In the Scotlight: Keli Jo Hinkle

In the Scotlight: Keli Jo Hinkle

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

Funny, outgoing/athletic, listener

2. What is something most people don’t know about you?

I like the outdoors (I’m a country girl) and I like to crochet as oddly as they may seem!

3. Who is your favorite athlete (past or present)?
Don’t really have one…but I like MJ, who doesn’t? lol

4. What song would you pick as your anthem?
Not sure. I like the song Pretty Girl Swag right now, though! :)

5. What is the last book you read?
I can’t remember…ha!

6. What is your favorite movie?
Any kind of Horror Movie

7. If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?
X-Ray Vision and Invisibility…Flying would be cool too or being able to see into the near future.

8. If you won $20 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?
I’d build my mom her house she’s always wanted, pay for my college education, and spend the rest wherever I saw fit.

9. What’s it like to be a part of the Monmouth College women’s basketball program?

You get to experience different places and make a lot of close friends. The team has a lot of fun together; we’re almost like a family.

MCWB newcomers answer what it is like to be a freshman at Monmouth College in the fall of 2010!

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.

Emily Ragsdale (Ottawa HS) says her favorite class would have to be Education 101. She likes it because it is a “big class and they have discussions on different laws of education and the role that teacher's play in a student's life." College courses can also be inspiring. Taylor Rubarts (Paxon-Buckley-Loda HS) likes Communications and “might even minor in it” because it is so enjoyable.

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. Marla Willard (Pittsfield 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. Besides working out with Coach Woodard, our senior captain Justine Boone (Geneseo HS) leads the team in shooting and open gyms twice a week. Kaley Corbin (Prairie Central HS) explains… “we have team bonding through shoot-arounds and scrimmages. Scrimmages are a great way to interact with the team and get a feel of how each player plays on the court. It is great to see how much dedication each player brings to the team.”

Of course college is about great memories made off the court as well! Emily says “the most memorable thing for me so far is just hanging out with new friends and making new memories with them. When you come to college you basically start all over and make new friends and it has been a really fun experience.” Kaley Corban agrees saying, “some of the most memorable activities I’ve done at Monmouth College would have to be movie nights and pizza with players on the basketball team because we recite lines from movies and share embarrassing stories. Another thing I enjoy doing at MC is participating in events that are sponsored for students on weekends. The other night there was a movie on the quad, video games, and free pizza. It was just a chance to meet new people and have fun while doing it!”

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! Taylor indicated, “living in a dorm really isn’t as bad as I thought it would be! It's like having a whole floor of sisters, lots of fun! One night we were having a study night and my roommate Kaley, my RA Sam, and myself went running in the rain to the Scots Market for some study snacks, got soaked from the rain, great memory!” Marla completely agrees. “Living in a dorm is amazing! There is never a dull moment on the best floor ever. We are all great friends! Something hilarious happens every night.”

As always, a big question remains…what’s the food like? Marla comments that the food here at Monmouth College is pretty good. Some of her favorites include the roast beef, baked potatoes and fried ravioli. Kaley does a great job explaining the meal options at MC. “Every day the cafeteria has something different for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, if you get tired of the cafeteria food, there is always an alternative. In the basement of Stockdale is a Ben and Jerry’s, along with a sandwich and Chinese food! There are many options, but I’d have to say that cereal is my favorite breakfast food. My favorite lunch food would have to be chicken patty with mashed potatoes and gravy. Dinner with me is whatever floats my boat. Usually I’ll go with pasta. Also, unlimited bananas are the best part about the cafeteria!”

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

Kaley: I choose Monmouth College because I wanted to go to a private four-year college. I wanted to be known as a person, not just an ID number. This gives me a chance to really get to know my professors if I ever have a question to ask. Also, the basketball team made a huge impact on my choice. I did three MC visits my senior year. Each time I visited the campus, I developed a closer bond between my teammates. In a way, I guess you could say it felt like home.

Taylor: I chose Monmouth because we have an amazing campus, I felt very comfortable here, basketball, and the education program is very strong here!

Marla: I picked Monmouth College because it offered everything I need, it has a beautiful campus, it’s not too big, and it felt like home.

Emily: The reason why I picked Monmouth College was it had a good education program and that's what I am majoring in. But not only that, I also love the basketball team and felt really connected with them when I came for a visit last spring, so I knew it was the right fit for me!

MC's new mascot Big Red interviews Justine Boone

Big Red's interview of Justine Boone on her summer internship with the minor league baseball team the Quad City River Bandits

Big Red: What is your major/year are you at Monmouth College?

Justine Boone: I am entering my senior year at MC and I am double majoring in Business and Economics.

Big Red: What is your summer internship?

Justine Boone: I am currently interning with the Quad City River Bandits. The River Bandits are a minor league baseball team who are the single A affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Big Red: How did you learn about this internship?
Justine Boone: I first heard of this internship in one of my business classes at MC. Later, Wackerle Career Center advertised a networking night on campus. I took a night off from baskeball to attend the meeting where I met with the River Bandits representatives. Later, I was called back for a formal interview.


Big Red: Why did you take this internship?
Justine Boone: Sports have always been a huge part of my life and I wanted to see if I enjoyed working with a professional team as much as I enjoy participating in athletics. I figured that an internship was a great way to determine this, and also to get my foot into the door if I do want to continue working in the sports industry.


Big Red: Your primary job duties/responsibilities are?
Justine Boone: I am part of the Street Team and, among other things, I deal with game day promotions and community appearances.


Big Red: What is the best part of your internship?
Justine Boone: I think the best part of my internship is that I have been exposed to many different things. For instance, I have learned a lot about sponsorships that go along with professional sports. On a different note, I have also been able to learn some things about wedding planning and other event planning that I didn't expect to learn with this job. (We have Suites and reception areas in Modern Woodman Park). I enjoy working in a fun/entertaining environment and it is an added bonus that I get to meet all of the celebrities and guests that we host on different promotional nights.


Big Red: What is the most challenging part of your internship?
Justine Boone: I don't necessarily find my internship challenging in many ways. However, some days we are at the stadium for long hours and it's difficult to stay excited and enthusiastic when the game goes into extra innings when all you want to do is go home.


Big Red: What is one thing your team/teammates/coaches at Monmouth College taught you that helped you with your internship?

Justine Boone: Working well with others. I've noticed that some people really struggle to take advice from other people or to stay postive when they aren't having the best day. However, entering my fourth year into the MCWB program, I feel I have been accustomed to working well with others and getting through every obstacle with my team/co-workers in mind.

Big Red: What's one thing you've learned that you are taking back to your team/teammates/coaches at Monmouth College?

Justine Boone: One important thing that I have learned with this internship is to take more initiative in everything that I do. I'm more confident in contributing ideas and taking control of situations. I look forward to being a strong leader on the team and I really look forward to our future success as a team!

Big Red: How is this internship going to prepare you for your future?
Justine Boone: I have always had many different career options in my mind. Working with a professional sports team has always been one of them. However, I have now found out that I do not wish to work in baseball. Not because I didn't enjoy it, only because I have found that it is not the best fit for me. I am lucky to have had this experience and it has been positive. It has also been a learning experience and helped me narrow down what it is that I want to do in life. I encourage everyone to take an internship for this very reason.

Monmouth College voted one of the best in the Midwest!

Monmouth College is among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest, according to The Princeton Review.

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