B-I-N-G-O!

With finals finally over, the ladies had time to relax & unwind. We decided to do our annual BINGO game. It was a lot of fun...especially after such a hard week of studying. Check out the video of Monet's bingo & a few other pics!

  

  

Zipporah Williams Named Midwest Conference Performer of the Week

Zipporah Williams - Center - Monmouth College

Junior - Chicago, Ill.

Williams recorded her 11th career double-double to will the Fighting Scots to a 72-69 overtime win against Central last Saturday. The junior center poured in a game-high 21 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as Monmouth evened their record at 1-1. She scored the first four points for the Scots in OT to finish the game 9-of-11 from the field. She had opened the season with a 14-point, eight rebound effort in a 78-73 loss to Augustana on Wednesday. For the season, Williams is averaging 17.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. She’s shooting 64 percent from the field, hitting 14 of her 22 field goal attempts and is a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe.

Red/White Scrimmage

Our Red/White scrimmage was a great learning experience. We have some important aspects to focus on: limiting turnovers, setting up/running our organized offense & aggressive initial pressure on our press. Though it wasn't perfect, we are making great strides & working hard to be successful. It should be a GREAT season! GO SCOTS!!

 

 

 

 

 

  

MCWB Seniors Detail Thier Experience!!

1. The best thing about being a Fighting Scot is…

Kerry Kost: The best thing about being a Fighting Scot is school sprit that is on the campus. On a day of a game you have countless people tell you good luck and show their support for your sport. Teachers and students alike all get very involved with the sports.
Haley Jones: The tradition of what it means to be a Fighting Scot. The expectations for us- it makes me want to work hard and to not let anyone down. Of course, the bagpipes as well .

2. What philanthropy/volunteer work do you do?
Kerry: I lead a faith-based service group where we focus on going into our local community and doing service work. With that group we are involved with projects like Kids Against Hunger and Operation Backpack where we help fill bags for students who do not have sufficient meals over the weekend.
Haley: I am currently volunteering my time at the 1st Street Armory. I am helping put together a monthly bilingual newsletter for the community.

3. In 10 years you see yourself doing…
Kerry: In 10 years I would like to be running my own micro-financing company that gives loans to entrepreneurs in poverty throughout the world.
Haley: In 10 years I would like to see myself working in a university’s athletic office, holding an administrative position, hopefully. I would like to be married and started a family as well.

4. How has basketball helped shaped you as a person?
Kerry: Basketball has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader. It has shaped how I lead off the court as much as on the court. I would not be the leader I am today without seeing other people on our program lead by example. It has also taught me the importance of a team and how the team is more of a family that you always can depend on.
Haley: I have been around basketball all my life. It has made me a hard-working individual who is committed in everything that I do. Teamwork is essential off the court and basketball has helped that immensely in my studies and other settings.

5. What will you miss most about Monmouth College?
Kerry: I will miss my friends the most. Because it is a small campus you get to know people very well and make a lot of good bonds.
Haley: I will miss all of the people- my professors, my peers, and the coaches- they have all made my experience at Monmouth unforgettable. Everyone made it feel like home.

6. What will you miss most about MCWB?
Kerry: I will miss the team the most. My teammates are more than people I play with; they are my sisters and my best friends. There is nothing like working hard with such a great group of girls. The sense of team that we have is something that I will not find anywhere else.
Haley: The girls, the practices, the games, the road trips... almost everything. We’re a family, and no one likes leaving their family, but I know I’ll be back to visit the girls and watch them succeed in the future.

Juniors Reflect On Their Journey

1. What is something unique about your hometown/favorite thing to do there?
Colleen Forrest: Some things unique about my hometown (Deerfield, IL) are that the village hall and town square are named after my grandfather. My favorite thing to do in my hometown is to go to the beach with my friends.

Kim Coleman: I am from Chicago; the best city ever, what makes Chicago unique is the people, the educational and job opportunities it has to offer and the neat tourist spots such as Navy Pier, Millennium Park, or events like the taste of Chicago. My favorite thing to do is eat, followed by a nice North Avenue Beach run.

