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JILG Featured School:
Freeport High School

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Jobs for Illinois Graduates (JILG) is proud to spotlight Freeport High School as its first featured school. Freeport High School is located in the Northwest corner of the state of Illinois, 30 miles west of Rockford. Freeport’s total enrollment is around 1400 students and serves the cities of Freeport, Cedarville and Ridott.

Currently the JILG program at Freeport serves over 80 high school students in both the Senior (School to Careers Program) and Multi-Year (Dropout Prevention Program). With strong leadership from Career Specialists Diane Regan and Wendy Erbsen the Freeport JILG program has done an outstanding job preparing their students for life after high school by focusing on the following JILG Career Association Goals: Leadership Development, Career Preparation, Citizenship and Social Awareness.

To provide students with an in-depth look into a variety of possible careers the Career Specialists have brought in over 35 guest speakers including colleges: (Highland Community College, Illinois Institute of Technology, Rockford Business College) local businesses (Ultrasonic Power, Charter 1 Bank, Papa Murphy’s Pizza) as well as people from the local community (State Senator Jim Sacia, State Representative Todd Seiben, Mayor George Gaulrapp, and Director of Freeport Chamber of Commerce Kim Grimes).

The Freeport JILG program has also largely contributed to their community through service learning projects. During the course of the year they have registered over 80 new voters, mentored local elementary students, donated food for the Mother Hubbard Cupboard drive as well as created gifts for residents at the local nursing home.

Recently the Freeport JILG program put together a banner with signatures and words of encouragement from students, staff and community members and sent it to the Virginia Tech campus to honor the victims and offer words of encouragement to the current students and staff. Currently the JILG program is organizing the “Orange Campaign” to raise awareness and funds for African children orphaned by AIDS. If you would like to learn more about Freeport’s service learning projects please contact Diane Regan at dregan@jilginc.com or Wendy Erbsen at werbsen@jilginc.com.

About the Specialists

Diane Regan is in her 2nd full year as a JILG Specialist. Before teaching JILG Diane taught Social Studies and Special Ed for 15 years, 11 years being at Freeport High School.

“I love being able to build relationships that last past their high school careers.  It is so great to hear the success stories, provide important support during tough times and be an open ear during the follow up phase. I enjoy being able to help students take a new look at education as tool to reach their own personal goals and watch students develop plans that will get them moving in the direction of their goal.”

Wendy Erbsen is in her 1st year as a JILG Specialist and 1st year as a teacher in the Freeport school district. Before coming to Freeport Wendy taught at Highland Community College located in Freeport Illinois as well as the University of Florida.

“Watching the High School JILG students work with the elementary students. It increased everyone’s self esteems and made them realize what it took to be a role model \ The JILG students were able to understand that others could look to them for advice and/or assistance.”