NEWS

NEWS National Honors Society Induction Cermony

By Jamari Roberson

Staff Writer, Englewood Campus

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 exceptionality and were inducted into Urban Prep’s Englewood Campus’ National Honors Society on October 6th, 2021.

Bronzeville serves free meals for Thanksgiving

Mrs. Latoya Wilson, Academic Counselor serving 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.

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.

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.

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.