Originally published on 12news.com. Author Jade Cunninham

Local school brings inspiration to students through art during Black History Month

PHOENIX — Walk down the halls at ASU Preparatory Academy Phoenix Downtown Campus, and you will see multiple, life-sized faces including Barack Obama, Maya Angelou and Kobe Bryant. 

The murals are part of the school’s Black History Month celebration, where all month long students can look at the images and learn about who’s being shown and why.

For students like Ajok Ajak, it’s neat to see.

“A lot of times when people think of Black History Month they’re saying good job to Black people and what they’ve done,” she said. “But a lot of times people don’t think about how they were pioneers. There were people risking their lives doing so many things so that we now can live in a world where we’re a lot more accepted.”

The school’s principal, Junius Yates, said they are meant to inspire students.

“We just kind of picked legendary figures if you will,” Yates said. “The point of the mural is to have a motivational, inspirational type pictures in the hallways that kids walk past every day. We just kind of walk past them and gaze up at them and take a moment to think about who that individual is and what their contribution to society is/was.”

The portraits, with bright, yellow backgrounds take up entire hallways. They catch the eyes of anyone who walks by them, including senior, Samuel Apodaca. He said the image that speaks the most to him is the one of Kobe Bryant.

“I liked his effort he put into his craft,” he said. “I feel like he had a lot of passion for that and I feel like he was a good example of what people should have in their career. I hope to have that same passion for something in my future.”

“I just really have a passion for people who pursue things they love,” said Ajak.

Ajak is also a senior at the school. She said she was surprised when she saw the murals go up and appreciates the school honoring these individuals and this month.

“Kids can see these and say, ‘Oh! It doesn’t matter what my background is, what my skin is, if these diverse people can do it so can I,” she said. “So I think they’re trying to show all opportunities are available to everyone.”

Ajak spoke with 12News while standing in front of a large portrait of poet and activist, Amanda Gorman. Ajak said she always feels inspired when she walks by and sees this particular picture.

“I can relate to her because she’s an African American and I’m an African American,” she said. “Amanda Gorman, you know, youngest inaugural poet in the history of the United States that’s a really big title to have. And to think that a woman like her who shares the same skin as me, we probably come from different backgrounds but we can relate in certain things. The fact she’s able to achieve something of this length it’s just really inspiring.”

The pictures also show Simone Biles, Nelson Mandela, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Dr. Mae Jemison. All people who’ve achieved big dreams, broken barriers and have made an impact on this world.

“Going to college is next,” said Apodaca. “I’m going to NAU for Mechanical Engineering so I hope to do something as great as one of them.”

Yates said it’s the first time the school has done this project and plans to continue it for years to come so students can be reminded of the people before them, and who they can grow up to be.

“I’m really inspired by it,” Ajak said. “I was really happy to see they weren’t just showing the regular faces that people can know by name but showing people who come from all different walks of life and showing how they contributed to their field and what it is they’re passionate about.”

In celebration of Día De Los Muertos, ASU Prep South Phoenix hosted a free community-wide event on November 4.

Día De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a time to gather to remember and celebrate the lives of family and friends who have passed on. It is believed that on this day the souls of the dead awaken and return to the living to reconnect with their loved ones for a celebration.

ASU Prep South Phoenix invited families to celebrate the Day of the Dead holiday with them at the school’s 7-12 campus. Guests enjoyed interactive sugar skull and paper flower arts and craft stations, face painting, authentic Mexican food, a live Mariachi band, folklorico dancers, as well as guided tours of the campus. Students also showcased their projects and were excited to see how the community came together.

For more information on ASU Prep and the communities it serves, visit asuprep.asu.edu.

While the average winter low in Phoenix teeters around 46o, ASU Prep Academy Phoenix, created a winter wonderland for the community on December 9.

The school hosted a free winter-themed celebration, “Let it Snow.” The community was invited to participate in seasonal holiday fun with the promise it would snow in downtown Phoenix—and snow it did!

Decked in comfy winter wear, guests were treated to hot chocolate, snow cones, and wintry arts and crafts. Holiday light displays, bounce houses, face painting, music and more also brought families joy. Many took part in touring the ASU Prep Phoenix campus as well. Overall, this neighborhood event proved to be a delightful flurry of festive fun.

For more information on ASU Prep and the communities it serves, visit asuprep.asu.edu.

All end-of-year tax credit contributions support academic success, clubs, arts and culture, athletics, and more. Make your tax credit donation by April 15 to make a difference in the lives of our students. Click Here to Make a Donation.

Join us for Family Night Skate Party at Great Skate on Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 5-8:30 p.m. Admission is $12 and includes skate rentals (non-skating parents $5). A portion of skate admission supports ASU Prep. Come roll with us! 10054 N. 43rd Ave. Glendale. 

Have you outgrown your clothes and need more room in your closet? Consider donating your old uniform polos, pants, and skirts to our loaner uniform closet. Please contact a member of the health office team at 602-496-3105 to learn more. 

Fifth grade students worked in collaborative groups to develop a hypothesis about which material could protect an egg to withstand a 5-feet fall. They identified independent, dependent, and control variables for their experiment, and recorded observations of the three trials. Through the Scientific Method, they analyzed data to draw conclusions. Then determined testable vs. non-testable questions to form the experiment and formulate the hypothesis.  

Arizona state law enables you to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $400 (if married filing jointly) when you donate to ASU Preparatory Academy schools by April 15. Your support directly impacts ASU Preparatory Academy’s K-12 Sun Devils! Donate today to make a difference in the lives of our students. Click Here to Make a Donation