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Ample doses of turkey, ham, dressing and all the fixings were served with equally hefty amounts of fondness, fun and fellowship at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School’s (CHS) annual Thanksgiving Day Meal Celebration. CHS students, staff and administrators gathered on Tuesday, Nov. 26 to celebrate before the holiday break.  

“We are a family at the Charter High School. Nothing gives us more pleasure than to be with you, and to let you all know how much you are loved,” said Gina Jeffries, EdD, CHS director. In keeping with tradition, Jeffries and the CHS faculty and staff served students during the meal, which was held in the cafeteria of the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. 

“I want everyone to know how the tradition of our Thanksgiving Day meal began,” continued Jeffries. “It started with Willis Young (former CHS assistant director) wanting to send students off on Thanksgiving break with a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. So, here we are seven years later, and it gets bigger and better every year.” 

CHS also has a custom of collecting and distributing food baskets to families in need. “I started the basket drive, because I work closely with the students and families and know of their various needs,” said Shawn Roundtree, CHS social worker. Donations were distributed to four CHS families this year. 

New to the celebration this year was turkey bowl trivia. After the meal, teams were quizzed on the following trivia categories: Thanksgiving Day,  CHS history and general knowledge.  

“This is a good tradition to have,” said CHS junior Jairen Robinson. “At the end of the year, it is good for us to be together, and enjoy one another in a positive way.” 

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 social studies teacher Carolyn Kribs (center) serves a Thanksgiving meal to Jairen Robinson (left) and Zoe Milton, both juniors. 

CHS administrators, faculty and staff served students a bountiful meal. 

CHS social worker Shawn Roundtree coordinates the Thanksgiving Day food basket drive.