Photos: 15th Annual Academy SPS Gala at the Olympic Southside Theater

Guests enjoy food and cocktails during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Chef Crystal Bounds-Howard prepares Mushroom Grit Cakes during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. Bounds-Howard, an alumna of the Academy SPS selected a menu inspired by the Harlem Renaissance for the event. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Emcee Amara Andrews speaks during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Jefferson junior Davonte Townsend speaks during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Emcee Amara Andrews hands the microphone to Dr. Ruth E. White during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Dr. Ruth E. White speaks during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Guests listen during student presentations during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Alvon Reed and LD Kidd perform a tap dance routine during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Washington senior Danny Levy speaks during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

Jefferson junior Martine Niwe speaks during the fifteenth annual Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success Gala at the Olympic Southside Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)