Growing our Community of Impact
Introducing Our New Associate Board Members
The High Jump Associate Board brings together emerging leaders who are passionate about expanding educational opportunity for Chicago middle school students. Through fundraising, community engagement, and professional networking, Associate Board members help raise awareness of High Jump’s mission while building meaningful connections with one another and the broader High Jump community.
We’re excited to welcome our newest Associate Board members. Their enthusiasm, unique experiences, and commitment to educational equity will help strengthen our efforts to inspire others to get involved and support High Jump’s students.
Catie Cronister
“My inspiration for joining the High Jump Associate Board comes from growing up in a family of educators who have supported High Jump since I was young and I couldn’t pass up the chance to be part of an organization that supports students during such a critical time in their lives.”
Román Ahmed
“High Jump opened doors for me at a pivotal point in my life, and I’m excited to give back to the community that helped shape my confidence and aspirations. Joining the Associate Board feels like coming full circle, and I’m honored to help create those same opportunities for the next generation of Chicago students.”
Alec McKinney
“My inspiration to join the board stems from my own public school experience. Having seen the impact of a strong education system during my middle school years, I am eager to support High Jump’s hardworking students as they pursue transformative educational opportunities.”
Leila Griffin
“In my own academic journey, High Jump played a huge role in my intellectual advancement and community involvement. As someone strongly committed to educational equity, I hope to play an impactful role in creating systems of support for our scholars.”
Teresa Mooney
“After a decade working in national education policy, I wanted to find my way back to the ground-level work that I’ve missed since my days as a teacher. Joining the High Jump Associate Board feels full circle: a chance to put that experience in service of the kids and communities I got into this field for in the first place.”
Emmanuel Sarpong
“As a High Jump alum (Cohort 25), I was excited for the opportunity to be able to join the High Jump Associate Board and support anyway that I can.”
Ashley Langwinski
“I was inspired to join High Jump because I saw an amazing opportunity to bridge educational equity gaps and empower ambitious Chicago middle schoolers. The program’s incredible history of helping students gain access to top-tier high schools and universities motivated me to be part of that transformative journey.”
Marquis Murry
“This opportunity is personal for me, as a kid from Chicago’s Altgeld’s Gardens community on the far south side, I know how transformative access can be and how the right exposure and support can completely change someone’s trajectory. I joined [the Associate board] because I want to be part of creating opportunities; connecting students to networks, experiences, and pathways they may not otherwise have access to. I’m looking forward to helping drive meaningful impact in our city.”
Lena Diasti
“High Jump’s impact spans generations, and I have seen that legacy through volunteering, community events, and conversations with alumni. I am excited to join the Associate Board and help extend that impact to even more students and families.”
Mary Gignilliat
“I believe that education has the power to change lives. High Jump does just that.”
Mario Rodriguez
“As a High Jump alumnus, I had the opportunity to experience the impact of this wonderful organization firsthand. It gave me the tools, resources, and confidence necessary to compete at a high academic level and pursue opportunities that may not have otherwise been available to me. Joining the Associate Board is a meaningful way for me to give back to an organization that played an important role in my own development. I am excited to join and support this organization as it continues to create opportunities and drive development for our most deserving students.”
Each of our new Associate Board members brings a unique perspective and a shared commitment to creating greater opportunity for Chicago students. Together with our returning members, they will help grow High Jump’s community of advocates through fundraising, volunteerism, and meaningful connections.
We look forward to the ideas, energy, and relationships this talented group will bring as they support High Jump’s mission and help expand access to transformative educational opportunities for students across Chicago.
High Jump is just the beginning of a successful educational journey for many students. More than ever, we must continue to build equitable learning opportunities for Chicago’s middle school youth.