SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Enjoy Weeklong Homecoming Festivities

November 6, 2024, 12:30 PM

Black Greek Step Show, a Highlight during CHS Homecoming 2024 Activities

A week of excitement, high spirts and friendly competition was punctuated with foot-stomping, explosive energy during Homecoming 2024 activities for students at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS).

The school began its festivities on Friday, Oct. 25 with sports activities, where rounds of basketball were played and former and current CHS track, and basketball players were recognized for their achievements.

On Friday, Nov. 1, SIUE Black Greeks delighted CHS students and staff with a step show and history of the Divine Nine (Black Greeks) in the Multipurpose Room of Building D on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus.

"We want everyone to smile, to laugh, to joke. We want you to have memories with your friends, make new friends, and be prepared for what's to come on the other side of high school graduation," said CHS Interim Director Natasha Flowers, PhD, associate professor and assistant dean for anti-racism, equity and inclusion in the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB).

"One of those things happens to be the opportunity to join a Black Greek fraternity or sorority. Our founders and current members are known all over the world," continued Flowers, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. "Many are educators, school leaders, lawyers, technologists, scientists. I could go on and on. They are good people trying to do the right thing, and that's what we want for all of you. We want you to be your best selves."

Coordinating and bringing most of SIUE's Black Greeks to the CHS was Sgt. Kasey Hoyd, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and SIUE alumnus.

"There are a number of ways that being part of a Black Greek organization can help Charter School students," noted Hoyd. "Students can have access to the resources that they offer, the opportunity to learn more history, receive mentoring, get plugged into college internships, become involved in networking and receive help in finding employment after college. There are just so ways that students can benefit."

Performing step routines and giving their respective histories were the SIUE chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., SIUE Black Greeks unable to attend the step show at CHS were Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

SIUE students representing their respective Black Greek organizations were the Epsilon Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha seniors Adriana Elliott and Bri Branson; the Epsilon Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta juniors Adrianne Gines, Jada Cotledge, Harrison Brooks and Ciaunna McCoy; the Gamma Beta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho junior Corynn Patton; the Delta Kappa Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta juniors Laila Glover, Shania MacHehu and Serenity Smith, and senior A'llana Burton; the Zeta Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi senior Issac Lindsey and Hoyd; and the Epsilon Pi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma sophomores Kye Oswald, Toni Olaniyi and Eli Mcelroy, and junior Prince Efenogo.

"I'm thinking about pledging Delta Sigma Theta," said CHS sophomore Jessica Foster. "Much of my family are Deltas, but I do like Sigma Gamma Rho's. I want to part of a Black Greek organization because it's like a second family. I'm so glad they were able to come to the Charter School."

Shawn Roundtree Sr., CHS head basketball coach, highlighted some stats that were shared and celebrated the first day of homecoming.

"Senior KeJuan Rives, a four-year starter, is approximately 300 points from being our first 1,000-point getter," said Roundtree. "CHS junior Breon Johnson, a three-year participant, is right behind KeJuan with approximately 500 points or more. He should reach the 1,000-point mark by his senior year! Breon is learning how to be a positive leader and does a great job for us."

Former and current standout student athletes in the CHS track program were also recognized. One athlete, Justin Miller, was lauded at Homecoming 2024. Miller was unable to come, but his aunt attended in his place.

"Justin attends Indiana State, and as a sophomore he's 10th on Indiana State All-Time Javelin Throwers, with a throw of 56.76 meters," noted Roundtree. "Justin graduated from Charter High School in 2019, attended Greenville College, and was a first-year student at the school before being offered a scholarship to attend Indiana State."

"The week was designed to pack as much fun and good times in it as possible," said Edith Laktzian, CHS special education coordinator. Laktzian and Hope Jordan, CHS art faculty associate, planned the week of Homecoming 2024. The week included the following fun days:

• Monday - Pajama Day, students came to school dressed in their pj's
• Tuesday - Age Day, seniors dressed as babies; juniors dressed as toddlers; sophomores dresses as adults; and first-year students dressed as senior citizens.
• Wednesday - Swap Day, students and staff mimicked each other's dress.
• Thursday - Students dressed in Halloween costumes.
• Friday - T-shirt Class Day, first-year students wore yellow; sophomores wore green, juniors wore mauve, and seniors wore black.
• Saturday - Homecoming dance.

The crowning touch to the festivities was the Monday, Nov 4 announcement of the CHS Homecoming Court. Winning Homecoming King was Lorenzo Bruce, senior; and Homecoming Queen was Jaden Jones, senior. The Homecoming Court included Princes Anthony Ayers, junior; and Javar Woods, sophomore. Homecoming Princesses were Nazara Adams, junior; Mar'Keisha Morris, sophomore; and Montia Cooper, first-year.

The SIUE East St. Louis 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:
The SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) concluded its homecoming activities with a Black Greek step show.

Top row left to right: CHS seniors and CHS juniors.
Bottom row, left to right: CHS sophomores and CHS first-year students.