October 27, 2023 (Updated November 13, 2023) – Collinsville High School senior Elliott Schusky and teacher Kyle Gordon were among the people and businesses honored during the annual C3 Awards dinner on November 9, 2023.
Collinsville Community Collaboration, C3, is a partnership between the City of Collinsville, Collinsville Chamber of Commerce and Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 to honor those who serve the community and make positive contributions to the quality of life. The first C3 awards were presented in 2018.
Elliott Schusky: 2023 Leader of Tomorrow Award Recipient
Collinsville High School senior Elliott Schusky was selected as the Leader of Tomorrow by C3.
The award honors youth who are “involved in the community of Collinsville in constructive and positive ways that have impacted the lives of others that reside here, and inspired others to make a difference through their actions.”
Schusky is ranked at the top of his graduating class, and was recently named a Commended Scholar in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. In addition to academics, he excels in band and other co-curricular activities. He’s principal chair for the horn section in the CHS Band, president of CHS Model United Nations, praetor of Latin Club, a member of Scholar Bowl, Math Team and Book Club.
A gifted musician, Elliott has been part of CHS Honors Band all four years (horn) and was recently selected for the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) 2023 District Festivals Group. He is also a member of the Belleville Philharmonic (violin).
Schusky is very active in the CHS Latin Club. Has earned numerous awards at Illinois Junior Classical League competitions, earned the Seal of Biliteracy in Latin as a junior, and a silver medal on the National Latin Poetry Exam.
At Collinsville High School, Elliott has taken responsibility for the school’s participation in Model United Nations. Model UN is a place where high school students are “encouraged to immerse themselves in the politics, cultures, and problems of the 193 member nations.” Participants, serving as delegates representing different nations, write resolutions and learn to work together toward solutions for the world’s problems.
His Model UN involvement led to an internship with Civitas St. Louis, a not-for-profit organization that organizes programs to promote active citizenship and world awareness to students.
Schusky hopes to pursue a career as a foreign service officer. His goal is to one day work for the state department and serve in an embassy or consulate.
Elliott Schusky is the son of Mark Schusky and Barbara Lindauer of Collinsville.
Watch Elliott’s C3 Tribute Video
Kyle Gordon: 2023 Stan Schaeffer Education Community Leadership Award Recipient
Collinsville High School social studies teacher Kyle Gordon was named the 2023 Stan Schaeffer Education Community Leadership Award recipient.
The Stan Schaeffer Education Community Leadership Award, named for former Collinsville mayor, the late Stan Schaeffer, honors Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 educators whose work has furthered education and helped create positive change within the Collinsville community.
Through the courses he teaches and co-curricular activities he coordinates, Kyle Gordon is shaping the Collinsville community’s future leaders. He joined the CHS staff in 1999. He currently teaches AP US History and Leadership 101.
Kyle Gordon created the Leadership 101 course at CHS and built the curriculum. Students learn group and individual leadership skills, and civic responsibility. They complete a class service learning project where they plan and execute a fundraising project for a charity.
Mr. Gordon is also the Collinsville High School Student Council advisor. CHS StuCo supports the greater Collinsville community by volunteering and presenting local events.
With more than 400 members, the CHS StuCo is the largest in the nation, and has been a National Council of Excellence for the past 18 years – every year since the award was created by the National Student Council.
CHS Student Council hosted the National Student Council Conference in June 2023. More than 1,000 delegates from all 50 states, and Canada and Australia attended.
Kyle Gordon coordinates projects enjoyed by the community, including CHS Homecoming activities and parade, as well as the popular Senior Citizen Prom. Under his direction each year, CHS StuCo collects Christmas gifts for the students at Kreitner Elementary and delivers them dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves.
Watch Mr. Gordon’s Tribute Video
AWARDS NIGHT INFORMATION
The 2023 C3 Awards were presented during a dinner at the Gateway Center in Collinsville on November 9. Tickets were $35 each. For more information on the event, tickets, and awards to be presented, visit the C3 Awards page on the City of Collinsville website.