The Sentinel

Former SJO baseball player Austin Cain transfers Nicholls State

Spartans' Austin Cain makes a catch playing in St. Joseph-Ogden's road game at Duffy Bass Field in Normal against Normal University High. SJO fell victim to the Pioneers 13-3 in their non-conference game on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

After a two-year stint at Heartland Community College, St. Joseph-Ogden graduate Austin Cain will continue his athletic career at Nicholls State University.

Cain will major in business at the public university that boasts an enrollment of 6,366 students located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, about an hour and 15 minutes drive west of New Orleans.

The 2018 Spartan baseball alumnus will join the Colonels who were 10-8 this season before the Coronavirus pandemic put the kibosh on collegiate and prep sports this spring.

In his 24 at bats this season with Heartland, Cain batted in nine runs and collected five stolen bases. He had a career season-high 3 RBI game against Macomb Community College on March 7 and stole two bases on the road against Lansing Community College three days later on March 10.

Ready to free fall, Spartan Spotlight with Emily Bigger

Emily Bigger made an interesting confession about a week ago.

"I have always wanted to go skydiving in Australia," said the St. Joseph-Ogden senior whose hobbies include hanging out with friends and traveling to many places - and likely skydiving sometime in the future.

The admission, which she referred to as a 'fun fact', came out after The Sentinel asked her to name a few places she would enjoy traveling to visit. For her beaches and skydiving nearly goes hand in hand. Her number two choice is a trip to a group of islands close to 500 miles north of Brisbane called the Whitsunday Islands.

"It has a beautiful beach to skydive near," Bigger said. The member of the 2019 third-place state volleyball team longs for the day when she can visit the land Down Under. "I have always enjoyed talking in an Australian accent and listening to others talk in the accent. I also think it is a beautiful place, and it would be awesome to see the kangaroos and koalas.

Pristine sandy beaches out woop woop with a couple of slabs and hot barbie sounds bloody sick right now. Especially with this weekend's forecast locally calling for overnight temperatures in the lower 30s.

"I believe that it has slowed everything down. This quarantine shows how busy our schedules were. Now, families are able to spend more time together watching movies, playing games, doing puzzles, and eating dinner together."

According to her mother, Melissa, her daughter has never jumped out of a perfectly good airplane ... at least not yet. There is no chance that skydiving will be a mother-daughter bonding experience either. "100%. No!"

The other two places at the top of Bigger's list are Vaitape in Bora Bora, another island retreat, and Dubai.

"I want to stay in one of the huts that are above the ocean," she explained talking about Bora Bora. As for the United Arab Emirates destination, there is one place that is a must-visit for her. "I want to go to the top of the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa."

After high school, Bigger plans to attend Parkland College and is undecided on her major.

Inspired by a popular television medical drama, her dream job would to become a surgeon.

"I have watched Grey's Anatomy for the longest time and love watching them save people’s lives," Bigger said. "My dream job would be a trauma surgeon."

Ideally, she would work and live in a city in the southern part of the United States where it warmer more months out of the year than in her hometown of St. Joseph. But, there is just one small problem.

"Another fun fact about me is I can’t deal with blood very well," she admitted. "So that job will forever be a dream of mine, not a reality."

She had one dream - winning a state title for SJO - nearly come true last fall. The veteran setter helped the Spartan volleyball team reach the Class 2A final four in November thanks to an upset victory in Palos Heights. What the casual fan may not had noticed during the supersectional match against Chicago Christian was match was how much of nervous wreck Bigger was going into that match.

For a young woman who wants to jump out of an airplane at 13,000 or so feet and accelerate 9.8 meters per second squared toward earth, Bigger said on a 1-10 anxiety scale, the match against the Knights was easily a 10.

Emily's advice to future SJO students is to appreciate all of the little moments, and to participate in as many activities as you can.

"I was nervous from the beginning. I was physically sick and had thrown up six times earlier in the day. I didn’t want to let my team down," she explained. "Then, walking into the packed gym, seeing their team, and seeing how tall they were made it even more nerve-racking."

