The Lion's Roar Newspaper: Volume 4 No. 4

Urban Prep's Annual College Signing Day

Urban Prep's Annual Signing Day is one of the longest standing rituals in Urban Prep history. This event started with the first inaugural class of 2010. That means for the past 14 years, we have been celebrating the college admissions of each graduating class of seniors. When Urban Prep conceptualized Signing Day, it was inspired by the tradition of athletes announcing the sports team they would be joining. However, Urban Prep believed it was important to shine a light on the academic achievements of students and celebrate the milestone of students gaining admission into some of the country's most pretgious colleges and universities. Our event has inspired other schools to celebrate college admissions and even high school admissions in the same way.

This year's Signing Day was held at the Daley Plaza. With families, supporters and Downtown Chicago as their audience, Urban Prep seniors stood proudly on stage to announce the schools they will be attending this fall. Aftewards they signed their names and school on the event banner.

Urban Prep's Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Troy Boyd, Jr. announced that for the 14th year in a row, 100% of Urban Prep seniors have been admitted into college. He explained that this year's theme: "100% Standing on Business is about integrity, ethics, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. It's about conducting yourself with honesty, transparency, and a genuine desire to serve others while embodying the core values that Urban Prep has instilled in these young men". It was truly a remarkable celebration.

LION’S ROAR

Photos Credit: Melvin Mack, III, Sema'J Coleman, Michael Kardas

Messrs. Davion Worthy, Bronzeville Campus, Tristan Hunter, Joshua Smith and Jason Mapp announce the school they will be attending this fall; Mr. Amarion Vaughn Williams and Melvin Moore, Bronzeville Campus sign the Urban Prep Signing Day banner; Messrs. Gabriel Tucker, Damien Crawford, Laverett, and Jason Mapp pose together with their caps after the event; Messrs. D'Mear McKinney, Englewood Campus and Joseph Lewis, Bronzeville Campus pose with their caps; Chief Operating Officer Troy Boyd, Jr. speaks at the event; Mr. Jayden Jeter pose with his mother at the event.

Urban Prep Arts Corner

Messrs. Lorenzo Haggins, Antwon Shelton, Kamarion Coleman, Class of 2026, Reginald Abernathy, Class of 2024, Larry Scott-Brown, Amare Jefferson, Keibo Little, Class of 2026, Myles Brown and Elijah Sheally, Class of 2024 pose with their artwork during the network Black History Program held at the Englewood Campus in March.

Photos Credit: Melvin Mack

Urban Prep Commmunity Event with CPD

Empower Youth Action Basketball Classic

Messrs. Dwain Melton and Davion Worthy, Class of 2024, Bronzeville Campus, De'Mear McKinney, Class of 2024, Englewood Campus during the game; Urban Prep basketball team, Messrs. Jakari Dismukes, Davion Worthy, De'Mear McKinney, Tristan Hunter, Melvin Moore, Malakhi Calahan, Cameron Gardner, Bronzeville Dean of Students and Urban Prep Alumnus Fazson Chapman pose with Chicago Police Department Officers after the game; Police Officer shooting free throw; players from neighboring elementary and high schools play ball; Messrs. Tristan Hunter and Davion Worthy, Class of 2024 referee while other teams played CPD.

Photos Credit: Jessie Mack

Spring Break 2024 : Urban Prep Students Visit Lousiana

Students pose together during their tour of LSU and Southern University; Messrs. Sincere Dawson and Nasir Poole; Messrs. Elijah Flowers and Damarion White, Class of 2025; Colin Berry, Class of 2026, Englewood Campus; Students pose with an admissions officer from Southern during tour.

By Kaleb Hayden Freelance Writer, Class of 2026, Bronzeville Campus

Over the Spring Break, a group of sophomores and juniors from Urban Prep's Englewood and Bronzeville Campuses embarked on a memorable journey to Louisiana. Our adventure began with a flight to New Orleans, where we were warmly welcomed by LSU and transported to their campus in Baton Rouge.

During this trip, students stayed on the campus of Lousiana State University. Across four days, they toured LSU and visited Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA.

The entire trip was an amazing experience for me and my peers. We learned many skills that you would need to survive in college. The visit began by touring LSU’s science labs and engineering classes on campus. We sat through classroom discussions about the human body's minerals and cells that help the body absorb nutrients. Such as mortuary science, psychology, kinesiology, and health science, with many more experiences in the science environment. We had lunch with college students from different countries. One of the most exciting tours was the recreation center. The space was very inviting for, not just students who play sports but for the entire student body. During our tour, there were a lot of students playing basketball, shooting pool, and playing ping-pong. The tour was very cool, to know that they provide a variety of activities catered to all students.

