The Rippling Impact of High Jump
Over the past 35 years, High Jump has impacted the lives of over 2,900 alums. Beyond middle school, beyond high school, and even beyond college, High Jump sets our scholars up to thrive for the rest of their lives. Because of that, the impact of High Jump doesn’t just end with our alumni themselves; as they go out into the world and thrive in their personal and professional lives, the impact of High Jump ripples out to their families, friends, colleagues, and communities.
At our recent High Jump Spring of Opportunity Benefit, three alums reflected on how they were first introduced to High Jump, the journeys High Jump set them on, and the incredible heights that High Jump has inspired them to reach today.
Jaime Hermosillo
“High Jump provided me with the foundation to think critically, form cohesive arguments, and most importantly, build self-confidence.”
Jaime Hermosillo
High Jump Cohort 13 (2002)
Assistant Director of Academic Advising, Northwestern University Medill School
“My introduction to High Jump is a little different than most because my older sister Ariana is an alumna of the program. After each session, she would come home and excitedly share the topics she discussed, books she was reading, and fun experiences with her peers. Having always loved school, learning, and reading, I desperately wanted to be part of the program. Once I got there, I was introduced to new ideas, taught the skills needed to form clear and concise thoughts and opinions, and given the space to participate in in-depth discussions with my peers from all over Chicago. High Jump was crucial to my development. I learned soft skills – like organizing my assignments, time management, and teamwork. I learned effective study skills and built strong study habits that I carried into high school and, eventually, to college. I also learned to socialize and collaborate with people different from me. With the support of High Jump, I attended Lake Forest Academy as a boarding student. With the skills I learned and developed in High Jump, I adjusted well and thrived in a private, independent school. I then attended Boston University for my undergraduate education; I continued to Loyola University Chicago, where I earned a Master’s in Higher Education. I currently work with graduate students at Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism in Academic Affairs.”
Elaine Rojas-Castillo
“High Jump gives children access to educational opportunities that they would not have been aware of before.”
Elaine Rojas-Castillo
High Jump Cohort 14 (2004)
Reporter/Multimedia Journalist, WTMJ-TV
“I started out at Newberry Academy in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. My parents heard about High Jump from a fellow alum’s parents and knew it would be the perfect place for this precocious ball of energy to meet people who could encourage her to be the best she could possibly be. The education gap is a critical problem in our city. Due to a lack of resources in many neighborhoods, there are so many students who don’t realize that going to a good high school or even going to college is possible for them. If it wasn’t for High Jump, I wouldn’t be where I am today. With High Jump’s guidance, I was able to attend the Latin School of Chicago, receive my bachelor’s degree from Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and my master’s degree from Columbia College Chicago. Today, I am a Morning Reporter at TMJ4 News in Milwaukee.”
Peter Robinson
“High Jump was a game-changer for me. It shifted the trajectory of my life and made me an uncommon leader.”
Peter Robinson
High Jump Cohort 4 (1993)
COO, Kaspar Companies
“One winter morning, I went out to scrape ice off my aunt’s car, and while sitting inside to warm up, I heard an ad on the radio about a rare opportunity to grow academically and socially. Although my life was filled with challenges, and the cards were not stacked in my favor, this radio ad changed everything. 31 years ago, I joined High Jump, a program that provided me with knowledge and experiences I would have never received otherwise. Because of High Jump, I was able to attend Culver Military Academy for High School, attend Wabash College, complete my MBA, and start my career. I have successfully worked in executive-level positions at various companies, including Amazon, United Airlines, Grainger, and United Rentals. Today, I am the Chief Operating Officer of Kaspar Companies, a 125-year-old multi-generation family-owned organization based out of Shiner, TX. Because of the trajectory that High Jump enabled my life to take, I spend a significant portion of my time today hiring executives and teaching them how to become uncommon leaders. Being number two in a thriving, established legacy business, based out of a small rural Texas town, is uncommon for a South Side Chicago African American male. High Jump gave me the opportunity to be uncommon, to be more than my circumstances.”
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