fred@mahometnews.com

They may not be changing the entire world, but several Mahomet women are diligently pursuing the cause.

The latest project for members of the Mahomet Persisterhood organization is the second musical benefit to support Planned Parenthood of Illinois.

The outdoor event will be held at the Rose Bowl Tavern, on Race Street, in Urbana and is from 3-11 p.m. on Saturday, June 7.

Committee member Lisa Cosimini was inspired to help by a portion of Michelle Obama’s speech last summer at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

She took the words to heart, “Do something,” Obama said during her speech.

Event organizer Maggie Kinnamon can relate to the sentiments.

“Action is medicine for me,” Kinnamon said. “It’s easy to fall into hopelessness if you don’t stay active and that’s a real possibility for me.

“Action helps perpetuate more action.”

Another committee member, Corrie Carlson, said it wouldn’t have been possible for her to stand by the wayside and do nothing.

“It’s in my bones to do something … always,” Carlson said. “I cannot watch the world go by without doing something to move things forward, especially for folks without a seat at the table.

“Women need more seats at the table. Economically disadvantaged folks need more seats at the table. Planned Parenthood ticks both of these boxes. I despise injustice, so ‘doing something’ is my way of fighting it.”

Cosimini believes the upcoming benefit, highlighted by a silent auction and eight musical acts, will be “bigger and better,” than the first venture, which took place in March, 2017.

“We have more time (to prepare) and experience,” Cosimini said. “It was such a success the first time. We are excited to do it again.”

Kinnamon said the first Planned Parenthood benefit eight years ago raised more than $11,000.

It’s not by accident that both benefits were scheduled for the first months after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

“The idea originated in 2017 recognizing that reproductive rights were at risk,” committee member Diana Onken said. “Eight years later, we’re in a similar circumstance even though Illinois is a state where reproductive rights are valued and people can come and have access to what they need.”

Kinnamon said the timing was right for both benefits.

“The first time was the feeling of a lot of fear, what might happen because of the rhetoric,” Kinnamon said. “I had the reaction, I want to do something to counter the messaging.”

She drew upon her background in music to implement her plan.

“Because music is an integral part of my life and because music brings people together, I wanted to do a benefit concert for some organization I thought was in jeopardy,” Kinnamon said.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois was the recipient, then and now.

“It’s an organization that helps and impacts so many people,” Kinnamon said. “Everyone I know has gone or knows someone who has gone.”

The first Music in Action event, held in downtown Champaign at the location formerly known as the High Dive, was planned and staged in a matter of weeks.

“We didn’t know what we were doing, but we did it,” Kinnamon said. “It gave everyone an emotional boost.

“This time around, there will be a lot of the same elements.”

Unchanged, is the support of community members.

Kinnamon estimated that “10 or 12 people,” helped pull together the 2017 benefit. This year, she said, “at least 20 people have been involved.

“We learned that there is less work for all of us if more people are involved.”

The first benefit for Planned Parenthood of Illinois laid the groundwork for future Persisterhood endeavors.

“Our core group has been at it – protests, organization, fundraising, canvassing, elections, etc. – since that first Music in Action, so now we know what we’re doing,” committee member Corrie Carlson said. “We really had no idea the first time around. We were just angry and passionate and motivated.

“We’ve moved from analogue to digital this time around for the silent auction. We’re leveraging the relationships we’ve made over the last nine years to pull in support and talent.”

Not surprisingly, Cosimini has had very few negative responses as she sought donations for the auction to accompany Music in Action 2.0.

“People have been super generous,” she said. “Overall, our auction baskets/packages are wide-ranging and there will be something for everyone. In fact, I expect many people will bid on multiple items.”

Winners do not need to be present to receive their items.

For Carlson, the cause is meaningful.

“Planned Parenthood has taken care of me, personally,” she said. “I have daughters. They do important work, for both men and women.”

The end goal is a simple one.

“I want to support them like they supported me, and I want their work to continue,” Carlson said. “I hope that we raise awareness about Planned Parenthood. They do so much more work than folks think. I hope that women have access to affordable reproductive health.”

And, she added, “I hope the Supreme Court grows a conscience.”

