Please come out and support our National Honor Students who are helping with this event. All units collected will go towards scholarhips for ACHS students! Making an appointment is greatly appreciated but not required!
Altamont Receives Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Press Foundation School Journalism Grant
June 25, 2025
Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Foundation today announce the awarding of grants to 26 high school journalism efforts throughout the state. The awards are part of the Illinois High School Journalism Grants Program offered by the Illinois Press Foundation and financially sponsored for a fourth consecutive year by Illinois Farm Bureau.
More than $35,000 total in grants will be distributed to the schools in the fall to pay for laptops, cameras, broadcasting equipment, newspaper printing costs, website hosting fees and more. The Illinois Press Foundation Board of Directors’ Education Committee approved the grant recipients. “We’re grateful to continue to have Illinois Farm Bureau as a financial partner of this valuable program again this year,” said Jeff Rogers, executive director of the Illinois Press Foundation. “The Illinois Farm Bureau’s commitment, along with an increased financial commitment this year from the Illinois Press
Foundation, has allowed us to award more grants this year than any year of our partnership. Especially today, journalism and the sharing of facts and information is more important than ever. Today’s students have so many platforms available to them, and we’re proud the grant helps support schools in every part of the state to practice journalism.”
This is the fifth year Illinois Farm Bureau has supported scholastic journalists through this grant program. “Meaningful development through education and programming is central to Illinois Farm Bureau, and
it’s incredibly rewarding to help these students grow their journalism skills at the high school level,” said Matt Wettersten, executive director of marketing and communications at Illinois Farm Bureau, as he congratulated the 2025 grant recipients. “We are awarding more applicants this year than we have in any year of our affiliation with the program. That tells us two things. The need for financial assistance is real. But also, the interest in our grant program, and in journalism at the high school level, is growing. We’re proud to help in that way.”
All schools will receive their grant checks during on-site visits in August and September. Of the 26 schools receiving grants, seven are doing so for the first time during the IPF-IFB partnership. This is Altamont's second year receiving this grant. They will use the money to purchase a camera bundle group and a telephoto style lens.
Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of more than 364,452 and a farmer membership of 75,959. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.
The Illinois Press Foundation is dedicated to promoting and protecting free expression through educational activities that foster the practice and respect of First Amendment principles and values, to enhance the quality of services provided by newspapers to their communities, and to support reading and literacy efforts. The IPF was established in 1982. Its news service, Capitol News Illinois, has provided daily coverage of state government for Illinois’ newspapers and broadcast outlets since it was formed in 2019. The Foundation also sponsors an annual summer journalism workshop for high school students at Eastern Illinois University, and scholarships for students in the UIS Public Affairs Reporting program. It also has collaborative reporting programs through Capitol News Illinois with the Medill Illinois News Bureau at Northwestern University and The Saluki Local Reporting Lab at Southern Illinois University.
June 25, 2025
Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois Press Foundation today announce the awarding of grants to 26 high school journalism efforts throughout the state. The awards are part of the Illinois High School Journalism Grants Program offered by the Illinois Press Foundation and financially sponsored for a fourth consecutive year by Illinois Farm Bureau.
More than $35,000 total in grants will be distributed to the schools in the fall to pay for laptops, cameras, broadcasting equipment, newspaper printing costs, website hosting fees and more. The Illinois Press Foundation Board of Directors’ Education Committee approved the grant recipients. “We’re grateful to continue to have Illinois Farm Bureau as a financial partner of this valuable program again this year,” said Jeff Rogers, executive director of the Illinois Press Foundation. “The Illinois Farm Bureau’s commitment, along with an increased financial commitment this year from the Illinois Press
Foundation, has allowed us to award more grants this year than any year of our partnership. Especially today, journalism and the sharing of facts and information is more important than ever. Today’s students have so many platforms available to them, and we’re proud the grant helps support schools in every part of the state to practice journalism.”
This is the fifth year Illinois Farm Bureau has supported scholastic journalists through this grant program. “Meaningful development through education and programming is central to Illinois Farm Bureau, and
it’s incredibly rewarding to help these students grow their journalism skills at the high school level,” said Matt Wettersten, executive director of marketing and communications at Illinois Farm Bureau, as he congratulated the 2025 grant recipients. “We are awarding more applicants this year than we have in any year of our affiliation with the program. That tells us two things. The need for financial assistance is real. But also, the interest in our grant program, and in journalism at the high school level, is growing. We’re proud to help in that way.”
All schools will receive their grant checks during on-site visits in August and September. Of the 26 schools receiving grants, seven are doing so for the first time during the IPF-IFB partnership. This is Altamont's second year receiving this grant. They will use the money to purchase a camera bundle group and a telephoto style lens.
Illinois Farm Bureau is a member of the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national organization of farmers and ranchers. Founded in 1916, IFB is a non-profit, membership organization directed by farmers who join through their county Farm Bureau. IFB has a total membership of more than 364,452 and a farmer membership of 75,959. IFB represents three out of four Illinois farmers.
