State Salutes 7 West Carroll Students as 'Best and Brightest'

Savanna, IL ­ West Carroll Principal Bob Lamb is pleased to announce that seven West Carroll High School students have been recognized as "2009 Illinois State Scholars". The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) which is recognizing 19,331 high school students from across the state as this year's State Scholars.

"These seven students are another example of what great kids we have here at West Carroll High School." stated Dave Baisden, WCHS counselor. "They are a very involved in the school climate, as well as, being good students."

The following students exemplify academics, scholarship, and hard work.They are very deserving of the honor of Illinois State Scholar:

Benjamin Beck, son of Kurt and Cindy Beck; Timothy Foltz, son of Gary and Susan Foltz; Kayla Kasbohm, daughter of John and Colleen Kasbohm; Jennesa Miller, daughter of Richard and Carol Miller; Rekalyn Sedivy, daughter of Bill and Jayne Sedivy' Kate Wiersema, daughter of James and Shirley Wiersema; and Cara Wright, daughter of David and Pamela Wright.

"These students personify excellence," said ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis, whose agency has overseen the Illinois State Scholars program since 1958. "Illinois State Scholars are among the best and the brightest in our state's high schools. We salute them, along with their partners in reaching for the stars: their families, and the teachers and staff at West Carroll High School for this stellar achievement."

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top ten percent of the state's high school seniors from 798 high schools across the state. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. High school guidance counselors work in conjunction with ISAC to determine the winners. At least a half million Illinois State Scholars have been recognized in the past 50 years.

While the recognition does not provide a monetary award, this year, for the first time, Scholars were gifted with a paid subscription to the online version of Encyclopædia Britannica. Additionally, winners are encouraged to cite the award on applications for college admission and scholarships.

"Competition for college admission and financial aid is tough. Illinois State Scholar awardees have shown they can hit the books, so I encourage every Illinois college to put Illinois State Scholars at the very top of their list for admission," Davis said. "These seven West Carroll students are shining examples that hard work pays off. "

High school students and their parents are urged to visit collegezone.com for more information about the many college financial assistance programs available. The innovative site also offers career counseling services, a planning timeline, virtual campus tours and online applications.

Created in 1957, ISAC is the state's central provider of college aid. The agency oversees the Monetary Award Program (MAP), Illinois Veteran Grant, and service-related programs to encourage students to pursue careers in teaching or nursing. Last year, ISAC issued 187,000 grants totaling $430 million and guaranteed $1.2 billion in loans. Its 529 prepaid tuition program ­ College Illinois! ­ has allowed more than 30,000 Illinois families to prepay more than $1 billion in tuition and fees.

On Sunday, the West Carroll Chapter of the National Honor Society aided the Savanna Women of the Moose in their 2nd Annual Shopping Day - Day Care Service. This gave parents an opportunity to shop for Christmas presents while their children were taken care of by NHS and Women of the Moose members.

(Top) The day ran from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in which the children played board games, made crafts, ate snacks and watched movies.

(Right) The NHS were glad to help.Front row, l to r, Reka Sedivy, Haley Johnson, Jessica Libberton, Sara Chwistek, and Cara Wright. Back row, Ellen Schreiner, Tim Foltz, Kayla Kasbohm, Joe Meade, Ben Beck, and Seth Zickefoose. Not in the picture is Travis Morhardt.

The Women of the Moose and NHS plan on repeating this project next year. (Photos courtesy of Jennesa Miller)

State Salutes 5 Eastland Students as 'the best and the brightest'

Lanark, IL ­ Eastland High School's Principal Jay Ritchie is pleased to announce that five Eastland High School students have been recognized as "2009 Illinois State Scholars". The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) which is recognizing 18,178 high school students from across the state as this year's State Scholars.

This year's winners from Eastland High School are Sarah Anderson, daughter of Gib & Kathy Anderson of Lanark, Haylee Endress, daughter of Jim & Deb Endress of Shannon, August Cassens, daughter of Gerald & Diann Cassens of Lanark, Charles Johnson, son of Jeff & Sally Hoak of Lanark and Mark & Andrea Johnson, and Jessica Johnson, daughter of Larry & Denise Johnson of Shannon.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top ten percent of the state's high school seniors from 798 high schools. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. High school counselors work in conjunction with ISAC to determine the winners. At least a half million Illinois State Scholars have been recognized in the past 49 years.