Among the dozens of highlighted items to be available when the online auction bidding opens several days before the June 7 event are:

— $2,500 scholarship to The Royal School of Cosmetology

— sessions with a life coach

— personal training

— genealogy research

— a children’s garden party

— autographed books from a Mahomet author

— a money tree

A minimum bid will be established for each item. People who bid will be notified if someone makes a higher bid.

There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

Cosimini said additional donations will be accepted until May 31. For more information, contact mahometpersisterhood@gmail.com.

The Rose Bowl, which has donated its outdoor venue, has booked a lineup of eight local musical acts, all of whom are also donating their time:

3 p.m.-4 p.m., PBS
4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Wildwood
6 p.m.-7 p.m., New Souls

7-7:10 p.m. – Tevo Jordan
7:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Squirrel Movement
8:20 p.m.-8:50 p.m., Dollhouse
9:10 p.m.-9:50 p.m., The Ex Bombers
10:15 p.m.-11p.m., Modern Drugs

“We’re excited that local bands will get to showcase their talents,” Onken said. “The music will cover the gamut (of genres).”

Carrie Chandler, the talent buyer and venue manager at the Rose Bowl, said that “most of the acts,” are ones she is familiar with from previous appearances at the Rose Bowl.

“We have live music every night, 365 days a year and often have two acts a night,” Chandler said.

The performers selected for Music in Action 2.0 will appeal to a wide range of interests.

“There will be rock, bluegrass, R & B, Punk and Indie rock,” Chandler said.

Kinnamon’s children have been involved with each of the Music in Action benefits. Sons Kyle and Kade performed as a duo in 2017. This year, daughter Kara will perform with Dollhouse.

There will be a $20 suggested donation when entering.

Funds raised will go to Planned Parenthood of Illinois. There are clinics around the state, including Champaign.

“Wherever the resources are most needed is where they should go,” Onken said.

The Rose Bowl doesn’t expect weather to be a factor.

“We have a backup plan (for bad weather) so we won’t have to cancel the event,” Chandler said.

The secondary plan would be to relocate inside, which would cut down capacity.

Chandler said the outdoor venue can accommodate “300 to 400 people,” whereas inside would be “a little cozy,” she added, with around 200 to 225 people.

There are unforeseen benefits for the volunteers, Carlson said, in addition to supporting Planned Parenthood.

“I’ve learned so much about myself throughout these projects, and I’ve made the truest and most passionately loving friends I’ve ever had,” Carlson said. “These women and I are out to change the world for our future generations.

“We have accomplished incredible things. It’s wild how one tiny idea, borne out of fear and sadness, can unite an entire community of women. It’s encouraging and badass.”

Cosimini, Kinnamon, Carlson and Onken do not know yet what the next Persisterhood project will be.

“All of us have in mind that this won’t be the last one,” Cosimini said.

The Persisterhood members have been involved in different ways despite the time between the two music fundraisers.

“All of us have full-time jobs,” Cosimini said. “What we’re doing is in our spare time.”

Added Kinnamon: “This is such a big endeavor. We’ve done other things. There are other ways to be socially active.”

When the time comes, Carlson will be prepared.

“I’m all in for it,” she said.

What they – and others in their organization – are doing is something. Really something.

The post Music in Action 2.0: Mahomet Women Rally Community for Planned Parenthood Benefit Concert first appeared on SJO Daily.

Trevor Ames shot an 86 to lead the St. Joseph-Ogden golf team on Saturday (Sept. 21) at the 13-school Paris Invitational.

Ames had a top-20 finish individually and SJ-O ended in sixth place with a team score of 359.

Asher Pruemer carded an 89 for the Spartans. Following him were teammates Graham Ray (90), Devan Swisher (94), Garrett Loschen (95) and Isaiah Uskali (103).

The Spartans return to action on Tuesday (Sept. 24) in the Illini Prairie Conference Tournament.

The post Ames Leads SJ-O Golf with Top-20 Finish at Paris Invitational, Team Secures Sixth Place first appeared on SJO Daily.

For the fourth consecutive game, a St. Joseph-Ogden soccer player recorded a hat trick on Saturday (Sept. 21) in a 7-1 win at home on Dick Duval Field over Chillicothe IVC.

Alex Acosta led the offensive attack. He logged three assists in addition to his three-goal performance.

The hat trick was his first of the season.