The next day, we toured Southern University an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), which meant many students on campus looked like us. We had a chance to see fraternities such as the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and sororities as well. They had an event called “Pretty Wednesday,” so we saw a lot of students on campus having fun while enjoying the DJ and the Black Greek-lettered organizations stroll. We learned during our tour that the college has partners with high schools where those students have an opportunity to receive a full ride to Southern University if they want. Our tour guide really took us under her wing like we were one of the students going to Southern University.

Photos Credit: Melvin Mack, III/Caleb Igess-Harris

Lousiana State University and Southern University

Urban Prep students expressed their experience: "The most memorable thing was seeing the Black-lettered Greek organizations strolling on campus. It was a good experience - I liked the tour and meeting new people. This opportunity let me see what my future will be as a college student in two years," said Mr. Colin Berry, Class of 2026, Englewood Campus. “The trip felt new because I had never stayed on a college campus before. It was like a different world. I appreciate that I was provided an opportunity to learn more about the medical field, which I aspire to study in college,” said Mr. Christian Jackson, Class of 2025, Bronzeville Campus.

Overall, the trip was awesome! “ This

was the most fun I had away from my family,” said Sincere Dawson, Class of 2026, Bronzeville Campus. We got to experience college life from two totally different places. I like that I got an eye-opener for the dedication I will need to have for college. I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead to be well–rounded, have fun, and meet new people. This trip is special because this is the second year that LSU's President has invited Urban Prep students to visit. The impact of this trip speaks volumes, as four of the juniors who attended last year were admitted and will be attending LSU this fall.

Hoop Truck Visits Urban Prep Englewood Campus

Urban Prep Seniors and Juniors pose with Jumpers & Jobs along with Urban Prep Englewood Alumnus Mr. Cordarryl Williams, Class of 2017, who cooridnated the partnership; Mr. Jaelyn Pittman dunking the ball.

Photos Credit: Brandon Lenore

URBAN PREP HOST NETWORK BLACK

To celebrate Black History Month, Urban Prep hosted a network program. Each campus was given an opportunity to showcase their talents and express themselves in celebration of Black History Month. The Bronzeville Campus showcased artwork created in honor of figures in Black History, Englewood's Djembe drummers played, and Mr. Sincere Dawson presented a large periodic table that was created by he and his classmates based on the intials of figures in Black History. To conclude the event, Urban Prep Englewood Campus seniors did a skit depicting the Black Panther Party. Following the skit, special guest, Fred Hampton, Jr., late Activist Fred Hampton's son spoke to the entire student body.

Photos Credit: Josyah Spell/ Sema'J Coleman/Jessie Mack

Mr. Myles Brown and Fred Hampton, Jr.; Englewood Seniors Messrs. Andre White, Malik Owens, Jason Mapps, Elijah Cooper, Gabriel Tucker, Damien Crawford, Tavaris Powell, and Messiah Ingram during the Black Panther Party skit, Pride Leader and Personal Counselor Johnny Dorsey, and Tristan Hunter and Joshua Smith during the Black Pathner Skit.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM

Urban Prep Englewood Djembe Drummers open the celebration; Messrs. Amare Jefferson, Class of 2026, Myles Brown and Reginald Abernathy, Class of 2024 psoe with their artwork; Fred Hampton, Jr. speaks to Urban Prep students, and Sincere Dawson presents a Black History inspired periodic table.

FEATURES

ON TO THE NEXT ONE: SENIORS GAIN ADMISSION INTO COLLEGE

Elzhi

Daemari

Reginald

Englewood Campus

Kenneth Bailey

Jomare Coleman

Elijah Cooper

Michael Croffet

James Cross

Tristan Hunter

Messiah Ingram Jamel Leverett Malik Owens

Tavaris Powell

Joshua Smith

Gabriel Tucker

Damien Crawford

Englewood Seniors Messrs. Tavaris Powell, Elijah Cooper, Michael Croffet, Jason Mapps and Latrell Scott carry Malik Owens after he receives his red and gold striped tie for being admitted in college; Seniors from Englewood and Bronzeville pose with their ties; Mr. Elijah Cooper pose with his parents and Mr. James Cross pose with his father after the celebration; Messrs. Jamel Leverett, Messiah Ingram and Avantice Bryant being celebrated by classmates as their names are

Photos Credit: Sema'J Coleman/ Josyah Spells/Jessie Mack

Bronzeville Campus

Cameron Gardner

Jakari Dismukes

Reynolds

Quentin Mitchell, Jr.

