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Friese, Goldasich named Homecoming King & Queen

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Alli Goldasich and Patterson Friese pose after being named 2012 Homecoming King and Queen.

Seniors Patterson Friese and Allison Goldasich were presented as the royal couple Saturday evening during Homecoming coronation at the beginning of the dance. Other than the football game Friday evening, students say the Homecoming dance is their favorite part about Homecoming.

Both were ecstatic to be named 2012 royalty. “Who..” they remember thinking. It took a second to register everything. It seemed like so much was happening at once. “I couldn’t believe it,” Goldasich said after. “I saw my friends in the crowd jumping up and down, cheering my name.” A jumble of emotions whirled around her: relief, excitement, and adrenaline. Patterson remembers thinking, “What?” His initial facial expressions were priceless, he couldn’t help but hug Goldasich.

Patterson too was overwhelmed. “I was surprised and happy to receive such a title,” he told us. He went on to add that many people told him they were voting for him, but he was not sure if it would be enough to win. It became a reality after he heard his name come through the speakers. “It was a very nice surprise,” he concluded.

Friese is the son of Steve and Eddie Friese of Gillespie. Patterson has been involved in band for 4 years, chorus for 4 years, FCA for 4 years, cross country for 3 years, and track for 4 years.  He is also a member of the Tri-M Music National Honor Society and the National Honor Society.  Upon graduation, Patterson plans to attend Blackburn College to major in communications and minor in religion.  He then plans to study at Asbury Theological Seminary to be a pastor.

Patterson was going to the homecoming dance no matter what, and of course, he was going to break it down no matter what. If anyone saw him at the “Miner Man Pageant,” being diffident is not his personality. “I thought it would be a fun experience and people told me to run,” he explained. “I didn’t see a reason not to.”

Goldasich, the daughter of Mark and Amy Goldasich, was escorted by classmate Jason Whitlock. She has participated in volleyball for 4 years, cross country for 4 years, track for 3 years, softball for 3 years, was a class officer for 4 years as she is serving as treasurer this year and has been president for 3 years, FFA for 2 years, National Honor Society for 2 years, and was recently named the September Student of the Month.

Allison plans to join the Air National Guard and attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale to major in radiation therapy and minor in graphic design. Alli said the reason she ran for homecoming court was because of her Aunt Jodi, cousin Rylee, mom, and grandma. “They all pushed for me to do it,” Allison told us. “I did it for all of them, especially Rylee.” She went on to conclude that she is glad they talked her into it.

The first runner’s up were Abigail Harszy, daughter of Joseph and Diana Harszy, and Mason Buckner, son of Brad and Carrie Buckner. The second runner’s up were Jade Tieman, daughter of Joe and Marti Tieman, and Jason Whitlock, son of Chris and Connie Whitlock.

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The royal court included Queen candidates Abigail Harszy, Shelby Jarman, Kylie Frensko, Allison Goldasich, Alexis Burns, Chelsea Gill, Deanna Landreth, Taylor Monke, Jade Tieman, Michael Halpin, and Katie Stromsland.

The King escorts were: Layne Knoche, Chris Halpin, Nathan Dickinson, Jason Whitlock, Mason Buckner, Steven Edwards, Joe Janssen, Aaron Semplowski, Patterson Friese, Micheal Heyen, and Devon Schoen.

The couple was presented by the 2011 Queen, Loni Nicole Manalia.

2012 Homecoming Court

 

 

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Macoupin County house fire claims lives of three family members

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A devastating house fire in Virden on Saturday, February 15 has left the community mourning the loss of a father and his two sons. The fire occurred in the 200 block of West Neal Street and was reported by a passerby around 9:20 in the morning.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon confirmed that Kyle James, 34, and his 13-year-old son, Hunter James, were pronounced dead at Springfield Memorial Hospital following the tragic incident on Saturday morning. The fire also claimed the life of 10-year-old Jacob James, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday. All victims succumbed to smoke inhalation.

Jacob was a sixth grader at the Springfield Sangamon Area Special Education District (SASED), while Hunter was an eighth grader who attended school in Auburn. Both boys were part of the North Mac school district. Kyle was known in the community as a cook at Jo’s Place, a local restaurant in Virden.

Multiple fire departments from surrounding areas including Chatham, Auburn, and Girard, responded to the scene in an attempt to control the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with the State Fire Marshal now leading the inquiry.

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Record turnout at Partnership for Educational Excellence trivia night, Grand raffle kicked off

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FRONT ROW: Bill Hayes; Lindsay Irwin; Marena Hayes; Diana Hayes; Scott Haenel. 
BACK ROW: Nolan Hayes, Blake Hayes; Matt Irwin; Ashlen Hayes; Heather Hayes.

