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2011 Mini Miner & Mini Miss Candidates

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The Mini Miner and Mini Miss pageant is for children ages 3-5 who reside in School District #7. One girl and one boy, along with Miss Black Diamond Days and Jr. Miss Black Diamond Days, will represent the Gillespie community at other area pageants, parades, and community events. Mini Miner and Mini Miss winners will be chosen based on a penny-per-vote concept. Canisters have been placed in local businesses and will remain there until June 1st. Winners will be announced at the Mini Miner and Mini Miss pageant on June 4th at the Gillespie Civic Center at 6:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend! Here are the candidates for 2011..

Keaton Bertoldi

Keaton Jacob Bertoldi is the four-year-old son of Billy and Megan Bertoldi of Wilsonville and the grandson of Bill Bertoldi, Janine Bertoldi, Lisa White, Willam F. Bertoldi, Joyce Bertoldi, and Wanda Boerkel.  His mom works for Illinois Buisness Card Directory and his dad is self-employed.  He has on brother, Billy(five).  Keaton attends pre-school at Benld Macoupin County Head Start and has three pit-bulls names Diesal, Buddy, and Abby.  His favorite color is red.  When Keaton grows up, he wants to be a kindergarten teacher like his brother’s teacher Ms. Jubelt.  His canister is located at the Workplace Bar in Gillespie.

Kenton Brown

Kenton Brown is the five-year-old son of Ryan and Jamie Brown of Gillespie, the grandson of Brad and Linda Miller and Brian and Monica Brown, and the great-grandson of Mitch and Sue Bryant.  His mom works for American Medical Software and his dad farms.  He has one brother, Gavin (10).  Kenton attends Education Station pre-school and has one cat named Baylee, a cat named Thomas, and a rabbit named Pepper.  His favorite color is red.  When Kenton grows up, he wants to be a fireman and fight fires.  His canister is located at TJ’s in Benld.

Mason Cerentano

Mason Cerentano is the three-year-old son of Cody and Michelle Cerentano and the grandson of Rick and Tena Cerentano and Curt and Reva Bowen.  His dad works at Daley-Bruckert Chevrolet in Staunton and her mom works at McDonald’s in Edwardsville.  He has one sister, Reagan(two).  Mason attends Education Station pre-school and has two dogs named Mikko and Coco.  His favorite color is red.  When Mason grows up, he wants to be a fireman.  His canister is located at Shell in Gillespie.

Austin Klose

Austin Klose is the four-year-old son of Jessica Shaw and Erich Klose and the grandson of Paul and Linda Shaw and Mike and Sherry Klose.  His mom works at Randy’s Market in Benld.  Austin attends Benld Elementary Pre-K and has two dogs named Wall-E and Baby and a rabbit named Buz.  His favorite color is orange.  When Austin grows up, he wants to be a farmer.  His canister is located at Miner’s Restaurant in Gillespie.

Marcus Reno

Marcus Reno is the three-year-old son of Samantha Cuevas and Andrew Reno of Benld and the grandson of Angel and Angie Cuevas and David and Debbie Reno.  His mom works at Schutt Manufacturing and his dad works at Toni’s Restaurant.  Marcus attends Benld Elementary Pre-K and has two dogs named Baby and Marley.  His favorite color is blue.  When Marcus grows up, he wants to be Spiderman.  His canister is located at Family Dollar in Benld.

Kaden Rieffer

Kaden Rieffer is the four-year-old son of Ed and Jessica Bearden-Rieffer of Gillespie and the grandson of Kent and Nancy Bearden and Bill Riefer.  His dad works at AAA Construction Services and his mom works at Michelle’s Pharmacy.    Kaden has 2 brothers, Bryce (9 years) and Zander (5 years).  He is in Mrs. Niehaus’ class at Benld Elementary Pre-K and has chickens, roosters, and ducks for pets.  His favorite color is blue.  When Kaden grows up, he wants to be a baseball player and drive trains.  His can is located at Michelle’s pharmacy in Gillespie.

