School News
Applications open for Golden Apple’s scholars and accelerators
Aspiring teachers encouraged to apply to programs aimed at addressing Illinois’ teacher shortage crisis
ILLINOIS – Golden Apple, a non-profit committed to preparing, supporting and mentoring aspiring teachers, is now accepting applications for both its Accelerators and Scholars programs. Golden Apple seeks to provide a pathway for aspiring educators to enter the profession through these programs and fill crucial open teaching positions across the state.
Illinois faces an ongoing teacher shortage crisis, leading to classrooms lacking the highly-effective, well-qualified educators our students deserve. According to the 2022 – 2023 Educator Shortage Report from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents, 79% of school districts statewide reported having a teacher shortage problem in 2022, with more than 2700 open teacher, special education, and support staff positions remaining unfilled or filled with someone less than qualified. The teacher shortage crisis leads to teacher burnout, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of educators in areas such as bilingual and special education and STEM.
“Opening applications for our Scholars and Accelerators programs is always an exciting time for Golden Apple, but it’s particularly meaningful this year as we look to welcome the largest classes of Scholars and Accelerators in our history,” said Golden Apple President Alan Mather. “There are so many people out there looking for a way to make a difference in the lives of future generations who just need a path to get into the classroom. Golden Apple’s Scholars and Accelerators programs provide that path, and we encourage all of those interested in teaching to apply. We look forward to hearing from inspiring future teachers from all across our state!”
The Accelerators program is a 15-month teacher residency and licensure program that expedites the preparation of highly-effective teachers in areas-of-need throughout the state. Geared toward career changers with a bachelor’s degree and current college students not already on a teaching path, program participants take courses at a partner university, receive instruction from established educators, and work with mentors who provide ongoing support throughout the school year and into their first years of teaching. Accelerators receive a $10,000 stipend and have their University-based licensure tuition and fees funded by the program.
The Scholars program focuses on teacher preparation and tuition assistance for high school seniors as well as freshman and sophomore college students in Illinois who have the determination and drive to teach. Scholars receive up to $23,000 in financial assistance, extensive classroom teaching experience, academic and social-emotional support, job placement assistance and mentoring from Golden Apple’s award-winning teaching faculty. Throughout the history of the program, 53% of Golden Apple Scholars have been Scholars of color and 97% of Scholars find employment within 90 days of graduation.
To learn more and apply for either the Accelerators or Scholars program, interested parties can visit www.goldenapple.org/accelerators and www.goldenapple.org/scholars.
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CARLINVILLE, ILL. – Blackburn College’s Department of Music and Theatre is thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of performances for the spring 2025 season. From student recitals to musical productions and choral collaborations, these events will showcase the exceptional talent and dedication of Blackburn’s most melodic students and faculty. These events are open to the public and audiences of all ages.
Studio Recital | Clegg Chapel, Hudson Hall
Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 pm
The spring season kicks off with the Studio Recital, an opportunity for students in applied voice and piano lessons to share their growth and artistry. Featuring an eclectic mix of genres—including classical, showtunes, and pop—the recital highlights the dedication of students as they present their work from the past academic year. Voice students will be accompanied by Professor of Music Dr. Joseph Welch.
Spring Musical: Once | Bothwell Auditorium
April 4 at 7:00 pm, April 5 at 7:00 pm, April 6 at 2:00 pm
Blackburn proudly presents “Once” as this year’s spring musical. Performances will take place on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at 7:00 pm, with a matinee on Sunday, April 6, at 2:00 pm.
A heartfelt story of love and music, “Once” follows two singer-songwriters who meet on the streets of Dublin and collaborate, recording an album together. The production will feature a live, integrated band comprised of student musicians. Visiting Professor of Theatre Adam Flores will direct, with musical direction by Dr. Welch.
Choir Concert: Schubert’s Mass in G Major | Bothwell Auditorium
Sunday, May 4 at 2:00 pm
The season concludes with a significant choral event as Blackburn College’s three choirs—College Choir, Conservatory Choir, and Community Choir—join forces to perform Schubert’s Mass in G Major in collaboration with the Edwardsville Symphony.
This concert represents the culmination of the Music program’s renewed commitment to fostering community connections. With funding from the Illinois Arts Council, Blackburn launched the Conservatory Choir in the fall, offering high school students from districts without music programs a choral experience. Additionally, the College reintroduced the Community Choir, a reimagined version of the previously established community ensemble that had been inactive since the pandemic. While each choir performed separately last semester, this concert marks the first time all three ensembles will unite for a major work.
