The life instructions were clear, concise and motivational – chase your dreams.
It was the sage advice given by 18-year-old Radricka Kelly-Oden, valedictorian and graduation speaker at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) 2019 commencement ceremony held Friday, May 17 in SIUE’s Morris University Center, Meridian Ballroom.
“It is imperative that you chase your dreams, because you didn’t choose your dreams, your dreams chose you,” Kelly-Oden told her 23 classmates who made up CHS’s 20th graduating class. “There is nothing more beautiful, more powerful or greater than you.” Kelly-Oden received a full scholarship to attend Illinois College in Jacksonville, where she plans to major in pre-veterinarian medicine
Also giving the seniors counsel, encouragement and accolades were several well-wishers including SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook, PhD; School of Education, Health and Human Behavior Interim Dean Paul Rose, PhD; CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD; and CHS Assistant Director Willis Young.
“This graduating class has college acceptances from a total of 71 different institutions,” said Pembrook. “Five of them have had dual enrollment opportunities with the English 205 African American Literature course taught by Dr. Howard Rambsy, and two have received the W.F. Graebe Scholarship.”
“On good days and bad days, the Charter High School has been there for you,” continued Pembrook. “And one person who has been there for 20 years is Mr. Willis Young.”
Jeffries presented Young with the Mr. Willis Young proclamation from the City of East St. Louis for “being a champion of the continuance and growth of the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School, and for developing a rapport and reputation as a respected community leader within the East St. Louis community.”
Young, who started working at the CHS in 1999, expressed his thanks and provided a brief history. “The Charter High School was established in 1999 to give students a choice to learn in a small, nontraditional setting,” said Young. “The Charter High School has seen more than 2,000 people come through its doors and more than 500 graduates. The Charter High School is a family, and once you are in, failure is not an option. Just like you, Charter High School has had its ups and downs, and has gotten better every year. Just like you, Charter High School has a bright future.”
Young presented salutatorian Jamear Owens with the fourth annual Willis Young Scholarship. A laptop computer accompanied the scholarship award.
This year, the CHS awarded the inaugural W. F. Graebe scholarship to attend SIUE. Receiving the award were Allen Williams and Joel Scott.
“I plan to major in business management at SIUE. I want to be an entrepreneur,” said Scott, who received dual college credit with Southwestern Illinois College's Running Start Program.
“Today is a great day to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re going,” Rose told the graduates. “What is your story? The people and the things that are part of your story can shape your decision, and serve as an inspiration to others.
“Everyone in this room has a talent unique to them, so don’t aim to be the person next to you,” shared Kelly-Oden, who also was part of the Running Start Program. “We define ourselves for ourselves. Never allow someone else to choose your destiny. Look at where we come from, and look at what we have done. Today we are walking away from some of the best memories, but we are walking towards something great.”
“Class of 2019, I hope that CHS has made you feel prepared and capable, but most importantly, loved,” said Jeffries. “Students, we pushed you and stretched you. We placed our Charter mark on you, so that you are able to go out and conquer the world.”
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:
(L-R) SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School valedictorian and salutatorian are Radricka Kelly-Oden, also commencement speaker, and Jamear Owens.
This was the first year that the W. F. Graebe scholarship to attend SIUE was awarded. Shown from left to right are CHS faculty associate and senior sponsor Bridget Nelson, scholarship recipients Allen Williams and Joel Scott and CHS faculty associate and senior sponsor Johnathan Tate.