2. Who got you into playing basketball?
Colleen: I think it was a combination of watching the Chicago Bulls and my grandfather. My parents have been Bulls fans from as long as I can remember. I used to sit in front of the TV, cheering for “Blue Jay” because I could not say B.J. (as in B.J. Armstrong). Growing up watching the Championship Bulls definitely inspired me to play. Also, around the same time, my grandfather got me my first playskool basketball and hoop, which I used to play with all the time.

Chelsea Gross: my dad

Kim: Basketball has been in my blood, both of my parents played basketball, my mother played on the collegiate level. Both of them encourage me to play at a young age and I began to fall in love with it from there.

3. What on the court activities (basketball drills, strength and conditioning, etc.) make us successful?
Chelsea; Our shooting drills that require us to work as a team or in groups. Drills that demonstrate what we will be experiencing in games. Long and hard repetitions that help us prepare for our “40 minutes of hell.”

Colleen: As much as I don’t enjoy it, I would have to say that our strength and conditioning make us most successful, especially since we are rarely the tallest team on the court. We are able to combat the lack of height with our athleticism, speed, and endurance.

4. What are some of your favorite off the court activities you hope we continue in the future?
Chelsea: Team golf outing, gingerbread house building, team dinners at coach’s house, team Christmas bonding.

Colleen: Some of my favorite activities off the court would have to be the team golf outing, the high ropes coarse, and team movies.

5. What motto do you try to live by?
Colleen: “Pray not for lighter burdens, but for stronger backs.” –Theodore Roosevelt

Chelsea: “What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger”

6. Who is/was your most influential teacher or professor? Why?
Chelsea: Bob Foster. He is an upbeat inspirational person who I look to for advice and guidance in my academics and in the training room.

Colleen: I would have to say my 7th grade social studies professor, Mrs. Meyers. Not only did she teach me how to be a better student, but she taught me to be proud of what I know. It was her love and passion for history and knowledge that influenced me to pursue history as my major.

High Ropes Course 2011



Integrated Studies

At Monmouth College we have course series called Integrated Studies. Students will take a course each school year:
Freshmen      Introduction to Liberal Arts
Sophomore   Global Perspective
Junior            Reflections
Senior           Citizenship

I wanted to mirror this thought in a series of MCWB blog articles. Each class would reflect on questions that pertain to their level of Integrated Studies learning.
Freshmen        Introduction to college life @ MC
Sophomore     Looking at others
Junior              Reflect on your journey
Senior             The Future

One of the first things asked of the ladies is something a member of the team has done for someone else. Marla Willard (Pittsfield HS) indicates “something that I truly respect that someone on our team has done for someone else is when Coach Vac, now Coach Flatt, collected our old shoes for a fundraiser. This simple act of bringing in shoes was something that truly affected many people’s lives and her allowing us to be involved with that made me grateful of people like Coach Flatt”. Taylor Rubarts (Paxon-Buckley-Loda HS) continues with “one thing our whole team did that I found respectable was sending flowers to Kierstyn when her father passed away. This shows how close our team is and how much we care about each other. Our team is a family and when one person is down we are always there to pick each other up, no matter what”. Jasmine Johnson (West Aurora HS) agrees, saying “the one thing that I respect about all of my teammates for is that I know without a doubt in my mind that I can call any of them at any time of the day for anything at all and they will never let me down”.

Setting goals are an important part of team sports. We can achieve a lot when everyone is on the same page and knows what we have in mind to accomplish. Marla feels our goals this season are “to win conference and also bring home the conference tournament trophy! We were so close last year and we believe this year it is our turn. We tied the record last year for most wins in a season and it would be a great feeling to break our own record”. Taylor continues “this year we want to win the conference tournament and make it to the NCAA tournament. Aside from basketball goals, we want to make our team a family. When our team is a family, there is already chemistry between all of us that we don’t have to create on the court”. Kaley Corban (Prairie Central HS) indicated the “final goal that applies to the college as a whole is to keep the All-Sports trophy in our possession”.

