Whirlpool Update

Hooray! The whirlpool is now up and running!

July Member of the Month

Our July Member of the Month is Mike Morgan, a member of Pearce for more than 10 years.

When his children were little, Mike helped with soccer and basketball leagues at Pearce. These days you can find him swimming or working with free weights. He has also participated in the annual Run For The Health of It several times. An avid runner, Mike also participated in the annual St. Jude Run for 11 years and was a member of a race team for Caterpillar. “My running coach always told me: ‘Practice. Practice until you have it down pat,’ so I just kept running for many, many years,” said Mike.

Mike enjoys the state-of-the-art workout equipment that Pearce offers along with the variety of programs for families, individuals, and the community and the friendly and helpful staff. He believes Pearce is a great asset to everyone in Chillicothe, young and old alike.

Retired from Caterpillar after 41 years of service, Mike now enjoys hiking, biking, and spending time with his family, friends, and grandchildren. He also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and is a member of the Chillicothe Planning Commission.

Mike's advice: “Enjoy life to the fullest and be thankful for all your blessings.”

5K Run Saturday

There are just a few days left to register to walk or run in Run For The Health of It. This annual event will be held on Saturday, July 12 with the race beginning at 7:00 a.m. 

The 5K course has been certified by USA Track and Field. It will take participants through the paved, flat streets of Chillicothe. Water will be provided throughout the course.

Race day registration and check in will be available from 6:00-6:30 a.m. The course will begin and end at Pearce Community Center. Refreshments, snacks, and the awards ceremony will take place in the banquet room immediately after the race.

The cost is $30 for all runners; however, Steamboat runners pay only $25. The entry fee for walkers is $15. 

Packet pickup will be available Thursday, July 10 from noon to 5:00 p.m., and again on Friday, July 11 from noon to 8:00 p.m. 

You Just Never Know Who You'll Find at Pearce!

IN THE HOUSE!

Look who we found working out at Pearce today! Granger Smith, playing in concert tonight at 3 Sisters Park! 

Then he went up front and helped Cherie Layne check in members and answer the phone.

Look for our exclusive interview and more photos in our next eNewsletter!

Pearce Spinning Instructor Participates in Bike Day at CEC

Spinning instructor and personal trainer Rob Ordaz joined Officers Devault and Brown from the Chillicothe Police Department on Tuesday, May 27 at CEC to deliver bicycle safety and maintenance messages to fourth grade students. 

After a bike ride to South School, the students gathered to listen to safety guidelines and maintenance techniques to safely enjoy their bikes all summer long. 

"It was COOL," said Zoe Irvin. "He took off his own tire without using any tools! And the police showed us how to clip a light on the back of our bike so the cars can see you."

Sarah Daum Just One Example of the Quality Staff Leading Summer Camp

Dozens of parents gathered at Pearce on Tuesday, May 27 to meet the counselors who will spend the summer with their children. "This is an experience not only for our children, but for parents as well," said mom Joanna Vining whose son is returning for his second year. "Because of the quality of the camp and the staff, I never worry about my son while I'm at work. I know he is well cared for, happy, and with a group of exceptional people who put his best interest at the forefront of everything they do." 

Intelligent and motivated, summer camp counselors represent some of the brightest young adults in our community. Many come back from college each summer to work with the campers. Common college majors for this group include education, nursing, social work, and business administration. 

Several counselors just graduated from IVC including Sarah Daum, Josey Allison, and Jacob Murphy. 

 

Josey brings extensive academic achievement to her second year as a counselor. She graduated with a 3.8 GPA and high honors. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. Josey won a scholarship from the Chillicothe Altrusa Club and the Unsung Hero award presented by the Optimist Club, both based on her extensive volunteerism in the community and with her church. She is also a member of JOOI, Junior Optimists Octagon International. 

Jacob is returning for his second year as well. His 3.94 GPA is just one in a long list of accolades. Like Josey and Sarah, he received the Unsung Hero award; is a member of the National Honor Society and the German National Honor Society and served as the president and vice-president of NHS's Tri-M; worked with the Impact Service Group; served at the Children's Ranch for abused and neglected children in Shiloh, MO; and served as a Christian counselor at Little Galilee camp in Clinton, IL. 

"I love seeing my child run into the arms of a counselor when he is dropped off in the morning," said Vining, "and then waving a friendly good-bye when we leave at night. It's fun to see them braiding hair, playing tag, making bracelets, or just holding them while reading a book."

While summer camp serves a utilitarian purpose, it is also designed to enrich the life of each child. Through a strategic activity plan that integrates education with fun, delivered by exceptional counselors, children grow educationally, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. "The counselors truly want to make a difference in each child's life," said Vining. "They are the heart of Pearce summer camp."

Sarah Daum Wins Pearce Scholarship

Sarah Daum

Each May, the Pearce Foundation awards a $5,000 scholarship to one IVC graduating senior. This year's winner was Sarah Daum. 

The primary criteria for the scholarship is volunteerism followed by grade point average, teacher evaluation, involvement with Pearce either as a user, employee or volunteer, and financial need. "Pearce Foundation is happy to reward community volunteerism by virtue of this scholarship," said Dave Vojta, Pearce Foundation board president. "We received dozens of applications from very qualified students. It was inspiring to see so many students committed to volunteerism." Sarah logged more than 400 volunteer hours over the past two years at a variety of community organizations. 

Sarah's list of high school accomplishments is impressive: 4.17 GPA; AP and honors classes; student body president; member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes; participates in Ghost Buddies, a program that pairs mainstream students with those in life skills classes; soccer captain two years; National Honor Society; Sterling Merit Award winner; Illinois State Scholar; and many others. 

Sarah has worked at Pearce for two years. Her responsibilities have included nursery, Exergame room, and after school care attendant. Sarah will soon begin her second year as a counselor for summer camp.

After camp concludes August 13, Sarah will move to Rustin, LA, to study business administration at Louisiana Tech.

Last year's recipient of the Pearce Foundation Scholarship was Bria Kohlman who continues to serve as a summer camp counselor.