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Dear Friend,
This issue of The UPdate is devoted to Commencement and Urban Prep's Class of 2010.
On Saturday, June 12 more than 1,800 students, family members, faculty, staff and Urban
Prep supporters filled the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum to witness our first Commencement. It was an evening of great
joy, inspirational remarks, reflection, and surprises.
Senator Roland Burris and Congressmen Bobby Rush encouraged
our graduates to continue on their path of success. Salutatorian Mr. Rayvaughn
Hines and Valedictorian Mr. Tyler Beck reflected on the last four years and
reminded their fellow classmates that they are forever brothers. Senior Mr.
Krishaun Branch and Junior Mr. Matthew Williams led the "Passing of the Book Ceremony" in which the Credimus Book, which bears
the signature of each member of Urban Prep's graduating class and the names of
the colleges they will attend, was passed from the graduating class to the juniors. In accepting the Book, the junior class accepted
its responsibly as leaders of Urban Prep, and committed to carrying on Urban
Prep's established tradition of excellence.
The ceremony also featured video messages from University Heights Charter School in Newark, NJ; Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin; CNN Anchor Don Lemon; actor/hip-hop artist Ludacris; and Grammy award winning
producer and musical icon Dr. Dre.
In my concluding remarks, I told the story of how Urban Prep
was founded. I acknowledged that after having two proposals to open Urban Prep
rejected, I stopped believing. But, when I was ready to give up, I was reminded of
our motto, "We Believe," which inspired me to persevere. Eight years after starting on this journey
and witnessing the first Commencement, I believe even more in what
Urban Prep means to our students, city, and country.
Please enjoy the newsletter and be sure to visit Urban Prep's Commencement 2010 website for a complete overview
of Commencement including a full video of the ceremony.
This is what happens when We Believe!!
Tim
Tim King
Founder & CEO
Urban Prep Academies
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Dr. Dre & Ludacris Give Graduates Laptops and Neckties
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| Entertainers hope gifts will lead to success in college
Dr. Dre took time from filming to announce a big surprise.  | With their achievement and the accompanying attention they've received
over the past few weeks, members of Urban Prep's Class of 2010 have become the
rock stars. At Commencement, a couple of
real life rock stars made special appearances via video to make surprise
announcements. Actor and hip-hop artist Ludacris applauded the
graduates
and gave them special edition Ralph Lauren neckties, courtesy
of his charitable foundation. Also, pioneering rapper
and producer Dr. Dre announced that he had arranged for each member
of the class to receive a laptop computer. You can view the
announcements here. |
| People Magazine & The Mo'Nique Show Highlight Urban Prep |
| Popular media outlets cover Urban Prep story
The June 21, 2010 issue of People Magazine features an article on Urban Prep. The piece focuses on Urban Prep's 100% college acceptance rate. For the full story, click here. Earlier in the month, Academy Award winner Mo'Nique had Urban Prep Founder and CEO Tim King on her BET talk show to discuss the school's success. She and the studio audience honored members of the Class of 2010 a standing ovation for their accomplishments. To see the Mo'Nique Show segment, please click here.  |
| Secretary of Education Among Dignitaries Congratulating Graduates |
| Secretary of Education Arne Duncan congratulates Urban Prep's Class of 2010  | Duncan, Durbin join in outpouring of support for UP
Two high-profile U.S. political figures - Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Illinois Senator Dick Durbin - recorded video messages that were shown to students at Commencement. In their videos, both Durbin and Duncan congratulated the graduates on their success and offered advice and well-wishes for their future. CNN anchor Don Lemon and entertainers Common, Ludacris, and Dr. Dre also recorded video messages for the graduates. All of the video messages can be seen on our Commencement video gallery by clicking here.
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| Congressman Bobby Rush Leads U.S. House of Representatives in
Honoring Urban Prep |
| U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush introduces resolution 1441.  | Congressional Resolution passes unanimously
On Monday, June 16, Congressman Bobby Rush, whose district includes the Englewood community, introduced House Resolution 1441, commemorating the accomplishments of Urban Prep's first graduating class. Numerous representatives from across the country - some from as far away as Maryland and California - joined Congressman Rush in praising Urban Prep in speeches from the floor of the House of Representatives. In all, 35 co-sponsors joined Rush in promoting the resolution, which passed with a unanimous 420-0 vote. More information from Congressman Rush's office and the full text of the resolution are available here and video of Congressman Rush's remarks can be seen here.
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Students from University Heights Charter School in Newark are
Inspired by UP
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| | New Jersey K-5 students send messages to graduates
When students and teachers from University Heights Charter School in Newark, New Jersey first read about our graduates' accomplishment two months ago, they grew determined to show their support and admiration - and ultimately sent in over a hundred hand-written letters to our students. One eight-year old wrote "I am thankful for all the things you did. You guys are like an example to us." A short video of some of the students reading their letters, which was shown at Commencement, may be seen here.
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Senior Slide Show: A Walk Down "We Believe" Lane
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| Pictures show growth of graduates
Members of the Class of 2010 as Freshmen.  |
Time flies when you're having fun...and
working hard. With an extended school day, late night study sessions
and an endless array of activities, the last 4 years
have been a blur for the Class of 2010. Luckily, we managed to
capture the quintessential Urban Prep moments in a moving photo montage,
which graced the big screen at Commencement. Relive the graduates'
journey from unassuming freshmen to polished seniors by clicking here. Members of the Class of 2010 as Seniors.  |
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