Press Release From Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones 

Reanne Palmer- Rend Lake College Public Information 

Cheers, laughter and tears filled Rend Lake College’s James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium last night during the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Pinning Ceremony. The annual event serves as a symbolic welcoming of newly-graduated nurses into the nursing profession.

Program Director Betty Jo Herbert welcomed the students and spoke to the challenges they’ve faced over the last two years in the program.

“Tonight, I see one cohesive group of students that have stayed and been there for each other to the end,” said Herbert. “We have had weddings. We have had babies. These students have tackled everything, and I am so very, very proud of them. I love each and every one of them.”

She continued, “The Rend Lake College Nursing Program has changed our way of thinking. I pray each of you becomes the nurse you always hoped you’d be. I encourage you to be a trustworthy nurse and always be a patient advocate. On our first day of class, we learned nursing school is a marathon, not a sprint, and to take nursing school one day at a time. And we just made it to the finish line. Congratulations guys, we made it.”

She ended her speech with some advice. She said, “Be action-oriented, goal-driven, political, tenacious, articulate, scientific, compassionate, resourceful, creative, visionary, heroic, get the job done and challenge the status quo. Boldly go where no nurse has gone before. Be leaders.”

Nursing Club President Morgan Massie of Waltonville was the first student speaker of the evening. She started by reciting a common verse about the “requirements of nursing.”

“[We will have] to have the memory of an elephant, an angel’s patience, a heart as big as the Sun, a nasal filter, a back strong enough to hold and transfer full grown adults, a five liter bladder and an impenetrable immune system. And they say we’re just a nurse,” said Massie.

Together, Nursing Professor Kristin Yosanovich, Associate Professor Erica Blumenstock, and Instructor Lynn Salesberry presented the pins to each student.

After each student was pinned, a second class speaker, Lindsey Cox of Benton, addressed the audience.

“I don’t believe any of us chose nursing. Nursing chose us. There’s something special and great in each and every one of us,” said Cox. “We’re on the front lines of patient care. We have so many options, so never let nursing feel like a job.”

She continued, “As we all prepare for the state boards, take the time to do some things you haven’t done in a while. We’ve all become a bit institutionalized. We need time to readjust to society. Read a book with zero educational value. Spend time with family and friends you’ve ignored for the last couple years. Go fishing or hiking and enjoy the sunshine. And never, ever use the word ‘cheat sheet’ in your life. We did it my friends.”

The ceremony ended with each student lighting a candle and reciting the Nightingale Pledge, led by Yosanovich. ADN student Bryce Wiley of West Frankfort led the ceremony with a prayer. A reception was held in the Aquatics Center lobby following the ceremony.

More photos of the 2017 ADN Pinning Ceremony can be found on the RLC Flickr page.

 

 

ReAnne Palmer  – Rend Lake College Public Information 

Nineteen Summer Kids Camps, ranging from outdoor activities to technology to musical lessons, have been scheduled for June and July at Rend Lake College.

Join RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division for some returning camps, back by popular demand, such as Blastoff! and Minecraft. Or, opt for one of the new and exciting camps like The Drone Zone or Art Exploration. All of the following summer camps will be held on the Ina campus.

ABC’s of Digital Photography: for grades 2-6 at $30 per camper

9 a.m. – Noon, Tuesday, July 11 – Wednesday, July 12 in the Vocational Building, Room 104

Join Camp Instructor Jennifer Tarantino Linsin on a scavenger hunt to take photographs of items that look like letters of the alphabet. During this camp, students will discover the basics of photography and Photoshop by creating their name from the letters. Attendees should bring a camera phone or point and shoot camera with them.

Adventures Under the Sea: for grades 1-3 at $60 per camper

9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Advanced Technology Center, Room 163

Through art, literature, and science, travel through the zones of the ocean and discover the varying sea creatures with Camp Instructors Margo Wagner and Joy Fitts.

Art Exploration: $75 per camper

Grades 1-3 meet from 9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103

Grades 4-6 meet from 1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 103

Experiment with materials and techniques to enhance communication of ideas through art with Camp Instructor Sharon Corn. During this camp, students will explore visual art through make-and-take projects including painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, printmaking, and more.

Bertie Ham’s Chefs of Tomorrow: $60 per camper

Grades 1-3 meet from 1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Student Center, Room 103

Grades 4-6 meet from 9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Student Center, Room 103

Campers will go on a new culinary adventure every day, learning the basics of cooking their own lunches safely. Chef Janet Pearce will lead students through some of Bertie Ham’s famous recipes and students will be taking home samples of their creations.

Blast to the Past: for grades 3-8 at $60 per session

1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 221

Learn about the lives of four famous composers from Camp Instructor April Tennyson. Campers will discover new composers and will assemble a lap book of information on each one, including inventions of the time period, simple instruments to play some of the composer’s music, and much more. No prior musical experience is necessary for this class.

