Jordan Bow
City Academy, 2011 | John Burroughs School, 2017 | Washington University in St. Louis, 2021
“You need people with firsthand experience of what you should be looking for in schools. Having that level of close expertise at my fingertips was invaluable.”
In just three years at City Academy, Jordan Bow gained invaluable experiences that set the stage for his academic journey and future career. Particularly impacted by his literature teacher, Kip Warr, Jordan noted the deep engagement of City Academy educators who go the extra mile for their students.
Jordan’s secondary experience was further enriched by STRIVE for College sessions, a City Academy alumni program run in conjunction with Washington University in St. Louis. Jordan went on to earn a degree from Washington University in German and African Diasporic Studies, also receiving a certificate in cyber security coding, and serving as a STRIVE for College mentor. He now works as a project manager with Epic in Madison, Wisconsin.
Jerrica Flakes
City Academy, 2012 | Westminster Christian Academy, 2018 | Maryville University, 2022
“Mrs. Fennoy taught me how to present my best self inside and outside of the classroom.”
Upon entering 7th grade at Westminster Christian Academy, Jerrica Flakes recalls being the only student able to name Newton’s three laws of motion and cite real world examples, thanks to the education she received at City Academy. She attended the National Leadership Conference and honed leadership skills that she utilized as part of the Multicultural Scholarship Program at Maryville University.
Jerrica credits Mr. Taylor with fostering her love for science, which led her to majoring in Biology. She also wants to thank school librarian Mrs. Brown who helped her find her favorite genre, and Mrs. Fennoy who taught her about integrity and how to present with confidence. Currently, Jerrica works as a Chief Medical Scribe and plans to attend medical school in the future to become a Medical Examiner.
Whitney Gross
City Academy, 2021 | Villa Duchesne, 2027
“City Academy is definitely a place where diverse thoughts can actually co-exist and not be brought down. I just really love that.”
Whitney Gross, a recent City Academy graduate, swiftly integrated into her new school while also giving back to her alma mater. After joining show choir, the volleyball team, and basketball team, Whitney spent a recent summer break on a service trip to Chicago focused on food insecurity and volunteering with
City Academy’s Summer at City program.
Whitney credits City Academy for fostering a nurturing educational environment, where she thrived under teachers like Mrs. Oteng and Mrs. Fennoy. She highlights the sense of community, especially within its Makerspace, as particularly impactful. Whitney finds City Academy unique in its ability to foster co-existence among diverse thoughts without stifling them.
Sydni Hall
City Academy, 2011 | MICDS, 2017 | Loyola University Chicago, 2021 | Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, 2026
“I am grateful that I was exposed to such a positive learning environment at a young age.”
Sydni Hall credits her formative years at City Academy for the invaluable life skills she’s carried through to her current studies in pharmacy and business. From honing her networking skills as a young student ambassador to learning the courage to seek help, City Academy’s holistic education laid the foundation for her academic journey.
The nurturing environment cultivated at City Academy played a vital role, teaching Sydni that asking for help is “not a form of weakness” but a commitment to growth. Sydni graduated from Loyola Chicago with a degree in Biology and is now pursuing an MBA alongside her PharmD. She looks forward to giving back to the next generation of City Academy scholars and hopes to one day attend Buddy Morning as a buddy herself.
Najaah Muhammad
City Academy, 2015 | MICDS, 2021 | Howard University, 2025
“My time at City Academy helped lay the foundation for how I present myself and develop fundamental skills.”
Najaah Muhammad’s journey from City Academy to Howard University exemplifies the school’s transformative impact on students. Her experience showcases City Academy’s multifaceted approach to education, extending beyond academic rigor to include character development and communication skills.
Najaah credits the school for laying the groundwork for her future, from preparing her for challenging job interviews to inspiring her academic pursuit of a Law Degree at Howard University. Through setbacks and challenges, City Academy instilled in her valuable skills like resilience and time management. Najaah’s ultimate aspiration is to give back, ensuring that children of all circumstances receive empowering, equitable education, much like the one she cherished at City Academy
Jadin Redmond
City Academy, 2017 | Saint Louis Priory School, 2023 | Florida Institute of Technology, 2027
“I believe that everyone benefits from engaging in the community and sharing resources and time with those that are in need.”
