Racial Harmony Honors CHS Student
From left, Diana, Lillie and Sam Cuddeback
By Randy Pierce
Collinsville High School student Lillie Cuddeback is one of the recipients of awards presented by the Center for Racial Harmony during its 30th annual event called “The Gathering” held at First Presbyterian Church in Belleville on Sunday, February 26.
The daughter of Sam and Diana Cuddeback, Lillie is president of the CHS Multicultural Club and has invested a considerable level of energy into making the secondary education experience an enjoyable, beneficial and productive one not only for herself for also for her peers.
Lillie was described in the nomination information submitted by CHS as being well known as someone of a “responsible, dedicated and caring nature.”
Her role in the multicultural club has included taking the initiative in organizing several school and community service projects including hosting the annual CHS Mr. Homecoming Pageant where money was raised to purchase items for those in need.
Another charitable fund-raising effort Lillie held a lead role in was her school’s annual three-on-three basketball tournament. Lillie’s interest in promoting diversity, inclusion and equality saw her leading a project for Black History Month at CHS which consisted of recognizing the accomplishments of African-American alumni. She is currently working on the celebration of Arab-American Month in April at CHS.
Doing all of this while maintaining excellent grades and honor roll status, Lillie has attained eligibility to be a member of the prestigious Rho Kappa Society, is captain of the CHS lacrosse team and volunteers her time with the area teen court and at the Heartlinks Grief Center in Belleville. A senior at CHS, Lillie plans to start her college education at Missouri Baptist University in Creve Coeur, Missouri later this year.
The Center for Racial Harmony’s “gathering” held last month was the first time since 2019 that it occurred in a live setting, two years being presented online because of the coronavirus pandemic.
