The A-Team Scholars Class of 2011 gathered on Tuesday, May 24, to celebrate a major milestone - graduation! Following a delicious dinner at Pompei, Lisa Murphy, A-Team Scholars Coordinator; Roslyn Jordan, JRJF Board Member; and Maria Webb, JRJF Vice President, Development, awarded scholarship certificates to each student amidst hugs and handshakes.
The Class of 2011 is motivated, ambitious and ready to take on the world. Grads are headed to colleges and universities across the country, including the University of Illinois, Mississippi Valley State and Columbus State Community College. The Class of 2011 even boasts a valedictorian!
In a beautiful, heartfelt keynote address, A-Team Alumna and recent University of Illinois graduate Lanisha Yates addressed the challenges that the students will face as they continue on to college life.
"The question I get all the time is what made you different?" Yates said. "Many stereotyped me when I told them that I grew up in a neighborhood with gang violence and peers who didn’t attend college or even finish high school, so what made me different? In the end I’m no different from anyone in here. The only difference lies in those who have motivation and take advantages of their resources and opportunities. The A-Team instills that initial motivation in us at a young age. Though in the beginning it started with motivation pushed by the idea of getting money, it has to turn into a personal motivation to make yourself better. Anything you want in life you have to go after. Not many things in life are going to come knocking at your door in a pretty package. Anything worth having is worth working for."
She offered advice about staying focused, and told the students they had the power to change expectations and stereotypes about Chicago Public Schools students. See Lanisha's entire speech here.
The Jordan Foundation is proud of Lanisha, and the Class of 2011!