Bárbara da Silva (right), a youth development specialist, prepares a dish with Nichols Middle School sixth graders (from left) Saadiq Robinson, Joshua Sawyer and Chloe Pitts at the Youth Organization Umbrella program in Evanston on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
Nichols Middle School eighth graders Dejah Underwood (left) and Madison Jean-Pierre hang out at the Youth Organization Umbrella program in Evanston on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
Nichols Middle School sixth graders (from left) Chloe Pitts, Joshua Sawyer and Saadiq Robinson, make bruschetta at the Youth Organization Umbrella program Dec. 5. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
Nichols Middle School eighth grader Michael Henry decorates a poster at the Youth Organization Umbrella program in Evanston on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
Nichols Middle School sixth grader Chloe Pitts (right) cooks with Bárbara da Silva, a youth development specialist, at the Youth Organization Umbrella program in Evanston on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. | Ryan Pagelow~Sun-Times Media
MORTON GROVE — Beginning next February students at Lincoln Junior High will have access to a new after-school program designed to give them a boost academically, socially and emotionally. “I am thrilled. I can hardly contain myself,” said Quintin Shepherd, superintendent of Skokie-Morton Grove District …