by Miranda Eby | May 1, 2026 | Alumni Spotlight
From Cristo Rey St. Martin classrooms to competitive careers in finance, these alumni are turning opportunity into impact. The Greenwood Project, founded in 2016, creates career pathways in financial services for Black and Latinx college students. Through rigorous training, scholars develop the technical and professional skills needed to succeed in finance. The program then partners with leading companies to place students in highly competitive summer internships across the country, with more than 70 percent of participants going on to work in the financial services industry.
Several Cristo Rey St. Martin alumni are part of this impactful program. Christopher Cervantes & Karen Mijango (Class of 2024), Kedar Cortes & Christian Flores (Class of 2025), Armando Gonzalez (Class of 2022), and Christian Pasillas (Class of 2023) have each been selected through a competitive process that includes resume screening, an AI video interview, and an aptitude assessment.
Their involvement in the Greenwood Project reflects their strong work ethic and ambition. As participants, they are gaining valuable experience, building professional networks, and preparing for successful careers while proudly representing the CRSM community. We are incredibly proud of these students for earning this opportunity and for the way they continue to represent Cristo Rey St. Martin with excellence, determination, and integrity.
by Miranda Eby | May 1, 2026 | Academic, Campus Ministry, School News
From castles to cathedrals, a journey across Spain became a life-changing experience for Patricia Ferrer, one of our Spanish teachers, who participated in a pilgrimage retracing the path of St. Ignatius of Loyola this semester. Traveling from Azpeitia to Barcelona, she followed the route that shaped his spiritual transformation and legacy as the founder of the Jesuits.
“Following in his footsteps has been one of the greatest gifts I have been given lately, and one of my best experiences so far,” Ferrer shared.
The pilgrimage included visits to key locations in the life of “San Ignacio,” beginning at Loyola Castle and continuing to Pamplona, where Ignatius was injured and began his conversion to a life of faith. The group also visited the castle of St. Francis Xavier, as well as Montserrat, Manresa, and Barcelona.
Ferrer joined the pilgrimage at the invitation of Loyola Academy High School in Wilmette, with support from President Preston Kendall. The group included 11 members of the Loyola Academy community and a guest from Christ the King Jesuit College Prep. “I feel absolutely privileged, not only for the opportunity to visit these landmarks, but also for the group of people I went with,” she said.
Among many highlights, three places stood out. In Montserrat, where Ignatius laid down his sword before the Black Madonna, she found peace and hope. In Manresa, at the Cave of St. Ignatius, she experienced a meaningful Mass and reflected on the origins of the Spiritual Exercises. In Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia exceeded expectations, offering a space that “naturally invites you to reflect and pray.”
“I will always be grateful for this wonderful experience,” Ferrer said, noting that the shared moments and even the meals made the journey unforgettable.
by Miranda Eby | May 1, 2026 | School News, Student Life
The drama club’s recent production of Mean Girls: The Musical High School Edition proved to be far more than just a high-energy, crowd-pleasing performance. It became a testament to resilience, teamwork, and community impact.
Staged over three nights on April 16, 17, and 18, the show brought together more than 75 students across cast and crew, each contributing to a production that was as ambitious as it was entertaining. Adapted from the iconic film, the musical captured the sharp humor, memorable characters, and important themes of identity and belonging that audiences have come to love. From the vibrant choreography to the confident vocal performances, it was clear that months of preparation had paid off.
What set this production apart, however, was not just what happened on stage but also what happened offstage.
On April 17, severe weather struck, and a tornado warning forced everyone in attendance to shelter in place. While many events would have been canceled under such circumstances, the cast and crew remained calm, organized, and ready. Once it was safe, they continued the performance, demonstrating remarkable composure and dedication. Their ability to adapt in a moment of uncertainty highlighted not only their professionalism but also the strong sense of unity within the group.
Beyond the performances themselves, the production also made a meaningful impact on the broader community. Instead of ticket sales, the cast and crew requested donations dedicated to supporting House of Peace, a domestic violence shelter in Waukegan. Through their efforts, the drama club raised $400, turning their artistic work into a contribution that will help others in need.