A sense of family is something we strive to feel within our basketball team. Every family has a jokester…who is ours? The ladies debate! Jasmine & Monet Mailey (Eisenhower HS) think it is “Chelsea Gross hands down. She is hilarious at all times possible. There are so many stories I can’t just choose one. I will definitely say that whenever you're in a horrible mood she is the first one to crack a joke or talk in an extremely horrible accent to turn your entire day around”. Monet continues “I remember last year I tried to teach her how to jerk and all of her dance moves are the funniest/corniest dances ever”. Taylor, Kaley & Marla feel Jasmine Johnson is the player that “is constantly making everyone on the team laugh. She is that person when you are down you go talk to her and she always has something funny to say to lighten your mood” Kaley states, “during our pre-game scrimmages, she is always motivating the post players to work harder by saying ‘yeahhhh’, ‘comeeee on’, ‘shoooooot that’, ‘give me what you got’ every time the opposing post has the ball”. Marla would know first-hand about Jasmine since they are roommates. She tells a funny story about “after we were told before we traveled that the trip was a business trip, Jasmine comes decked out and carrying two bags like briefcases, a serious look on her face. When coach asked her why the sudden change, she simply answered, ‘Coach, this is a business trip.’ She’s always one to crack a joke at someone else or her own expense”.

Something that many of the ladies do agree on is their favorite location on campus. Taylor shares, “my favorite place on campus is Huff Athletic Center. Anytime I am stressed about school or anything else in my life going to Huff gets rid of all the stress and gives me a break”. Marla agrees stating, “there is no place I’d rather be on this campus”. Good thing since you guys spends so much time here!!

The ladies were also asked about pre-game rituals. Some were serious like Kaley admiring Colleen Forrest’s ritual of “shooting probably twenty-five minutes prior to the time we are supposed to be dressed and ready for warm-up before games. The fact that she comes in early reflects how she does in the game. It is a great pre-game ritual to have”! Other rituals were a little more superstition based like Monet “wearing the same socks for every game and also I have to kiss my basketball chain before I take it off”.

Finally, the sophomores were asked who their role models were. WARNING: this section can be a tear jerker. It’s great to see the ladies have such positive influences in their lives!!

Marla: My role model is my Grandma Greta. She was the strongest, most selfless person that I have ever known. When something needed done, no matter what it was, she did it without one single word of complaint. She was giving and kind, yet tough and expected the most out of everyone at all times. She was forgiving and honest. She was the hardest work I’ve ever known and I strive to be at least a little like her every single day.

Taylor: My parents are my role-models. They are the reason I have had success in my life. I respect the way the raised my brothers and I and wouldn’t change it for the world. They have done so much to send me so I could go to college and play basketball.

Monet: My role model is my mom and my favorite NBA player Dwyane Wade. I admire them both because they are hard workers and had to work for everything they have. Also Dwyane Wade is from a town really close to mine. I admire him even more for giving back to the community and not forgetting where he came from. Plus I was given the opportunity to attend his camp for free.

Kaley: One of my role models from a basketball perspective would have to be Haley Jones. She has high expectations for our team this year and is constantly motivating the team in pre-season scrimmages. Haley is also never afraid to think out loud. She is considered our team captain for the year, but is always counting on team input before making decisions. Haley is the definition of a leader. She is a hard-worker, keeps her word, and never gives up. These are characteristics that can not only relate to basketball, but to life as well.
- From a life perspective, both of my parents are my role models. They are my support system. They are there to motivate me and encourage me to make smart choices. I can always look to them for guidance and they count of me to follow through with any hardship that may come my way.

Jasmine: My role model is without a doubt my grandmother. Through all the trials and tribulations she has always stayed strong and never let anyone see her sweat. She has never let me down and I can only pray that I become half the woman she is someday.

MCWB newcomers answer what it is like to be a freshman at Monmouth College in the fall of 2011!

MCWB newcomers answer what it is like to be a freshman at Monmouth College in the fall of 2011! Going away to college can be nerve wracking, intimidating, but it can also be a TON of fun! MCWB freshmen tell of their transition to college life.

