News

Remembering the significant contributions made by people of African descent is why Black History Month is important, according to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) freshman Zaraih Palmer.  

Palmer was part of the CHS Black History Month program on Thursday, Feb. 27 in the Multipurpose Room at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. The program, emceed by CHS senior Anasia White, consisted of readings, dances and displays that paid homage to the talent, wisdom and tenacity of black people through time and across the diaspora. 

An overview of the program included:

·        Taylor Brown, senior, reading of an excerpt from Maya Angelou’s infamous poem, “Phenomenal Woman”

·        Kahn Key, junior, presenting his original spoken word piece, “A Letter to My Ancestors”

·        Teaunta Neal, senior; Tanyia Hopkins and Zaraih Palmer, both freshmen, performing an original hip hop dance 

Five CHS juniors also displayed poster boards and reports on the following African countries:

·        Maliyah Brown – Kenya

·        Leslie Brazier – Niger

·        Key – Mali

·        Frankie Spencer – Nigeria

·        Jordan Neal – Uganda  

The program concluded with announcing the winner of the Black History Month cash prize. Photos of 12 black history figures were sent to the Chromebook laptops of every CHS student. Byreisha Morris correctly identified Dr. Maya Angelou, Bessie Coleman, Charlie Parker, Frederick Douglass, Dr. Mae Jamison, Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, President Barack Obama, Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisholm and W.E.B. DuBois. 

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. 

Photos:
CHS junior Kahn Key presented his original spoken word piece, “A Letter to My Ancestors.” 

CHS Resource Teacher Edith Laktzian congratulates students on a job well done.

Showing off their African displays are CHS juniors Frankie Spencer (left) and Jordan Neal (right).