Blazer Stories

Featured Story:

Jose Almazan is a stand-out pitcher at John Wood Community College. Jose came to America from Venezuela to attend JWCC. Learning the english language and fitting in to the American culture were only a few challenges for Jose. Performing at such a high level Jose attracted attention from Division 1 baseball programs. The decision to go to Alabama State was made and Jose feels a strong connection with their coaching staff.

Excelling in the classroom, and on the field...


  • Andrew Rudd Sitting In John Wood Recording Booth

    A Commitment To Quincy Through Soccer

    “Quincy is in my blood.” Andrew Rudd shows his commitment to Quincy Illinois through John...

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  • Tyler Bickers portrait in studio

    Tyler Bickers Talks Baseball, College, and Attitude

    Tyler Bickers discusses his decision to pursue baseball, his college choice, and the importance of...

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  • Portrait of Michael DeLaRosa

    Michael DeLaRosa - Making a Change

    Michael DeLaRosa shares his journey and passion for radio. Growing up in Chicago, WLS was...

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  • Artist Nevin McNally Stands next to his painting

    Nevin McNally - Art is A Different World

    Nevin McNally, is a Quincy native who has been an artist his entire life. He...

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  • Maranda Mize - Living For Your Family

    Maranda is a Surg Tech student at John Wood Community College who started attending late...

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  • Sam Hilbing Mark Higley Memorial Scholarship

    Sam Hilbing: Beating Adversity and Finding Success

    Sam was awarded the Mark Higley Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship has helped him financially and...

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  • Alaina Plyican

    Alaina Plyican Awarded ICCS Foundation Health Care Scholarship

    “I’ve never won anything, so winning this scholarship means everything.” Alaina has fought through many...

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  • Jeremiah Talton Taking and Interview

    Jeremiah Talton On Becoming a Blazer

    Former Quincy high school standout Jeremiah Talton gives insight into his decision and speaks about...

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  • Coach Hoyt & Blazers Prepped for Another Year

    “As we prepare for another year, I know there’s some excitement in the area.” Coach...

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  • Stephanie Fleer

    Taking Determination to A Whole New Level

    When Stephanie Fleer made the decision to enroll at John Wood Community College, she was...

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  • Arturo Melendez

    Discovering His Abilities

    Arturo Melendez went from a somewhat uncommitted high school student to being asked to be...

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  • Olivia Hanson

    Gaining Momentum

    When Olivia Hanson started at JWCC, she was nervous about the college experience and unsure...

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  • Mark Schneider

    Growing Into His Potential

    When Mark Schneider first enrolled in college at age 18, he wasn’t in a place...

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  • The Will Family on JWCC's Quincy campus

    Family Matters

    Becky and Mike Will and their daughter Jennifer Grindstaff are a close, colorful family who...

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  • Adding Fuel to the Fire

    How alumnus Ryan Neisen used his time at JWCC to kick off a path that...

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  • Liz Bentley

    A Mind on Music

    When Liz Bentley enrolled at John Wood Community College, she knew she was taking a...

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  • Devron Sternke with a student in the graphic design lab on the Quincy campus.

    Designing the Future

    Devron Sternke became involved with John Wood Community College in 2009, when he was hired...

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  • Q & A with Teresa Bertelli

    Teresa Bertelli is the Coordinator of Counseling Services at JWCC.   What made you choose...

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  • Moving to the Future

    Most of us can only imagine what it would be like to work in a...

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  • John Wood Community College Student Grace Meyer

    Focused on Success

    Grace Meyer is a woman who is used to defying expectations. Born with spina bifida...

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  • Evan Conover sitting on the stage

    For the Love of Music

    Evan Conover is a sophomore at John Wood Community College who is still deciding exactly...

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  • Bruce Oglat at John Wood Community College

    In his own words: A message from Alumnus Bruce Oglat

    The game of basketball led me to John wood Community College. As a teenager, I...

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  • The Smith triplets at their JWCC graduation

    Triple the Value

    Triplets Jacob, Rachel, and Sadie Smith all have different interests and life goals, but they...

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  • TDT Alumnus Luke Lish in his truck.

    Driven to Success

    Before earning his CDL through John Wood Community College’s Truck Driver Training (TDT) program, Luke...

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I graduated from JWCC with no student debt and transferred to U of I to finish my bachelor's degree.

—Brent Mansfield, Crop Production Researcher

I would recommend starting with one or two years of community college to anyone.

—Katie Richárd, FBI

I took classes in different subjects to find what I wanted to do for a living & learned what I was truly passionate about.

—Breckon Bice, Project Engineer- Nenan Co.

Greg Havermale, physician and JWCC alumnus

When I was accepted to medical school, my credits transferred easily like they were from Mizzou.

—Greg Havermale, Physician

Sebastian Francis, NASA employee and JWCC Alumnus

My professors were tough, but I knew they were doing their jobs when Purdue made an exception for me to join the program in the middle of the third year.

—Sebastian Francis, NASA