grant to pay for a new communal outdoor workspace.
Not only is it ADA accessible, but it is also wireless, creating a shady place where students can gather to study, collaborate on homework, and talk, all while wirelessly charging their electronics and catching some Vitamin D.
“We were going back and forth between projects,” according to Ross. “Stu-
dents were talking about outdoor spaces during our master plan process. Students really wanted to have an accessible outdoor space…(to study or collaborate) but that’s hard to do when you have (electronics) and you really need to charge them.”
The idea originated from a visit to Wren Lake Community College.
VanNielen was touring campus when the solar powered outdoor seating immediately caught her attention.
When she brought it to Ross’s attention, they both knew this was something that the students of IVCC needed.
If you attempt to visit this new solar powered study area and cannot find a seat, don’t get too disappointed: Ross and Vannielen hav:e submitted a second grant through IGEN for this new school year, and plan to get several more of these outdoor study spots.
SHADED SEAT
Gina Stayton of Mendota enjoys the new
outside the
while waiting for her ride.
Graduation deadline approaches
If you think that you might be eligible to graduate with a degree or certificate at the end of the Fall semester, you must appply for graduation in order to have it posted to your academic record and to receive a diploma.
Students should apply at ivcc.edu/graduation by Oct. 7.
There is not a fee to apply for graduation.
If you are unsure as to whether or not you are eligible at this time for a degree or certificate, you are encouraged to speak with a counselor by calling 815-224-0360.
A counselor can review your academic record and your program of study to determine if you have all of the requirements to graduate.
Another option to determine your eligibility is to view your progress in Self Service.
At IVCC, there are a number of Associate in Applied Science degrees that have corresponding Certificates you can earn along the way.
If you think that you have fulfilled the requirements for a Certificate, you may want to apply for graduation so your academic record will show your progress toward your degree.
Any questions about applying for graduation can be directed to Sarah Goetz in the Admissions and Records office at sarah_goetz@ivcc.edu or 815-224-0212.
On the Cover
Therapy dog visits campus
By Ashleigh Mack IV Leader Staff
Ruby, the service dog, paid a visit to the campus of IVCC the morning of Aug. 27.
Ruby has gone through a lot during her 14 years as a service dog, including cancer, loss of vision, struggling with various heart conditions, and deafness.
She has traveled all around to various schools
and hospitals to be a support system for those struggling with stressful situations.
Ruby tends to be around the campus during stressful seasons of the year, for example, the beginning of the school year when students are developing their routine.
She loves to lay in a person’s lap and also play with her toys. She has developed a reptuation as the animal that students love seeing from time to time.
IVLeader photo
seating
main building
SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION
Students who earned scholarships for the 20242025 academic year were honored Aug. 29 at a reception in the IVCC gymnasium. Students received certificates and were able to meet with scholarship donors at the event, which is hosted by the IVCC Foundation. The IVCC Foundation has awarded over $1 million in scholarships over the last 4 years. Awards start at $500 and can reach up to $4,500.
Jones hired as dental teacher
By Brianna Sanchez IV Leader Staff Writer
Kora Jones has joined the IVCC faculty as a dental instructor as part of the college’s effort to expand into dental hygience as well as dental assisting.
Originally from Mendota and still residing there with her husband and two sons, Jones previously graduated from IVCC with an Associate in Science.
She continued her education journey at Parkland College where she earned an Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene.
She then earned a Bachelor’s in Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of New Mexico.
This is her first year teaching after practicing 21 years of clinical dental hygiene.
She will be the instructor for both dental assisting and dental hygiene programs, where she will be teaching Oral Pathology, Nutrition, Pre-Clinic, Dental Materials Lab, and Radiography Lab.
She said she is extremely excited to be starting her teaching career here and ready to start helping as much as she can.
She commented, “I am still learning too, so let’s do it together! Never be afraid to ask the question.”
Jones’ favorite thing about the Illinois Valley is the tight knit community, which she feels that it is second to none.
As she has become familiar with her position, Jones also emphasizes that the teamwork and resources on campus are not just for students but instructors as well, and that there is always a friendly, helpful face around every corner.
