Praither Williams, East St. Louis Center Program Student, Receives SIUE Meridian Scholarship
It was no more than three years ago when 18-year-old Praither Williams of East St. Louis spent much of his time with his eyes glued to video games. But when the incoming Southern Illinois University Edwardsville freshman said he reviewed his grades, he realized it would be hard to get into college at that rate.
“I figured out what was important, and playing video games and ignoring my homework wasn’t it,” said Williams, an alum of the SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound BEM program and 2017 graduate of the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS).
Williams will enter SIUE in the fall as a 2017 Meridian Scholar. Each of the 20 recipients will receive eight semesters of full tuition, fees, and room and board for free.
Williams was one of approximately 750 people who applied for a scholarship, though he was somewhat hesitant at first. He earned a 3.2 grade point average at CHS and received an ACT score of 27.
“I wasn’t surprised when he won,” said Williams’ mother, Kimberly McClellan, SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start project specialist and president of the SIUE Professional Staff Association. “I told him winning is not just about grade point average. There are other things to consider, and it’s good for a student to be well-rounded.”
William’s father, Eugene Luster Jr., who is a cook in SIUE’s Morris University Center, said he is proud of his son’s accomplishments. “I’m certain Praither will be successful in whatever he chooses to do,” Luster said. “When Praither sets a goal, he is persistent and responsible enough to see it through.”
While in high school, Williams participated in the writing and film clubs, which are part of the Charter High School’s 21st Century grant that offers after school enrichment programs. He also works with Youth M.O.V.E., the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and East St. Louis Earth Day.
“Time management and setting good priorities are what it takes to be successful,” said Williams, who wants to major in graphic design. “You want to avoid things that can become distractions.”
His future plans are to graduate from college and build his character. “I want to find out who I am as a person, and I believe college is a good place to do that,” Williams said.
Upward Bound helps youth prepare for higher education and serves students from East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC), and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM) High Schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition and STEM subjects on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer.
The mission of the SIUE 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, IL youth. The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189.
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.
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Praither Williams, an alum of the SIUE East St. Louis Center Upward Bound BEM program and 2017 graduate of the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS), is a 2017 SIUE Meridian Scholar.
