OGLESBY – Sara Escatel of Mendota, director of Adult Education at Illinois Valley Community College, put her hand to her mouth in shock when she realized the speaker at the podium was actually talking about Escatel herself.
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OGLESBY – Sara Escatel of Mendota, director of Adult Education at Illinois Valley Community College, put her hand to her mouth in shock when she realized the speaker at the podium was actually talking about Escatel herself.
Upon receiving the Administrator of the Year Award, Escatel said, with tears in her eyes, “This is a surprise. Thank you so much.”
The statewide award was one of several given during the 40th annual Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators Association conference in March.
Escatel was nominated by IVCC administrators and staff members and Aurora Medina, Starved Rock Associates for Vocational and Technical Education Single Parent coordinator.
In her letter of support, Medina said Escatel “is a great example for the Latino community and for many others. Her passion and dedication to provide opportunities for the Latino population is inspiring.
“Sara leads the Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council and has done a phenomenal job. She is open-minded and always available to lend a helping hand.”
In her speech, Escatel noted Hispanic/Latina women have difficulty succeeding “unless you believe in yourself. It takes people to believe in you, too, and that’s what I have.”
Escatel thanked her staff, IVCC leadership and the Illinois Community Colleges Board for being “so supportive in everything we do.”
Letters of support were received from IVCC President Jerry Corcoran and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Bonnie Campbell.
Corcoran said Escatel is “100 percent dedicated to her students, staff and the IVCC community” while Campbell noted she is “consistently impressed with Sara’s ability to understand and articulate the needs of the communities her department serves.”
Escatel’s daughter Priscilla and seven staff members attended. One staff member said, “she is the best” as Escatel turned to hug her daughter and several other Adult Education instructors standing behind her on stage.
Once she hugged everyone, Escatel returned to the microphone to share a few more words.
“Thank you so much. I appreciate everything from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much for making a difference in everyone’s lives.”