In the end, Mean Girls: The Musical High School Edition was more than a school production. It was a powerful example of student talent, perseverance in the face of challenges, and a commitment to making a difference.
by Miranda Eby | May 1, 2026 | Alumni Spotlight, CWSP, School News
What does the future look like when students get to learn directly from those already living it? On April 7, 2026, CRSM hosted its Career Conversations event, made even more meaningful by the presence of alumni who returned to support and inspire current students. Their participation highlights the lasting impact of the Corporate Work Study Program and the strength of the CRSM community.
Marco Toledo, a member of the Class of 2019, now works at Emerson in content marketing. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “You don’t have to have everything figured out right now. What matters is staying open, gaining experience, and taking advantage of the opportunities in front of you.”
Yisel Acosta, also a 2019 graduate and now an Account Development Representative at Sherwin-Williams, spoke candidly about her experience. “When I was in high school, I didn’t know what I wanted,” she said. “But now, with experience in the field, I hope I can help current students see themselves in a future career.”
Both alumni emphasized how meaningful it was to return. Yisel shared that coming back felt like a full circle moment and an opportunity to give back to students who are now in the same position she once was.
In addition to Marco and Yisel, CRSM was proud to welcome back alumni Ada Rios, Ana Palomo, Heriberto Alcaide, Jessica Luvianos, Kasandra Camarena, and Vanessa Bahena, who also volunteered their time to support students during the event.
The event also brought together professionals from a wide range of respected organizations across healthcare, marketing, IT, logistics, manufacturing, education, and public service. These volunteers generously shared their time, experiences, and advice, helping students better understand the many paths available to them after high school.
Through CWSP and experiences like Career Conversations, students can connect with professionals who once walked the same halls and with partners who actively support their growth. As David Ortega, Senior Project Manager at JGMA, shared with students, “You don’t need to have everything figured out right now. Careers grow and change as you do. Follow what interests you, even if it’s just a small spark. That’s often where the best opportunities start.” He also emphasized the importance of teamwork and staying open to learning, noting that every experience, including mistakes, helps build toward future success. He hopes students see careers in design, engineering, and construction as opportunities to be creative, take on meaningful challenges, and shape the world around them.
We are grateful to all of our alumni, business partners, and volunteers for investing in the next generation of CRSM students.
by Miranda Eby | May 1, 2026 | Development, School News
Changing the trajectory of a student’s life is not just a mission at Cristo Rey St. Martin, it is a reality that supporters like Kelly McNamara Corley have helped bring to life. Since 2011, Kelly McNamara Corley has been a steadfast supporter of Cristo Rey St. Martin, serving as an employer partner, board member (2013–2022), and Board Chair from 2019 through the end of her term. A generous donor and this year’s Founders’ Dinner sponsor, we are deeply grateful for her years of leadership, philanthropy, and advocacy for our students.
Her journey began at Discover Financial Services, where she helped launch what grew into a strong Corporate Work Study partnership.
“We brought in one student to our legal department, and that was the beginning,” Corley shared. “It became a meaningful experience not just for the students, but for our entire team.”
Through her involvement, Corley witnessed firsthand the power of the Cristo Rey model to transform lives.
“The idea of changing the trajectory of someone’s life through education and opportunity is what drew me in, and it’s what keeps me involved.”
One standout moment came when CRSM students were asked to present to Discover’s senior leadership on how the company might approach social media, which was still a new and evolving space at the time.
“We thought it would be a fun project and weren’t sure what to expect,” she recalled. “But they blew our socks off.”
Students delivered thoughtful, strategic ideas on how Discover could use social media to reach new customers and improve service.
“I remember looking around the room and seeing everyone’s jaws drop,” Corley said. “The quality of their thinking and the confidence of their presentation completely changed our expectations of what high school students can do.”
For Corley, both the outcomes and the relationships have left a lasting impression.
“You see students go on to college, into meaningful careers, and give back to their communities. That’s real impact.”
Even after completing her board service, she continues to support CRSM and encourages others to stay connected.
“There are so many ways to get involved, through giving, volunteering, or simply showing up,” she said. “And meeting the students firsthand is a gift you shouldn’t miss.”
We thank Kelly for her extraordinary commitment to CRSM and for the many ways she continues to champion our mission.
