CHILDCARE STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Name: Rana Abbed

BLONO native? No, I am actually from Toulon, IL.

Tell us a little bit about you and your family…

I am 17 and a senior at NCHS. I would like to become an engineer in the future. I have two sisters and one brother…Hana is at U of I, Lilian is in 8^th grade at Evans and Omar is at NCHS with me.

What experiences do you have working with kids? I have babysat many children before coming to Four Seasons.

What are three words that describe you? Nice, sweet and responsible.

When you’re not at Four Seasons Childcare, what are you most likely doing (your hobbies)? Attending high school football games or hanging out with my sisters.

Name one thing on your bucket list? I’d love to see the Northern Lights someday!

What do you like MOST about working in Four Seasons Childcare? I like the family atmosphere that Four Seasons provides.

I’m Nichole Olson, one of your Juice Bar Associates here at Four Seasons Health Club! You’ll find me working at the Juice Bar at FSI Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays! If you can’t find me there I’m probably getting my WERQ out on at FSII.

So a little bit about myself… I am a mother to an awesome six year old boy, and I live here in Bloomington with him, my husband, and our pug Milo.

I am also a two-time Breast Cancer Survivor! You could say that October is “my” month but really anybody fighting cancer or surviving cancer should be celebrated every month! I was first diagnosed in 2013 at the age of 27, with no family history of any type of cancer. I went through five surgeries and six long months of chemotherapy. I took a daily “chemo” pill to help fend off any return of cancer but unfortunately in October of 2016 at the age of 30, my cancer returned and the battle was on again. I was fortunate to once again have no other involvement anywhere else in my body and the cancer stayed completely local and got away with doing two months of radiation. I also switched “chemo” pills and have been declared NED (No Evidence of Disease) since! Cancer can take a huge toll on the body not only physically but mentally. I gained over 50 pounds during chemotherapy and unfortunately with my hormone changes and medications it makes it difficult to get off!

Here at four seasons I have learned to not only heal myself physically but also mentally. Going to WERQ Group Fitness classes gives me a fun dance work out where I can move at my own pace and have a great team of members next to me encouraging me to work towards greatness. I’m here to tell you no matter what gets you down you can push forward, you can be stronger and healthier.

Come on by and chat with me at the Juice Bar if you want to get together at WERQ, or learn more about the cancer community or if you just need someone to talk to! I am always ready to meet our members!

Childcare Staff Spotlight on DEANNA SILVEY

BLONO NATIVE? No…originally from Utah!

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY… My husband and I met playing soccer in college at a small school in Iowa. We moved to BloNo so my husband could coach soccer at Illinois State. He is entering his first season as the head coach after being an assistant for two seasons.  We have three beautiful children: Donovan (10), Chamae (6) and Anson (1). I am currently working on my group fitness instructor certification!

WHAT EXPERIENCES DO YOU HAVE WORKING WITH CHILDREN? I’m the second of six children, so I have been helping to care for children since I was a child myself. I have an AA degree with an emphasis in elementary education and I was a stay-at-home mom for nine years before I came to work at Four Seasons.

WHAT ARE THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU?  Caring, easy-going…and awesome (according to my kids and husband!)

WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING IN CHILDCARE, WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY DOING? Watching ISU soccer games, jogging/working out, taking care of my own kids & home, reading or watching Netflix.

NAME ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST…Traveling to Spain with my husband to take in the sights and watch Lionel Messi play in real life.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING IN FOUR SEASONS CHILDCARE?  Hanging out with the adorable kids and listening to the hilarious things they come up with!

Hi, I’m Nicole Spencer, Group Fitness Instructor at Four Seasons Health Club. About three and a half years ago I was feeling very self-conscience about my weight. I had low energy, and I could barely keep up with my daughters who were only 15 months apart. I was overweight and unhappy and looking for a solution. I was introduced to the high intensity cardio workout called INSANITY, which was different than anything I had ever done in my life! I felt very challenged, and I discovered muscles that I never knew existed. Although I did not particularly want to continue the workout because it was such a challenge, I knew why I was doing it: for myself and my children. With motivation and determination I stuck with the workouts, and I lost 30 pounds!

INSANITY has changed so many parts of my life. I would not be the person I am today if I had given up on myself when things got tough. INSANITY made such an impact on my life that I wanted to share it with everyone. I became INSANITY certified at Four Seasons in 2014.

Brendan Quinn, Four Seasons Health Club member, was in a motorcycle accident in 2013 that that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Inspired by elite Olympian Josh George, Brendan started training with dreams of competition. On October 8th, 2017, he will compete in the Chicago Marathon. Every day, rain or shine, Brendan goes to the gym or hits the trail to train on his race chair. He has joined the University of Illinois track team and practices every morning before classes. His goal is to qualify for the Boston Marathon and at the same time, raise awareness for organizations that help people overcome different disabilities.

Brendan has joined the Easterseals Charity Racing Team. Every dollar raised goes to support children whose families cannot afford rehabilitation services. If you’d like to contribute, please visit kidstherapyprogress.com/volunteers/Brendan%20Quinn. Brendan, you are amazing!

Watch Brendan in action by clicking here.