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Hispanic Heritage Month will be celebrated from mid-September to mid-October with several events at IVCC. Sara Escatel and Aseret Loveland, who lead the Hispanic Leadership Team at IVCC,a are finalizing the events calendar. In addition, two displays will be set up near in the lobby. The Hispanic Heritage display setup will begin on Sept. 13 to be ready by Sept. 15, and the Day of the Dead display will be set up on Oct. 1. Everyone is welcome to join the HLT in setting up both displays. The display will be similar to the one from last year, which is shown in the photo above. Sara Escatel, Aseret Loveland, and Diane Scoma are shown in the photo above.
Spirit Day activities planned
By Mia Cassani IV Leader Staff Writer
The Student Activities Department will host its annual Spirit Day for students and staff from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 in the IVCC courtyard.
Many clubs and organization will be participating to allow students to learn about different clubs on campus and how to join. There will be activities, including carica-
tures and music.
Free pizza will be available, starting at 11 a.m.
Spirit Day is an opportunity for students and staff to socialize and provides students a chance to learn about student resources on campus as well as ways to become involved in college life.
Daniel Sack, Student Government Association president, said the event will showcase what is offered at IVCC and kick off the school year.
Kora Jones
IV Leader photo/Ashton Watkins
D I T O R I A L
Feeling lost: navigating college and adulthood
When we’re children, we tend to dream about what we want to be: ballerina, doctor, singer, artist, cop, etc. We spend our childhoods wishing we could be grown-ups and eventually become adults.
As we grow up, some of us may realize that our dreams are lost, and we may feel unsure about our future paths. It’s common for young adults to feel lost or struggle to “find” themselves. Just know that no one has all the answers, so you’re not alone in feeling this way. Feeling lost may lead to heightened anxiety and confusion. Instead of excitement, thoughts of the future can induce panic. It’s natural to feel fear when contemplating the future, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
College students often feel intense pressure to know exactly what they want to major in and what career path they want to follow. While stressing over who they want to be, they can lose sight of the entire purpose of their education: growth, exploration and self-discovery.
It’s important to remember that choosing a major or career doesn’t have to be a final, unchangeable decision. Many people change paths multiple times throughout their lives. The journey of self-discovery is ongoing, and each experience can contribute to a clearer understanding of what you want.
If you’re having a hard time figuring out what you want to do with your life, imagine
what you would choose if there were no obstacles. If money, time, family, or any other limitations weren’t factors to consider. Many times, people limit themselves because of the restrictions in their lives. Sometimes, individuals underestimate themselves because they worry that they won’t be good enough for the career they want to pursue. However, when doing so, people end up settling for a life they didn’t want because they thought it would be easier for them to achieve or to please others.
If you tend to let your limitations get in the way, please don’t settle. Pursue what makes you happy, even if it seems scary or out of reach. Do it for yourself. You owe it to yourself.
Planning your edu-
cational career path can be enhanced if you are a visual learner. A well-organized plan encourages brainstorming and requires research which can be very beneficial.
For some, a degree is a path to financial stability or career advancement, while for others, it’s a way to pursue their passions and find fulfillment.
Ultimately, whatever your reason for pursuing a college degree, remember that your happiness and well-being are the most important aspects to consider.
It’s okay to take your time to explore different interests and career options. Embrace the uncertainty as part of the journey, and trust that with patience and self-compassion, you’ll find your way.
Student trustee seeks student input
Hello, Eagles! I wanted to introduce myself to the new students on campus. My name is Emma Garretson and I was voted Student Trustee for the 2024-2025 academic year. I am a sophomore from Peru. I am on the volleyball team and I am a sophomore representative in the Student Government Association.
I am honored and very excited to serve the students of IVCC this year. I am open to any advice or recommendations you may have.
You can contact me by email at K002D7E1@ivcc. edu, or you can find me in the Student Government Association office which is located in the Student Life Space.
For anyone that is interested in joining SGA, petitions will be available starting Sept. 16 outside instructor Cory Tomasson’s office. Freshman elections
will be held on Sept. 26 and 27 in the Student Life Space. I also wanted to inform everyone that Spirit Day is Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the IVCC Courtyard.
Spirit Day is an annual event that has taken place over the past 30 years. This event has proven to be a successful way to recruit student organization members, highlight events and departments on campus, and provide a wide variety of interactive activities for students and staff. I hope to see you all there!
