Spring Break
Rain doesn't stop Panther Patrol
Signs, Eastern bags left outside homes to notify students of their admittance
Editor in Chief/Kristina Peters
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: News
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Major, Brutti and Mueller were just one of 10 groups who worked together in the early morning hours leaving gifts and signs outside for 60 students in Coles County for an event called Panther Patrol.
The signs, which said things like "admitted," "honor student" and "graduate," were placed prominently in the front yards of high school students in the area who have been accepted to Eastern.
Eastern bags filled with items such as T-shirts, pens, highlighters and permanent markers were placed on the front porch of each house as well.
The signs will be the first time the students hear they have been admitted to Eastern.
But because of the rain and flooded roads, some groups had trouble getting to houses.
"We, of course, urged our drivers to use extreme caution, but were unable to cross one or two country roads which lead to us not reaching a couple students," said Blair Holly, an admissions counselor. "They will receive their signs and package as soon as we can reach them."
Holly said the rain made for more of an adventure.
She said one group was greeted by a farmer who offered them coffee as they left the gifts for his daughter.
"They kindly declined in order to surprise more students and get back to work," Holly said.
All 10 groups finished visiting their houses by 7 a.m.
Holly has been involved with Panther Patrol for the past two years and said that since she has been here, they have received positive feedback about the program.
"From the feedback we get from parents, the students really like it," Holly said. "I had already received many e-mails from parents sharing with us how excited their son or daughter was when they received the packages before I could even turn on my computer this morning."
Major, director of admissions, said Panther Patrol was started to get high school students in the area excited about being accepted to Eastern.
"Since we've been doing this, enrollment in Coles County has increased each year," Major said.
Panther Patrol began four years ago and was started by Major. The Admissions Office runs the program and the Office of New Student Programs helps out and students volunteer.
Brutti, a junior therapeutic recreation major, volunteered through the Panther Ambassador Club.
"I thought it would be a fun experience," she said.
Brutti said despite the rain, it met her expectations. It was "soggy fun," she said. Major, Brutti and Mueller had some difficulty in finding some of the houses, but stayed on track.
"It's so hard to see addresses," Brutti said.
Parents of the high school students were contacted about three weeks in advance for approval of people putting signs in their yards as early as 5 a.m. and to make sure they are aware of why a car would be pulling up in their driveway.
Because of the advanced notice, some homeowners left their front porch lights on.
Mueller, a freshman elementary education major with a math concentration, said Panther Patrol is a great way to give back to the community.
"It's a very good idea. Very smart," she said.
Karenlee Spencer, special events coordinator for the admissions office, said the community gets to recognize the success of the high school students in their neighborhood.
"The community gets to feel that excitement for those students who are coming to Eastern," Spencer said. "As it goes from year to year it builds its own level of excitement."
She added that it is just as exciting for the volunteers.
"Sneaking around in the dark with barking dogs and deer running through the road … It's an adventure," Spencer said.
Another Panther Patrol will take place in April when another 25 or so more high school students will be honored.
Kristina Peters can be reached at 581-7936 or at kmpeters2@eiu.edu.
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