5058 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 638-6103
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Two Thursdays ago, we celebrated the graduation of our Class of 2024, CJA’s sixteenth graduating class. It was a joyous occasion, and the support and love in the auditorium filled with CJA community members was contagious. What was most notable to me was the support the students gave one another. When they walked out of the theater as new alumni, they huddled in a circle shouting, “CJA Class of 2024! We are family!” The brotherhood they have created is so heartwarming. It was a reminder of the incredible community we have at CJA—a community that continues to grow with our first classes of girls.
The ceremony included Grad-at-Grad awards, prayer and thoughtful speeches from our students and commencement speaker. This year’s commencement speaker was Maurice Taylor, a member of CJA’s Board of Directors and co-chair of our College & Career Persistence Committee. Maurice spoke to our graduates about finding their passion and their purpose and having a growth mindset:
We are grateful to Maurice for his thoughtful speech and his dedicated support of our school community. We are also grateful to Dominican University for graciously hosting us again this year.
Meredith Mosbacher
Director of Communications & Benefactor Engagement
“Trey is a fierce advocate for others in his words and actions. Time and again, he shares that all people across differences deserve love, inclusion and respect. Trey practices this daily.”
“Andres routinely chooses to put others before himself. He is more satisfied when others experience happiness and success. He’s committed to doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.”
“Kaleb owns his learning and uses it to help others. His drive and his future goals are his true distinguishing factors. The academic foundation that Kaleb has established is unshakable, and we have no doubt that what he builds upon it will be breathtaking and world changing.”
“Tyshawn exhibits the Loving value consistently and thoroughly. He is the ultimate team player, which helps make our school a safe place for all. He works well in any group and can be the leader, although he doesn’t insist on it. He embraces activities that bring CJA together.”
“Angel is one of those people for whom ‘I’ll try’ is not some platitude. It’s a statement of fact about the universe. And that is why he grows.”
“James is an absolute anchor in our classroom community and sports teams. He can look at me and say, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll make it’ – and I know we will.”
“Kaleb recognizes that his many gifts come from God. He not only accepts these gifts gratefully, but he knows they come with a responsibility – to share them. He chooses to be different, and he leaves CJA different and better than when he came.”
5058 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 638-6103