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I am, You are, We are., 17 W Main Street, Danville, IL (2026)

05/28/2024

Ashton Greer

If you have been alive for any number of years, you understand that to exist is to live in the tension of pain and joy, hope and disappointment, laughter and tears. Life is beautiful – beautiful and hard. Good people and good friends make those hard times more bearable, and they bring lanterns to us in the darkest of times. They carry hope. They kindle flames. They light up rooms and neighborhoods - and that’s what I am. You are. We are. has been about. The hundreds of people whose stories have been told through this initiative are those same people who bring hope, life, and light to this strong and resilient community.

As for me, during my time as Danville’s Community Relations Administrator, I was simultaneously experiencing the most significant loss of my life, accompanied by deep, intense grief. It is the people in this community who carried me when I could not carry myself. People who held me with compassion, noticed me, checked on me, extended grace, loved my boys, paid my bills, fed me, included me, gave me the benefit of the doubt, filled in for me, helped me move, cleaned my house, just sat with me while I cried… the list goes on and on. At one time a friend purchased a trampoline for my children. Another friend installed security cameras when I felt afraid. Another filled in for me as a public speaker at an event with 5 minutes notice because I could not pull myself together that morning. Another hosted my children for a movie night with pizza and bingo when I was too exhausted to create fun experiences for them. There are so many stories like this that I could tell you. And though this, I came to the realization that there truly is nowhere else I would want to call home through the blows of life. That not only is Danville full of possibilities, but it is also full of wonderful and kind neighbors.

Nearly every I am. You are. We are. interview that I carried out, had me in tears or deeply reflecting about my own life. Hearing the stories of adversity that had been endured, hardships overcome, and wisdom and strength that formed in many where there could have been hostility and resentment, gave me the courage to keep going with a kind heart. These stories have been a huge part of my healing journey. They inspired me to live thoughtfully and to bravely begin to come out of my defensive stance and shift back into openness and unclenched fists. The lives of our good neighbors, local influencers, and change-makers, reminded me that every story has loss, and every story can also have redemption. And that often, the motivation and purpose for living boldly and compassionately, is the empathy, wisdom, and understanding that is born from the most painful of experiences.

I hope these stories have touched your heart in some similar and meaningful way. I hope you have been inspired to live intentionally, with compassion and bravery. I hope that, as I have, you have reflected and aimed to live a life of purpose. I extend my gratitude to every person who was willing to share their story and be a part of I am. You are. We are. May we all be inspired to be the good in Vermilion County.

With Love,

Ashton

05/21/2024

I am Vermilion County. You are Vermilion County. We are Vermilion County! Wow, what a whirlwind. It was October of 2021 when Ashton Greer and I sat down and decided we needed to combat the negativity on social media with positive stories – and IYW was born.

Throughout this process, we have met so many incredible people and have had the honor to introduce them to our community and beyond. The footprint that IYW has reached has been incredible, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of sharing these stories.

My hope is that these stories have a long-lasting impact on our community, and we can continue to focus on the positive instead of the negative. As members of this community, it is our job to promote all the wonderful things Vermilion County can offer. From the outdoor beauty to the downtowns, the small businesses, the people - we have a lot to brag about.

As I transition from my role as the Director of the Chamber of Commerce at Vermilion Advantage to the Development Director at the Historical Fischer Theatre, I plan to continue to serve this community and be a part of the positive changes happening throughout Vermilion County. I charge you to do the same.

I will leave you with this: Be proud of where you live. Instead of complaining, get involved. Be a part of the change. Speak (and post) positivity. I, you, and we have the power to change Vermilion County’s narrative.

Thank you for allowing us to tell these stories.

- Nicole Van Hyfte

05/14/2024

As the Community Development Coordinator for Vermilion Advantage, serving both the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, I would like to take a moment and extend a heartfelt thank you to all the nominees, nominators, and readers that have supported I am, You are, We are along the way. As I write my last article, I am left feeling a sense of gratitude to have been part of such a special initiative. Hearing and sharing your stories have been an honor and a true blessing. Every day, I am reminded of the countless unsung heroes who contribute to making our community a better place.

