SI Now and its Partners Launch Regional Career Connections Calendar
Driven by input from local educators and businesses, the Regional Career Connections calendar was created to better link Southern Illinois students with local career opportunities. By hosting a company visit or other career-connected event, local companies offer students a behind-the-scenes look at their workplace, introduce them to potential career paths, and help shape the future workforce — […]
College and High School at the Same Time in Vienna
For over a decade, Vienna High School has had multiple students who have marched to pomp and circumstance back-to-back. Class of 2025 seniors Ethyn Bradley (SCC), Jael Griesbach (SIC), Ora Goines (SIC), Leeann Jackson (SCC), Briley McBride (SCC), Tracy Simpson (SCC), Kendyl Sparks (SCC), Gabrielle Taylor (SCC), and Parker Trovillion (SCC) have not only completed […]
Vienna High School Recognizes Students Earning CNA and CCPE
Sherie Smith, Vienna nursing instructor, pinned 23 new nurses graduating from the Vienna High School program. The pinning featured remarks from principal John Giffin, Shawnee College dean of allied health and nursing Mandy Hannon, Max Hook with a scholarship presentation, and superintendent Dr. Joshua Stafford. Vienna’s program is regulated under the Illinois Department of Public […]
Southern Illinois Region
In October, SI NOW’s education and workforce task force partnered with the Success Network to host an education and workforce asset mapping meeting focused on the Southern Illinois region. This convening highlighted key challenges, desired outcomes, scaling needs, and priorities for advancing career pathways for Southern Illinois students. Nearly 30 stakeholders representing SI Now’s 17-county footprint attended […]
1,789 Students from Leadership Communities Receive College and Career Pathway Endorsements
Leadership Confere
Vienna’s Class of 2024 Earns Over $1.8 Million in Scholarships
The Vienna High School Class of 2024 has achieved a remarkable milestone, collectively earning more than $1.8 million in scholarship awards. This impressive accomplishment highlights the dedication, hard work, and academic excellence of the 76 graduates. The scholarship awards come from a variety of sources, including universities, local organizations, and national programs. These funds will […]
Nurses Pinning in Vienna High School
Vienna High School’s health occupations program has produced another group of Illinois Department of Public Health certificate nursing assistants. The school has produced generations of nurses from the program who are ready for employment immediately upon completion. Nursing instructor Sherie Smith shared, “This class had a bit of a change. We had six seniors and […]
ISBE Recognizes Career Pathways at Vienna High School
Students in the Vienna school system have yet again achieved state-level recognition with Career and College Pathway Endorsements (CCPE) approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) in teacher education, social work, certified nursing, agriculture mechanics, and construction craft. Over the last several years, Vienna has been actively working on ensuring that all students […]
Vienna Adopts Policy to Hire Graduates with Education Endorsement
With the teacher shortage affecting schools in the region and around the nation, Vienna High School has taken steps to encourage its graduates to apply as teachers upon completion of their college degree and teacher credentials.
Future Teacher Program Highlights
The Southern Illinois Future Teacher Coalition (SIFTC) has aided in the creation of Educators Rising or Future Teachers Clubs in the following 20 southern Illinois high schools: Anna Jonesboro, Cairo, Carterville, Century, Cobden, Dongola, Eldorado, Frankfort, Goreville, Hardin County, Harrisburg, Herrin, Johnston City, Joppa, Marion, Massac County, Meridian, Shawnee, Trico, and Vienna with 386 students […]