Who would have thought that a gesture to help a fellow community member would eventually become known nationwide and culminate with an honor of  “Illinoisans of the Day.”
That’s precisely what Vic Worthington realized this past Tuesday as he along with several of his students were honored by Gov. Bruce Rauner for their work on the 3D printed prosthetic arm for local farmer Jake Hubbard.
The proclamation was announced at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
The Rochelle Middle School technology teacher and students, alongside Rochelle Township High School technology director Kurt Wolter, student Zephan Drew, and several members of the community spent countless hours in the production of the 3D apparatus.
The prosthetic arm was presented to Hubbard amid local and national television cameras and reporters in Worthington’s classroom last May.
For their efforts Gov. Rauner, along with Illinois Director of Agriculture Raymond Poe, named Worthington and the students “Illinoisans of the Day,” honoring them at the 2017 Ag Day Brunch. During their visit, the group served as Grand Marshals for the day’s parade and attended the Governor’s Sale of Champions as Director Poe’s special guests.
“We are honoring real-life heroes today,” Gov. Rauner said at the proclamation ceremony. “To see such selflessness, especially on the part of young people, is truly inspiring. I want to commend Mr. Worthington and his group of students. Your kindness and generosity has forever changed the life of Jake Hubbard and his family. You are a role model for all of us.”
Memories for a lifetime
Former RMS student and now RTHS freshman Austen Farrell said he enjoyed the day’s festivities with his classmates, visiting the fair and meeting new people. He was pleasantly surprised at the reactions of the crowd when they and Hubbard were introduced at the 2017 Ag Day Brunch.

Farrell shared some memorable moments, one of those being interviewed by a Springfield TV crew. He also mentioned how interesting it was to see how many people were at the fair for the agriculture aspect.
“Standing by the Governor as he read the Proclamation, and that I was able to stand up there with Mr. Worthington and my classmates that helped make this day possible,” Farrell said. “I never expected something so big from helping someone in need. It’s just how we are supposed to be…we should always help someone when you have the ability to do it.”
Collective legacy
The group of students, parents, and teachers started the trip early Tuesday wearing purple shirts printed with the RTHS and RMS logos, beginning their fair visit at the brunch. Everyone in attendance was then shown the ABC World News segment highlighting the project and the end result that pulled many heartstrings across the country as well as locally in Rochelle.
Worthington admitted getting “choked up” even though he had seen the segment many times before. He knew what originally began as a way to help another person not only accomplished just that, but also created that spark in so many of the young minds he affectionately says are his customers.
Reflecting on his own middle school years as less than desirable, Worthington said these years of in between grade school and high school can be challenging and downright rough for many. He shared a tidbit of a conversation with the students before departing to Springfield.
“We were talking before we went on the bus, and some of them felt like they didn’t do that much, but I told them in that project there were so many people that do so much collectively but so little individually — one printed a piece, a girl worked on a couple components, another student directed the printer to begin, another cleaned up the print job,” Worthington said. “We talked about the collective legacy they left on this place. I said rather than just getting through middle school they left a legacy on the school, an imprint.”
Community support
Speaking modestly, rather than taking credit Worthington is proud he can provide a source of inspiration to the students.
“Having this class at the time that I did opened my eyes up to a new future and has intrigued me, and what could be the start of my career,” Farrell added.
Worthington acknowledged the whole process became a unique learning experience and a way for the entire community to contribute. Nick Norris, a mechanical engineer with experience in prosthetic design, Don Wallin, general manager of Fastenal in Rochelle, Steve Builta, and Chris Builta also contributed during the process.
The community rallied around Worthington and his ideas that eventually brought the grant from Farmers Insurance, helping to fund the 3D printer.
“There are classrooms all over the country that are doing the 3D printing. What made ours special was we took care of our own and we got help from others who took care of us taking care of our own,” Worthington said. “We had municipalities, private businesses, the high school and the middle school all coming together to help one of us.”
During the proclamation ceremony, Hubbard expressed his gratitude. Traditional prosthetics can cost upwards of $10,000. The 3D prosthetic that was assembled used about $100 in materials.
“I want to thank Mr. Worthington and his class for giving me an opportunity to have a second prosthetic,” Hubbard said at the ceremony. “By doing this you have allowed me to spend more quality time with my children and family! The service Mr. Worthington is providing is priceless. His willingness to teach the class has helped turn these kids on, and show them that they truly can do anything if they put their minds to it.”
Referring to a quote about being the change one wants to see, Worthington couldn’t help but share when students might see Hubbard around the community and visibly notice him using the product they helped make, it is bound to be impactful to students for years to come.
“Things like that make a bigger impact for my students when they can see they are making a change in the world,” Worthington said.
Adding, “The community got behind us and every step that we’ve made since then is a direct reflection on what the community did to empower us to do this. When we empower our kids they can do great things.”