SIC Students Honored at Luncheon

HARRISBURG, Ill. (April 28, 2023) — Southeastern Illinois College held its annual Honors Luncheon April 26 to celebrate academic and extra-curricular achievements of the student body in the Harry L. Crisp Student Center Cafeteria. Awards are as follows.

1. The Spirit of Southeastern Award is the oldest individual award given at SIC. It honors a sophomore who shows integrity, enthusiasm, and dedication to the ideals of the college, and is selected by faculty and staff. Criteria include caring for the college and people in general; good academic standing with a strong desire to learn; supporting and taking part in SIC activities; setting realistic goals; and reflecting favorably on Southeastern as a good citizen of the school. Josh Smith of Harrisburg was awarded the 2022-23 Spirit of Southeastern Award by Executive Dean of Student Services, Kyla Burford.
2. The Outstanding Softball Player of the Year is Kirsten Jordan (right) of Carterville, who plays first base and outfield and maintains a nearly perfect GPA. Coach Maggie Calcaterra presented the award noting the player’s selflessness and leadership skills. Jordan plans to become a secondary teacher and coach, and will attend SIU Carbondale in the fall.
3. Evan Coyle (left) of Eldorado was presented with the Outstanding Golfer of the Year award by Coach Shain Miller.
4. The Outstanding Archer for 2023 is Zachary Rebstock (right) of Madisonville, Texas. The award was presented by Coach Ricky Sauls. According to Sauls, Rebstock has always been willing to help others. He has won numerous archery awards, most recently first place at the USA Archery North Target Regional held at SIC, beating archers from Rend Lake, Wabash Valley, Hocking College, Muskingum University, and Lindenwood University.  Zach also attended the Vegas Shoot (the most prestigious indoor tournament in the world) to compete against 1194 archers in his class and won sixth, then went on to compete at the National Field Archery Association Indoor Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, and came home third.
5. Koester James Cook (left) of Eldorado has been chosen as the Outstanding Clay Breaker of the Year due to his dedication to SIC, his team, and his coursework. He has won several awards and tournaments for the Clay Breakers while double-majoring in wildlife management and criminal justice. He also earned a spot on the AIM All-State team of the year for Illinois, an honor given to only five students in the state. The award was presented by Coach Jordan Hammersley.
6. The Outstanding Men’s Basketball of the Year is sophomore Devin Rankin (right) of Carmi. Coach Sam Swinford presented the award saying Rankin has not only seen great success on the court as an athlete and a leader, but has shown tremendous work ethic carrying a 4.00 GPA through three semesters. He earned the National Student Athlete of the Year Award and Academic All-American Honors. He has taken great pride in being a Falcon, including serving as the Student Trustee. Rankin plans to become an educator and a coach.
7. Paige Anderson of Steelville is this year’s Outstanding Bowler. Her award was presented by Kyla Burford. Coach Doug Cottom said Anderson, a freshman varsity player, led the women’s team in average with 191 and narrowly missed the All-Tournament team at the Mid-South Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
8. The Outstanding Falcons Faction of Gamers (Esports) Team Member for 2023 is Josh Smith of Harrisburg. Per a statement prepared by Coach Jason Fitzgerald, Smith volunteers for whatever is needed, and has since the team’s inception. This year he was captain of the overall team, as well as captain of one of the Call of Duty teams. He has shown “an incredible amount of dedication and commitment … and went to great lengths to help others on the team improve their skills.” He also opened up his home to team members needing a place to practice, work on homework or just hang out when they needed a break. Fitzgerald says he “played a vital role in the successes that the team has seen this year.” The award was presented by Kyla Burford.
9. Jillian Womack of Eldorado was presented with the Michaella K. Grounds Outstanding Contribution to MIG Award by Model Illinois Government Coach Matt Lees. The award was established by Lees in 2007 to honor the memory of Michaella Grounds, who was a talented head delegate of the 2007 delegation and had a profound impact on everyone she met. Lees described Womack as “truly selfless” and an exceptional head delegate.
10. Student Government, sponsored by Matt Lees (right) and Kellye Whitler (not pictured), honored its executive board at the luncheon (pictured l-r): Trustee Devin Rankin of Carmi, Vice President Addison Bean of Ridgway, and President Jillian Womack of Eldorado. Not present were Treasurer Briley Watts of Johnston City, and Secretary Gracie Behnke of Harrisburg. The club, led by these officers, reopened Freddie’s Pantry and hosted a food drive, collecting over 1,000 items. They also held a cookout and scavenger hunt event, co-hosted a videogame tournament with the Math & Science Club, and will have their end of the year trip soon.
11. The Model Illinois Government (MIG) team was honored by Coach Matt Lees for their successes at the state competition, leading all schools in total points (18), floor leadership positions (7), and major awards (5). MIG is a legislative simulation and competition where students get to play the role of legislators. They get to put on suits, head to the State Capital, and over four days debate and compete against hundreds of college and university students from across the state. This was SIC’s 13^th state championship. Pictured (front row, l-r) are Ky Mosby of Cave-In Rock (Outstanding First-Year Delegate), Walker Eisenhauer of Galatia (first-year delegate, spokesperson for his committee, floor whip, and earned 2 points as the youngest competitor in school history at 16), Callie Oxford of Harrisburg (earned the Robert Kent Outstanding Lobbyist Award and is tied for most decorated delegate in SIC history), and Taylor Craig of Creal Springs (Outstanding Original Legislation and earned 3 points). Back row (l-r): Aleece McLeod of Shawneetown (Senate Majority Leader), Jillian Womack of Eldorado (Head Delegate, captain of the team, Outstanding Person of the House, and earned 3 points), Coach Lees, Joshua Smock of Elizabethtown (first-year delegate and floor whip), and Tobias Hamblin of Norris City (Assistant Minority Leader).

