1E CONTACT US: marilyn.halstead@thesouthern.com
THE SOUTHERN ILLINOISAN FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013
PAUL NEWTON / THE SOUTHERN
The Cream of the Crop
Students visit Tuesday at the Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet at the SIU Student Center in Carbondale.
BY MARY THOMAS LAYTON
I
THE SOUTHERN
Region’s top students honored at annual banquet
’m really honored to be here because we have a lot of great students at our school. I appreciate that my teachers recognize all that I do,” said Mikka Slater, a Johnston City High School student, who was one of 199 seniors from 34 local schools recognized Tuesday night at SIU for outstanding achievements. Students earned recognition for academic excellence, leadership, community service, athletics and other extra-curricular activities during the 43rd annual banquet sponsored by Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement and The Southern Illinoisan. “One of the nice things about this banquet is that it recognizes not only academic ability, but students who excel in things like music, fine arts, community service, leadership,” said Tim Linduska, senior sponsor and art teacher at Elverado High School. Students honored at the banquet were chosen by their respective schools. Gary Metro, editor of The Southern Illinoisan, and Marilyn Halstead, community new editor for the newspaper, handed out awards. “Every spring since 2007, I have had the honor of speaking at the Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement banquet,” Metro said. “It’s a privilege to meet our best students. It’s also comforting to know the future will be in good hands. Soon, my generation won’t be the politicians, airline pilots, surgeons, engineers, business leaders, chemists and communicators.” Kyle Landon, a senior at Chester High School, said he was grateful to be among the students who were honored. “I feel great. Only so many people get it at our school, and I’m just happy to be one to get nominated,” said Landon, who was recognized for academic and athletic excellence, character and community service. Chester High School Swing Choir, under the direction of Steve Colonel, provided music during the dinner, and the guest speaker was Miss Illinois 2012 Megan Ervin of Rushville. PAUL NEWTON / THE SOUTHERN
mary.layton@thesouthern.com / 618-351-5071
Miss Illinois Megan Ervin speaks Tuesday at the Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet at the SIU Student Center.
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