Community News
Partnership raises scholarship awards to $1,000 for 14 recipients
President John Fassero Jr. (right) and director and first president Nanci Grandone (left) stand with the 14 graduating seniors who were awarded a Partnership scholarship.
Thanks to the generosity of past and present “partners”, The Partnership for Educational Excellence was able to increase its academic tuition scholarships to $1,000 this year.
The 14 Gillespie High School (GHS) seniors receiving the awards this year were given $500 each from named memorial scholarships; The Partnership matched those gifts with $500 from general funds. The awards were presented by Partnership president John Fassero, Jr., and director and first president Nanci Grandone during commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 22, 2016.
“Thanks to the loyalty and generosity of hundreds of supporters, we can recognize these 14 excellent students and give them a little extra help furthering their educations,” says Fassero, a founding director as well as current president. “This year’s life essays, some outstanding, show thoughtful assessments of their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as their career goals. Their letters of recommendation reveal born leaders who have earned the respect of the adults in their lives. They embody our policy of rewarding every ability level for hard work, involvement in school and community activities, and proven ability to set goals. We are proud of the small role we may play in their future successes.”
“Our scholarships are not large, because we want to recognize the greatest number of students,” says Fassero. “And parents over the years have told us that the $500 tuition payment does help their students during first semester.” The funds are paid directly to the colleges.
This year a total of $14,000 was awarded. To date the Partnership has awarded $192,500 in tuition scholarships to 370 graduates of Gillespie High School.
In addition, The Partnership again administered two $100 cash awards from the estate of Evaline Boehmke for musicianship in band and chorus.
This year’s awards include:
THE DR. D. ROSS AND MRS. ROSEMARY BILLITER SCHOLARSHIP. Awarded for the first time, this scholarship was instituted by the Billiters to thank the many area residents who supported Dr. Billiter’s practice as general surgeon at St. Francis Hospital for many years. The award goes to:
Madison Buckner, daughter of Carrie and Brad Buckner of Gillespie, who will attend Lewis and Clark Community College to study dental hygiene.
CARROLL-KEUPPER SCHOLARSHIP established by the late Rosemary Keupper Valle and her sister Lillian Keupper in honor of their families who have been involved in medicine, world health, and banking/finance. Their grandfather Anthony Carroll, a member of the Gillespie school board, initiated strong family support for the local school system and its students.
Blake Hayes, son of Mike and Heather Hayes of Gillespie, will attend Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, to study pre-medicine.
CAROL ENRICO DE LUCCA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TOP GIRL GRADUATES established by family and friends in memory of this Benld native who was a respected educator and counselor. The daughter of Rose Enrico, Carol established a consulting business to help students pursue their goals through higher education. Her daughters Allison and Ashley live in California.
Regan Goldasich, daughter of Mark and Amy Goldasich of Gillespie, will attend Lewis and Clark Community College to study accounting.
ANDREW EASTON, SR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by friends and a family filled with teachers. A life-long educator and football coach, he was a devoted mentor to scores of youngsters. “He’d have loved helping the young get their educations,” say wife Florence and children.
Lynsey Gibson, daughter of Tina and Jeff Gibson of Gillespie, will attend Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to study accounting and business.
JOSEPH and EILEEN LIBBRA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by family and friends. Married for 48 years, they were hard working grain and livestock farmers and dedicated to their four children, Mary, Joe, Trish, and Carol, and their nine grandchildren.
Evan Price, son of Amy and Chuck Price of Gillespie, will attend Illinois College in Jacksonville to major in physical therapy.
JOHN and MARK MADDEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by family to lovingly honor this father and son. Both played Miners football, graduated from GHS and St. Louis University Law School. John returned to serve the community he loved in private practice, as a county public defender, and for 43 years as Gillespie City Attorney. He died at age 78 on 10 October 2009. His son Mark lived half as long, dying suddenly at the age of 39 on 11 October 2005. He was a trial attorney with Moser and Marshalak in St. Louis.
Colin Tieman, son of Joe and Marti Tieman of Gillespie, will attend the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana to study business and pre-law.
