This Valedictorian Went From Speaking Little English To Top Of His Class
Rafael Galarza, who is graduating from elementary school in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, credits his immigrant mother for his success.

WBEZ has been checking in with students, parents and teachers about how life and learning is going during the COVID-19 school shutdown.
WBEZ has been checking in with students, parents and teachers about how life and learning is going during the COVID-19 school shutdown.
Rafael Galarza, who is graduating from elementary school in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, credits his immigrant mother for his success.
As part of WBEZ’s #ChiGradWeek, first-in-the-family grads share the triumph and heartache of graduating online amid protests and a pandemic.
Allure Dyer didn’t think she was “capable of learning a lot of things.” Now, she’s valedictorian and says her school helped her blossom.
Anuoluwapo “Anu” Solola wants to show other young women that they, too, belong in the sciences.
Two DePaul graduates in comedy writing who’ve suffered losses hope to make their classmates laugh during their virtual commencement speech.
After years of speech therapy and overcoming bullying, Eileen Limon earned the top honor at her Chicago high school.
Local teachers, parents and students share what they’re doing during the COVID-19 school shutdown as part of WBEZ’s Schools Out series.
Local teachers, parents and students share what they’re doing during the COVID-19 school shutdown as part of WBEZ’s Schools Out series.
Local teachers, parents and students share what they’re doing during the COVID-19 school shutdown as part of WBEZ’s Schools Out series.
Local teachers, parents and students share what they’re doing during the COVID-19 school shutdown as part of WBEZ’s Schools Out series.
Local teachers, parents and students share what they’re doing during the COVID-19 school shutdown as part of WBEZ’s Schools Out series.
Local teachers, parents and students share what they’re doing during the COVID-19 school shutdown as part of WBEZ’s Schools Out series.
Local teachers, parents and students share what they’re doing during the COVID-19 school shutdown as part of WBEZ’s Schools Out series.