Illini Experience
Young Illini pride According to teacher Kristin Bialk ’06 ED, the fourth-graders at Winston Campus Elementary in Palatine feel like “Illini in training.” That’s because, as part of the No Excuses University program, which promotes excitement about college in grade schools across the country, Bialk’s class filled out mock applications to Illinois, celebrated the campus’s 100th anniversary of Homecoming in 2010 and had fun with the assortment of Illini goodies they received from the University of Illinois Alumni Association. “We continue to wear orange and blue every Friday, along with reciting our Illinois chant daily!” Bialk enthused. To show their appreciation, the young students sent letters to the UIAA office. Here are a few quotes: “Here at Winston Campus Elementary, every class has a college, usually according to where the teacher graduated. As you know, Ms. Bialk graduated at U of I, so we support U of I. It’s a great honor!” – Hayley “We are so happy that we represent you in our classroom. You have a great school.” – Mary “Thank you for sending us the cool package of Illinois pencils, stickers, highlighters, tattoos and pins. I really liked the letter you sent us, too. We had a party to celebrate the U of I Homecoming.” – Josie “Thank you for the box of trinkets. I have the pin on my backpack. I am saving the tattoo until I need it. I know the U of I is a great place to get a degree because the greatest teacher in the world came from there, Ms. Bialk!” – Gwen “We made a movie about our Illinois university. I had an old Illini letterman’s jacket. It was awesome! Well, thanks again.” – Cormac "I want to go to [U of I] to see what it looks like. I have one question. What kind of language can you speak over there?" – Emily
