|
|
|
Graduates: Be Brave, Be Bold, Make a Difference!
 | |
From left: Jabria McGee, Ahmad Norris, Laporsha Meredith, Jovan Stallworth, and class valedictorian, Chanell Smith. The 2012 commencement was held June 8th at Kneeway Miracle Temple in Chicago. 28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin provided the keynote address. |
Be brave, be bold, and make a difference in the lives of others. That was the message from keynote speaker, Jason Ervin, 28th Ward Alderman. Ervin spoke at the June 8th ceremony to a crowd of graduates, parents and staff at Kneeway Miracle Temple in Chicago. This year's graduating class comprised 52 seniors. The class valedictorian was Chanell Smith (top photo, far right) and the salutatorian was Brea Lobley.
Commencement highlights included Lobley's presentation of the Teacher of The Year Award to Literacy Coach and Spanish teacher Elissa Knight (bottom left), followed by a rousing poem from ASA graduate and honor student Alahna Davis (bottom right), who recited her poem, A Colored Girl. Tanisha Pender-Bey served as the mistress of ceremony and Keenan Davis provided the invocation. We wish all of our graduates well as they pursue college and work. For more graduation pictures, visit our Facebook page or website photo gallery.
  |
|
ASA Takes First Place at Youth Film Festival
 | |
Video-Film Teacher, Mr. Joseph Riina-Ferrie and his film students smile proudly after winning 1st Place for Best Public Service Film for their project, High School Lows. The students accepted the award at the 2012 Chicago Youth Community Film Festival in May. |
Approximately 10 ASA students were on hand at the Chicago Cultural Center on May 31st to accept their first place award for Best Public Service Film at the 2012 Chicago Youth Community Film Festival. Video-Film Teacher Joseph Riina-Ferrie escorted the students, while ASA Junior Ralon Whitcomb accepted the award on behalf of the Academy. The film festival is a joint partnership between the Alternative Schools Network and Community TV Network. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for a viewing of the film. For photos of the awards ceremony, visit our Facebook page. |
|
Academy Takes on Financial Literacy
 | |
First Eagle Senior Vice President Cheri A. Finno leads a "Smart Money Management" workshop at Family Literacy Night in April. First Eagle was one of three banks represented at the event. |
About 20 students and family members attended the school's Family Literacy Night April 19th. Representatives from three area banks were on hand to talk to students and their families about the importance of saving, budgeting, and establishing positive credit.The workshop was coordinated in part thanks to a grant from the Oak Park River Forest Community Bank. ASA would like to thank Oak Park River Forest Community Bank, ABC Bank of Chicago, First Eagle Bank, Urban Partnership Bank, and William Johnson of New York Life, for making our event a great learning opportunity for students and their families. For more photos, visit our Facebook page. |
|
Student Tours Boston, Earns Scholarship
 | |
2012 ASA Graduate Brea Lobley has earned a $32,000 scholarship to attend the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in the fall. |
2012 Graduate Brea Lobley is the perfect example of how hard work reaps rewards. The senior recently returned from a trip to Boston - a trip she earned for helping film, direct and produce an award-winning documentary on homeless teens.
Home Sweet Home won accolades in April at the "Do it Your Damn Self!" National Youth Video and Film Festival in Cambridge, Massachusetts and at the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) in Seattle. For Lobley, producing the film was an eye-opener.
"I learned a lot from peoples' stories. It's tough out there for us teens!" said Lobley. "Sometimes they get put out, sometimes they run away. But even though a teen may be in a homeless shelter, they can still have a positive outlook on life. They can work on getting into college and work on bettering themselves despite their situation."
 | |
2012 Graduate Brea Lobley (third from left) poses with other youth film makers at the 15th Annual "Do it Your Damn Self!" National Youth Video and Film Fesitval in Cambridge, Massachusetts. |
While in the Boston area, Brea visited Harvard University, attended the award-winning Broadway musical Fela!, and took part in three public screenings of the films made by film festival winners.
"A lady was crying and hugged me because she was so excited about the film," said Lobley. "It was nice out there."
Next fall, Brea plans to attend the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where she won a $32,000 scholarship. She plans to major in filmmaking. Lobley credits ASA's Video Film Production class with helping her declare a major.
"At first I was going to major in psychology, but Mr. Riina-Ferrie's class was one of my favorites."