In this role, I have been given the opportunity to shine a light on remarkable individuals, whose acts of kindness, dedication, and service often go unnoticed. Whether it's a local business owner, a volunteer, or a teacher, these unsung heroes are the backbone of our community.

As a wife and mother of two daughters, I am especially thankful for the opportunity to instill in them the values of empathy, compassion, and service to others. By showcasing these stories, I hope it has inspired the next generation to embrace the power they have to make a change in their community.

My hopes and dreams for the future of Vermilion County is that we can one day see our value. We have masked our beauty and diminished our worth long enough. We have let the nay-sayers be louder than the cheerleaders. It is time for us to tell our story, it is time for us to take pride in where we live, it is time for us to realize what an amazing, beautiful place we live in. In order to see a change, we have to be the change.

Say it with me…I am Vermilion County. You are Vermilion County. Together, we are Vermilion County!

As we move forward, let us never forget the power of celebrating those who make a difference, both big and small. Together, we can continue to build a community where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

By Jodie Ingram

05/07/2024

Erin Gregory

I grew up north of Danville but have had ties to this town all my life. Originally, I went to Holy Family Catholic School, and growing up my grandparents would bring us to Danville every Friday night for an ice cream from Custard Cup. When Holy Family closed their doors, I transferred to Rossville Alvin Grade School, where I became friends with some amazing people. Since Rossville doesn’t have a high school, I chose to go to Bismarck Henning where I was on the track and volleyball teams and built connections with more beautiful souls. I graduated in 2020 with the other “Covid kids”. I moved to Chicago that fall and loved it, however, I did get homesick for Vermilion County. I moved back home in January of 2023, and while being home, I found that Vermilion County was my safe space. Since moving back, I started working at Starbucks and for the City of Danville as the Community Relations Professional Intern. In March of 2022, I was put in charge of writing the I am. You are. We are. (IYW) stories and helping with graphics, flyers, and hosting the First Fridays and Fall Festival events.

Writing the IYW stories has shown me the beauty of the people in Vermilion County and why making a home here is an amazing option. While writing these stories I have gotten to know some astounding members of the community; from people who volunteer at city or neighborhood events to those who use their positions to help others get on their feet and on the path to success. I hope that reading these stories has restored faith in the people of Vermilion County and has cast a beautiful light on those who make life here better.

In the future I am hopeful that we can continue doing work like this. I feel like the IYW initiative brought people together and gave them something to be proud of locally. I am hopeful that Vermilion County can come together and continue to support each other and cheer everyone on as we continue to grow as a community. While writing these articles, I was reassured that the future of Vermilion County is bright, with everyone continually helping their neighbors and supporting their communities we can grow into a beautiful place where people can settle down and grow their lives.

Thank you to Ashton and Nicole for starting this and to the many people whose stories we have been able to highlight through it all.

Erin Gregory

05/03/2024

Dozens of months ago, we started telling the stories of wonderful people in Danville and Vermilion County. We started telling your stories, about how you spend your time making the world around you a better place. What we (the interviewers and writers) have found, is that we are so inspired by the quality of people living in our communities. So many times, I (Ashton) leave an interview with a changed worldview, an inspired heart, tears shed, and a bit more healed than I was before the visit. For all of us working on this project, the endeavor has been life-changing. Our hope is that for you, the reader, it has been inspirational and life-giving.

As it is in life, all good things must come to an end, and we are nearing that ending for I am. You are. We are. Vermilion County stories. With the departure of Nicole VanHyfte from her role at Vermilion Advantage and my departure from the Community Relations Administrator role at the City of Danville, it just feels that now is that time.

To give our readers some insight, our last four weeks of stories will be the stories of those of us who are behind the scenes (Jodie, Erin, Nicole, and Ashton). We will each write our own stories for you, sharing about our experiences in public and community service, and we will leave you with our hopes and dreams for Vermilion County.

After the final story on May 28, 2024 the page will remain active, but will not have activity for a little while. However, The City of Danville has hopes of bringing back impactful storytelling in another capacity in the near future and the page will undergo a makeover! So, hang tight!

