East Central Reporter

Lincoln Trail College student Guadalupe Amicone won a four-way race to become the next Student Representative to serve on the Illinois Eastern Community College’s Board of Trustees. Amicone will take office at April’s meeting at Lincoln Trail College. “It truly means a lot to me,” says Amicone, who came to LTC from Buenos Aires, Argentina. “Coming here was the best decision I have ever made in my life. When I mentioned in my campaign that ‘I want to give back all LTC gas given to me,’ it was not just a pretty phrase. Students, professors, and the community made me feel at home. I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences they have given me. Therefore, being elected the Student Trustee allows me to improve both our educational experience as students and our community.” 

During her campaign, Amicone met with students at LTC as well as at Frontier Community College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College. She said she wanted to tour the District because she believes each student is important and she wanted to hear what they had to say. Amicone has met with IECC Chancellor Dr. Ryan Gower to share what she heard from students, and they will meet again to develop a plan for the next year. Once she takes office, Amicone says she wants to make sure the students know she is there to represent them. “My first priority when I officially take office is to get my name all around the colleges. I want the students to feel if they want to talk and be listened to they have someone to do it. I will keep talking to them in order to know their needs and wants.” Amicone, who is in her first year at LTC, says the College has made a big difference in her life. “Firstly, LTC gave me the opportunity to achieve my dream to play soccer and studying in the U.S. by giving me a scholarship. The first day I came here I could not believe how helpful people were. I remember having problems with my Canvas or the financial website and people literally stopped what they were doing in order to help me. Each time something happened, LTC was there to support me immediately. I also stayed here for Christmas and people either from the community or the college did not hesitate to reach out to me and ask me how I was feeling or if I wanted to do something with them. I would be lying if I said that I do not miss my family. I do miss them and I would give many things just to give my parents a hug but, the truth is that LTC makes me feel that I am never alone.

 This college has made me feel that I am at my home because now, I consider this my home.” Amicone won a four-person race against Madisyn McIntosh, Sean Stone, and Abigail Vaughn. Raechel Hnetkovsky from Frontier Community College is the current Student Trustee. Student Trustees serve a one-year term after they are elected. IECC rotates the position between each college in the District. 

Original source can be found here.