Some may know, but many don’t. A small group here at Warren Central High School has officially come to its last year. The Class Act and Distinguished Gentlemen clubs have taught many lessons to Warren alumni, and even some members of the class of 2026, over the last 25 years.
“I started this [Class Act] program to prepare young women for life outside of high school,” club sponsor and art teacher LaTonya Mason said.
Over time, the group grew significantly, adding Distinguished Gentlemen a few years later. Typically, many students joined during their sophomore year and just continued until they graduated. This is the first year that all the students involved are seniors.
“I've learned a lot about finance and planning for the future,” senior Samaya Smith said.
These groups were created by Mason to teach young students how to plan for the future, how to manage money, and how to present themselves in front of others.
“I was taught to dress for success while being held to a higher standard than others in the school,” Warren alumnus Xavier Mattox said.
Although some in the group wish it wasn’t ending, many are just enjoying the many activities they have done and the lessons they have learned.
“I enjoyed our field trip going to museums in Chicago and also the art exhibit,” senior Saniah Combs said.
But over time, the group's numbers have become really low, especially within the last four years.
“When I joined my sophomore year, there were 11 of us, but now there’s only four of us,” senior Axel Miranda-Nerio said.
Much of this decline in numbers was due to seniors graduating every year, like the five that left last year, and the group being underrepresented to younger students.
Now, while Mason has prepared for the end of the group, she has also prepared a reunion event this spring to bring together all CADG generations.
“This reunion is important because it’s a way for people to see how the program is now versus how it was back when it started,” Mattox said.
In addition to the alumni getting to see how the group has changed over the years, the current members will also be able to meet those who came before them.
“I want to go so I can meet other alumni and see if what they learned has helped them in their adult life,” Miranda Nerio said.
Many in the group know this wasn’t a club for everybody because it took dedication and time to learn these life skills, which is why it was underrepresented around the school. This group was about actually living out what was being taught in daily life.
“Both groups have been a blessing,” Mason said. “They have allowed me to pour into others as well as witness their growth. Many of them are now mentors and major contributors to the community. These beautiful individuals have been a blessing to me as well, and in many ways we have grown together.”
Although this is the last year, there are still some things around the school that feature similar activities and lessons, such as the Black and Gold Pageant, which will continue even after the program is done. This is a way Mason can continue to help young students become the best versions of themselves.
“Both [CADG and the Black and Gold Pageant] are opportunities for young people to strive for excellence and learn to become the individuals they want to be,” she said. “My job is to help get them there.”