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JILG Featured School:
Herrin High School
Jobs for Illinois Graduates (JILG) is proud to feature Herrin High School, home of the Tigers, as the JILG School of the Month! Herrin is located just west of Interstate 57 in the heart of Southern Illinois. HHS serves over 700 students and has a long-standing tradition of academic and athletic honors—most recently capturing the IHSA 1A 2008 State Track & Field Championship for the second straight year.
Herrin has a rich history in Southern Illinois. The local coal mines attracted immigrants, which helped to give Herrin its Italian distinction. Each Memorial Day, Herrin celebrates its Italian heritage with HerrinFesta Italiana, featuring pasta contests, a parade, nightly entertainment and bocce ball tournaments.
JILG has been a part of the Herrin High School curriculum for many years. Now in its 10th year at HHS, JILG serves approximately 40 students a year. Each year, the students continue to benefit from the JILG curriculum and in turn benefit the community with service and a good hiring pool. Herrin’s JILG program continually wins awards for service and the quality of work its students produce.
The JILG program serves students who are college bound as well as those who may need assistance to graduate high school. The students’ needs are met in a variety of ways, from instruction and guest speakers to individual guidance and counseling. The Herrin JILG Program is proud that it has three students that have been named Illinois State Scholars this year.
This year, Herrin JILG students have put in over 300 service learning hours to help organizations like the National Breast Cancer Foundation, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Herrin Better Business Association, the American Red Cross, and others. Students also aided the County Clerk’s Office in local polling places on Election Day and held a voter registration drive.
The students also learned skills in the classroom that will help them become successful in their chosen careers. They have developed decision-making skills that will help them to choose an appropriate career, planned a strategy for preparing for that career, mastered the skills for being hired, and learned how to be good and productive employees. JILG teaches them to hone necessary skills and to use those skills to their potential.
The HHS students also plan many social activities throughout the year, including parties, outings, and their annual etiquette luncheon. The etiquette luncheon is a highlight for the year with a professional etiquette trainer and elegant business luncheon. The students raise the money themselves for this very nice event.
About the Specialist
Shawn Banks is in his 4th year as a Career Specialist for the Jobs for Illinois Graduates program. He attended the University of Illinois at Springfield, where he received a B.A. in Political Studies. Mr. Banks received his teacher certification from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in Political Science and History. He lives in Herrin with his wife Bobbie. They have one child. Mr. Banks is active in the school as a club and senior class sponsor and in the community as a scout leader. He is also greatly involved in state and local politics.
Banks said: “JILG has given me the ability to have a positive influence on the lives of the students and raise the quality of the workforce. JILG facilitates success and gives the students the map to reach their goals.”