Skip to content
SIClogobluehighres-white
  • Falcon Portal
  • Technical Support
  • Give to SIC
  • Request Information
  • Apply Now
  • About SIC
    • ABOUT SIC

      • About SIC
      • Academic Calendar
      • SIC Viewbook
      • Directory
      • Mission Statement
      • Office of Institutional Research
      • President’s Welcome
      • Connect With SIC
    • BOARD OF TRUSTEES

      • Board of Trustees
      • Board Election Information
      • Board Minutes Archive
      • Board Policies
      • Contact the Board Chair
      • Public Notice
    • FACTS & HISTORY

      • Facts and History
      • Financial Information
      • History
      • Legends and Lore
      • Southeastern Fast Facts
    • Maps & Directions

      • Maps & Directions
      • Extension Sites
      • Parking
      • District Map
  • Admissions
    • Admissions

      • Admissions
      • After You Register
      • Student ID Card
      • Parents Information
      • FERPA
      • Placement Testing
      • Recruiter Request
      • Future Students
      • High School Students
      • Why SIC?
  • Academics
    • Academics

      • Academic Calendar
      • Programs by Department
      • Program Curriculum Guides
      • Transfer Curriculum
      • University Partners
      • Adult Basic Education
      • Community Education
      • Online Learning
      • Online Student Complaint Procedures
    • Programs by Department

      • Applied Technology
      • Career and Technical Education
      • Humanities, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts
      • Math, Science, & Technology
      • Nursing and Allied Health
      • Workforce and Community Education
      • View All Programs by Department
  • Financial Aid
        • Financial Aid

          • Financial Aid
          • Cost of Attendance
          • Tuition & Payment
          • Student Loans
          • Student Worker Job Postings
        • Scholarships & Grants

          • Scholarships and Grants
          • Grants
          • SIC Scholarships
          • Fresh Start Scholarship
          • Foundation Scholarships
          • Outside Scholarships
        • Veteran Services

          • Veteran Services
          • Veteran Admissions
          • Federal Veteran Benefits
          • Illinois Veterans Benefits
          • Scholarships & Financial Aid
          • Resources
          • Tuition Assistance
        • Resources

          • Forms
          • Policies
          • Net Price Calculator
          • FAQ
          • Myths About Financial Aid
          • Don’t Get Scammed
  • Student Services
    • Student Services

      • Student Services
      • Academic Advising
      • Bookstore
      • Career Services
      • Disability Services
        • ADA Compliance
      • Food Services
      • Illinois Worknet Center
      • Promotions and Discounts
      • Public Transportation
      • Records and Transcripts
      • Graduation
      • Recruiter Request
      • Voter Registration
      • Technology Services
      • Title III
    • Student Success Center

      • Student Success Center
      • Perkins Services
      • Testing
      • Tutoring
    • TRiO Student Support Services

      • TRIO Student Support Services
      • What Is TRIO?
      • Program Eligibility
      • Program Services
      • Staff
      • Trio Events and Calendar
      • Student Resources
      • TRIO Director’s Page
    • Technology Services

      • Technology Services
      • Student Account Setup
      • Student Name Changes
      • Email Sync
      • Technology Policies
      • Office 365
      • O365 Account Transfer
      • Online Learning
      • Open Access Labs
      • Printing Services
      • Wireless Access
  • Campus Life
    • Athletics

      • Women’s Softball
      • Golf
      • Mens Basketball
      • Volleyball
      • Baseball
    • Competitive Teams

      • Archery Team
      • Bowling Team
      • Clay Breakers
      • Faction of Gamers
      • Forensic Falcons
      • Model Illinois Government (MIG)
      • Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society)
    • Clubs & Organizations

      • Brothers and Sisters in Christ
      • Circle K (Kiwanis) Club
      • SIC Community Chorus
      • Computer Club
      • SIC Concert Choir
      • Diesel Technology Club
      • Math and Science Club
      • Nursing Club
      • Phi Theta Kappa (Honor Society)
      • Professional Agricultural Students Club
      • StrategIC
      • Student Government
      • Theta Sigma Phi
  • Community & Alumni
    • Community & Alumni

      • Community & Alumni
      • Alumni & Friends Association
      • Distinguished Alumni
      • Community Education
      • Mary Jo Oldham Center for Child Study
      • Small Business Development Center
      • Visual and Performance Art
    • SIC Foundation

      • SIC Foundation
      • Giving Levels
      • Giving Opportunities
      • Foundation Board
      • Donor Bill of Rights
      • Strategic Plan 2017-2022
      • Privacy Policy
      • FAQ
      • Alumni & Friends Association
      • Distinguished Alumni
      • Contact Us
      • Community & Alumni
    • Give to SIC

