A stirring message that rung of self-determination, courage and hope was given to graduating seniors of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School at their commencement ceremony. The graduation service was held on Friday at the Church of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville. Twenty-seven seniors graduated to the cheers of about 500 family, friends and SIUE faculty, staff and administrators.
Dwan LaMar Prude, confidence coach and pastor of the Bride of Christ Church of God in Christ in East St. Louis, was the commencement speaker. Prude buoyed the graduates and the audience by insisting the students were well-equipped to rise above any mud or “light afflictions” that they may encounter.
Preceding Prude’s battle cry for the graduating seniors was a host of moving accolades and acknowledgements.
The 2013 Charter High School class is one made up of innovative students, said Dr. Bette Bergeron, dean of the SIUE School of Education. “You are our class who proved to the community and the state that you are successful academically,” Bergeron said. “You have been nationally recognized for robotics. You are noted for your music, dance, poetry and science, technology, engineering and math – STEM – education.
“You are our leaders and ground breakers,” Bergeron said, “and I could not be more proud of you.”
Others on the program and accompanying Bergeron on the platform were Dr. Patrick Hundley, SIUE vice chancellor of University Relations; Dr. Venessa Brown, SIUE associate provost for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion; Willis Young, assistant director of the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School; and Staccy Lampkin, Charter High School counselor. Brown presided over the Hope Rope presentation, a new tradition for the Charter High School. All students held onto the same two long pieces of rope. The string was then cut, leaving each student with two pieces: one a “lifeline,” and the other both a reminder of SIUE and to strive for excellence
Excellence also was mentioned earlier in the class valedictorian’s speech. “We were challenged to do our best and we did more, said DeAndre Howard. “We do not want to achieve what is possible, but prove the impossible.”
His words came on the heels of John Lennon’s song “Imagine,” sung by class salutatorian James Washington, who was received with great applause. Washington was accompanied on the piano by Johnathan Tate, Charter School STEM instructor.
Both seniors and students of the Charter High School have proved something different than what statistics and some “nay-sayers” report, said Veronica “Gina” Washington, CHS director.
“The Class of 2013 has a 100 percent graduation rate,” Washington said.
The director also noted that recently received 2013 ACT scores show that 100 percent of the Charter High School juniors improved their scores.
“You are a child of God,” Prude said, his voice reverberating around the circular church. “When you let your light shine it allows others to do the same.”
The SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School provides underrepresented students with the opportunity to succeed through immersion in the fine arts and a rigorous curriculum that prepares them to be college-and career-ready. The mission statement of the high school is to positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, and specific training in skilled trades, ensuring that graduates realize and attain their educational and career aspirations.