Austin Schehl

Austin Schehl is the three-year-old son of Amanda Cairns and Andrew Schehl III of Benld and the grandson of Randy Cairns Sr., Michelle Pocklington, Dawn Maxville, and Andy Schehl.  His dad works at Cooper B-Line in Highland and his mom is a stylist at Cairns Creations Home Salon.  Austin has one brother Zachary and is expecting another brother soon.  He has two Great Danes named Roxy and Apollo, and a Miniature Pinscher named Princess.  His favorite color is Blue.  When Austin grows up, he wants to be a mechanic.  His canister is located at Jumpin’ Jimmy’s in Gillespie.

Andrew Sellers

Andrew Sellers is the four-year-old son of Brian and Dale Sellers of Benld and the grandson of Gordon and Irene Nessl, Rosalie King, and Eldred Sellers.  His mom works at Gillespie Family Practice and his dad works for Metrolink.  He has two sisters, April and Ashley, and a brother Brian.  Andrew attends Education Station pre-school and has one dog named Chleo.  His favorite color is green.  When Andrew grows up, he wants to be a baseball player.  His canister is at Casey’s in Benld.

Elissa M. Cline

Elissa M. Cline is the four-year-old daughter of Kellyn and Justin Peoples of Gillespie and Justin Plasters of Litchfield.  She is also the granddaughter of Dennis and Brenda Cline, Dee and Brian Marit and Shirley Lovell.  Her mom works at First Community Bank of Hillsboro and her dads work at Wright Automotive and IGA in Litchfield.  Elissa has a cat named Smoky and two dogs named Jackson and Vista.  Her favorite colors are blue and yellow.  When Elissa grows up, she wants to be a doctor. Her canister is located at Randy’s Market in Gillespie.

Kylee Means

Kylee Means is the four-year-old daughter of Dillon and Jami Davis of Gillespie and the granddaughter of Arthur and Diana Means.  Her dad works at Cooper B-Line in Highland and her mom is a stylist at House of Hair and Nails in Gillespie.  Kylee has one sister named Camrynn (7 months).  She has one pet crab named Mr. Crabs.  Her favorite color is blue.  When Kylee grows up, she wants to be a stylist liker her mom.  Her canister is located at Casey’s in Gillespie.

Lillianna Patterson

Lillianna Patterson is the three-year-old daughter of Maranda Patterson and granddaughter of Jenine and Cliff Cook, the great-granddaughter of Judy and Chuck Macaby, and the great-great-granddaughter of Lillian Hoerig and the late Melvin Hoerig.  Her mom works at Vito’s Italian Pizzeria in Chatham.  Lillianna has 1 brother (Raymond Clayton, 7) and 1 sister (MaKynleigh Patterson, 6 months).   She has a cat named Meow Meow and her favorite colors are pink and purple.  Lillianna says she wants to be a doctor when she grows up so she can “help little kids like me.”  Her canister is located at Sullivan’s Drugstore in Gillespie.

Wrigley Releford

Wrigley Releford is the four-year-old daughter of Chris and Jennifer Releford of Gillespie and the granddaughter of Gary and Jamie Michalik, Robin Smith, and the late Gary Releford.  She is also the great-granddaughter of Joan Davis and Edna Releford.  Her mom works at Georgia Pacific and her dad works for the Gillespie/Benld Area Ambulance Service.  Wrigley attends Education Station Pre-School and has three pets; a dog named Splendor, a rabbit named Sunny, and a turtle names Surtle.  Her favorite color is purple.  When Wrigley grows up, she wants to be a cheerleader. Her canister is located at MotoMart in Gillespie.

Brooklynn Whaley

Brooklynn Whaley is the four-year-old daughter of Michelle and Chad Whaley of Gillespie and the granddaughter of Rhoda and Alfred Vaniter and Bruce and Sherry Sands.  Her mom works at Randy’s Market in Benld and her dad works in HVAC.  She has one sister anmed Madyx (10).  She attends Education Station Preschool and has a cat named Miss Kitty and a dog named Poopydog.  Brooklynn’s favorite color is pink.  When Brooklynn grows up, she wants to be a princess.  Her canister is located at Randy’s Market in Benld.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gillespie teen wins drive safe Chicago video contest

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Wins $2,000 Prize and Video She Created will Air on 160 TV Stations Nationwide

CHICAGO – Emily Bergen, 16, a student at Gillespie High School in Gillespie, has won the annual Drive Safe Chicago public service announcement contest.  Antonio Knott, 15, of Merrillville High School in Merrillville IN, placed second in the voting, and Noelani Elizalde, 17, also from Merrillville High School, was third. 

