2015 Partnership Scholars

May 17, 2015- Gillespie, Illinois - Twenty-three percent of Gillespie High School (GHS) seniors receiving diplomas this year were awarded $500 tuition scholarships from The Partnership for Educational Excellence during commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 17, 2015. The awards were presented by Partnership president John Fassero, Jr., and director Brandi Bunn.

"Thanks to the loyalty and generosity of hundreds of supporters, only a few of which we can name here, we can recognize these 16 excellent students and give them a little help furthering their educations," says Fassero. "This year in particular students from the valedictorian to some in the lowest quarter of the class earned our awards. Their letters of recommendation reveal born leaders with clear goals. Their life essays show thoughtful assessments of their own strengths and weaknesses. They perfectly embody our policy of rewarding every ability level for hard work, involvement in school and community activities, and proven ability to set goals. We are confident of their future success" says a founding director as well as president, "and proud of the small role we may play in it.

"Our scholarships are not large, because we want to recognize the greatest number of students," says Fassero. "And parents over the years have told us that the $500 tuition payment does help their students during first semester." The funds are paid directly to the colleges.

This year a total of $8,000 was awarded. To date the Partnership has awarded $178,500 in tuition scholarships to 356 graduates of Gillespie High School.

In addition, The Partnership again administered two $100 cash awards from the estate of Evaline Boehmke for musicianship in band and chorus.

This year’s awards include:

THE DR. D. ROSS AND MRS. ROSEMARY BILLITER SCHOLARSHIP. Awarded for the first time, this scholarship was instituted by the Billiters to thank the many area residents who supported Dr. Billiter’s practice as general surgeon at St. Francis Hospital for many years. The award goes to:

Daniel Pinkerton, II, son of Daniel and Carol Pinkerton of Benld, will attend Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey to major in automotive technology.

EMIL BORGINI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by an anonymous donor. He taught in Benld, taught and coached at GHS, where he was also principal for 20 years. Borgini retired as CUSD#7 superintendent.

Emily Reid, daughter of Gary and Amy Reid of Gillespie, will attend St. Louis University to major in pre-med or education.

CARROLL-KEUPPER SCHOLARSHIP established by the late Rosemary Keupper Valle and her sister Lillian Keupper in honor of their families who have been involved in medicine, world health, and banking/finance. Their grandfather Anthony Carroll, a member of the Gillespie school board, initiated strong family support for the local school system and its students.

Gary Ross, son of Anne Marie Bauer Ross and Jay Ross of Gillespie, will attend St. Louis University and major in health sciences.

ELINOR DAVIES NURSING SCHOLARSHIP by friends and family in honor of Elinor who served many decades as school nurse in CUSD#7.

Karlie Libbra, daughter of Jennifer Valenti of Gillespie, will attend Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to major in pediatric nursing.

CAROL ENRICO DE LUCCA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TOP GIRL GRADUATES established by family and friends in memory of this Benld native who was a respected educator and counselor. The daughter of Rose Enrico, Carol established a consulting business to help students pursue their goals through higher education. Her daughters Allison and Ashley live in California.

Nichole Miller, daughter of Donald and Ann Miller of rural Carlinville, will attend Western Illinois University at Macomb and major in agricultural science.

DANNY GRIFFEL MEMORIAL AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP by family and friends. Danny, a Korean Conflict veteran, was honored in 2009 for continuous ownership and operation of the family farm since 1856. He was active in a number of civic, benevolent, and recreational organizations. His son David serves on the CUSD7 school board; his daughter Donna Easton is a school nurse in CUSD7. Four of his grandchildren are past Partnership scholars.

Josh Friese, son of Pastor Steve and Edie Friese of Gillespie, will attend Eastern Illinois University at Charleston to major in accounting.

JULIA KRAVANYA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by family and friends. Born in Scotland, she married Anton J. Kravanya in1942 in Gillespie. They raised two children, Fran now Mrs. Mike Slapak of South Carolina, and Tony, who operates Kravanya Funeral Homes with his wife Marilyn, Julia’s grandson Anthony and granddaughter Lyn in Gillespie, Benld, and Bunker Hill. Another grandson Nicholas is a dentist in Carlinville.

