ALINA BALLARD
Chicago, IL 60657 ✹ 312-576-4961 ✸ alinaballard2@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Latin School of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60610 (2022-present)
Class of 2026
- Coursework: Honors Physics, Honors Chemistry, Honors Biology, Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors U.S. History, Independent Study: Hip Hop Dance
- AP Coursework: AP Stats, AP Calculus
- GPA: 3.8 (un-weighted)
- ACT Score: 33
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Columbia University: Empowering Change - An Introduction to Social
Entrepreneurship (Summer 2023)
- Attended two-week entrepreneurial course exploring intersection of business and social impact
- Examined how social entrepreneurship drives sustainable solutions to global challenges through case studies, debates and hands-0n projects focused on people, the planet, and profit
- Final Project: Carbon footprint tracking watch
Harvard University Summer Academies: Business Entrepreneurship
(Summer 2023)
- Participated in an entrepreneurship course focused on launching and scaling startups
- Developed business plan, conducted market research and crafted investor pitch for new venture
- Engaged in hands-on activities and case studies led by Harvard student instructors
- Strengthened financial literacy, analytical thinking and communication skills
Harvard University Summer Academies: Business Management and Strategy
(Summer 2023)
- Explored real-world business challenges
- Acted as consultant and analyzed corporate data, evaluated financial statements, and proposed strategic solutions
- Gained insight into mergers and acquisitions, pricing strategies, and business performance and market expansion through case studies
Indiana University - Kelley School of Business: Women’s Business Leadership Institute (Summer 2024)
- Selected to attend business course exploring real-world case studies
- Engaged in workshops led by Indiana University faculty
- Collaborated with peers to develop leadership and communication skills through interactive projects and alumni networking
Georgetown University: Law Academy (Summer 2024)
- Participated in an intensive pre-law course exploring the foundations of the American legal system
- Studied constitutional law, juvenile justice, and Supreme Court controversies
- Gained insight into how legal principles evolve and how justice is administered in a changing society through lectures, debates, and case analysis
HONORS AND AWARDS
- National Spanish Exam, Bronze Medal (2022)
- All-State (6th place), Illinois High School Athletic Association: Track and Field / High Jump (2025)
- State Qualifier, Illinois High School Athletic Association: Track and Field High Jump (2023, 2024, 2025)
- State Qualifier, Illinois High School Athletic Association: Cross Country (2023, 2024)
- All-Sectional Champion, Illinois High School Athletic Association: Track and Field/High Jump (2023, 2024, 2025)
- All-Conference Champion, Illinois Independent School League: Track and Field / High Jump (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Track and Field Team Captain (2026 season)
- Latin School of Chicago School Record Holder High Jump/Track and Field(2023, 2024, 2025)
- Published in “ECCO” Art Magazine: Monochromatic acrylic self-portrait painting, “Between the Shadows” (2024)
- Most Improved: Track and Field (2023)
ATHLETICS
Track and Field (2023, 2024, 2025)
- All-State, Illinois High School Athletic Association - 6th place (2025)
- State Qualifier, Illinois High School Athletic Association - top 16 (2023 2024, 2025)
- All-Sectional Champion, Illinois High School Athletic Association (2023, 2024, 2025)
- All-Conference Champion, Illinois Independent School League (2023, 2024, 2025)
- School record holder in high jump, Latin School of Chicago (2023, 2024, 2025)
- Most Improved Award, Latin Track and Field (2023)
Cross Country (2023, 2024)
- State Qualifier, Illinois High School Athletic Association (2023, 2024)
Basketball (2022, 2023)
Volleyball (2022)
ACTIVITIES / CLUBS
Females in Finance Club, Latin School of Chicago (2024-present)
- Discussed stock market, management of personal finances, and weekly financial news reports
- Attended female-led business seminars
Latin Marketing Club, Latin School of Chicago (2023-present)
- Discussed useful marketing strategies being utilized in the business world by looking at familiar brands
Roman Ambassador, Latin School of Chicago (2022-Present)
- Selected to represent Latin and lead campus tours for prospective new students and parents
- Participated on student panels and presentations for new students and their families describing community, academic, and extracurricular offerings at Latin
- Hosted accepted incoming freshmen for student shadowing experiences
Roman-2-Roman Student Mentor, Latin School of Chicago (2022-Present)
- Provided mentorship and support for incoming Latin high school freshmen
- Weekly check-ins to help new students acclimate to high school
Bread Club (Founder/C0-President), Latin School of Chicago (2023-present)
