INA, Ill. (February 13, 2025) — The Rend Lake College Foundation hosted its annual Wilma Guy High Tea event on Tuesday at the RLC Event Center.
This year, the theme for the High Tea was Alice in Wonderland. Amy Newell, RLCF Director, shared that the journeys the students experience at RLC are akin to Alice stepping through the looking glass.
"Education is an adventure—a world of possibility, curiosity, and self-discovery," said Newell. "It’s about embracing new challenges, gaining knowledge and finding their own path. Much like Alice, our students may not always know where the road leads, but with each step, they open themselves to new opportunities and growth."
The Wilma Guy High Tea is an event named after the late Wilma Guy who passed away February 21, 2022, at the age of 97. She bestowed an endowment of $740,000 to the RLC Foundation, creating the Charles and Maude Guy Family Scholarship that will honor her parents for many years.
Apple Aesthetics co-sponsored the High Tea. Christy Kelly, alongside Dr. Christy Foster, opened Apple Aesthetics in 2013 which offers a full array of aesthetics and weight loss services. Kelly shared that Apple Aesthetics' goal is to, "enhance natural beauty and to give people the confidence that they need and deserve."
Christy Kelly from Apple Aesthetics
Sponsor The Republic of Tea enriches people’s lives through great-tasting, premium teas and herbs, education and innovation. Melissa Meador is the Republic of Tea's Minister of Progress (Vice President of Operations) and has been with the company for over 11 years. Meador shared that tea is not only just a pleasant drinking experience, it also provides multiple health benefits to the consumer.
Melissa Meador from the Republic of Tea
Dee Schnautz, PhD, was this year's guest speaker. Schnautz spent years in education—as a teacher, a school administrator, and now as a trainer for future teachers at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and a coach for school leaders through her company, Spur Us on Services, LLC.
Schnautz's presentation, "It Gets Curiouser and Curiouser," motivated the High Tea attendees to become curious people and build relationships through curiosity.
Dee Schnautz, Wilma Guy High Tea Guest Speaker
"I want to encourage you all to reclaim your curiosity," said Schnautz. "Curiosity builds opportunity and new relationships. Imagine if we started building relationships with those we know, and the people we meet. We must be curious about people's story and who they are."
RLC would like to thank the Foundation, the Culinary Arts department, Apple Aesthetics, Republic of Tea and Dee Schnautz for making this event amazing.