Blastoff!: for grades 4-8 at $75 per camper

1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Historic Schoolhouse

Camp Instructor Greg Hollmann will turn an ordinary summer into another adventure during this ultimate science camp. Blastoff! has new challenges in store for 2017, so don’t worry if you have attended in the past. Participation in this camp will help students in developing a strong sense of self and connection to their environment. Participants will build and launch their own rocket.

The Drone Zone: for grades 4-6 at $100 per camper

1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 at the RLC Rec Center

Join Camp Instructor Chris Edwards in this new summer camp to learn all about drones, including the different parts and piloting a drone.

Garbage Pail Science: for grades 2-5 at $60 per camper

1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Science Building, Room 115

Using only junk and leftover stuff, campers will join Instructor Reba Boyer in creating and learning from science experiments. A folder of handouts will go home with each student to repeat the experiments with loved ones.

Glider and RC Flight: for grades 4-6 at $60 per camper

1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Historic Schoolhouse

Take flight during this new summer camp with Instructor John Griffin, who will introduce campers to the world of gliders and remote controlled flight. Each student will build a Flite Test Sparrow Glider to compete in challenges. The camp will end with flying RC planes at the flying field, located to the east of campus. Each student will also be signed up for Youth Membership AMA in order to participate in each event.

Junior Law Enforcement Academy: for grades 3-6 at $60 per camper

9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 at the Historic Schoolhouse

Campers will learn what it takes to become a police officer from two of Jefferson County’s finest. Sheriff Travis Allen and Chief Deputy Clint Taylor will show students the different job duties of police officers, and will go over techniques to keeping each other safe. The camp will also include a field trip for a tour of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Mt. Vernon.

Let’s Get Fit!: for grades 2-6 at $40 per camper

9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 at the RLC Rec Center

Participate in countless physical activities during this popular camp with Instructor Tyler O’Daniel. Students should wear play clothes, sunscreen and tennis shoes to camp. Swimwear will be required for Tuesday and Thursday.

Martial Arts: for grades 1-8 at $60 per camper

1 – 4 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 at the RLC Rec Center

Campers will discover martial arts training and improve on their health and coordination with Instructor Gary Douglas in this returning summer camp. Practice basic calisthenics and stretches, and combine all of the techniques to master self-defense. Students should wear loose-fitting clothing and tennis shoes.

Minecraft: for grades 4-8 at $75 per camper

9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Vocational Building, Room 130

Explore the fundamentals of design, creation, building, and three-dimensional space through the video game Minecraft with Instructor Matt Jackson. Back by popular demand, this camp will have students developing and modeling structures and landscapes through Minecraft, and then fabricating them with new technologies, such as 3D Printing. Each camper will leave with models of their creations. Students will need to purchase their own Minecraft account for PC prior to camp.

Musikgarten: $30 per session

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten meet for Cycle of Seasons from 10 – 11 a.m. Monday, June 5 – Thursday, June 8 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 119

Parents and caregivers can join Camp Instructor April Tennyson in celebrating each child’s growing independence and love of outdoors with musical activities involving the four seasons. Activities will include chanting, singing, moving, focused listening, musical games, exploring musical instruments, creative movement and storytelling.

Together with Instructor April Tennyson, campers and parents or caregivers will focus on a new movement activity each day, covering coordination, body awareness and control, exploration of space, and instruments. Sing, chant, move, dance, listen and play simple instruments such as rhythm sticks, jingles, rattles, and drums during this returning camp.

Music Makers Intro to Keyboard: for grades 1-4 at $45 per session

1 – 2 p.m. Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 in the Learning Resource Center, Room 221

Campers will enjoy a small group session to learn the basics of playing the keyboard. In this holistic approach to learning, students will learn to play by hearing and reading music with Camp Instructor April Tennyson.

My Buddy and Me Cake Creations!: for grades K-3 at $15 per camper

9 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13 in the Student Center, Front Dining Area

Camp Instructor Beth Mandrell invites parents and caregivers to join their child in creating cupcakes and participating in activities with a “creative food” theme. Campers will add features to their cakes with icing, cookies, and candies before parading around campus to pass out treats. Students should wear an apron or old shirt.

Stroke and Turn Swim Camp: for grades 1-8 at $30 per camper

1 – 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 – Wednesday, June 21 or Tuesday, July 18 – Wednesday, July 19 in the Aquatics Center Lobby

Swimmers will improve their techniques and efficiency with Camp Instructor Laura Johnston. Using the walls to get the best competitive swim edge over competitors, this camp will focus on proper technique. Plus, each stroke turn will be practiced and refined each day. This camp is designed for those with swim team experience.

Survivors Camp: for grades 4-6 at $60 per camper

9 a.m. – Noon, Monday, June 12 – Thursday, June 15 at the Historic Schoolhouse

Staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will teach the basics of survival in the wild to campers, including how to be prepared and make good decisions. The camp will end with cooking over an open fire on the final day.

Grade level applies to either past or upcoming grade. Payments may be made by check, money order, credit or debit cards, or cash, and must be received at the time of registration. Parents and guardians are responsible for all transportation arrangements to and from camp.

For more information about a camp or to register, contact the RLC Community and Corporate Education Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.