LUCE Summer Institute finale celebrated in Miner

MINER, Mo. — Lincoln University Cooperative Extension’s Charleston Outreach Center on Tuesday hosted the “Coming Together to Bridge the Gap Summer Institute Finale” at the Miner Convention Center in Sikeston.

More than 250 students from Scott, Mississippi, Pemiscot, Dunklin. New Madrid and Cape Girardeau counties were in attendance. Students celebrated their accomplishments and received awards for their hard work this summer, according to Sherry Maxwell, assistant southeast regional coordinator for LUCE Charleston Outreach Center.

“LUCE is committed to improving literacy while providing students a safe environment free from illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco and bullying to participants enrolled in Charleston Outreach programs,” Maxwell said.

During the Summer Institute, students were challenged to channel their creativity and imagination as they learned about (including but not limited to) the great state of Missouri, agriculture, HBCUs, art, nutrition and discovering nature, she said.

“The finale is a culmination of the program’s activities and events during the Summer Institute. Students will experience special performances, hear a variety of guest speakers, afternoon of awards and recognition before returning to their home sites.

The Spirit of Angela West African Dance and Drum of St. Louis, Missouri, provided an opening performance while Leon Hite II with Coach Hite LLC of St. Louis served as the program facilitator.

The following sites provided program reviews and spotlights of their Summer Institutes: True Faith Ministries of Cape Girardeau; Haywood City Community Center of Haywood City; Warren E. Hearnes Elementary of Charleston; The Taylor Center of Howardville; Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Malden; Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ of Homestown; Faith Temple Church of God in Christ of Hayti; and Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Steele.

Special video presentations were also given by Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe andMissouri Department of Social Services Deputy Director Jeriane Jaegers-Brenneke.