Expanding Impact Across Southern Illinois
The Southern Illinois Leadership Community continues to build on strong momentum, with pilot schools in Vienna, Herrin, and Carbondale successfully implementing key 2-year program goals. These early successes are now serving as a model for broader regional adoption. Looking ahead, the focus is on sustaining this progress and scaling impact. Existing goals will remain in […]
Vienna Students Pioneer Dual Credential Welding Pathway
Two Vienna High School seniors, Daniel Holderfield and Hunter Wasuleski, are making school history as the first students in the Shawnee Community College district to graduate from high school while completing Shawnee Community College’s one-year Combination Welding certificate program. Through a partnership with Shawnee Community College, the students received hands-on, industry-focused training aligned with American […]
Vienna High and Shawnee College Dual Graduation for the Class of 2026
This spring, 17 students of Vienna High School’s Class of 2026 are also graduating with their college degrees. For over a decade, Vienna High School has had multiple students march to pomp and circumstance back-to-back. Class of 2026 seniors Brynndolyn Schiller, Bryce Partridge, Destiny Graham, Heather Aldrich, Kristen Williams, Laney Slife, Briley Merchant, Cadence Hennesy, […]
Legislative Tour Features Student Speakers in Southern Illinois
State legislators, SI Now executive director, students, ISBE and DCEO staff, along with regional leaders visited career and educational programs affiliated with Vienna High School and Five County Regional Vocational, as part of a Southern Illinois legislative tour focused on workforce development, career and technical education (CTE), the return on investment relating to evidence based […]
Incoming Freshmen CTE Day
Vienna High School welcomed eighth-grade students from its feeder schools, Buncombe Grade School, Cypress Grade School, Dongola, New Simpson Hill, and Vienna Grade School, for its 2026 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Day. The event invited incoming freshmen and other students considering enrollment at Vienna High School for the 2026–27 school year to explore the […]
Shawnee College CTE Day
In February 2026, Vienna sophomores had the opportunity to attend the Career Technical Education Day at Shawnee Community College. Students were introduced to numerous career education opportunities available at Shawnee. “As they came back to school, many students were excited about potential career opportunities and spoke with excitement about their experience,” said Vienna’s Director of […]
Vienna Students Earn Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification
Students in Mrs. Leslie Bradley’s Education class at Vienna High School recently completed their Youth Mental Health First Aid certification, gaining skills that will serve them well in future careers, centered on helping others. The certification was made possible through instruction from Arrowleaf professionals, Emily Middleton and Fallon Mills, who guided students through training focused […]
Vienna Students Receive Golden Apple Scholarships
Two Vienna High School students, Gracyn Horn and Kylie Vaughn, have been named recipients of the prestigious Golden Apple Scholarship. Gracyn is a current member of the Success Network’s Student Advisory Council. The award, which provides financial support, mentorship, and hands-on experience, recognizes future educators committed to teaching excellence and service. With the addition of […]
Vienna Students and Staff Present at National Conference
Vienna High School was recognized on the national stage when two staff members, social workers Edna Bundren and Brandi Hammond, along with two seniors, Krista McBride and Joscelyn Morrow, were invited to present at the National Conference on Tobacco and Health held in Chicago. This opportunity stemmed from a dual-credit Social Work class project. As […]
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 — […]