Two-year-old Jaidan Slater plunges through a water fountain to cool off in the 91 degree heat at Play-for-All-Park in South Jacksonville.

Two-year-old Jaidan Slater plunges through a water fountain to cool off in the 91 degree heat at Play-for-All-Park in South Jacksonville.

Illinois School for the Deaf senior Marianne Pangilinan examines a dental X-ray at the school. Ms. Pangilinan said, through an interpreter, that she had never seen one up close and was fascinated by it. The X-ray was one of the items brought by Jenn

Illinois School for the Deaf senior Marianne Pangilinan examines a dental X-ray at the school. Ms. Pangilinan said, through an interpreter, that she had never seen one up close and was fascinated by it. The X-ray was one of the items brought by Jennifer Plunk for her presentation on being a dental hygienist. The entire high school student body rotated through presentations about careers, such as a certified nurses assistant, nail technician and Web designer, as well as dental hygienist.

Camper Cherie Johnson (center) dances with  counselors Josh Knott (right) and Rachel Seymour (second from left) at Camp Courage. Ms. Johnson has been attending the camp for children & young adults with disabilities each summer for the past

Camper Cherie Johnson (center) dances with  counselors Josh Knott (right) and Rachel Seymour (second from left) at Camp Courage. Ms. Johnson has been attending the camp for children & young adults with disabilities each summer for the past 28 years. “It’s a lot of fun that’s why I come back every year,” said Ms. Johnson.  

A young competitor pauses to check his competition during the watermelon eating contest as part of Meredosia's Fourth of July festivities.

A young competitor pauses to check his competition during the watermelon eating contest as part of Meredosia's Fourth of July festivities.

A Buddhist monk from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in India works on a mandala sand painting in the atrium of Illinois College’s Parker Science Building in Jacksonville. Eight monks from the monastery did the work over four days at the college. Upo

A Buddhist monk from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in India works on a mandala sand painting in the atrium of Illinois College’s Parker Science Building in Jacksonville. Eight monks from the monastery did the work over four days at the college. Upon completion, the monks consecrate the work and allow a short viewing of the mandala before it is destroyed.

Mae McMillen sits with fellow Lincoln Land Community College graduates Randel Britton (left) and Regina Rusciolelli at the college’s commencement in Springfield. At age 76, she is the second oldest person to graduate from the school and the oldest t

Mae McMillen sits with fellow Lincoln Land Community College graduates Randel Britton (left) and Regina Rusciolelli at the college’s commencement in Springfield. At age 76, she is the second oldest person to graduate from the school and the oldest to graduate from the LLCC Jacksonville campus.

Two-year-old Carnell James McGee jumps on Aaron Williams’ back at Minnie Barr Park. Mr. Williams was playing with his nephew while waiting with other players for the Slamfest 3-on-3 basketball tournament to begin.

Two-year-old Carnell James McGee jumps on Aaron Williams’ back at Minnie Barr Park. Mr. Williams was playing with his nephew while waiting with other players for the Slamfest 3-on-3 basketball tournament to begin.

Illinois College freshmen women square off against the sophomores during the evening powder puff football game on the college’s campus. The freshmen ladies won the consolation game to place third, beating the sophomores 20-18. The powder puff footba

Illinois College freshmen women square off against the sophomores during the evening powder puff football game on the college’s campus. The freshmen ladies won the consolation game to place third, beating the sophomores 20-18. The powder puff football game was a tradition for several years and then fell by the wayside. This is the third year that the homecoming week tradition has been revived at the school.

Bluffs Elementary School student Brianna Long arranges letters on an overhead projector to spell a word her first-grade teacher, Jennifer Taylor, has chosen. The exercise helps teach phonics — the application of sounds to letters. Bluffs School Dist

Bluffs Elementary School student Brianna Long arranges letters on an overhead projector to spell a word her first-grade teacher, Jennifer Taylor, has chosen. The exercise helps teach phonics — the application of sounds to letters. Bluffs School District received a $300,000 federal grant to become a Reading First school. Students in grades kindergarten to third spend 90 minutes of uninterrupted time each day on reading instruction. Students are assessed on their progress periodically and changes in instruction can be made.

While a Tin Man costume made entirely out of duct tape may seem like a good idea, Nick Kennedy found that his head-to-toe costume considerably restricted his range of motion. Friends of Mr. Kennedy caught him from falling backward before the start o

While a Tin Man costume made entirely out of duct tape may seem like a good idea, Nick Kennedy found that his head-to-toe costume considerably restricted his range of motion. Friends of Mr. Kennedy caught him from falling backward before the start of the MacMurray College Homecoming Parade. About six people had to help lift Mr. Kennedy onto the three-foot-high flatbed trailer, then prop him upright. He was able to sling candy to the crowds with a sidearm throw. Mr. Kennedy and the group BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning Health of University Students) were rewarded for their efforts, and discomfort, placing first among the college’s club entries in the float competition.