ROBERT M. PREVEDELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by family and friends. Robert lived 94 years as a farmer near Eagarville. Beloved by all for his dignity, good nature, integrity, and generosity of spirit, he was a prolific woodworker; veteran house mover; self-taught musician; talented gardener; and a charming storyteller with a razor sharp memory. He was proud of and devoted to his late wife Catherine, his four children (Bob, Toni, Pat, and Pam), seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Stephen DeMartini, son of Patricia DeMartini and Jon Tesio, will attend Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, to major in pre-medicine.
RICK RICHARDS MEMORIAL AG SCHOLARSHIP by family. This GHS graduate and local farmer is remembered fondly for his kindness and generosity to his family – wife Barb and daughter Lisa – and many fond friends.
Emily Harszy, daughter of Joseph and Diana Harszy of Gillespie, will attend the University of Central Florida in Orlando to major in archaeology and horticulture.
TAMMY ROSENTRETER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by family and friends. A U.S. Air Force veteran, she was active in her church and a dedicated teacher. She did it all through her valiant battle against cancer, inspiring Team Tammy fund raisers while maintaining her top priority: her family – husband Jerry and children Josh, Tateum and Tess.
Elijah Fox, son of Dan and Michelle Fox of Gillespie, will attend Illinois College in Jacksonville to major in education.
TEBBE FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP for students of computer science and engineering plus many classroom mini-grants have been funded by GHS graduate Mark Tebbe, Class of 1979, founder of Lante Corporation, and his parents Ralph and Rose Marie Tebbe through their family foundation. Rose is Partnership director.
Andrew Cline, son of Teresa and Joe Cline of Gillespie, will attend Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to major in computer engineering.
MARJORIE & MATT TURCOL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by family and friends. Matt and Marge’s great joy was their family. Marge is remembered by all for her generous and caring ways. Matt was mayor of Benld and president of the CUSD7 school board. Their daughter Susan is a frequent mini-grant recipient and their grandsons are Partnership scholars.
Abby Eccles, daughter of Joe Eccles of Gillespie, will attend Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, to major in pediatric physical therapy.
UMWA Local 1613 SCHOLARSHIP represents coal miners, health care workers, truck drivers, manufacturing employees and public employees in our communities. The union fights for safe workplaces, good wages and benefits, and fair representation in workplaces.
Bailey Jarman, daughter of Troy and Stacy Jarman of Benld, will attend Lewis and Clark Community College to study dental hygiene.
MICHAEL VALENTI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by friends and family is awarded in loving memory of this 1994 GHS graduate who lost his life in 1999 in a tragic accident. Michael had completed an associate’s degree at Lewis and Clark Community College and was continuing his education at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
Kirsten Sherman, daughter of Todd and Leslie Sherman of Gillespie, will attend Western Illinois University in Macomb to study marketing.
VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS AUXILIARY 4547 SCHOLARSHIP. Rachael Emmenderfer, daughter of Ray and Rosie Emmenderfer of Eagarville, will attend Lewis and Clark Community College to study occupational therapy.
EVALINE BOEHMKE MUSICIANSHIP AWARDS: Evaline (Mrs. Robert) Boehmke, was an ardent supporter of music in CUSD7. She left a bequest for $100 cash awards for students to be selected by the music faculty of Gillespie High School for outstanding musicianship in GHS band and chorus. This year the Band winner is Olivia Friese and the Chorus winner is Kobe Willis.
The Partnership for Educational Excellence is a not-for-profit educational foundation recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) corporation. All donations, which may be sent to The Partnership for Educational Excellence, P.O. Box 125, Gillespie, IL 62033. When addresses are provided, all gifts and memorials are acknowledged by mail. Visit us for updates or donate at www.thepartnership7.org.
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A former Carlinville High School football standout has signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots.
Kyle Dixon, a record-setting receiver at Culver-Stockton, an NAIA program in Canton, Missouri, inked the deal with New England after being passed over in the NFL Draft April 23-25.