Adding to the evening’s significance, Blackburn’s music majors will premiere their original compositions, developed through mentorship with award-winning Nashville songwriter Dr. Kim McLean. Students composed and arranged their works for choir and orchestra, and each will perform as the soloist on their own piece—an unparalleled opportunity to gain real-world experience in songwriting and performance.
For additional details, ticket reservations, or inquiries, please contact music@blackburn.edu.
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Opened Play in 1926; One of Oldest H.S. Conferences in Illinois
By Tom Emery
The South Central Conference is gearing up for a special anniversary.
The 2025-26 season will mark the 100th year of competition for the South Central, one of the oldest high school sports conferences in the state of Illinois. Founded in 1926, the SCC has spawned countless star players and coaches, as well as a myriad of state-level highlights.
Carlinville is the only school to be a member of the South Central for its entire existence. Gillespie and Staunton have been members for all but three years, from 2009-12.
Other members through the decades include Hillsboro (1926-44, 1997-present), Litchfield (1926-34, 1980-present), Pana (1926-44, 1997-present), Greenville (1997-present), Southwestern (1970-present), Vandalia (1997-present), Roxana (1997-2021), East Alton-Wood River (1997-2012), Mt. Olive (1926-1980), Nokomis (1926-44, 1955-1985), Taylorville (1926-44), Shelbyville (1926-32), Benld (1935-61), Springfield Feitshans (1963-67), Virden (1966-85), North Greene (1980-85), Triad (1985-93), Alton Marquette (1997-2012), and North Mac (2022-present).
SCC schools have produced numerous team and individual state titlists, including the legendary Taylorville boys’ basketball team of 1943-44, which rolled to a 45-0 mark and a state championship under head coach Dolph Stanley, who led five schools to the IHSA state tournament in his sparkling career.
Other IHSA team championships from SCC members include the 1993 Staunton boys’ basketball team, the 1996 Carlinville boys’ track team, the 2006 Hillsboro girls’ basketball team, the 2011 Marquette girls’ soccer team, and the 2022 Vandalia boys golf team.
Student-athletes from SCC member schools have also collected a number of state track and field titles, including Kelsey Card, Tunde Ridley, Cassie Lamar, and Jack Denby (Carlinville), Marcus Sitko and Becky Coyne (Staunton), Jodi Ottersburg, Amber Lewis, and Matt Rush (Gillespie), Jamie Nurnberger (Southwestern), and many others, not to mention state-champion relay teams from various schools.
State runners-up from SCC members include Gillespie football (1976, 1990), Gillespie girls track (1996), Gillespie softball (1995), Carlinville football (1978, 1993, 2016), Carlinville boys track (1995, 2008), Carlinville girls cross country (1996), Carlinville girls track (2004, 2005), Litchfield baseball (1985), Marquette girls soccer (2009), Southwestern softball (2003, 2009), Staunton football (2013), and Vandalia boys wrestling (2007, 2017).
Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill. He may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com.
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Community Unit School District 7 Supt. Shane Owsley accepts a donation from the 2024 Coal Country royalty during Monday night’s meeting of the Board of Education. The organization makes an annual donation to the district in recognition of the district allowing the organization to use school facilities for the annual pageant and practices. Those presenting the check are the 2024 Coal Country Little Miss Swayzee Johnson, Miss Coal Country 2024 Haylie Holt, and the 2024 Coal Country Junior Princess Autumn Walker.
Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Monday night renewed principals’ contracts, viewed a proposed school calendar for the upcoming 2025-26 school year and voted to refer two students to the Regional Office of Education’s Alternative Education program in lieu of expelling them.
Actions to extend the contracts of all three building principals and the district’s assistant principal by one year followed an hour-long executive session to discuss personnel, legal issues and other items. BenGil Elementary Principal Angela Sandretto, Middle School Principal Patrick McGinty and High School Principal Jill Rosentreter are each employed under terms of a three-year contract. The one-year extension extends their contracts to the end of the 2027-28 school year.
In other personnel action, the board voted to hire Denise Garner, Staunton, as an administrative assistant, effective April 1, pending a routine background check.
Board members unanimously accepted the resignation of Chris Fenton, District Custodian, effective Jan. 27, as well as the resignation due to retirement of paraprofessional Shelia Katich, effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Motions to accept the resignations also authorized posting vacancies for both jobs.