We want to thank every nominator, interviewee, and reader for how you have contributed to this source of positive information and news in our community. We have been inspired in the process, and seeing the small ripple of an idea and a story turn into a wave that has washed over this community is powerful. So many of you have changed this community for the better. So many of you are doing the good work, day in and day out. The people here are the secret sauce.

I am Vermilion County. You are Vermilion County. Together, we are Vermilion County!

With Love,

Ashton Greer
Nicole Van Hyfte
Erin Gregory
Jodie Nicole

04/30/2024

This week’s I am, You are, We are honoree is Jane Cress. According to Jane she is “just a crossing guard” but to many others in the community she is not just a crossing guard she is the BEST crossing guard and so much more! For three decades Jane Cress, or Miss Jane as the students call her, has been a constant presence at the school crossing, ensuring the safety of children as they go to and from school. But her role extends far beyond the role of a crossing guard; she is a beloved figure, a source of comfort, and a beacon of love for generations of students.

Jane started her job as a crossing guard for the Bismarck school district 30 years ago. In the blink of an eye her job has evolved into a lifelong career. Every morning, rain or shine, Miss Jane stands at her post, greeting each child with a warm smile and a kind word. For many children, Miss Jane is the first person and the last person they see from the school each day. It is her wishes that they feel loved and safe in her presence. She hopes each child knows that she is a safe place and is a person who will always be there for them.

Miss Jane is always lending a helping hand to those in need. She enjoys volunteering her time for the Village of Bismarck and at the school. One of her favorite events is Grandparents Day, she is an “adopt a Grandma” and gets to spend time with students who might not have a Grandparent present that day. She is also known for knitting baby blankets. She has made 5 blankets this year alone; everyone gets excited to get a blanket from Miss Jane! She also lends a helping hand by knitting hats for students in need. Her selflessness and compassion serve as an inspiration, reminding us the power of kindness and the importance of looking out for one another.

When Jane is not at work or volunteering, she loves spending time with her family. She has been married to her husband Brian for 42 years. They have one son, Matt, and their Facebook famous Pomeranian dog, Calvin. Jane has lived in the Bismarck area her entire life. Her family is such a blessing to her and is the biggest reason she loves where she lives.

Thank you, Miss Jane, for the profound impact you have made in this community. Thank you for being a friend, a mentor, and a safe place for the students of Bismarck. Your unwavering love and dedication have left a mark on the hearts of all who have had the privilege of knowing you!

By Jodie Ingram

04/23/2024

“Melissa made me a better person.”

Chris Heeren dedicated the honor of this article to his late wife, Melissa, who passed away in August. She was an IYW Honoree just last year. Chris and his wife Melissa clearly had a beautiful love, and he said that without her he wouldn’t be the man he is today. Everything he does is because she pushed him to become a better man.

Chris Heeren is a bright light in Danville. Anyone who knows him can confirm that he is one of the most caring and kind humans to walk the earth. Luckily, Danville is the place Chris and his family decided to plant their roots. He was born and raised in Danville but had moved to Chicago for a time. In 1999, he and his wife purchased a local business and moved their family back to Danville. Chris says, “I stay here because I love the simplicity of life here.” With a little of everything and not too much of anything, Danville has become the perfect home for Chris. He loves to road trip, hike, golf and explore the beauty of the world. Being so close to our beautiful parks gives him the opportunity to explore. Chris’s love for Danville has even spread to his children, as six out of his seven children still live here with their families.

Chris has volunteered his time as a board member and helped at numerous events in the past 25 years. Now, Chris is the Treasurer for the City of Danville, which he does with the pure motive of helping ensure that our city is operating with integrity and purpose. When asked why he does what he does, Chris said, “After a lot of life experiences and mistakes, I’ve learned to follow my heart and intuition.” He wants to be able to set a great example for his family to learn from and follow.

If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Chris, you know he is doing a wonderful job of setting a great example for his family and anyone else that looks up to him. The best lesson that he has learned, and I think everyone should learn and come to terms with, is you are the only person responsible for your actions and happiness. Chris finds his happiness by spreading kindness everywhere he goes. He lives with the wisdom from his journey, and the love of his family and friends in his heart.

