The IVCC Cafeteria was turned into a Candy Land Adventure from dangling cup-

cakes to gingerbread house constructions to sweet treats galore. Our annual family

holiday feast had a little something for all. Our guests dined on Italian food and lots

of sweets were devoured. A sigh of contentment was heard throughout meal’s

end. Around a hundred guests enjoyed an evening of bingo, crafts, holiday movie

trivia, and races … yes, even our adults participated in the delicious marshmallows

-on-a-spoon races. There was a talented group of gingerbread crafters – dazzling

gingerbread houses. We were also entertained by the beautiful voices of the

Yulandist Brown clan. Most importantly, a surprise visit from the big man himself

thrilled even the most skeptical.

Adventures In Candy Land

Project Success

Newsletter December 2012

Volume 16, Issue 2

Adventures in Candy Land 1

Director’s Corner

80s Best Dress Contest

2

Rock of Ages 3

Breast Cancer Fundraiser

4

Schedule of Events Insert

HUG, Stockings for Troops 5

6’ Stocking 6

Fall Graduates

Operation Shoebox

7

Happy Holidays 8

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Illinois Valley

Community

College

It was really a great way to meet other students and get to know their families. What a wonderful party!

Director’s Corner

From the Staff at Project Success, we would like to wish all of you a happy and joy-

ous holiday season!

As we stand in the wake of the worst school shooting in American history at New-

town, Connecticut, our hearts and prayers go out to the families and the victims of this

horrible tragedy. I was particularly saddened by the fact that this occurred so close to

Christmas for the young elementary children that lost their lives. For me personally, this

knocked me down to earth and forced me to look at the true meaning of the Christmas

holiday. This incident truly magnified the fact that I must cherish every moment I have on

this earth and with family.

I am confident that changes are on the horizon regarding gun laws and the fiscal cliff negotiations that have

been ongoing in Washington. Although this tragedy was absolutely heinous in nature, I believe it may have softened

bipartisan rhetoric in the fiscal cliff negotiation process. I am cautiously optimistic that a solid resolution is about to

be agreed upon in Washington. Hopefully, this will be a resolution that preserves all TRiO funding.

I would like to wish my amazing staff and all of you a wonderful & safe holiday season. I want to give our

staff of Cynthia, Diane, and Teresa a huge shout out for pulling off the Holiday Party as I lay in bed suffering from

illness. Thank you to our leadership students that organized the huge stocking of presents for underprivileged chil-

dren. I also want to thank the IVCC community for filling this stocking.

Happy Holidays!

Chris

PROJECT SUCCESS NEWSLETTER

Page 2

Chris Herman

Rock of Ages

80s Best Dress Contest Winners Samantha & Yvette

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 2

What would possess approximately 50 people to board a big Green

River bus and head to Peoria, Illinois to see the play “Rock of Ag-

es”? A group of Project Success students, Chris, Cynthia, Diane and

I along with others from IVCC went to see that very play on Thurs-

day, October 18th, at 4:00pm. The bus ride was a lot of fun; we start-

ed out with a famous icebreaker questionnaire, which asked each of

us to tell the group where we were born and then another fun fact that

no one would know about us. It was nice to hear where everyone was from and something interesting they

wanted to share about themselves.

Our first stop was to the Peoria Pizza Works to have a scrumptious dinner before the play. We could not

take 50 starving people to see a play and have all of those stomachs grumbling at the same time, could we?

What a feast! Then we began the wait in the buffet line to gorge ourselves on salad, pizza, calzones and

dessert. Everyone appeared to get quite full and some were even able to fill up a doggie bag to go. Yum-

my.

We boarded the bus and headed to the Peoria Civic Center to see the much heralded play, “Rock of Ages”.

There was a little confusion when we were trying to find our seats but I think we all ended up where we

were supposed to sit. (Although I did see some latecomers with tickets in hand looking confused at some of

us, then they just proceeded to sit in any empty seats….oh well, it happens) Now on to the play! It was

VERY LOUD music from the 80s that exploded into a cute love story.

The leads in this play are Drew Boley and Sherrie Christian, who meet in 1987 and fall in love to the great-

est songs of the 80s. She’s a little bit country, newly arrived from Flyover, U.S.A.; he’s a little bit rock and

roll, with a menial gig at the Bourbon Room and dreams of becoming a rock star. The great 80s hits of

JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER,

POISON, ASIA, and WHITESNAKE were blasted throughout the play. It was so loud and so much fun.

Laughter rocked the theatre as everyone enjoyed the production.

Some of the students dressed in 80s clothing, and we took their pictures for the “best costume” contest. The

students then voted for their favorites and chose two winners, Yvette Lucas and Samantha Lindsay.

As all good things must come to an end, we filed out of the theatre and began to board the bus. There was

much happy chatter amongst our group and everyone else walking out that night. Filled with pizza and a

whole bunch of 80s songs playing in our heads… I must say the ride home was somewhat quieter as our

sleepy group headed back to IVCC.

Page 3

Many smiling faces enjoying a great evening in Peoria.

Breast Cancer Fundraiser

PROJECT SUCCESS NEWSLETTER Page 4

It all started out with Samantha’s idea to make cute breast cancer ribbons to sell. Ideas kept flowing and a bake sale and a raffle were added. Edgar got donations of beautiful gift baskets from his co-

workers for raffle prizes. Corey put together the advertising flyers and posted them across campus.

Corey enjoyed his first experience with the Leadership Group. The project held a personal meaning

for Corey as his mom is a breast cancer survivor. “I really enjoyed working together with my

partners planning the event and coming up with great ideas to raise money. It was great to raise

$552 in one day and nice to meet the staff at St. Margaret’s and pass over the check to their

progam”, noted Corey.

