During his time at Speer, Gama took full advantage of opportunities to explore his interests and build professional skills. He participated in the Pre-College Psychology Program at the University of Notre Dame, gained hands-on experience through Speer’s Senior Internship Program at the Adler Planetarium, and expanded his career exploration with a Micro-Internship program at Norcon through the Alumni Career Office. While at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Gama stayed connected with his Alumni Success Coach, receiving guidance and support throughout his college journey. Today, he’s thriving in his career as a Project Manager at Waikato, exemplifying the power of persistence, mentorship, and experiential learning.

From the start of her journey at Gary Comer College Prep, Daniya has embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. She first participated in Summer Discovery at Georgetown University, sparking a passion for academic and professional excellence. As a college student, she earned the prestigious Osborn Scholarship, receiving $10,000 annually for four years, and later secured an Unpaid Internship Grant to support a 2023 internship at BNY Mellon through the Alumni Career Office.

Building on these experiences, Daniya became an Ascend Scholar through Management Leaders for Tomorrow (MLT), gaining valuable leadership development and career mentorship. She went on to sharpen their skills as a Summer Market Research Analyst at Stojo, a Summer DEI Consultant at Credera, and now thrives as an Operations Analyst at Bank of New York. Each step reflects her drive and commitment to making an impact in her field.