URBAN PREP CHARTER ACADEMY FOR YOUNG MEN
THE LION’S ROAR NEWSPAPER January 2022 Volume 2, No. 1
’Tis the Season: Holiday Gifts Bring Joy to Urban Prep Students
( Top Left) UP-WST freshmen sport their new UP hats, ( Top-Right) Mr. Miles Scott shows off his UP jacket, (Bottom-Right) UP-BRZ sophomores sport their new hoodies and (Bottom-Left) UP-ENG freshmen with their new UP hats.
By Dorian Hill
Editor-in-Chief, Bronzeville Campus On the last day of school, right before Winter break, Urban Prep held the 15th Annual Winter Assembly. This is an event that takes place at each campus. It is a time in which students from each class receive holiday gifts from the school. Each gift represents the love and respect Urban Prep has for the young men as they enter the new year. The event provides an opportunity for the entire school to come together and celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. This year the gifts were all Urban Prep embroidered winter apparel to help keep students warm during the treacherous Chicago winter season.. The freshmen received hats (a change from the watches they normally receive each year), sophomores received hoodies, juniors LION’S ROAR
Photos: David Peake, Dorian Hill, Roy Curry and Jessie Mack
received vests, and seniors receive jackets. Students were excited to try on their new UP gear! As we reflect on how far we’ve come, despite still dealing with a global pandemic, it’s events like this that reminds us of how important it is to have one another and cherish each moment. In addition to the Urban Prep holiday gifts, many students received brand new winter coats and boots that were donated by the Chicago Bulls Alex Caruso.
CONTENT FORUM
2
NEWS
3
FEATURES
6
SPORTS
9 PAGE 1
What’s UP in the world?
Opinion: Rittenhouse & Arber y Cases
By Brandon Black
Staff Writer, Bronzeville Campus I feel as if the Kyle Rittenhouse trial or case was unfair to those who were involved especially to those who lost their family members; no justice was served at all. There’s no reason anyone should travel to another state with an AR-15 style assault rifle to be a part of a movement that he himself doesn’t support considering he is a supporter of the
“Blue Lives Matter” movement. I feel like he should have been found guilty for the crimes he commited and be sent to jail and not getting invited by Trump to his resort in Florida. Similar to the Ahmaud Arbery case, we have yet again someone white picking on an innocent black man that led to his death as he was just trying to mind his business and go for a run. Both cases arguing a claim of self defense that shouldn’t have been used because there was no threat. Both cases also seems to have people thinking they have the authori-
ty to enforce the law on others almost acting as if their standing officers when their not All in all the actions of Rittenhouse and Ahmaud Arbery’s murders are not justifiable in any way and this speaks volumes to how much change we need to make in our society and legal system to keep people like this locked up and away for a long time.
Blac k Women & Breast Cancer in Amer ica
By Jeremiah Johnson
Freelance Writer, Bronzeville Campus Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is held nationwide to acknowledge and celebrate women who have breast cancer and advocate early detection. However, Black women are largely left out of such discussions and suffer anti-blackness in cancer care. To understand breast cancer from an intersectional point of view, we have to understand what breast cancer is, and its role in how Black women are treated for such cancer. The Mayo Clinic defines breast cancer as "cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts." Lumps in normal breast tissue and changes in appearance are some of the signs recognized in detecting breast cancer. It is imperative to know your status at the earliest time possible. Every person's breast cancer varies, and some of us never truly know the extent of its damage until it's most likely too late to take any action. Black women are the most marginalized regarding breast cancer and clinical trials for potential breakthroughs. They face a 41% higher death rate, unlike white women (Edmonds/Fayanju, 2021), and 21% of all Black women with breast cancer suffer from more severe subtypes of breast cancer, compared to white women at only 10%. Furthermore, they are systematically underrepresented in clinical trials for effective treatments that eradicate it. As 2
one of many clear-cut examples of the intersections of gender and race within the scope of American medical care, there is no point in even searching for breakthroughs to eradicate breast cancer if Black women continue to die and be victimized and not given full access to such trials. The American Cancer Society founded National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October of 1985, and although the organization advocates and fights for cancer patients to have a healthy life, Black women are still largely left out of such action. It is pointless and invalidating to spread awareness on breast cancer if it doesn't address antiblackness against Black women and continues to give them subpar treatment. Either we begin to center and advocate for Black women in any mention of breast cancer awareness, or they'll continue to suffer in a repeating cycle of misogynistic medical violence.
Mr. Armarion Harris, Class of 2022, Englewood Campus showing his support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October after having loss love ones to Breast Cancer.