Scroll our Facebook timeline to view Home Sweet Home. |
|
ASA's Health Fair Focuses on Community
 | |
ASA Junior Sconesha Coleman discusses breast cancer statistics with Math Teacher Nasiru Shakiru at the ASA Student Health Fair on May 21st. Coleman won second place for best all-around presentation. |
The second annual student health fair took place May 21st at the school. A dozen students presented their research on diseases and health conditions commonly found in the African American community. Four representatives from community organizations were on hand to serve as panel judges while students presented research on AIDS/HIV, breast cancer, asthma, sickle cell anemia, and hypertension to name a few. This year, awards were presented to first, second and third place winners for best all-around presentations. All participants received certificates of achievement. First place went to ASA Junior Ralon Whitcomb for his presentation on asthma. Second place was awarded to Sconesha Coleman, a junior who presented research on breast cancer. ASA Juniors Zameshea Barnes and Lajuan Jackson tied for third place with ASA Senior Princess Seamster for their presentations on heart disease and sexually transmitted infections. Our thanks to Casandra Figueroa and Maritxa Vidal of SIDA/VIDA, Patricia Hodo of Circle Family HealthCare Network, and Nikiya Pruitt of North Lawndale Christian Health Center for serving as panel judges. For more photos, visit our Facebook page or website photo gallery. |
|
Prom 2012: Memories for a Lifetime
 
  
This year's prom was held at the Palmer House Hilton downtown Chicago on May 25th. For more pictures, visit our Facebook page or website photo gallery. |
|
|
|
|
Where Are They Now?
ASA Alumni Spotlight
Name:
Keith Matthews
ASA Graduation:
2011
College/University:
Central State University
Major:
Undecided
College Accomplishments:
- Honor Society Member
- Dean's List, 2 semesters
- 3.8 GPA
- Freshman Resident Advisor
- President, Residence Hall Council
Reflecting on ASA:
What I remember most about ASA was the staff - how welcoming and nice everyone was. They pushed me at the same time. Basically, I remember the love and support and the confidence they had in me even when I didn't believe in myself.
ASA prepared me well for college. I didn't notice it while I was there, but once I got to campus, I realized 'I've done some of this before.' The papers we have to write in college are no joke. But I can handle it.
Memorable ASA Moment:
Our college trip to Central State University and Wilberforce University. It was exciting, it was live, and it was overwhelming for a high schooler from the west side who really didn't have college dreams. That trip influenced my decision to come here. I wanted to be successful and I had so many people believing in me, and I didn't want to let anyone down. I also wanted to make myself proud.
College Life:
College to me is a big change. It's more freedom; I have to step up and tell myself to go to class. I have to motivate myself. No one else is there to push me or motivate me. I've had to grow up. But I recommend it to everyone. Being in a different environment - being away from all of this back in Chicago - is a good feeling. It feels good.
Biggest College Challenge:
Time management. With that much freedom, you have to be on top of your school work and manage your social life. You have to limit everything. You can't do everything last minute. I know people who get caught up in that - you know, going to parties knowing they have a test the next day. You can't do that. Yo have to make the right decisions.
Advice for ASA Students:
Listen! Don't block out what everyone's saying. Take the time to listen and give it a chance. Everything is worth a try. I tried out college and look at me! |
 |
|
Get Your Game On!
The month of May was all about physical education for ASA students and staff. The school hosted Physical Education Day on May 10th followed by a carnival on May 29th. Both events culminated in a picnic in the school's parking lot. Students gathered at John Clark Park in Chicago for hours of afternoon activities including relay races, softball, basketball, volleyball, double-dutch and frisbee. Students and staff took part in the annual staff vs. students softball game. Staff won 12 to 6 on May 10th, but were defeated by the students in a 12-4 re-match on May 29th. For more images, visit our website or Facebook pages.
|
|
Provider's Day 2012
The second annual Provider's Day was held March 23rd at the school. More than a dozen community organizations led discussions on available resources in the community. Students learned about local free HIV testing centers, the Chicago Police Department's CAPS program, the local CeaseFire crime-fighting efforts, affordable medical care options, and free legal counsultations via the Lawndale Christian Legal Center. Presenters also discussed service learning opportunities with students in need of completing their service learning graduation requirement. For additional pictures, visit our Facebook page. |
|
Friends of ASA, mark your calendar for Saturday, November 3rd. The school will be hosting its annual fundraising gala that evening. Tickets go on sale soon. For information, contact Sabine Champagne, Development Director, at 773-921-1315 or via e-mail. Save the date!
|
|
___________________
ASA Mission
To accept students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally by educating, supporting, celebrating and empowering students to achieve a higher quality of life.
ASA Vision
To cultivate compassionate, self-sustaining, globally-minded, critical thinkers who can compete and succeed in the world economy.
ASA Core Values
Integrity
Discipline
Compassion
___________________ |
|
