ASPIRA Students Celebrate Reunion at Special Prom Event

Jesus Lara walked through the Chicago Teachers Union headquarters, his eyes scanning the room for familiar faces. Dressed in a black suit with a silk tie, he was on the lookout for friends and classmates from ASPIRA Business & Finance High School. The evening marked a rare occasion when Lara, 18, could be with peers after spending months at a different school.

Lara, along with other ASPIRA students, had to transition to Lake View High School after the Chicago Board of Education revoked ASPIRA’s charter. This decision, based on what officials called “systemic fiscal mismanagement,” forced the closure of two ASPIRA schools, transferring about 570 students to other schools. ASPIRA leaders countered, attributing the financial challenges to falling enrollment and increased labor costs.

For Lara and his classmates, this meant saying goodbye to their community and starting anew. However, the CPS and CTU-organized prom for relocated ASPIRA seniors offered a moment to reconnect. “It’s nice to see them again,” Lara shared, expressing relief at not feeling out of place.

Other ASPIRA seniors echoed this sentiment. Esmeralda Navichoque, 18, had transferred to Carl Schurz High School and found adapting to the new environment challenging. The prom offered her a chance to be with longtime friends, fulfilling her vision of a perfect prom night.

Fellow senior Melody Diaz also found the transition difficult. Transferring to Theodore Roosevelt High School, she noted that while people were welcoming, deep connections were hard to form with limited time. Her prom experience too was about being with her friends from previous years.

According to CTU Charter Division Chair Jennifer Conant, the event aimed to reunite ASPIRA seniors to celebrate their high school journey together. Around 70 students attended, with additional activities like a special luncheon and graduation ceremony planned. The venue choice offered ample space and parking for an Italian dinner and dance.

“It was a reunion, a chance to celebrate prom as they would have if their schools remained open,” said Conant, highlighting the significance for both students and ASPIRA staff who participated as chaperones.

While receiving schools welcomed students with open arms, Conant noted ASPIRA seniors faced unique challenges due to recent disruptions. She expressed delight in seeing students find joy and reconnect at the event.

Yuriel Garcia, who transferred to Schurz High School, found excitement in reuniting with classmates and creating new memories. He described the transition as a rapid adjustment to new surroundings, lacking former familiarities. For Garcia and others, the prom represented a special moment designed just for them.