Interested in joining the Lion’s Roar? Email us at lionsroar@urbanprep.org
We are looking for staff reporters, photographers, cartoonists and more! LION’S ROAR
NEWS
National Honors Society Induction Cermony
By Jamari Roberson
Staff Writer, Englewood Campus
exceptionality and were inducted into Urban Prep’s Englewood Campus’ Na-
tional Honors Society on October 6th, 2021.
As we started the 2021 - 2022 school year at Urban Prep Englewood Campus, it was time to recognize the young men who have believed in Urban Prep’s creed. These young men have been outstanding inside and outside the classroom. They have shown that they have a dedication not only to themselves but also to their families, community, and world. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. National Honor Society President - Mr. Hines and Vice President - Mr. Clay are students who lead by example and push themselves to be more than stereotyped students. Urban Prep’s Englewood Campus would also like to extend a huge congratulations to the new inductees of the National Honor Society, Mr. Cooper Mr. Woodall Mr. Roberson Mr. Avant Mr. Peters, Mr. Eli, Mr. Pryor, Mr. May, and Mr. Jordan. These students have all shown
Bronzeville serves free meals for Thanksgiving
Mrs. Latoya Wilson, Academic Counselor ser ving and Bronzeville Junior Mr. Jason Mapp and his family. Photos: Jaylen Laster
Urban Prep’s Bronzeville Campus hosted the first thanksgiving feeding for members of the community and Urban Prep Bronzeville families. URBAN URBAN PREP PREP ACADEMIES CHARTER ACADEMY
3
NEWS
Englewood’s Annual Alumni Day Basketball Game
Photos: Jessie Mack
On December 17th, Urban Prep’s Englewood Campus hosted the 4th Annual Alumni Day. Alumni who graduated from Englewood including Urban Prep’s inaugural first class of 2010, came back to visit classes, speak with current students and enjoy a friendly game of basketball.
Englewood Celebrates Kwanzaa with an Assembly
Photos: Jessie Mack
Urban Prep’s Englewood Campus hosted a Kwanzaa assembly coordinated by Pride Leader Mr. Johnny Dorsey and the Afterschool Matters Peacemakers. Beginning December 26 and lasting for seven days, Kwanzaa is defined as “a celebration of community, family and culture, established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African roots and heritage.” The event featured a poem by Mr. Jayden Evans, the Djembe Drummers, Libations and Presentations by the Senior Pride, Mr. Brian Peters, Mr. Teshawn White and Mr. Cordelris Neely. 4
LION’S ROAR
Urban Prep Returns To Full-In Person Learning
Photos: Jaylen Laster
(Left) Bronzeville Seniors Mr. Chandler Culler and Mr. Zachary Cummings reading during class.(Top Right) Messrs. Brandon Stewart, David Simmons, Andre Smith during community. (Bot� tom Right) Ms. Harvey and Mr. Travon Powell during class.
By Dominick Williams
Staff Reporter, Bronzeville Campus These past two years have been difficult all over the world but especially here in chicago. But, this pandemic causing a shutdown has really hit close to home. Urban Prep Charter Academy, one of the most prominent all-boys high schools, has three campuses located on the Near West side, Bronzeville and Englewood communities in Chicago. All over the city nation and world was a struggle learning over the internet at home which has made coming back in person so much more exciting each and every day. Urban Prep’s community is built around relationships and the pandemic was dealt with by quarantining and we were forced to to insolate oppose to being gathered together. Now we are back in school, it feels great to see our handsome young black and brown young men each and every single day learning and doing the best they can despite the pandemic to get their education. Students from the Bronzeville Campus Mr. Devin Wilson and Mr. Zyire Griffin as well as the rest of the sophomore students can also relate to this as to when they were asked on their feelings they stated that being on the computer attempting to stay focused and awake was a struggle that has since faded away now that we are back to in-person learning. These students entered their highschool experience over the computer, something they never would have expected. URBAN PREP ACADEMIES CHARTER ACADEMY
The students said that the reason they chose Urban Prep was because their parents thought it would be easier and more efficient for the student overall for their education. The students also stated that entering highschool on the computer curved some of their plans for their freshman year and said they felt somewhat okay with starting off until the online school really set in then they started having mixed emotions. The students also said that they feel that the pandemic affected the students’ academic performance. I had an opportunity to interview the Principal of the Bronzeville Campus, Mr. Joffrey Bywater, who stated that his personal goals and missions for life aligned with Urban Prep’s mission. Mr. Bywater was asked how he felt about the shutdown earlier in the year and he stated “ I didn’t really have many feelings, I went with the flow
and was fearful of prolonged shutdown which did happen. All students look forward to their first day of high school, but while this was a reality prior to covid now it’s just a dream. Bywater stated that he felt awful about welcoming his new students over the computer. He went on to say that the incoming freshman was not able to get a true urban prep experience but at the same time I was proud to give the young men the experience that we did give them As we returned to in-person learning, students expressed how they felt that the school had advanced in keeping the students and faculty safe and protected as far as masks and social distancing. Here at Urban Prep, we enforced stern consequences with relation to social-distancing and wearing masks, which is working exceptionally well and keeping our students and faculty safe.