Sponsored by the National Road Safety Foundation in partnership with the Chicago Auto Show, teens from Illinois and surrounding states were invited to submit ideas for a 30-second PSA about sharing the road with other passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians.

Three finalists were selected and each worked with an Emmy Award-winning producer to transform their PSA submissions into 30-second TV public service announcements.  The public was then able to vote for their favorite online.  More than 1,400 online votes were cast.

The winner received $2,000 and will be featured on nationally-syndicated Teen Kids News, reaching more than 160 TV stations across the country. The first runner-up got $1,000 and the second runner-up won $500.  All three finalists’ teachers received $100 gift cards.

Bergen’s winning PSA shows a young driver starting her car and pressing a “share the road” button.  As she drives, an AI voice warns her of a bicyclist, a pedestrian and children in a school zone. The voice then reminds her, “Cars don’t come with devices like me, which is why you need to know how to share the road.”

“The carnage on our roads can be reduced if drivers remain aware of others who share the road,” said Michelle Anderson of The National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes safe driving. “We think the creative ideas about sharing the road from our Drive Safe Chicago winner and runners-up convey that message effectively.”

“Although today’s new cars are safer than ever, with technological advances that are proven to help avoid crashes,” said Chicago Auto Show Chairwoman Kelly Webb Roberts, “drivers must still be aware of others they are sharing the road with, whether it’s a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrians.”

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The National Road Safety Foundation says driver error accounts for 94 percent of all fatal crashes, with speeding and driver distraction among the leading factors.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 40,990 people died on U.S. roads and highways in 2023, with hundreds of thousands of injuries and an estimated annual cost of more than $340 billion.

View Bergen’s winning video below:

Bergen’s video is also featured center on the National Road Safety Foundation’s website with the runners-up videos to the right and to the left: https://m.shortstack.page/NLxMqT

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L&C announces fall 2024 honors lists

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Lewis and Clark Community College

Students earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher out of a possible 4.0 are named to the President’s List. Those students earning a grade point average between 3.25 and 3.74 are recognized each semester on the Dean’s List.

Further requirements are listed in the college’s online catalog at http://catalog.lc.edu. All questions should be directed to the Enrollment Center at (618) 468-2222. Below is an excerpt containing students residing in Macoupin County.

President’s List

BENLD – Ryleigh L. Phillips; Zander E. Rieffer; Emily R. Schoen; Tristen B. Wargo;

BRIGHTON – Brandon M. Adams; Ike D. Austin; Lainie L. Behrends; Reagan Beilsmith; Ian C. Brantley; Tina M. Brass; Lane Cox; Madison P. Fenstermaker; Hunter D. Gillis; Hailey Gula; Alexis R. Harrop; Gavin Humm; Thomas D. Kunz; Nicholas O. McGee; Audrey A. Perkins; Ava J. Pulley; Alyssa J. Schuchman; Addison Strohbeck; Sydney A. Valdes; Abby Van Doren; Piper L. Voorhees; Madelyn E. Zarges;

BUNKER HILL – Alex Betts; Grant J. Burch; Kayleigh K. Butler; Abigayle L. Collins; Denise Deias; Braden T. Fulton; Dillon M. Guess; Maya R. Henfling; Hannah J. Herrmann; Madalynn Hilyard; Madelyn Landreth; William Manar; Kaylee L. Richert; Andrew Sanner; Abby N. Spraggs; Noah A. Thyer;

CARLINVILLE – Jack E. Beard; Matthew J. Eldred; Jack Goby; Stephanie K. Harding; Gabriel R. Henson; Alexsis A. Kalaher; Weston E. Kuykendall; Lillian McCurley; Emerald Ondrey; Joanna M. Roemer; Jessica N. Strubbe; Karleina J. Tipps; Samuel L. Wilson;