Not present to accept her award was Briley Watts of Johnston City, Outstanding Volleyball Player of the Year. She is a two-year starter and lead the team in digs, serving percentage, and service points, and was the anchor to the defense and serve receive.  She served as a captain and was a leader on and off the floor. Her coach says Watts has great work ethic, is an honor student, and is treasurer of SIC Student Government.

Students Graduating with Honors in 2023 (45 credit hours, GPA 3.25 or greater) include:

Benton: Makenna Marie Mumbower

Carmi: Allison Lynn Shelton, Zachary Tyler Little, Devin Cole Rankin

Carrier Mills: Brice Glenn Batson

Carterville: Kirsten Alexis Jordan

Cave In Rock: Alexander Walter Tourville

Crossville: Jessica Lee Holloman

Eddyville: Natalie Jo Hall

Eldorado: Jaxson Ryan Berry, Bradley James Boulds, Joshua Jason Farmer, Dylan Scott Franklin, Lauren Mabel Marie Hammond, Carl James Hineman, Jr.     , Syndney Rose Mott, Whitney Jo
Payne, Chase Tyler Pritchett, Jillian Leigh Womack

Elizabethtown: Briley Brynn Blair, Kesli Dru Fulkerson, Ashlyn Marie Smith, Julia Brooke Wheeler, Joshua Robert Howard

Enfield: Skyler Jenae Morss

Galatia: Haylee Daye Brown, Chase D. Murphy, Dalton Lee Stallings

Golconda: Avery Mae Hicks, Liliana Alexia Steele

Harrisburg: Peyton Michael Arnold, Bayden Anthony Ballard, Andrew Tod Bishop, Noah Gannon Boon, Courtney McClerren Boulds, Brandon Alan Butler, Dorothy Nicole Clucas, Anthony Cortes Sanchez, Nolen James Deaton, Allie Jo Hammers, Rachel Elizabeth Lands, Bentley Jo Linch, Jessie Rae Mull, James Dean Murray, Kaylen Renee Pate, Summer Leilani Sanders, Joshua Mckade Smith, Haley Paige Sullivan, Isaiah Michael Underwood, Saddie Irene Vaughn, Damon Patrick Whitt Jr., Emma Grace Williams

Henderson, Kentucky: Noah Anthony Curry

Herod: Connor Andrew Wagner

Johnston City: Briley Nicole Watts

Madisonville, Texas: Zachary Alexandar Rebstock

Marion: Madison Paige Weber

Nashville: Whitley Annette Hunter,

Norris City: Hannah Louise Barton, Hannah Marie Bryan, Blake Andrew Brown

Red Bud: Park Cole Van Dorn

Ridgway: Chelsea Ann Goodman, Gunner Ray Wilson

Sesser: Abbie Leigh Ward

Shawneetown: Morgan Elizabeth Oldham, Gracie May Sauls, Madison Amillia Smith

Simpson: William Addison Julian

Stonefort: Hannah Marie Craig, Remington Bradley Curry

Third Lake: Jack I. Miller

Thompsonville: Maddie Grace McFarland

West Frankfort: Justin Paul Richison

Registration for summer and fall classes is currently open at SIC. The first 5-week summer classes begin May 22, the regular 8-week courses begin June 5, and the last 5-week summer classes begin June 26. Fall classes begin Aug. 14. Email advising@sic.edu to get started or visit sic.edu.

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