Shelsie Timmermeier, daughter of Jeffrey and Tracy Timmermeier of rural Litchfield, will attend Blackburn University in Carlinville to major in medical laboratory technology.

JOHN and MARK MADDEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by family to lovingly honor this father and son. Both played Miners football, graduated from GHS and St. Louis University Law School. John returned to serve the community he loved in private practice, as a county public defender, and for 43 years as Gillespie City Attorney. He died at age 78 on 10 October 2009. His son Mark lived half as long, dying suddenly at the age of 39 on 11 October 2005. He was a trial attorney with Moser and Marshalak in St. Louis.

Derick Engelke, son of Brian and Lisa Engelke of Gillespie, will attend Lindenwood College in St. Louis to major in business.

LANA ODORIZZI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by Anonymous, friends, and family. Mrs. O, as most of her students called her, was a beloved elementary school P.E. teacher and middle- and high school volleyball coach for 13 years in CUSD7. She also coached softball, track, soccer, Little League, gymnastics and taught fitness and swimming to hundreds of local children.

Brady Anderson, son of Robert and Annie Anderson of Gillespie, will attend Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville to major in sports medicine.

RYAN ROACH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by family and friends. Ryan, a 2005 GHS graduate, lost his life in a tragic accident in 2013. A talented musician as well as an EMT, he was widely known locally as "DJ 2 Time". He had just signed with a professional DJ company, but his passion was playing with Harvest Ministry where he’s remembered as "loving to lead and willing to serve."

Kaitlin Henrichs, daughter of Eric and Gina Henrichs of Dorchester, will attend Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, to major in music performance.

JAMES ROSENTRETER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by his family. "Our dad spent his life helping other people pursue educational and financial goals. It’s fitting that once again Dad is sharing his dream of a young person’s success."

Jacob Kirkwood, son of Jeff and Tracie Kirkwood of Dorchester, will attend Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa, to major in the ministry.

SCHMIDT BARTON FAMILY FUND SCHOLARSHIP William Schmidt, Sr., and his wife Florence raised five children in Gillespie. He worked in a Gillespie bank for 20 years before joining the Columbia Quarry Company in 1932. He remained active with the firm until his death in 1987. His son John Schmidt of Arizona is president of the Schmidt Foundation. The Schmidt’s, and subsequently his sister Lucille’s foundations, have chosen The Partnership to carry out their local investment in our children through many generous gifts over 22 years.

Abigail Pollard, daughter of Ron and Lorette Pollard of Gillespie, will attend Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to major in mass communications and television.

TRAVIS SEMPLOWSKI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP in loving memory by family and friends. Travis, a graduate of GHS, was a member of Future Farmers of America. He was working as an automotive specialist at WalMart in Litchfield when he died tragically on 28 July 2009 at the age of 21.

Ellie Halpin, daughter of Bill and Tammy Halpin of Gillespie, will attend Lewis and Clark Community College to major in architectural technology.

UMWA Local 1613 SCHOLARSHIP represents coal miners, health care workers, truck drivers, manufacturing employees and public employees in our communities. The union fights for safe workplaces, good wages and benefits, and fair representation in workplaces.

Jared Young, son of Kim Anne Young of Gillespie, will attend Lewis and Clark Community College. He is undecided about his major.

MICHAEL VALENTI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by friends and family is awarded in loving memory of this 1994 GHS graduate who lost his life in 1999 in a tragic accident. Michael had completed an associate’s degree at Lewis and Clark Community College and was continuing his education at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

Quentin Zenner, son of Nicole Zenner of Gillespie, will attend Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, to major in psychology and pre-law.

LOIS ZANTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP by friends and family. Lois was an elementary school teacher and librarian in CUSD7 for 29 years. Devoted to education herself, she was proud that her daughter Gail Niehaus, grandchildren Casey Niehaus and Kara Strode are also dedicated teachers. Gail and Casey are past classroom mini-grant recipients.

