Smith to host 36th annual Spirit of Christmas event

On Monday, Dec. 23, State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) is hosting the 36th annual Spirit of Christmas gift giveaway. Co-hosted by 6th District Councilman of the City of Gary, Dwight A. Williams, the Spirit of Christmas is held in honor of Reverend Julia E. Smith who served as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and Patricia Tillotson, a former educator in the Gary School Corporation. The free event will take place from noon to 3 p.m. CT at the Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center (1900 W. 41st Avenue, Gary, Indiana). While the annual event takes place in House District 14, all are welcome to attend, and gifts are for all ages. 

“I started this tradition to honor my late mother, Reverend Julia E. Smith, and an educator I deeply admired named Patricia Tillotson,” Smith said. “Both of these women embodied the passion for giving, and they were a testament to how generosity can change a community. 

“We’re called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, and the holiday season is a wonderful reminder of our commitment to this purpose. This calling is precisely why I created this Spirit of Christmas event. It’s an opportunity to gather as a community and celebrate the Savior’s birth. 

“The event is open to all, but I want to personally invite those in need of good company or gifts for their family this Christmas. I understand how stressful the holidays can be if you’re in a precarious financial situation, therefore gifts are available for all ages. I hope you join us to celebrate the spirit of goodwill and generosity.”  

Any who wish to volunteer this Christmas will be deeply appreciated. For more information about the event or volunteering, you can call the office of House District 14 at (317)232-9987. Rep. Smith is also available at (219)887-2046. 

Smith announces performers for annual Harvest Feast

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) is hosting the annual Harvest Feast on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m. CST. The event will take place at New Hope M.B. Church located at 2307 Rhode Island St. Gary, IN 46407. The Harvest Feast is held in honor of Smith’s mother, the late Rev. Julia E. Smith, and his aunt, Magnolia Allen, and includes a short religious service followed by a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The event is free and open to the public.

Rep. Smith released the following statement regarding the entertainment lineup of the event: 

“This year’s Harvest Feast lineup is one for the books. We will feature New Hope Praise Team; Chienoo’s, a praise dancers’ group; the West Side Theatre Guild Repertoire Dance Co; Stephan Henderson, a gospel vocalist; and Nathan Mason, a gospel vocalist; Debra Davis, a gospel vocalist and Rev. Bryan Davis, a gospel vocalist. I am truly excited to share these wonderful performers with the attendees of this event.

“I want to extend an invitation to all residents of the area to attend the Harvest Feast this Friday, Nov. 22. This free event is a celebration of God’s blessings and a continuation of my mother's legacy of service and worship. Whether you have nowhere to go for the holiday, are in need of a good meal, or simply looking for good company and a great time, you are welcome here.”  

Smith invites community to the annual Harvest Feast

State Rep. Vernon G. Smith is hosting the annual Harvest Feast on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m. CST. The event will take place at New Hope Church located at 2307 Rhode Island St. Gary, IN 46407. The Harvest Feast includes a short religious service followed by a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. 

“Every year, I hold the annual Harvest Feast to honor my mother, the late Reverend Julia Smith. Service to the community was one of the many values she instilled in me growing up. My mother started this tradition in Gary to bring people together to give thanks for the blessings of this life. I am proud to keep her legacy of service alive and praise her memory for all she did for the people of this city. 

“All are welcome to join me for this joyous celebration of the gifts granted to us by the Good Lord. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community, give thanks, and give back. There will be a free traditional Thanksgiving dinner, worship, entertainment and good company.” 

IBLC shares teachers’ concerns over proposed high school diplomas

On June 5, the State Board of Education proposed new requirements for high school diplomas. Though the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) insists that the changes outlined in the proposal would offer more flexibility for students, teachers and legislators have raised concerns about the proposal. According to the IDOE, students could pursue one of two new degrees: the less-intensive GPS Diploma or the GPS Diploma Plus, which emphasizes a “high-quality work-based learning experience.” 

However, neither of these degrees provides students with the skills necessary for a successful transition into higher learning. Instead, these diplomas are made to funnel students directly into the job markets at the cost of important core classes in math, the arts, world languages and more. The IBLC echoes the concerns that have been shared by teachers and recognizes that in its current state, the proposed diplomas do not provide the academic rigor necessary to prepare Hoosier students to become well-rounded, academically curious adults.

“School is the time when children should be encouraged to broaden their perspectives and explore a diverse assortment of subjects, not only to help students discover their individual passions but to help shape them into capable adults,” IBLC Chair State Rep. Earl Harris Jr. (D-East Chicago) said.

“While college is not the only route to success, we still must give our students the tools and education necessary to succeed in higher education, if that is the path they choose to pursue. If these new diplomas go into effect, Indiana students may not meet the basic requirements to enroll in our state universities, and they will most certainly fall short of the requirements needed for out-of-state enrollment. The proposed high school diplomas require less of our students and would set up Hoosier children for failure.”

“As someone who has spent my entire career as an educator, the proposed changes to our high school diplomas are deeply troubling,” House Education Committee Ranking Democrat State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary) said.  

“It is important to ensure that our public schools prepare students for whatever path they choose to pursue after graduation but taking away the requirement for essential classes such as foreign languages, economics, fine arts and world history is not the way to achieve that goal. Our chronically underfunded public schools may be forced to cut these classes altogether if they are not required to offer them. This new system takes opportunities away from all Hoosier students and devalues Indiana's education.

“Our goal should be to foster curiosity and create life-long learners with open minds to the experiences around them. How do we expect a student to realize that they could have a real future as a translator or an economist if they are never exposed to those topics? As I always say, the mind is like a parachute: it doesn't work if it isn't open.” 

The State Board of Education is accepting feedback on the proposed diplomas. All parents, students, educators and stakeholders are encouraged to share their concerns and can do so via the online form here.