Frontier Community, Lincoln Trail, Olney Central, and Wabash Valley colleges awarded nearly $180,000 to area high school students in the first round of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ Priority Deadline Success Scholarships. IECC Director of Financial Aid Andrea Puckett said the tuition awards demonstrate IECC’s commitment to seeing area students successfully achieve their higher education goals. The scholarships are renewable for up to four semesters — Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, and Spring 2024, not including summer courses.

Olney Central College is excited to add a second Peer Coach. Dorothy Ochate joins Philip Henderson in assisting and reaching out to fellow students. Initiated earlier this year, the Peer Coach Program connects incoming freshmen with current students through OCC text messaging. Peer Coaches can convey information and answer questions from fellow students.

The website Best Accredited Colleges has named Olney Central College’s Associate Accounting Degree among the top in the nation. Best Accredited Colleges provides its guide and school rankings to assist students in making the best college decision. Selections are based on U.S. Department of Education data including accessibility, affordability, quality of education and return on investment. OCC’s Accounting Program was ranked No. 16 on the list.

If you are interested in exploring one or multiple artistic media, local artist Mari Yamato invites you to join the Open Studio Art Class she will be teaching this spring at Olney Central College. “The class provides the studio space for students to explore a specific area they are interested in,” Yamato said. “This is a great class for students who want to work in a specific media that is not offered as another class or if they want to work in mixed media.”

Artist Mari Yamato invites area residents to join her for an oil painting class this spring at Olney Central College. The course is designed for both novice and experienced painters who are interested in enhancing their skills. While instructors typically assign art projects for students, Yamato’s open studio class will give participants a chance to explore their own interests while receiving feedback from a seasoned artist. During the sessions, Yamato will both advise and mentor students, who are encouraged to bring in their own projects to complete.

Local artist Mari Yamato will teach spring ceramics courses at Olney Central College. The classes are project-based and designed for both students and community members who want to learn basic ceramic techniques. During the semester, students will create their own pottery using pinch pot, coil, slab and sculpture techniques. They also will work with the potter’s wheel and will learn how to make bowls, vases, plates and mugs.

Lincoln Trail College Children’s Summer Theater will return in 2022 with two shows. LTC will perform Winnie the Pooh Kids and Lion King Jr. in June under the direction of Mindy Evans. Winnie the Pooh Kids will be for kids entering 1st through 4th grades. Performance dates are June 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. Rehearsals are May 31 through June 23 from 9-11 a.m. Lion King Jr. will be for kids entering 5th through 9th grades. Performances are June 25 at 7 p.m. and June 26 at 2 p.m. Rehearsals are May 31 through June 23 from 12-2 p.m.

Olney Central College’s Cosmetology Program is accepting new students for spring semester classes. Students enrolled in Cosmetology participate in both classroom and clinical experiences. The program focuses on all facets of the industry, including hair shaping, skin care, makeup, permanent waving, shampooing, scalp treatments, hair styling and chemical hair relaxing. Pedicures, manicures, massage and shop management also are covered.

Olney Central College is offering spring Line Dancing Classes starting Jan. 13. While line dancing is most closely associated with country music, Instructor Vickie Smith said her course encompasses much more. “I use a variety of music in the classes including Spanish, some Rock and Roll and some newer pop tunes,” she added.

Students at Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College are getting a tremendous value according to the website Best Value Schools. They ranked Illinois Eastern Community Colleges as having the second-best valued Associate Degree in Liberal Arts in the nation.