Holmes will swing and sing for Millikin

Gwen Holmes has a sweet swing on the golf course and on the softball diamond. But it’s sweet music in which Holmes’ heart desires to play the most.

The Prince-ton High School senior is going to take her talents to Millikin University in Decatur, where she will compete for the Big Blue’s golf team and might try to play softball.

But most importantly, she’s going to study music education in Millikin’s renown music program.

“They’ve really got a good music program. I had to audition,” Holmes said.

Holmes would like to become a college professor one day in the music industry, starting out at the high school level. Her mother, Vickie, is a music teacher for Princeton Elementary School District,

In the meantime, the BCR Golfer of the Year, will be packing her golf clubs for her college road trip. The Princeton all-stater, who placed 12th in last fall’s state meet, will join a Big Blue program that is headed by the wife and husband coaching tandem of Marilyn and Dick Dechert. They followed Holmes at state last fall in Carbondale.

“They showed me around campus,” Holmes said. “They’re retired, so that’s good. I can practice anytime I want to with my schedule and classes.”

This year’s Millikin golf team had 11 girls, including nine freshmen and sophomores.

A master of all trades at PHS, finding time for golf, softball, chearleading, school plays and musicals, and being homecoming queen, Holmes will see if she can continue her juggling act in college.

She has talked to Millikin softball coach Debbie Kiickk and will work out with the team to get a feel if it will fit into her schedule in the spring. Softball is Holmes’ favorite sport of all.

“We’ll see. For now, I want to focus most on the education thing. If I can do well, that’d be fun,” said Holmes, who is a pitcher/infielder for the Tigresses. “I’ll try to do the best I can, if it’s too much, I wouldn’t play softball. Hopefully, it’s not too busy. If can’t play golf this year, that would be the way it is.”