As the 2022-23 academic year begins, 57 current and recent high school graduates hailing from Chicago’s South and West sides have received $210,600 (total) in financial scholarships granted by Union League Boys & Girls Clubs. Twenty-two (22) recent high school graduates, in addition to 35 currently enrolled students at Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, among others, are on the road to success thanks in part to the financial and developmental support provided by the students’ involvement in Union League Boys & Girls Clubs serving the Pilsen, West Town, Humboldt Park, South Lawndale and Englewood communities, among others. The 2022 high school graduates hail from Roberto Clemente Community Academy, William H. Wells Community Academy and Chicago High School for the Arts, among others. They credit the academic tutoring and guidance on college applications, along with the skills gained from the Clubs’ after- school arts activities, sports teams and STEM programming, with providing them the encouragement to pursue advance education, in some cases, as the first in their family to do so.
“The Clemente Club gave me a safe space to learn and grow in. In Chicago, there aren’t too many places to go where you can play and learn without being in danger. The Club helped me develop social, sport, and academic skills every day and I am truly grateful for the experience.” (James S, Roberto Clemente Club, sophomore enrolled at Loras College)
“The main thing the Club made me realize about myself is that I am able to accomplish anything no matter how difficult it may seem – as long as I put forth the effort and just try. When I joined the Club, I realized that trying new things and maybe not being good at them is a part of life and we learn from those experiences. The hardest thing you can ever do to yourself is not to try.” (Omayra S, Roberto Clemente Club, sophomore enrolled at Dominican University)
For more information on Union League Boys & Girls Clubs and its ongoing support of Chicago’s youth, visit www.ulbgc.org.
Photo Caption: From Left to Right: James S. and Omayra S.
