by Miranda Eby | Aug 18, 2025 | School News, Student Life
Eight CRSM students spent a week deep in the northern coniferous forest this summer, returning home with new skills, new confidence, and lifelong friends. Thanks to the generosity of Lake Forest Open Lands, the Center for Conservation Leadership, and the Urban Wilderness Program, students journeyed to Camp Owakonze in Ontario, Canada, for an unforgettable immersion trip.
For most, this was their very first camping experience. Under the guidance of one CRSM adult representative, one Lake Forest Open Lands representative, and two Urban Wilderness Program leaders, students learned how to fish, pitch tents, canoe across Baril Lake, cook over a campfire, and embrace the rare opportunity to unplug from technology and fully connect with nature.
“Something that surprised me about myself was how willing I am to try something new,” shared Juan T., a rising junior. “I tried many new foods and activities, such as canoeing, which I had never done before. It was a great opportunity to do new things.”
Lilly M., a rising senior, reflected: “To the funders of this trip, I would like to say thank you, and please continue to do it. I really enjoyed the detox from technology and social media I got through this experience, as well as the connection with nature. I think others should be able to experience this in the future.”
We are deeply grateful to Lake Forest Open Lands, the Center for Conservation Leadership, and the Urban Wilderness Program for making this experience possible for the second year in a row- not just through financial support, but through their belief in the transformative power of the outdoors. Their partnership ensures CRSM students can explore new horizons, challenge themselves, and discover strengths they never knew they had.
The next Camp Owakonze adventure is planned for Summer 2026, with applications opening this January. We hope this becomes a CRSM tradition for years to come.
by Miranda Eby | Aug 18, 2025 | Development, School News
What began as a chance conversation while waiting for a table at a Florida restaurant has turned into more than a decade of support for Cristo Rey St. Martin from David and Kathleen (Kathy) Kennedy. That meeting led David to connect with CRSM leadership, serve on the Board of Trustees from 2013–2016, and play a key role in the search for a new campus, offering the pivotal idea to “raise the roof” on the former Kmart building that now houses our school.
“We truly believe in helping people especially when it comes to education,” David says, inspired by Cristo Rey founder Father Foley. “The idea is admirable, giving kids who have little, a leg up in the academic and professional world.”
Today, the Kennedys’ ongoing support continues to help CRSM open doors for students to succeed in college, career, and life and we are truly grateful
by Miranda Eby | Aug 18, 2025 | Campus Ministry, School News
When CRSM students gather with peers from across the country, faith comes alive. This summer- eight CRSM delegates, along with our Director of Campus Ministry, Jim Dippold- joined nearly 30 young people from Viatorian schools and parishes in the greater Chicago and Las Vegas areas for the 16th annual Viatorian Youth Congress (VYC). Guided by 12 young adult leaders, participants spent four days deepening their faith, building community, and exploring new ways to serve others in the Viatorian spirit.
As a Catholic school- endorsed by the Clerics of St. Viator, the Sinsinawa Dominicans, and the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus- CRSM is proud to see our students return ready to take on greater leadership roles in Campus Ministry. In the words of Jim Dippold, “It was a wonderful four days to live our faith, to share it with others, and to learn more about opportunities to grow the spiritual life at CRSM, both our life of prayer and our commitment to the work of service and justice.”
by Miranda Eby | Aug 18, 2025 | Academic, School News
This fall, English teacher Kayleigh Wonch reached an exciting milestone in her graduate school journey: she officially earned her Reading Teacher endorsement through the Illinois State Board of Education. Kayleigh is currently completing her Master of Education in Curriculum, Instruction, and Coaching (CIC) at National Louis University, a program she began nearly three years ago. By Winter 2025, she will graduate with her full degree.
Balancing coursework, practicum hours, and clinical requirements with full-time teaching has been no small feat, but Kayleigh was motivated by her desire to grow both as a classroom teacher and as a literacy specialist. “I wanted to deepen my knowledge of reading instruction and intervention while also gaining skills in coaching and curriculum design,” she shared.
The program provided her with hands-on experience assessing and supporting readers, as well as a strong foundation in equitable teaching practices. “I’m grateful for the collaborative professors and peers I’ve learned alongside, even in asynchronous courses,” Kayleigh reflected. “The best part has been seeing a direct connection between what I study and what I do in my classroom every day.”