Kathleen Forrest (Deerfield HS) says her favorite class would have to be her Introduction to Liberal Arts (ILA) because “our class is a very close-knit group. It is like spending an hour with friends discussing philosophical topics that relate to our lives”. Jessica Howard (Galesburg HS) also enjoys her ILA class because “everyone participates and we all get along. Also my professor is cool”. College courses can also be inspiring. Tiffany Churchill (South Fulton HS) says her favorite course this semester “would have to by my 8:00am Spanish101 class. My professor Barbaro-Mandrano really makes the class enjoyable for her students. She is full of animation and never loses my attention even if it is early in the morning”.

We have very lofty goals this basketball season. Our incoming players quickly realize what a commitment it is get ourselves ready to compete at our highest level. Basketball season officially begins October 15th. Tiffany Churchill (South Fulton HS) knows she is getting in really good shape by weight lifting and conditioning with our strength & conditioning coach. The ladies meet with Coach Woodard five days a week (3 lifting, 2 fitness). Coach Woodard is in the weight room multiple hours a day and the ladies workout with him during open times in their academic schedule.

Moving into dormitory life with new people could be a challenge….however, most incoming freshmen find they had nothing to worry about and living in a dorm can be amazing! Paige Nord (Ridgeview HS) says “it is a very friendly atmosphere”. She tells the story of her roommate “waking up in the middle of the night sleep talking. She was yelling at me ‘where’s the fan?! (we don’t have a fan)”. Alyssa Riley (Warrensburg HS) agrees saying that dorm life can be a lot of fun. “I get along well with my roommate, and our floor has had a game night in order for us to meet people. One fun story would have to be when our room fan almost fell out of the window! It is now successfully duck taped to the window”.

As always, a big question remains…what’s the food like? Tiffany comments that the food here at Monmouth College is good. She says “they have a large variety of just about anything. My favorite so far is the pasta. They cook it right in front of me and I personally get to choose the ingredients they put in it”. Paige expands “it is nice to have choices outside the regular cafeteria”. Her favorite is the blueberry muffins from Einstein’s Bagels. Jessica thinks the best food on campus is Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream…hard to disagree with that! Yum!

Finally, the ladies weigh in on why they chose Monmouth College.

Tiffany: I chose Monmouth College because it truly was the only place I could see myself calling home for the next four years of my life.

Kathleen: I chose Monmouth after visiting my sister who goes here several times, it just felt like home. I also like the concentrated campus, the furthest walk is like 7 minutes. I like the small class sizes and the friendliness of the people here.

Paige: It is a small campus with good academics.

Jessica: I chose Monmouth because I wanted to receive a good education and also play basketball. Also, the campus is beautiful.

Alyssa: I chose Monmouth College because it is a smaller school. I wanted to be a name to my professors rather than a number. I also thought the campus was really pretty and had a very “homie” feeling to it. All of the people on campus were extremely friendly each time I came to visit. I also chose this college because I really like the basketball coach and my future teammates.

Class of 2015

 INTRODUCING: Kathleen Forrest (Deerfield HS)

1. What has been your proudest achievement so far?
My proudest achievement so far was reaching 1000 varsity career points this year as a three year varsity player.

2. What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?
In ten years, I picture myself teaching high school history or maybe involved in mission work or a program like the peace corps.

3. How do you define “success?”
I define success based upon how happy I/a person is. I am successful if i am happy in what I am doing regardless of what i have or how much I make.

4. How would you describe yourself to someone who did not know you?
I would describe myself as someone who people can turn to if they need anything. I would also say that I am a pretty loud and outgoing person but I also know when to be serious. I love music, and I have a very big "you get what you give" outlook on life.

5. If you could talk with any one living (or deceased) person, whom would it be and why?
If I could meet one person it would be Mother Teresa, because she is someone who chose something to live by (her faith) and did everything in her power to pursue it and that it much easier said than done. I also find it extremely admirable that even someone as strong as her can acknowledge her flaws and highlight them, to show people being a person of such strong faith isn't impossible.