"These students personify excellence," said ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis, whose agency has overseen the Illinois State Scholars program since 1958. "Illinois State Scholars are among the best and the brightest in our state's high schools. We salute them, along with their partners in reaching for the stars: their families, and the teachers and staff at Eastland High School for this stellar achievement."

While the recognition does not provide a monetary award, winners are encouraged to cite the award on applications for college admission and scholarships.

"Competition for college admission and financial aid is tough. Illinois State Scholar awardees have shown they can hit the books, so I encourage every Illinois college to put Illinois State Scholars at the very top of their list for admission," Davis said. "These five Eastland High School students are shining examples that hard work pays off. "

Shepherds' Clinic Programs Set for January

University of Illinois Extension will be conducting its annual two-part Shepherd's telenet workshop at area Extension offices on January 6 and 12, from 7:00 ­ 9:00 p.m.

Topics included for the January 6 telenet are "Culling the Sheep Flock" by Roger High, Sheep Extension Specialist, Ohio State University and "How We Raise, Care for and Market our Sheep" by Jim Hayes, Producer for Sap Bush Hollow Farm.

Topics for the January 12 telenet include "Cutting the Fat from Your Sheep Enterprise" by Dr. Dan Morrical, Iowa State University, "Thinking of Upgrading Your Sheep Facilities" by Lloyd Bergener, Wisconsin Producer, and "2009 Update on Illinois Scrapie Program" by Dr. Rick Jones, Illinois Scrapie Program.

The workshop fee covers handout materials. Pre-registration is required by calling 815-244-9444 if you plan on attending in Mt. Carroll or 815-858-2273 if you want to attend in Elizabeth. Registrations are requested by December 23.

2009 Illinois Dairy Day Set For Elizabeth

"Economic Expectations" is the theme for 2009's Illinois Dairy Days program scheduled to be held at the Elizabeth Community Building on January 20 from 9:45-3:00p.m.

"The dairy business continues to face challenging times," said Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois Extension dairy specialist. "To help producers make correct management decisions, it is vital to have the latest information at hand. That is the driving idea behind this one-day programto help producers make the most of their resources and remain a productive part of the dairy industry."

Joining Hutjens as presenters are U of I Extension colleagues Dave Fischer, Jim Endress, and Dick Wallace, a dairy veterinarian.

Topics to be covered include: feeding challenges with today's milk prices; managing the replacement herd, evaluating economic alternatives, economic implications of cull dairy cattle, impact of technology on the dairy carbon footprint, manure, livestock gross margin for dairy, and herd health update.

Kolb-Lena Cheese Co., Stockton Cheese Co., Swiss Valley Farms, and Foremost Farms will cover the charge of their patrons. Please call the Jo Daviess County Extension Office (815-858-2273) to register. On-line registration with credit card payment can also be done via the Jo-Carroll website at http://jdc.extension.uiuc.edu

The same program will be held at Highland Community College, Freeport, on January 21. Anyone interested in attending at Freeport should contact the Stephenson County Extension Office at 815-235-4125.

Eastland Grad Gets MBA

Alisha Toepfer of Lanark received her Master of Business Administration degree from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa, on Saturday, December 13 during Winter Graduation ceremonies. Ashford University graduated over 1600 students with BS, BA, and MS degrees at the ceremony.

Alisha previously received a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Stan and Vicki Toepfer of Lanark.

West Carroll High School Agriculture Science (AG II) Class Field Tests Trait-Stewardship Lessons From Monsanto

West Carroll High School is growing a new generation of agricultural leaders by teaching students about the responsible management of biotechnology. West Carroll was one of 50 agriculture programs in the top 100 corn producing counties nation-wide invited to participate in a field test of new classroom materials from Monsanto. This fall, representatives at Monsanto are working with Relevant Classroom, an instructional design company, to design and test pilot a series of eight lessons to teach future producers and consumers about the responsibilities associated with biotechnology-derived seed traits. In return for participating in the field test, Monsanto is providing each program a $100 donation to the local FFA chapter. $50 donated on behalf of the local chapter to the state FFA foundation and other resources for the classroom.