Jordan Rosentreter, daughter of Rodney and Jill Rosentreter of Gillespie, will attend Illinois State University in Normal to major in education.

EVALINE BOEHMKE MUSICIANSHIP AWARDS: Evaline (Mrs. Robert) Boehmke, was an ardent supporter of music in CUSD7. She left a bequest for $100 cash awards for students to be selected by the music faculty of Gillespie High School for outstanding musicianship in GHS band and chorus. This year the Band and Chorus winners are the same person:  Kaitlin Henrichs.

The Gratitude Flows Both Ways

Directors of The Partnership met with CUSD7 Superintendent Joe Tieman to view and express their thanks for a series of banners he commissioned for installation in all three schools.  Since its founding in 1992, The Partnership has given $517,152.60 in donated dollars to the district's children.  Acknowledging the impact of these gifts -- in the form of classroom mini-grants -- Tieman volunteered to make The Partnership's generosity more widely known.  The Partnership is grateful for this show of generosity which keeps its mission before the children and parents who benefit most and who are among our strongest supporters.  On hand were (from left to right) Partnership directors Patty DeMartini, Don Throne, Judy Cordum (secretary), John Fassero, Jr. (president), Superintendent Tieman, Carole Scheller, Rose Tebbe, and Donna Prevedell.

Partnership Second Semester 2014-2015 Classroom Mini-Grants

March 5, 2015 - Gillespie, Illinois - The Partnership for Educational Excellence has once again invested in the school children of Community Unit School District 7 (CUSD7) with classroom mini-grants.

During second semester of the 2014-2015 school year, this IRS-chartered 501(c)(3), not-for-profit education foundation awarded $23,442.31 to all three schools in CUSD7.

All Ben-Gil recipients, Superintendent Joe Tieman, and several Partnership directors were on hand for the check presentation by president John Fassero, Jr., to Principal Angela Turcol.

This total is distributed to:

Ben-Gil Elementary School – 35 teachers (100% of all eligible faculty who are not retiring this academic year) received $16,501.27. Essentially every classroom from Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade has received up to $500 for supplemental curricular materials. All subject areas are included, including math, science, social studies, speech, reading, writing, and physical education.

Gillespie Middle School – 11 teachers (the majority of eligible faculty) received $4,642.57. Again, virtually every eligible classroom from sixth through eighth grade received an award. History, math, life science, earth science, literature, and physical education were all enhanced in this round of mini-grants.

Gillespie High School – 6 of the 8 applicants were awarded funds, directing extra resources to classroom units on math, history, biology, health, fitness, and library research. The total high school award was $2,299.47.

These awards are made possible by the generosity of alumni and local residents. In particular, the W. E. Schmidt Charitable Foundation and the Lon and Lucille Schmidt Barton, which recently merged to become the Schmidt and Barton Family Foundation, have been especially generous. These families have emphasized their preference that the funds stay in the community and reach as many children as possible through long-lived, hands-on projects: mini-grants.

Teachers may apply each semester for awards of up to $500 for supplementary curricular materials that will enhance their students’ learning. Projects which encourage critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and life skills will receive a high priority. Projects which involve team teaching and/or interdisciplinary activities are encouraged.

All money is deposited directly with the schools and must be used only for the designated purpose within the 2014-2015 academic year. All unexpended money must be returned to The Partnership at the end of the academic year.

To maintain eligibility for future awards, teachers must submit receipts for covered materials and written evaluations. Mini-grants cannot be given for textbooks, field trips, computer hardware, equipment, supplies, or for expenses for outside speakers.

“For the Love of Education” 2015 Trivia Contest A Great Success

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February 2, 2015 - Gillespie, Illinois - “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night raised more than $8,000 for the school children of Community Unit School District #7 (CUSD#7) on Saturday night. “One hundred percent of the funds will be devoted to classroom mini-grants,” said John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership for Educational Excellence, which hosted the evening.

