The alternative high school inside the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice's Monarch Youth Center in Lincoln has a new name: Nelson Mandela Academy.

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) School District #428 announced the name on Oct. 1. A naming ceremony was held in the gymnasium of Monarch Youth Center.

According to the release, students spent months choosing the name. Working with their teachers, students researched and gave presentations on seven individuals they felt embodied leadership, determination and perseverance: Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Abraham Lincoln, Malala Yousafzai, Malcolm X, George Washington Carver and Langston Hughes. Educators, youth, school district officials and administrators at Monarch Youth Center voted that Nelson Mandela would be the best namesake.

"We are continuously pushing our students to see the power of their own voices- to understand that real, lasting, meaningful, impact comes through collaboration, reflection, and leadership, not force or violence," said Traci Knisley, principal of Nelson Mandela Academy. "Officially becoming Nelson Mandela Academy reflects not only the power of their voices, but the genuine respect this district and the agency have for their perspectives."

The release noted that Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison before becoming president of South Africa, and that his life embodied transformation, resilience and perseverance.

"Superintendent Dunbar and her team engaged in a thoughtful and inclusive process to choose a meaningful name for Monarch's school," said IDJJ Director Rob Vickery. "We are excited about Nelson Mandela Academy and their excellent work with our young people."

Who attended

Special guests at the ceremony included Yaacov Delaney, director of Illinois' Justice, Equity, and Opportunity (JEO) Initiative; State Senator Sally Turner (R-Lincoln); and Anne Dawdy, representing the office of State Representative Will Hauter (R-Morton). David Green, a school district #428 board of education member, also attended.

IDJJ School District #428 officials present included Superintendent Dr. Tresa Dunbar, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Kimbrough, Special Education Director Melissa Cory and CTE Director Noah Boudreau. IDJJ Director Robert Vickery and Chief of Staff Marna Satlak also attended, along with Monarch's facility superintendent, Tyrie Fluker.

The event included remarks from academy faculty members Emilie Young, Jacob Albert and Cete Brewton-Wilkin, along with thoughts from a recent graduate.

About Monarch Youth Center

Monarch Youth Center opened last fall and is designed to be rehabilitative and therapeutic. The center serves up to 30 young men in secure custody of the department. It provides high school education, career and technical training, behavioral and mental health services, and recreation.

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice was created by statute in 2006 to safely house and rehabilitate youth committed to its custody.

Source: the original release