A King College Prep graduate, Denise Covington was a cheerleader and played clarinet in the school marching band throughout high school. Dedicated to her academic goals, she also participated in the college readiness program TRIO, as well as the Illinois Music and National Honor Societies. The sixth of eleven children, Denise is proud to be the first in her family to graduate high school on time and pursue a university education.  

She plans to attend Howard University in the fall and aspires to become a civil rights attorney “dedicated to advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.” To prepare for her future career, Denise took dual credit Criminal Justice courses and interned at a legal data management software company.  

“From a young age, I have been passionate about justice and the power of the law to create positive change,” she wrote in her application. “By becoming a lawyer, I aim to make a lasting impact on society and give a voice to those who need it most.” 

Evelyn Marquez graduated from Fenton High School in Bensenville, where she was a member of the gymnastics and cross-country teams.

A first-generation college student, Evelyn shared that the goal of obtaining a college degree “holds even more weight given the challenges I’ve faced throughout my life. Despite these obstacles, I’ve remained focused, resilient, and determined to create a better future—not just for myself, but as a role model for my siblings, friends, and loved ones.”

She plans to attend Elmhurst University in the fall to study nursing. While in high school, Evelyn pursued college-level courses at the Technology Center of DuPage, earning certifications in CNA, CPR, and CSPDT.

“I aspire to become the kind of nurse people feel safe and comfortable with—someone who provides not only medical care, but also compassion, understanding, and support in whatever circumstance they may be facing,” she wrote.

Jayla McGraw, a graduate of Kenwood Academy, developed her interest in computer science through her participation in Girls Who Code during her junior and senior years. She was also a member of her school’s water polo team.

Jayla will attend Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) in the fall to study computer science, with the goal of pursuing a career in data analytics.

As a Black woman entering a STEM field, she hopes to inspire other Black students to follow a similar path. “Women occupy 28% of STEM careers globally and Black women represent less than 9% of that,” she wrote in her application. “By going into Data analytics, I can inspire the next generation of Black computer scientists.”

Janai Shack graduated from King College Prep, where she was a Model UN delegate and held leadership roles in both the National Honor Society and Student Council. She also participated in several After School Matters programs throughout high school, with a focus on arts, creativity, and digital media.

An internship at the Field Museum—where she researched pollution in the Chicagoland area—sparked her interest in environmental science. As she heads to the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC) this fall, Janai is deciding between majoring in Environmental Science and Social Work.

“Although I haven’t decided on my major, I did decide I want to benefit my community,” she wrote in her application. “I value helping others and working with them to find solutions.”

Tashari Wooten graduated from Thornwood High School in South Holland, where she competed on the tennis team and was one of only two girls on the boys’ wrestling team.   

She plans to study and travel abroad as part of her educational journey. “I want to immerse myself in different cultures and academic environments to improve my knowledge and understanding of the world,” she wrote in her application.   

This fall, Tashari will attend the University of Arizona, majoring in Aerospace Engineering with minors in Spanish and International Business. With an interest in problem-solving, innovation, and global exploration, she hopes to contribute to the future of aviation and aerospace technology, ideally working for NASA or SpaceX.   

“I have been determined to excel in high school so I could pursue college and a career that would give me independence and stability,” she shared. 

The sixth scholar has chosen to remain anonymous.