Lujean Cummings (HSA Columbus High School, Class of 2013) took time to give back to her alma mater on Thursday, November 5, when she spoke to current seniors about her experiences as a Medical Laboratory Specialist in the United States Army and her studies in Health Sciences Medical Technology at the George Washington University. Lujean is a great example of where a great foundation in STEM education can take you and of what career options are out there for Concept graduates.
 

Priscilla Daboni is an alumna of HSA Columbus High School, Class of 2014. Priscilla was accepted to the University of Chicago with a full ride. And, she is a sophomore now studying biomedical sciences. On top of Priscilla's heavy schedule, she is often involved in extracurricular activities, organizing cultural events and giving campus tours to guests at her university. We had the opportunity to visit Priscilla and enjoy a quick tour of the campus as well.

Academically, Priscilla's self-discipline and motivation to go the extra mile, and her lively, mature personality that embraces everyone around her, set a great example for current Concept students and speaks volumes about her potential for future success inside and outside of the University of Chicago.
 

Recently, the Concept Alumni Association and two lucky students from Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park had the unique experience of having lunch with a current Chicago Bear, who happens to one of our very own alumni!

Harold Jones-Quartey, a graduate of HSA Columbus High School, recently signed a 3-year contract with the Chicago Bears. At the busy start of his first NFL season, Harold  took the time to meet Mariah Flores (9th Grade), Christen Cabrera (10th Grade), and Concept Schools educators for lunch on September 18, 2015 in Chicago.

It was an exhilarating moment for the students and staff to be able to meet him and hear about his recent accomplishment and hopes for the season. Harold is a very passionate, hard-working young man who has strong work ethics and character. It was inspiring to hear his professional perspective on how set goals and achieve them.

A recurring theme throughout lunch was Harold’s advice to never give up on your dreams and that success is all about your mind set. He stressed the importance of keeping a positive attitude through adversity and giving people a chance to try to reach their dreams.

We got our footballs autographed and sealed the day with a group picture. We’ll all be watching Harold this season and thank him for providing inspiration for our current students and alumni.

Concept Schools may have a laser-like focus on academics, but we provide plenty of extracurricular activities, including sports programs, that help develop the whole student. When we heard that National Blue Ribbon winning Horizon Science Academy Columbus High School alumnus Harold Jones-Quartey made the regular season roster of the Chicago Bears, we could not have been more proud.


Mr. Jones-Quartey, who is from Columbus, attended the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio and was a safety last fall for the UF Oilers. After a near-miss for making the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, Jones-Quartey learned last weekend that he would be joining the Chicago Bears’ regular-season roster.


The dedication and perseverance that this level of athletic success requires is something all current and former Concept students can look to for inspiration. As for HSA Columbus High School and Concept Schools, as UF coach Rob Keys told The Courier news, “It’s great for the (UF) program and is going to help in recruiting,” Keys said. “(Jones-Quartey) was a model citizen . . . You can’t ask for a better representative at the University of Findlay.” We feel the same way.