The Partnerships is a 501c3, IRS-chartered not-for-profit education foundation. “The ‘For the Love of Education’ trivia night is our one-and-only fund raiser,” said Fassero, “so we are especially gratified at the great response we once again received. The money raised is the equivalent of 16 future classroom mini-grants. So this generosity is very significant in expanding educational opportunities for our school children.”

Twenty-seveb teams of ten players, including several teams of teachers, played. All three CUSD#7 principals, Lori Emmons (high school), Jill Rosentreter (middle school), and Angela Turcol (elementary school) played. The Gillespie Civic Center was filled with chatter and cheers as teams competed.

The winning team with 72 points was Jan Dona’s; they donated back $120 of their $150 prize money. The second place team, captained by Louis Weiss from Mulberry Grove won $100. The third place Drew Ford team donated back their $50 prize money.

In addition, more than 120 local and regional businesses and individuals donated cash as well as desirable items and valuable services and gift certificates for a silent auction, which netted more than $3,200. Highlights included the donation of a custom- framed, limited edition print on canvas by local artist Roger DeWitt, and an iPod Nano and an iPod Shuffle donated by an anonymous benefactor.

The Partnership in the past 22 years has donated more than $700,000 to enhance the educations of all students in accredited schools in CUSD#7. Its motto is: “Only on the foundation of education can our children build useful lives and a stable society.” You can learn more and donate at www.thepartnership7.org (please note our new e-mail address!) and at P.O. Box 125, Gillespie IL 62033.

Donors to the 2014 event were:

• Accents Florists and Gift Shop
• Ageless
• Anonymous
• Ariston
• Auto Zone
• Avon - Alice Tieman
• Baima Distributing
• Bates Motor Co.
• Dr. Steven Boente and Dr. Nicolas Kravanya
• Jan Brett - Author
• Brooke Buhs
• Casey’s General Store - Benld
• Century 21 - Deb Rossetto
• Cheesecake Factory
• Ken and Judy Cordum
• Country Financial - Tina Olroyd
• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
• The Croatian Club
• The Cubby Hole
• CUSD7
• D&A Corvette
• Dairy Queen - Gillespie
• Daley-Bruckert Chevrolet - Staunton
• Dee Dee’s Flower Shop
• Roger DeWitt - Painted Prairie
• Kathi Durbin Salon
• Drummond Law Office LLC
• Village of Eagarville
• Enertech - Mike Rossetto
• Farmers Insurance - Adam Tallman
• John and Linda Fassero
• Fema’s
• Firehouse Salon
• Fireside Eye Care - Shawna Heddinghaus
• First National Bank of Benld
• Fleming Tawfall & Co. PC
• Garella Pest Services
• Gateway Grizzlies
• Gazda Insurance Agency Inc.
• Get Nailed Salon - Wendy Rolando
• Goodman Agency Inc.
• Nanci and Bill Grandone
• Gina Gucciardo CPA
• Heritage Health
• Hicks Maytag Home Appliance Center
• Hidden Valley Ski Resorts
• JoDanni’s Amore
• Kravanya Families
• La Bella Fiori - Abby Dillon
• Litchfield Park District
• Litchfield Sports Inc.
• Macoupin Family Practice - Dr. Bruce Weber and Dr. Chris Poirot
• The Magic House
• Magnuson Grand Hotel
• Mayfield-Mullins Landscaping
• McDonald’s - Litchfield
• McKay Auto Parts/NAPA
• Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant
• Michelle’s Pharmacy
• Miner’s Family Restaurant
• MotoMart
• Village of Mt. Clare
• My Sister’s Closet
• Neuhaus Heating and A/C Inc.
• O’Reilly Auto Parts
• Oriental Trading Co. Inc.
• Dean and Cate Plovich
• Donna and Bob Prevedell
• Quality Flooring - Andy Houser
• Quality Motors - Larry Norville
• Randy’s Market - The Troutwines
• Reid’s Service Heating and Cooling
• Republic Recycling and Waste Services
• Rocco’s Pizza
• Roma’s Pizza
• Scentsy - Jamie Johnson
• Sarah Schweppe - Massage
• Scheels
• Shell Food Mart - Gillespie
• Smiles Plus - Dr. Roy Northcutt
• The Springfield Municipal Opera
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Stan’s Barber Shop
• Star Nails - Litchfield
• Subway - Gillespie
• Sullivan’s Drug Store - Gillespie
• Superwash Car Wash - Gillespie
• Tastefully Simple - Carol Miller
• Rose Marie and Ralph Tebbe
• TJs
• Toni’s Family Restaurant
• Tropical Sno - The Waymans
• Dave Tucker
• Turney Heating & Cooling
• United Community Bank
• Verticchio & Verticchio Attorneys at Law
• VFW Post #4547
• Victory Lane Ford
• Westside Cinema
• Wildcat Paintball Park, Inc.
• The Village of Wilsonville
• Wimanoma’s Pride - Marsha Bauer

