April 23, 2009
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NORMAL, Ill. - A group of students at Frank C. Whiteley Elementary School in Hoffman Estates, Ill., have been learning about Illinois State this year and received a very special surprise Monday, April 20. A group of 16 Illinois State students, including eight Redbird student-athletes, made a visit to the school as a reward for the students' hard work this school year.
Whiteley School participates in the No Excuses University Program, which promotes the importance of higher education to elementary school students. Each class in the school is assigned a college and learns all about its history, academics and athletics.
Stephanie Kovarik, a 2002 Illinois State graduate, chose ISU for her class of fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students. Kovarik contacted the ISU Athletics Department for some Redbird paraphernalia for her students and classroom, but she received more than she could've ever expected. A group of ISU students and student-athletes became pen pals with the kids, exchanging e-mails throughout the year. The college students told their stories of how they came to ISU and encouraged the elementary students to continue to work hard in school in order to reach the same goal.
The ISU students arrived at the school Monday morning and surprised the Whiteley students, who were decked out in Redbird gear because they were told they were having an ISU fun day, but had no idea they would have such special visitors. Once the shock wore off, they all went down to the cafeteria to have breakfast and play games, including bags, wiffle ball and bingo. The Whiteley students then gave their ISU friends a tour of the school and the day ended with a pizza party.
