Monthly Columns
Ageless Member of the Month – September
“Who you are is speaking so loudly that I can’t hear what you’re saying.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
It’s been 24 years since I first walked through the doors at the old Maple Street School for my first day of kindergarten class with Mrs. Stauffer. 24 YEARS. And yet still to this day when I see any of my former teachers around town, I still refer to them as Mr. or Mrs. “insert last name here.” The respect and gratitude I have for them grows stronger with each passing year. Along with my parents and grandparents, they molded me into who I am today.
I firmly believe that is true for 99.9% of us. Teachers, although no child will ever admit it while in school, are role models. The sports figures, movie stars, and singers get all of the attention, publicity, and praise, but it’s the teachers that influence us the most. Wide eyed, malleable minds watch them, learn from them, and are eventually molded by them. They are the definition of unsung heroes because without them we all would not be where we are at today.
September’s member of the month is technically not a teacher. She’s a principal. And if you remember your childhood days at all, if there was anyone you respected (and probably feared) more than a teacher, it was a principal. She just doesn’t have 30 or 40 little pairs of eyes on her on a daily basis; she has 250+. She’s constantly under the microscope. Every little action and every uttered word is an example for hundreds of children.
Angela Turcol could have easily become member of the month simply based off of her accomplishments at the gym. She’s made an amazing transformation, was a member of the team that won the BenGil Biggest Winner, and has been a constant fixture of the gym since day 1. However, those accomplishments pale in comparison to her accomplishments as a positive role model at BenGil Elementary.
She exemplifies what a role model should be. She carries herself with class, never losing her cool, never complaining, and never slacking off. She’s dedicated. She’s motivated. She’s not afraid of a little hard work. She’s quietly confident, comfortable with her abilities, but never giving the impression of superiority. She enjoys a challenge, never letting failure become discouraging, and never letting success breed complacency. When she talks, she talks with a quiet respect, never raising her voice and always looking you in your eyes. The spotlight doesn’t appeal to her; positive changes do. She doesn’t do things for personal benefit; she sees the bigger picture. Her public persona matches her personal persona. No hidden skeletons. Who you see at school and at the gym is who she is.
Angela Turcol is our member of the month because she’s a role model not just for the kids at the BenGil Elementary, but she’s a role model for us. She’s a reminder that positive role models still do exist, even when television, sports, and the internet have all but unveiled the hidden secrets of “popular” role models. She’s a reminder that actions speak so much louder than words. She’s a reminder that you can have an amazing, long lasting effect on someone in a split second performing a mundane task without even knowing it. She’s a reminder why I want to send my kids to BenGil Elementary.
Most importantly, she reminds us that we’re visual learners. We sit in class, watch the teacher solve the problem, and then we do it. We mimic what we see. It’s the same in the classroom as it is on the basketball court. So why would it be any different for building character and morals? Thank goodness for teachers (a principal in this situation) that practices what she preaches!
Comments
Dear Editor,
Domestic Violence within Macoupin County is prevalent. It is destructive and can be both physical and psychological. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. While every relationship is different – domestic violence generally involves an unequal power dynamic in which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways. The following statistics are all according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
We can see domestic violence inside the home: through the use and control of household pets. In one study, 85% of survivors who experienced co-occurring animal abuse reported that the behavior of their pets had changed. An even higher percentage of survivors who reported partners had harmed or killed their pet, have also reported their partner for domestic violence. We can also see an increase usage of firearms within the intimate partner violence home. A survey of contacts by the National Domestic Violence Hotline found (of those with access to firearms):
- 10% said their abusers had fired a gun during an argument.
- 67% believed their abusers were capable of killing them.
We can see domestic violence inside our schools: as partner violence is not exclusive to the home. There are many instances of violence between dating partners that begin in high school. Nearly 1.5 million high school students in the United States are physically abused by dating partners every year. Within those relationships, 13.4% of male high school students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.
We can see domestic violence inside our community: Macoupin County provides a specific set of needs for those victims and survivors of domestic violence. There are several complex concerns within a violent relationship that come to light once action has been taken. Safe Families sees a few main re-occurring concerns within the county:
- Survivors have fewer financial resources, making them more financially dependent on an abusive partner.
- The lack of rental units or other affordable housing options makes it more difficult for survivors to leave spouses or co-habiting abusers.
The Macoupin County Safe Families program provides support for residents as they journey the emotional endeavors to leave behind domestic violence. As a contributor to that experience, we will be hosting a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on October 7th on the Carlinville Square. An event shirt will be included with a ticket sale. The online tickets will close 09/29 at 5pm. Tickets will be sold at 9am day-of event at the Safe Families booth. More information about the Awareness Walk can be found on our website at mcphd@mcphd.net. We urge Macoupin County residents to join us and rally against domestic violence together.
Juliet Wooldridge and Lilly Booth
Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinators
Community Health Worker
Macoupin County Safe Families
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Dear Editor,
Community Health Centers are the backbone of our nation’s primary health care system. We design innovative, integrated primary care based on what services communities need most — ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for over 30 million people. In addition to creating jobs and saving lives, collectively we save American taxpayers $24 billion a year in health care costs by preventing and managing chronic diseases.
Community Health Centers are not ordinary medical clinics; we are also problem-solvers who reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person by providing access to necessities like food, transportation, and housing. Community Health Centers care for everyone, regardless of insurance status. Nationwide during hurricanes, floods, and fires, and locally during the pandemic, Community Health Centers are first on the scene and are vital to keeping America healthy.
The 2023 theme of National Health Center Week is ‘The Roadmap to a Stronger America.’ Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, we offer support and love. In moments of triumph, we offer hope and a vision for the future. This year’s National Health Center Week theme takes us on a virtual road trip across America, highlighting the achievements and amazing work being done at Community Health Centers in every state and territory. Celebrate the uniqueness of our community and get to know others as we journey across the U.S. together!
Each day of National Health Center Week is dedicated to a particular focus area. We will be working with community partners to recognize and celebrate each of the following focus groups in our community.
- Sunday, 8/6: Public Health in Housing Day
- Monday, 8/7: Healthcare for the Homeless Day
- Tuesday, 8/8: Agricultural Worker Health Day
- Wednesday, 8/9: Patient Appreciation Day
- Thursday, 8/10: Stakeholder Appreciation Day
- Friday, 8/11: Health Center Staff Appreciation Day
- Saturday, 8/12: Children’s Health Day
As part of National Health Center Week 2023, we invite you to support Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc. to celebrate our mission and accomplishments.
Christy Blank
CEO/Public Health Administrator
Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc.
Macoupin County Public Health Department
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