By Erin Gregory

04/16/2024

It is an honor and a privilege to announce this week’s I am, You are, We are recipient, Brandun Schweizer. Brandun is a 21-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps and is the current State Representative for the 104th District. Brandun grew up on a horse farm and participated in 4-H throughout his entire childhood. He has been married to his wonderful wife Amy for nearly 14 years and they have three amazing boys together.

Brandun met his wife in April of 2009 during a job fair hosted by DACC (speaking of job fairs, don’t forget to join us at the Career Expo on April 24th at the David S. Palmer Arena, you might find your next career or even your future spouse!). Amy was working for The Boys and Girls Club of Danville, and he was a recruiter for the Marine Corps. Brandun signed up to do a booth at the job fair hoping to recruit the next generation of Marines but ended up finding something better, his future wife! They are now married and have 3 boys Roman (12) born in Urbana, IL; Preston (9) born in Okinawa, Japan; and Deacon (7) born in Honolulu, HI. All three boys currently attend school at Northeast Elementary.

Brandun’s “WHY” in everything he does always comes back to his family. It is extremely important to him that his kids grow up in a community that they can thrive in if they choose to stay and not have to leave to become more successful. This is one of the many reasons that his family chose to call Vermilion County home.

Another reason Brandun has chosen Vermilion County is all the wonderful things it has to offer, two state parks, an amazing lake, wonderful golf courses, and close proximity to small towns, small cities, and large cities. Brandun loves golfing, hiking, fishing, and spending time with his family. One of his favorite pastimes is sitting by the lake in the early morning hours “fishing” and by that he means its more casting than actually catching fish, but it is still fun! He also loves to volunteer for Little League and Northeast Elementary. He currently serves on two boards: Vermilion Advantage and Birth to Five.

It doesn’t take long to know that Brandun loves this country, this state, this county and all the people who live here. Brandun has lived in 6 different states and 5 separate countries but he couldn’t be happier to call this place home. To this I say…the feeling is mutual! Thank you, Brandon Schweizer, for coming home! Thank you for raising your family here, for supporting our community, and for being the voice of Vermilion County.

By Jodie Ingram

04/09/2024

“Embrace the hard” is the premise Molly Gregory tries to live by. She believes it is okay for something to be really challenging and to not be good at it right away. As long as you keep doing it and working towards being better, you’re doing something right.

Molly Gregory is a Vermilion County native; she was raised in Rossville, a small town thirty minutes north of Danville. She graduated from Bismarck Henning High School in 2015 and then she moved to Chicago and went on to study English with a focus in creative writing and minored in history at Northwestern University.

Post graduation she moved to New York City and taught 5th grade special education and English. She taught in New York for under a year when she decided she wanted to come back to Vermilion County and study law. She then went to the University of Illinois for her law degree and graduated with her Juris Doctorate in May of 2023, becoming a barred lawyer in August of 2023. In 2022, she started interning at Huber and Mudd Law in Downtown Danville, and since has become an associate attorney.

Molly says, “I think it is important that people have proper access to law, and it is difficult to find lawyers in a rural area.” This was her purpose for relocating back home. With a passion for academics, becoming a lawyer was an easy choice for Molly. She says, “No matter what, as a lawyer, there is always something new to learn.” As the author of this article and as her little sister, I think she is one of the best people to have in your corner. When Molly fights for you she will push you to fight for yourself. She loves her job because she gets to experience most forms of law. She loves working in family law because she can help children during trying circumstances. She can communicate and support them in a way that is best for the child rather than what is best for the parents.

Molly chose Danville not just for the proximity to the local state parks, but because it is a great place to make genuine connections with people. She says, “Danville is small enough to make strong and long-lasting connections with other professionals outside of work.” Living in Danville is perfect for Molly because it is still within driving distance to watch Northwestern football every season, which is something she has enjoyed since college. She was once in color guard and enjoyed performing during halftime performances.

Molly is a great young professional to have in our community. She will continue to work to better Danville and to serve our future generations. We are so excited to see all that Molly accomplishes as an attorney in our community.

By Erin Gregory

04/02/2024

It is an honor to announce this week’s I am, You are, We are recipient and the 2024 East Central Region Teacher of the Year, Stacey Rickard.

