Jesus Lara walked across the polished floor in a black suit and silk tie, scanning the entryway of the Chicago Teachers Union headquarters. Blue drapery and yellow lights spelling ‘prom’ transformed the space. Lara, 18, quickly spotted his friends from ASPIRA Business & Finance High School and smiled. He had not been in the same room with them for months.
Lara spent the last two months at a different school after the Chicago Board of Education revoked ASPIRA’s charter in March. Officials from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) cited “systemic fiscal mismanagement” as the reason for the closure. ASPIRA leadership countered that declining enrollment and increased labor costs caused their financial difficulties. The closures forced around 570 students to transfer to other Chicago public schools.
For Lara and his classmates, this meant leaving their school community behind and adjusting to a new environment in their senior year. However, Thursday night’s prom, organized by CPS and CTU for ASPIRA seniors, reunited old friends. “We all went to separate schools. It feels nice to see them again,” said Lara.
Many graduating students envisioned prom as a time for fun with classmates. Senior Esmeralda Navichoque, 18, transferred to Carl Schurz High School. She described her experience as ‘weird’ due to the new academic and social setting. Navichoque felt more excited about this prom because she was familiar with more people. Fellow senior Melody Diaz, 18, transferred to Theodore Roosevelt High School. She found making new friendships difficult with limited time but valued the prom opportunity to be with longtime friends.
“I envisioned it with the friends I’ve known since I was a freshman, not random people,” Diaz expressed.
Jennifer Conant, CTU Charter Division Chair, explained the event aimed to give seniors a chance to celebrate together before graduation. Around 70 students attended the event, which included a luncheon and graduation ceremony. Quick planning led to the prom being held at CTU headquarters, offering adequate space for dining and dancing.
ASPIRA teachers and staff also attended, reconnecting with former students. These educators served as event chaperones, congratulating students on their achievements. The evening was a reunion and a reflection on four years of high school.
Despite new schools welcoming ASPIRA students to events, the recent disruptions to routines made this event special. Students like Yuriel Garcia, 18, who transferred to Schurz High School, enjoyed reconnecting with classmates. “It’s been a weird journey. I had to meet new teachers and figure out my classes, but it’s nice they are doing something just for us,” Garcia shared.