‘Celebration of Success’ casts spotlight on positives connected with Unit 4 schools

MENDON, Ill. — The Unit 4 Foundation is one of those behind-the-scenes groups that bolsters a community school system by strengthening the programs and educational resources available to its students.

The foundation steps out in the open once every two years with its “Celebration of Success” that honors the accomplishments of those connected with the Unity School District, founded in 1948 and comprised of students from Mendon, Loraine, Fowler, Lima, Ursa and Meyer.

The sixth biennial celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Holiday Inn in Quincy and will spotlight “community support” as the theme. Longtime Unit 4 supporter Tim Bealor will be the guest speaker.

“It really is amazing and gratifying to me to see how the people of the (Unit 4 communities) support the needs of their schools,” said Bealor, whose family has lived in the Mendon area since 1977. “This is a great event, and I’m proud to be a part of this community.”

Tickets for the celebration are $50 per person. Reservations can be made by calling 217-936-2111, ext. 105. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., preceded by a cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m.

Funds raised through the Celebration of Success are used by the Unit 4 Foundation, formed in 1996, to help to help serve the educational needs of students. The foundation has raised more than $600,000 in support of Unit 4 students.

“The Celebration of Success focuses on the positives coming out of the (Unity) system,” said Phil Conover, who has been involved with the event since its inception in 2010. “Community support is vital to any school system.”

Past themes were learning (2010), music/arts (2012), athletics (2014), agriculture (2016) and military (2018). No celebration was held in 2020 due to restrictions forced by the pandemic.

The night of the celebration will feature a silent auction. Also included among the evening’s activities will be former students talking about the role the school district played in their lives.

Unity senior Addison Wetzel will sing “God Bless America.” 

A crowd of about 200 is expected to attend. The event is open to the public.