Spring Break
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Independence Day has a special place in the Midwest, and especially so in Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding townships. The farming communities have long been a source of patriotic pride, churning out soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and coasties to serve our country.
For Jodi Campbell-Hardwick, the choice to drop out of Atwood-Hammond High School was made after discovering that she was pregnant with twins at the age of 17. The year was 1998. After putting her high school career on hold for her children, Jodi did attempt to go back to high school, but it just didn't work out.
It is now fast approaching the time of year that many Illinoisans make the journey to the closest neighboring state for one of the most popular entertainment devices of the summer-fireworks. But even as throngs of people scramble to get their hands on their favorite colored Roman Candles, the longest roll of firecrackers they can find, and those forever-classic sparklers, they forget one very important thing: fireworks are not toys and treating them as such can wield severe consequences.