Christina Niehaus Blevins graduated from Gillespie High School (GHS) in 2003, earning the Emil Borgini Commemorate Your Favorite Teacher Scholarship. The $500 award was deposited with Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois.

Christina attended Greenville College from 2003 to 2007. She earned a BS in secondary biology education. In addition, she obtained a middle school endorsement in science education and in English/language arts.

Her current plans are to begin work on a master’s degree in the next year or two.

Christina taught high school science right after college at Greenville High School for two years before returning to her hometown.

“I am currently in my seventh year at Gillespie Middle School (GMS),” she says. These years include teaching “English/language arts for five years,” she explains. “And I am currently in my second year teaching sixth grade science.”

She also coaches track and field as well as girls’ basketball at GMS and girls’ basketball at Gillespie High School (GHS).

“I married Cory Blevins (GHS 2001) in 2011, and we have a son, Eli, who was born in 2013,” she says. “We are avid Cardinals and Blues fans, and love going to games. I also enjoy spending time with family, baking cakes, making flowers, and attending Eli’s activities.”

A committed and talented teacher, Christina is a supporter of post-secondary education. “Education is a wonderful gift,” she says. “I am so glad that as a teacher I am able to give back in the classroom some of the knowledge that I have gained over the years.”

As to the benefits derived from her Partnership award, Christina reports: “Because of my scholarship from The Partnership, along with many others, I was able to pay for nearly all my freshman year of college without student loans!

Christina is the daughter of Gary Niehaus and Sheryl Niehaus, both of Gillespie.