Edna Keith Elementary School hosted the City of Joliet’s annual Arbor Day Celebration on April 25, 2025. Joliet Public Schools District 86 Deputy Superintendent Dr. Tanisha Cannon, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Judie Nash, and Edna Keith Principal Laticha Walton joined Joliet Mayor Terry D’Arcy, Joliet City Councilmembers Jan Hallums Quillman and Pat Mudron, and members of the Joliet Tree Advisory Board at the event. After Mayor D’Arcy read the Arbor Day proclamation, Kindergarten students recited a poem, student winners of the city’s Arbor Day Poster contest were recognized, and students helped plant a new Summer Elixir Elm tree in front of the school. In addition to donating the new tree, the City of Joliet provided Midwest Crabapple tree saplings for the 72 Kindergarten students to take home to plant and a book for the school library.
"We were pleased to be selected to host the city's Arbor Day event," said Edna Keith Elementary School Principal Laticha Walton, "The students were thrilled to be part of the celebration."
The winners of the school’s Arbor Day Poster Contest were fifth-grade student Eian McMillan (first place), third-grade student Ja’Mya McMurtry (second place), and second grader Nestor Tinoco Rodriguez placed third. Fourth-grade student Annabelle Cordova and fifth-grade student Jackson Hollister received honorable mention recognition. These students were also recognized at the Joliet City Council Meeting in April. The City of Joliet was recognized as a “Tree City USA” community for the 34th consecutive year by the National Arbor Day Foundation.