Saturday, March 26, 2011Chicago Cultural Center78 East Washington Street

Chicago, IL 60602

Board of Directors

Harold Andrews, Ph.D.Anita Andrews-HutchinsonGwendolyn HarrisNakisha Hobbs

Advisory Board

Princess Ayers, Esq.Starbucks Corporation

Donna GainesAlliance of Business Leaders& Entrepreneurs

Patricia FordSteans Family Foundation

Kevin Lamarr James, Ph.D.Indiana University South BendCivil Rights Heritage Centerand The Natatorium

Erica Okezie-PhillipsMcCormick Foundation

Sala SimsCatalyst Charter SchoolCircle Rock Campus

Mugabe David Stovall, Ph.D.University of IllinoisEducational Policy Studies

Michael Toney, Ph.D.University of IllinoisUrban Health Programs

Michelle TrotterUrban Search Realty

Marlon SmithLoop Capital

Karriem Watson, MD, MS, CCRCUniversity of IllinoisNeurological Surgery

Vincent Williams, Esq.Renaissance HospitalManagement

Teaching Staff & Administration

Ayrenne AdamsOsei Andrews-HutchinsonWisdom BatyAfua BrakwaChanel BrownMiesha EbacherKeyonna ErvesDayo HarrisJevon HobbsAaron KaczmarekSurya KunduVernon LindsayEric MaciasJasmine PatrickRobert PortisNyenemo SangumaGabriella SantelliJason TurnerMaria WahlstromSteven WalkerDarcel Washington

VViillllaaggee LLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp AAccaaddeemmyy’’ss22nndd AAnnnnuuaall WWoorrlldd SScchhoollaarrss GGaallaaHosted by: State Senator Toi W. Hutchinson

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6pm Reception

Drum Call and Performance by Minianka

Welcome/Introductions - Anita Andrews- Hutchinson

Libation- Osei Andrews-Hutchinson

7pm Dinner

Principal's Address - Nakisha Hobbs

Presentation by Village Leadership Academy's CapoeiraClub

World Scholars Program 2011: Gemena, Congo- NyenemoSanguma

Presentation by Village Leadership Academy's Tabura Club

9pmClosing Remarks

Special Thanks to Our SponsorsInternational PioneerIt Takes A Village Early Learning Centers

Community AdvocateTemple of Spiritual Truth

Village LeadersM & K Contractors, IncMidwest Environmental Service Group, Inc.Rush University Medical Center

Special Thanks to Dr. Karriem Watson of Stix and Stemz for the beautifulGala decor.

Thank you Renee Bradford of C’est Si Bon for catering the 2nd AnnualWorld Scholar’s Gala

The World Scholars Program has as its ultimate goal the development of Village Leadership Academy’sstudents into global leaders of tomorrow. The program strives to accomplish this by:

• Expanding our students’ educational foundation through a year-long academic and extracurricularexploration of the history and culture of the Community of Focus;

• Establishing an appreciation for and sensitivity toward the culture, history and perspectives of peopleof the world, with the understanding that “different” does not equal “less than”;

• Challenging our students to explore the commonalities and differences between themselves and otherpeople; and

• Facilitating the development of a comprehensive worldview, critical for global leadership.

This cultural and academic journey culminates in an educational excursion to the Community of Focus.Last year our 3rd grade class visited Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. During this international expedition, our stu-dents acquired first-hand knowledge about the challenges that other communities face, developednew friendships and engaged in a capoeira class with Brazilian students.

Thanks to your support we will send our 3rd and 4th grade students to Gemena, Democratic Republic of Congo!

Why the Democratic Republic of Congo?

The students of Village Leadership Academy were invited to the Gemena, Sud-Ubangi, Democratic Re-public of Congo by the Secretary of Education to learn about the discrepancies between urban andrural education.

Where will we stay?

We will be hosted by Mossai Sanguma, President of the Congo Covenant Church located in Gemena.

What are we doing to prepare for the trip?

• World Scholar Program participants are gaining an understanding of the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

• Developing pen pal relationships with students in Gemena via email and Skype.• The students are learning French four times a week and the native Congolese language Lingala once

a week.• They are learning about traditional cultural celebrations and artistic expressions.• Organizing fundraisers to support our trip and service learning project.• Develop individual research projects on contemporary issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

What will we do during our visit?