With the offense revolving around Bigger, who tallied 26 assists and 16 digs against the Knight, the Spartans rebounded from a first set loss to take the last two in a gritty, knock-down, drag'm out.

Then it was on the state tournament. Looking back at the state semifinal against Breese Mater Dei at Redbird Arena, she said it was nearly as stressful as the previous weekend's match against Chicago Christian. The importance of notching the opening match at state was not lost upon her.

"Winning it (the semifinal match) got us to the championship game, but (it was) not as stressful as the last game," Bigger said. "We had made it to state, but we still knew we had to fight our way to the end."

Valiantly, SJO rolled with the punches in yet another three-setter. After dropping the first set 25-20, Bigger and the Spartans played a scrappy game to force a third set, 25-23. After tying the final set at 21-all, a final momentum swing in favor of their opponent forced a 25-22 loss.

"The third place game was my last volleyball game ever so I didn’t find it very stressful," she said, summing up her state final experience. "I would say probably a six because I just wanted to go out and play my hardest but have fun too - and of course, win!."

Bigger, who started playing volleyball in the fourth grade, played the sport all four years of high school. Also a member of the Maroon Platoon, she was inducted into the National Honor Society as well as participated in FCA, Spanish Club and AMP.

"I love the excitement of long rallies - especially winning them, the environment with the gym filled with our fans, and the bonds built with my teammates and coaches," Bigger said about the sport.

The friendships and her relationships with her volleyball teammates is special.

"Katelyn Berry can always put a smile on my face," she said. "I can be in the worst mood, and this girl knows how to make me laugh just by doing the littlest things, sometimes not even trying to be funny."

Bigger tell us her favorite classes at SJO were Physics with Mr. Robert Glazier and English with one of her favorite teachers, Mrs. Heather Lindenmeyer.

"Mrs. Lindenmeyer is one of my favorite teachers because she cares for us not only as students but as people outside of her classroom," she said. "She pays attention to each student, knows if we are going through a hard time, and offers her support if we need to talk to someone."

Bigger said going to her English class was rather enjoyable because the time spent in the classroom was not spent just schoolwork and academics.

"Honestly, fourth hour was her favorite, too," she said. "We listened to her rant about her day or what she was going through. It felt like a big support system for us and her," As for the class itself, I enjoyed it because I learned so much about myself as a writer and actually learned to enjoy writing essays,for the most part, not the 11-page one."

Her other favorite instructors in high school was Mr. Marshall Schacht and she also enjoy her time in the classroom with Mr. Risley at St. Joseph Middle School.

What else do you need to know about senior Emily Bigger?

She can’t live without ice cream. "That is a must" in her life.

"I also need Netflix/Hulu to binge watch shows and chocolate milk."

Chilton lands model job at Boeing Company

Brian Chilton, a 2009 graduate from St. Joseph-Ogden High School, has joined Boeing Company in St. Louis as a Database Content Developer.

"I'll be 3D modeling airports for military simulators," he said.

Chilton, who was a VDC Virtualization Technician with Clayco, was furloughed due to the economic downturn created by the Coronavirus pandemic and quickly landed on his feet three weeks later.

"I was the primary visualization artist there. They called it a technician," he said about his position that lasted just eight months. "I just loved the challenges that making animated videos, between editing and compositing everything together to make the final product."

With over $3.2+ billion in revenue for 2019 and more than 2,400 employees across the country, Clayco is one of the nation’s largest privately-owned real estate, architecture, engineering, design-build and construction firms that has set new standards for collaborative design, construction quality and craftsmanship, efficient project management, cost containment and jobsite safety.

Despite his short tenure with Clayco, he expanded his knowledge base on the building construction industry.

"I had to learn how buildings were constructed and go off of build schedule plans. What's crazy is not all buildings are constructed the same."

