My name is Laine Russell and I just recentlygraduated from ASE, Adult Secondary Education program. ASE is "An Option in High School Education", provided by John A. Logan College and is associated with Carterville High School.

I am asking for your support in petitioning for CHS  to re-evaluate and change a policy that currently does not allow myself and/or other students within the Carterville Unit #5 School District, attending ASE, to participate in CHS events; such as graduation, prom, and homecoming.

My journey with ASE began halfway through my sophomore year.  In my case, I found myself struggling with mental health issues, which seemed like physical health issues at the time. These issues caused my attendance and participation at CHS to decline. When I approached my mom and the school about my problems I found that CHS did not have many options to assist me, in a traditional setting. I was referred to the ASE program by Carterville High School guidance counselors. My mom agreed to meet with the ASE program counselors and we both found ASE offers educational programs that work with high school students that are experiencing difficulties within the traditional school setting. At ASE, the program offers so many beneficial options for students like me, including smaller class sizes, credit recovery or dual credits. ASE is also attendance based, which motivates students to attend if they want to remain in the program. Thankfully ASE offered me a learning environment more beneficial to my learning needs, because not only will I now graduate, I will be graduating early. In addition, my diploma is coming from the school that my mom, myself and my 4 younger siblings have attended/will attend, CHS. My educational requirements at ASE are no different than what other high school students need, especially since my home school is Carterville, meaning I have to follow Carterville High School graduation requirements to receive a Carterville High School Diploma. I receive the same amount of credits and take the same classes I would at CHS, along with being able to obtain dual credit courses in an environment that fits my needs. I still attend school in my hometown and I am able to watch my 4 siblings participate in extra-curricular activities hosted by the school and community, but lack the option to participate myself. I personally chose to go to ASE and have never been in trouble or had disciplinary issues to where I was forced to leave school. 

Despite the fact that I will receive my high school diploma early, from CHS, have taken my  SATs at CHS and attended CHS since 1st grade, I was unfortunately informed that I am unable to attend events at CHS, such as participating in prom, homecoming or walking in the graduation ceremony, to receive my diploma. I was informed that students obtaining an education in any "alternative school" attending CHS events was against CHS policy.

All of these milestones were not moments I was thinking about when I began ASE. Due to my mental health issues, specifically social anxiety, I feared many of these events when I first chose to go to ASE but now that I have been provided the support and skills to cope with my mental health issues I have realized that these moments are so very important to me and to my educational and personal growth.

I want to dress up and attend my senior prom with my high school sweetheart and experience one of the most memorable days every child dreams of. I want to experience attending homecoming as a senior and being able to see my 15 year old brother attending the same homecoming as a freshman, as we have always joked about since we were little kids. I want my 4 younger siblings, my parents, and grandparents and others to witness me receiving my CHS diploma. I want to show them and others how I conquered the hard work it took by obtaining high honors, all while struggling with mental health issues, as I walk in graduation with my peers. The same peers that I have attended school with throughout my entire education.  I want to let people know that no matter what challenges there are that there are equal and fair opportunities for everyone. 

I was unaware of how many moments I was missing out on, which I am now seeing that are very important to me. Not being in my sophomore, junior and senior yearbook, not being able to attend homecoming dances and prom, art club (which is a passion of mine) and participating in other school clubs and organizations are just a few.

So please help support me and other students in changing this unfair policy. A policy in which I personally feel stigmatized, for pursuing a non-traditional education setting, that better fit my personal and educational needs. I am hopeful this petition will show CHS that many people believe this policy to be unfair, and that I do deserve to show my Carterville Lion Pride and participate in the remaining Carterville High School events, for my senior year, allow me to be a proud and successful graduate of Carterville Community School District #5 and a proud lifelong Carterville Community member.