A multigenerational dance squad take to the floor with the Wildcat mascot at the first annual Wildcat Classic. HWH / Isreal Wilson
Thornton alumni used school spirit to deepen Harvey pride. Last month’s first-ever Wildcat Classic brought together alumni from various decades to discuss youth mental health while enjoying a riveting basketball game and vivacious cross-class dance team.
Original Queen of Drill Chimeka, a 2007 alumna formerly known as “Chin Chilla Meek,” joined forces with Jason Clark, a class of 2003 alum who’s been spearheading youth programming at Thornton for a few years, to plan.
Behind the stage, a bouncy gym with games and a photo activation station was available for parents and “little homies,” said LaRoyce Hawkins of NBC’s “Chicago P.D.”, who hosted the event. Hawkins graduated from Thornton in 2006.
Here’s a look at the 2023 Wildcat Classic, through photos.
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The purple and white teams face off in the first round of the basketball tournament. Alum such as three-sport athlete and former National Football League player Tai Streets (pictured on the court in a purple jersey, number “34”) of the class of 1995 returned. The purple team prevailed to the next round. HWH / Isreal Wilson
Class of 2006 alum LaRoyce Hawkins, of NBC’s “Chicago P.D.” and HBO’s “The South Side” fame, hosted the daylong event. HWH / Isreal Wilson
A Chicago 40+ Double Dutch Club member performs a split during the group’s performance. HWH / Christopher LockridgeD’Quan Applewhite, a 2015 Thornton graduate who played shooting guard on the boys varsity basketball team, drives for a layup. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Computer technology teacher Shannon Allred (pictured left), who’s taught at Thornton for nearly 20 years, smiles with her son (pictured right) during the “MiMental Mindset” panel, sponsored by Mielle Cares of Mielle Organics. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Thornton cheerleaders ask questions during the “MiMental Mindset” panel. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
The family of Keithan Holmes, longtime Thornton basketball coach and father figure, receives a plaque in his honor during the Classic. Holmes abruptly died earlier this year. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Chicago’s 40+ Double Dutch group came through to excite the crowd. The energy prompted some attendees to jump in and showcase their own double dutch skills. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
The white squad was coached by Dixmoor native and Village of Dixmoor Dwayne Tyson trustee (pictured right in a black jersey), who graduated from Thornton in 2003. HWH / Isreal Wilson
Jermel Spells awaits behind the three-point line as a player from the grey team shoots a free throw. HWH / Isreal Wilson
Thornton’s band director (pictured right) plays the saxophone prior to the basketball game. HWH / Isreal WilsonFormer Harvey Boxing Club director, class of 2012 Thornton graduate, and state speech champion Johnny Arrington, a.k.a. “Johnny Blaze,” prepares to shoot a free-throw. HWH / Isreal WilsonAttendees were treated to free food outside. HWH / Christopher LockridgeA young girl plays with oversized Jenga-like game in a play station behind the gymnasium stage for parents and kids. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
The gray team celebrates after winning the inaugural Wildcat Classic tournament. HWH / Isreal Wilson
A vocalist gives a soulful rendition of the national anthem before tip-off. HWH / Isreal Wilson
The 2023 to 2024 Thornton cheerleading squad. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Adam Hollingsworth, also known in Chicago as the famed “Dreadhead Cowboy,” poses with a youngster. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Members of Chicago’s 40+ Double Dutch strike a pose on the staircase outside the gymnasium. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Students and Thornton teachers pose gleefully after the “MiMental Mindset” panel discussion. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Cheerleading alumni from the 2000s and 2010s graduating classes returned to Wildcat Country for the Classic. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Thornton principal Todd Whitaker (pictured in a purple shirt) posts with Mielle Cares staff. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
Students with the My Influence Matters program adorn matching t-shirts. HWH / Christopher Lockridge
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Christopher Lockridge, also known as “Lock,” is a freelance photographer based in Calumet City. He’s a highly sought after multimedia maker versed in event, concert, and sports photography. His portfolio includes work done about Grammy nominated rapper Lil’ Durk, Future, Lil’ Yatchy, G Herbo, Clipse, Robert Glasper, and events such as the Hyde Park Summer Fest.
He’s currently the photographer for the Chicago Sky and production team member for Chicago’s TrueStar Media.
Isreal Wilson is a Chicago-based freelance photographer and production team member at TrueStar Media. He produces dope content, including event photography, videography, virtual reality, graphic design, and music production. In his spare time, the multi-hyphenate is a mixed martial arts student.
Amethyst J. Davis is responsible for spearheading the growth and development of the HWH, including outlining the editorial trajectory and content. She also produces “The Renaissance Letter,” our biweekly email newsletter, edits content, and fact-checks stories prior to publication. Amethyst was an administrator at New York University before launching her journalism career. She was previously a member of the Sounding Board, the community advisory board for Chicago Public Media, which includes WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Amethyst is a 2023 Leader of a New Chicago award recipient, as recognized by the Field Foundation and MacArthur Foundation. She was named to Forbes 30 Under 30.
In 2022, Amethyst was a Casey Fellow with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Black News & Views. She is a sought after speaker on community journalism and has given talks at institutions like DePaul University and the University of Kansas. Amethyst is a regular guest on City Cast Chicago.
She was invited by Harvard University to submit a 2023 and 2024 Nieman Lab prediction. Under her leadership, the HWH has become one of the nation’s most-watched hyperlocal newsrooms. The HWH has received national coverage in publications like Poynter, Harvard University’s Nieman Lab, the National Press Journalism Club Institute, and Editor & Publisher.
A Harvey native, Amethyst is a Brooks Middle School (’11) and Thornton Township High School alum (‘15) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from NYU (BA’19). She is an alumna of the Data and Policy Summer Scholar program at the University of Chicago.
The district will request a 2.9 percent tax increase, and propose district wide strategies to improve low achievement for Black students and students with disabilities.
Enrollment has increased by 44 students in the district, and a new slate of substitute teachers have been approved to address a district-wide teacher shortage.
The Thornton Township High Schools District 205’s student board is aiming to boost student and community engagement through their programming this year. Meanwhile, members are looking to fill a newly vacant seat on the board.
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