Nine area high schools receive ‘Conversation’ fellowships

EDWARDSVILLE — Students from nine area high schools will make presentations Thursday in Edwardsville on student projects aimed at creating positive changes in their schools.

Teams from the schools each received a $3,000 fellowship as part of the Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities “Conversation Toward a Brighter Future” program.

Alton, Civic Memorial, East Alton-Wood River, Edwardsville, Granite City, Collinsville, Madison and Triad high schools, and the Center for Educational Opportunities received the fellowships, according to a press release issued Wednesday. Grants for middle school programs are expected to be announced later this week.

High school students will present their project proposals to local school leaders from 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 12 at the center, 1210 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Middle school projects are expected to be presented at a similar meeting from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, May 17.

The plans comes out “Conversation Toward a Brighter Future,” a joint workshop between Lewis and Clark Community College’s Manny Jackson Center for the Humanities and the Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Office held in February.

Students were to create programs to foster positive change.

At the summits discussion centered around the foundation’s four core values: respect, dignity, understanding and forgiveness.

“Each of the projects demonstrates and reflects the commitment of these schools to positive change,” said foundation Executive Director Ed Hightower.

Schools were given $1,000 to begin their projects, and the nine schools chosen will receive an additional $3,000 in September.

At Alton High School students worked on a plan to help increase respect among students.

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