5
On To The Next One: Urban Prep’s Class By Avery Barnes
Staff Reporter, Bronzeville Campus At Urban Prep, we are well known for our seniors being accepted into college. This article will focus on how Urban Prep’s Class of 2022 will soon don a new blazer, the blazer of adulthood. As a freshman, I imagine it feels good to go into college knowing that you received an Urban Prep education and mindset. Sadly, our seniors can’t stay at Urban Prep forever. This is the year that they must prepare to leave their pride family and start a new journey as a college student. I interviewed three seniors about preparing for college and will discuss Urban Prep’s On To The Next One ritual. This is an important ritual where we recognize, acknowledge, and celebrate our seniors by exchanging their red tie for a red and gold striped tie for being officially accepted into a four-year college or university. To give background to the ritual, according to the ritual description provided by Mr. Dennis Lacewell, Englewood’s founding Principal, who currently serves as Chief Academic Officer, “it was created in Fall of 2009 to intentionally recognize and celebrate the Class of 2010 (Urban Prep’s first graduating class) for their dedication, commitment, and focus to work exceptionally hard during their time at Urban Prep to earn their official acceptance into a four-year college or university. If you are accepted into a four-year college or university, you will exchange your red tie for a red and gold tie in the OTTNO ritual”.First I interviewed Mr. Brandon Black from the Bronzeville campus. I asked him about the college preparation process and how it feels to be leaving Urban Prep. When asked if he sees his peers taking the college preparation process seriously, he spoke the words of a well-gathered young man. “I do; I feel like all of us have one goal at this point.is to get into college, which means finding a good college that fits us. It is to find somewhere we can call home for 4 years or so. Some people may be taking it more seriously than others now, but eventually, everyone’s going to get on the same page and realize that they need to buckle down and realize this is it”. When asked if he was sad to be leaving Urban Prep, Black said yes and that he’d miss all of his teachers and brothers, the fist bumps in the hallways and how his motivation through6
Bronzeville Seniors after receiving their red and gold stripe ties during community out his years at UP wasn’t just college but the people surrounding him. He wants to study political science and said as a little kid, “One day I’m going to be the president.”, and stays optimistic about it to this day. He has been working with Ms. Conway, the College Counselor here at Bronzeville campus, to get into a good college. He is interested in Duke University, Northwestern University(Chicago Campus), and Southern Illinois University. I asked Ms. Conway for a quote on how rewarding it is to see a young man, a young black man be accepted into a college and put on his red and gold tie. She said, “In her third year now, experiencing the OTTNO ritual, I feel like it’s a really good ritual to do, multiple times throughout the year. It’s really exciting to see the Urban Prep students get really excited and one of my favorite parts is when you the amount of money they’ve gotten, we’ve seen students rack up almost 4 million dollars in scholarship money as an individual and that’s really really amazing and it feels to great to see underrepresented students find success”. I also spoke with Mr. Jamari Robinson , a senior from the Englewood Campus and asked how he felt about transitioning to college and adulthood. Robinson said “I am excited because as a child, I was always in the “man of the house role” so I feel going to college will give a new perspective of the world. Also, it’ll give me a change to meet to new people and continue to have extended family like Urban Prep. I really didn’t have a family growing up as an
ophan so going to be a great experience for me”. The next two seniors I interviewed were Mr. Amari Austin and Mr. Zachary Cummings of Bronzeville campus, who have been accepted into college and have received their red and gold striped ties. My first question for the two young men was “what was your initial reaction when you saw that you were accepted into college?” Mr. Austin replied “My initial reaction was the excitement I got into two of my dream schools, Langston University, which is an HBCU located in Oklahoma. I also got into Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a full ride for both”. He wishes to keep his options open and to stay committed, finish the school year off strong, and graduate, of course. My next question for them was, do you feel ready for college? Mr. Cummings replied, “I want to see how it feels to be on my own for the first time and I know I’m young,
Englewood College Counselor, Brianna Bailey-Nolan helping Senior, Mr. Stanley Alston during his College Readiness Class.
