Photographer: John Dixon

Msgr. Gregory Ketcham, right, Head Chaplain and Director of St. John's Newman Center, makes the sign of the cross with ashes, as hundreds of University of Illinois students line up for the distribution of ashes by the Center's pastoral staff on the Quad in Urbana on Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013. Ashes were distributed to thousands of recipients throughout the day during several Mass' and Ash Services for Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent for millions of Christians in the United States.

Photographer: John Dixon

Eddie Burnett sprawls across the engine of his 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck to work on the distributor, with his brother Tommie Burnette, on E Eureka St. in Champaign on Wed. Feb. 13, 2013. "This thing's giving me fits", said Eddie Burnett, who lives in Champaign, and spells his last name differently than his brother Tommie, who lives in Urbana.

Photographer: John Dixon

Stand Alone - Illini Swing Society members Andrea Walker, left, and David Rodgers, right, demonstrate Swing dance moves, with other members of their group, on the stage at the Courtyard Cafe, at the Illini Union in Urbana on Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. The group put on the demonstration to promote their upcoming Valentine's Day social dance. Free lessons will be given at 8 p.m., Feb. 14th, at the Courtyard Cafe, followed by the social dance at 9 p.m. More information can be found at "illiniswing.org"(cq).

Photographer: John Dixon

Stand Alone - Mike Kelley, a brick mason working of the University of Illinois dept. of Facilities and Services, tuck points the stairs outside Foellinger Auditorium in Urbana on Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013.

Photographer: John Dixon

Stand Alone - Meeah Balint, right, shows off her craft project to her mother Hali Balint, left, and sister Isis Gradney at Yankee Ridge Elementary School's NAAPID Day (National African American Parent Involvement Day) activities at the school in Urbana on Monday Feb. 11, 2013.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Ayrianna Roberts, 4, applies glue on a paper heart while decorating a Valentines Day card for her mother at Southwest Elementary School in Tilton Tuesday February 12, 2013. Students in Diane Rew's afternoon pre-k class are making cards that will go home tomorrow or Thursday.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Guest speaker Jonte Rollins offers advice to students and parents in an assembly during NAAPID activities at Bottenfield school in Champaign Monday, February 11, 2013.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Members of the UI Alpha Phi Alpha steppers perform in an assembly during NAAPID activities at Bottenfield school in Champaign Monday, February 11, 2013.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Zahia Ouzidane sings a solo as the fifth grade choir sings "Tomorrow" in an assembly during NAAPID activities at Bottenfield school in Champaign Monday, February 11, 2013.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Maddie Henson sings a solo as the fifth grade choir sings "Tomorrow" in an assembly during NAAPID activities at Bottenfield school in Champaign Monday, February 11, 2013.

Photographer: Darrell Hoemann

Members of the UI Alpha Phi Alpha steppers perform in an assembly during NAAPID activities at Bottenfield school in Champaign Monday, February 11, 2013.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Members of the Sweet Adelines sing to Paul Ziebert at his home on Gilbert Street in Danville Thursday, February 14, 2013.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Members of the Sweet Adelines sing to Paul Ziebert at his home on Gilbert Street in Danville Thursday, February 14, 2013.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Maria Vargas listens to members of the Sweet Adelines sing to her at her work, Dawson Logistics on Voorhees Street in Danville Thursday, February 14, 2013.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Maria Vargas listens to members of the Sweet Adelines sing to her at her work, Dawson Logistics on Voorhees Street in Danville Thursday, February 14, 2013.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

Charlie and Gladys Kuntz, Hoopeston, talk with another couple during the 22nd annual Senior Citizens Sweetheart Banquet sponsored by the Hoopeston Area High School student council Thursday, February 14, 2013. They were two of about 200 people attending the event and have been married for 62 years.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

2012 Vermilion County Fair Queen Elizabeth Sothen, Danville, gives a card to a veteran at Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System in Danville Thursday, February 14, 2013. Community members visited the facility to pay tribute to hospitalized Veterans during National Salute Week, Feb. 11-15.

Photographer: Rick Danzl

First-graders Cort Vermilion, left, and Damon Slade race through part of an inflatable play structure in the gym at Oakwood Grade School, February 15, 2013. Students at the school were treated to a party with games and treats as a reward for success in last year's ISAT testing.