Community News
CCL Online Alum Finding Success at Local Travel Agency
Godfrey, Ill. – In the age of the Internet and do-it-yourself travel sites, travel agents are still giving clients vacation deals as well as piece of mind – and Corporate and Community Learning at Lewis and Clark is arming those agents with the tools they need to do their job well.
When the all-online program began in Spring 2010, CCL offered it in partnership with Heartland Community College. Today, thanks to the program’s success, Lewis and Clark is offering it directly, said CCL Assistant Director Katie Haas.
“The instructor and the courses themselves will be identical to what we were offering before, but technical support and enrollment assistance will be done in house to better serve our local students,” Haas said.
At least one student has already put her training toward a new, successful career. Dona Rauzi, 55, of Gillespie works out of her home for Damar Travel and Cruise, which has a local office in Alton. But because she works from her home, she is often able to work on her own hours (or her clients’), and earns a commission for the trips she books.
“I’ve been steadily working and I’ve finally gotten my business built up. I’ve already done almost double the business this year as I did all last year. I get a lot of people through word of mouth on Facebook,” Rauzi said.
Rauzi earned her Travel and Tourism certificate from the Heartland/Lewis and Clark program in early 2011. She also has course experience in Honeymoons and Destination Weddings, certification from the Travel Institute in Honeymoon and Destination Weddings as a specialist, certification from the College of Disney Knowledge, and is a certified Sandals specialist.
“I just think it’s important to keep taking classes. There is so much in the industry that we need to learn as travel professionals,” she said. “You can book trips online, but with a travel agent, you’re able to talk one on one with a professional who has knowledge of these destinations.”
Rauzi just got back from visiting a Sandals resort in St. Lucia this month. In September, she was in Jamaica, and in March she was in Mexico. On these business trips, she is able to inspect various resorts to be able to recommend them to clients from firsthand experience. Her personal specialty is the Caribbean, she says.
Rauzi’s job is to take care of the details so clients don’t have to, and she works with anyone from local clients to those in the military and as far away as Kuwait.
“It’s the personal touches I add to their trips,” she said.
Although booking through a travel agency may incur some fees for booking airline tickets, or for creating highly personalized travel itineraries, travel agents like Rauzi provide care and personal interaction clients won’t find elsewhere – and because of that, business is booming.
“When it comes to putting together a trip, tour or cruise for clients, travel agents get commissions from hotels, cruise lines and tour guides; they don’t get paid by their clients,” said instructor Nancy Roop. “People using travel agents may also get room upgrades at no cost, $50 or $100 credits at hotels and on cruises and other goodies individual buyers usually don’t get.”
Rauzi worked for years as a teacher’s aide in the Gillespie school district but left in 2010 to care for her granddaughter, who has Cystic Fibrosis. She started taking classes knowing that she needed a flexible career to work around her schedule. She now enjoys those benefits as well as the travel benefits that come with a job in travel and tourism.
“We are very proud of the real world success our students are experiencing in the travel industry. We knew the program had the potential to changes lives, even in a down economy, and Dona’s story is proof that with a little hard work, and a strong program, success is possible,” Haas said.
To learn more about Lewis and Clark’s Travel and Tourism online program and start your own new career, contact CCL at (618) 468-5777. Fall classes will begin on August 27.
If you’re interested in booking a trip, contact Rauzi at (217) 556-3056 or search Damar Travel and Cruise-Dona Rauzi on Facebook.
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FELONIES
Ronald R. Arnold, 35 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with a December 28 incident.
Kenneth E. Ray, 39 of Bethalto, is charged with aggravated fleeing while involving the disobedience of two or more official traffic control devices, fleeing/attempting to elude officers, speeding 25-34 mph over the limit, and driver’s license expired more than a year in connection with a December 19 incident.
Jacklyn M. Wichman, 30 of Decatur, is charged with possession of methamphetamines (< 5 grams) in connection with a December 30 incident.
MISDEMEANORS
Levi R. Ladendorf, 31 of Staunton, is charged with battery/causing bodily harm in connection with a July 17, 2023 incident.
Demian E. Ellis, 46 of Benld, is charged with battery/making physical contact in connection with a December 30 incident.
Steven D. Lewis, 33 of Virden, is charged with two counts of violation of a protection order in connection with a December 30 incident.
TRAFFIC
Jason A. Keffer , 28 of Standard City, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with a December 23 incident.
Daniel R. Gooding, 36 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a December 28 incident.
Douglas D. Davis, 27 of Benld, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and expired registration in connection with a December 26 incident.
Brandon E. Swarringin, 26 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with a December 21 incident.
DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED
- Terry L. Lumma versus Robert L. Lumma
MARRIAGE LICENSES
- Pietro Lentini of Carlinville and Anna Jean Triplett of Greenfield
- Morgan Barber and Emilee Bridgwater, both of Benld
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Summer Repertory at Carlinville is pleased to announce the return of a comedy play to the stage. Performances of Ripcord will be held January 17 and 18th at 7:30 PM and January 19 at 2 PM at Blackburn College Bothwell Auditorium.
Ripcord, by David Lindsay-Abaire, is based in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. The rivalry of odd couple roommates Abby and Marilyn, results in high stakes comedy of conflict for control of territory.
Cindy Rice and Joe Hardy bring their combined experience directing the small cast of seasoned actors.
Rice, who has directed place and musicals In Illinois and Texas, spent 15 years co-directing musicals at North Green high school.
Hardy, who began acting at age 7 with notable roles in Summer Repertory Theatre’s Shrek The Musical, The Little Mermaid , and Suessical, has also performed at several Springfield, Illinois, theaters. He has a BA in Theatre Performance from SIUE.
Tickets for Ripcord may be purchased at the door only. Ripcord is rated PG-13. For more information, see Summer Repertory Theatre at Blackburn College Facebook page.
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The Partnership for Educational Excellence is gearing up for an exciting trivia night on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The lively evening is the education foundation’s one-and-only fund raiser. Proceeds will allow The Partnership to continue programs benefitting all CUSD7 students. Since 1992 the it has awarded more than $1 million to the improved and continuing educations of local students.
Since 1992 every student in every classroom in CUSD7 has benefitted from classroom mini-grants, school-wide academic grants, and – over the past three years – district-wide grants of $90,000 for improved and enhanced student computers.
In addition, The Partnership offers individual $2,000 academic tuition scholarships to GHS graduates enrolled in accredited state and private, academic and trade colleges and universities. In 2024, a record 40% of GHS graduating seniors received these awards.
The “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night will be held at the Gillespie Civic Center, 115 North Macoupin (behind City Hall). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the competition begins at 7:00 p.m.
Mulligans will be for sale; games and lightning rounds will keep the evening lively; and a variety of door prizes will be awarded. Contestants are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks. Alcoholic beverages are permitted with a photo I.D.
In addition, The Partnership’s annual Grand Raffle will kickoff. Two “early bird” winners will receive $100 each on February 15. Their tickets will remain eligible for the grand prize of $5,000 on Saturday 12 April 2025. The fee is only $100 per table, up to 10 people per team.
There are four ways to register:
- phone Director Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456;
- visit www.thepartnership7.org to register online or to print out a mail-in form;
- write to The Partnership, P.O. Box 125, Gillespie IL 62033.
