One of 10 graduate profiles of the Class of 2015, published by the Marguerite Casey Foundation’s Equal Voice News
Graduate’s name: T’Prinn Ingram
Home city: Aurora, Illinois
Name of school or program: West Aurora High School
Degree or certificate earned: High school graduate
Why you’re honoring this graduate:
“T’Prinn is one of five winners of a 2015 college scholarship from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH). During her senior year at Aurora West High School, she also joined CCH leaders on two trips to the state Capitol to advocate on budget issues affecting programs for youth and homeless families.
“‘It seems like legislators can be out of touch, but when you go down there, you talk to them face-to-face. A lot of times people think why vote, but when you go to Springfield, you realize wow, I can make a difference,’ T’Prinn said.
“T’Prinn became involved in advocacy through Hesed House in Aurora, a shelter and transitional housing program that has helped her family. Hesed House is among more than 30 groups from nine suburbs and downstate cities that are mobilized by CCH’s statewide organizing network.
“Statewide organizer Jim Picchetti told T’Prinn to consider applying for the $2,000 renewable scholarship. She was an obvious candidate – graduating in the top 12 percent of her class. T’Prinn has been active in school and the Aurora community.
“That includes serving six years on the Teen Advisory Board of the Aurora Public Library and four years on the Citizen Advisory Group that helped design Aurora’s new public library building.
“She also participated four years in Upward Bound at Northern Illinois University and several years each in her school’s Book Club, Multicultural Club and Best Buddies.
“T’Prinn is excited to be heading off to college, with plans to live on campus while pursuing pre-medicine studies at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
“As T’Prinn wrote in her winning scholarship application, ‘There are many people who are homeless that have great things to offer the world. They simply need the chance.’”
Honored by: Anne Bowhay of Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, which works to end homelessness. On June 25, CCH will honor all of the scholarship winners.