JWCC Prairie State Profile: Mustangs’ Schaffnit puts heart and soul into community service

MENDON, Ill. — Annabelle Schaffnit started to be apologetic for her answer.

What the Unity senior softball player didn’t realize in the moment was how much her answer resonated.

After chatting a little about the Mustangs and their ongoing season, Schaffnit was asked about how much her life revolves around sports.

“I’ll be honest,” she said. “It used to be a lot more than what it is now. I’ve gotten older and I’ve realized there is more to life than sports.”

She paused at that point.

“I’m sorry if this is the wrong answer,” Schaffnit said.

It was far from it.

When you speak from the heart, it can’t be wrong. And Schaffnit pours her heart into a variety of endeavors that impact the school and the community so much that softball has become her break from service and the chance to stay connected with her friends.

“I’ve found out community service and helping others is a lot more important than sports,” Schaffnit said. “I’m actually going to Western Illinois University next year on a full-ride scholarship because of my community service.”

Her efforts range from being a part of the Adams County CEO program to organizing a Wreaths Across America event at the Quincy National Cemetery to working with 4-H and the Future Farmers of America organizations.

Schaffnit discussed this softball season, her extracurricular activities and what the future holds with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for this Prairie State Profile:

Q: What do you enjoy about softball?

A: I just enjoy being around all of my teammates. They definitely make it a lot of fun.

Q: How are things going this season?

A: We’re kind of off to a rough start. For some reason, we’re just off to a really bad start.

Q: What’s going to make this team successful once things start going in the right direction?

A: Our hitting. I feel like we have a lot of good hitters potentially. We just need to keep working on it. Our situational hitting, we need to work on that more.

Q: Even with the struggles, do you find yourself still enjoying going to practice and being a part of it?

A: My coaches make it really fun. Every practice, our assistant coach tries to come to practice with a new game she saw on TikTok. So she has us do a lot of new drills that we haven’t necessarily done before.

Q: So are you a TikTok-er?

A: I watch TikToks. That’s about it.

Q: What has the experience of being part of the Adams County CEO program been like?

A: I love the CEO program. I think everyone should do it. Yes, you get school credit for it, but every morning we’re going to either a different company and talking to their owners or we’re sitting in a room listening to speakers. I’ve gotten a lot more out of this CEO program than probably any of my classes this year combined, just because it’s more hands-on. Right now, we’re doing individual businesses and this semester I’ve made up a business plan with a poster, t-shirt and business cards. Everything involved with a business we’ve had to do.

Q: So what’s your business?

A: My business is AB’s Tasty Treats, where I’m selling funnel cakes, fried Oreos and non-traditional candies at school events and community events.

Q: Are you the one doing all the work?

A: I’m the one who is cooking everything. My sister or my mom is the one taking the money.

Q: What’s the reaction to your business been like?

A: They are all really impressed because I’m still just a senior in high school and I’ve done all these adult things with my business. Really, it’s become a lot bigger than I thought it would. In  January, I thought I’d have only two or three events I’d go to. From now until the Adams County Fair, I alone have four or five events. People having events are willing to get the youth involved and really want to help the kids.

Q: Do you enjoy always having something to do?

A: I’m not the person who likes to just sit and watch TV or clean their house. I like having other things to do.

Q: How did the Wreaths Across America participation come about?

A: That was my 4-H project for the county fair in 2019. It came up because the North Adams Nursing Home, where my 4-H club does a lot of its community service, actually closed and my club needed an idea for the big community service project every year. So my grandma and grandpa saw something about Wreaths Across America in a newspaper or on TV or something like that and told me about it. I was like, ‘Yeah, Grandma, whatever. This is a big-time deal.’ Being the curious person I am, I kind of looked into it more and I told my 4-H leaders about it. They were all on board. There is a national cemetery in Quincy that really no one knows about. So I started talking to people and sure enough everyone was on board and willing to help me. Within three months, I had to raise $5,000 to place all 552 wreaths on the tombstones that are there. So I had to talk to radio, TV, newspapers and fill out grants and applications, and with the community’s help, I actually raised $13,000 in three months. It’s grown to way more than I ever thought it could be. Last year was our third year of having it.

Q: With all of the things you’ve been involved with, have you decided where it’s going to lead you and what you plan to study in college?

A: I’m going to study ag business.

Q: Do you know what you want to do with it?

A: Not necessarily. I’m thinking my dream position would be working for Phibro or ADM or the Ursa Farmers Co-op as a sales person, but after college, I definitely want to stay in the Adams County area because of all my experience with the community helping me I want to give back to the community.

Q: How proud are you to be a part of this community?

A: I’m very proud. I hands down think this is the best community there is because everyone is so close and it feels like everyone knows each other some way and somehow.

Q: What has being involved in 4-H and FFA done for you?

A: It’s definitely had a positive impact because through FFA there is actually a job interview program and I participated in that. I was part of a fake job interview and they gave me pointers and what I could improve on. I took those suggestions and applied them to an interview I had at Phibro just a couple of months ago, and I actually got the position. It has definitely helped me move in the right direction.

Q: How much do you value education?

A: I value it a lot. Education is the first stepping stone to everything. You need to learn before you can actually do something.

Q: Having all of the experiences you’ve been a part of has helped you learn, hasn’t it?

A: I am a hands-on learner. So if I actually do something, I am more likely to remember it.