Dear Hope Family, Blending ambition with compassion, Hope is thriving in year 20! As our students write personal statements, shoot three point shots, and cut metal in Trades class –they also put forth an intentional effort to make Hope a place of belonging. I love seeing students extend their arms around each others’ shoulders while we worship in the chapel and I am filled with pride when they enthusiastically grant standing ovations to classmates who finally earn a spot on the honor roll. There is strength in affection, and I have learned that a Hope celebration for growth is usually more powerful and exciting than the celebration of high achievement. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish!
We don’t miss the big moments at Hope, but we also recognize that the small moments matter. Moments of integrity, acts of service, and choosing to be compassionate particularly when inconvenienced.
Chicago Hope Academy
In John 13:35, Jesus says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” You’ll find her story on the next page, but I want to share that Irma Dominguez has significantly impacted my perspective on joy through sacrifice. She exudes an aura of “serve first, ask questions later” while exhibiting a zest for life and an admirable strength of will.
Irma’s love has helped propel this institution forward over the past two decades, and I am proud that your support has allowed for Hope’s entire staff to pour into the lives of our students. As we teach our students to value respect, humility, and integrity, we are honored to have you stand alongside us Love and generosity are what keep Hope strong, and I thank you for believing in the future leaders of Chicago.
Stronger together,
Ike Muzikowski
Ike Muzikowski
A Legacy of Hope: Irma’s Journey
After 16 years of dedicated service, Irma celebrated her last day on staff in September.
As a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, Irma’s journey on Chicago’s West Side was full of challenges but her focus on creating a brighter future never wavered “When I came to America,” she says, “I knew I wanted to be better for the next generation. It’s every immigrant’s dream to break the cycle.”
In 2007, Irma enrolled her son, Edgar, in Chicago Hope Academy, hoping he’d have opportunities she’d only dreamed of Though he was initially hesitant, today he’s grateful for her decision, and Irma calls the Hope community “her biggest success.”
She quickly joined the school’s staff, running the cafeteria with warmth, joy, and an unwavering faith that has inspired all those around her.
Irma’s journey has been one of grit, faith, and growth.
In 2019, after a long process, she achieved U.S. citizenship, and now she’s off to a new role: helping others navigate the same path to citizenship. “A lot of immigrants come and don’t make it,” she reflects. “I was given opportunities, and I don’t take them for granted.”
Sophomore Jayden Sanchez embraces Irma at her last chapel
Ike, Irma, and Hope students build a house in Tijuana, Mexico in 2017
The Beauty of the Shadows
by: Grace Tobias
Student Life
I walked into the vast, big forest The smell and damp feeling of wilderness. The forest is endless, mysterious I could stay out here forever, I wished. The beautiful flowers surrounding me. The stream flowing throughout, so clear and pure. Universal, but scary and obscure. The darkness beyond the gigantic trees. The ravens hovering above my head, The bunnies prance sneakily in the grass. An all-green habitat with no pizzazz. But somehow, someway, still so much is said. I take my leave and start to reminisce, I crack, looking back into the abyss.
Grace Tobias, a freshman at Hope, is the first child of a Hope graduate (Jason Tobias - Class of 2009). She's been writing for a few years, but has grown quickly in Mr. Ben’s Creative Writing class this semester. She says that Mr. Ben is the first teacher to recognize her writing talent and it has encouraged her to keep pushing herself.
L-R: Sisters Moriah (senior), Hailee (sophomore), and Leilah (freshman) Roman all starred on the Varsity Volleyball team this past season!
“It was special to get to spend Moriah’s last season together,” Hailee reflected. “I was a little nervous too because I bump heads with my younger sister, but we found our rhythm on the court. I’m excited for next season though - Leilah will need to step into Moriah’s shoes as lead setter and she’ll get the chance to shine.”
Moriah will graduate this spring and has already earned a few college credits after participating in a summer program at Calvin University. She is interested in going into the medical field.
Senior and Football Team Captain Zachariah Brayboy has stepped it up in the past two years, improving his GPA from a 2.8 to a 3.5.
“My freshman and sophomore year I was going through a lot and I didn’t know how to handle it. But Hope and football helped me grow and gave me a different mindset,” Zach said. “Coach Mallette showed me that being put in high-pressure situations is a privilege because people are relying on you to do big things because they know you can.
I used to take Hope for granted but now I really appreciate how engaged my teachers really are and how they’re quick to help me.”
Hope Happenings
The Spiritual Life team hosts a morning of prayer at the eagle. The team also recently kicked off a monthly podcast titled Hope Rising - check it out on Spotify!
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Thank you for continuing the important mission of Chicago Hope Academy! Your prayers and contributions allow us to give our 300 students a high-quality, affordable Christian education. If you’d like to donate, please scan the QR code.
If you have questions about investing in Hope, please feel free to reach out to our new Chief Mission Advancement Officer, Amy Sexton Stanislavski, at astanislavski@chicagohopeacademy.org.
Seniors Isabella Torres, Taiga DeLoney, and Noah Ortiz tour a lab at Abbott
Senior Josh Smellie (a first-time voter!) and Social Studies Department Head Aidan Busch run into each other at the
Juniors Janiah Castro and Khloe Harmon master power tools in their Career and Technical Sciences class.
Sophomore Allison Ortega, ranked first in her class, participates in a mock interview at Abbott
