Illinois Lt. Gov. Says Education Was a Key to Her Success

Illinois Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti says education was a key to her success.

Sanguinetti is the child of Hispanic immigrants, her mother from Castro's Cuba, her father from Ecuador. She began her life in Hialeah, Florida, a Miami suburb. She disdained studies until her mother Alina became aware of Evelyn's love of music. Alina helped arrange piano lessons and access to an instrument. That sparked an interest in learning.

When she was in high school, she became acquainted with classical music, which led to interest in attending the New World School of the Arts and that fostered her educational pursuits even more.

Now, she's the first Latino lieutenant governor in the nation.

Sanguinetti saluted the work underway in Effingham County to collaborate on educational opportunities, including the Effingham Regional Career Academy. She presented the partners in ERCA with an award in a ceremony in Effingham Tuesday afternoon.

Sanguinetti told those gathered for the 2018 Kickoff for Education Breakfast Wednesday about efforts under Gov. Bruce Rauner to increase funding for education, including early childhood education and funding for colleges and universities in addition to K-12 dollars.

Lake Land College President Josh Bullock also spoke at the breakfast, promoting the community college aspect of Lake Land and how that benefits its district, and discussed progress on the Effingham Regional Career Academy.

(LLC PRESIDENT JOSH BULLOCK)

Bullock reminded that an expansion of the Luther Student Center on campus in Mattoon is scheduled to begin next Monday. He also reminded of Lake Land's Homecoming, which is set for September 28-29.