Stacey Rickard is an Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Salt Fork High School. Stacey grew up on a large grain farm in Catlin. She never intended on pursuing a career in agriculture until she joined the FFA. Joining the FFA, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through agricultural education, she discovered various paths of agriculture that she never knew existed. As a teacher, it is her goal to pay it forward to inspire, to educate, and empower the next generation of agricultural leaders. Through her guidance and mentorship, she hopes to ignite the same spark of curiosity and passion in her students, showing them that there is a place for each and every one of them. She never wants a student to leave her classroom wishing they knew more. She strives to push students out of their comfort zone and help them grow with hands on experiences.

Speaking of hands-on experiences, Stacey and her FFA students were recently involved in an amazing sustainability project. The students came up with both the idea and action plan for the project. The project required the repurposing of old tires. The students sent their plan out to the community and requested a donation of old/used tires. The community responded and they quickly found themselves with over 500 tires! The students took these tires and turned them into dog beds for local animal shelters and raised ABC Gardens for the schools. Another great example of providing fun and educational experiences for the students is the upcoming summer FFA trip to Ireland!

Stacey loves what she does, and she loves her students. It has been a dream come true to come back and teach where she grew up. She attests that she has the best students in the county! She couldn’t see herself teaching or living anywhere else! Stacey currently lives in her family farmhouse from the 1850’s. She finds it interesting that she is stepping on the same ground that her ancestors once did. She often wonders what their views from the window looked like and how much has changed over time.

As the winds of change blow and the sun sets on another day, the legacy of Stacey Rickard’s impact continues to bloom, a testament of a dedicated teacher to change lives and inspire greatness. Thank you, Stacey Rickard, for your passion, dedication, and belief in the potential of every student. Thank you for planting the seeds for the next generation of agricultural leaders!

By Jodie Ingram

03/26/2024

Angela Rossi was born and raised in Chicago and moved to Danville in 2017 with her family and has chosen Danville as her home ever since. She says, “Danville is the most supportive, uplifting community I have ever encountered.” Angela has lived all over the country and has never encountered people like the people of Danville. “There is nothing like the people in this town.”

Angela is a mother of two children who are 11 and 6 years old who attend Schlarman Academy in Danville. Her partner, Chris, has three children, and they live together and raise their blended family with love. Her goal as parent is to join her children on their growth journey and help lead them towards their best selves. She approaches parenting kind of like an entrepreneur approaches business. She asks, “How can I encourage them to grow and be with them in the thick of it as they engage with the world around?” She loves her career, but she says parenting is the number one priority in her life. “It is an honor to get to raise them.”

In 2015, Angela started exploring photography as a hobby. Before that, she was in the beauty industry, as a massage therapy and aesthetics instructor and as a small business owner offering custom makeup, facials, massage, etc. When her brother passed away in 2002, they scrambled to find photos of him and realized they didn’t capture enough of his legacy. She realized then that photography is documenting a very important life journey. Having children of her own and photographing them made her love and appreciate photography even more. That grew into a passion to help business owners, families and individuals capture their stories and precious moments. Angela says, “Telling a story through visual media is invaluable.”

Angela is best known in the area for her photography business, Rossi Studios. Angela loves being a business owner, and we are so glad she has chosen Danville to capture the beauty of the area and the meaningful experiences that we have in this city. She is not small-minded with her business plans, and the roots she has put down continue to grow. Ultimately, she loves serving small businesses, organizations, schools, and families. She hopes to provide employment for other creatives as her business grows – not just in photography, but in videography, print, and visual media services.

She doesn’t want to leave businesses empty-handed. Angela says, “I don’t want to just give them images and walk away without teaching them how to utilize them. So, I am growing into providing print and digital assets they can use online or in person at the same time.” Digitals are wonderful, but she wants her clients to have something in their hands that they can hold and cherish or marketing assets in their arsenal that they can put to use. Angela says, “I am not serving anyone well if I do not complete the project. I am a photographer, but I see myself as someone who is in the service industry. I am here to serve my clients. My gift is to help and serve others. My tool is my camera.”

By Ashton Greer

I am, You are, We are.

05/28/2024

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04/30/2024

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