INA, Ill. (April 22, 2014) - The 17th Annual Student Transfer and Retention Support (STARS) Recognition Ceremony was held last week in the Rend Lake College Theatre to honor and award students for their outstanding work in the last year.
STARS Student of the Year
Kenneth Miles-Akins, RIGHT, of Mt. Vernon was named STARS Student of the Year during the program's recognition ceremony last week at Rend Lake College. Miles-Akins is studying to become a substance abuse counselor at RLC. He was also awarded the Perseverance Award and honored as a 2014 graduate. He will be transferring to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the fall to continue working on a bachelor's degree. He is pictured with TRIO Director Lean Stallman. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Cybulski Scholarship recipient
Jamie Brock, LEFT, of Ewing was awarded the Cybulski Scholarship Award during the 17th Annual STARS Recognition Ceremony last week. Brock was also awarded the Perseverance Award during the ceremony. The Cybulski Scholarship is named in honor of the late George Cybulski, an 81-year-old RLC student who had a dream to go back to school and earn a degree. Brock is pictured with Lisa Price, Vice President of Student Services. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Perseverance Award honorees
Fourteen RLC STARS students were honored with the Perseverance Award during the ceremony. Pictured is, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, Jamie Brock of Ewing, Sierra Calloni of Mulkeytown, Kaira James of Mt. Vernon, Makeda Jones of Mt. Vernon, and Kristin Manley of Bluford; BACK ROW, FROM LEFT, Carolyn Doggan of Mt. Vernon, Amanda Craig of Mt. Vernon, Sherlinda Harris of Mt. Vernon, Crystal Knisley of Thompsonville, Kenneth Miles-Akins of Mt. Vernon, and Lilian Wilburn of Thompsonville. Not pictured is Mariah Eubanks of Benton and Zachary Francois of Mt. Vernon. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
2013-14 STARS Graduates
Several STARS students either graduated in the fall of 2013 or will graduate after the spring 2014 semester. They are, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, Monica Burney of Dix, Kaira James of Mt. Vernon, Christine Hood of Mt. Vernon, Paige Matthews of Benton, Kristin Manley of Bluford, and Nicolle Patton of Mt. Vernon; BACK ROW, FROM LEFT, Carolyn Doggan of Mt. Vernon, Jacob Dial of Mt. Vernon, Henry Dykstra of McLeansboro, Kaylan Grove of Benton, Makeda Jones of Mt. Vernon, and Kenneth Miles-Akins of Mt. Vernon. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Many STARS students were also honored for their GPA during the ceremony. Three students were recognized for having a perfect, 4.0 GPA: Christine Hood of Mt. Vernon, Evelyn Mendez of Benton, and Mary Stanfield of Mt. Vernon.
Those honored at the banquet for compiling a 3.5 - 3.99 GPA at RLC are Alison Blair of Benton, Casey Brandt of Mt. Vernon, Monica Burney of Dix, Jacob Dial of Mt. Vernon, Henry Dykstra of McLeansboro, Flor Eldridge of Mulkeytown, Austin Endicott of Macedonia, Kristen Keele of Wayne City, Vanessa Lawrence of Benton, Cicely Lefler of Mulkeytown, Paige Matthews of Benton, and Christina Parr of McLeansboro.
Those honored at the banquet for compiling a 3.0 - 3.49 GPA at RLC are Laura Alverth of Thompsonville, Brooke Docherty of Benton, Kaylan Grove of Benton, Nicolle Patton of Mt. Vernon, Brittany Pedigo of Benton, La'Equah Rollins of Mt. Vernon, Achaia Shipp of Mt. Vernon, Mia Simms of Ewing, Britney Tindall of Benton, Alissa Webb of Mulkeytown, and Whitney Webb of Benton.
STARS is a federal TRIO program designed to target income-eligible, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. It provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students with successful completion of their post-secondary education. The goal of STARS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and help students make the transition from one level of higher education to the next.
To learn more about the STARS program, visit Leah Stallman in the South Oasis, Room 108, email stallmanl@rlc.edu, or call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1366. The STARS application is available online at www.rlc.edu/student-support-services. You can also add them on Facebook to get updates on events and services: www.facebook.com/rlcstars.