Now in his freshman year at the Florida Institute of Technology, Jadin Redmond fondly reflects on his pivotal years at City Academy. Here, he nurtured a lifelong passion for music, kindled by early lessons in violin. Despite initial challenges, Jadin embraced the principle of perseverance — a lesson he rigorously applies in both academics and musical undertakings.
Devoted to his community, Jadin’s extensive volunteer work at City Academy included aiding teachers and mentoring younger students. He recently completed an innovative robotics project for Mr. Taylor, City Academy Science Teacher, aimed at inspiring young minds to explore the boundaries of creativity. Jadin is majoring in Aeronautical Science with Flight and working towards becoming a Commercial Pilot.
Verselé Shaw
City Academy, 2017 | Crossroads College Preparatory School, 2023 | Wittenberg University, 2027
“City Academy gave me the ability to learn my independence but also taught me that it is okay to ask for help.”
At City Academy’s most recent 6th Grade Graduation, alumna Verselé Shaw was invited to speak and she touched on how much the school’s pledge to “be my best” meant to her. “Not only have you all given your best to this school, but in return City Academy has given their best to you as well,” she said. “By giving you teachers that have motivated you to do better and supported you when you’ve made a mistake and by not judging your creativity and instead hanging it up in the hallways.”
Verselé is now a sophomore at Wittenburg University in Ohio where she is double majoring in sports management and computer science, with a minor in pre-law. She said Don Danforth, Nikki Doughty and Jen Glassmeyer are people she can still turn to whenever she needs advice or words of encouragement.
Michael Strawbridge
City Academy, 2009 | John Burroughs School, 2015 | Beloit College, 2019, Rutgers University, 2024
“City Academy trained me to know my worth and to know what I could bring to the table and never lose sight of that.”
Michael Strawbridge vividly recalls the opening of City Academy’s new campus and compares it to his own transformative journey. After graduating from City Academy, he attended John Burroughs School, excelling as a three-sport athlete and serving as Chief Justice of the student court. His formative years at City Academy instilled in him the confidence to thrive at Burroughs.
Michael later attended Beloit College, where he was a double major in Political Science and Media Studies, and is currently pursuing a PhD at Rutgers University. With aspirations of teaching and entering politics, he credits City Academy for shaping his self-worth and ambition. Michael also highlights his mother’s ongoing commitment to City Academy, exemplifying the deep-rooted community engagement the institution inspires.
Shawn Williams
City Academy, 2007 | Whitfield School, 2013 | Texas Christian University, 2017 | St. Louis University School of Law, 2020
“City Academy instilled in me that I can be my best by doing my best in everything I do.”
One City Academy memory that still brings Shawn Williams joy is taking part in a STAGES production that pushed her outside of her comfort zone. Shawn says her City Academy teachers held her and her peers to a high standard, because they knew they could do better. “I believe my education at City Academy was vital to my success in secondary school and beyond,” Shawn says. “I was able to learn in a conducive environment that encouraged questions and provided guidance/encouragement when needed.”
Shawn currently works at SSM Health as an attorney in their legal department and enjoys mentoring others in the legal field. She participated in several of the alumni programs City Academy offered and wants to thank Nikki Doughty for always keeping in touch with her and providing her with networking opportunities. “She went above and beyond for the alumni, and I will always be grateful for that,” Shawn says.
Christion Wynn
City Academy, 2015 | John Burroughs School, 2021 | University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2025
“The environment at City Academy cultivated my math skills and I fell in love with it.”
Labeled by his classmates as the “human calculator” Christion Wynn can easily multiply three-digit figures with lightning speed. Those skills earned him a 35 in math on the ACT and a significant merit scholarship to the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he is currently studying Chemistry and plans to go on to medical school.
Christion credits his City Academy Science Teacher, Mr. Taylor, for instilling in him a love and passion for chemistry. “Every single class he would show off something cool about chemistry and give us something to be excited about.”
Outside the classroom, Christion just wants to be a force for positivity in the world. He expressed that message in his speech at City Academy’s 2022
Graduation. “I want to be someone that people can look up to — someone that motivates people,” he says. “That’s really big for me.”