The newest O’Hare Airport runway became a venue for showcasing some soaring talent Sept. 19, as dozens of teens who participated in the After School Matters program over the summer showed off what they learned at the organization’s sixth annual fundraiser gala event.
The program’s culinary apprentices strolled the outdoor tents set up on Runway 9 Left/27 Right serving hors d’oeuvres to the who’s-who guests as paintings, sculptures and other crafts were put on display for sale. The art carried price tags as high as $625.
Then the musical and performing arts apprentices took to the stage playing, singing and dancing the virtues of the ASM program.
And some of the apprentices were outspoken on the program they said has made a difference in their life.
Jordan Ivy, a junior at Morgan Park high school, could have spent his summer playing football with his boys, working, or simply bumming around doing nothing.
Instead, the 16-year-old searched online and discovered a culinary program in After School Matters and ended up spending his summer hobnobbing with distinguished chefs and got to visit a stand-out restaurant.
To boot, the program has “given me a lot of motivation towards school,” Ivy said.
ASM works with youth in underserved communities to provide them with an opportunity to delve into the arts, science, sports, written communication, technology and other areas.
ASM, started by Maggie Daley, first lady of Chicago, provides the city’s teens with positive outlets where the youth not only participate in activities but learn life and social skills that could prove valuable in their future career and educational experiences. It has grown from serving 180 teens in three high schools through nine programs to now serving exponentially more youth with over 28,000 program opportunities.
Mya King got involved in ASM’s dance program three years ago as a “booster” to get her involved in the performing art. The bubbly 16-year-old pom-pom dancer said the skills she learned in the After School Matters program helped her to overcome some of the challenges she had in math.
“When you learn something, it takes practice,” the Lindblom high school junior said, remembering how she practiced and practiced to get her dances right. That was the same thing she applied to math.
Curie high school musician Morgan Stevenson agreed.
“I was amazed at what I learned,” said Stevenson, 17, who plays the alto saxophone.
ASM not only helps youth hone their interests, Stevenson said it also helps participants “become a better person.”
After School Matters runs programs three days a week during the school year and five days a week over the summer break.
“We help light a spark for young people and their future,” ASM Executive Director David Sinski told the Defender.
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