Aspiring Black Stars 2021
Alexander Adonis PrattClass of 2021
Alexander Adonis Pratt is the oldest son of Alexander and LaCael and the amazing big brother to Xavier. Alexander is a graduating senior of Homewood-Flossmoor High School. The student-athlete is the varsity quarterback and values teamwork and brotherhood. He prides himself on being the hardest worker in the room, as he enjoys strength training and healthy nutrition. He pushes his peers on and off the field. Alexander was selected and awarded the SWSC All-Conference Quarterback, and 2021 Team MVP. Implementing that same hard work mentality in the classroom, Alexander maintains over 3.0 GPA and has taken Honors courses all four years. His hard work has not gone unnoticed, as he was awarded the Distinguished Scholar Award by the HFHS School Board and received the Ron Brown Superintendent Scholarship.
After completing his freshman year, Alexander began serving as a mentor for the Carolyn’s Kids Foundation. In this role, he advises 8th graders about transitioning to high school successfully. Additionally, he is a “big brother” for Homewood Flossmoor Kings Youth, Football/Cheer and Mentoring Foundation.
Dillon TaylorClass of 2021
Dillon Fontaine Taylor is well prepared to enter the next phase of his life! He will graduate with High Honors from Homewood Flossmoor Community High School in Flossmoor, Illinois.
During his time in high school, Dillon has excelled in his studies and has been awarded many accolades. Dillon is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society.
He is a distinguished member of DECA, Illinois Student Assistance Commission Academic Scholar, Top 10% of graduating High School Seniors in the State of Illinois, Candidate for Illinois State Seal of Bi-Literacy in Spanish, Co-Captain of Varsity Volleyball team.
Dillon will study International Business at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida as a Presidential Scholarship recipient.
Kalela MaxeyClass of 2021
Kaleia Maxey is a Senior at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. She is an Illinois State Scholar and the Valedictorian of her class. Her current G.P.A. is a 4.8 on a 5.0 scale.
Kaleia has been a member of Chicago State University Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering and Science (PREP) since 8th grade. She has learned how to build brainwave controlled cars, develop aerodynamic design, use Solid Work CAD design and invent green friendly air bags.
She is also the current President of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Jr. Chicago State Chapter. She is receiving the CPS Wentcher Scholarship and $10,000 Lockheed STEM scholarship which are both renewed every year.
She is attending Purdue University in fall and majoring in Engineering. Purdue University also offered her $29,000 in merit scholarships. Kaleia has also received the following scholarships: STEM Day Signing, American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), and Mahindra USA-Urban Ag Scholarship. She is currently a finalist for the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship and other scholarships that she applied for.
This summer she will be interning with Burke Civil Engineering and an Accenture Business. Her dream job is to become an Industrial Engineer for Disney and own her own Graphic Designing business. Kaleia is thankful to God for walking with her throughout her life and looks forward to what the future will bring.
Noelle RobinsonClass of 2021
Noelle Robinson is a Business Scholar and a student in UIC’s Honors College. While completing a double major in Information Decision Sciences and Finance, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA.
In high school, Noelle founded an Instagram financial literacy group for teenagers where she posted guides on topics of personal finance. The group enjoyed great success and amassed over 5,000 followers.
During her freshman year at UIC, she tutored classmates in Linear Algebra. Noelle is on the Dean’s List and has received numerous honorariums and awards.
She cites the CME Group Foundation Scholars Program Scholarship as her proudest accomplishment. Currently between semesters, she is looking forward to a twelve-week internship at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