Eloy Corona, a Monsanto Trait-Stewardship Team Member, comments, "Monsanto is committed to enhancing farmer productivity and profitability through the introduction of new modern agricultural biotechnology. In order to fulfill this commitment, we must reach out to the future leaders for our industry to inform them about the benefits of biotechnology and prepare them to assume a shared responsibility for managing this valuable resource. We can think of no better source of future leaders in the agriculture industry than local agriculture programs and FFA chapters." Since 1996, biotech crops have delivered over a decade of environmental and economic benefits to both farmers and consumers. Practicing proper stewardship of these traits will enable biotechnology's positive agricultural contributions to continue.

Pamida Foundation Donates Over $365,000 To Their Communities This Holiday

Donations to benefit local food banks and families in need

For the seventh consecutive year, the Pamida Foundation will be making donations to food banks in every Pamida community. Founded in 2000, the Pamida Foundation supports the local efforts of Pamida stores through financial contributions to non-profit organizations in communities where Pamida does business. The total contribution from the Pamida Foundation to food banks this year is nearly $200,000, twice the amount contributed last year. "In this tough economy, it is more important than ever for the Pamida Foundation to assist those in need," said Jessica Strohman, the Pamida Foundation Executive Director. "We are proud to partner with our local food banks for this important cause." In addition to supporting food banks, Pamida will sponsor their annual Giving Tree in most of their locations. This year, the Pamida Foundation will further support this program by donating over $165,000 toward gifts for those less fortunate. For the past 21 years, through the support of their customers, Pamida has provided gifts to thousands of families who otherwise may not have received a Christmas gift. "We thank our customers for supporting Pamida's Giving Tree over the years and encourage them to join us in our mission to make Christmas brighter for those in our communities," said Strohman. Tags containing requested gift items are available at participating Pamida stores. Pamida will wrap and deliver donated gifts. Throughout the past nine years, the Pamida Foundation has given more than $4.5 million to the charities in their communities. In 2009, the Pamida Foundation will continue their support of their communities with contribution levels forecasted at an all-time high.

Getz-Niedziela Exchange Vows

Amy Lynn Getz and Jeffrey Stuart Niedziela exchanged wedding vows at 2:00 p.m. on July 26th, 2008 at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church. Father Robert Drutowski officiated the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Arnold and Phyllis Getz of Chadwick and the groom is the son of Richard and Nancy Niedziela of Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Serving as maid of honor was Ann Stith, sister of the bride. The bridesmaids were Christine Malcolm, sister of the groom, and Lindsey Graf, friend of the bride. Molly Alexander, friend of the bride, was the personal attendant and Megan Black, friend of the couple, was the greeter. Elizabeth Stith, niece of the bride, was the flower girl. Serving as best man was August Barkow, friend of the groom. The groomsmen were Jon Malcolm, brother in law of the groom and Alan Getz, brother of the bride. Ushering were Andrew Black and Eric Price, both friends of the groom. Music was provided by Ann Heckenkamp, pianist and vocalist. Readers were Andrew Stith, brother in law of the bride and Eric Price, friend of the groom. A reception and dance honoring the couple was held at the Marriott Hotel in Pewaukee. The bride graduated from Milledgeville High School in 1999, Marquette University with a major in Biomedical Sciences in 2003, Marquette University Dental School with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2007 and will complete her residency at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry in 2009. She will practice as a pediatric dentist in Waukesha and Hartland, Wisconsin upon completion of her residency. The groom graduated from Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin in 1998, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a Bachelors degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology in 2002, and Marquette University Dental School with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2006. His dentist office is located in Pewaukee. Following a honeymoon trip to Quindao and Bejing, China for the Olympics, the couple resides in Pewaukee, Wisconsin.

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