PEAK Senior Lunches with Chicago Influencers

We are continually grateful to our volunteer mentors for opening so many doors for their mentees. One senior PEAK scholar, Ernie, attended a luncheon at the Chicago Commonwealth Club as a guest of his mentor, Fred O'Connor. Ernie met former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and many Chicago businessmen and businesswomen. The afternoon was spent discussing education and the state of Chicago. Ernie got the chance to hear about proposed solutions and calls to action, as well as how influential Chicagoans value education.

As Ernie prepares to graduate from Holy Trinity High School and pursue higher education, this lunch served to reinforce the importance of becoming a lifelong learner and investing in one's community.

From left to right: Fred O'Connor, Ernie Chavez, Arne Duncan, and Bob Thomas.