LION’S ROAR
FEATURES
of 2022 Journey To College Acceptance
I’m only 16, but going to college at a young age is a special achievement, so I’m going to try this and see how it goes. I know I am going to graduate college, it’s already a piece of cake for me”. Next I asked them if they have any advice for the young black men who don’t get the same opportunities and Mr. Austin spoke, “My advice is to keep working hard and whatever you do if you come to a school like Urban Prep, I feel like you’ll be able to get a lot of things off your mind because there are so many opportunities here for everybody and so many programs that school has connections to. If you’re in a situation where you can’t come to Urban Prep at all, keep a good circle of supportive people around you no matter what”. After that, I asked them what their motivation throughout their years at Urban Prep has been and was college one of them. Mr. Cummings replied “My motivation was my Mom because she’s built me up through this whole high school process because high school is tough. Your first couple years seem to be pointless or boring, but it is going to go by real quick and that is what my Mom helped me do”. He also thanks to his teachers for helping him see a different perspective academically. I then asked them if they are saddened by the OTTNO ritual, sort of marking the end of their years at Urban Prep. Mr. Austin replied, “I’m more so sad because as soon as we graduate, I won’t get to see my teachers anymore, but I feel like Urban Prep has done their job and taught me how to be a young black man and it is going to be a great feeling hearing my brother’s name get called up there as well as mine and to know my time has come and there are many more to come”. My next question for them as if they have any advice for the freshmen, the future seniors. Mr. Cummings advice was, “Don’t slack off, every year is important and key years for colleges in my opinion. You got to get your freshman year right, I slacked off a little bit freshman year so I want you to do better than me”. I then asked them what the ritual means to them and Mr. Austin responded, to sum it up, what it means to him is being in the moment and showing your brothers and yourself some love, similar to community. Thank you for reading this article, I’m Avery Barnes of Urban Prep Bronzeville, Pride of Integrity, Class of 2025, signing off! URBAN PREP CHARTER ACADEMIES ACADEMY
Englewood Seniors after receiving their red and gold stripe ties during community
Mr. Elijah Barnes, Englewood Campus has received 21 college acceptances.
Mr. Amari Austin, Bronzeville Campus has received 55 college acceptances; the most in the school’s network this year.
The first group of seniors to received their red and gold striped ties. Englewood Campus Elijah Barnes Taveon Carter Shakkeron Clay Terrion Griffin Armarion Harris Diante Harris Hassan Prince Aquiles Hood Ke'rrell Moore Brian Peters Cameron Sally
Jamel Smith Torrian Thomas Khemaree Washington Nigil Winters Bronzeville Campus Jayson Hayes Tyrie Robinson Donjae Garrett Shawn Parker Tyler McKenzie Brandon Cole Amari Austin
Zachary Cummings Nicholas Young Jermaine Robinson Tyreese Adams Kenneth Sprouts Jeremiah Johnson Alan Morrow Brandon Black Keon Dilworth Samuel Caples Samuel Hunter Baraka Myart Sapho
Deonte Peterson Dorian Hill Damari Pinkney Andre Wicks Najhir Tisder Damonya Martin Zontell Hawthorne Lamonta Epting
7
Students receive gold ties for being exceptional STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Mr. Jaylan May, Class of 2023 - Englewood Mr. May’s nominator wrote: This young man is hard working, dedicated, committed and focused. If you give him a task he will complete it. He has proven himself several times in my class and as an After School Matter Peacemaker. He is also a finalist to receive a monetary award from The Chicago Urban League.
Mr. Earl Wilson, Class of 2022 - West
Mr. Wilson’s nominator wrote: “This young man has shown his exceptional growth in his character and has articulated his understanding of the importance of accountability as it is his responsibility to not only his family, when he leaves home and represents them, but to whatever community he is a part of, which will take him anywhere in the world. It has been recognized throughout the Urban Prep West Campus, and this nomination comes from the Urban Prep Office staff.”
Mr. Qwaylin Miller, Class of 2023 - Bronzeville
Mr. Miller is ranked #1 in his class and is a member of the varsity basketball team. He has received 5 gold ties since September 2021. In January, his teacher wrote: “I don’t think that there is anyone at Urban Prep Bronzeville that would disagree with anything that I am about to say about this young man. He is respectful, punctual, hard-working, and takes pride in his appearance. He gets along outstandingly with his peers. He had a perfect score on his final exam essay and has one of the highest class g.p.a ‘s in our honors class. Athletically, he is tenacious and selfless, and extremely coachable. This young man is one of Urban Prep’s brightest stars and I’m extremely proud to be one of his instructors!”
