BHS Student Justin Payton Headed to China with the Chicago Urban League

By Delorise Ivy

Bolingbrook High School sophomore Justin Payton has been selected to be part of a group of students who will go to China as part of the Chicago Urban League’s summer Student Mission Trip.

The trip, which will run from June 22 to July 6, will include visits to Beijing and Shanghai. Students will participate in school and government visits, local family visits, social events with local students, and will also tour the art and cultural attractions of China. 

The purpose of the trip is to help students gain a new global perspective of the world and increase their Chinese language skills.  It is hoped that the experience will help students include a global focus as they work on their future career and educational goals. The students will also make new contacts and form lasting connections while exploring China and creating memories.

Weekly homework, workshops, field trips and group dinners are components of the pre-trip curriculum. All activities will cover both African American History and Chinese History along with Chinese language. Other topics will include Chinese philosophy, economic and social development, minority ethnic group development in China, anti-poverty development, environmental conservation and clean/alternative energy development, technology development, China’s foreign relations policy and US-China relations, China’s 5-year plan, Education in China and the operations of the Chinese government.

To apply, students had to respond to essay questions, and provide letters of recommendation and a copy of their most recent report card.  After the review of the application packages, some students were asked to come to the Urban League for an interview, after which the final decisions were made.

Justin is a DuPage County ACT-SO gold medal recipient in Entrepreneurship and will compete at the National ACT-SO competition in Orlando from July 11-14.

He is the son of Mark and Dorletta Payton. Dorletta Payton is Valley View School District 365U’s College and Career Readiness Consultant.