gold medal

While every Team USA member represents our country, athletes also represent their state and hometown. Over the years, athletes from almost all 50 states have helped contribute to winning Team USA a gold medal. Some states have produced more athletes than others including the state of Illinois.

There's been a lot of talk, and a lot written about the upcoming Rio Olympic Games. Most of it has focused on the negatives (and there are plenty of those) like Zika, crime, filthy water, unfinished venues, lack of security, etc. For the moment, let's put all the bad stuff aside, and focus on the Illinois athletes representing the United States.

Congratulations to Benji Bear, a senior at Auburn High School here in Rockford, for bringing home the gold, in a big way. From a Scholastic press release: Benji Bear of Rockford, IL is set to follow in the footsteps of some of the nation’s greatest creative leaders including Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon and Zac Posen...