by Miranda Eby | Feb 28, 2024 | Campus Ministry, School News
In our recent Ash Wednesday Taizé Prayer Service, the melodies and moments of reflection were led by our students, showcasing their leadership and dedication to spiritual enrichment.
During the service CRSM students played music, recited scripture and prayer, and distributed ashes. In addition, students and staff lined up to pray quietly and individually at the cross in the center of the room.
While all of the CRSM students showed devotion and respect during the service, Campus Minister, Jim Dippold, acknowledged two seniors who stood out in particular. Isabel H. and Chris C. both played significant roles in contributing to the service, “they’re phenomenal and generous student leaders in campus ministry and have a beautiful way of helping to lead the spiritual life at CRSM”.
Taizé Prayer, rooted in the traditions of Taizé, France, has been a part of CRSM’s spiritual journey for 15 years. Our students and staff have embraced this tradition with passion and reverence, acknowledging it as an important element of spiritual growth.
As we enter this season of Lent, we pray all of our students, faculty, staff and benefactors will know the sacrifice and peace of our Lord.
by Miranda Eby | Feb 28, 2024 | Alumni Spotlight, CWSP, School News
It wasn’t that long ago that Stephanie Salazar, CRSM ’14; Dominican University ‘18 and Josh Washington, CRSM ’17; Loyola University Chicago ’21, were high school students contemplating their futures. Fast forward to 2024 and you will find Josh working at Discover Financial Services as a Senior Data Science Analyst and Stephanie as a Product Marketing Specialist for Emerson. Last month both alumni spoke to current CRSM sophomores, juniors and seniors about their college experience and their pursuit of a career in business.
Our Lunch & Learn Sessions began in January and are held monthly during the lunch period. Each month focuses on a different profession. CRSM alumni who currently work in that specific occupation reflect on their experiences during and after high school, pursuing a college degree, and beginning their careers. Students are invited to sign up for the session and learn first-hand what it was like to attend college, overcome challenges, discern what to do after college and the necessary skills and steps to take in achieving one’s goals.
Future sessions will focus on Healthcare, Psychology & Mental Health, just to name a few. We can’t think of a better way to allow our students to learn more about all the opportunities that are out there waiting for them to pursue!
by Miranda Eby | Feb 28, 2024 | Academic, School News
We’re thrilled to announce and celebrate the achievements of Alexandra M. and Mya W., who have been selected as Evans Scholars!
The Evans Scholarship is a prestigious honor given to golf caddies who exhibit exceptional academic abilities and also have a commendable caddie track record.
As recipients of the Evans Scholarship, they will receive full tuition and housing support from the Evans Scholarship Foundation, enabling them to pursue their higher education dreams at the college or university of their choice.
“I am beyond excited and grateful for receiving the Evans Scholarship! … I would like to express my gratitude for those who helped me get to where I am today. I couldn’t have done it without the help of the CRSM staff and counselors! This scholarship not only means so much to me but also to my mom. I want to make sure when I leave for college she does not have to worry about the financial burden so this is for her.” -Mya
by Miranda Eby | Feb 28, 2024 | President’s Pen
At CRSM, we are celebrating Lent. How do you celebrate Lent? How do you celebrate a period of the liturgical year that starts with ashes on your forehead and a reminder that, “Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return.”? A priest friend of mine describes Lent as an annual tune-up, a time to take stock and check your alignment with God. Are we focusing on those things that bring us closer to God – people, nature, actions, habits that make us more loving persons – and prioritizing them? The old dust-to-dust refrain is really just a reminder that we have an opportunity in the here and now to use our talents to make a difference in the lives of others. But that time is limited. This earthly part of each of our spiritual journeys has an end. In Latin America, they have a saying when it’s your birthday, “Un año más, un año menos.” One year more, one year less. Ouch!
Back to celebrating… Our Ash Wednesday service followed a Taize prayer structure that originated in 1940 in Occupied France. It is a combination of repetitive, almost mantric songs interspersed with scripture readings, petitions, and prayers. Just before the final song, there is a five-minute period of complete silence. FIVE MINUTES! Have you ever tried to sit still and silent for that long? How about in a large cafeteria with 419 students and 60 or so faculty and staff? Sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Miracle or not, the entire CRSM community sat together in just such an extended period of silence without fidgeting, without nervous coughing, or clearing of throats. There was something mesmerizing about it. We were all connected to one another in the pure quiet. The quietness was its own kind of presence among us, a strong feeling we were all part of something much bigger than any of us. When the first note of the last song was struck, I swear there was a collective desire for the silence to just keep going.
What does it say about our students that they can pull this off – to be so reverent and contemplative? I truly believe our young people hunger for instances like this when we can slow down, disengage from our devices, and seek peace. I also think it says much about the sense of community and belonging we work so hard to build at CRSM. When we talk about practicing cura personalis (care for the individual) and being “persons for others” and striving for collective success and being committed to justice, we are really sending an overt message that we recognize students as spiritual beings and encourage them to make the most of their human experience – for themselves and others.
Our students know how to seize an opportunity. What makes CRSM so different from the other schools in our area is that everyone wants to be here. Who wouldn’t?
- Our students are going places. With college acceptances still coming in, 100% of the Class of 2024 have already been accepted to at least one Bachelor’s program. That’s the fifth class in a row!
- Our students are making a difference. Weekly community service trips to the food bank and soup kitchen continue while another group of students starting a Big Sisters/Big Brothers program at a local grade school.
- Our students will build a better world. A panel of three alumni were in this week talking about careers in Healthcare: one was a Physical Therapist, one was a Registered Nurse, and the third is starting Medical School in the fall.
As I watched our students file back to class this past Ash Wednesday with smudges on their foreheads, I was reminded of a quote from Carl Sagan, “…the nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.” And we are on our way to becoming new stars. What a privilege it is to spend time among them – they are stars reaching for the stars! That’s a Lenten celebration to be sure.
by Miranda Eby | Feb 28, 2024 | CWSP, School News
“The students are such an impressive bunch of people- I am amazed at how prepared and motivated they are. They have so much talent to offer,” says Catherine Sazdanoff, a volunteer of almost 10 years, about our students.
Since 2014, Catherine Sazdanoff has been a committed volunteer with our Corporate Work Study Program. She has participated in almost all the events we offer throughout the year from student bus drop-off volunteering, to speed networking, and our professional development days. Catherine enjoys coming back and volunteering at CRSM because it’s “rewarding for [her]”, and beneficial for the students.
Catherine speaks highly of the synergetic nature of the CRSM volunteer events by stating how “it’s a real collaborative experience”, and an overall “great experience because the CRSM staff and students create a very supportive environment” for the volunteers, and ultimately one another.
Catherine recalls a time during one of her bus volunteering mornings, (when volunteers accompany students to their Corporate Work Study jobs on the first day of school), in which “students were helping one another get to where they needed to be.” She could not believe how supportive and encouraging the students were to one another, and how they were helping each other through this often scary experience, alongside her as the bus volunteer.
Catherine Sazdanoff’s decade-long dedication to our Corporate Work Study Program epitomizes the heart of volunteerism. Her admiration for our students shines through her words, reflecting their remarkable preparedness, motivation, and abundant talent. Thank you Catherine for your commitment, you are truly an angel among us!
