Special 52-page pullout section Sunday, June 14, 2020 Chica�o’s Commencement 2020 STUDENT LISTING presented by: A grandmother, daughter and granddaughter on what today’s graduates need to hear GRADUATION ADVICE THROUGH THE AGES MARY MITCHELL [email protected] | @MaryMitchellCST t was 53 years ago, and I can still recall the excitement that surrounded my graduation from Dunbar Vocational I High School. I was the first in my family to achieve that milestone. The celebration meant liberation from a strict upbringing based on a belief that children were seen and not heard. I wasn’t just leaving the cloistered walls of blackness, I was entering a world dominated by people who didn’t see me, let alone respect me, and those people set the rules. As we filed out of the auditorium, I cried like a baby just yanked from the womb. CHICAGO’S COMMENCEMENT, PRESENTED BY ALLSTATE | Sunday, June 14, 2020 | 3 In 1967, the world was still reel- years of our lives.’ I couldn’t scroll ing from the civil rights protests Imani Johnson at her high school through Instagram without seeing that brought about the end of legal graduation in 2017. PROVIDED PHOTO a group of friends making some apartheid but did little to heal the variation of a sad face with the bitterness that existed between caption ‘Last first day!’ blacks and whites. Meanwhile, I was already fanta- Proof of that is playing out right sizing about the life I’d have in col- now in the violent clashes across lege with new friends, freedom, and this country over the death of the start of a career I would fall in George Floyd, yet another black love with. Online, it seemed like all man killed by a white police officer. the people who graduated the year What, really, do I tell the class of before were ‘thriving’ in college per 2020, whose members will be step- their Instagram captions. ping into a world roiled by both But midway through my disease and racial discord? sophomore year of college I found While I have achieved much suc- myself sitting in my dorm, crying cess — thanks to God’s grace and so hard on the phone my sentences mercy — one of the ironies of life is muddled. The moment I heard my that when we are young, few of us mom’s warm voice, all the emotions take the lessons of our elders seri- that had been bottled up came ously enough to avoid life’s pitfalls. flooding out. My stress was caused We love Grams and Papa, but do by: contemplating switching my we really listen to what they have major four times; missing my fam- to say? ily back home; a difficult course The responsibility to equip load, and realizing independence young people now falls to my wasn’t nearly as fun as it looked daughter Kathryn Johnson’s gen- from the outside. These were the eration. parts of life after high school that And if you can’t hear her, per- didn’t make it to Instagram. haps you will be able to hear the next year.’ More than that — there of equity in education. Use your would be no graduation, prom, and For a second, I wanted back the voice of my granddaughter Imani is a deep sense of personal loss. voice to call out the wrongs you see your time as a high schooler was very things that seemed so dull Johnson, who graduated from high I wish that I had spent less time in your neighborhood and city. going to abruptly end, how would two years ago. But what I came to school three years ago. lecturing my students about their Some of you are angry. You your perspective change? Would realize is that I didn’t actually want Our perspectives on what shortcomings and more time tell- come to school mad, leave mad, looking for a prom dress seem like that time in my life back; I just today’s graduates need to hear as ing them how much I love them. and I still don’t know what you’re a privilege instead of a stressor? wished I had appreciated it more. they take their places are different, So, I wrote a letter to celebrate mad about. There is a great fight Would a graduation rehearsal feel Congratulations to the class of but have a similar thread. them, as they are, and I’d like to ahead. At a time when black people pointless? Would you complain 2020! share it. are still fighting for their basic about going to school events to You adapted to all the curve- Kathryn Johnson, class of 1996 Dear Middle School, rights in our country, there is work keep a cool facade? Or would the balls thrown at you and graduated “I teach middle school English Y’all are ready for next year. to be done. We will need your help. little moments feel like the biggest despite the disappointments.” at Frazier Preparatory Academy. You have grown so much and you As Pastor Duff, our board chair, blessings? ◆ ◆ ◆ The cancellation of in-person have shown yourselves to be the would say, ‘If you see a good fight, If there is any piece of advice I Truth is, the class of 2020 has in- instruction and graduation activi- committed students I had hoped for. get in it.’ As your classmates would could give to the class of 2020, it is herited a mess not of their making. ties due to COVID-19 has Graduation is almost here, say, ‘Keep that same energy.’ to live in the present. Instead of al- But deep inside they possess all been a devastating loss and I am done fussing. I Your generation is the future ways waiting for a new destination, they need to pass on a better world for my students, especial- will leave you with this of our country. You will change for the weekend to come, or maybe to their children. ly. If the trend in North advice: our America. Please know that even when life is going to return to They have a voice. Lawndale continues, 25% Be you. The world will you do not have to do it on your ‘normal’ after the pandemic, take They are trusting us to help of them won’t finish high tell you that you are too own. Teachers hear your cries for time to reflect on what you appre- them find it, to raise it, to use it for school. For some, this will loud and too angry. Don’t justice and see your eagerness to ciate now. You will never enjoy the the cause of justice. be their only graduation believe that. help. Let us know what we can do next phase if you don’t value the exercise. It is a fact that some to be helpful to you. We see you. journey it took you to get there. Kathryn Johnson is a 1996 high As I read my students’ Kathryn Johnson of you never stop talking. We love you. We stand with you.” It took me not living in the school graduate, first-year public messages expressing You refuse to be silenced, present to value how important it school teacher and writer. Imani their anger and disappointment, and although that is nerve-wrack- Imani Johnson, class of 2017 really is. Johnson graduated from Oak Park I feel cheated, too. These three ing, being able to talk for eight “There is no denying 2020 has It was the first day of senior and River Forest High School in 2017. months were desperately needed straight hours and never tire is a been a challenging year that feels year, and within 10 minutes, it She is currently a senior studying to prepare my eighth graders for skill. Don’t stop reminding us of the like it’s straight out of an episode of seemed like everyone was already journalism with a focus on public high school, and I lectured them burdens you carry — hunger, pov- ‘Black Mirror.’ If someone told you mourning the loss of what they relations and strategic communica- every day about ‘getting ready for erty, mass incarceration, and a lack at the beginning of the year there perceived to be the ‘best four tion at Ohio University. TABLE OF CONTENTS Graduation 20 Chicagoans First set of CPS’ class acts: Second set of Chicago’s Commencement 2020 was produced jointly by the Chicago Sun-Times advice through offer 2020 grads’ names Where some grads’ names marketing and editorial teams. Names of the 26,000-plus high school graduates from CPS, charter and other schools in and near Chicago were provided by the the ages grads advice PAGES 10-25 top students PAGES 28-51 Chicago Public Schools and city of Chicago. Schools are listed in alphabetical order, By Mary Mitchell By Noah Johnson with graduates from each school listed in alphabetical order by their last names. are headed next COVER DESIGN BY MADDIE DEFINO PAGES 2-3 PAGES 4-9 PAGES 26-27 4 | Sunday, June 14, 2020 | CHICAGO’S COMMENCEMENT, PRESENTED BY ALLSTATE 20 KEY CHICAGOANS OFFER 2020 GRADUATES THEIR ADVICE Commencement speeches won’t happen live this year, so we assembled 20 short ones from a diverse group of well-known people Barack Obama Natalie Martinez GETTY IMAGES PROVIDED BY NOAH JOHNSON We hope you enjoy this Chicago Sun- yourself in values that last like honesty, hard “I WISH FOR YOU THE Staff Reporter Times “20 for the class of 2020.” work, responsibility, fairness, generosity, re- STRENGTH TO TAKE YOUR lasses have been conducted at home.