Teachers of T he Month: Ur ban Prep S tudents
Mr. Johnny Dorsey is a Pride Leader at the Urban Prep Englewood Campus. Students have described him as approachable, caring and an overall great teacher. He is very supportive. He’s more than a teacher. He goes over and beyond to make sure his students are receiving the support they need.
Mr. David Peake is an Urban Prep Alumn from the Class of 2012. He currently works as a Pride Leader at the Urban Prep West Campus. Many students in their nomination described Mr. Peake as personable, willing to go the extra mile to help students with work and he’s easy to connect with.
*Students at each campus are polled by the Lion’s Roar staff to idenitfy their campus’ Teacher of The Month
8
Ms. Brittany Mason is an African American Literature teacher at the Urban Prep Bronzeville Campus. “Ms. Mason is one of the best teachers I’ve had” stated one of her Honors African American Literature students. He goes on to say reading was really never one of his favorites but that changed once he took Ms. Mason’s class. She was chosen as the teacher of the month by the entire sophomore class. LION’S ROAR
SPORTS
Urban Prep Football Season Recap 2021 Football Stats 4-5 (3-1 in Conference)
Season Players Highlights: Jermaine Robinson, Bronzeville Class of 2022: All-State Honorable Mention - Class 4A / All-City (2nd Team) / All-Conference - 1,377 Rushing Yards (Lead Conference) Julian Keith, Bronzeville Class of 2022: All-City Honorable Mention / All-Conference Ta’veon Carter, Englewood Class of 2022: All-City (2nd Team) / All-Conference Nigil Winters, Englewood Class of 2022: All-Conference Steven Black, Bronzeville Class of 2022: All-Conference Joshua Larrieux, Bronzeville Class of 2023: All-Conference Frank Iverson Jr., Bronzeville Class of 2023: All-Conference Justyn Garrison, Bronzeville Class of 2022: All-Conference
#6 LB Englewood Senior Ta’veon Carter during game against Dunbar
Photos: Jessie Mack
#25 RB Bronzeville Senior Keith Julian during game against Dunbar
Photo: Ian Isbell UP Football Team’s Homecoming Game (Oct. 2nd) against King College Prep. UP won
Urban Prep’s network football team games against Chicago Dunbar (October 14, 2021) and Amundsen Academy (September 24, 2021)
URBAN PREP ACADEMIES CHARTER ACADEMY
9
Urban Prep Basketball Season Coverage
#4 Guard Bronzeville Junior Frank Iverson
#0 Englewood Freshman Lamar Murphy goes for the shot during game against Hubbard
Photos: Jessie Mack
#3 Point Guard Englewood Senior Jawon Rogers
#0 Guard Bronzeville Sophomore Dashawn Atkins during game against Harlan Academy
Recent Game Results ( Jan-Feb 2022) Urban Prep Englewood Campus - UP Varsity vs. Hubbard (63-78) Hubbard Won Urban Prep West Campus - UP Varsity vs. Southland College Prep UP Won Urban Prep Bronzeville Campus - UP Varsity vs. Kennedy (64-60) UP Won #23 Guard Bronzeville Sophmore Londell Overton
#21 Forward Englewood Sophomore Tristan Hunter shooting free throws 10
B r o n z e v i l l e ’s 2 0 2 1 C r o s s C o u n t r y Te a m
Photos: Brandon Lenore
LION’S ROAR
Brotherhood Tournament: Urban Prep Basketball Teams Compete
West Campus #4 Cameron Townsend during the UP-WST vs. UP-BRZ basketball game.
(Top) UP-BRZ #0 Sophmore Jakari Dismukes and (Bottom) UP-BRZ #2 Senior Kenneth Sprouts at the free throw line.
#11 UP-BRZ Sophomore Melvin Moore and #23 UP-ENG Junior Joseph Coleman during the JV game.
GAME RESULTS January 27, 2022
Freshmen Game BRZ vs. WST : ( 21 - 17) Junior Varsity Game ENG vs. BRZ:( 36 - 53) Varsity Game ENG vs. BRZ: ( 62- 64) Urban Prep’s Bronzeville Campus was victorious in all three games.
Next Month’s Issue 1st Semester Assembly Basketball Coverage Teachers of the Month Students of the Month Black History Month On To The Next One Ceremony
URBAN PREP CHARTER ACADEMIES ACADEMY
Urban Prep Bronzeville Senior Basketball Players and their parents during Senior Night
The Lion’s Roar Staff Dorian Hill Avery Barnes Brandon Black Ian Isbell Daquavion King Jaylen Laster Jamari Roberson Dominick Williams
Editor-in-Chief Staff Reporter Staff Writer Photographer Staff Reporter Photographer Staff Reporter Staff Reporter 11