For media inquires or more information about the SIUE East St. Louis Center, contact Patricia Merritt, Public Relations Director, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd., Bldg. A., East St. Louis, IL-62201 Phone: (618) 482-6978 Fax: (618) 482-6935, pmerrit@siue.edu
ESLC Public Relations Dept.
The ESLC for Performing Arts will showcase its talent during the Black History Month performance “Lift Every Voice” from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22 in the Multipurpose Theater, Building D of the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus, 601 James R. Thompson Blvd.
Tickets are $4 for children and seniors and $8 for adults. The program is sponsored in part by Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone and the Illinois Arts Council. For ticket information please call (618) 482-6913.
Earlier this month, the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts performed at SIUE’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Luncheon in the Meridian Ballroom of the Morris University Center.
The troupe of eight students presented “Fresco of Life” (Lift Every Voice) along with SIUE Music Professor Reggie Thomas and world renowned jazz vocalist Mardra Thomas. Theodore H. Jamison is the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts Program Director.
Photos: 1 -- -- (From left to right) ESLC Performing Arts student Venezia Manuel, world renowned jazz vocalist Mardra Thomas, and ESLC Performing Arts students Jaavia Manning and Deonte Wilburn join in the finale. -- Photo by ESLC Public Relations Dept.
Photos: 2 -- Venezia Manuel (center, acting as Rosa Parks) just wants to rest from a hard day's work but Jason Sanford (left, acting as a police officer) instructs her to move from the "Whites Only" area as "bus driver" Corey Drisdel (right) looks on. Pierre Smith (far left) observes the whole scene from the "Colored Section" of the "bus." -- Photo by ESLC Public Relations Dept.
ESLC Public Relations Dept.
It was a cold, frigid Saturday morning and high school senior Terrion Johnson was helping prepare 1,000 sack lunches, rolling blankets and later distributing the much needed items to strangers on the streets.
“I feel like I did something good with my time, and it was time that wasn't wasted,” said the 18-year-old. Terrion was one of nine East St. Louis Charter School students who volunteered with Project Compassion of Belleville, a nonprofit organization with an outreach ministry to the homeless. Others seniors joining Terrion were Nicola Dismukes, 19; Brittney Lawson, 17; Embryal Henderson, 18; Retunda Jackson, 18; George Goodwin Jr., 18; Chardarous McCain, 17; Danyale McKinzie, 18; and Devonte Jones, 17. Charter School instructors Carolyn Breihan and Johnnie Fernandez accompanied the students on their senior project.
Rachel Jackson-Bramwell founded Project Compassion in October 2005 after rebounding from what she called a “pity party” about her current circumstances. “The Lord showed me that I had a roof over my head, an income and was more fortunate than a lot of other people,” said Mrs. Jackson-Bramwell. So the O’Fallon woman set out to prepare 1,000 sandwiches in her kitchen and took a few foot soldiers to the streets of St. Louis and East St. Louis in search of homeless people. “It was not organized well at all,” she said.
But after three years, which included a television appearance on the Tyra Banks show, dozens of volunteers (including area high schools and businesses) have enlisted to help Mrs. Jackson-Bramwell in her mission to the area homeless. Each month Project Compassion prepares 1,000 sack lunches and dozens of care packages from donated items.
“I felt good that I was able to help someone, and I would do it again,” said Brittney, who has 718 community service hours. Ten volunteer hours are required for Charter School seniors to graduate.
After passing out food, blankets, gloves and more at area shelters and locations where many homeless frequent, Terrion and Brittney said they were even more grateful for what they have.
“The homeless situation is so vast,” said Mrs. Jackson-Bramwell, “but I have yet to feel defeated by it. For me, it was a matter of where do I start.”
Photos: 1 -- -- Charter School seniors George Goodwin (left) and Embryal Henderson (right) prepare some of the 1,000 sandwiches that were handed out to homeless people in downtown St. Louis and East St. Louis. -- Photo by ESLC Public Relations Dept.
