Community News
GHS inducts 20 students in National Honor Society
GHS National Honor Society 2013
Gillespie High School held an induction ceremony for their newest members of the National Honor Society Wednesday, April 17, evening. A total of 20 students were inducted into the society, joining an elite 14 students who were inducted last year.
Present members include Alexis Burns (President), Katie Stromsland (Vice-President), Allison Goldasich (Secretary), Taylor Monke (Treasurer), Jessica Baumann, Kortney Carr, Kylie Frensko, Patterson Friese, Michael Halpin, Abigail Harszy, Shelby Jarman, Haylie Kirkwood, Kaci Petri, and Jade Tieman.
The society is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize high school level students grades 11 through 12. In addition to making honor roll, selected students have demonstrated excellence in Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.
“A member of NHS is a district significance one holds throughout their academic career,” Katie Stromsland opened. Other present members mastered the ceremony and switched speaking roles continuously up until the end of the event.
Pete Visintin Jr. giving his speech to the society.
After students ate dinner with their friends and family, Allison Goldasich welcomed new members while Abigail Harszy explained the emblem. Kortney Carr then went on to explain the blue and gold color representing NHS. Following Carr, Haylie Kirkwood and Shelby Jarman made educational remarks citing inductees have obtained “quite an accomplishment.”
Alexis Burns then introduced keynote speaker for the evening, Pete Visintin Jr. Visintin is a alumnus of Gillespie High School and the personal trainer and general manager at Ageless Fitness in Gillespie. Visintin is also a local business owner and initiating Fight the Fight in August of 2012.
Visintin explained this speech means the most to him because not too long ago, he was in the students’ positions. He went on to look into the students’ future telling them they will be forced to take ownership of their life upon graduating from college. “There will only be you and your choices,” Pete advised. “Set yourself up to succeed.”
He advised students to be the students to be the students everyone wants to know or the leaders everyone wants to follow. To help guide students from this point forward, Visintin used 6 key principals: develop a vision, take action, read and study how others have succeeded doing something you want to do, be disciplined, be nice, and be more than a student. “Take some risk and change the path of your life, add value to the world leaving it a better place when you’re gone,” Visintin closed.
Finally, GHS principal Dennis Tiburzi congratulated the students’ achievements and inducted the following students into the society this year: Jacob Fredericks, Kaily Frensko, Chelsea Gill, Ellen Gray, Molly Gray, Stephanie Hartke, Ashlen Hayes, Michael Henderson, Nathan Henrichs, Shelby Heyen, Erinn Karlak, Layne Knoche, Rebecca Korunka, Eric Lancaster, Tateum Rosentreter, Erika Schmidt, Jason Stromsland, Zachary Taylor, Gigi Tesio, and Derrick Tiburzi.
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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A Macoupin County jury found Jeffrey D. Brown, 50, of Sawyerville guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of Rodney Messerly, 42, also of Sawyerville, authorities said.
The verdict was delivered a little before 6 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after a days-long trial led by Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison. Brown now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years with the sentence to be served at 85 percent. The sentencing will take place on January 12, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the incident unfolded on September 17, 2024, when Brown called 911 claiming Messerly had entered his home. Responding deputies found Messerly deceased on the front stoop outside the residence. Brown testified that Messerly had forced his way into the home, and he fired in self-defense inside the residence.
Surveillance video played to the jury depicted portions of the confrontation: Messerly speaking with Brown at the door outside the residence before Messerly pushes inside—off-camera for a stretch—followed by four gunshots fired from within the home. Messerly is seen falling back onto the front steps.
A video interview of Brown with Lt. Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department revealed Brown stated he took three steps back inside the residence before firing the initial shots. Forensic pathologist Dr. Nathanial Patterson testified that the first four shots would have been fatal. Approximately seven seconds pass before Brown fires a final shot from inside the residence, striking Messerly in the chest as he yells an expletive.
Garrison offered condolences to Messerly’s family, calling the incident a “horrible situation” and noting that the healing process is just beginning for those affected. He described Messerly as having been experiencing delusions at the time of the incident and emphasized that the last shot was not in self-defense, characterizing it as an act of vengeance.
Brown faces additional charges in unrelated matters: Armed Violence (Class X felony) and Production of Cannabis Plants (Class 4) in 2024CF228, and Resisting Arrest Causing Injury to an Officer in 2024CF252.
Public sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2025. Prosecutors cautioned readers that charges are not proof of guilt and that Brown is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
