Student Spotlight: Crystal Townsend

Crystal Townsend is in 9th grade at Wells High School. She likes school because, even though she’s a freshman, “I know everybody.” Her favorite subjects are math and science because “they seem easy to me.” She struggles in English, but plans to get better by listening more, and she looks forward to learning her first foreign language next year: Spanish.

At Wells, Crystal is on the dance team and the cheerleading squad. She loves to dance, sing, and draw. She is also in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) to prepare for college and, potentially, military service. Crystal is part of the color guard, which carries flags, and she will march in the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Chicago on May 29th.

If she completes JROTC, the program will pay for part of Crystal’s college tuition. She is undecided on an undergraduate school, but she does know that she wants to go to law school. She is in a Law Program at Wells in which they do mock trials. She wants to become a prosecutor. “It will help me be more outspoken,” she says, “because I am very shy and quiet.” You can do it, Crystal!

At Cabrini Connections, Crystal works with Brea Adams on Wednesday nights. Though it is their first year together, she likes Brea a lot and they always have fun together. In fact, they recently went to a Bulls game! Crystal found out about Cabrini Connections from a lot of people. Her two brothers – De’Sean Hale and De’Jour Stewart – are in the program, as are her god sisters, Ana and Malina Tate.

In her spare time, Crystal likes to play tennis and baseball. Her favorite player is Serena Williams and her straightforward tip for both sports is: “learn how to swing.” This spring, she looks forward to a school dance, and, this summer, she hopes to “Go Bananas” at one of her favorite places in Chicago. Have fun, Crystal! Congratulations on being in the spotlight!