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.
ALTON - A local architect visited Alton schools to talk to kids during Architecture Week. Joel Hall is a professor at Lewis and Clark Community College and serves as a project manager for the Alton Community Unit School District #11 with FGM Architects. Last week, he stopped by Alton High School...
ALTON - Soulcial Kitchen will once again host a monthly Block Party for Good with free groceries, hot meals and health screenings. From 2–4 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, community members can receive groceries from the St. Louis Area Foodbank, meals from Big Meechie Food Truck, and basic...
PIASA - Alexis Partney is a dedicated student. For her hard work, Alexis Partney is a Student of the Month for Southwestern High School. Partney, a student, has played soccer since her freshman year. She also recently started playing on the golf team, which has been a lot of fun. It takes responsibilit...
ALTON - Alton Middle School students will take a historical tour of Alton. The Alton Community Unit School District #11 has partnered with Alton Odyssey Tours so students can take “The Abolitionists of Alton” tour. Students will engage with reenactors and learn more about each historical...
ALTON - Local artists can compete in a plein air art competition while supporting local recreation areas. From May 1–31, 2026, artists over age 16 are encouraged to draw or paint the scenery in person at up to eight featured Rivers Project recreation areas. You can then pay a $25 submission...
ALTON - Students at East Elementary School in Alton were starstruck during a special portable planetarium presentation. On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, students loaded into SIUE’s StarLab, a mobile planetarium that travels to different schools for presentations. Students could stargaze and...
GRAFTON - Grafton’s Music in the Park returns for another season of free live concerts in the middle of town. Peg Brooks stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk through this year’s schedule. She pointed out that this year’s 18-week season is the...
ALTON - During their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education unanimously appointed Claire Gorman to the role of assistant principal at Alton Middle School. “I am a graduate of Alton, so it is definitely an honor to step...
ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education recognized April’s Optimist Students of the Month. During their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Board of Education honored Alton Middle School student Luca Brundis and Mark Twain School student Ja’cari...
BRIGHTON - Southwestern Community Unit School District #9 and the Illinois State Board of Education recently recognized a local teacher for her work. Tiffany Hanslow, a first-grade teacher at Brighton North Primary School, received the Those Who Excel Award of Special Recognition. This award honor...
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