Photos: 2 -- -- Chardarous McCain (front right) and Danyale McKinzie (background) fill paper bags with sandwiches and pastries. -- Photo by ESLC Public Relations Dept.
Photos: 3 -- -- (From left to right) Charter School seniors Terrion Johnson, Retunda Jackson and others pass out sandwiches and care packages to those in need. -- Photo by ESLC Public Relations Dept.
ESLC Public Relations Dept.
Three Upward Bound (EC) students were awarded for their participation in the recent annual Judge Ora Polk Oratorical Competition, sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Sean Scott, senior at East St. Louis High School, placed third and was awarded $100. Tony Howard and William Hunt, juniors at East St. Louis High, won fourth place and fifth place respectively and both received $50.
This year’s contest theme was “African American Males, In a State of Crisis or Opportunity?” The speeches dealt with the challenges facing black men, but also stressed the successes, hope and opportunities available.
By Amber Suggs ESLC Public Relations Dept.
Almost everybody knows that Head Start helps children get a “head start” for kindergarten, but many may not know that the comprehensive early education program also helps children get a “healthy start” so they will do their best in school and life.
This year the Belleville Head Start Center wanted to emphasize health by learning about “Our Amazing Bodies.” The Belleville Head Start Center recently sponsored a Circus Science Fair and Fitness Obstacle Course. Children participated in games and activities such as juggling, tossing and other ambulatory games that promote health and fitness. Also, each child received a health, nutrition and fitness computer CD loaded with games and activities to enjoy at their leisure.
Both parents and students enjoyed the active day. “It was a lot of fun, the concepts were worthwhile and I know my daughter got a lot out of the activities,” said Karen Gross, mother of three-year-old Isabella Delre.
ESLC Public Relations Dept.
A good student works hard, always does her homework and pays attention in class, says 12-year-old Ahmah Gladney. And she should know. Ahmah, an A-average scholar at Steger Sixth Grade Center in St. Louis and a dedicated student at the East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts, was listed in the recent 5th and 6th Grade Edition of Who’s Who Among Outstanding Students of America 2006-2007.
“School is important because it gives me knowledge of what I need to know in the future to survive,” said the sixth grader. “It’s also important to keep learning and not just be concerned with grades, because grades only tell you how well you did on an assignment.”
Virginia Walker, Ahmah’s fifth grade teacher, nominated her for the national recognition because of academic excellence. According to Who’s Who, some of Ahmah’s accolades and involvements included: Distinguished Honor Roll, Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, Math Award, Battle of the Books, Principal’s Award, Science Fair Award, State Scholar, Class Representative, Peer Tutor and Community Volunteer.
She was also listed as participating in ballet, jazz dance, drama, modern dance and school musicals, most of which she studied at the SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts, where Katherine Dunham Certified Master Teacher Theodore H. Jamison is program director.
Ahmah has been a student at the Performing Arts Center for the past six years and has become trained in West African dance and the Katherine Dunham Technique, said her mother, Flora Gladney. “She was asked to teach her classmates West African dance and Dunham Technique,” Ms. Gladney said, “and her class performed on Cultural Exchange Day at Edgar Road Elementary.”
A lot of potential is wrapped up in the 12-year-old, said Jack Williams, staff instructor at the SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts who has taught Ahmah for the last five years.
“She is a very dedicated student and has an excellent memory. She retains choreography very well,” Williams said. “If ever anyone forgets something, we just have to ask Ahmah. She has a steel-trap mind.”
Ahmah is also a joy to work with, said her longtime dance instructor, Jamila Ajanaku. “She never gets angry when you give her instructions, but tries very hard,” said Ajanaku, staff member at the Performing Arts Center. “She’s very focused and always attentive.”