BY EMMA GARRETSON STUDENT TRUSTEE
IV LEADER STAFF
Editor: Emma Coss
Sports Editor: Sam Bima
Photo Editor: Ashton Watkins
Sports Photographer: MaKade Rios
Staff:
Brianna Sanchez, Grace Mertel, Noah Girard, Ashleigh Mack, Xochitl Gutierrez, Mia Solano-Cassani, Nicholas Graham, Cameron Creed.
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.
www.ivleader.com
Read the IV Leader online, meet the staff, apply for a staff position, and explore the newspaper’s long, distinguished history online.
To join the staff, contact lori_cinotte@ivcc. edu
IVCC Theatre Department stages events
Auditions set for ‘Forever Plaid’
By Xochitl Gutierrez IV Leader Staff Writer
IVCC’s Theatre Deparmtent has planned a slate of events for the fall semester, including the fall musical “Forever Plaid.”
The semester starts with auditions for Fall shows and continues with a Halloween show and costume sale.
Audition Information
“Auditions for the Fall shows will take place in the Cultural Centre on Thursday, Sept. 5 and Friday, Sept. 6,” said Theater professor David Kuester.
Auditions for the Halloween show: “Terror in the Aisles” will begin at 5:30 p.m. on both nights with auditions for “Forever Plaid” begin-
ning at 6:30 p.m.
More information about the auditions can be found at the Theatre Department’s website at https://www. ivcc.edu/theatre.
Show Times
The Halloween show will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in the Cultural Center.
The musical will be Nov. 14-16 and Nov. 21-23 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. in the Cultural Centre.
Ticket Sale Information
Online ticket sales for “Terror in the Aisles” will begin Monday, Sept. 30. Tickets are $10 each with general admission. “Forever Plaid” sales will begin on Monday, Oct. 14. The show is reserved seating and prices are $20 for adults and $15 for high school and younger. A link to the online box office will be at the IVCC theatre web page: https://www.ivcc. edu/theatre.
Students, faculty and staff of IVCC receive free admission to both shows when showing their IVCC issued ID.
Costume Sale
Chad Brokaw, technical director for the theater, noted that the Students of Performing Arts and Music Organization (SPAMO) costume and vintage clothes sale will be in the Cultural Centre from 2-6 p.m on Thursday Sept. 12., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday Sept. 13, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m Saturday, Sept. 14.
All clothing is reasonably priced, Brokaw said. The sale is open to the public and is cash only with all proceeds going to SPAMO.
Forever Plaid
“Forever Plaid” is a musical about a ‘60s guy group of four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who got together because of their love for music and become become “Forever Plaid.”
‘She’s
On the way to their first big gig, the “Plaids” are hit by a school bus and killed instantly. It is in that moment when their careers and lives end that the story of Forever Plaid begins. Harmonizing, arguing over small things, and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with overzealous precision, the “Plaids” will be a show the whole family will enjoy, Kuetzer said.
To stay up to date with theatre events, follow the IVCC Fine Arts Facebook Group at https://www. facebook.com/groups/IVCCFineArts.
got a way’ with making history
The Midwest Princess herself, Chappell Roan, may have made history of having the largest crowd in Lollapalooza history.
The eccentric performer has recently started making waves with her almost unheard-of skyrocket into popularity.
The rising star’s impressive success is shown as of March 2023 she sat with around 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify compared to her current number of 44.2 million as of August 2024.
The singer set the stage on the opening day of the recent Lollapalooza festival in Chicago’s Grant Park.
Concert organizers switched her original stage with that of the singer Kesha, putting her on one of the main stages because of
her newly acquired massive audience.
As someone who witnessed her performance, seeing her roll out with her whimsical wrestler outfit really set a new standard for what a performer should be.
She kept the large crowd hyped the entire time and made sure everyone was able to participate in the fun by teaching her iconic HOT-TO-GO dance.
She performed some of her most popular hits such as “Pink Pony Club” and “Good Luck Babe” which with her catchy lyrics, had most of the crowd singing along.
Despite being in the mass of people with the heat beating down on me, I found her show to be one of the most enjoyable for the
entire festival.
Her commitment to not putting on a show but rather putting on a performance for such a large crowd with so much enthusiasm helped to stabilize her already passionate fan base and gain many new ones.
Concert organizers and media outlets estimated the crowd size at around 110,000.
With this impressive feat under her belt, I am excited as to what comes next for her and the Pink Pony Club.