GILLESPIE – Lauren E. Bertagnolli; Ean L. Davis; Lanie G. Doty; Kennedy G. Helmkamp;

MEDORA – Aubrey M. Reno; Anneliese M. Shatley; Haleigh Sinclair;

SHIPMAN – Alyssa L. Beck; Gracie B. Darr; Addison A. Jeffers; Tyson Kahl; Josiah A. Schuette; Bailee A. Sorgea;

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SOUTH ROXANA – Lyndsey M. Johansen; Caden O. Lara; Savanah M. Stogsdill;

STAUNTON – Julie A. Aloisi; Samantha R. Anderson; Zane P. Anderson; Shane Baker; Lilly M. Bandy; Grace Bekeske; Gianna Bianco; Carson G. Buffington; Kiersten L. Carlson; Karla J. Castillo; Izabella Claussen; Lillian Dothager; Olivia M. Favre; Eli J. Henke; Alexis A. Hester; Samantha D. Hoffman; Harold I. Irvin, III; Dylan Jarden; Korryn O. Keehner; Nicholas L. Raphael; Alexis P. Schaaf; Brady Seelbach; Carli L. Skinner; Cole Sternickle; Tyler J. Thompson; Lilly Trettenero; Lillyan S. Troeckler;

Dean’s List

BENLD – Ridge A. Braundmeier; Kaitlynn E. Conner; Elizabeth M. King; Alyssa S. McCollum; Marria D. Middleton; Alyssa F. Schuette;

BRIGHTON – Garrett R. Beuttel; Troy J. Brooks; Emily Y. Cambron; Jacob G. Carpenter; Lucy Childress; Olivia Cody; Logan T. Crane; Tristyn N. Ditterline; Kaylin G. Gerard; Cooper J. Hagen; Ashlyn K. Hall; Evan Hanold; Samuel J. Harshbarger; Amelia R. Hines-Pattan; Ella J. Kadell; Daylin M. King; Kayla A. Lemarr; Tucker Mayhew; Elizabeth L. Milford; Stacey M. Mynatt; Blythe E. Roloff; Jordan R. Short; Shiann Vinson; Grace A. Wylde;

BUNKER HILL – Cole T. Burch; Hanna N. Heeren; Madelynne K. Heflin; Taylor Miklavic; Katelyn J. Miller; Abigail G. Scott;

CARLINVILLE – Boedy E. Baker; Emily A. Barbre; Zachary Chapman; Ella R. Clevenger; Alana N. Dixon; Alison J. Dixon; Nathan Dyer; Addison Eldred; Saralynn I. Joiner; Henry S. Kalaher; William G. Meyer; Chloe A. Payne; Amy L. Pocklington; Jack Rives; Lanna P. Vanderpoel; Ella C. Wise; Braley M. Wiser;

GILLESPIE – Reese E. Bussmann; Regan E. Bussmann; Addie M. Hayes; Karter Mix; Adrianne B. Niemeyer; Grace J. Vandoren; Shannon L. Wright;

MOUNT OLIVE – Libbie M. Nowell;

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PIASA – Anna C. Fink;

SHIPMAN – Kaden G. Cottingham; Rocky Darr; Kathryn M. Mueller; Sayuri Owada; Rocky J. Rose;

STAUNTON – Rylee K. Baugh; David S. Dann; Belle M. Darte; Jacob A. Dillon; Vivienne Dothager; Sean T. Fleming; Kennedy L. Legendre; Zander MacHota; Savannah M. Missey; Nicholas Monahan; Nicole M. Narup; Kelley Perrine; Christopher S. Pritchett; Alivia Royer; Katie N. Schalk; Lakesi Settles; Priya E. Siegfried; Justin A. Smith; Kylie A. Tomso; Whitney Weller;

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Gillespie to host blood drive on Feb. 17

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Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, February 17 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.

To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. Appointments are requested.

Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate.  For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747 5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 12/23/24 are eligible to give at this drive.

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