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Joliet Central students inspire new drink at Jitters coffee in Joliet

Beverage honors Steelmen mascot

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Jitters in downtown Joliet is now serving a beverage that pays homage to Joliet Central High School and its Steelmen mascot: the Steelmen drink.

Jitters in downtown Joliet is now serving a beverage that pays homage to Joliet Central High School and its Steelmen mascot: the Steelmen drink. (Photo provided by Amber Duffy)

Jitters coffee shop in downtown Joliet is now serving a beverage that pays homage to Joliet Central High School and its Steelmen mascot.

“It started with a couple student council members who came in and said, ‘Let’s do a Steelmen drink to connect the community,’ ” according to the Jitters Facebook page. “Of course, we were loving this idea. Together we created a blue raspberry, coconut lemonade.”

Joliet Central High School students created "thank you" notes for customers who purchased the new Steelmen drink from Jitters in downtown Joliet.

Joliet Central High School students created "thank you" notes for customers who purchased the new Steelmen drink from Jitters in downtown Joliet. (Photo provided by Amber Duffy)

The students then brought hundreds of personalized “thank you” cards to Jitters for each customer who purchases a Steelmen drink, according to the Jitters Facebook page.

The Joliet Central traditional march is called the “March of the Steelmen” and was composed by Charles S. Belsterling, vice president of the United States Steel Company, and dedicated to the JTHS band in March 1937, according to the Joliet Township High School District website.

A new statue of the Joliet Central Steelman greets fans at the newly renovated stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 in Joliet.

A new statue of the Joliet Central Steelman greets fans at the newly renovated stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 in Joliet. (Gary Middendorf/Gary Middendorf)

The Steelman statue, which arrived at the school in 1935, “stands leaning forward into the future,” according to the Joliet Township High School District 204 website.

We welcome news about business developments in our communities. We appreciate hearing about local business comings and goings, new hours, expansions, and milestones in the Joliet area. If you have a tip to share for Eyes on Enterprise, email news@theherald-news.com.

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