by Miranda Eby | Apr 17, 2025 | CWSP, School News
Cristo Rey St. Martin’s partnership with AbbVie reached new heights during a recent lunch celebration with junior and senior student participants in the AbbVie Mentorship Program. Seven students, along with their mentors Carlos Perez DeJesus and Eric Ruiz, were joined by CRSM work-study staff for an afternoon of connection and reflection.
Students shared how impactful it has been to have mentors as supportive sounding boards. The mentors, most of whom share similar backgrounds with their mentees, have become like older siblings to the students, offering guidance during critical moments of college and career discernment.
The AbbVie Mentorship Program is currently in its pilot year with 23 student participants. It meets 3–4 times per semester, often during workday lunches, and mimics a hybrid workplace with both in-person and virtual connections. This program is designed to enhance communication skills and promote overall personal development.
As our largest corporate partner, AbbVie continues to invest deeply in our students’ futures, and this mentorship program is a powerful extension of that commitment.
by Miranda Eby | Apr 17, 2025 | School News, Student Life
The National Honor Society’s Spring Blood Drive was a success, thanks to the generosity and teamwork of our CRSM community! 20 successful whole blood donations were made out of 29 attempts—a fantastic turnout.
“Giving blood is something simple that I can do to help. It’s a relatively easy thing to do, and there is such a high demand for blood,” said Ms. Partenach, CRSM English and Fine Arts teacher.
NHS extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who played a role: from moving furniture and checking in donors to walking participants back and resetting the space. Special appreciation goes to those who scheduled their donation in advance and to those who stepped up last-minute. Even deferred donors—many of whom were simply too short to meet the height and weight requirements—were appreciated for showing up!
“I want to be a nurse someday, so I am interested in this type of work,” stated CRSM junior, Kendra. “I want to give back and help those in need by giving blood.”
In an email to the CRSM community, NHS shared:
“To put things in perspective: each donation equals about a pint of blood (that’s like two cafeteria milk cartons), and the average transfusion requires about three units. We’ll let you do the math on how many lives were saved—extra credit awaits in your math classes!
Thank you again for making a difference, and we look forward to seeing you at the next drive this fall!”
by Miranda Eby | Apr 17, 2025 | School News
April is National Volunteer Month, and at Cristo Rey St. Martin, we would not be where we are today without our volunteers. That’s why on April 11, 2025, we hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast as a small way to thank the large contributions of all of our volunteers.
At the breakfast, we had representation from all the departments our volunteers help with, including Campus Ministry, Corporate Work Study, College Counseling, Development, AAP, and general frequent volunteers.
CRSM appreciates having the opportunity to honor these individuals, as they give so much time and effort to our students and mission.
“I believe in the CRSM Mission and access to education for all, as well as access to healthcare,” said Dr. Venoncia Bate-Ambras, a CRSM volunteer of 3 years.
Many of our volunteers also come from the organizations we partner with for the Corporate Work Study Program. Tania Bedrosian, a research microbiologist at AbbVie, has mentored our students for about a year. “As a Latina, growing up, I always wished I had someone to mentor and guide me while I was in high school. I am happy to do that for these students and give them guidance.”
At CRSM, our volunteers are more than just helpers— they are mentors, role models, and champions of our mission. Their generosity of spirit and time uplifts our entire community and impacts our students’ lives. We are deeply grateful for their commitment, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.
by Miranda Eby | Apr 17, 2025 | Campus Ministry, School News
Each spring, Cristo Rey St. Martin sophomores step away from their usual routines for a meaningful day of reflection and connection at the Greenbelt Cultural Center. The day-long retreat allows our students to explore their faith, grow in community, and deepen their commitment to justice and service.
Highlights of the retreat included a peaceful prayer walk through the forest preserve trails, creative mug painting, and a fun and thoughtful activity where students acted out their interpretations of Gospel stories.
“It was a peaceful experience and I’m glad I got to grow deeper into my faith with God,” said Sophomore, Kaylee A. “The retreats are new experiences that help me work together with my community. I am able to reflect and have fun with my friends, and also become more involved in CRSM.”
The retreat is an integral part of the student faith formation journey at CRSM, providing space for students to pause, pray, and connect their values with real-world action.
by Miranda Eby | Apr 17, 2025 | Alumni Spotlight, School News
It is a blessing that CRSM alumni can return to campus to share their experiences after graduating. Just before we went on Spring Break on March 21st, Eileen Rodriguez (CRSM ‘23) spoke to our students at Friday’s assembly about her experiences as a first-generation college student at Hope College.
Eileen shared that CRSM was a comforting community for her to rely on, and she is glad to have found a similar level of support at Hope College through her friends and extracurriculars like flag football. She urged current students to do the same once they get to college, emphasizing the importance of a support system when moving to an unfamiliar place.
Eileen iterated what it was like being a first-generation college student surrounded by others who were not. “At CRSM, we’re more similar than students at my school. We’re mostly first-generation and from a low-income background. When I went to college, people thought it was unique and cool that I was a first-generation college student. Just know you are unique in this as well.”
Eilleen expressed how the CRSM community has made her feel valued, encouraging current students to embrace this mindset in all their endeavors. “Know that you’re valuable, and know that you’re worth much more than you think. Honor that in school and yourself. Prioritize yourself, and go forth and set the world on fire,” she concluded, echoing the inspiring words of Principal Dr. Odiotti.
