Chicago Tribune Highlights Struggles of YCCS Students
Youth Connection Charter School 2009 graduate Nasia Smith was featured in a Chicago Tribune article on August 7, 2009. The article entitled, “In The Fight of Their Lives”, recent graduates of CPS schools discuss overcoming a growing problem in Chicago, homelessness. Nasia was one of the 236 homeless youth population enrolled in YCCS campuses this past school year. Her situation is classified as an “unaccompanied youth” – those who are homeless and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. The article written by Lauren B. Harrison, focused on the many struggles Nasia went through to graduate from high school. Despite having a baby and meeting his needs, being homeless and working several jobs to make ends meet, Nasia still persevered to graduation as salutatorian of her class this past June.
With an easy smile and confident personality, Nasia was always an active YCCS student during her time at Youth Connection Leadership Academy. Nasia was a school office assistant and the President of the student council while participating in Dance Club and Spoken Word Club. She received several scholarships including the YCCS Ms. Loretta Jene Memorial Scholarship. She will be attending Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas this fall. The incoming college freshman will also take her “motivator,” her 14 month old son Jarrett Pryor. Nasia plans to major in chemistry and is interested in a career in forensic science.