... AND GENEROUS WINNERS, First Place Team Dona, Third Place Team Drew Ford, and to 50/50 winner Paul Madden, who donated back most or all of their winnings!

... AND OUR STUDENT VOLUNTEERS: Levi and Luke Hatlee, Stephen DeMartini, Vincent Tesio, Michael Ross, Jake Kirkwood, Olivia Friese, Ella and Lily Heddinghaus!

... AND ALL THREE CUSD7 PRINCIPALS - Lori Emmons, Jill Rosentreter, and Angela Turcol – who played as did MANY TEACHERS from Ben-Gil Elementary School, Gillespie Middle School, and Gillespie High School.

....THANKS from The Partnership’s Board of Directors

John Fassero, Jr., President; Shawna Heddinghaus,Vice President; Judy Cordum, Secretary; Nikki Katich, Treasurer; Brandi Bunn; Patty DeMartini; Nanci Grandone, Founder; Scott Mock; Donna Prevedell; Katie Ronald; Carole Scheller; Rose Marie Tebbe; Don Throne 

– Like us on Facebook
– Drop a line to: P.O. Box 125
Gillespie IL 62033 

Billiters Establish CUSD # 7 Scholarship Through The Partnership

PRESS RELEASE

September 22, 2014 - Gillespie, Illinois - Dr. D. Ross and Mrs. Rosemary Billiter have presented a gift of $25,000 to The Partnership for Educational Excellence to be used for scholarships.

“We are grateful to the people of this area who have supported my medical practice,” says Dr. Billiter, who retired recently after nearly 50 years as a general surgeon at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. “This gift is an acknowledgment of our appreciation and an investment in the future of our area.”

The Billiters have chosen The Partnership, a not-for-profit, 501c3 education foundation in Community Unit School District #7 (CUSD#7) to administer their gift.

The Billiters say that after they read of the 2013 record award of 26 Partnership scholarships, they contacted President John Fassero, Jr. The combination of honoring and profiling donors as well as scholarship recipients appealed to them. “The Partnership has proven itself to be a good steward of donor’s funds for more than 20 years,” says Dr. Billiter. “We also hope that this gift will encourage others who are doing estate planning to include The Partnership and other academic programs in their plans.”

“I want to thank Dr. and Mrs. Billiter for their generosity and for their trust in The Partnership,” says Fassero, a founding member and second-time president. “We admire their commitment to the area’s children, and we will do our best to put their investment to work.”

The funds will be used to generate an annual $500 academic scholarship for a graduating Gillespie High School senior. In the past, The Partnership has awarded scholarships to up to 30 percent of the students in each graduating class. Based on recommendations and stated career goals, the scholarships have been awarded to students with a wide range of class ranks and GPAs (grade point averages).

The Partnership’s motto is: “Only on the foundation of education can our children build useful lives and a stable society.” For more information or to donate, please contact The Partnership at www.thepartnershipcusd7.org or P.O. Box 125, Gillespie IL 62033.