Harvey School District 152 puts a new face on famed Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School track and field resurfacing project. The track will service the District’s 2,500 students and host US track and field meets. School Officials also say that opportunities and careers for youth will continue to be enhanced.
Charles “Chuck” Givines, the Interim Director of Buildings and Grounds said, “The track features 8 straight lanes for the 100 Meter Dash, 110 Meter Hurdles; 6 turns for 4x 100 Relay, 4 x 200 Relay, and 4 x 4 100 Relay. We will be able to host the US track and field meets.” Givines further states that the track was built about 40 years ago.
According to Benjamin Averyheart, a 30-year track and field veteran and Harvey School District 152 Track Coach, the following athletes began their careers in Brooks’ track and field program: Tim Faust is an Ohio State Graduate and Illinois High School State Champion in the 100 and 200 Meters. He is also a Big Ten Champion in the 200 Meters Dash.
Ladonna Caston is a Missouri Valley Conference Champion in the Hurdles. She recently broke her own Southern Illinois University Record in the 100 Meters Hurdles. Also, she was named to The Missouri Valley All-Academic Team.
Eric Perez is a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago. He was recently named the Track and Field Cross Country Coach.
Alexandria Smith is the Illinois State University champion in the triple jump.
Coach Averyheart said, “In addition to the list of former Brooks Warriors that represent a broad array of universities and colleges in track, field, and academics are: Jonathan Anderson, Western Illinois University; Britteny McNeil, Bowling Green University; Khadija Abdullah, Louisville University; Maurice Buchanan, Alabama State University; Demetrius Mitchell, Benedictine University; Chasz Wells, Benedictine University; Jalen Banks, Vanderbilt University; Nina Edwards, Wichita State University; Jauan Wesley, Iowa State University; and Marsha Howard, University of Wisconsin.”
Dr. Kevin Nohelty, Assistant Superintendent for Business Operations and Human Relations, discussing the finances of the track project said, “Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School received a $50,000 maintenance grant from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The $50,000 grant was used for the resurfacing project.”
“The track will have a complete makeover and be designed to accommodate regional track meets for the Southern Cook County area. Harvey School District 152 has a phenomenal girls and boys track team,” said Dr. Nohelty.
“The resurfacing project will cost approximately $150,000 and will be completed this summer,” said Givines.
“This is an investment in our children that have done a magnificent job,” said Janet Rogers, School Board Member.
Nohelty emphatically said, “SD152 Board Members say ‘it’s all about the children’. School Board Members Dr. Kisha McCaskill, Linda Hawk- ins, and Felicia Johnson all support this massive project.”
“We believe that this investment in our children will ensure that the Gwendolyn Brooks track will last beyond another 30 years,” added School Board Member Tyrone Rogers.
