PEORIA (May 10, 2022) – ELITE High School and Jr. ELITE students are scheduled to graduate from the Peoria Park District’s ELITE Community Outreach Program on Thursday, May 12th at 6:00 pm at the Scottish Rite Theatre.
The keynote speaker for the 2022 graduation is Mr. Greg Batton, from the Greg and Dan Morning Show, aired on WMBD radio.
The graduation will also include honoring several individuals who are champions for the ELITE Youth Outreach Program. A Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Mrs. Jackie Petty, VP of the Peoria Park District Board of Trustees as well as an Executive Leadership Award presented to Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth. Game Changer Award Honorees include Scott Elger, Ken and Judy Zika, Yani Collective, and Vani and Terry Baldwin.
The ELITE Program began in 2006 as a way to provide young people with a healthy occupation of their time, by providing them with the skills they would need to secure a part-time job. Working through high school counselors, the program targets students who would most benefit from the self-confidence and the financial boost that part-time employment can bring.
The Jr. ELITE Program was started a few years later for 7th and 8th graders at schools that the ELITE Youth Outreach Program have ELITE Compliance Officers working. This year the Jr. ELITE is working on a PSA, that will be aired later this summer, encouraging their peers “To Do The Right Thing”.
A private ELITE Job Fair was held on April 28, 2022 at the RiverPlex Recreation and Wellness Center. Over a dozen employers were invited to participate in the Job Fair. Ever student is expected to gain employment, even those as young as 14 will be able to apply for the Mayor’s summer employment initiative.
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