Introduction to Carolina Carchi’s Story
HUMBOLDT PARK — Carolina Carchi has an accolade to add to her growing list. The Humboldt Park native and college student recently received an award from national nonprofit The Courage Project for stepping up to teach her peers during a time of need at Roberto Clemente Community Academy in Humboldt Park three years ago.
The Courage Project Award
As a 15-year-old high school student, Carchi “showed extraordinary courage by stepping in to teach her classmates when algebra and chemistry teachers left mid-year, ensuring her peers were not left behind,” The Courage Project wrote in announcing her award last week. “She created lessons, provided supplies and kept her classmates on track, drawing attention to critical staffing shortages that have since improved at her school.” Carchi, now 18, took a break from midterms at UIC Monday to speak with Block Club about her award and its impact on her future.
Impact of the Award
“I felt deeply honored knowing that my courage has empowered a difference in the community, and this award is a reflection and a recognition of my efforts,” Carchi said. “Being recognized even after graduating high school reminded me that courage is truly contagious.” Carchi was nominated by a Chicagoan she does not know, she was told by the organization. She is confident a Block Club investigation last year that highlighted her teaching efforts amid staffing shortages is the reason she received the nomination and award, she said.
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Carolina Carchi, a rising senior, shows a photo of her with Mayor Brandon Johnson on Aug. 8, 2024. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
The Award and Its Significance
As part of the award, Carchi received $25,000, which she will donate to the nonprofit Calculated Genius, a local organization that works with young female students of color to explore careers in science, tech, and engineering. “This organization aligns deeply with my values for education, especially in uplifting [Chicago Public Schools] students who aspire for a STEM education,” Carchi said, referencing fields in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
You Are Never Too Young To Create Change
Carchi’s story became known last year when Block Club wrote about the teen teaching her own classes at the neighborhood high school during a teacher shortage. Block Club’s investigation about staffing issues within CPS was nominated for awards and helped Carchi’s story go viral and get college admissions officials to take note of her leadership. Carchi and her classmates went without a permanent algebra teacher for weeks when they were freshmen during the 2021-’22 school year. The substitute teacher didn’t know the subject, so Carchi stepped up to teach the class. She did the same thing her sophomore year after her chemistry teacher left.
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