Noah Bridges, 8, (right) had been wearing a yukata — a traditional Japanese style of dress — only moments earlier, but that did not stop him from poking fellow Cub Scout Mason Pohlman, 9, with a chopstick and giving some good-natured teasing. Aki Ya

Noah Bridges, 8, (right) had been wearing a yukata — a traditional Japanese style of dress — only moments earlier, but that did not stop him from poking fellow Cub Scout Mason Pohlman, 9, with a chopstick and giving some good-natured teasing. Aki Yamaguchi, from Ritsumeikan University in Japan, watches after getting Mason dressed. The yukata is a form of traditional summer clothing worn by men and women before Western-style clothing was introduced. The boys’ troop was visiting the Matsuri festival hosted by Japanese exchange students at Illinois College. 

Seventh grade English teacher, Tim Chipman shows off his banjo skills while teaching the class a song related to the story of Tom Sawyer. The seventh grade at Turner will be visiting Hannibal, Mo. at the end of the school year to learn more abo

Seventh grade English teacher, Tim Chipman shows off his banjo skills while teaching the class a song related to the story of Tom Sawyer. The seventh grade at Turner will be visiting Hannibal, Mo. at the end of the school year to learn more about Mark Twain and the book. Mr. Chipman plans on singing with students on the bus. 

Doug Potter (left) and Merle Steward, of Jacksonville Art Glass, install a repaired panel of the “Mother of Sorrows” stained glass window at Our Saviour Church in Jacksonville. 

Doug Potter (left) and Merle Steward, of Jacksonville Art Glass, install a repaired panel of the “Mother of Sorrows” stained glass window at Our Saviour Church in Jacksonville. 

Illinois School for the Deaf student Krista Brown signs to fellow student Amanda Aillon recently during a Spanish I class at Jacksonville High School. Krista and Amanda, along with ISD student Barb Garard, are taking the Spanish class at JHS with he

Illinois School for the Deaf student Krista Brown signs to fellow student Amanda Aillon recently during a Spanish I class at Jacksonville High School. Krista and Amanda, along with ISD student Barb Garard, are taking the Spanish class at JHS with help from an interpreter/typist. The game that is being played on the overhead projector in the background is called “matamoscas.” It reinforces Spanish vocabulary and phrases by pitting two students against each other. The Spanish word or phrase is said by the teacher, and the first student to tap the written word or phrase wins. Krista and Amanda played along with the hearing students by reading lips or watching their interpreter sign the word or phrase.

Debbie Etychison (left) drops the reins of her donkey in the confusion of going after a loose ball, which Chuck Ross (center) eventually recovered during a game of Donkey Basketball at Waverly Elementary. Fellow teammate Bill Pool tries to control h

Debbie Etychison (left) drops the reins of her donkey in the confusion of going after a loose ball, which Chuck Ross (center) eventually recovered during a game of Donkey Basketball at Waverly Elementary. Fellow teammate Bill Pool tries to control his animal at right. The Waverly Sports Boosters pitted teams of community members, school staff and high school seniors against each other in donkey basketball as a fundraiser for the district's athletic departments.

Portraits cover the walls of Jacksonville artist Steve Varble’s home office. Varble said he originally decorated his dorm room in college with magazine portraits and decided to continue the motif in his work place.

Portraits cover the walls of Jacksonville artist Steve Varble’s home office. Varble said he originally decorated his dorm room in college with magazine portraits and decided to continue the motif in his work place.

Marine Warren Musch landed on Iwo Jima on the first day of the invasion, Feb. 19, 1945. He spent 36 days on the island as a combat intelligence officer. He’s pictured in the battle uniform that he can still wear at age 85.

Marine Warren Musch landed on Iwo Jima on the first day of the invasion, Feb. 19, 1945. He spent 36 days on the island as a combat intelligence officer. He’s pictured in the battle uniform that he can still wear at age 85.

Jacksonville High School graduate Jessi Flynn plans to pursue a welding career by taking the nine-month certification course at Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield.

Jacksonville High School graduate Jessi Flynn plans to pursue a welding career by taking the nine-month certification course at Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield.

Margaret Elliott will be showing off her doll collection, about 1,000 in all, at her home in Roodhouse during the Greene County Days celebration. She will be collecting a free-will donation from visitors, and children are welcome. Money raised will

Margaret Elliott will be showing off her doll collection, about 1,000 in all, at her home in Roodhouse during the Greene County Days celebration. She will be collecting a free-will donation from visitors, and children are welcome. Money raised will be given to the Roodhouse Food Pantry and to individuals who need help paying for eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries. 

Jacksonville High School graduate Willis Hance, shown here in his home metalsmithing shop, has been selected as the Journal Courier's most promising art student.

Jacksonville High School graduate Willis Hance, shown here in his home metalsmithing shop, has been selected as the Journal Courier's most promising art student.