Four SJO alumni among 3,523 ISU grads this spring

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Colton Bowser (left) maintains control of the ball in SJO's home game against Urbana University High School. This past May, Bowser, from Ogden, received his Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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Illinois State University awarded more than 3,500 college degrees on May 11. Among the recipients were four St. Joseph-Ogden High School alumni.

Colton Bowser and Dalton Smith, both from Ogden, earned a Bachelor of Science from the university located in Normal. Katie Kurtz, also from Ogden, received her Bachelor of Science in Education.

Brandon Burnett, from St. Joseph, completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Science and eligible to walk at the spring commencement ceremony.

Illinois State will awarded 3,523 baccalaureate degrees and 708 graduate degrees. There were a total of 3,885 students scheduled to participate in the spring ceremonies across the campus.

SJO alumni earned degrees at SIUC

Three St. Joseph-Ogden alumni earned college degrees from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in May.

Olivia Hutcherson was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Tori Stierwalt earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. Both Hutcherson and Stierwalt are from Ogden.

Former Spartan pitcher Hunter Hart, who was a 37th round pick in the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft, completed the requirements to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration. Hart is from St. Joseph.

Area residents earn degrees at Parkland College

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Back on August 29, 2014, Ryan Allen evaded tacklers from Paxton-Buckley-Loda in SJO's home opener. Allen was one of 23 St. Joseph residents who received associates degrees at Parkland College. SJO went on to defeat PBL in their non-conference battle, 27-7. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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Last month, thirty-one area college students were candidates for the 52nd Commencement Exercises at Parkland College. The following individuals completed all the necessary requirements to accept their diploma this past May.

Ogden
Matthew R. Alsip, CER, Construction: Plumbing and Pipefitting
Andrea L. Crain, CER, Practical Nursing
Grant C. Harper, AAS, Automotive Technology; CER, Automotive Technician
Devon M. Miezio, AGS, Associate in General Studies
Ethan O. Mizer, AA, General
Tanner E. Morris, AS, General
Kolten T. Taylor, AS, General

Royal
Karlie B. Baker, AA, General

St. Joseph
Ryan M. Allen, AS, General
Lacey N. Berlatsky, CER, Practical Nursing
Jason E. Brown, CER, Building Construction and Repair
Craig M. Chochola, AES, Engineering Science
Paige B. Dalton, AA, Social Work
Dezarae R. Dowers, AFA, Art Education
Carson D. Florey, AA, General
Stephanie E. Gonzales, AA, Psychology
Chloe A. Graver, AS, Aviation
Rylan J. Housenga, AGS, Associate in General Studies
Kohlten D. Johnson, AS, Business Administration
Riley S. Knott, AS, General
Danielle C. Long, AAS, Nursing
Robin R. Poff, AGS, Associate in General Studies
Kevin O. Sandefur, AAS, Accounting
Caleb T. Smith, AA, General
Kayla S. Sparks, AAS, Accounting
Abigail R. Stites, AA, Liberal Art and Sciences
Elizabeth AB Taylor, AAS, Nursing
Allison R. Voyles, AA, General
Taura Ward, AFA, Art Education
Tori R. Witruk, AS, Secondary Education
Jacob P. Zagorski, AAS, Electronic Control Systems Technology

Four SJO alumni make SIUC Dean's List

Four St. Joseph-Ogden alumni attending South Illinois University - Carbondale earn academic recognition for their studies during the spring semester.

Michael Bott and Olivia Hutcherson, both from Ogden, along with St. Joseph's Dakoda Jones and James Moore each will receive marks denoting their academic achievement on their official transcripts.

SIUC undergraduate students who were enrolled for and earned full-time credit during the term, and whose grade point average (GPA) meets or exceeds the minimum established by the University, will be included on the Dean's List.

More than 3 dozen named to Parkland's Dean's List

Forty-six area residents, out of about 825 students, were recently named to the Parkland College Dean's List for spring 2019.

Nine students from Ogden earned academic honors included: John M. Acklin, Cody A. Ayers, Zach T. David, Brandi L. Huson, Devon M. Miezio, Tanner E. Morris, Lindsey K. Osterbur, Regan E. Spicer and Rachel Q. Timm.

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Erin Beyers, from St. Joseph, strike a pose while competing at the IHSA Competitive State Dance Final in January. Beyers, who graduated from SJO in May, also earned Dean's List recognition at Parkland College during the spring semester. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

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St. Joseph residents who made the list were Jenna M. Anderson, Hollie N. Baltzell, Erin M. Beyers, Katelyn N. Burch, Dwight Colvin, Paige B. Dalton, Alissa J. Deweese, Tenneal R. Frerichs, Stephanie E. Gonzales, Chloe A. Graver, Kaitlyn M. Hess, Hope A. Hoffschneider, Ronald J. Hoppe-Hastings, Ian J. Hulette, Riley S. Knott, Kenneth Elijah-Lewis Lahners, Kaitlyn M. Landis, Hannah E. Lewis, Rebecca L. Long, Alexis G. Manning, Amanda J. McFadden, Erinn C. Miller, Heidi M. Novak, Brendan Z. Olauson, Alyssa R. Omana, Adalyn J. Parke, Adam P. Rose, Elizabeth J. Schluter, Ty A. Stegall, Keisha R. Taylor, Michael C. Wagner III, Nathan R. Walden, Brianna M. White, Alyssa R. Whitlock, Sarah E. Wiseman, Tori R. Witruk and Wanting Zhao.

In order to be included on the list students must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 grade scale for the semester they are being honored. Students who earn less than 12 hours in that semester can make the Dean's List by achieving a 3.5 cumulative GPA for 12 or more hours in the academic year.

Wayback Wednesday: Summer splash

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Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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With about 300 meters to go, Chelsea Blaase, on the right, and Sidney Long are splashed, per their request, with water by a race volunteer while running in the Gifford 5K on June 27. The race was the first in what festival organizers hope to become an annual tradition in conjunction with the Gifford Community Festival.

Click here to see more photos from the inaugural race in 2009 from PhotoNews Media.

Plan in place if Mother Nature dampens county 4th of July celebration

On sunny, picture perfect day, Terry Hill of St. Joseph, IL, makes the final turn toward the finish line at the Freedom 5K race in 2008. The annual Fourth of July event drew 525 runners and walkers to its' 15th installment. Hill finished 21st in the Mens 40-44 division with a time of 26:58.8. In case the weather for this year's Champaign County Freedom Celebration turns less than favorable, organizers have a well-thought out plan to allow area residents to celebrate our nation's independence this week. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

With scattered thunderstorms in the forecast for the Fourth of July, the Champaign County Freedom Celebration posted its Inclement Weather Policy on Facebook. Here is what you need to know if you plan to participate in the 5K walk/run, take in the annual parade or view the evening's exciting fireworks display.

With rain chances at 40%, the event organizers are plans in place for the parade, the evening show and fireworks run as close as it can to the schedule on the Freedom Celebration website. Revelers are encourage to check the site should weather conditions warrant possible changes to start times.

Should weather conditions force the parade to be canceled, it will not be reschedule for another date.

Depending on the timing of any precipitation moving into the area or wind conditions on Thursday, the Board of Directors and Committee consider all the factors that best serves the public and safety protocols and make a decision as when start the fireworks show. The performance may start earlier than scheduled. If the fireworks show is cancelled, it will be held on the following Saturday, July 6.

If weather conditions are favorable, the fireworks show provided by Melrose Pyrotechnics will begin at dusk, approximately 9:15pm.

Visit the CCFC website at https://www.july4th.net for the latest schedule updates and event information.