Arts & Sciences:

JACKIE DEBATIN

Jackie Debatin graduated from Highland High School in 1988.  Jackie received her bachelor’s degree in communication/public relations from SIU-Carbondale in 1992.  She also minored in theater at SIU-Carbondale where her passion for acting grew.

Following college graduation, Jackie packed her belongings into her car and drove to Los Angeles to follow her dreams.  Her first “real” paid acting job was in the movie, “Separate Lives”, starring Linda Hamilton and Jim Belushi. She hired a manager and an agent to secure auditions.  Jackie became successful appearing in numerous television shows including “Friends”, “ER”, “Becker”, “JAG”, “Without a Trace”, “The Office”, “The Unit”,  “Life”, “According to Jim”, and “Satin”.  Jackie is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.  In addition to her TV and movie appearances, Jackie has performed stand-up comedy at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles and live theatre. She was recognized by the LA Weekly as “Pick of the Week” for her performance in “Spike Heels.”

Jackie’s strong work ethic and personality were developed working on the family dairy farm as she was growing up.  She has an uncanny knack for being able to memorize lines, a required skill when she might have two or three auditions for different parts in one day. Each year Jackie continues to expand her resume. Her ultimate goal is to have a television series in which she is one of the regular actors. In addition to her acting career, Jackie also runs her own accounting firm.

ALLAN KILLION

Allan Killion graduated from Highland High School in 1966.  He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  Allan served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1972.

Allan began his photography career in Decatur, Illinois at WAND-TV from 1972-1975.  He relocated to Chicago to work as a Commercial Director with Telenation Productions from 1975-1979 then again from 1984-1987.  He was Stage Manager and Producer for NBC Sports from 1977-1983.  Pacific Studios in Hollywood, California was his next project as Videotape Editor.  He became Director of Big Ten Television from 1985-1989.  Allan has been a director at ESPN since 1988 and also Operating Producer for ESPN since 1989.  A lot of his work is freelance.  From 1990-1995 Allan was the Electronic Effects Editor for fifteen Miss Teen, Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants.

Allan received a National Emmy Award for Camera (Electronics) for his work on a Barry Manilow Special in 1977.  He also received a National Emmy Award for Technical Team Remote ESPN X Games in 1997.  Allan is presently traveling with ESPN televising college football games.

PATRICK KUHL

Patrick Kuhl was raised in Highland and attended St. Paul Grade School from 1957 to 1965.  He attended high school at St. Henry’s Preparatory Seminary in Belleville graduating in 1969.  He attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Government.

Patrick began his journalism career in Corpus Christi, Texas at the Caller-Times (1973-1976).  Next, he worked in Austin, Texas for the American Statesman newspaper (1976-1984).  Patrick joined the staff of the Belleville News Democrat in 1984 and is now the Features Editor and Sports Editor for the BND.  Additionally, he writes a column for the Belleville News Democrat’s Sunday Magazine, which often includes tales from growing up in a family of 10 in Highland.

ROBIN MCGEE

Robin McGee graduated from Highland High School in 1979.  She obtained her Bachelors
Degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.   After SIU-C Robin taught high school music and theatre.   Robin then attended the University of Texas in Austin where she obtained a Master of Fine Arts Degree in costume design and construction.

Robin has designed for over 100 theatrical productions of all kinds around the country.  She has been a Broadway costume designer in New York City since 1994.  Her vast experience includes everything from Vegas style showgirls for Comedy Central to singing animals in the opera “A Muskrat’s Lullaby” to detailed period clothing in “The It Girl” and Noel Coward’s “Fallen Angels” with a couple of Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey clowns in between.  Along with her writing partner, Robin has written a book entitled,  Patterns for Costume Accessories, a collection of over 80 patterns for period and contemporary accessories with complete instructions and illustrations of the finished pieces.
Robin is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 and was awarded Outstanding Costume Design at the New York Fringe Festival in 2006.

LYNNETTE (BAUMANN) SCHUEPBACH

Lynnette (Baumann) Schuepbach graduated as valedictorian from Highland High School in 1965.  She completed her Bachelor of Music Education K-14 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1971 and worked as a substitute teacher for Highland Community Schools for seven years.

 Lynnette founded CREATE Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable group whose mission
 was to encourage creativity in all aspects of life from 2001-2008.  Through CREATE Foundation she provided many hands-on activities for the Highland Art in the Park, Belleville Art on the Square, St. Louis Arts Festival in Clayton, MO, and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  Lynnette has written, illustrated and published four children’s books for ages 0-7.  She also illustrated two books for ages 6-12 written by another author.  She has served as events coordinator and vice president of St. Louis Publishers Association and is currently president of the group.  From 1977-1993 Lynnette was a member of the Society of Craft Designers, working for a woodcraft manufacturer, designing and teaching art with medium such as wood burning, wood carving, and colored penciling.  She has appeared on television programs for PBS, HGTV, and the Discovery cable channels.  During this time she wrote an instructional book on wood carving based on one of her own poems and three instructional books on wood burning.

  Lynnette has been an active member of the Highland Arts Council since 2003.  She served as secretary and is currently vice president and chair of Art in the Park.  Lynnette continues to write, illustrate, paint, and use many other creative mediums to satisfy her desire to be creative.

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