The Illinois Press Foundation is dedicated to promoting and protecting free expression through educational activities that foster the practice and respect of First Amendment principles and values, to enhance the quality of services provided by newspapers to their communities, and to support reading and literacy efforts. The IPF was established in 1982. Its news service, Capitol News Illinois, has provided daily coverage of state government for Illinois’ newspapers and broadcast outlets since it was formed in 2019. The Foundation also sponsors an annual summer journalism workshop for high school students at Eastern Illinois University, and scholarships for students in the UIS Public Affairs Reporting program. It also has collaborative reporting programs through Capitol News Illinois with the Medill Illinois News Bureau at Northwestern University and The Saluki Local Reporting Lab at Southern Illinois University.
Senior Softball Players were celebrated after last night's 3-2 win against Oblong. Pictured are Grace Lemke, Sophia Pearcy, and Madison Tonn
Junior High softball is right around the corner! Below is all the information you need if you are interested in playing! 🧡🥎🖤
Help Support the Nation Honor Society by giving blood on Wednesday, July 9th.
Come join our team!
We are hiring! See our website for a full job description and application.
🎉🔥 What a season for Grace Lemke! 🔥🎉
A HUGE congratulations to ACHS standout Grace Lemke on an incredible year and career in the circle! 🥎🖤🧡
🏆 2025 NTC Co-MVP
🏆 2024 NTC MVP
🏅 Class 1A 1st Team All-State Selection
💥 1,165 Career Strikeouts
➡️ #15 All-Time on the IHSA Top 20 list!
💥 416 Strikeouts this Season
➡️ #20 on the IHSA Top 20 list!
➡️ #3 on MaxPreps National Softball Stat Leaders!
🔥 0.57 ERA — #3 in Illinois for the Class of 2025!
📣 ACHS Record Book Highlights:
🥇 1st - Season ERA (0.57)
🥈 2nd - Career ERA (1.92)
🥇 1st - Career Strikeouts (1,165)
🥇 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 15th - Season Strikeouts (416, 339, 287, 123)
🏅 5th - Season Wins (18)
🏅 5th - Career Wins (43)
🏅 4th - Season Shutouts
🏅 5th - Career Shutouts
Grace has not only made history at ACHS but has also left her mark on the state and national stage! 💪🖤🧡
Way to represent, Grace — the best is still to come! 🙌🥎
🚨⚾ Now Hiring: ACHS Head Boys Baseball Coach! ⚾🚨
Altamont Community High School is seeking a Head Coach for our Boys Baseball Program, overseeing both Fall and Spring seasons.
We are looking for a motivated leader who is passionate about developing athletes on and off the field, building a strong team culture, and continuing the proud tradition of ACHS Baseball.
📅 Position Open Until Filled
📍 Altamont Community High School
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest to Jeni Aldrich at jaldrich@altamontschools.org.
🚨🔥 HISTORY MADE!! 🔥🚨
What. A. Day. At the IHSA Class 1A State Track Meet, the Altamont Indians made their mark in epic fashion! 🧡🖤
💥 BEN ROEDL put on a performance for the ages:
🥉 3rd in Long Jump
🥈 2nd in High Jump
🥇 1st in Triple Jump — STATE CHAMPION!!
This makes Ben’s showing the best single performance by a male athlete in Altamont history — and with it, he surpasses 1,000 career points. 🔥👏
🏃♂️ HAYDEN SUMMERS brought the heat in the 300m Hurdles, finishing 6th in the state! 💪
🎖️ Both are officially ALL-STATE ATHLETES!
To top it all off...
🏆 The team finished 5th overall — the highest finish ever for Altamont boys track (to our knowledge)!
These young men represented Altamont with pride, heart, and history-making talent. Let’s hear it for them! 🙌🙌
Altamont Community High School is seeking a qualified individual to serve as Head Coach for the high school boys soccer program.
If interested, please send a letter of interest to Jenifer Aldrich at jaldrich@altamontschools.org
🔥 STATE TRACK UPDATE! 🔥
Let’s give it up for our ACHS boys showing out at the IHSA Class 1A State Meet! 🧡🖤
🏅 Ben Roedl is headed to the FINALS in Long Jump, Triple Jump, and High Jump!
💥 His massive Triple Jump of 45’ 10.5” is not only an event leader — it’s a NEW SCHOOL RECORD! 👏🔥
🏃♂️ Hayden Summers CRUSHED his heat in the 300m Hurdles, earning a spot in the FINALS with the 4th fastest prelim time — and it was a PR! He’s one of just 9 to advance! 🏅
Saturday is the day! Let’s go, Indians! 🎉
On Olympic lap days in PE they can run as little or as much as they would like! These are the top runners from grades 1st - 6th grade! All of these had over 20 miles! Wyatt & Rhett had over 25 miles!! Thanks to Joe's Pizza for helping us with prizes for these students!
Reading is sweet, the fourth grade top 3 AR readers in each class enjoyed a treat!
Thank You Mrs. Moran for all you do for us at AGS!
We all appreciate you!
Congratulations Mrs. Amy Miller (Kindergarten) Teacher of The Year!
She said it best "I love all of you" and every student and staff member feels that!
Thank you PTO for the sweet treat at Andrew’s Eats today! The kids really enjoyed it!
Mrs. Barnick’s students relaxing outside reading a book! We also just finished a biography writing on a famous person. The last picture is their toilet paper tubes!
A big shoutout to our amazing PTO for buying Andrew's ice cream for all the AGS students. These first graders sure did love their sweet treat! Thank you PTO!
