URBAN PREP'S ANNUAL COLLEGE SIGNING DAY:

Messrs. Juawain Jackson from the Bronzeville Campus and Cardell Rush from the Englewood Campus signing their names and the school they'll be attending this fall on the College Signing Day Banner; Chief Academic Officer Dennis Lacewell, Bronzville Principal Joffrey Bywater, Chief Operating Officer Troy Boyd, Jr. pose with Mr. Seven Brimmer, Bronzeville Campus after presenting him with his red and gold striped tie and acknowledging his histroic 91 college acceptances.

By Tristan Hunter Staff Reporter, Englewood Campus

Urban Prep’s 14th Annual College Signing Day was held on April 27th at the Daley Plaza, which is located in the heart of Downtown Chicago. Urban Prep’s Signing Day is an annual event that celebrates the college commitments of young African American males from Urban Prep’s Englewood, Downtown and Bronzeville Campues. College Signing Day is a climax of four years of hard work, perseverance, and academic excellence. It is a joyous occasion where seniors proudly announce their college choices in front of their peers, families, teachers, and community members. The significance of Urban Prep Signing Day goes beyond individual achievements. It challenges negative stereotypes and defies data that suggest limited opportunities for young Black males. By showcasing the accomplishments of these students, the event highlights the potential and promise that lies within every young person, regardless of their background. The event is based on a joyful atmosphere filled with applause, cheers, and tears of joy. It not only recognizes the students college acceptance but also acknowledges the support and guidance provided by their college counselors, teachers, mentors, and families throughout their educational journey. It also is a friendly competition amongst the seniors to see how many college they get accepted to compared to their fellow classmates. It pushes students to work hard to beat the record of the college acceptance letters each year. This year, Mr. Seven Brimmer from the Bronzeville Campus was accepted to 91 colleges and universities; the most in Urban Prep’s history. He also received over $3 million in scholarships and grants; the most in the network. He will be attending Georgetown University this fall. “Urban Prep was truly instrumental in my historic acceptances. When they say Ms. Conway is the best college counselor ever, it’s literally the truth. I sent about over 100 college applications to her and she was able to send everything necessary over to them without any hassle or anything. She has to be the most dedicated person I’ve seen because you don’t get people like that. I’ve heard people’s college counselors from other neighboring high schools not put in transcripts for their colleges in time, or send in certain materials in time. With Ms. Conway, everything was immediate and clear with her, and you never had to worry if something was missing from your application. Without her, I wouldn’t be here with 91 college acceptances.”, said Mr. Brimmer.

As you can see, Urban Prep’s College Counselors play an important role in working with seniors to ensure that they get into college. When asked I asked Ms. Hannah Ludens, who is the College Counselor at the Englewood Campus how she felt about the Englewood seniors reaching 100% and this being her first year at Urban Prep and attending Signing Day, she said, “ I was super happy when we finally reached 100%! I had just stepped off a flight to go see my dad in hospice when I had a G-chat from my last student letting me know that he had received an acceptance to a 4 year institution. I was so proud of