Lindblom’s Generation of eXcellence on Display at ISM 

By J. Coyden Palmer January 27, 2023

One of the most successful high schools in Chicago is being highlighted in a new exhibition at the Illinois State Museum (ISM). Chicago’s Robert Lindblom Technical High School (now called the Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy) has for generations produced successful graduates and leaders in the African American and Hispanic communities. The ISM shines a spotlight on the Generation X student population with the opening of its new exhibition, Growing Up X, on Saturday January 28th.

A unique feature of the exhibition is a section called “A Generation of eXcellence,” which looks at the Gen X high school experience through the lens of Lindblom. Memorabilia and recollections from Lindblom alumni shed light on what it was like to attend the selective-enrollment high school.

Karen Fitzpatrick is an alum of Lindblom and until last year served as an assistant principal at the school. Having the school showcased at ISM is a big deal for the alumni base and current students, who will be traveling to the museum in March as part of “Lindblom Day.”

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to showcase what many Lindblom students knew along, which is the excellence that Lindblom has had through the years,” Fitzpatrick said.

Lindblom celebrated its centennial in 2019. Some of its most famous alums are Cheryl Burton from ABC Channel 7, Hall of Fame house music D.J. Steve “Silk” Hurley, track & field star Shamier Little, comedian Damon Williams and legendary journalist Ethel Payne.

However, the school is most noted for its academic programs. Lindblom is currently ranked as the 22nd best high school in Illinois and in the top three percent of schools nationwide, according to U.S. News and World Report.

“Lindblom, ever since it opened in 1919, has always had a storied history when it comes to math and science disciplines,” Fitzpatrick said. “Sometimes there are lot of things that come out of the city that might not be positive. Having the state museum taking the time to recognize Lindblom’s culture and history, I think can do a lot to enlighten visitors to the exhibit from both inside and outside of Illinois. There is a lot of positivity in Englewood, Chicago and our Chicago Public Schools that is often, unfortunately, overlooked.”

Fitzpatrick is optimistic that the positive vibes from the exhibit will further translate into more funding to help with STEM education programs at Lindblom, which in recent years have been vital to the school’s success.

Alisha Roberts Novak is another successful alum of Lindblom and was one the persons responsible for spearheading the campaign to have Lindblom included in the exhibit. Novak said this legacy project is important as the American experience is currently being narrated by falsehoods in many states and there are attempts to erase the African American experience in places like Florida.

“When I first was approached about the project to tell my story, I thought I couldn’t tell my story without telling everyone else’s,” Novak began. “I suggested that we be able to tell a story during that time period on what my experience had been growing up as a Gen X’er and attending such a prestigious school. I believe that time between adolescence and adulthood is important for African Americans to have their story told with the challenges the face, the lifelong friends they meet and the experiences they share.”

Lindblom alum from many generations were able to help curate the exhibit by contributing photos, videos and sharing their oral stories. Lindblom’s “Boom Generation,” as they are affectionately called, are the generation of students in the 70’s and early 80’s when the student population became predominately African American. Most of those in that generation became wildly successful in their careers and serve as mentors for the current Black and Hispanic student population.

“The one thing about being a Lindblom Eagle is that we were taught within our traditions that we were always supposed to come back and make the next generation better,” Novak said. “So, the “Booms” to us were like the coolest cats on the planet and they were the ones who started many of the traditions that still are there today. They started a lot of the social groups that led to people going into Black fraternities and sororities. They came back not only to visit on career day, but they also came back as administrators and teachers to give back to the school and community as a whole. It is a very close-knit community, which is why people often refer to us as “A Cult.”   

“Growing Up X” is on display at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield from Jan. 28, 2023, through Sept. 4, 2023. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The ISM agreed to make the exhibit mobile as well and Novak and others associated with the project are hoping to raise enough funds to bring it to Chicago after it closes in Springfield in the fall.