After leaving SJO, Chilton attended Parkland College where graduated in 2013. From there he went on to the Savannah College of Art & Design where he earned a bachelors degree in animation. Below is an animated short film he created that can be found on his website at BrianChilton3D.

Boeing is recognized as the largest aerospace company in the world. The company builds commercial jetliners and security systems as well as provides aftermarket support for their products which are used worldwide by the United States and allied government customers in more than 150 countries.

Chilton resides in Hazelwood, MO., with his wife, Sara, and their daughter.

New case identified in St. Joseph, area Coronavirus infections rises

The fourth confirmed case of the Coronavirus has been confirmed in St. Joseph as the total number of active cases reached 89 in Champaign County. Twenty-five new cases brings the county total of confirmed cases to 208.

According to The News-Gazette, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District says outbreak at Rantoul Foods grew to 47 on Tuesday and expects that number to grow. Meanwhile, the CUPHD website latest update indicates there are 43 confirmed tests from the 61866 area.

Sadly, the number of cases involving teen and kids continues to rise. At the beginning of the month of May six days ago, there were just 10 individuals 20-and-under who tested positive for COVID-19 virus in the county. The total has climbed to 31 as of yesterday.

The CUPHD websited indicates the first adult over the age of 90 was also confirmed positive yesterday.

COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus mainly as a cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. These two, along with fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or the loss of taste or smell are common among infected individuals.

If you or a family member has any of the following symptoms, the CDC recommends that you seek medical attention immediately. Those symptoms include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse or have bluish lips or face.

Check your property tax bill

Area residents should be receiving your Champaign County property tax bill this week and you may want to look it over closely.

There have been several reports by homeowners whose bills do not reflect escrow payments made or applied to their tax bill.

If you find an error contact the county treasurer at (217) 384-3743 as well as your escrow company to make sure your payment will be received on time.

Spotlight on SJO senior Connor Lusk

Connor Lusk does a 230kg deadlift at the Illini Uplift for Muscular Dystrophy powerlifting competition on March 11 in 2019. Lusk, then a junior also squated 180 kg and maxed out on the bench press at 140 kg on Saturday. He finished first in his division and 11th overall. Hosted by the Illini Powerlifting Club, proceeds from the event were donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Connor Lusk

High School Clubs & Activities

Wrestling (1 year)
Maroon Platoon

Hometown:
St. Joseph

Hobbies:
Competitive powerlifting, playing the bass guitar, and helping others at the gym.

Favorite SJO memory:
His greatest memories at SJO revolve around the weight room. He remembers back in his sophomore year when he started weightlifting. He will never forget how he deadlifted over 600 pounds in front of everyone.

Favorite classes:
U.S. History, World History, and Sociology

Favorite teachers:
Mrs. Mabry, Mrs. Svenson, and Mrs. Kinney at St. Joseph Middle School and Mr. Jeff Kieffer, Mr. Marshall Schacht, Mrs. Don Beckett, and Mr. Shawn Skinner at SJO.

College:
Parkland College in the Pathways Program

Advice to future SJO students:
Have fun, don’t blow off your classes, and to pay attention.

Text provided by St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

Don't distance yourself from the celebration, mom is worth the effort

By Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

I wish mom were still here so I could take her out to Sunday dinner.

The problem with Sunday dinner this Mother's Day is that most of the restaurants either won't be open yet or operating under new guidelines. Restaurants make their biggest payday of the year typically on Mother's Day. Even in states that are wide open for dining there is the problem of social distancing.

Can you imagine this week going to a restaurant that only is allowed 25% occupancy or maybe 50% occupancy at best? Many states will still be closed tight this Sunday adding further pain to the economic dilemma of business owners across America. For some restaurants being closed this Sunday will be the nail in the coffin of their business.

This year to celebrate mom's day you still can patronize your favorite restaurant by ordering from them and bringing the food back home. This will still take some pressure off mom. Also, insist on cleaning up the mess when it's over. Mom shouldn't have to do this on Mother's Day.

