Community News
Middle School recognizes 31 at Honor’s Banquet
On Wednesday, May 2, the Gillespie Middle School held its annual Honors Banquet for the eighth grade students. Students eligible for the banquet must have been on the honor roll for eleven consecutive quarters, sixth grade thru eighth grade.
Members were required to carry the 3.0 grade point average throughout their three years of middle school, excluding the final quarter of eighth grade year. Thirty-one intelligent students were honored on Wednesday evening’s dinner. Out of the thirty-one, twenty-six of them were high honor roll students.
To maintain such a title, the student was required to achieve eleven consecutive quarters with high honor roll. Essentially, completing their three years maintaining a ‘straight A’ record. On top of the thirty-one eighth graders recognized, forty-two seventh grades were asked to serve the dinner. Servers are required to be on honor roll as well.
Students honored at the honor banquet were: Paige Adkins, Madison Buckner, Regan Clark, Sam Clay, Andrew Cline, Stephen DeMartini, Taylor Dickinson, Abby Eccles, Rachel Emmenderfer, Elizabeth Fields, Olivia Friese, Regan Goldasich, Kaitlyn Hall, Emily Harszy, Marissa Hartke, Blake Hayes, Gage Hoke, Taylor Jacobs, Bailey Jarman, Eryka Mabus, Reese Marshall, Corey McCallister, Bryce McKinney, Abigail Munos, Nicholas Mushill, Ashley Pokorney, Logan Redmon, Michael Ross, Sara Ruyle, Colin Tieman, and Helen Vargo.
After the dinner, Principal Lori Emmons introduced the guest speaker for the evening: Mrs. Gloria Sidar. Mrs. Sidar, who has retired from CUSD #7, coached track, junior high volleyball, and cheerleading during her time in the district. “She has been included in the Who’s-Who Among American Teachers three times,” Emmons explained, “And received a teaching award from the Illinois Science and Math Academy.”
Sidar is a graduate of Saint Simon and Jude School of Gillespie and went on to study at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. Presently, Sidar resides in Benld, Illinois and is the grandmother of four boys and the mother of two daughters. “She is currently involved in the Build Benld committee,” Emmons noted.
“I really did not want to come,” Sidar started, “I hate public speaking.” She went on to explain that she is not going to talk about success because the students are already successful. I don’t want to talk about motivation either, Sidar read down the list. “Different things motivate different people.”
“I was a competitor because I did not like people besting me, I wanted to be the best,” Sidar explained. So, Sidar is not going to talk about careers either as everyone already knows what they want to be. Finally, Sidar found what she was going to discuss with the students.
According to Sidar, she had a wonderful man in her life that had a tremendous impact on how she grew up. “He was a businessman, a coal-miner, a carpenter, a wine maker, a gardener, a goal raiser, and he was wonderful,” Gloria explained. That man that she spent every day of her youth with was her grandfather.
“I thought he was the most intelligent person I ever met,” Sidar said, “The one thing he told me at least once a week was ‘education is the most important thing you can have.’” Her grandfather admired people who had degrees as he only had a grade school education himself. He read five papers daily and taught Sidar her love for reading.
You need to be a lifelong learner, Sidar stressed. “Your teachers taught you a lot while your parents give you support, but you need to be a lifelong learner.” High school will just prepare you for college and college is where you find your role in life, according to Sidar.
“There is not a day that goes by that I don’t learn something,” Sidar noted, “You need to learn something from every person you meet.” According to Sidar, there is something you can learn every day, every experience, and with every person you come in contact with. “I just hope you choose to be a lifelong learner,” Sidar closed.
The students were then presented with their certificate and medals while various teachers announced their goals. The predominate goal was, “I want to get straight A’s in high school.”
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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.
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