Logan Mills scored twice for the Spartans. Zach Harper contributed a goal and an assist. Davin Alvarez notched a goal and Steven Newman had an assist.

Jaxson Colvin saved seven shots.

SJ-O (11-2-1) is on an 11-match streak where it has outscored the opposition, 73-6.

The Spartans return to action on Tuesday (Sept. 24) at Tolono Unity.

The post Acosta’s Hat Trick Powers SJ-O Soccer to Dominant 7-1 Victory Over Chillicothe IVC first appeared on SJO Daily.

St. Joseph-Ogden teammates Savanna Franzen and Grace Bressner ran second and third, respectively, on Saturday (Sept. 21) in the open division of the 540-runner Peoria Notre Dame Richard Spring girls’ cross-country invitational at Peoria’s Detweiller Park.

Franzen covered the 3-mile layout in 18 minutes, 24.83 seconds. Bressner crossed the finish line in 19:05.73.

In the team chase, the Spartans tied for 17^th among the 40 full teams in the open division with 540 points. Meet champion St. Ignatius totaled 63 points.

The Spartans’ other finishers were Abigail Bello (134^th in 21:52.28), Sydney Steinbach (321^st in 24:30.04) and Kiah Riesel (411^th in 26:05.87).

Bressner and Bello both posted season-best times.

SJ-O returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 28) in its own Spartan Classic.

The post Franzen and Bressner Lead SJ-O with Top-3 Finishes at Peoria Notre Dame Invitational first appeared on SJO Daily.

St. Joseph-Ogden runners Jack Fisher and Lance Retz secured top-15 finishes on Saturday (Sept. 21) in the open division of the 665-runner Peoria Notre Dame Richard Spring boys’ cross-country invitational at Peoria’s Detweiller Park.

Fisher ran the 3-mile course in 16 minutes, 7.75 seconds and placed fifth. Retz was 13^th in 16:40.54.

As a team, SJ-O ended in 11^th with 200 points. Open division champion Mason had 46 points. A total of 47 schools fielded full teams.

Other Spartan placers were E.J. Beckett (44^th in 17:14.48), Colin Burnett (51^st in 17:18.57), Nate Farney (106^th in 17:56.42), Aiden Hundley (180^th in 18:36.99), Mark Harbourt (362^nd in 20:22.93) and Hunter Dilley (437^th in 21:06.79).

Fisher, Retz, Beckett, Hundley and Harbourt all ran their quickest 3-mile times of the season.

SJ-O will return to action on Saturday (Sept. 28) in its own Spartan Classic.

The post Fisher and Retz Lead SJ-O with Top-15 Finishes at Peoria Notre Dame Invitational first appeared on SJO Daily.

Ava Seggebruch logged four kills and four digs on Thursday (Sept. 19) for the St. Joseph-Ogden volleyball team, which dropped its Illini Prairie Conference opener at home to St. Thomas More, 25-10, 25-12.

Seggebruch and Addi Childers each had one block assist.

Emma McKinney handed out seven assists and Emerson Williams finished with four digs.

SJ-O (8-8) returns to action on Monday (Sept. 23) at home against Marshall.

The post Seggebruch Leads SJ-O in Tough Loss to St. Thomas More in Conference Opener first appeared on SJO Daily.

Lily Rice, in singles, and the doubles team of Samantha Kelso and Madison Clampitt were victorious on Thursday (Sept. 19) for St. Joseph-Ogden, which dropped a 7-2 decision to Pontiac in a girls’ tennis meet at the Atkins Tennis Center.

Rice won at No. 6 singles, 6-1, 6-4.

Kelso and Clampitt, competing at No. 2 doubles, came out on top, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8.

SJ-O (4-4) returns to action on Monday (Sept. 23) at Atkins against Decatur St. Teresa.

The post Rice and Kelso-Clampitt Duo Shine in SJ-O Tennis Loss to Pontiac first appeared on SJO Daily.

fred@mahometdaily.com

St. Joseph-Ogden’s state-ranked football team eclipsed the 40-point mark for the third time in four games on Friday (Sept. 20) en route to a 42-28 triumph at Chillicothe IVC in a penalty-marred contest.

Kodey McKinney and Wyatt Wertz both scored two touchdowns for SJ-O, which built a 21-0 lead in the opening quarter.

The Spartans led, 28-7, at halftime and showed TDs on all four of their first-half possessions.

