Two Illinois State RSOs Receive Senior Professionals Service Learning Awards

Two Illinois State University registered student organizations are the recipients of Service Learning Award grants from the Senior Professionals of Illinois State, a group of 170 retired professionals who serve the University and community.  Black Students through Awareness Resurrecting a Revolution (BlackS.T.A.R.R) will receive $300  and the Theatre Education Association will receive $200 toward their service learning projects. 

BlackS.T.A.R.R., a group formed to spread awareness regarding injustices against minorities and the underprivileged, will work with The Baby Fold to host Coping with Stress through the Arts.  The program will provide a theatrical production for Baby Fold children focusing on social issues the children might experience and offering solutions for various scenarios.  Classroom interviews at Hammitt Schools will provide information for BlackS.T.A.R.R to assemble individualized packages for the children based on their personal hobbies.  

The Theatre Education Association, formed to strengthen theatre arts education and foster creative learning among area youth, will use their grant to perform one-act plays at area high schools.  The plays are based around ideas such as breaking through and overcoming obstacles.  The plays include The Man of Infinite Sadness, California Suite, Fourteen, Pizza: A Love Story, Nothing in Common, Wiley and the Hairy Man, The Ferris Wheel, The Judgment Call, Martha’s Choice, Seeing the Light and The Frog Prince.  Some 30 Illinois State University students enrolled in Principles of Education 385 will engage more than 90 area high school students through the plays. 

The service learning grant recipients will make a presentation at the annual meeting of the Senior Professionals in May.

For more information, contact Anita Revelle, director of Senior Professionals, at (309) 438-2818 or by e-mail at arrevel@ilstu.edu