Spartans across all divisions explore the wonders of literature throughout their years at Steward. They are also encouraged to make connections between what they read and their own lives. 

Each year, Middle School English Teacher Danny Spiziri assigns his eighth-grade students “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros. The book’s main character, Esperanza Cordero, is a Latina teenage girl newly arrived in one of Chicago’s poorest districts. Through a series of vignettes, Esperanza recounts her time growing up there and the people she shared her life with. 

“One of the main themes in the book is the importance of having a space where one can be who they truly are and have a place to call home,” said Mr. Spiziri. “The book inspired thoughtful classroom discussions about the meaning of ‘home’ and how each of us defines a fulfilling life.”

After reading the book, students spent several weeks building their own dream homes out of cardboard, paper, paint, and (in an homage to Steward’s 2025-26 schoolwide theme of nature) natural materials they foraged from the woods outside of the Bryan Innovation Lab. They also used the Bryan Lab’s Glowforge and 3D laser printers to add technological aspects and designs to their creations. Within each home are symbols and objects that connect to the memoirs that students wrote before constructing their models. 

Madelyn Griffin ’30 designed her home with comfort in mind.

“This is my version of comfy,” she said as she glued cardboard furniture to the floor of her model. “My dream house is a French farmhouse-style home filled with lots of family, cozy ottomans, and tons of windows … I like Vitamin D!” 

Wes Herron ’30 began by sketching his house on paper. He was hard at work building his house when we caught up with him.

“It has a slanted garage and a triangular, centered hood over the front door,” he pointed out. “In the front are four columns and a step leading to the front door.” The facade of the house boasts three dormers, and the inside of Wes’ home includes a living room, sunroom, and spacious kitchen.

“It’s my dream house because I like big houses and the feeling that I can walk through it, but haven’t explored everything,” he said.  

Victoria Sessa ’30 said, “My house includes everything I love and value: spaces for friends to hang out, including a loft area and beanbag chairs.” The beanbag chairs are made of bright yellow and orange pompoms, and the roof is fashioned from large popsicle sticks. Inside her house is a tiny green-and-black turtle, a symbol from a childhood memory of looking at turtles with her sister. Her house also includes its own golf course. “That represents the first time that I went golfing,” she said, laughing. “I was not very good at it!” 

If you were to imagine walking up to Greta Craig ’30’s house, you’d first notice a stone pathway leading to it, a charming rabbit statue, and a bunker door. Once inside, you could roam from the hobby room to the living room (complete with a couch, TV, anime-streaming service, and record player). Decorated in purple-and-grey-striped walls, the house includes a black-and-white tiled kitchen floor and a table for two. Greta enjoyed reading “The House on Mango Street” because “the main character was very raw … I could relate to her point of view,” she said. 

Mr. Spiziri’s multi-layered assignment aligns with Steward’s core values of individuality, innovation, and inspiration. 

He said, “This coursework was much more involved than simply reading a book and constructing a cardboard dwelling. As a class, students reflected on Esperanza’s life and the book’s many symbols. They empathized with her, and their personal vignettes about their own lives challenged them to think deeply about identity, resilience, and comfort. I’m proud of our students’ ability to embrace the scope and meaningfulness of this project.”