Student Spotlight: Alexis Montgomery

Alexis Montgomery is in her FIFTH year at Cabrini Connections. She and her brother, Darren Forest, joined us in September 2004 and their sister, Aiesha, who now attends Southern Illinois University, is an alumnus of the program. I guess Cabrini Connections runs in the family.

Alexis is matched up with first year mentor Sandra Lee, a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "She's cool," says Alexis. "She keeps it fun... I want her to be my tutor for the rest of my life." We're glad to hear that you like Sandra, Alexis. Our vision is that every child who joins a tutor/mentor program in 7th or 8th grade is starting a job or career of his or her choice by age 25, so we will do our best to facilitate your continued relationship beyond this year.

Alexis is a senior at Chicago International Charter School Northtown Academy. Her favorite subject is Western civilization. In her recent studies of Greek mythology, which has a tremendous influence on Western culture, Alexis was surprised to read that Oedipus, the son of the king and queen of Thebes, was abandoned on the side of a mountain because it was prophesied that he would kill his father and marry his mother. The prophecy did come true, but in any case, Alexis cannot imagine deserting a child.

Outside of school, Alexis' favorite thing to do is dance. She also loves to play basketball and violin or viola. She is on the girl's basketball team at Northtown and she has been taking music lessons at Old Town School of Folk Music for more than six years. When she grows up she would like to be a professional basketball player or a photographer.

In order to get into a career of her choice, Alexis plans to attend college next year. She has applied to Wright College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, and is working on an application to Southern Illinois University. She wants to study technology and fulfill a personal goal of building her own computer. After basketball season, she might join Tech Club to begin her training.

As for an artistic side, Alexis has been nurturing hers in Art Club for almost a year now. She recently completed a wire sculpture of break dancers which is now on display in the back of our center. We look forward to showcasing more of her work at Cabrini Connections Annual Art Festival in April. Until then Alexis simply offers her sense of humor. "I like to see people smile," she says. We certainly are, Alexis. Good luck with applying to college. You're going to love it!