by Miranda Eby | May 14, 2025 | School News, Student Life
Although CRSM is a very academically driven institution, that doesn’t mean we don’t give students the opportunity to let their creativity shine!
The recent Art Show, held in collaboration with The Ragdale Foundation, was a celebration of artistic expression and student creativity. This year’s event drew remarkable participation, with 53 artists submitting a total of 167 works spanning a wide range of media- including writing, poetry, needlepoint, painting, drawing, and mixed media.
The Art Show has been held annually in the student union for six years running. It has been up during our Founders’ fundraiser for the past six years as well, giving our benefactors the opportunity to admire students’ artwork.
A panel of judges thoughtfully reviewed each piece, ultimately awarding 12 Gold Medals and 15 Honorable Mentions in recognition of outstanding artistry. Among these, three exceptional works received cash prizes.
The show not only emphasized the diversity of CRSM student talent but also reaffirmed the importance of supporting the arts through community partnerships and creative platforms. The Art Show will be up until May 27, 2025. We invite you to come and see our students’ art.
by Miranda Eby | May 14, 2025 | Admission, School News
CRSM’s Class of 2029 will be 105 strong and counting! To acclimate and welcome our incoming freshmen into our community, the Admissions Department hosts a Family Night in the spring for all new students and their families.
This year, 94 families were able to join us on May 8, 2025, for a taco dinner and presentations from the Corporate Work Study Department, Campus Ministry, Academics, and Athletics.
Amongst the presenters that night were CRSM alumni Marjanae Maggett from the class of 2017 and Samantha Bahena from the class of 2017. Maggett is currently a Long Term Substitute Teacher at North Chicago Community Partners, and Bahena is the Consultant Engagement Director at Advanced Resources.
“Being in this community, it’s definitely a miracle what this campus is able to do, not only for the students but for the surrounding community. I cannot say anything but amazing things about Cristo Rey. To put it simply, I would not be in the position I am today if it were not for Cristo Rey,” shared Samantha Bahena in her presentation to the students.
Welcome, CRSM class of 2029! We are looking forward to the next four years with you!
by Miranda Eby | May 14, 2025 | Academic, School News
Our annual College Decision Day celebration is one of the most meaningful traditions at Cristo Rey St. Martin. This event honors the achievements of our senior class as they prepare for the next chapter of their academic journeys.
This year, we are thrilled to share that our seniors have upheld a 100% acceptance rate into a four-year bachelor’s degree program for the sixth consecutive year. Even more exciting, this class has some of the most prestigious college acceptances in CRSM history, including Stanford University, Tufts University, MIT, Yale, University of Chicago, and so many more!
As the Class of 2025 wraps up their final weeks of high school and looks ahead to their collegiate futures, we celebrate their hard work, grit, and ambition with much pride. We wish them every success in this next chapter—and beyond.
by Miranda Eby | May 14, 2025 | Development, School News
CRSM’s 20th Anniversary Founders’ Dinner was truly unforgettable! Over 200 supporters gathered to celebrate our mission and honor our history, with special recognition given to our three endorsing communities, Board Chairman Terry Brady, and CRSM founder Most Reverend George Rassas.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, we raised a record-breaking $947,000 in support of our students’ journeys to college and career success.
Keynote speaker and CRSM’15 alumna Cheyanne Williams reminds us,
“CRSM is proof that access and opportunity can rewrite stories—and create entirely new ones.”
Thank you to everyone who made this milestone possible. Here’s to the next 20 years and beyond!
by Miranda Eby | May 14, 2025 | Campus Ministry, School News
The Northern Illinois Food Bank, also known as NIFB, has been a valued partner of CRSM for many years. We often send groups of students on a monthly basis to volunteer their time packing food for their local food bank, as well as hosting the food drives in our parking lot at least once a year.
NIFB is based out of a warehouse in Lake Forest, IL, and is run primarily by volunteers and only four full-time employees. Our students and staff go every month to pack potatoes, cabbages, and so much more, in order to be people for others within their community.
Now that the school year is coming to an end, the volunteers and employees at NIFB wanted to host a celebratory pizza party just for our student and staff volunteers.
Ralph Mohica, one of the four full-time employees at NIFB, says, “it has always been a pleasure working with Cristo Rey. The students are very hardworking and seem to love coming here. We really appreciate their help and this partnership.”
The students who attend this monthly volunteer excursion are often consistent, with several students volunteering 9 out of the 10 monthly trips, and one senior volunteering all 10 months.
“We love being able to volunteer together and help people in our community,” agreed sophomores Allison and Azul.
CRSM extends its thanks to NIFB for the pizza party and for having our students and staff each month. They are a true community partner and a pillar of the Lake County community!
