In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re excited to highlight Kaelyn Andrade, a graduate of CICS Bucktown, who now works at the National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) in Pilsen! As part of the gallery education team, Kaelyn books and leads tours throughout the museum, and contributes to its programming, including providing classroom tours for the current Diá de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit and festivities!
At CICS Bucktown, Kaelyn’s experiences uncovered her greatest passion: art. “My counselor noticed how I always had my sketchbook by my side,” she recalls. “She guided me to apply to a high school with a strong art program, which eventually led me to join a youth initiative that encouraged students to explore art administration. That’s how I landed a summer internship with NMMA and I’ve been there ever since. Without the connections I made at CICS Bucktown, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Recently, Kaelyn graduated from the University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC) with degrees in Art and Art History, and continues to thrive as an artist.
One of Kaelyn's major responsibilities at the museum is organizing their Festival del Niño (Day of the Children) every June. She coordinates performers and partner organizations to create a celebration that offers resources such as health services for children and families. Kaelyn ensures the event is inclusive and accessible, providing ASL translators, quiet spaces, and additional seating. This commitment to community is a value she cultivated at CICS Bucktown.
“I had a hard time making friends growing up, so when I transferred to CICS Bucktown, I joined extracurriculars like student council and a literature club, which helped bring me out of my shell. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunities I had at CICS Bucktown.” Her school experience helped her build a sense of belonging while also cultivating her confidence—cornerstones of CICS Bucktown’s commitment to letting students take the driver’s seat in their learning.
This encouragement gave her the momentum to try something other students hadn’t done at her school before. “I’m Salvadorian, and one summer while visiting El Salvador, I saw a local school in need of essential supplies. When I returned to Bucktown, I wrote a letter to my principal asking to start a fundraiser on this El Salvadorian school’s behalf. With the support of my counselor and Spanish teacher, we organized a campaign that included working with the school in El Salvador and creating an education plan for the school community,” Kaelyn reflects. “As a middle schooler, it was empowering to be entrusted with such responsibility—it boosted my confidence.” As a result of Kaelyn’s fundraiser, the CICS Bucktown community raised $2,000 to purchase new computers for the school in El Salvador!
Today, Kaelyn offers this advice to current students: “Don’t limit yourself. Know that anything is possible, and you’re never too young to make a difference. You don’t have to wait for someone else to succeed before you take your own chance. CICS Bucktown helped me embrace this mindset, and I’m so grateful because it’s been the springboard that’s made me who I am today.”
Images from the National Museum of Mexican Art