BY LILY GERKITZ
IV LEADER COLUMNIST
Chappell Roan performs at Hollywood Palladium on Nov 18, 2022. Photo taken by Justin Higuchijpg, available under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License.
INCREDIBLE EFFECTS
Swift changes music with historic Eras Tour
International superstar Taylor Swift is beginning to wrap up her record breaking Eras Tour.
She has just finished her international leg with a wide span of countries including Poland, Austria, and wrapping this leg in England.
She has one final leg where she will return to North America to play in Miami, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Toronto, and end this momentous tour in Vancouver.
This three and a half-hour long show contains music from her 11 albums and various costume changes throughout each era. Swift keeps a regular set list while occasionally adding songs into the show when she deems it fits.
Her most popular segment of the show is her acoustic set where she plays two songs from her discography not found in the setlist. During this segment, she has also brought out famous faces to sing duets with, including Ed Sheren, Sabrina Carpenter, and Gracie Abrams.
This tour is said to likely be the highest-grossing tour ever, (TIME). According to TIME, “By the end of 2024, the tour is
expected to have brought in an astronomical $2.165 billion,” (McCluskey).
The New York Times describes critics of Swift stating, “Music critics have portrayed the Eras Tour as showing Swift at the top of her game as a media-savvy, big-tent talent, a pop star with a knack for grand spectacle as well as the polished artistry of a classic songwriter,”
Taylor Swift has completely changed both the music and performance industry with the Eras Tour. Fans will forever remember the friendship bracelet trading and guessing what the surprise songs may be as Taylor Swift made history with the remarkable Eras Tour. After this show, she will go down as one of the best performers as well as songwriter and singer ever known.
BY ASHLEIGH MACK
IV LEADER COLUMNIST
NEW LOCATION
IV Leader moved to a new location in E building this year. The IV Leader office is now located in E-321. Student editor Emma Coss of Ottawa works on page layout in the new office, which also features a collaboration space for meetings and projects. To join the IV Leader staff visit E-321 or contact lori_cinotte@ivcc.edu.
Ag Field Day scheduled
An Ag Field Day event, hosted by University of Illinois Extension: Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam Counties and IVCC Agriculture will be held Friday, Sept. 6 at IVCC.
This annual Fall Field Day event brings together farmers, students, University of Illinois researchers, and industry experts to discuss the latest research and updates from the field, according to IVCC ag instructors.
The four-hour event is open to the public.
At 9 a.m., Ag instructors Willard Mott and Jennifer Timmers will welcome attendees. Sessions are planned on corn and soybean traits, insect pests, soil health and industrial hemp.
The event will conclude with a lunch.
Field Day will be located at the IVCC Agriculture machine shed, located just south of campus
Those who need a reasonable accommodation to participate should contact Emily Hansen at emhansen@illinois.edu or 815-224-0896.
Choir plans two performances during season
Audiences will get a chance to hear Illinois Valley Community College’s Choir perform twice this season.
IVCC’s choir and Ottawa Township High School’s choir will join with the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra in celebrating IVSO’s 75th anniversary in a concert on Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Ottawa High auditorium.
ville, begins at 4 p.m. Visit https://www.ivso.org for ticket information.
The concert, conducted by IVSO Director Dan Sommer-
The IVCC Choir will also perform its annual concert on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. in the IVCC Cultural Center.
Admission is free.
IVCC Choir Director Jenilyn Roether invites singers from the community to perform in the regular choir and for the special performance.
IVCC’s choir meets 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays (except holidays) in Room D223. No experience is necessary, and anyone 16 and older can join. Email Jenilyn_Roether@ ivcc.edu to join or for more information.
Photo by Ronald Woan
Taylor Swift performs during a set in her Eras Concert Tour in Arlington, Texas, April 2, 2023. Photo available under Creative Commons License 2.0 from Wikimedia Commons.
Setchell, Serna top finishers for Eagles
The Illinois Valley Community College Cross Country program got off to a strong start at the Skyhawk Early Season Opener on Aug. 31 on the campus of Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon.
Freshman Dagen Setchell of Mendota led the Eagles’ men’s team with a sixth-place finish (19:00) in the 3-mile race.
“Dagen is coming into the season with great energy and motivation,” Matt Baker, IVCC head coach, said.
