On Thursday, November 13th, 2014, Clemente GEAR UP staff members Billy Hayes and Yesenia Villalobos took 14 students: Natalis Torres, Keontay Knox, Samantha Dones, Anntoinette Edwards, Ashley Perez, Brandon Espino, Jordan Rodriguez, Samantha Martinez, Destany Torres, Jeffery Grays, Ezekiel Bautista, Samuel Santiago, Estefania Santiago, Giovanny A. Granados to visit Washburne Culinary & Hospitality Institute, part of Kennedy-King College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago.
Because so many GEAR UP students expressed an interest in pursuing Culinary Arts as a post-secondary option, the Clemente GEAR UP team wanted to take advantage of the day off of classes and get students to see a possible college choice. Student got a tour of the facilities and got to sample many of the items being prepared by students. Finally, students enjoyed a lunch in the fine dining restaurant
One student, Samuel Santiago, expressed his enthusiasm and was in complete awe of the school and its offerings. He expressed deep appreciation to the GEAR UP staff for organizing this trip and stated that he can see himself attending Washburne and will be sure to apply there.
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded grant from the United States Department of Education that is currently working in Clemente High School with the classes of 2016 and 2017 to promote early exposure to college. GEAR UP is a partnership grant through Northeastern Illinois University with Chicago Public Schools, University of Chicago, Loyola University, Roosevelt University and Truman College. For more information about the Clemente GEAR UP program, please contact the office at 773-534-4033 or stop by room 524 at Clemente.