The two teams combined to be whistled for 28 penalties resulting in 190 yards of total walk-offs.

“It was hard to get any flow or rhythm,” SJ-O coach Shawn Skinner said, “but the kids did a good job of responding. We did as good of a job as we could want from an effort standpoint.”

McKinney got his team on the board with a 12-catch scoring strike to Tanner Siems in the opening period. The first of Charlie Schmitz’s six conversion placements lifted the Spartans into a 7-0 lead.

McKinney connected on 18 of 21 pass attempts, throwing for 230 yards. He is 23 yards from reaching 1,000 for the season.

“He had his cleanest game and was more of a vocal leader,” Skinner said. “He’s getting a feel for what we’re trying to do.”

Wertz rushed for 51 yards and McKinney gained 33 yards on the ground.

The team’s other TD was on a 5-yard run by Coy Taylor, who snared nine passes for 112 yards. Siems had 68 receiving yards and Tim Blackburn-Kelley hauled in five receptions for 50 yards.

The SJ-O defense and special teams units also fared well.

Blackburn-Kelley returned a punt to the 50-yard line and a subsequent penalty allowed SJ-O to start at the IVC 35-yard line.

“Three of our touchdown drives started in their territory,” Skinner said.

Collin Thomey intercepted a pass and broke up another attempt. Logan Rosenthal, who filled in at middle linebacker after Jared Altenbaumer was injured, had a team-high 12 tackles in what Skinner said was “his first extended varsity-level time.”

James Barron not only had 10 tackles, but also had a sack, three tackles for loss and a pass defended. Kyler Swanson broke up two passes.

“This was the fourth week in a row the offense we prepared for turned out to be something different than what we had seen on film,” Skinner said. “Teams are doing things to try and keep our offense off the field or to keep up with us.

“Our linebackers are doing a really good job. We’re starting five linebackers because we’ve got them and our defense is based on that.”

Ryker Lockhart finished with 10 tackles and Nolan Earley – the lone two-way starter for the Spartans – ended with nine  stops and a tackle for loss.

SJ-O’s 4-0 start includes three wins away from home. The Spartans return to action on Friday (Sept. 27) at Dick Duval Field against Carterville (3-1), which has been receiving votes in the Class 4A state rankings.

SJ-O was ranked fourth in last week’s Associated Press Class 3A state poll. Three of the team’s final five regular-season games will be at home.

The post St. Joseph-Ogden Remains Undefeated with 42-28 Victory Over Chillicothe IVC in Penalty-Ridden Game first appeared on SJO Daily.

Alex Vaughn and Jacob Walker both fired 50s to place among the top five individually in a junior varsity boys’ golf meet for St. Joseph-Ogden at Willow Pond, in Rantoul, on Thursday (Sept. 12).

The Spartans’ JV team lost to Hoopeston Area.

Other leaders for SJ-O were Conlan Gill (55), Finn Miller (55), Caleb Cotter (59) and Jackson Good (59).

SJ-O returns to action on Monday (Sept. 16) against St. Thomas More at Lincolnshire Fields, in Champaign.

The post Vaughn and Walker Lead St. Joseph-Ogden JV Golf in Match at Willow Pond first appeared on SJO Daily.

Jack Fisher was the top St. Joseph-Ogden runner in the Saturday (Sept. 14) in the 607-runner Richard Spring boys’ cross-country invitational at Peoria’s Detweiller Park.

Fisher’s 3-mile time was 16 minutes, 28.80 seconds. He placed 40th.

He was one of 10 Spartan competitors.

Trailing him were Colin Burnett (110^th in 17:17.80), Nate Farney (139^th in 17:34.60), Joe Griebat (148^th in 17:40.00), E.J. Beckett (151^st in 17:42.90), Aiden Hundley (283^rd in 19:19.90), Hunter Dilley (386^th in 20:37.80), Mark Harbourt (410^th in 21:01.90), Nathan Hinkel (432^nd in 21:35.10) and Sam Zadeh (510^th in 22:47.70).

SJ-O returns to action on Tuesday (Sept. 17) at Monticello’s Lodge Park.

The post Fisher Leads St. Joseph-Ogden with 40th-Place Finish at Richard Spring Cross-Country Invitational first appeared on SJO Daily.