6. What about you is unique?
I am unique because I was part of a club at my high school called best buddies. Best buddies is a national program that creates friendships between high school students and els students which are either mentally or physically handicapped students. We hang out with the els students and go to social event with them.

7. What do you want to get out of your college experience?
There are many things i want to get out of my college experience. I want to be a more confident and better person, I also want to have made many strong and lifelong friendships. I want to have an education that will prepare me for a good teaching job as well as life in general. I expect to have a great next 4 years at monmouth that will prepare me for whatever kid throws at me.

Class of 2015

INTRODUCING: Tiffany Churchill

1. What has been your proudest achievement so far?
Scoring my 1500 pt as a South Fulton Lady Rebel on my high school basketball team.

2. What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?
I expect to be settle into a teaching position under secondary education and possibly coaching an extra-curricular activity.

3. How do you define "success?"
Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.

4. How would you describe yourself to someone who did not know you?
I have a great personality, I can get along well with others, and I enjoy meeting new people! Shopping is something that every girl loves, including me! I play basketball but enjoy being a girly girl in my spare time as well! Pink is my favorite color! :)

5.If you could talk with any one living (or deceased) person, who and why?
If I could talk with any one I would choose Nickolas Sparks, because he writes a lot of passionate novels including one of my favorites is "The Notebook".

6. What is unique about you?
I am a very loyal friend and teammate.

7. What do you want to get out of your college experience?
College for me will be a breathe of fresh air, I can't wait to meet new people and enjoy new experiences! I also expect to receive a great education to help in my bright future ahead.

Class of 2015

INTRODUCING: Alyssa Riley

1. What has been your proudest achievement so far?
I have two things that I am really proud of: making first team all conference and being selected for the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).


2. What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?
Ten years from now I can see myself happily married in a smaller community teaching and mentoring students.


3. How do you define “success?”
To me success doesn't mean how much money you make or how much prestige you have. I don't believe in materialistic items bringing success or happiness. Success means having loyal and supporting friends and family. Being happy with who you are and making the best of every situation determines how successful you can be in life.


4. How would you describe yourself to someone who did not know you?
To someone I did not know I would say that I am very passionate. I have a deep care for everything that I do and put forth 110% all the time no matter what it is. If someone tells me I can't do something I am going to try ten times harder to prove them wrong. I have been told that I am sarcastic and blunt. My friends know only to ask my opinion if they really want to hear it. I am enthusiastic and a happy easy going person overall.


5. If you could talk with any one living (or deceased) person, whom would it be and why?
I would like to talk to James J. Braddock. He was a heavyweight boxer during the Great Depression. My favorite movie, Cinderella Man, is based on his life. He struggled through many hardships and was always the underdog because nobody believed in him, yet he rose to the top and became the heavyweight champion of the world. He has been very inspiring to me and I would love a chance to talk to him.


6. What about you is unique?
I have a few unique characteristics about me. I have several scars from moles that I have had to get removed due to melanoma skin cancer. My left ear is slightly deformed which prevents me from wearing regular headphones haha I am also unique because not only do I attend a gym, but I am part of a CrossFit family because we are so close.

7. What do you want to get out of your college experience?
I am hoping to broaden my horizons with meeting new people and participating in new activities. I would like to gain knowledge in my major because I think it is really interesting. I hope to become a better person overall and open new doors to lead to new experiences. I plan to use college to start a new chapter of my life without any regrets.

Monmouth College Campus Updates July 2011

Construction for our new science/business center has started! Crews are working hard around campus to begin the preparation phase for the new $38 million dollar facility.

 

 

Class of 2015

INTRODUCING: Korri Crawford (Elmwood High School)

1. What has been your proudest achievement so far?
Making the winning free throw in the South Fulton Tournament my Sophomore year.

2. What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?
I plan on living back in Elmwood and working as a Physical Education teacher. I also hope to be a basketball and golf coach with a small family. If everything goes well I want to start working towards a masters and continue teaching in a high school setting.

3. How do you define “success?”
Success for me isn't working towards someone else's goal. Success is committing and working hard towards something you want and reaching your own goals, maybe even working past it, and proving to yourself you are stronger than even you knew.