Dixon was seen as an outside shot at being selected in the draft. He reportedly had visited at least one team, including Indianapolis, and was the subject of Internet speculation from various writers on his potential.
At Culver-Stockton, Dixon named to the American Football Coaches Association – NAIA All-American team. He was also a Heart of America Athletic Conference first team pick for the second straight year.
The 6-4, 216-pound Dixon was fourth in the NAIA with 83 receptions and third with 1,282 receiving yards in 2025.
New England advanced to last February’s Super Bowl, losing to Seattle.
It was the tenth Super Bowl appearance in the last 25 seasons for the Patriots, one of the NFL’s marquee teams over the last quarter-century.
New England won six Super Bowl titles in that span. The Patriots also played in the Super Bowl after the 1985 and 1996 seasons.
Though most undrafted free agents have an outside chance of sticking on NFL rosters, some future superstars began that way. Notable UDFAs include NFL Hall of Famers Kurt Warner, Warren Moon, Antonio Gates, Adam Vinatieri, and John Randle.
In 2025, eight NFL teams had at least three starters who had been UDFAs coming out of college.
The Patriots are known for their development of UDFAs. The franchise has had sixty starting players who were undrafted free agents from 2011-25, more than any other team in the NFL.
At Carlinville High School from 2015-18, Dixon finished in the top 20 in Illinois High School Association history in single-season receiving yards and touchdowns, career touchdowns, receptions, and receiving yards, and career interceptions on defense.
An all-state selection as a defensive back, Dixon was an all-South Central Conference pick as a receiver. He was also a two-time all-SCC pick in baseball.
Prior to Culver-Stockton, Dixon played baseball at SIU-Carbondale, SIU-Edwardsville, and Georgia Gwinnett College.
Dixon will try to become just the third Carlinville product to play in the NFL.
The others were Leland “Tiny” Lewis, who appeared in 14 games over the 1930-31 seasons with Portsmouth (now the Detroit Lions) and a now-defunct Cleveland franchise, and Mike Seyfrit, who played in 13 games for now-defunct franchises in Toledo and Hammond in 1923-24.
(Tom Emery may be reached at ilcivilwar@yahoo.com or 217-710-8392).
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Community News
Illinois treasurer to help Macoupin County residents reclaim $8.6 million in unclaimed funds on May 13 at Gillespie Library
Staff from Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ office will be at the Gillespie Public Library on Wednesday, May 13, to assist residents in reclaiming money through the I-Cash program. The state estimates that about 64,700 people and businesses in Macoupin County have unclaimed cash or property totaling $8.6 million, with statewide totals reaching $5 billion dollars.
A spokesperson noted that many people may not realize they’ve overlooked an investment account or a final paycheck, and that the thousands of names in the state’s database show it happens more often than people might think. The message emphasizes that this money belongs to Illinois residents and should be in their bank accounts rather than the state’s. The planned event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Gillespie Public Library, located at 201 W Chestnut Street, Gillespie, IL.
Attendees can expect on-site assistance with the I-Cash process, which helps residents search for unclaimed funds and pursue claims through official channels. The I-Cash program is described as a state-level initiative designed to reunite Illinois residents and businesses with unclaimed funds such as lost wages, refunds, or insurance benefits.
Individuals can search the state’s database for their name, name of business, or nonprofit online as well: https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/
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The Macoupin County Historical Society will host a drive-through chicken fried chicken dinner starting at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 13, at the MCHS grounds located at 920 W. Breckenridge, Carlinville.
Serving will continue until 7 p.m. or until food is sold out.
Meals are $12 each and include a chicken fried chicken breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and a roll.
“We offered a chicken dinner last year and were sold out within a couple of hours,” said Dan Hauter, MCHS President. “My advice is to come as early as possible to make sure you can buy a meal.”
Serving will be drive-through only. No walk-up orders will be taken.
Persons who wish to dine on the grounds may park their vehicle after getting their order and dine in the pavilion adjacent to the Red Barn. Water and soda will be available for purchase or customers may bring their own non-alcoholic beverage.
Proceeds will benefit the Macoupin County Historical Society.
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