Edgar agreed, “Donating to breast cancer awareness was and always will be a memorable experience.

We wanted to make a difference to people who couldn’t afford to receive mammograms. Breast

cancer touches lives of everyone and we all know someone who has had breast cancer or someone

who was lost to it.”

Samantha added, “We were happy with the final outcome of the fundraiser. It makes us all proud to have raised money and to put it towards a good cause. Of course we wouldn’t have been able to do

it without our Project Success family, counselors and everyone who donated!”

Project Success Leaders started off the semester with a Breast Cancer fundraiser to benefit the free mammogram program at St. Margaret’s Hospital.

Leaders Edgar Flores, Samantha Lindsay and Corey McCrary made this all possible by raising

$552.

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 2

Melissa Chism knew from the start that she wanted her leader-

ship project connected to Nancy Rumler, a coworker who was a part of

Operation: Mom’s Cookies. Melissa wanted to support our troops by

sending a holiday HUG via a Christmas stocking. Yvette Lucas came

aboard right away, as a VET she knew how important these packages

are to our military members abroad. And then, Tertia Jeppson joined

these two as this project was a way for her to give back.

The event took place a week prior to Veteran’s Day with volun-

teers requesting donations to bring holiday cheer to our troops. The

Student Veteran’s Association even invited us to join them for a day

long fundraiser. Our leaders had a successful run of contributions. We raised $441 - 11 boxes, 13 stock-

ings, 13 raffles sold, and donations. The raffle was won by Doug Albright. Yvette claimed, “The school

did not disappoint, they almost doubled the goal for the gifts and that made me so proud to be a student

vet and to also work with Project Success.”

Melissa related, “The best part for me were the great stories brought to the table, the willingness of

the volunteers, and at the end hugging my own hero (Yvette).” Tertia believed our efforts to bring a little

bit of the holidays to our troops went over very well.

Nancy wants to thank everyone who helped raise funds for Hugging a Hero boxes. Every donation

was deeply appreciated by Mom’s Cookies. Packages were sent out at the end of November, so our

troops would receive them in time for the holidays.

This project was a fantastic way to thank our troops for their services.

HUG a Hero, Stockings for our Troops

Page 5

Melissa handing the contributions to Nancy.

Fill the Stocking

PROJECT SUCCESS NEWSLETTER Page 6

Our crew of Cynthia Kennamer, Shaunessy Gatch, & Maria

Villalobos did an awesome job of coordinating and collecting toys to

fill the 6’ stocking. Not only did Project Success students supply

toys, but the IVCC community really stepped in as well.

"Fill the Stocking” was Cynthia’s way of giving back with the

hopes to help area children receive gifts for Christmas. She made the

stocking with the hopes that IVCC would help fill it, so parents in the

area that needed a little extra help from Santa would have it.

Shaunessy’s recollection of developing this project was Cynthia came

to her with the idea of filling a 5’ stocking. When the stocking was

done, it was a bit more like 6’ and big enough for her to climb inside

of it. According to Shaunessy, “Cynthia did a super cool sewing job!”

And then Maria joined these two and did her part.

In the end, the stocking was filled to this crew’s delight. The

presents were delivered to Tri-County Opportunities Council for

their emergency shelter, where they will be given out to local families

in need. Alicia Avila with the Tri-County Opportunities Council was appreciative of the stocking. Ali-

cia wrote to Cynthia, “Thank you very much!!!” Alicia conveys how happy her families will be to re-

ceive Christmas presents this year.

Cynthia expresses, “Thanks to many wonderful Santa helpers as a few

families in the community will feel the spirit of Christmas.” This group is so very

proud of the IVCC community as well as members of the local community that

helped to make Christmas a little bit more magical for children who would not

have received gifts. Shaunessy sums it up, “Overall being able to play Santa for

those kids who still believe and keep their faith going is priceless.”

November 26 December 3 December 10 December 14

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 2

Samaritan’s Purse: Operation Christmas Child: Packing a Shoebox

A project that the Student Government committed to this year was collecting and

packing shoeboxes for needy children around the world, Operation Christmas Child.

Shaunessy Gatch heard about this worthy cause and coordinated our efforts to pack a

few shoeboxes. Girls 10-14 years old were the selected group for us to buy toys, school

supplies, and toiletries. In one week’s time, we collected enough items to fill 6 shoe-

boxes. A great effort by Shaunessy and her elves.

Page 7

Fall ‘12 GRADUATES

Tina Bergen Associate in General Studies

Marisol Gavina Associate in Arts

Justin Knight Therapeutic Massage Certificate

Angela Muzzarelli Certified Nursing Assistant

Chaz Pizzolato Certified Nursing Assistant

Sarah Schrader Certified Nursing Assistant

Dustin Yorkis Associate in Science

Dolores Zens Associate in Arts & Associate in Science

Congratulations!

Mr. Retoff cleansed, smoothed, and then energized us for finals…

Office Hours

Monday— Friday Evening Hours

8 am— 4:30 pm by appointment only

Student Support Services

Illinois Valley Community College

815 N. Orlando Road

Oglesby, IL 61348

Phone 815.224.0594

FAX 815.224.0691

ReaCH FaR

ILL INOIS VALLEY

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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PROJECT SUCCESS

Project Success staff returns from holiday on

Thursday, 3 January 2013.

Monday, 14 January—Classes begin

Have you seen our PS students, Ashley & Bryan, hanging around the

district?