INA, Ill. (July 28, 2026) — The Rend Lake College Foundation has added another meaningful gift to its High 5 Scholarship Endowment campaign, honoring the life of John Matthew Stacey — affectionately known by friends and family as “John Boy.”
Established by his wife, Teresa Stacey, the John Boy Stacey Family Endowment Scholarship was created to help high school graduates from Sesser-Valier attend RLC without the financial burden of pursuing a degree.
As a 1987 graduate of Sesser-Valier High School, John enrolled at RLC before choosing to step directly into the workforce. Years later, after marrying his wife, Teresa (Sesser), he returned to RLC to continue his education while balancing a full-time job.
Though his work schedule prevented him from finishing his degree, John always understood the true value of higher education. He regularly shared a clear piece of advice with young people in his community: “You can always work — get the college first.”
John, Teresa, and their daughters, Alecia Acosta and Maggie Stacey, pose for a family photo at the 69th Annual Rend Lake Days Sesser Homecoming event.
In September 2024, John was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. Due to chemotherapy treatments and scheduling constraints, he was forced to take a long-term leave from work. Faced with rising expenses, John and Teresa were supported by community members who organized a fundraiser to help ease the burden ahead.
John’s primary tumor was located on his ankle, eventually leading to the amputation of his lower right leg. While the family hoped the surgery would grant him more time, John passed away just three months later when the cancer metastasized to his lungs.
Throughout his treatment, John and Teresa had set aside a portion of the community fundraiser money to cover future travel costs for his prosthetic and ongoing medical care. Following his passing, Teresa knew those funds should be repurposed to serve others in need. She decided to establish a scholarship at RLC to help local Sesser-Valier students attend college.
“I did the High 5 scholarship in hopes that it will help students of Sesser-Valier attend RLC, just like this entire community helped our family at one of the worst times of our lives,” Teresa said. “And because of how the scholarship is set up, it will continue to help students for many years — generations of students.”
The Stacey family pose for a photo at a black out for cancer event in 2025.
Pictured (L-R): Alecia, Teresa, John and Maggie.
The decision to participate in the High 5 Campaign struck a personal chord with Teresa. As a teacher at Du Quoin High School, her classroom sits directly next to two pre-K classrooms. Noticing that the young children were often intimidated by the older students in the hallway, Teresa began greeting the pre-K students with daily high fives.
What started as a simple greeting quickly built lasting bonds. John and Teresa often ran into her "high five friends" out in the community, where the young students would proudly greet them.
“Giving them a high five each day built a relationship — it built a feeling of trust and dependability,” Teresa shared. “They knew they could depend on me to be there to start their day. I hope this scholarship sends the message that there are people here in our community to help you, and you can depend on and trust us to be here for you.”
"Teresa Stacey and her family embodies everything the High 5 Campaign was created to celebrate — neighbors helping neighbors and creating opportunities that last forever," said RLCF Director Amy Newell. "Her decision to establish the John Boy Stacey Family Endowment Scholarship is an extraordinary act of generosity born from gratitude, love and a desire to give back to the same community that stood beside her family. John's encouragement to 'get the college first' will continue to inspire students for generations, and because of Teresa's vision, his legacy will live on through every scholarship recipient. It is truly an honor for the Rend Lake College Foundation to help carry that legacy forward."
About the High 5 Campaign
Donors can establish or strengthen endowed scholarships while RLCF amplifies their generosity with matching funds, creating long-term impact that lasts for generations through the High 5 Campaign. RLCF is offering 25 matching opportunities from a total match pool of $125,000. When all 25 matches are utilized, the campaign will generate up to $375,000 in lasting scholarship impact. Currently, there is only 1 match left.
Whether you are establishing a new endowment like the John Boy Stacey Family Endowment Scholarship or contributing to an existing fund, your support ensures that the legacy of our alumni continues to thrive. To learn more about the campaign or how to give, visit rlc.edu/high-5 or contact RLCF Director Amy Newell at newella@rlc.edu.
