October Saturday Academy Highlights and Photos

Scholars were excited to be back together at the first Saturday Academy of the year on Saturday, October 25, at Holy Trinity High School. Our theme for the day was “College for All,” and Dr. Toinette Gunn started the morning with welcoming announcements and a spirited senior walk, complete with pom poms, cheers, and music that set the tone for the day.

The highlight of the morning was a college panel featuring Bassett Levy (Coordinator, Advancement), Nico Camacho (FWS Marketing Intern), Jada Ghee (FWS Marketing Intern), and Dominique Joseph (LINK Collegiate Alum ’23). Each panelist shared insights about college life and navigating the transition after high school.

As a LINK alum, Dominique explained how LINK helped prepare her for college: “My experiences with LINK have helped me with maintaining professionalism and being confident in myself. As a Black woman in society today, it’s important to build that confidence and be comfortable in spaces we were once not able to be in—and LINK did a good job in preparing me to maintain that.”

Classrooms were filled with smiles, laughter, and familiar hellos, and the energy was contagious as Scholars reconnected with their friends and met new faces. In their respective cohorts, they participated in engaging ice breakers designed to help them reconnect, build new relationships, and meet their facilitators.

Scholars got straight to work, discussing their future career goals and the pathways to achieve them. Together they brainstormed how a college education could help them turn their dreams into a reality. From critical thinking to communication to leadership, Scholars identified the skills they need for success in their desired paths, showing focus, ambition, and curiosity about what’s ahead.

Senior Scholars got creative by designing their own dream colleges. Working together, they brainstormed names, mascots, culture, and more. This activity pushed them to think critically about the “fit factors” that matter, helping them clarify what environment they truly value as they head into the next chapter of their education.

Seniors also had the opportunity to meet College Specialists in person to talk about their next chapter. College Specialists play a vital role for seniors, helping guide them in every stage of the college process. During the meet and greet, Scholars were able to further explore college fit factors and update the College Specialists about where they are in the college application process.

During the time with their cohorts, Scholars worked on developing SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives. After completion, each group stood before their cohorts and shared their goal and how to achieve it.

Scholars participated in a group activity to identify the symptoms and root causes of their social cause of choice. This activity was aimed toward aiding in the brainstorming process for their Capstone projects.

During lunch, Scholars who followed all the steps to RSVP for Saturday Academy were recognized and rewarded with Jordan sneakers, thanks to our partnership with Jordan Wings!

Senior Scholars enjoyed a visit with a DePaul University admissions representative and received training on the Community Portal to prepare for their next steps after graduation.

We caught up with various Scholars throughout the day to learn how LINK is shaping their education journeys and what the program means to them. Here’s what they had to say:

“I’m most excited about all of the connections, networking, and just learning more about college.”  – Cassidy Cerant, Class of 2026

“Today gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have seen before LINK, and I was excited to see everyone from different schools again.”  – Chloe Dahlan, Class of 2026

“At Saturday Academy, I look forward to learning different things that aren’t a part of the curriculum in school and to meeting new people.” – Lia Howard, Class of 2029

“Since becoming part of LINK, I’m more empowered by my blackness. I know what being Black and being a student of color means, and I have learned that through LINK.” – Kye Phillips, Class of 2026

Thanks to every Scholar who participated and gave it your all at the October Saturday Academy. What an amazing day it was!