Reconnecting at North Phoenix Prep Alumni Sendoff

North Phoenix Prep hosted its second Alumni Sendoff in the academy’s Senior Commons, just before these young adults head back to their respective colleges, universities, or careers. College Counselor Sheila Conner is thrilled to bring this event back this year. “Today is really just a casual reception. Our headmaster will come and say a quick welcome to all of our alums and thank them for their presence here on campus,” said Conner. “But ultimately, this is just about conversation and touching base with all of the faculty and alumni together.”

The event gives alumni a chance to catch up with one another, which seemed to be the appeal for the returning graduates. “We had about 35 students here last time, and I think they really appreciate the opportunity to connect with their old faculty, to know that they’re remembered, to know that they’ll always have a special place in our hearts and at North Phoenix Prep,” shared Conner.

“Starting with the class of 2019 all the way through last year’s grads, alumni will be on campus so we can celebrate their accomplishments, hear some updates on all the exciting things they’re doing outside of North Phoenix Prep, and hopefully, I’ll get to lean in on their experience and learn from them because they have boots on the ground at colleges across the nation, some of them pursuing grad degrees, or they’re already in their careers,” Conner added.

Conner said the most rewarding aspect of her role as a college counselor is reconnecting with the graduates and seeing the amazing things they have gone on to do. “Ultimately, this is about relationships. This is not just transactional, like checking a box and saying, ‘Here’s your journey ahead of you,’” said Conner. “This is all about these connections we’ve made with these kiddos, and it’s super affirming, I think, not just for us, but I’m hopeful also really encouraging for our faculty because they get to see these amazing adults they’ve that they’ve [had the opportunity] to speak into their lives.”

Sam Benavidez, a 2023 Flinn Scholar and graduate studying finance at Arizona State University, expressed his gratitude, saying, “This school has done so much for me, and I want to give back in any way I can. I really appreciate coming here and just seeing the community again, being back with my community where it all started, and so I hope to do that in the future as well.”

Ibrahim Laleka, also from the class of 2023 and currently studying pre-med at St. Louis University in Missouri, shared a similar perspective. “Great Hearts was probably the most transformative. I actually really liked the focus on ideas and philosophy,” said Laleka. He shared that this is his second alumni event at the school, and he enjoys reconnecting.

“It’s been kind of tough for me to find similar relationships and connect with people the same way I have here, not only with the students—like my peers in my class—but also with the teachers,” shared 2024 graduate Yasoa Habbaba. “I’m so grateful that I’m able to have these people in my life who are here for me and care about me, and I don’t want to lose that. That’s why I like coming to these events.” Habbaba is studying medical engineering at ASU on the pre-med track and, over the summer, did a research fellowship at the University of Michigan with the Frankel Cardiovascular Center.

In addition to these informal receptions, alumni also return in the spring for the Alumni Panel, where they talk with current high school students about their journey, their decisions, and the impact that North Phoenix Prep and the Great Hearts experience have had on their lives as adults. This more casual event, however, allows faculty to engage in conversations and hear directly from their former students about their experiences post-graduation.

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