2026 Showcase

Over 300 students spent 6 weeks this summer taking on the challenge of designing solutions around a unifying theme...

introduced by Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Director Community Education Initiative and Global Accessibility at Apple

This showcase celebrates outstanding student projects in app development, video storytelling, and photography, selected through a competitive process.

#ChallengeForChange

YOUTH EMCEES

Mailiese Quiñones

17 from Hermosa
Junior @ Lincoln Park HS
Participant in iOS App Dev hosted at El Centro @ Northeastern Illinois University

Joseph Ortega

19 from South Lawndale
Freshman @ University of Illinois Chicago
Participant in iOS App Dev + Machine Learning program hosted at Kaplan Institute @ Illinois Tech

APPS

56 teams competed | 2 rounds of judging to identify the top 4

StoryBloom
reimagining neurodivergent reading :)

THE CONCEPT

click to view app pitch competition video

THE 'StoryBloom' DEVELOPMENT TEAM
from the SGA Youth & Family Services training location hosted at the Sandbox Lab | Innovation Center @ University of Illinois Chicago

Kylie Risley

19 from Garfield Ridge
Freshman @ Miami University

Karis Eschmann

16 from South Shore
Sophomore @ Jones College Prep

Nancy Rodriguez

22 from West Lawn
MSW @ University of Illinois Chicago

bridge
understanding beyond words

THE CONCEPT

click to view app pitch competition video

THE 'bridge' DEVELOPMENT TEAM
from the SGA Youth & Family Services training location hosted at the Sandbox Lab | Innovation Center @ University of Illinois Chicago

Lucio Delgado Jr.

21 from Hermosa
Junior @ Dominican University

Monica Venancio

19 from West Elsdon
Freshman @ University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign

Giovanni Sosa

23 from Garfield Ridge
High School Graduate

KITE
keyboard inclusion for typing and expression

THE CONCEPT

click to view app pitch competition video

THE 'KITE' DEVELOPMENT TEAM
from the SGA Youth & Family Services / Aspira Illinois training location hosted at Innovation One @ Truman College

Serigne Cisse

20 from Avalon Park
Sophomore @ Harold Washington

Zakaria Uddin

18 from West Ridge
Senior @ Lane Tech HS

DocLog
every symptom has a story. tell it clearly.

THE CONCEPT

click to view app pitch competition video

THE 'DocLog' DEVELOPMENT TEAM
from the SGA Youth & Family Services / Aspira Illinois training location hosted at Innovation One @ Truman College

Krisha Pandey

17 from Edgewater
Senior @ Lane Tech HS

Leo Ripp

18 from North Center
Senior @ Lane Tech HS

Shuaib Noorani

19 from West Ridge
Sophomore @ University of Illinois Chicago

Sajai Solid

19 from East Garfield Park
Freshman @ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS

Sarah Herrlinger

Senior Director Community Education Initiative and Global Accessibility | Apple

Rachel Arfa

Commissioner | Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

Angela J. Green

Commissioner | Chicago Department of Family & Support Services

Connie Rutledge

Vice President & Program Officer for Global Philanthropy | JPMorgan Chase

Shawn L. Jackson, Ph.D.

President | Truman College

Brenda Darden Wilkerson

President & CEO | AnitaB.org

PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ALL

experiencing Chicago through the lens of people with low vision

OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR LENS

a gallery of selected photographs

a gallery of selected artists' work
Myasia Madkins | Issac Souchet

THE 'PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ALL' GROUP
from the Photography For All program in partnership with The Chicago Lighthouse, SGA Youth & Family Services, and Department of Family and Support Services

Myasia Madkins

22 from South Shore
College Graduate

Issac Souchet

19 from Humboldt Park
Freshman @ Wilbur Wright College

YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHERS

Coryon Copeland
18 from South Shore
Senior @ South Shore International College Prep HS
Shadha Ata
19 from East Garfield Park
High School Graduate
Diamond Brown
19 from Chicago Lawn
Freshman @ Clark Atlanta University
Ihlahy-Smamahd Conley
20 from North Lawndale
High School Graduate

