Southern Illinois University Finance Committee recently issued the following announcement.
In the spirit of the holiday, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) continued its tradition of turkey, thankfulness and togetherness during its fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Meal Celebration.
SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook was one of the featured turkey carvers during the luncheon held Tuesday, Nov. 20 in the Multipurpose Room at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus.
More than 100 students walked into the festively decorated Multipurpose Room to the cheers and applause from enthusiastic supporters that included Pembrook, Denise Cobb, PhD, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; Gina Jeffries, CHS director; Willis Young, CHS assistant director; Alison Reeves, PhD, CHS Board of Directors president and associate professor in the Department of Educational Leadership; Kim Durr, CHS board member and SIUE chief of staff; and Edith Laktzian and Pam Saffore, celebration coordinators.
“This is my first dinner. I didn’t think it would be this nice,” said TeAunta Neal, a CHS junior who transferred from Metro-East Lutheran High School.
“I think it’s awesome,” said James Young, who was sitting next to Neal. “It’s relaxing. It’s cool for kids to bond outside of the classroom, and it’s good to see another side of school.”
“This dinner is the result of an idea that Willis Young had five years ago, and each year it gets better and better and better.” Jeffries told the room of
“This is nice. Free food. You can’t complain, and I like having the teachers serve you,” said junior Ryan Luster.
The meal was catered by Sunday Dinner Catering, owned by SIUE alumna and former staff member Terri Montgomery. Montgomery was the associate director of admissions and worked at SIUE for 25 years. She graduated in 1983 with a bachelor’s in education from SIUE.
At each place setting were note cards with inscriptions that came from CHS students and staff. Some of the sentiments included:
“I’m thankful for the Lord staying by my side, for helping me through thick and thin.”
“I’m thankful for my mom because she helps me through school when I’m doing badly.”
“I’m thankful for the love from my family and friends shown to me every day.”
“I’m thankful for my family living under a roof, my loving parents, also my school and teachers.”
“This is an amazing event, and I’m thankful to be a part of it,” said Pembrook. “Thanks to each of you for all you do at the SIUE East St. Louis Center all year.”
“I am always glad to see the students from the East St. Louis Charter High School and am grateful to have a chance to interact with them,” said Timothy Staples, EdD, SIUE East St. Louis Center interim executive director.
“I want to encourage everyone to keep up the good work, have a great break and come back ready for finals,” Staples continued. “If everyone gets A’s, I’ll buy the ham next year.”
The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century.
Original source can be found here.
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