More than 150 students and special guests feasted Tuesday, Nov. 22 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) fourth annual Thanksgiving Day meal in the Multipurpose Room at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus.
“This is life changing, because we are sending our students off with a traditional Thanksgiving meal,” said Gina Jeffries, CHS director, “and for those who may not be able to have a traditional meal, we are setting a good custom for them. We hope after our students graduate from high school, college and have families, that they create the same traditions.”
CHS students were served their meals by administrators, faculty and staff of the CHS and the School of
Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB), including SEHHB Dean Curt Lox.
“The School supports the Charter High School whenever we can,” Lox said. “It’s important for our students that we ensure they have a happy Thanksgiving. And what could be better than that?”
Providing the customary carving of the turkey was CHS Assistant Director Willis Young. The meal included turkey, ham, string beans, mashed potatoes, corn, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, rolls, drinks and desserts.
“Thank you to students, staff and volunteers for all you’ve done this year,” said Pamela Saffore, CHS instructor, in her toast before the meal. “And to the students, we wanted to show you how much you mean to us by providing you this great meal. Enjoy it!”
CHS students also each received a gift bag that included a matching hat and scarf and snacks.
“This is my third Charter High School Thanksgiving Day dinner, and I like it a lot,” said Zaria Brazier, CHS junior. “You get to eat a good dinner, but I mostly like the dessert.”
CHS junior Tyrese Granger also attended the Thanksgiving Day meal 
for the third time. “It’s fun because you get to dress in out of school uniforms and talk and socialize with your friends. My best food was the ham. It makes me feel special to know that my school goes through all this trouble for us.”
Both Brazier and Granger said they are looking forward to next year’s CHS Thanksgiving Day meal.
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:
Traditional carving of the turkey is done by Willis Young, SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School assistant director.
More than 150 students and special guests came out Nov. 22 for CHS’s fourth annual Thanksgiving Day meal.
Helping serve Thanksgiving Day meal for CHS students were School of Education Health and Human Behavior Dean Curt Lox (front) and members of the Dean’s Dozen and SEHHB administrators and staff.