Sydney Sinks grew up in the Riverbend area and graduated from Southwestern High School. She received a bachelor’s degree from Millikin University in 2022, where she majored in English-Writing with concentrations in journalism and professional writing and a minor in editing.
At Millikin, Sydney wrote and edited for The Decaturian and BURST Magazine. Her writing has also been published in Decatur Magazine, Gateway Journalism Review and others. She has received recognition from the Illinois College Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists for her work.
GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College has started a Unified Special Olympics team. Coach Niki and College For Life students Mary and Justin shared more about the Special Olympics team, called Trailblazers Unified. Students compete in sports like soccer, basketball, flag football, volleyball,...
GODFREY - The damp weather couldn't stop the Village of Godfrey Parks and Recreation Department from hosting their beloved Big Truck Day. On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, kids and families filled Glazebrook Park for the annual event. Kids could climb on and explore ambulances, fire trucks, helicopters,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Missy Banker is grateful for those who came before her. Banker teaches orchestra at Liberty Middle School in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is remembering the “amazing” music teachers who inspired her, and she’s...
EDWARDSVILLE - In 1990, at age 5, Jessie Buehnerkemper decided on her first day of kindergarten that she wanted to stay in that environment forever. That dream came true, and Buehnerkemper now teaches kindergarten at Leclaire Elementary School in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District...
BETHALTO - Gina Schmidt has found her way home. Schmidt is a special education teacher for kindergarten and first grade students at Bethalto East Primary School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she’s reflecting on the journey that brought...
ALTON - Sarah Jones loves to celebrate her students. Jones is a special education teacher for the fifth grade at East Elementary School in the Alton Community Unit School District #11. This Teacher Appreciation Week, the district is taking a moment to turn the tables and celebrate her for the...
ALTON - Sarah Boyd has always loved working with kids, so education was a natural pathway for her. Boyd teaches at North Elementary School in the Alton Community Unit School District #11. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is thankful for the opportunity to engage with students and help them grow...
HIGHLAND - St. Paul Catholic School in Highland recently hosted their annual Baseball Day to build the school’s sense of community. Abbey McGinley, a kindergarten teacher, explained that she did a Baseball Day at her previous school and decided to bring the tradition to St. Paul. The eighth...
ALTON - Several young brainiacs competed in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 annual math contest. On Saturday, May 2, 2026, students in fourth through eighth grades packed Alton High School for the contest. Brett Hentze, a high school math teacher who has organized the event for the...
EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School students will perform at The Fabulous Fox Theatre in recognition of their impressive spring musical production. EHS received several Ken Page Awards nominations, which recognize high school musical theater programs across the Greater St. Louis region, fo...
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