Guest Commentary: The best we can do, let's be kind


by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator


Life is short. The best we can do, is the best we can do. If we are doing our best, then what more can we expect from ourselves and others? Most people are doing the best they can with the information and abilities they have.

There are some things we can change and some things we can’t. Learning to adjust or adapt with what we have and who we are often takes some time and effort. We are all born some place to someone. Some of us are raised with less than others and some of us are raised with more than others. Many have a lot to overcome to merely survive in life while others seem to have it easy.

Academics appear to come easier for some people while others have to study diligently just to make a passing grade. Some are lucky in life while others don’t seem so lucky.

One of my dear friends is a multi-millionaire. He has a great house, wife and business galore. Over the last few years a young son was killed in a car wreck. A daughter was killed in a wreck and another died from natural causes. Many who don’t know the tragedies and heartache that he has experienced assume that his life is great and free from pain. I know he would trade everything he has to have his children back with him. He continues to get up in the morning. He is still involved in his business, cares for his wife and cherishes his one remaining daughter. However, life is not as it may seem to some.

Another dear friend has prospered with a large family and a successful business. His life looked good until you get to know him better. One of his sons committed suicide in front of him a couple of years ago. Another son recently died in an accident. Within weeks of his son’s accident, a grandson was killed in a car wreck. His pain is great. He goes through the motions day by day trusting God with his life and remaining children. It is difficult to understand why his family has suffered so much in recent days. Tears flow when he begins to talk about what his family has suffered.

Life is not so easy to figure out. We think we have the answers and then later in life realize we don’t know much at all. We thought we had life all figured out when we were very young but throughout the years life throws things at us that we can’t possibly see coming.

Today, let’s all consider others. Be kind to our neighbors, acquaintances and people we meet along the way. A lot of people are hurting from disease, death, unemployment, life’s tragedies and more. Don’t judge people by their appearances or their mistakes. Life is not only filled with good, but often pain that most never see.

What life seems to be and what life actually is are rarely the same.


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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of American Issues, Every American Has An Opinion and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.


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Photo Gallery: Unity beats SJO at home, 33-8


6-foot-2, 225-pound lineman Karson Richardson puts his shoulder into St. Joseph-Ogden's Jack Setterdahl while playing during the second half of their conference football game at Hicks Field. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Unity receiver Tyler Hensch and quarterback Blake Kimball celebrate a touchdown against visiting St. Joseph-Ogden on Friday. The Rockets beat the Spartans in Illini Prairie Conference action, 33-8. Next up, Unity travels to Illinois Valley Central to take on the Grey Ghost on Friday. Click here to see more photos from this game. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


After he is flushed out of the backfield on his team's second snap of the game, Rocket QB Blake Kimball jets down the north sideline on his way to a 72-yard, first quarter touchdown. Kimball finished the night with 104 yards on nine carries and scored again later Unity's home game against the Spartans. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Rockets' Austin McDaniel cools off during a timeout against the Spartans. The senior defensive lineman veteran experience was crucial to his team ability to hold SJO to just 125 rushing yards. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


St. Joseph-Ogden quarterback Evan Ingram looks down field to throw a long pass during the second half. Ingram finished the night completing 5 of 14 passes for 32 yards against the host Rockets. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Quarterback Blake Kimball is brought down by St. Joseph-Ogden's Bryson Helfrich on Unity's first offensive play in the first quarter during the Rockets' home game on Friday, September 3. On the next play Kimball dashed down the field to score the first of the team's five touchdowns. Unity went on to improved to 2-0 record after beating the visiting Spartans, 33-8. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


SJO's Owen Birt leaps into action in an attempt to block a Unity extra point attempt in the fourth quarter. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Members of the Unity Dance Team entertain spectators while performing during halftime. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


A member of the Unity marching band's flag corp twirls her flag around shoulders during Friday night's halftime performance. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Together with Sophia Stierwalt to her left, Drum Major Elise Johnson lead the Unity Rocket Marching Band during their halftime presentation. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


A horn player marches with Unity marching band while playing the bands rendition of a Stevie Wonder tune during halftime. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Justice Wertz sheds a Unity tackler while trying to get the ball out of the SJO backfield during the fourth quarter. Wertz, a 5'-9', 135-pound running back, finished the road game with 9 yards after two touches on Friday. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


St. Joseph-Ogden senior Austin Cotter tries to work his way past Unity's Karson Richardson during the second half of their game. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Unity senior Nate Nosler and a teammate wrap up St. Joseph-Ogden ball carrier Keaton Nolan. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


After breaking away from would be tacklers Rowan Musselman and Alex Funk from St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity's Haidyn Hendricks picks up a few more yards on the fourth quarter play. Hendricks finished the game with a net 14 yards in his team's second home game of the season. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


SJO's Bryson Helfrich moves to block a Unity lineman. In search of their first win of the season, Helfrich and the Spartans will host Prairie Central this coming Friday.(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Finding a bit of green turf open, St. Joseph-Ogden's Keaton Nolan makes a quick cut to take advantage of the hole in Unity's defense. Nolan finished the game with 14 receiving-yards and 45 on his ground attack. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)



Flyin' high: touchdown Rockets!