      • Give to SIC
      • Giving Opportunities
        • Amazon Smile
        • A Gift of Life Insurance
        • A Bequest
        • Charitable Gift Annuity
        • Charitable Remainder Trust
        • Establish an Endowment
        • Estate & Planned Giving
        • Gift Acceptance Policy
        • Gift in Kind
        • Matching Gift
        • Memorial & Tribute Gift
        • Real Estate
        • Retirement Assets
      • FAQ
      • Give Now – Online Donation
      • Community & Alumni
  • Falcon Portal
  • Give to SIC
Apply Now
Request Info

SITE SEARCH

SIC>News>Honors and Awards>Alexis Holmes wins 2013 Paul Simon Essay Contest at SIC

All News

Alumni
Archery
Athletics
Basketball
Blogs
Bowling Team
Clubs & Competitive Teams
Columns
Community Education
Esports - Falcons FoG
Events
Forensic Falcons
General
Hise Museum
Honors and Awards
MIG
Programs
SIC Foundation
Softball
Visual & Performing Arts
WISBDC

Alexis Holmes wins 2013 Paul Simon Essay Contest at SIC

Honors and Awards
March 6, 2013

Southeastern Illinois College student, Alexis Holmes of Harrisburg, is the college’s 2013 Paul Simon Essay award winner.  Holmes’ winning essay is a reflection on how community college changed her perspective for her future.

Holmes, an art major, is a member of Circle K (the collegiate chapter of Kiwanis) and TRiO.  She is considering studying art at SIU and hopes to incorporate some cross-country backpacking in her future.

Dr. Dana Keating, SIC vice president for academic and student affairs, congratulated Holmes on her award and presented her with a $50 check.  Holmes’ essay will be entered into the Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s Paul Simon Student Essay Contest at the state level.  The winner of that contest will receive a $500 scholarship during an annual awards luncheon this summer in Normal, Ill. 

###

Holmes’ Essay:

HOW MY COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAS CHANGED MY LIFE

Alexis Holmes 

                I never thought I would be attending any sort of college and I really have to say that it’s been a truly enlightening experience.  I figured college wasn’t something I’d ever come to like and that there was no point for me, but SIC has opened my eyes and changed my future for the better.  I am now in my second semester of school and I feel that attending this college has been a right choice in my life and a privilege.  It has taught me more about responsibility, friendship, the importance of education, determination and that I am indeed worthy of a brighter future.  The people who attend and work at Southeastern have given me the tools I need to achieve the goals I’ve set for myself.

                I never intended on pursing my education after high school but I don’t regret enrolling and putting one foot in front of the other.  I have become more aware that there is so much to learn in life and that you should never stop growing.  Southeastern Illinois College is more than a small community college.  It is where students come to learn and begin a new chapter in their lives.  It’s a chance to discover new things and figure out who you want to be and learn so much in the process.  The message and spirit of the school has been uplifting and more than helpful.

                I’ve come such a long way since I’ve started with SIC.  I feel that I can reach out for help and know that a guiding hand will be there to show me the way.  I am lucky to have the chance to pursue my education and become a better person and for that, I have my community college to thank.  I’m not sure where I would be if I didn’t give college a shot.  College has its ups and downs and often times stressful but looking at the big picture, I am doing something important for myself.  I am preparing for a chosen university down the road and for the big world that awaits.

                With much to offer, I will continue to reach my potential with the help of my community college and all the opportunities it has to offer.  Entering school has been a big step in the right direction.  I am proud to be a part of this school and to experience the campus atmosphere and the people within it. Attending a community college is one of the first stepping-stones in my life.  The first step is always the hardest part but it pays off in the end.  In my family, most of my relatives never went to college or chased after the dream of a better education, but I did and when I graduate and transfer to a university, I will look back with a smile knowing that Southeastern Illinois College gave me what I need to continue moving forward every day.

###

Posts navigation

PREVIOUS
NEXT

START YOUR COLLEGE JOURNEY AT SIC

Apply Now

Tour Southeastern Illinois College

Check out our 2021 SIC Virtual Tour to get the inside look at all that Southeastern Illinois College has to offer. Want to see it all in person? Contact us today to visit our campus.

Visit SIC
SIClogobluehighres-white
  • 3575 College Rd.
    Harrisburg, IL  62946

  • info@sic.edu

  • 618.252.5400 / 866.338.2742

  • Maps & Directions

  • Accountability
  • Catalog
  • Consumer Information
  • Emergency/Security
  • Mission Statement
  • Library Resources
  • Accreditation
  • Academic Calendar
  • Course Schedule
  • Bookstore
  • Employment
  • Directory
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Supporting Our Veterans

Succeed. Inspire. Connect.

Apply Now
Request Information
Aug 15, 2022 | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Fall Semester Begins!
Aug 15, 2022 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Online Class Orientation
Aug 15, 2022 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Online Class Orientation
View All Events

© 2022 Southeastern Illinois College  |  Privacy Statement  |  Accreditation