April Cultural Exposure Trips

During April, our students were able to experience two cultural exposure trips.

Northeastern Illinois University
We had an amazing time visiting Northeastern Illinois University, where we got to explore the vibrant campus and dive into all the opportunities it has to offer. We learned about the different career pathways students can pursue, as well as the wide variety of clubs and activities that make campus life so exciting. The best part is that we got a behind-the-scenes look at how to become a student there, with helpful information about the admissions process and what makes the university stand out. We also got to hear all about their diverse academic programs and how they’re designed to support students in reaching their goals and building a bright future!

National Museum of Mexican Art
Our students visited the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, where they explored a variety of exhibits highlighting the richness of Mexican culture, history, and artistic expression. One of the featured exhibitions was “Into the Hourglass: Paño Arte from the Rudy Padilla Collection.”

“Into the Hourglass” is a traveling exhibition from the National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum in Albuquerque. It celebrates paño art — intricate drawings created by incarcerated Chicano Artists on handkerchiefs.The collection touches on powerful themes like prison life (la pinta), family, religion, history, and popular culture, while also encouraging conversations about incarceration in today’s society. Each piece captures a deeply personal story, showing resilience, creativity, and cultural pride under challenging circumstances.

During the field trip, students explored the museum, picked their favorite exhibits, and shared which artworks resonated with them the most. They explained how certain pieces connected to their own life experiences, reflecting thoughtfully on the messages behind the art. The trip allowed students to engage deeply with cultural storytelling, personal identity, and the healing power of creative expression