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“Whenever someone will tell you something that's impossible, always look for an opportunity to say I’m possible anyway.” Keynote speaker and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumna Leslie Hardin (’19) shared her road toward entrepreneurship with dozens of SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School scholars at the traditional Thanksgiving luncheon. Students and staff gathered for an early afternoon of inspiration and hearty eating with a deejay providing background beats for their holiday sendoff. The festivities took place at noon on Friday, Nov. 21 in the SIUE Multipurpose Room on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus.

The theme:  “We Give Thanks!” Hardin’s words of empowerment for the youth captured the attention of students who may have had a similar upbringing, overcoming many challenges.

“I'm from Brooklyn. I grew up in a project, so when the front door was locked and we couldn't get in, we had to go around the side of the apartment building to try to find an open window so we could get in the house. Because that's where we knew that we belonged,” said Hardin.

“So I translated that over into my adulthood: If the door is not open, find the window. Find another way to get in. A friend of mine told me there's always another opportunity to get where you belong.”

“She was very enthusiastic, and she was very interactive, which I appreciated a lot,” said CHS senior Anthony Ayers, who expressed an interest in medicine when students were prompted by Hardin to share their dreams.

“I want to go into medicine and accounting. What inspired me was definitely my upbringing,” said Ayers. “I was a very low income, and when I have money, I always like to keep it and just that thought alone in my environment made me want to handle money a certain way when I grow older.”

Ayers added, “And since my mom's a nurse, I was always interested in medicine. She'll always tell me about her job. And my cousin is a nurse as well.”

Ayers is also the student body vice president. Student body president, Destiny Jones, who also participates in a dual credit program through Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), recently spent a summer abroad in Argentina through SIUE’s TRIO Upward Bound program.

“I want to go into psychology,” said Jones. “I want to be a mental health counselor, but I also wanted to go back and go into political science, because I do have a voice. I'm pretty bold about it; I can't lie.”

Jones has been student body president all four years. She added, “One thing I really love about being a student here is the community, the teachers. The teachers endure a lot from us in the student body. But when the student body is positive, they're really great.”

CHS Director Kimberly Allen, staff and school resource officers served students a full plate of Thanksgiving staples that included turkey, dressing, gravy, cornbread, green beans, macaroni and cheese, yams and cranberry sauce. Staff wheeled a full cart of desserts and drinks through the dining area. Families of CHS students also contributed to the meal.  
 
Photos by Howard Ash