CTU Foundation Scholarship Award Ceremony
CTU Scholarship and Fine Arts Celebration is a testament to our students’ diverse talents
The Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation hosted an inspiring Scholarship and Fine Arts Celebration last night, a testament to the diverse talents of students from various schools across the city. This event celebrated academic excellence and highlighted the vibrant arts community within Chicago Public Schools. The room was filled with students, parents, and educators, all united in their appreciation of the diverse talents on display.
The evening began with captivating performances and stunning exhibitions. The Nash Elementary Young Artists and ChiArts visual arts team kicked off the event with their imaginative and colorful artworks, displaying a range of styles, mediums, and photography that created the art gallery at the celebration. Their segment highlighted the versatility and creativity of ChiArts students, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.
Members of the Beasley Elementary Dance Team perform We Are the World.
The Whitney Young Dance Team took the stage, delivering an energetic, beautifully choreographed dance routine demonstrating their dedication and skill. ChiArts Performing Arts Team added a unique blend of artistic talents with live performances. The Beasley Academic Dance Team continued the momentum with a dynamic and synchronized performance that showcased their precision and creativity. Their routine was a testament to their hard work and passion for dance. Their performance set a high standard for the evening and received enthusiastic applause from the crowd. The evening concluded with an impressive presentation by the Westinghouse Broadcast Team. Their media production and storytelling skills were on full display, demonstrating the power of broadcast journalism in capturing and conveying powerful narratives.
The CTU Scholarship committee selected 16 children of CTU members to receive this year’s academic scholarships. This year, two students were selected to receive the Karen GJ Lewis scholarship, which supports them in becoming future educators.
As Stacy Davis Gates, CTU President, said to awardees in her keynote, “You are an investment in humanity… We have great expectations of you — we want you to be happy and healthy first. And we want you to try hard things, to do wonderful things.”
President Stacy Davis Gates shakes the hand of Kevin Flanagan, one of sixteen scholarship winners.
Thank you to all the students, parents, and members who made this event so inspiring. Your dedication and hard work are truly appreciated, and you are all doing wonderful things that make a difference in our community. Shout out to Diana Muhamad, Beasley Dance Team teacher; Jeanette Gordon, Whitney Young, Dance Team Teacher; Hailey Nash Elementary Arts Teacher; Melissa Arning and Patrick Lentz, ChiArts Performing and Visual Arts Teachers; and John Johnson, Westinghouse Broadcast Teacher.
Karen GJ Lewis Scholarship
Kamaria Noble, Simpson HS
Amarion Sharkey, King College Prep
John M. Fewkes Scholarship
Malika Redmond, Lindblom HS
Robert M. Healey Scholarship
Yousuf Ahmed, Taft HS
Beatrice Lumpkin Scholarship
Kevin Flanagan, Mather
Mary J. Herrick Scholarship
Arielle Winston, Whitney Young HS
Ernestine C. Brown Scholarship
Isabella Williams, Whitney Young
David M. Peterson Scholarship
Haley Foss, Taft
John P. Desmond Scholarship
Samantha Thomas, McAuley
Jeffrey J. Jennings Scholarship
Amari Sails, Whitney Young
Jacqueline B. Vaughn Scholarship
Finlay McIntosh, Jones College Prep
William “Bill” Buchanan Scholarship
Henry Bao, Walter Payton
Dr. Margaret Burroughs Scholarship
Conor Glynn, Senn
Social Justice/Restorative Practice Scholarship
Miguel Ramirez, Von Steuben
Social Justice/Restorative Practice Scholarship
Melody Dorantes, Lane Tech
Public Education Advocate Scholarship
Jordan Kaplan, Von Steuben
Public Education Advocate Scholarship
Galia Quezada, Von Steuben
Education Advocate Award
Leah Norwood, Kenwood