ASPIRA Students Reunite at Prom After School Closures

Jesus Lara entered the Chicago Teachers Union headquarters, outfitted in a black suit and silk tie. He scanned his surroundings for familiar faces, smiling once he found them. The gathering was one of the rare occasions he had been with friends and classmates from ASPIRA Business & Finance High School in months.

Lara, 18, had spent the last few months at Lake View High School. This change came after the Chicago Board of Education revoked ASPIRA’s charter in March. The board cited systemic fiscal issues, mentioning the network had run out of funds for the school year. ASPIRA leaders contested this, attributing financial problems to declining enrollments and rising labor costs.

This decision led to the closure of ASPIRA Business & Finance High School and ASPIRA Early College High School. Approximately 570 students, including seniors like Lara, had to transfer to other Chicago public schools. The move forced them to leave their established school community and adjust to new environments right before graduation.

Thursday night’s prom, organized by CPS and CTU, temporarily dissolved those difficulties for ASPIRA seniors by reuniting them. “We all went to separate schools, so it feels nice to see them again,” Lara said, noting he felt out of place at the new school.

Esmeralda Navichoque, 18, transferred to Carl Schurz High School and described the transition as “weird” due to navigating a different academic and social setting. She was thrilled to reunite with old friends at the ASPIRA prom. “I think I’m more excited about this one than the actual school prom because I know more people here,” she shared.

Melody Diaz, another senior, moved to Theodore Roosevelt High School. Despite her new classmates being friendly, she found it challenging to form strong bonds quickly. Her prom vision included familiar faces, not strangers.

CTU Charter Division Chair Jennifer Conant emphasized the prom’s goal was to commemorate the seniors’ high school journey together. About 70 students attended, enjoying Italian cuisine in a space suited for dancing. ASPIRA teachers and staff served as chaperones, eager to reconnect with their students.

Beyond the prom, students were invited to a special luncheon and graduation ceremony. Holding the event at CTU headquarters met logistical needs while allowing meaningful reunions.

For many students, such as Yuriel Garcia, 18, attending Schurz High School, the prom was a night to create new memories. “It’s been a weird journey,” he explained, highlighting the rush to adapt to a new school. “I had some friends over at my school, but not everyone, so this does feel nice that they are doing something just for us.” Students appreciated reconnecting, marking a poignant moment amidst a challenging year.