ICC President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey and others speak at 2025 Student Leadership Awards ceremony on Wednesday night

“Tonight is a special occasion, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the incredible students who step up, make a difference, and showed us what leadership really looks like in action,” Quirk-Bailey began her speech. “It is an honor to celebrate all of you, and to express our deepest gratitude to the exceptional student leaders who have made a significant impact on the Illinois Central College community.”

After Quirk-Bailey’s speech, the awards ceremony began, with the announcement of the 2025-2026 Student Trustee, Esther David.

“This campus is filled with rich diversity, creativity, and I want to make sure that everyone’s voice is a part of the conversation, and that all students have both the opportunity and the incentive to participate,” David said in their speech. “By name, I may be the one at the board meetings, but I will not be there alone. I will carry each and every single one of your voices with me.”

After David’s speech, the 2024-2025 officers of the Student Government Association, or SGA, were recognized. Then the 2025-2026 SGA officers were sworn in by Jon Neidy, vice president of Student Success.

Scott Jackson was sworn in as president of the SGA, Arjunay Hill as vice president, Aiden Vens as treasurer, and Keaton Hamilton as secretary.

After the swearing in of the new SGA officers, the ICC Writing Contest winners were announced.

For the creative writing section, Sophia Larimore won first place for “My First Valentine’s With You,” Logan Lewis won second place for “Best Knee in the Corner,” and Serenity Martin won third place for “No Matter the Cost.”

For the poetry section, Daniel S. Ware won first place for “Sonnet of Disrepair,” Sophia Larimore won second place for “Skin Shells,” Jennifer Scott-Dewar won third place for “Frying Below Me.”

For the Paul Simon Essay section, the winner was Alex Kimberlin.

After the Writing Contest Winners were announced, the winner of the Outstanding First-Year Member award was given to Madison Shaw.

Next, the Student Organization Officer of the Year award was given to both Chloe Burgess and Keaton Hamilton.

Then, the Student Organization of the Year award was given to the D&D Club.

Finally, the Student of the Year awards were announced, one for students working on their applied sciences degree and another for students working on their transfer degree. 

The applied sciences degree Student of the Year award was presented to Kaylin Turner, while the transfer degree Student of the Year award was given to Emily Van Lee.

Jon Neidy closed the event with, “While we live in uncertain times, there is something I know that is absolutely certain tonight. I am proud and honored to serve and work alongside all of you, where you are all here for the same reason, whether you are faculty, staff, or student, to build a better future for each other and our community.”