Illinois

TCT #redbirds connect with community through ISU CTEP summer immersion

Published

1 year ago

August 6, 2024

TCT #redbirds connect with community through ISU CTEP summer immersion

Latinos Progresando Parent Mentor program leader Elizabeth Dominguez shares tips on strengthening relationships between teachers and parents at the Jardincito community garden in Little Village.

Illinois State University’s Chicago Teacher Education Pipeline (CTEP) had a blast this summer with all four cohorts in the Teach Chicago Tomorrow (TCT) program following Illinois State pathways.

With the program in its fourth year, the impact of summer immersion programming across the years was evident. Depending on their year in the program, students participated in scaffolded community and school experiences that build on each other toward the central goal connecting future Chicago Public School (CPS) teachers to the CTEP model of the community-minded teacher.

TCT scholars participated in experiences in Illinois State partner communities across Chicago, shadowed current CPS teachers, attended professional development workshops, spent time with community families, and visited campus.

As their educator journey continues, summer immersion keeps TCT scholars grounded in their “why.” A rising sophomore said, “I want to connect and guide the students to envisioning a better future for themselves and the community by first guiding them to be the best version of themselves.”

Teach Chicago Tomorrow scholars explore the Illinois State Quad.

Each summer, as the scholars progress through the CTEP program, they deepen their knowledge of what it means to be a community teacher and see the neighborhood surrounding a school through an assets-based lens: “Every community has someone who needs help and has members that will support them.” Another rising junior noted, “These (community) experiences are most impactful because I learned that there are resources around communities that can be useful as an upcoming teacher.”

Spending time with children and current teachers are key components of summer immersion. One rising freshman said, “I loved working with the kids and getting a chance to show the skills I’ve learned in my (high school) CTE program.” Shadowing current CPS teachers is always a top highlight. As a rising junior said, “Being able to actually go to a classroom and be involved with students renewed my motivation to teach.” Another noted, “I got the chance to talk to teachers about my fears.”

Scholars learn about the Global Garden Refugee Training Farm in Albany Park.

One new experience for the rising seniors was an independent immersive experience with a community family who has children in CPS. As the scholars go into their final year of their education program, this experience provided them with an authentic opportunity to engage directly with a family as a future teacher. One scholar said: “Meaningful (community/family) engagement can help teachers gain a better understanding of what their students go through on a daily basis. This is an experience that I will carry with me when I teach.”

Summer immersion is a critical piece of the TCT-Illinois State CTEP partnership providing connective experiences across the four years of study. Students build on their knowledge while connecting with ISU faculty and staff, current CPS teachers, PreK-12 students, community scholars and, importantly, each other. CTEP is thrilled to be a part of this impactful and effective program supporting TCT #Redbird scholars and future CPS teachers.

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Illinois

Candy Cane Lane celebrating 45 years in southern Illinois

Published

11 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Candy Cane Lane celebrating 45 years in southern Illinois

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) – A beloved Christmas tradition in southern Illinois is celebrating 45 years this holiday season.

Organizers say Candy Cane Lane is a unique and completely free Christmas display that brings holiday magic to life!

Committee members say 2025 is the biggest year ever for Candy Cane Lane, which now features over 100,000 sparkling lights, more than 500 characters, and 90 incredible scenes inspired by Disney, Universal, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, and many more.

Candy Cane Lane began in 1980 and was created by Mr. Tim Murphy. Murphy was an inspiring art teacher in West Frankfort whose creativity and holiday spirit touched countless lives, according to committee members.

Over the years, Tim’s many art students helped his vision grow brighter and bigger.

In 2019, Candy Cane Lane was featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, gaining national recognition for its charm and artistry.

Tim Murphy passed away in 2020 from complications with COVID-19; his dear friends, Iris and Bobby Kohzadi, vowed to keep his legacy.

A dedicated Candy Cane Lane committee was formed, and the holiday attraction is now a licensed nonprofit organization.

Leaders say they continue to expand and enhance Candy Cane Lane each year, ensuring that Tim Murphy’s spirit of joy, community, and creativity lives on for generations to come.

The non-profit is run strictly off of donations, which also help fund a scholarship program at Frankfort Community High School.

Candy Cane Lane is located at the West Frankfort Community Park at 1100 E. Cleveland Street, and is open nightly through December 27, 2025, at 9:00 p.m.

