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Run towards your fear, not away from it. This was the advice given to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) Class of 2022’s 30 graduates by Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Jessica Harris, PhD. 

Harris offered the commencement address at the CHS outdoor graduation celebration held Friday, May 20 at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. Also participating in the milestone event were SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD; SIUE Provost and Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD; SIUE School of Education Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) Dean Robin Hughes, PhD; SEHHB Associate Professor Nate Williams, PhD; and SEHHB Assistant Professors J.T. Snipes, PhD, and Candace Hall, EdD; CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD, CHS Interim Assistant Director Pamela Saffore; CHS STEAM Instructional Coordinator Liza Cummings, PhD; CHS Board President Willis Young; and SIUE East St. Louis Center Associate Director Keith Ware, EdD. 

“As a graduating member of 2022, SIUE belongs to you,” said Minor. “But wherever you go, I want you to know you will always have a place at SIUE. This is one of the few places that you can go from preschool to dental school, from preschool to a PhD. 

“When I look out these scholars, I must be able to see you in the School of Pharmacy. I must be able to see you in the School of Engineering. I have to see you crossing the stage in the White Coat Ceremony at the School of Dental Medicine. Although we are here to celebrate you today, I hope this will not be the only commencement that I will see your face in a graduation cap.”

But getting through the last four years was no small feat for the class of 2022, Jeffries exclaimed.   

“There was an unprecedented two years met with a pandemic and ongoing effects COVID 19, especially in the brown and Black communities,” noted Jeffries. “The Class of 2022 has learned remotely for almost two years because of the pandemic. This class has also witnessed racial injustices nationally from the most recent attack in Buffalo, N.Y. to Breonna Taylor to George Floyd. Students, we know we pushed you, stretched you, and we placed our Charter mark on you so that you can go out and conquer the world.”

One unsuspecting thing, Harris told the graduates, is something she wishes she had been told 20 years ago when she graduated from Dillard University in New Orleans, La.

“Beyond your gifts, talents, and education, there are some intangibles that will without a doubt shape and define your future,” said Harris. “Surprisingly, one thing that has propelled me forward professionally and in life has been fear. I wished someone had told me that instead of running in the other direction and pretending the feelings of fear were not there, I should embrace my fears. I wish they would have explained why it is so important to face directly those things that scare me the most. No one told me that fear would move me toward my purpose, but it has.

“There are so many moments that I can point to where fear was a powerful, catalyzing force in my life. If I gave into my fear, what would that fear keep me from? What lessons would I have missed and not have learned? Fear would have kept me from reaching my dreams.”

Harris went on to encourage the graduates to embrace fear and allow it to propel them forward.

Hughes expressed her confidence in the Class of 2022, heralding them for their courage during their high school career. “You all have overcome so many obstacles,” she said. “Your perseverance is an inspiration. You are fearless. You’ve been relentless in the struggle. You and your wonderful families have been a muse to me.”

Young told the scholars that their persistence shows their true character. “It shows that you are resilient, and you want to succeed,” said Young. “Don’t let this be your last stop. Make this your first step.”

But from the beginning, it was the parents and families who were behind the graduates, all the way, said CHS valedictorian Evan Bonner.

“Parents, you pushed us to be better each day,” said Bonner. “The pandemic has been hard for many of us, but despite that, you still uplifted and guided us toward the future.”

To all the fathers, mothers, grandparents and stepparents, thank you,” he added. “To all the teachers and staff members, thank you for always being flexible and understanding through the pandemic, and for teaching us no matter what.”

During the ceremony, the W.F. Graebe Scholarship was awarded to Kyla Janae Anderson and Jaymz K. Young. 

“This scholarship is for CHS students who have been accepted to SIUE,” said Cummings. “It is renewable for four years and covers the cost of tuition. Selected students have an outstanding academic status and an interest in STEM.” 

In addition, Young, retired CHS assistant director, presented a scholarship that bears his name to Evan Bonner. 

The commencement ceremony included the school’s traditional “Hope Rope” presentation, with senior class sponsors and CHS instructors Bridget Nelson and Johnathan Tate presiding. The “Hope Rope” was initiated by Venessa A. Brown, PhD, associate athletic director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, athletics chief diversity officer and former SIUE East St. Louis Center interim executive director. 

Other members of the CHS 2022 graduating class included:

• Sharrod S. Baldwin
• Frank Best
• Nathaniel A. Brewster
• Kai Markel Byrth
• Ajahnay Doss
• Chaquana D. Gomiller
• Aniyah Marie Henley
• Marcellus Holder
• Damien Johnson
• Dakari G. Jones
• Makayla C. Lowery
• Cyan A. Luckett
• Kennedy Nikkel Maxwell
• Diavian Armond McClendon
• Jimaal LaQuan McGuire
• Tyrell Montgomery
• Zamirrea Shawayne Moore
• Fred L. Morris
• Amiliyah Poe
• Kashaureah Nicole Robinson
• Makirra L. Scott
• Byrce Shanklin
• Virgil Stallworth
• Jayla E. Sussix
• J’Nyla DeNise Wilbourn
• Omarion Williams
• Sydney Anyah Willams (Salutorian) 

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:
SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Class of 2022 held its commencement celebration on May 20. 

Receiving the W.F. Graebe Scholarship were Kyla Janae Anderson (left) shown with SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor and Jaymz K. Young (on far left) with Minor. Shown in middle photo is Valedictorian Evan Bonner who was the recipient of the Willis Young Scholarship.  CHS Board President Willis Young is on the right.   

L-R: CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD; SEHHB Assistant Professor Candace Hall, EdD;  SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD; and Jessica Harris, Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Jessica Harris, PhD.

CHS Interim Assistant Director Pamela Saffore cuts away ribbon in the Hope Rope Ceremony.