- Taught members the proper way to make a variety of breads
- Sold bread and donated profits to local food pantries
Mental Health Alliance, Latin School of Chicago (2022-present)
- Developed ways to support mental health outreach at school
- Distributed handmade inspirational cards to community
Women’s Medical Problem-Solving Scholars (2023-present)
- Collaborated on solving problems presented by club heads
Dance Company (2025-present)
- Choreographed modern and hip hop dance numbers
- Prepared for and performed at winter and spring dance shows
WORK EXPERIENCE
Scooter’s Frozen Custard: Server / Cashier, Chicago, Illinois (2024-Present)
- Responsible for taking customer orders and operating cash register and receiving payments
- Engaged with customers of all ages in a fast-paced environment to provide friendly customer service
- Operated frozen custard serving equipment to create a variety of custard creations
- Responsible for maintaining cleanliness in food service areas
Bilgola Beachwear: Marketing Director, Chicago, IL (2023-2025)
- Assisted with profit growth by designing social media ads
- Collaborated with owner on advertising strategies to grow business
VOLUNTEERING / COMMUNITY SERVICE
Teen Leadership Corps at The Honeycomb Project: Teen Leader, Chicago, IL
(2017-Present)
https://www.thehoneycombproject.org/volunteer
- Community and Neighborhood Service Projects
- Ravenswood Community Pantry
- St. Sabina Food Pantry
- Our Lady of Angels Free Store
- Holiday Heroes - Lurie Children’s Hospital
- Shower with Dignity
- Build Better Classrooms for Chicago Public Schools
- Nourish Your Neighbors
- Lend a Hand to Lurie Children’s Hospital
- Free Store at Mission of Lady of the Angels
- Environmental Service Projects
- Thaddeus Lechowicz Woods Nature Preserve invasive species removal
- Foster Beach clean up
- 63rd Street Beach clean up
- Palmisano Park: Protect Prairie and Wetland Project
- Honeycomb At-Home Projects
- St. Sabina: Packed and delivered healthy meals
- Deborah’s Place (Chicago women’s shelter): Collected and distributed toiletries and care packages
- Greenhouse Shelter Toy Drive: Collected and distributed holiday gifts to children at the shelter
- Austin Harvest Snack Drive: Collected and distributed non-perishable food items
- Our Lady of the Angels Diaper Drive
- Growing Home Toy Drive: collected personal care items and toys and delivered to women’s and children’s shelter
- Share our Spare: Winter clothing drive and children’s clothing drive
Threads for Compassion, Chicago, IL (2023-Present)
- Self-created service project to help those throughout Chicago who are experiencing hardships
- Paired my love of crocheting with my desire to help those in need by crocheting winter hats for those experiencing homelessness or clothing insecurity
- Distributed over 200 handmade hats in a variety of sizes, patterns and colors to local women’s shelters, St. Sabina’s church (who serves underprivileged communities), Cradles to Crayons, Share Our Spare and local organizations collecting winter items for new refugees to Chicago
- https://www.instagram.com/threads.for.compassion/
The Honeycomb Project: Student Volunteer, Chicago, IL
2017-Present
- Helped local community and neighborhoods by engaging in a variety of family-driven service projects
- The organization partners with over 50 non-profit organizations to build a strong and more connected community through service
- https://www.thehoneycombproject.org/
Nourishing Hope/Lakeview Food Pantry, “Food for Today, Hope for
tomorrow” Chicago, IL (2023-Present)
Cradles to Crayons, Chicago, IL (2022-Present)
- Donated new and gently used clothing items to the Giving Factory
- Quality checked and sorted donated clothing, shoes, winter clothing and other basic essential items for those experiencing clothing insecurity
- Distributed clothing items to local disadvantaged children
- https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/chicago/
The Alex Mandarino Foundation, St. Joseph, Michigan (2017-Present)
- Sponsored, annually, the 5K “Duck Duck Run.” All proceeds are donated and provide funding for research related to the prevention, treatment and cure of neuroblastoma and other pediatric cancers
- Participated and volunteered at annual fundraising events including the “Duck Duck 5K Run”
- https://thealexmandarinofoundation.org/
Independent Service Projects (2020-Present)
- Packaged individual food care packages and delivered to refugees in the community
- Collected and donated gently used clothing, bedding, and winter wear to New Life Church to be distributed to those in need
- Assembled and distributed winter care backpacks for those experiencing homelessness
OTHER SKILLS/ACTIVITIES
- Spanish language proficient
- German and Swedish language, studying
- Latin Dance Company: “Entanglements” Modern Dance Performance
- Latin Dance Company: “Flashbacks” Hip Hop Dance Performance
- Independent Study: Hip Hop Dance
- Painting Studio
- Monochromatic acrylic self portrait, “Between the Shadows,” published in ECCO Art Magazine