06-03-2025
Southeastern IL residents place in government championship
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Southeastern Illinois College (SIC) says it has 'captured' its third consecutive Model Illinois Government (MIG) championship when it was named, 'Outstanding Large Delegation' on Sunday.
Officials note this marks SIC's 15th State Championship in 21 years and second three-peat in eight years. The win further 'solidified' the school's legacy as one of the top programs in the state, despite being the smallest school by enrollment at the competition.
'A three-peat is not only a testament to the program, it says a great deal about the quality of our students,' said advisor Matt Lees. 'Only one student returned from this last year's team. My colleagues ask me where I consistency find such talented kids and my answer is simple – my classes.'
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In terms of the Illinois counties within the Eyewitness News coverage area, officials with the SIC say first-year delegates included:
Logan Brinkley and Abbey Mobley, both of Norris City
Ethan Howard of Enfield
According to SIC, the single returning delegate was Head Delegate Tobias Hamblin of Norris City.
The SIC says Hamblin led this group and was the only member to have been part of all three championship teams. SIC led all schools in total points, won four major awards and held central leadership positions in the House Republican and Senate Republican caucuses.
Officials say during competition students had the opportunity to debate bills in the actual House and Senate chambers in Springfield. This year, more than 175 students from 16 colleges and universities participated from across the state.
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SIC says its students were also elected to four committee spokesperson positions and a committee chair position. Students won elections for Senate Minority and Assistant Minority Leader and secured two Floor Whip positions. The team won awards for Outstanding Original Legislation, Outstanding Person in the House of Representatives, Outstanding First Year Delegate in the House and Outstanding First Year Delegate in the Senate. In terms of local Illinoisans, here was who was elected to what:
Those who secured committee spokesperson positions
Ethan Howard
Abbey Mobley
Floor whips
Logan Brinkley
Chair and House Minority Leader
Tobias Hamblin
Senate Assistant Minority Leader
Ethan Howard
Officials say Mobley later won the Outstanding Original Legislation Award while Ethan Howard was named Outstanding First Year Member in the Senate. Hamblin received the Donna Lennon Award for Outstanding Member of the House, the chamber's most coveted honor.
In reference to the residents from the Tri-State, the SIC says in acquiring two positions and one award, Hamblin, Howard and Mobley scored three composite points leading the entire simulation in individual points and tying a school record.
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Officials say Mobley and another SIC student, Jaxson Buckman, also crafted their own original legislation. Both students successfully guided their bill from committee all the way to the governor's desk.
Lees says, 'This group had some of the best leadership I've ever observed during my 24 years as advisor. As Head Delegate, Tobias Hamblin worked tirelessly and slept little. There is a reason he has been a member of three championships teams.'
The SIC says given the number of offices held and overall performance, the SIC team was named Outstanding Large Delegation.
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