I identified with our 2023 graduates because their four years at Hope also marked my first four years, but as Principal.
Covid-19 shocked us all in our first year at Hope, but a sense of humor kept our spirits high through quarantines, distance learning, masks in schools, and our return to ‘normal ’ Throughout these four years, we pursued our academic goals, served others like Jesus did, and had fun doing it
In a graduating class of servant leaders, class clowns, formidable athletes, and passionate writers –no one was alone. A phrase I quote frequently to our community is: “At Hope we are kind, we are caring, and we look for lonely people. That is the strength of our school.” Hope's essence is loving each other well. You can’t measure the sense of belonging at Hope, but you can feel it. It’s revealed through smiles and forgiveness, detected in greetings and attitudes, and actualized in prayer and affirmations.
Hope's essence is loving each other well.
As Principal, my responsibility is to guide our staff, love the students, understand our families, and value their dreams As President, my duty is to passionately affirm our partners in the belief that Hope is a school that the city of Chicago cannot afford to lose.
"Hope prepared me to succeed"
Jose Nietes, a 2014 Hope Alum, looks back on his experience in high school with gratitude Hope’s diversity allowed Jose to learn to adapt to new communities
“Hope changed my perspective on how I see the world and how people interact with me,” Jose says. “It prepared me to succeed in college.”
Jose points to Hope and the relationships he made here as a driving force for the direction of his life.
"My community was giving me guidance that I didn't even realize. Even though I didn't have a set goal, it was Hope that told me I should go to college. That gave me direction. Once I got to college, my goal became to graduate and have a career."
After graduation from Calvin University, Jose worked for the
City of Grand Rapids in community development and in finance at the Bank of America
"What stayed constant in these positions was my passion to serve In Grand Rapids, I wanted to serve the community because it reminded me of my community of Gage Park in Chicago At Bank of America, I wanted to serve the people who might not have the financial literacy to best support their lives "
In late 2022, Jose returned to work for Hope as the Career Advancement Director. He is a skilled connector and a huge asset to the team Overall, he is excited to help current students uncover the countless exciting opportunities for their futures
As a former student, Jose is able to model what a college and career journey can look like "I am a product of Hope," Jose says
Lissette Ortiz
“
It can be hard to see what the final product is. Coming back, I want to show students that they could also accomplish whatever goals they have.”
Thanks to your support, Jose is making an immeasurable impact on the trajectory of Hope students through career advancement!
A three-time organ transplant survivor, Lissette proudly began volunteering at Hope when her son, Jordan, enrolled in 2016 Jordan is now a junior at Brown University and Lissette will support him and all of Hope's graduates as they pursue internships and careers as she moves from a role in Admissions to Alumni Success Coordinator
What's your favorite thing about Hope?
The students! I love the kids and being part of their process. I love to laugh, cry, inspire, and cheer for them. My favorite thing is to pray with, for, and over them.
What are you excited for as you transition from Admissions Coordinator to working with Alumni?
I recruited a lot of these students and now I get to support them beyond high school. I want to connect with all Hope graduates, understand where they are in life, and see how we can best support them. No matter where they are, I want to be there for Hope graduates and let them know Hope is here for them.
Staff Spotlight Staff Spotlight
Jose Nietes, Career Advancement Director
Mildred Akwafo Hope 2023
Mildred Akwafo will be attending Middlebury College with her tuition fully paid through the Posse Foundation! While the college application process can be stressful, Mildred felt well-prepared by Hope She knew exactly what kind of school she was looking for and stayed focused on her goals.
“I wanted something rigorous. I feel like Middlebury is the hidden gem of the Posse schools. It was my first choice and it’s a really good school,” Mildred says.
After spending the first semester of her freshman year at a school that proved to be a bad fit, Mildred and her sister Deborah joined Hope. “I was really thankful for Hope making room for me. There’s a lot of caring people here who help you keep your head above water. I’m grateful for that.”
Mildred hopes to pursue law to become a judge and is excited to experience fall in Vermont.
Miguel "Miggy" Rodriguez Hope 2024
Athletic teams at Hope are an integral part of our community and a way for students to compete, connect, and grow closer to God.
Miggy Rodriguez just finished his junior year and second season on the wrestling team He describes the team as, “a very close-knit community. All the wrestlers are kind of like brothers." He appreciates Coach Willis as a talented coach and spiritual mentor on and off the mat.
Miggy says that wrestling “requires discipline which isn’t always enjoyable but is always beneficial ” He encourages his peers to push themselves to “do something hard and then feel the reward of it.”
As the captain of next year's wrestling team, Miggy looks forward to the responsibility of leading his team and continuing to see the impact of the sport on each participant's maturity.
Ezequiel "Zeek" Bonilla Hope 2023
This year, Hope hosted two blood drives in partnership with the Red Cross Zeek Bonilla received a scholarship from the Red Cross in recognition of being a top blood donor! Zeek set the standard for the rest of the school by showing up first and with an eagerness to selflessly give.
“I know the blood I have is very beneficial for other people,” Zeek says. “If I have the proper blood to help others, why not? That’s one thing I want to do as a Christian - love others and help where I can
Zeek's generosity is inspired by people in his own communityincluding an uncle who passed away and Hope staff member Lissette Ortiz, who has relied on life-saving blood transfusions.
“I take what happened to Ms Lissette and I want to help. I want others to get more life and see another day because of my blood and other people’s blood.”
Zeek will attend Marian University this fall to study Civil Engineering.
"Hope is not the reason students are great, great students are the reason that we are Hope."
Charles Landrum, Dean of School Culture
Student Life
13:1 Student to Teacher ratio
100% Students receiving Financial Aid
400+ College acceptances by the Class of 2023
2,490 Service hours completed by the Class of 2023
97% Students of color
Students from the Class of 2023 will be attending Northwestern, Notre Dame, University of Chicago, St. Olaf, Michigan, Biola, Wheaton, University of Illinois, Beloit, St. Louis University, and more!
15 Conference, Regional and Sectional Athletic Championships Won In Memoriam gifts. Contact speck@chicagohope academy.org
The students profiled in this newsletter benefit from your support. You can help today! Just scan the QR code or use the enclosed envelope. The Hope team is also available to help you with Planned Giving or
Senior Erica Gates and the Gospel Choir lead the school in worship during Chapel.
2022-2023 Highlights
AP Calculus Class enjoyed a visit to Google. We'd love to take a field trip to your company! Please reach out to
jnietes@chicagohopeacademy
org to set one up for next year
Hope baseball celebrates the first Sectional Championship win in Hope history!
Dashala Molden and Aliyah Montes de Oca will attend Urbana-Champaign and Olivet Nazarene Congratulations!