Witherspoon

Abernathy

Michael Woodard

Avantice Bryant

Students Receive Gold Ties For Being Exceptional

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Mr. Jordan Shaw

Class of 2026 - Englewood Campus

Mr. Shaw received his gold tie in Honors African American Literature during the month of April. His nominator wrote “ This student treats his class as if he's the manager. Always ensuring that everyone is on task and encouraging his peers to get their work done in his humorous way. He is first to pass out or collect any materials. He always participates and speaks out in class especially when no one else volunteers to do so. He is very intelligent and is able to give a substantial opinion for any conversation had in my class. He is truly a joy to have and a great role model to his peers."

Mr. Joshua Marcus

Class of 2025 - Bronzeville Campus

Mr. Marcus received two gold ties during the month of March in Chemistry and World Literature. His nominator wrote "Mr. Marcus has been a model student since he arrived at Urban Prep. He is consistent with his attendance and works quietly yet diligently to complete each assignment. He never complains and his uniform is always neat and clean. I am so proud of what he is doing to represent as a model student."

Urban Prep Students Speak: Teachers of The Month

Mr. Talib Wise teaches (Honors) Chemistry, (Honors) Biology, and Physics at the Urban Prep Englewood Campus. This is his first year working at Urban Prep. Students shared “Mr. Wise shows us what it means to be a disciplined, independent person in this world. He's always pushing us to be better versions of ourselves, not just with our grades but with our whole lives. Like if you're trying to get in shape, he's the first one cheering you on and giving you tips. That's why he totally deserves to be Teacher of the Month.”

*Students at each campus are polled by the Lion's Roar staff to identify their campus' Teacher of The Month

Ms. Bernice Hampton teaches (Honors) Algebra II w/Trigonometry, (Honors) Pre-Calculus, (Honors) Geometry and Algebra I at the Urban Prep Bronzeville Campus. Ms. Hampton has been with Urban Prep for five years. Students shared “She is the essence of creativity and sparks entertainment for students to both learn and gain interest in the field of math. Students shared that they nominated Ms. Hampton because she consistently shows how much she cares for students. She also enourages students and gives life lessons inside and outside of the classroom. Overall, she’s an admirable teacher through and through.”

Ms. Bernice Hampton – Bronzeville Campus

Mr. Talib Wise – Englewood Campus

Capturing the Strides: Urban Prep's Track and Field Season

Messrs. Derrick Timmons doing hurdles, Jaylen Mickell, Stephon Harden and Track Coach and Urban Prep Alumnus Jamal Boldian; Quran Muhammad doing hurdles; Joshua Smith and Tristan Hunter during their meets; De'Mear McKinney during the high jump; Sema'J Coleman running during his meet; Zaire Dilworth doing a pass off during a relay race.

Photos Credit: Jessie Mack

Urban Prep Baseball: Lions Roaring on the Diamond

Messrs. Sincere Dawson, Class of 2026 batting; Davion Hardaway, Class of 2024 on base as the opposing team bats; Josyah Spell, Class of 2027 bats; Jaylen Jeter, Class of 2024 on 1st base; Maurice Hughes, Class of 2025 and Davion Hardaway pitch; Dwain Melton, Class of 2024, Sincere Dawson, and Semaje Vaughn, Class of 2025 runs toward home base; Elzhi Reynolds, Class of 2024 and Kaleb Hayden, Class of 2026 bat; Elzhi Reynolds at 1st base waiting to take second; Semaje Vaughn; Maurice Hughes at 3rd base.

Photos Credit: Jessie Mack

Baseball Team supports Cancer Awareness Month

Urban Prep Academy supports Cancer Awareness Month bringing attention to Testicular Cancer this week by Lace'n Em Up during competition. For more information follow www.laceemupnfp.org

May/June Issue

What's UP in the world?

Students of The Month

Teacher's Appreciation Week

Senior Tropaia

Network Tropaia and Field Day 2024

Commencement 2024

Track Season Coverage

Baseball Scores

vs. Chicago University 22-0 (L)

vs. Phillips 8-8 (T)

vs. Carver 14-2 (L)

vs. Dunbar 14-3 (L)

vs. Dunbar 11-0 (L)

vs. Perspectives Leadership 11-6 (L)

vs.Perspectives Leadership 10-7 (L)

vs. Butler 13-4 (W)

vs. Tilden 8-3 (L)

vs. Tilden 15-4 (L)

vs. Chicago Vacational 8-7 (L)

The Lion’s Roar Staff

Sema'J Coleman, Bronzeville

Caleb Iguess-Harris, Englewood

Davion Hardaway, Bronzeville

Tristan Hunter, Englewood

Melvin Mack, Englewood

Josyah Spell, Bronzeville

Kevin Velasquez, Englewood

Michael Woodard, Bronzeville

Mr. Raymond Gardner, Class of 2025 running toward home base; Mr. Pharell Hart, Class of 2026 at first base; Mr. Dwain Melton, Class of 2024 pitching the ball.

Photos Credit: Brandon Lenore