Flying high, touchdown Rockets!

Unity receiver Tyler Hensch and quarterback Blake Kimball celebrate a touchdown against visiting St. Joseph-Ogden on Friday. The Rockets beat the Spartans in Illini Prairie Conference action, 33-8. Next up, Unity travels to Illinois Valley Central to take on the Grey Ghost on Friday. Click here to see more photos from this game.
(PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)



Prep Sports Notebook: Rockets move up in AP football poll



Rockets move up in AP football ranking
After one week, the Unity football team earned enough votes in the Associated Press poll to move up to #4 in the Class 3A poll. Ranked one spot above the Rockets are their Illini Prairie Conference rivals, the Monticello Sages. The two teams are scheduled to meet on the gridiron in a regular-season finale on October 22.

In the preseason poll, Unity was tied at fifth on the list with Farmington. Meanwhile, the Sages entered the season at #3.

Here is a complete listing of the Class 3A rankings.

Class 3A
1. Wilmington (6) (1-0) 86 1
2. Princeton (3) (1-0) 75 4
3. Monticello (1-0) 68 3
4. Tolono Unity (1-0) 50 T5
5. Williamsville (0-1) 49 2
6. Byron (1-0) 39 7
7. Farmington (1-0) 35 T5
8. Nashville (1-0) 31 8
9. Montini (0-1) 17 10
(tie) Mt. Carmel, IL (1-0) 17 9
Others receiving votes: Paxton-Buckley-Loda 10, Benton 6, Carlinville 4, Peotone 3, Reed-Custer 2, Eureka 2, Fairbury Prairie Central 1.


Prep Sports Notebook: SJO volleyball cruises past T-Town, Uni knocks off Sages



Romole scores twice in first half
Nolan Romle scored two of Unity's four goals in their home soccer match against Meridian on Thursday. The freshman's two scores, bookending a strike from Gabe Pound, gave the Rockets a 3-all tie leading heading into halftime.

Later, Meridian striker Spencer Uphoff broke the tie with an unassisted goal in the second half, but the Rockets refused to lie down thanks to junior Andrew Mowrer notching a penalty kick to retie the score, this time at four goals apiece.

With his first goal already under his belt in the first half, Hawks Micah McCoy scored the game-winning goal handing Unity a 5-4 loss.

Mason Davis made 13 saves on the day for the Rockets.

Still looking for their first win of the season, Unity (0-4) will play their next game, the team's first road match, on Monday, September 6 at Warrensburg-Latham. Romole and Rockets then travel to Champaign to face the Tribe of Judah Christian on Thursday.


Box Score -

First half: Meridian Egbert(Boehm), McCoy(UA), Unity Remole(Pound), Pound(UA), Meridian Boehn(UA), Unity Remole(UA)

Second half:Meridian Uphoff(UA), Unity Mowrer(PK), Meridian McCoy(UA)



Thomey buries two goals
When the bout was said and done, both the St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team and Hoopeston area would part ways with the identical season records of 4-1-1. Staring at recording their second loss of the season at the end of the first half, St. Joseph-Ogden bounced back to win their second road match of the season handing the Cornjerkers their first loss by way of a 3-1 advantage.

Hoopeston's Harrison Wood gave his team the early lead and their only goal of the contest despite 19 other attempts from his teammates. Teammate and goaltender Owen Root (6 saves) kept the ball out of his net during the first half play, but would later let three second-half Spartan shots slip by him in the final half.

SJO senior Jared Emmert earned his first of two assists feeding the ball to junior Aiden Cromwell to tie the game at one goal each. Emmert then set up the go-ahead score with a pass to Colin Thomey. Thomey, a freshman, sealed the victory with a follow-up goal with the help of Owen Baltzell.

Hunter Ketchum made 18 saves guarding the Spartan goal.

The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team returns to the pitch on Monday, September 6 at Bismarck-Henning. Hoopeston Area visits St. Anne today and plays another road match, this one close to home, at Schlarman on Tuesday, September 7.


Box Score -

First half: Hoopeston Woods

Second Half: SJO Cromwell (Emmert), SJO Thomey (Emmert), SJO Thomey (Baltzell)



Urbana's Jacie Owens lines up a shot over the net during the Tiger's home match against St. Joseph-Ogden last month. In Thursday's home match against visiting Centennial, Owens came up short in her battle against Anna Park. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Tigers fall at home
After avenging an earlier loss to St. Joseph-Ogden on Tuesday, the Urbana girls tennis team dropped their next home match to Centennial on Thursday, 8-1.

The Tigers' solo win came at #4 singles from Alisa Tangmunarunkit, who defeated the Chargers' Nicole Vozovoy, 8-4.

Next up, Tangmunarunkit and her teammates will host the St. Thomas More tennis team on Tuesday at 4pm.


