What’s recently happened?
Illiana Christian High School wasted no time after coming back from spring break on April 3. Illiana has had an interesting month through April. The annual fine arts festival began on April 11, which allowed students to showcase artistic talents such as drawing, painting, singing, photography, and even acting.
The Illiana Christian Prom committee also revealed this year's prom theme for the junior and senior event, “Old Hollywood.” Tickets go on sale towards the end of April and will be sold at $40 per ticket.
Illiana’s sports teams have also had a successful month. The varsity boys baseball team has a record of 6-0 as of April 14, as well as the Illiana track team coming in first place in a triangular meet on April 12.
What's coming up?
Many things will happen towards the end of April. Illiana students will participate in its annual Go Day which will allow students to get out of school for a day and find different ways to serve the community.
The school will also host its annual grandparents day on Friday, April 21. This day will provide grandparents an opportunity to see their grandchildren's school, as well as a complimentary breakfast, and a performance of the opening number of “The Circle of Life '' by the cast of this year's musical, “The Lion King Junior.”
The annual Pancake race will also take place on Saturday, April 22. This event is a 5k, in which people are able to purchase tickets for the pancake breakfast that takes place after the run. This event is a way for the Illiana athletic department to raise money.
The school year begins to come to a close, with the last full day of school being on May 26. Underclassmen and seniors who did not earn exam exemption forms will return the following week to complete exams. The class of 2023 will have its graduation ceremony on June 2.
Staff spotlight:
Kristy Medema has been an English teacher at Illiana for 22 years. She has had the opportunity to teach freshman English, sophomore English, instructional sophomore English, junior English, as well as instructional Junior English.
“I think I contribute to Illiana because each teacher has to connect to different students and different types of students,” Medema said. “I think I do that for some kids, at least I hope I do that for them.”
Medema also is thankful for the special and effective English department at Illiana that allows all teachers of the English department to collaborate on lesson plans and teaching methods in general.
“I know that they support me, if I’m having problems with a student or just trouble teaching I can always talk to them,” Medema said.
Medema also testifies to what Illiana has taught her.
“It can be really hard to work with people but you have to figure that out. It can be really rewarding. Knowing what is my school and what is someone else's and using that together is great,” Medema said.
Medema is extremely grateful for all the connections she’s made and the people she’s met throughout her Illiana career.
“One of the greatest gifts has been to get to know so many students. I love getting to know what they do once they leave this place, what they do when they're not here, I love hearing their stories of what they did in middle school and how they found this place,” Medema said.
Student spotlight:
Senior Kevin Corcoran has certainly kept himself busy during his four years at Illiana.
He has played basketball for four years, played baseball for four years, participated in “Close Up” in Washington DC, and been a shield group leader, as well as a mentor. He also had the opportunity to be on the Illiana homecoming court.
Corcoran was the starting pitcher for the Illiana Vikings when they won state during the 2023-2023 season.
“I think especially playing sports here you find less value in the superficial things, and you look at sports in a broader picture. How does it prepare you for life and how does it make you a better Christian? You won't remember specific games but you will remember who you did it with the team bonding, and this school focuses on things other than success, but how to be better and how to give you good memories.”
Being on the team has made for some fun memories throughout his time at Illiana.
“Besides winning the State title, I think the hotel room from when we went down,” Corcoran said. “We played games, and did dumb things, and just hung out and had fun.”
Corcoran also reminisced on tough times that helped shape him.
“I would like to say when we lost in sectionals my sophomore year, it really gave me perspective to not take anything for granted,” he said.