• Identify sustainable business opportunities to support the local community.• Implement a service learning project.• Spend two days in a traditional village.• Learn about health issues and tour a hospital.

World Scholars Program2010: Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

Highlights and Accomplishments from the World Scholars Program Trip to

Bahia, Salvador, Brazil, June 22-30, 2010

• Participated in weekly Portuguese class, mastered basic greetings.

• Learned about local community needs such as homelessness, inequities in

education and the effects of poverty.

• Organized fundraiser to support capoeria school for local children.

• Explored Cachoeira, the most important historical and colonial town in Bahia

that was built by Afro-Brazilian slaves.

• Toured one of the most important Candomle Temples in Brazil, where

Afro-Brazilian slaves maintained traditional African religion.

• Visited Projecto Tamar, a not for profit Brazilian organization whose objective is

to save sea turtles from extinction on the Brazilian coastline.

• Students attended capoeria class with Brazilian children.

MISSIONVillage Leadership Academy’s highly skilled staff of educators engages students indeep exploration of relevant high interest content in math, science, reading,language arts, social science, physical development, health awareness, fine arts,world languages (Spanish & French), social emotional development, technologyand leadership development. This content is clearly explained, illustrated, modeled,reinforced and mastered with structured, guided and independent practice. Weprovide a superior education, grounded in real world experiences that help ourstudents develop knowledge, skills, productive habits and a critical intellect. Theacademy guides students in realizing their potential for academic excellence andsupports them in gaining the skills necessary to transform and advance theircommunity, nation, and world.

VISIONWe want to see our society become one where the principles of social, politicaland economic equity are the reality. We envision a society where people from allcommunities are equipped to address the social, political and economic issues thatconfront them. We believe that children’s education should reflect this vision. VLAwill bring the experiences and skills of students into the learning process. Ourstudents will respect the dignity of all people while preserving their ethnic andcultural heritage, and will engage in service learning to reinforce classroomconcepts. VLA will use our collective knowledge, best educational practices,relevant data, and regular assessment to shape our curriculum and instruction.

HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• AFRICARE- Over $200 raised by kindergarten class to build wells in Africa• Project Darfur- 1st Grade class conducted multiple teach-ins at area high schools to raise

funds and awareness about the Sudanese genocide

• Skype In- 4th Grade class participated in college discussions with the University of IndianaSociology Department

• Chicago Freedom School- 4th Grade class participated in a teach in about the EgyptianRevolution with members of the Chicago Freedom School

• Roots of Resistance- Created and conducted a comprehensive African History Program

• National Recognition- Awarded an Early Act Club Status by Rotary International• Edublog Award- School blog, JustUsSeekingJustice, nominated for best group blog award

• Upcoming school wide science fair, and 2nd Grade community garden project

Auto Insurance • Homeowners Insurance • Business Insurance

At LaVan Insurance Agency, we strive to continually grow without sacrificing the ability to providefriendly and trustworthy insurance services at a low cost to our customers and community, whiletreating each individual with respect and dignity.

Congratulations and good luck toQuentin Hayes

from the co-workers of theNational Data Center

L. BrownL. Cobbins

Mr. and Mrs. GriceJ. Hayes

Mr. and Mrs. HendersonMr. and Mrs. LylesL. Walker

800 S. Wells Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607 • (312) 588-0925

Adam Probst & Better Business Planning are proud to supportthe students of Village Leadership Academy’s

World Scholars Program.

Temple of Spiritual Truth5109 West Chicago Avenue • Chicago, IL 60651 • (773) 261-3071

Rev. Jean Dade-Batchie, Pastor

The Temple of Spiritual Truth

proudly supports

Village Leadership Academy’s

2nd Annual World Scholars Gala

Two Chicagoland Locations

4753 W. Washington Blvd.Chicago, IL 60644O: (773) 379-4928F: (773) 379-4943

5700 S. Ashland Ave.Chicago, IL 60636O: (773) 778-4850F: (773) 778-4811

First Start Childcare Academy

Now Accepting Applications

Valeteria Cleaners6407 W. North AvenueOak Park, IL 60302P: 708.386.3343

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