Box Score -

Singles:
No. 1 - Sandhya Subbiah, CENTENNIAL def. Myra Stevens, URBANA, 8-3
No. 2 - Anna Park, CENTENNIAL def. Jacie Owens, URBANA, 8-4
No. 3 - Grace Kahler, CENTENNIAL def. Eisla Madigan, URBANA, 8-2
No. 4 - Alisa Tangmunarunkit, URBANA def. Nicole Vozovoy, CENTENNIAL, 8-4
No. 5 - Yehyun Nam, CENTENNIAL def. Matika Pounginjai, URBANA, 8-1
No. 6 - Aastha Patel, CENTENNIAL def. Grace Coady, URBANA, 8-2 Doubles:
No. 1 - Sandhya Subbiah/Anna Park, CENTENNIAL def. Jacie Owens/Myra Stevens, URBANA, 8-2
No. 2 - Grace Kahler/Yehyun Nam, CENTENNIAL def. Alisa Tangmunarunkit, /Matika Pounginjai, URBANA, 8-2
No. 3 - Nicole Vozovoy/Aastha Patel, CENTENNIAL def. Zoe Johnson/Grace Coady, URBANA, 8-0



SJO golf finishes second at triangle
Jacob Kern, McGwire Atwood, Maddux Carter and Logan Smith combined for a four-man total of 181 strokes leading the St. Joseph-Ogden (7-1) golf team to a second-place finish in a three-school competition between Monticello and Rantoul-Paxton-Buckley-Loda varsity golf contingents.

Monticello finished first with 160 and Rantoul in third with 190 strokes.

Kern led the Spartans with 46 strokes on the Par 36 back nine at Willowbrook Golf Course. Atwood finished one stroke behind him with 47. Carter and Smith rounded out the top four scores with 43 and 45 respectively. Jack Robertson finished the course with 51 strokes and Talan Miller with 57.

SJO's Connor Hale shot a 59 and Tyler Buss 56 as varsity extras on Thursday.



St. Joseph-Ogden's Kelsey Martlage puts the ball back over the net during the Spartans' road match at Urbana on August 31. After winning that match, Martlage with partner Hope Rajlich defeated Watseka's Ashton Peters/Baler Rigsby 8-2 on Thursday.(Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


Dow notches four straight wins
After a win-less first season in 2020, the St. Joseph-Ogden tennis program picked up its third team victory after rolling over Watseka on the road, 7-2.

SJO dusted up the doubles courts taking all three matches and picked up four wins in singles to improve their team record to 3-2 on the season.

Abbey Dow picked up another win at #1 singles besting the Warriors' Ashton Peters, 8-4. The Spartan now boasts four straight wins in singles competition.


Box Score -

Singles:
No. 1 - Abbey Dow, SJO def. Ashton Peters, WATSEKA, 8-4
No. 2 - Emma Simons, WATSEKA def. Allison Kearney, SJO, 8-6
No. 3 - Ava Swartz, WATSEKA, def. Ashlyn Lannert, SJO, 8-4
No. 4 - Claire Huffman, SJO def. Moriah Pueschell, WATSEKA, 8-1
No. 5 - Grace Schmitz, SJO def. Sarah Parsons, WATSEKA, 8-4
No. 6 - Olivia Getty, SJO def. Tiffany Zhao, WATSEKA, 8-6

Doubles:
No. 1 - Hope Rajlich/Kelsey Martlage, SJO def. Ashton Peters/Baler Rigsby, WATSEKA, 8-2
No. 2 - Abby Behrens/Jacey Lewis, SJO def. Emma Simons/Ava Swartz, WATSEKA, 8-6
No. 3 - Katie McDermott/Emma Rydell, SJO def. Moriah Pueschell/Sarah Parsons, WATSEKA, 8-4



Uni outlasts Monticello
Arjun Kala had six saves in Uni-High's 3-2 win over Monticello at home on Thursday.

Noah La Nave had a hand ... er, leg in all three Illinek scores with his first coming via a pass from junior Teo Chemla 13 minutes after Monticello scored their first goal of the game.

Early in the second half, La Nave delivered a righteous pass for Arya Thirodira to sink the go-ahead score. The lead was short-lived as Monticello scored on a penalty kick near the halfway mark in the final half to tie the affair at two-all.

La Nave and Chemla teamed up again for the game-winner 70 minutes into the match for the final goal of the non-conference dual.

Box Score -

First half: Monticello, Noah La Nave (Teo Chemla)

Second Half: Arya Thirodira (Noah La Nave), Monticello, Noah La Nave (Teo Chemla)



SJO volleyball remains unbeaten
The SJO volleyball squad improved to 6-0 on the season after powering past visiting Teutopolis 25-20, 25-10 at home, originally scheduled to be played in T-town, on Thursday.

Becca Steinbach tallied 12 assists and senior Hannah Fox stood out defensively with seven digs on the Spartans home court.

Kennedi Burnett delivered five aces and pounded six kills in the rout. The veteran senior also had six digs.

Next week, the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team hosts Champaign Central on Tuesday, September 7, and Oakwood a day later on September 8.




Spartans travel to Rocket country


St. Joseph-Ogden running back Isaiah Moore drags a Monticello defender during their season opener. The Spartans, who lost 43-8, look to bounce back tonight on the road at Hicks' Field against the Unity Rockets (1-0). SJO last victory against the Rockets was after a home game back in 2018. Moore's Spartans have not had a home game against the rival Rockets since that September 14 game. (PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)


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