4. How would you describe yourself to someone who did not know you?
I would describe myself as an outgoing person once you do get to know me. I love watching any kind of sport, but I mainly enjoy playing basketball and golf. I like listening to others problems instead of talking about my own. I find myself to be more of a leader than a follower in most situations. I love to joke around and I can sometimes be a little to sarcastic. My family and friends mean everything to me and they are the best support system I could ask for.

5. If you could talk with any one living (or deceased) person, whom would it be and why?
If I could talk to one person I would choose Pat Summitt. She is an amazing person and shows a lot of character. She has made it through the world of double standards with girls basketball and has become one of the most successful players and coaches to ever work with the game of basketball. I would take any advice she threw at me, and of course bring up Geno Auriemma as much as possible.

6. What about you is unique?
I can write a rap song in about five minutes, I love photography, and I recently discovered a talent for landscaping in a class I thought was a waist of time.

7. What do you want to get out of your college experience?
I want to meet as many new friends as possible while still staying focused on school. I want to obtain a degree is something I will love and be able to brag about the College I came from. Education is clearly supposed to be the number one focus in college, but I hope that I have a lot of fun and I don't become so stressed that I can't experience all college has to offer.

Batavia Triathlon

Congratulations to Claire McGuire, Justine Boone & Emma McGuire on their completion of the Batavia Triathlon!

In the Scotlight: Taylor Rubarts

In the Scotlight: Taylor Rubarts

1. Three adjectives your friends would use to describe you are:

caring sarcastic trustworthy

2. What is something you’ve become involved in or experienced at Monmouth College that you didn’t expect to?
I was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

3. What is something most people don’t know about you?
My aunt Yoko is Japanese.

4. Who is your favorite athlete (past or present)?
Michael Jordan

5. What song would you pick as your anthem?
The Rest is Still Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield

6. What is the last book you read?
A book called War in ILA.

7. What is your favorite movie?
Remember the Titans, it never gets old.

8. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
My superpower would be, being invisible because I could see everything everyone else is doing but they couldn’t see me.

9. If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?
Put most of it in my savings and spend the rest on a ticket to California to visit my uncles and cousins, and to go shopping.

10. What’s it like to be a part of the Monmouth College women’s basketball program?
Being part of the Monmouth College women’s basketball team has been one of the best experiences I have had in my first year of college. Our team is a second family and a makes being two and half hours away from a much easier adjustment. I have made so many friends by just being involved with basketball. Outside of making life-long friends, being on the women’s basketball team is hard work and takes time and a lot of dedication! Being on the basketball team has taught me to never give up and if you want something bad enough you will work hard and make it happen!

 

Class of 2015

  

INTRODUCING: Jessica Howard (Galesburg High School)

1. What has been your proudest achievement so far?

Definitely this basketball season as a whole. We really came together as a family and worked hard every single day- which led us to the Elite Eight.

2. What do you expect to be doing ten years from now?
Hopefully I will have a successful career and be married. I also want to be a basketball coach at Galesburg.

3. How do you define “success?”
Success is working hard every day for something that you want and setting high goals for yourself and then achieving those goals. Anyone can be successful by luck, but not everyone can be successful by hard work and determination.

4. How would you describe yourself to someone who did not know you?
I would say that I’m pretty shy and quiet once I meet people, but after I get to know them and become comfortable I open up- and I’m a pretty easy going person. I also enjoy working hard for things that I want.

5. If you could talk with any one living (or deceased) person, whom would it be and why?
I would have to choose two people- choosing just one person is too hard. I would pick my Uncle Russell and Walter Steck, both of whom have passed away. I grew up being around my Uncle Russell all the time and he was my best friend, so getting to talk to him would be amazing. Walter was one of my dearest friends and family to me and I miss him every day. Both of these two also told the best stories, so I’d enjoy hearing some.

6. What about you is unique?
I love to read! My favorite book is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini is a close tie.

7. What do you want to get out of your college experience?
I want to receive a great education that will prepare me for the type of career that I choose, which I’m confident Monmouth will provide.