Sycamore Rotary’s newest member, School Superintendent Steve Wilder, gave his classification speech this week. Wilder gave a list of factors that led him to seek the top spot with Sycamore District 427 when the job opening was posted. These were: the right time in his career (it is his 24^th year as a teacher and administrator); the right place (the Sycamore District size was a logical step up from the smaller Knoxville District where he was serving); there was a history of educational excellence in the community; and Sycamore itself resonates with pride and community support for residents. He noted the favorable impression his wife had of the community from knowing a classmate from Sycamore when she attended college.

 

Wilder grew up in Bloomington, Illinois, where his family moved a couple of years after he was born.  He gradated from Bloomington Central Catholic High School and attended Illinois Wesleyan University for two years before transferring to Arizona State University.  After earning a degree in chemistry, he returned to Bloomington-Normal and earned advanced certifications and a degree in teaching and school administration from Illinois State University. He began his teaching career in 1997 as an eighth-grade science teacher at Olympia Middle School in Stanford, Illinois.  He later became principal at Olympia and then assistant principal at University High School in Normal before becoming Superintendent at Knoxville.  Wilder and his wife, Michelle, are the parents of four children. Outside interests include bicycling and running.

 

Wilder is no stranger to Rotary. He is a past president of the Galesburg club. His family hosted two Rotary exchange students while in Galesburg; experiences he favorably promoted. Wilder said he was initially drawn to Rotary membership after being invited to a meeting and learning about Rotary’s commitment to community service.

 

Despite the challenging times caused by the pandemic, Wilder said he believes the school district will emerge stronger as it responds to student’s needs.

Our speaker this week will be Curt Lang, current Mayor of Sycamore, with reflections on his decade of service as he prepares to leave office.

 

Following is our schedule of upcoming speakers/presentations:

Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9777786533?pwd=aGN0WVYyWnJmZ3UxcXcwTHNrQnJCdz09

Meeting ID: 977 778 6533
Passcode: sycamore

 

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September 13, 1851 – American Army physician Walter Reed (best known for his yellow fever research) is born in Gloucester County, Virginia.

 

September 13, 1860 – U.S. Army General John J. Pershing is born in Laclede, Missouri.

 

September 15, 1857 – William Howard Taft, who served as 27^th President of the United States and later became 10^th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, is born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

September 15, 1890 -  Best-selling fiction writer of all time, Agatha Christie, is born in Torquay, England.

September 13, 1814 – The Battle of Fort Henry in Baltimore Harbor occurred and was observed by Francis Scott Key. He was inspired to write the now-famous verse for our National Anthem after seeing the American flag still flying over the fort following a night of British attack.

 

September 14, 1741 – Composer George Frederick Handel finishes the “Messiah” after working on it nonstop for 23 days.

 

September 15, 1916 – Tanks are first used in combat during the Allied offensive at the Battle of the Somme in World War I.

 

September 18, 1947 – The U.S. Air Force is established as a separate military service.