Parents Honored, Celebrated at Annual SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Recognition Luncheon
Parents were recognized in various categories ranging from volunteering in the Head Start centers to participating in program governance during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) 41st Annual Parent Recognition Luncheon. Parents were presented with certificates of achievement, as well as a plethora of community resources.
More than 200 parent recognitions and honors were given during the celebratory event on Friday, May 10 in the Multipurpose Room of Building D on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Center in (WHYHEC) East St. Louis.
“SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start is always excited to recognize and honor the families that support us throughout the year,” said Program Director Carolyn Jason. “This is always an amazing event, because we get to say thank you in-person and acknowledge publicly all of their accomplishments and support.”
“This particular volunteer works extremely hard for Head Start,” said Jason, as she announced the last honor. “For years, this person has been a strong community voice for Head Start children, families and staff, and advocates for Head Start wherever he goes.”
“Whether it is at a school board meeting, a national Head Start conference or parent meeting, his support is unwavering,” added Jason. “The person selected for the 2023-24 Dedicated Volunteer Award is … LaDarrian Johnson.” Johnson currently serves as vice-president of the SIUE HS/EHS Policy Council.
“Head Start is the best program I know. It significantly helps with children’s social and emotional skills, and gives them a good educational foundation,” said Johnson, of Brooklyn/Lovejoy and a HS/EHS alumnus. “If you give children a head start, they are more likely to graduate from high school. The program is especially needed in low-income communities.”
The 47-year-old began volunteering with Head Start when his goddaughter, TaNika, was four years old. She is now 25. He has continued to volunteer with the program. He also has served on the HS/EHS Policy Council for a total of five years. He and his Head Start alumna wife, Micah, enrolled both their children at the Lovejoy Head Start Center: Jai, 11; and Kenzie, 5. Johnson received awards for Male Involvement, Policy Council and Volunteers.
The benefits of HS/EHS were also touted by Mario Ramirez, Discovery Center Head Start parent and Policy Council member.
“He was shy and not social with other children before coming to Head Start,” said Ramirez of his four-year-old son, Jack. “After being in Head Start, he started opening up and calling people by their names. He plays well with other children.”
“He also didn’t speak any English,” continued Ramirez, “but now he is speaking and counting in English.”
Ramirez also received awards for Male Involvement, Policy Council and Volunteers. Awards distributed at the luncheon included:
- Success Families
- Male Involvement
- Perfect Attendance
- Policy Council
- Education/Training
- Volunteers
The awards for these categories were presented by Head Start staff: Alina Schnietz, family support services program coordinator; Denise Brown, health services program coordinator; and Howard Knapp, account III.
Special awards were presented for the HS/EHS Parent of the Year. Receiving the 2023-24 Parent of the Year Award was Shirley Caldwell from the Jackie Joyner-Kersee (JJK) Head Start Center. Caldwell was not in attendance and JJK Head Start Center Coordinator Marcia Oliver accepted the plaque in her honor. The ceremony also saw the return of the 2022-23 Parent of Year, Mercedes Howard, to receive last year’s award.
Awards Ceremony committee members included: Brown, Jason, Monica Kimbrell, Geesia McIntosh and Schnietz.
Other highlights of the luncheon included remarks from Angie Stewart-Brown of Southwestern Illinois College, WHYHEC campus site director; remarks from Sarah Wyatt Kirkpatrick, director of the SIUE East St. Louis Learning Resource Center and Campus Engagement; the Ted Talk video, “How to be a Great Parent,” and the invocation by Timothy Staples, EdD, SIUE East St. Louis Center executive director.
The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start Program serves more than 860 families and children, from birth through age five, including children with special needs, throughout St. Clair County. The program also provides services to expectant mothers. The program is housed in nine early childhood centers, seven managed directly by SIUE staff and two collaborations. The program includes a rigorous school readiness program and provides comprehensive services, such as health/ dental screenings and family engagement and support activities.
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The SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program honored parents and families at its 41st Annual Parent Recognition Luncheon.