The Partnership for Educational Excellence raised nearly $4,500 at its “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night on Saturday, February 15 at the Gillespie Civic Center.  The evening’s highlights included a record turnout of 25 tables, great participation in the latest Grand Raffle kickoff, and generous donations from winning teams and absentee “Out to Recess” businesses.

The evening is the Partnership’s one and only fund raiser to support programs for CUSD7 students: district-wide classroom grants and academic tuition scholarships for GHS grads. The current school year marks a three year $90,000 gift to CUSD7 for student computers.  And an all-time record was set last year when 38% of the GHS Class of 2024 won college scholarships.

The winning Hayes family team scored a 94% “grade” and donated back their $150 prize.  The third-place team of Semplowski family and friends, dedicated their $50 prize to the ongoing Travis Semplowski scholarship.  Almost all team scores were in the 90% and 80% range.

“Early Bird” drawing of raffle tickets sold that night gave $100 each to Steve Joyce and to Tracy Wilhoit. Their Grand Raffle tickets also make them eligible for the final $5,000 prize to be drawn on Saturday, April 12, 2025. If not all tickets are sold, the prize will be a 50/50 split.  Tickets are available from any Partnership director. Volunteer Cindy Brummett assisted with ticket sales. Ten attendees won gift cards purchased by The Partnership from local merchants. 

In addition to 25 tables of players, several long-time business and professional sponsors bought “absentee” tables through The Partnership’s “Out to Recess” program:  Gene Hebenstreit of Victory Lane Ford in Litchfield; Nick Kravanya DDS of Kravanya and Boente dental offices in Carlinville and Litchfield; Wally Ottersburg of Daley Bruckert Chevrolet in Staunton; Boente Shell Station in Gillespie; Kasten-Goodman Insurance Agency in Carlinville; and Rick Verticchio Law Offices in Carlinville and Gillespie.

The Partnership wishes to thank its all-volunteer board of directors.  On hand that night were Vice President Donna Prevedell, Treasurer Rose Tebbe, Secretary Rosie Emmenderfer, Founder Nancy Grandone, Susan Stromsland, and Mary Kay Griffel.  Other directors who contributed to the evening’s success but were unable to attend Ken Tebbe, Carole Scheller, Ann Marie Bauer Ross, Julie Zirkelbach, Katie Ronald, and President John Fassero.

Special kudos go to the third and fourth generation Partnership volunteers who did stellar work as runners, carrying answer sheets from players to graders Norah Seraphin (9th grade), Augie Seraphin (7th grade), Eve Seraphin (4th grade) – all grandchildren of Donna and Bob Prevedell; and Mackenzie Jo McFarland (4th grade), great granddaughter of Rose and Ralph Tebbe.

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Miners girls basketball clinch SCC championship

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In a nail-biting showdown that will be remembered for years to come, the Gillespie Miners girls basketball team captured the South Central Conference title with a hard-fought 55-52 victory over the Pana Panthers on Thursday night, February 13. This marks Gillespie’s first conference championship since their back-to-back titles in 2001-02, when they shared the honors with Southwestern both finishing with a 9-1 conference record.

The game held at Pana High School was anything but straightforward. After a tumultuous 13-minute delay due to injuries and a technical foul controversy, the Miners rallied their spirits to secure the win. Amari Vickery led the charge with a stellar performance, scoring 21 points, while Mia Brawner added 11, Maggie Heyen contributed 10, Delaney Taylor posted 5, Sadie Sholtis scored 4, and Lainey Edwards and Corrine Fellin each had 2 points.

From the opening tip, it was clear that Pana was not going to roll over easily. The Panthers held leads at the end of the first two quarters, 15-14 and 28-26, showcasing their tenacity. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Pana had edged ahead 44-42, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

However, the game took a chaotic turn in the fourth quarter when a collision between Vickery and teammate Sloane Brawner resulted in both players going down with injuries. Sloane was not able to return the game but Vickery did. The Miners also lost both Delaney Taylor and Sadie Sholtis to fouls and Gillespie was assessed a technical foul under controversial circumstances which tied the game at 49. But Heyen carried the weight through the fourth quarter recording 6 of her 10 points in the final quarter of play.

Despite the setbacks, the Miners displayed remarkable teamwork resilience under the leadership of Nikki and Matt Brawner. With the SCC championship secured and the regular season concluded with a 22-8 overall record and 9-0 conference record, the Miners now shift their focus to the upcoming regional which is being hosted in Gillespie.

Gillespie hosts Alton Marquette on Monday, Feb. 17 for the regional semi-finals after Alton Marquette knocked East-Alton Wood River, 36-29, to face the Miners. The winner advances to the regional championship that will be played on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in Gillespie versus the winner of Staunton/Roxana.

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