Cortreal Beckam Jr.
21 from South Shore
Trade School
Jakwuan Pickens
17 from Near West Side
High School Graduate
Jordan Ruiz McCleary
16 from Near West Side
Sophomore @ ChicagoHS for the Arts
Joshua Thomas
17 from West Pullman
Junior @ Morgan Park HS

SHORT FILMS

19 short films | 2 rounds of judging to identify the top 4

SPOKEN

(click image to view the short film)

THE 'SPOKEN' PRODUCTION TEAM
from the Shifting Chicago Narratives program in partnership with Chicago Public Schools - Career Technical Education @ Clemente HS

Fadulu Oluwafeyisogo

16 from Woodlawn
Junior @ Hyde Park HS

Jacob Lambert

15 from Avondale
Sophomore @ Clemente HS

Tiali Amen

15 from West Garfield Park
Sophomore @ Clemente HS

EVERYBODY EATS

(click image to view the short film)

'EVERYBODY EATS' PRODUCTION TEAM
from the Shifting Chicago Narratives program in partnership with Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council

Pirecua Duarte Lutton

24 from Lower West Side
Senior @ Brown University

Veronica Covarrubias

18 from South Lawndale
Freshman @ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Hetsia Leon

24 from Lower West Side
HS Graduate

Nathan Hammond

24 from Lower West Side
HS Graduate

Edgar Andraus

23 from Lower West Side
College Graduate

Sofia Bondurant

18 from Lower West Side
Freshman @ New England Conservatory

music by Ashley Kim

CAN YOU UNDERSTAND ME?

(click image to view the short film)

THE 'CAN YOU UNDERSTAND ME?' PRODUCTION TEAM
from the Shifting Chicago Narratives program in partnership with Chicago Public Schools - Career Technical Education @ Curie HS

Nakiya Williams

18 from North Lawndale
Senior @ Curie HS

Brianna Moreno

17 from West Lawn
Junior @ Curie HS

Sinciere Lymon

17 from West Lawn
Junior @ Curie HS

Damian Perez

18 from Avondale
Senior @ Disney II Magnet HS

Ximena Muniz-Salazar

17 from Brighton Park
Senior @ Curie HS

OUT OF SIGHT

(click image to view the short film)

THE 'OUT OF SIGHT' PRODUCTION TEAM
from the Shifting Chicago Narratives program in partnership with Chicago Public Schools - Career Technical Education @ Curie HS

Gabriella Holmes

16 from West Englewood
Sophomore @ Curie HS

Joshua Wesley

17 from South Chicago
Junior @ Curie HS

Ayleen Carranza

17 from Chicago Lawn
Junior @ Curie HS

Luis Olivares

16 from Archer Heights
Sophomore @ Curie HS

2026 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
TO GRACEHOPPER CELEBRATION

34 submissions | 4 winners

Arianna Perez
22 from Bridgeport ● Senior @ Illinois Tech

"As a student of Hispanic and Asian heritage, representation is everything. I chose computer engineering to solve real problems, but I also do this to show underrepresented students they belong while also honoring my parents’ sacrifices."

Ariel Tvishor
18 from Lake View ● Incoming Freshman @ Northwestern University

"Engineering is still a field where women are underrepresented, and being surrounded by leaders like Sinead Bovell or Shelmina Abji, individuals doing the work I hope to continue, would give me both the mentorship and the confidence to keep pushing forward."

Lilliana Barcenas
18 from Lincoln Park ● Freshman @ University of Massachusetts - Amherst

"The first time I felt that pressure and negative competition alleviated was during Everyone Can Code as my team consisted of two other girls. Being on that team showed me that I wasn’t alone and allowed me to focus and work to my full potential as I didn't feel the need to walk on eggshells for fear of messing up and getting perceived differently or as less qualified."

Monica Venancio
20 from West Eldson ● Sophomore @ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

"Most importantly, I’ll be entering the Grace Hopper Celebration for the senior-year me who felt like she was behind before she even started. If she saw me now, she’d be amazed at how I didn’t let my inexperience hold me back and instead turned it into a learning opportunity."