According to Ajanaku, Ahmah wasn’t that good when she first came to the Performing Arts Center. “But she’s gotten much better,” Ajanaku said. “She still has a long way to go, but you can see the progress.”
Even with all of Ahmah’s extracurricular involvements, in recent years she has scored an average of 97 percent on the State Assessment test (Terra Nova) and scored in the proficiency average range and advanced proficiency range on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP), Ms. Gladney said.
Ahmah says she’s excited about her future academic days, considering possible career choices in the fields of law, science or acting.
“I haven’t totally made up my mind,” Ahmah said, “but I know it’s going to take hard work.”
Photos: 1 -- Ahmay Gladney, 12-year-old student at SIUE East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts and at Steger Sixth Grade Center, is listed in the 5th and 6th Grade Edition of Who's Who Among Outstanding Students of America. Photo by ESLC Public Relations Dept.
By Amber Suggs ESLC Public Relations Dept.
Strength, drive and independence describe Anita Perkins, a young mother who has withstood many afflictions in life. Perkins, a parent volunteer at the SIUE Head Start Discovery Center for Little Scholars, was recognized for her courage and fortitude by The Illinois Head Start Association as the “2007 Parent of the Year.”
“I was honored and happy when I found out that I won, said Perkins. “ It gave me a lot of self-confidence to know that the sacrifices of my hard work came to light.”
The award Perkins received is part of a series of recognition honors and scholarship awards available yearly to Head Start and Early Head Start parents through the National and Illinois Head Start Association. Renata Muhammad, center coordinator for the Discovery Center for Little Scholars, personally encouraged Perkins to pursue the application process. “She came in my office one day with the application in hand, and I told her to go for it. We are proud of her achievements,” said Muhammad. “The Discovery Center for Little Scholars staff was so proud of Perkins, and SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start honored her as a Success Family during its recent 24th Annual Parent Recognition Ceremony.”
Criteria for selection included the contestant’s personal essay, parental involvement in the classroom and staff recommendations. The honor also came with a $1,000 scholarship. Also noteworthy, Perkins’ essay application placed second at the National Head Start Association level.
Perkins’ story of triumph began at age 16, when she became a mother while coping with her parents’ divorce after 25 years of marriage. The family transition led Perkins to become a “second mom” to her two older and two younger siblings. When the pressure became too heavy, Perkins’ mother and younger siblings moved away from the area but she stayed behind. During the next school year, Perkins’ gave birth to a second child and her Centreville family home burned down. Despite these adversities, Perkins’ graduated on time from Cahokia High School in 1997.
In 2002, prior to entering Kaskaskia Community College, Perkins had another child. After she began her nursing program, Perkins endured the violent death of an older brother.
Even though problems plagued Perkins’ life, she never let it diminish her dreams. At the age of eight, Perkins wanted to be a nurse because she liked, “fixing people.” In 2003, Perkins enrolled in the Kaskaskia Community College in its License Practical Nursing program and in 2005 the Chamberlain School of Nursing in its Registered Nursing Program.
While Perkins attempted to balance school, work and coping with tragedy, she found time beginning in 2005 to volunteer at her youngest daughter, Jeoria Gilliam’s,
Head Start class. “Children are young for a short time, I made sure to be involved in their lives,” said Perkins, who volunteers at least twice a week.
Her passionate involvement doesn’t go unnoticed. “Ms. Perkins has such a pleasant and positive attitude. The entire class enjoys her presence, “said Barbara Watts, Head Start teacher. “She does not just focus on her daughter. She is committed to both her daughter’s and the other children’s learning.”
Perkins also remained committed to her own education. She obtained her Registered Nursing degree in 2006 from Chamberlain School of Nursing. “I never lost sight of my goal of being a nurse. My determination paid off, and it was worth it,” said Perkins.
Photos: 1 -- Anita Perkins and her 4-year-old daughter, Jeoria Gilliam, listen to instructions from their SIUE Head Start teacher. Photo by Amber Suggs