For more information or to donate to Candy Cane Lane, visit their Facebook page.

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Illinois

Late Heroics Lift Meseraull In Southern Illinois Center – SPEED SPORT

Published

23 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Late Heroics Lift Meseraull In Southern Illinois Center – SPEED SPORT

DU QUOIN, Ill. — Thomas Meseraull used late-race heroics to earn his 10th career feature win while battling inside the Southern Illinois Center with the POWRi National Midget League on Saturday night.

Meseraull led the final 10 laps of the feature honoring industry icon Junior Knepper at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

High-point qualifier Zach Daum and fast-timer Brylee Kilmer battled as the green flag waved, with Daum gaining the initial advantage on the opening lap as Trey Marcham, Meseraull, Daniel Robinson and Kilmer all kept pace inside the early top five.

Leading steadily, Daum would appear in fine form inside the Southern Illinois Center as the laps ticked away, with Meseraull, Marham, Frank Flud, Robinson, Christopher Bell, Chris Andrews, Corbin Rueschenberg,and Kole Kirkman contending.

Using precision driving through lapped traffic, Meseraull would strike for the top spot with only 10 laps remaining as Daum stayed within striking distance while keeping Marcham, Flud and Daniel Robinson at bay.

Holding steady over a late-race restart, Meseraull would not be denied in earning his second POWRi National Midget feature win inside the Southern Illinois Center over the past three years.

“This Ford was hooked up and ripping’ tonight,” said Meseraull. “Feels great to finally get it done in 2025 after having a rough year. This place can turn into bumper cars, and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do to get it done here.”

Remaining up front early-leader of 30 laps, Daum would place runner-up with Marcham finalizing the podium placements. Hard-charging from starting 19th, Kyle Jones finished fourth, with Robinson fifth.

The finish:

Feature (40 Laps): 1. 7S-Thomas Meseraull[3]; 2. 5D-Zach Daum[1]; 3. 32-Trey Marcham[5]; 4. 7TX-Kyle Jones[19]; 5. 57-Daniel Robinson[7]; 6. 81F-Frank Flud[6]; 7. 95-Chris Andrews[10]; 8. 6-Brylee Kilmer[4]; 9. 17R-Rylan Gray[15]; 10. 14J-Wout Hoffmans[22]; 11. 23-Devon Dobie[17]; 12. 77J-John Klabunde[21]; 13. 67-Kole Kirkman[8]; 14. 15V-Cole Vanderheiden[12]; 15. 15-RJ Corson[16]; 16. 23T-Ashton Thompson[13]; 17. 26-Corbin Rueschenberg[14]; 18. 21-Christopher Bell[9]; 19. 7G-Parker Perry[11]; 20. 2F-Casey Friedrichsen[20]; 21. 4-Kale Drake[2]; 22. 71C-Gunnar Pike[18]

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Illinois

Illinois State defeats Villanova in the 2025 FCS playoff semifinals, advances to national title

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

Illinois State defeats Villanova in the 2025 FCS playoff semifinals, advances to national title

Illinois State dominated Villanova on the road from start to finish en route to a 30-14 FCS semifinal win.

Illinois State set the tone early with a 53-yard bomb to star wide receiver Daniel Sobkowicz who finished with seven catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns. His second touchdown put the Redbirds up 21-6 entering halftime, putting the game out of reach.

In the second half, Illinois State leaned on a third-straight career-high day on the ground from running back Victor Dawson, who rushed for 155 yards after going for 148 and 137 in his last two games. Dawson and the ground attack dominated the time of possession for 36:48. Click or tap here for final stats from the game.

HOW ABOUT THOSE REDBIRDS!!!!!!!!!#ValleyFootball x #FCS x @RedbirdFB x @ISURedbirds x @NCAA_FCS x @ESPNCFB x @espn pic.twitter.com/otoo7t1YoM
— Valley Football (@ValleyFootball) December 21, 2025
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Illinois State becomes the first team in the 24-team FCS playoff era to make the national championship game after playing all road games and only the second unseeded team in the 24-team era to make the national championship game.

Overall, it’ll be Illinois State’s first FCS Championship game appearance since 2014. The Redbirds have never won a national championship.

You can catch the 2025-26 FCS Championship Game on Monday, January 5, 2026 at theFirstBank Stadium on the campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

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