SIUE Upward Bound Students Making the Grade and Then Some
Several Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound students from Cahokia High School saw their studious, hard work pay off when they were inducted into the Cahokia National Honor Society.
Fifteen juniors and seniors from Cahokia High School were inducted on Oct. 4, after making the minimum requirement of a 3.0 accumulative grade point average. The students are part of SIUE’s Upward Bound EC (East St. Louis and Cahokia) and BEM (Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison) programs.
“I want to do well in high school, because I want to go to college and major in pre-medicine,” said Tia Fisher, a senior at Cahokia who has a 3.8 grade point average.
Other Upward Bound students who earned their spot in the honor society include: seniors Tianna Fisher, Kiara Grinston, Danielle Jackson, Armani Rodgers and DeVion Tucker; and juniors Justice Burse, Jerika Butler, Gabrielle Flowers, Mya Gilmore, Ashley Harris, Criseona Moore, Kimiya Ross, Cheyenne Whitfield and Issac Young.
“I wasn’t surprised at these students being selected for the Cahokia National Honor Society,” said Muhammad Raqib, Upward Bound EC counselor. “These students are leaders in Upward Bound, in ROTC, at their school, at their church and in the community. These are well rounded, heavily involved and disciplined students.”
“We expect more academic success from these and all of our students in Upward Bound,” said Upward Bound Program Director Javonda Quinn. “We are glad to help provide them with additional tools and opportunities to excel in college and their future careers.”
Upward Bound (UB) helps youth prepare for higher education. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition, mathematics and science on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. UB serves students from the following high schools: East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC) and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM).
With a focus on empowering people and strengthening communities, the SIUE East St. Louis Center is dedicated to improving the lives of families and individuals - from pre-school through adult - in the Metro East. Head Start/Early Head Start and a charter high school are among the programs that offer the community renewed hope and an opportunity to reach educational, career and life goals. The Center also assigns first priority to encouraging, supporting and improving the educational success of the residents of East St. Louis and surrounding urban communities. The Center provides comprehensive programs, services and training in the areas of education, health, social services and the arts.
Photos:
Several SIUE Upward Bound EC students who were inducted into the Cahokia National Honor Society are seen from left to right: Jerika Butler, Devion Tucker, Tia Fisher, Tiana Fisher, Gabrielle Flowers, Kaira Grinston, Criseona Moore, Ashley Harris and Isaac Young.
Other members of the Cahokia National Honor Society include: Mya Gilmore, Isaac Young, Justice Burse, Cheyenne Whitfield and Criseona Moore.
