SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Vic Worthington and Jake Hubbard have a built a friendship that will likely stand the test of time. The story of their friendship recently caught the attention of Ag Director Raymond Poe and it was decided that this amazing group would be invited to the Illinois State Fair on Ag Day and attend various events as the Director’s special guests.
Bright and early Tuesday morning, this troop of students, parents and teachers from Rochelle Middle School hit the road for Springfield to attend the 2017 Ag Day Brunch. There the Illinois agriculture community was introduced to Worthington and Hubbard’s amazing story.
Agriculture is one of the most dangerous professions in the United States. That’s something Jake Hubbard knows all too well. In 2013, Jake Hubbard lost his arm in a farming accident. When Vic Worthington, a teacher at Rochelle Middle School, learned of Hubbard’s story, he was inspired. Worthington began research on the use of 3-D printers to successfully create prosthetics and he petitioned the school for a grant to purchase the equipment. Worthington and his class worked diligently for a year to design and produce a prosthetic arm to help Hubbard continue to provide for his family and get him back in the field.
While at the Illinois State Fair, Hubbard, Worthington and crew were honored at the 2017 Ag Day Brunch, named Illinoisans of the Day by Governor Bruce Rauner, served as Grand Marshals of the Illinois State Fair Daily Parade, and attended the Governor’s Sale of Champions as Director Poe’s special guests.
On behalf of the Illinois State Fair, we thank Vic Worthington and his students for their hard work and selfless acts to help better the lives of those around them.
— Illinois State Fair
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