Overall, this is the toughest Mother's Day we've had in America during my lifetime.

So many millions are struggling financially. Buying a nice meal from a restaurant to take home to feed everyone is a stretch for many.

With 70,000 or more deaths now due to Covid-19 this Mother's Day will be the hardest day ever for a lot of families. There will be an empty chair at the table. Millions of Americans have moms in nursing homes. Their moms are in danger of being exposed to Covid-19. People will probably not be able to visit mother because she is in the nursing home. This is painful.

There are just so many distressing scenarios being played out around the world. From health care workers who are at risk, to unemployment and a new era of poverty hitting out country, to people just going crazy over social distancing.

The way to celebrate Mother's Day this year is don't forget. Don't distance yourself from this celebration. Honor mom while you have her. Honor some other mothers too who have been special to you.

When I was a child, I had $5 my dad gave me for being "brave" when I had my tonsils removed. The only thing I wanted to do as a child was to take mom and dad to the local G.C. Murphy's grill.

We sat at the bar and we all had hotdogs and cokes that cost me about $3. My mom didn't want me to spend my $5 but she smiled when I bought lunch that day as a 7-year-old kid. I would love to have mom back this Sunday and do anything that might make her smile. This Sunday, it could be the simplest thing but give it a try.

Mom is worth the effort.

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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 PhotoNews Media. We welcome comments and views from our readers.

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Senior Spotlights with Anna Tranel, Konnor George & Nathan Maier

Anna Tranel

Clubs & Activities

Track and Field (4 years)
Maroon Platoon, Spanish Club

Hometown:
St. Joseph

Siblings:
Four siblings: one older brother, one younger sister, and two younger brothers.

Hobbies:
Running, writing with sidewalk chalk, and hanging out with friends

Favorite SJO memories:
She enjoyed going to all of the home football games and the powderpuff game before Homecoming during her senior year.

Favorite classes:
All of her math classes, U.S. History, Civics, and Advanced Biology.

Favorite teachers:
Mr. Risley and Mrs. Ford at St. Joseph Middle School and Mr. Marshall Schacht, Senor Zak Sutton, Ms. Kelly Steffen, and Mrs. Ashley Krisman at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

College:
Parkland College or Augustana University, majoring actuary science

Advice to future SJO students:
Make the most of high school and enjoy it because you never know when it will end.

Konnor George

Clubs & Activities

FFA

Hometown:
St. Joseph

Siblings:
Four siblings: one older sister, two younger sisters, and one younger brother.

Hobbies:
His hobbies revolve around music. He really enjoys playing the guitar.

Favorite SJO memory:
Homecoming during his freshman year

Favorite classes:
World History and Geography with Mr. Kieffer, and U.S. History and Civics with Mr. Beckett.

Favorite teachers:
Mrs. Steele at St. Joseph Middle School and Mr. Jeff Kieffer, Mr. Shawn Skinner, Mr. William Billman, and Mrs. Alisyn Franzen at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

Career Plans:
Plans to join the U.S. Army and possibly have a career in a law enforcement.

Advice to future SJO students:
Do homework and to stay on task.

Graduating from college with an undergraduate or advance degree? Tell us!

Nathan Maier

Clubs & Activities

Basketball (3 years)
Football (1 year)

Hometown:
St. Joseph

Siblings:
Two older brothers

Hobbies:
Reading books, working on his computer, practicing photography, filming, and hanging out with family.

Favorite SJO memories:
His positive times being a part of the boys’ basketball team as a manager during his junior and senior years. Nathan felt motivated to be a part of the basketball family, and he will always remember these moments.

Favorite classes:
Trigonometry with Mr. Kiel Duval and Spanish with Senor Zak Sutton.

Favorite teachers:
Mr. Jeff Kieffer, Senor Zak Sutton, and Mrs. Heather Lindenmeyer

College:
Parkland College, Business

Advice to future SJO students:
Always try to reach out if you need help because St. Joseph is such a welcoming community.