Congratulations, Kayleigh! We’re proud of your hard work and can’t wait to see the ways you continue to impact students through your learning!
by Miranda Eby | Jul 15, 2025 | President’s Pen
I came across this quote the other day, and it really resonated with me:
“In my travels all over the world, I have come to realize that what distinguishes one child from another is not ability, but access. Access to education, access to opportunity, access to love.”
The quote is attributed to the famous female hip-hop artist Lauryn Hill. In 2008, Rolling Stone magazine named her one of “The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” She has led a tumultuous life and seen a lot of the world. Enough, at least, to gain some profound insight into the human condition, especially when it comes to young people. Regardless of what you think of rappers or Ms. Hill, her words ring true.
Gaining “access” is vital for young people to be able to develop their God-given gifts. That is what Cristo Rey St. Martin is all about. Our model of education opens doors that have been locked for most students from low-income backgrounds. Getting access to a quality education is denied to too many young people. Research shows that students who lack basic math and reading skills are more likely to drop out of high school, are less likely to graduate from college, are incarcerated at higher rates, are more likely to be unemployed, are more likely to enroll in public assistance programs and will make significantly less money than their peers who received quality educations.
Our Principal recently pulled data from the Illinois Report Card showing that the graduation rates for Waukegan and North Chicago public high schools are less than 74%, and fewer than 20% of those graduates enroll in college, let alone ever earn a degree. In contrast, Cristo Rey’s high school graduation rate is 100% and 92% of our graduates enroll in bachelor’s programs, with 70% earning a degree within 6 years.
At CRSM, we are accelerating access through our Corporate Work Study Program. Giving young people a glimpse of what careers might be possible for them if they stay in school and go on to college puts them in the driver’s seat – they can see futures for themselves and a path forward for getting there.
We really underestimate what high school students can contribute to an adult environment because, as a society, we give them so few opportunities to enter those environments and prove themselves. Without our work-study program, our graduation rates and college completion rates would be much lower.
Part of my job is always looking for more work opportunities for our students. Recently, a financial services company told me, “We just don’t do internships. We rely on recruiting on college campuses.” My response was, “Well, then you’ll never have students like ours working at your company because, without the opportunity to work in professional environments while in high school, they will never get to the college campuses you’re recruiting from. You must go upstream and invest in high schoolers if you ever want to hire diverse talent like ours!” Getting access too late is a dream deferred. Too many doors get permanently shut, and options become more limited.
At CRSM, our students walk out our doors after graduation with myriad options for their future. For the last 6 years in a row, every senior has been accepted to a bachelor’s program. Even if they are one of the few who do not enroll, they have the confidence of knowing they have what it takes to get in.
Students receive an additional and incredibly powerful type of access from CRSM: the opportunity to explore what they believe and to experience ways of living out their beliefs in the world. Community service can be a profoundly transformational experience. Sharing your talents to improve the lives of others is rewarding, but it also strengthens your identity as a member of the community, someone who not only belongs but who can make a real difference.
An alum currently in medical school at the University of Wisconsin – Madison recently wrote,
“I’m deeply grateful for my experience at Cristo Rey St. Martin and want to thank the entire community for helping me become who I am today. CRSM laid the foundation for the values I carry with me, instilling in me a strong sense of purpose, faith, and service principles that continue to guide me as I navigate medical school and advocate for underserved communities. Inspired by our patron saint, St. Martin, I strive to use my education and privilege to be a voice for those who are often unheard, especially in healthcare spaces where representation and advocacy are urgently needed. “
Clearly, when a young person obtains access to education, access to opportunity, and access to love, they will find both success and the desire to create similar access for others. There is a sign outside our Campus Ministry office that sums up this idea. It is another quote, but not attributed to anyone (for all I know, our Campus Minister wrote it himself). It is yet another profound insight and another synopsis of what CRSM is all about:
“To live your faith, put love into action, give something back, learn about yourself, explore career possibilities, pursue your passions, build your resume, connect with others, meet new people, learn about your community, have fun with friends, grow your self-confidence, gain leadership skills, show that young people care, feel other people’s needs and respond to them, be generous, work for a better world, make others proud, make a di\erence. It feels good to do good … because that’s the way God created us.”
¡Viva, Cristo Rey!