The board voted unanimously to hire Makayla Huff for a three-hour cafeteria worker position, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check.
In separate actions, the board accepted the resignations of Casey Sholtis as Gillespie High School head mens basketball coach, effective at the end of the 2024-25 season, as well as coaching the parent-funded golf program. Vacancies were posted for both positions.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The board placed on first reading a proposed school calendar for the 2024-25 academic year. The tentative calendar calls for teacher institute days on Aug. 11 and 12, with the first day of student attendance on Aug. 13. The last day of student attendance would be May 26, but could be as early as May 18 if no emergency days are required.
School holidays would include Labor Day on Sept. 1, Columbus Day on Oct. 13, Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Thanksgiving, Nov. 26-30, Martin Luther King Day on Jan 19, Presidents Day on Feb. 16, and Memorial Day on May 26. Winter Break would run Dec. 20-Jan. 4, and Spring Break would run April 2-6. Teacher Institute days are tentatively scheduled Oct. 24, Feb. 13, March 20 and the day after the last day of student attendance.
If approved, the calendar calls for commencement on May 17.
Subject to final approval by the board, classes will dismiss at 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 17, Oct. 22, Oct. 23, Dec. 19, March 13 and for the last day of student attendance.
SCHOOL EXPULSIONS
In separate actions, the board agreed to “hold in abeyance’ the expulsion of two district students, referring them to the Regional Office of Education’s Alternative Education program in Carlinville, which will allow them to continue to meet their educational requirements. Supt. Shane Owsley told the BenGil Post that the board will revisit the expulsions after one year to determine if the students can return to classes or continue to attend the Alternative School program.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Supt. Owsley reported to the board that the governor’s budget proposal includes $350 million for education, which could mean an increase in state aid to the district. The amount of the increase, however, will not be known until it is determined whether CUSD 7 is a Tier I or Tier II school based on average per student expenditures for education. Funding for mandated services, however, is not increased in the budget proposal, meaning reimbursement to the district for such things as transporting students for special education needs is likely to fall from 98 percent to about 80 percent.
Owsley also reported that Lewis and Clark Community College has approved two GHS business courses for dual credit, meaning students can earn college credits by taking those courses. Additionally, the South Central Illinois Regional Training and Innovation Center, Litchfield, is now providing four dual credit courses aimed at students who expect to go into teaching as a career.
Owsley acknowledged the recent death of Rose Tebbe who was among the founding members of the Partnership for Educational Excellence, a non-profit organization that provides scholarship funds and classroom grants for CUSD 7.
DISTRICT FOCUS
GHS Principal Jill Rosentreter recognized 17-year-old Emily Bergen, whose safe driving video won first place in the National Road Safety Foundation’s annual contest. A professional video producer visited Gillespie last year to film and edit Bergen’s concept. Competing with entries from through the nation, Bergen’s video was first selected as one of three finalist, then selected as the winner two weeks ago at the Chicago Auto Show. Bergen’s 30-second public service announcement will be featured on the nationally-syndicated Teen Kids News, reaching more than 160 TV stations across the country. Additionally, Bergen earned a $2,000 cash award.
“Thank you for representing Gillespie High School well,” Owsley told Bergen.
Rosentreter also cited the GHS women’s basketball team for their undefeated season and South Central Conference championship win. She said the team, the first undefeated women’s team since 1997, will be invited to a future meeting to be recognized by the board.
Additionally, Rosentreter called out Elle Wilson, who recently was named to the All-State Choir.
CONCUSSION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
By a unanimous vote, the board approved members for a state-mandated Concussion Oversight Committee to establish protocols for students to return to class are return to sports participation after having sustained a concussion. Owsley said the protocols are in place but a number of the committee’s original members have retired or left the district.
Committee members approved Monday night are: Supt Owsley, Principals McGinthy and Rosentreter, Assistant Principal Cooper, Ben-Gil Nurse Rachel Bouillon, GHS/GMS Nurse Whitney Page, Athletic Director Jeremy Smith, GHS physical education teacher Tate Wargo, high school teacher and coach Korben Clark, dean of students and coach Casey Sholtis, and special education teacher and coach Cory Bonstead.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board voted unanimously to again retain Loy-Miller-Talley, PC, to perform the district’s annual audit at a cost not to exceed $16,850.
