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The St. Agatha News School hosted its 6th Annual Graduation recently. The interns of the News School celebrated completing rigorous training in journalism and broadcasting with the help of DiMarkco and Gricelda Chandler, Cathy Milne-Ware, Sheena Robertson, and many other coaches. Not only did the graduates receive a certificate and a press pass on Aug. 29, 2021; they had the honor of meeting Illinois State Representative Lakesia Collins (Dist-9), Broadcast Journalist Art Norman, and award-winning writer Christine Houston.
Collins opened the ceremony. Addressing the graduates, she talked about finding their destiny:
Don’t take no for an answer and continue to be the best version of yourselves. Tell your stories to inspire others and be the change you [want] to see. You have a village across this district that is fighting for you and cheering you on. This is the right step in the right direction.
The next speaker was Art Norman, former Chicago President of the National Association of Black Journalists. He covered breaking news, anchored broadcasts and community-oriented feature segments for news stations like Baltimore’s WMAR-TV and Chicago’s WMAQ NBC 5.
While Norman talked about his history in the broadcasting business, he recalled his first job in Charlotte, North Carolina. He also mentioned the significance of NBC Chicago breaking the color barrier in the 1950s.
Norman told them, I stand here as a product [of] parents who didn’t go to college, but I made it.”
Before leaving the podium, Mr. Chandler presented Norman with this year’s News School Excellence in Journalism award.
Christine Houston addressed the graduates following an amazing “After the Dream” performance by Ted Williams III. Houston is a screenwriter, playwright, stage writer, and lecturer at Chicago State University.
She is famous for writing the hit TV program “227,” which went toe-to-toe with “The Cosby Show” at the height of its popularity. The screenplay retold the story of Houston growing up at 227 E. 48th Ave. The sitcom starred notable Black actors like Regina King and Jackée Harry.
During her graduation speech, she talked about the importance of education stating: “Education has been in my soul and it was put there by my father.” “When I was a child, he kept telling me ‘you gotta be educated, education is very important.'” Additionally, she talked about the ability to learn from youth as they, in turn, learn from adults.
After Houston completed her speech, it was time to present the hardworking ladies and gentlemen with their certificates and press passes. The 2020 Fall graduates were Sheree Bynum, Omari Jahi, and Jessica Letcher. The 2021 Spring graduates, also known as the Chicago Leader’s Ladies, were Brenda Robinson, Sharri Rogers, and Ebonee Stevenson.
Graduates of the Summer Session were Jaylen Conwell, Reginae Echols, Joseph Nelson, and Brielle Buford.
The second was graduates who specialized in Media Broadcasting include Anthony Ezeanyim, Daylontie Jasper, and Chiagozie Onyewuchi. Journalism graduates were Adam Myers, Darryl Johnson. Jr, China Page, Ke’Lena Thomas, Mikal Eggleston, and Ramses Sanchez Cantu.
Finally, those awarded participation certificates were Nadia Amoah, Shamaiya Bobo, Amaya Fair, Jasmine Johnson, Charlie Myers, Ogechi Onyewuchi, Jaely Reeves, Winslow Redmond, Jayla Turner, and Deonte Williams.
The audience was then entertained by dance choreographer and fellow graduate Sharri Rogers as she and the senior line dance team performed. Attendees were given t-shirts, magazines featuring articles written by the interns, and backpacks with school supplies and good food.
By Daylontie Jasper
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware and Sheena Robertson
Sources:
The History Makers: Art Norman; Biography
The History of African-American Women In Media: Christine Houston- Screenwriter/Professor
IMDb: 227 (TV Series 1985–1990)
Lakesia Collins State Representative: About
Images by Daveed Holmes Courtesy of Gricelda Chandler – Used With Permission