“With a first race like this, we’re really excited about where he may finish when we reach the Conference and Region IV meets at the end of the season.”
Returning sophomore runner Christian Yepsen of Princeton was next in line for the Eagles with a 20:40.83 finish for 11th overall. He was followed by freshman Kevin Rynke (21:50.01) and sophomore Azael Vargas (22:21.2).
In the women’s 2-mile race, freshman Tatiana Serna, who came to IVCC from Fieldcrest High School, took fourth place with a time of 15:04.43.
“Tati and I have been talking about the possibility of her finishing Top 10 in the Region IV meet since last spring. If she can keep
Athletes named to NJCAA
All-Academic Teams
Twenty-seven Illinois Valley Community College athletes earned a spot on the 2023-24 National Junior College Athletic Association All-Academic Teams, which recognize student athletes across the country for their dedication in the classroom.
More than 12,200 athletes were honored for achieving a grade point average (GPA) above 3.60.
“Playing intercollegiate athletics is a huge time commitment, and many of the athletes compete in multiple sports, have jobs, and belong to other college and community organizations,” said Athletic Director Cory Tomasson. “The degree of involvement and motivation of many of these athletes in truly amazing and they contribute so much to the college.”
First Team Academic All-Americans are: Charlee Bourell, tennis; Colin Hart, soccer; Elizabeth Browder, softball; Emma Garretson, volleyball; Isabella Lambert, soccer; Maddy Klicker, softball; Marissa Vickers, tennis, and Olivia Shetterly, volleyball.
Second Team All-Americans are: Alex Stremlau, tennis; Ella Sibert, softball/ volleyball; Emma Augustine, softball; Emma Walker, tennis; Katie Bates, softball/ volleyball; Kendall Schmidt, baseball/soccer; Lyan Gonzalez, soccer; Maddy Pangrcic, softball; Roko Jurasovic, basketball; Roko Kegalj, basketball, and Taylor Wetsel, volleyball.
Third Team All-Americans are: Brandon Novotney, baseball; Christian Yepsen, cross country; Justus Ma-
son, baseball; Kristy Hoang, cross country; Logan Brandner, tennis; Morgan Clements, soccer; Thomas Swartz, baseball, and Wade Menard, baseball.
The criteria for the three All-Academic Teams are: First Team – 4.00 GPA; Second Team – 3.80-3.99 GPA, and Third Team – 3.60 -3.79 GPA. A total of 3,424 athletes earned a spot on the First Team, while a total of 4,013 athletes were named to the Second Team, and 4,808 were named to the Third Team.
IVCC’s softball, women’s tennis and volleyball teams also were among the Teams of the Year nominees, among nearly 1,200 teams across the nation that earned at least a 3.0 GPA.
To learn more about IVCC Athletics, visit https:// www.ivcceagles.com.
building on this early success, I think she’ll be very happy with how she finishes the season,” Baker said.
Fellow freshman Kailey Goetsch of Ottawa, who is transforming into a distance runner after competing through high school on the La Salle-Peru-Ottawa Coop swim team, came out strong on Saturday as the number two runner for the Eagles in an 8th-place overall finish (18:09.46).
The rest of the Eagles followed closely behind: Claire Durdan (18:20.36), Meghann Ostler (18:23.96), Yovanna Reyes (18:33.87), and Kristy Hoang (19:01.35).
“We still have a lot of work to do this season, but it’s really exciting to see how competitive our men’s and women’s teams have gotten in just the second year of the program,” Baker said.
“We’re really building something special thanks to the hard work of these student-athletes.”
Zele Aburime gets past a defender during a recent match. IVCC men’s soccer is 1-1 to start the season with a win over Malcom X College on Aug. 30. Sophmore Vasco Goncalves leads the team in goals with 3 and total points with 6. Freshman Goal Keeper Jabulile Mooketsi leads the team with 3 goals saved and 0 scored against him.
Photo contributed Freshman Dagen Setchell of Mendota led the Eagles’ men’s team with a sixth-place finish in the team’s opener, a 3-mile race at Sauk Valley Community College.
Serna
IV Leader photo/Makade Rios SOCCER STARTS
Volume 60
Issue 1
September 5, 2024
Cross Country starts season
athletes recognized for grades
Soccer season begins
Page 7
IV Leader
IV Leader photo/ Makade Rios Sports