by Miranda Eby | Oct 1, 2024 | Alumni Spotlight, CWSP, School News
Good morning, everyone!
My name is Oscar Gonzalez, and I am a proud graduate of Cristo Rey St. Martin, Class
of 2017. I attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and
graduated in 2021. Currently, I work at Abbott as an Accounts Payable Specialist and
serve as an Assistant Soccer Coach for CRSM.
Today, I’m honored to share my journey with the CWSP program and reflect on the
remarkable changes at CRSM over the years. My graduating class was the last to walk
the halls of the old school building. We’ve seen many changes: a new building, a new
soccer field, and thankfully, no more cramped hallways! Speaking of which, that picture
in the hallway of all those crowded students was taken during my freshman year,
capturing many of my classmates.
But what hasn’t changed? I want to share a story from my freshman year in Spanish
class. Mr. Pradas, who still teaches here, imparted a life lesson that stuck with me
throughout high school and college. He asked us, “You have four years of high school
and four years of college. Would you rather work hard for eight years and enjoy an
easier life afterward, or slack off for four years and struggle for 40 years?” Well, Mr.
Pradas, I worked my butt off for eight years, and life is still challenging! Just
kidding—but this lesson is still being told today. My younger brother, who currently
attends CRSM, recently shared the same story from Mr. Pradas. This shows that
despite the new building, the core values of CRSM, the caring teachers and staff, and
the supportive business partners continue to help shape and develop the minds of our
future leaders.
Now, let’s reflect on my CWSP experience. Looking back to summer 2013, I vividly
remember the weeklong CWSP training—working with Microsoft Office, answering
phone calls, and practicing proper handshakes. After that, we took a weekend trip to St.
Mary’s for further training, where I made lasting friendships and memories. Not long
after, I still recall my driver, Maria, and CWSP coordinator, Mr. Chavez, taking me to my
first job at Gewalt Hamilton Associates. I was so nervous that my legs were shaking,
and I told Mr. Chavez, “I don’t think I can do this.” With a few encouraging words, I
walked in and shook my supervisor Mirna’s hand.
During my time at Gewalt Hamilton, I primarily worked with the Accounts Payable team.
Some of my most memorable moments were when Donald Dixon and Patrick Glenn
would stop by my desk to assign me tasks like scanning, printing, and cutting large
blueprints using large, advanced printers. Their patience and guidance were invaluable
during my freshman and sophomore years.
In the summer of 2015, before my junior year, I had the incredible opportunity to attend
Brown University’s summer college program. It was there that I realized how different
my high school experience was compared to many of my peers and how fortunate I was
to be a CRSM student. I received comments like, “That’s great networking!” and “What
valuable work experience!” This perspective transformed my mindset as I entered my
junior-year internship at Discover Financial Services, which was life-changing.
While CWSP and CRSM emphasized the importance of dress code and networking,
DFS reinforced these lessons through various Lunch & Learns. Their professional
culture taught me about effective communication, workplace culture, time management,
and the immense benefits of networking. These skills helped me in building a great
relationship with manager, senior manager, and director which allowed me to take on
more responsibilities and ownership. Additionally, my time at DFS helped me expand
my LinkedIn network at a young age.
Why is this important? Through professionalism, communication, and networking, I was
able to continue interning at DFS throughout college. During winter and summer breaks,
I assisted the AP Team and even worked remotely during my senior year as part of an
internship class. This experience not only enriched my professional background but also
helped me support my parents in paying for college. The money I earned during those
breaks covered my textbooks, school supplies, and more. After college, I was offered a
full-time role at DFS and was part of their CRSM Leadership Team working closely with
the CRSM students.
Recently, I joined the AP Team at Abbott, where I continue to expand my knowledge in
accounts payable and finance. This transition was possible because Abbott recognized
my high school and college work experience. The managers who interviewed me were
familiar with the CWSP program since Abbott is a Business Partner, which helped me
stand out among other applicants.
To wrap up, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to CRSM and the CWSP program. I
am where I am today because of your unwavering support. A special thank you to all
the Business Partners for your partnership and continued support.
by Miranda Eby | Oct 1, 2024 | Academic, School News
At Cristo Rey St. Martin (CRSM), the college preparatory process for Juniors and Seniors begins in the first weeks of school. Our college counselors, Sharon Holdvogt and Ana Aguilar, and their dedicated team of volunteers work hard to prepare our students to search for, apply, and be accepted into college.
Armed with working spreadsheets of different college programs, knowledge from weekly seminars, college visits, and information from college representatives at the college fair, our seniors are ready to apply to college by winter break, thanks to the collective efforts of the college counseling department.
“August through October, we meet with seniors multiple times a month one-on-one. When having these meetings, we like to reassure the students that every workshop is for a purpose and to trust the process. We will end up figuring it out, you’re not in this alone”, said Ana Aguilar.
The process begins in Junior year for our students, where the counseling team lays the groundwork for what’s to come in the application process, and integrates drafting personal statements into English classes. The team also offers a multitude of summer college programs that are accessible and affordable for our students. By the beginning of their Senior year, the students know what’s to come in the college decision process.
Although the process repeats itself every year, the counselors are “in awe every year as the new classes of kids come through. It’s important for us to keep in mind that it’s their first time going through this, and it’s powerful to wit with them and see their excitement and stress going through the process”, reflects Sharon. “We love supporting these students in such a pivotal moment of their lives. Most often it’s not only the student’s dreams to go to college, it’s their parent’s dreams for them too, especially in families where the parents are immigrants and the student is a first-gen college student”, she adds.
Not only do Sharon and Ana assist our students in the college application process, but a group of generous volunteers also comes periodically to help students write their personal statements and supplemental essays, and make sure everything is ready before they officially submit their applications. Jeanie has been volunteering with the department for almost 10 years now and comes in on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the first semester to assist students in writing their college essays.
“Every single student I’ve met with has been motivated and appreciative. They know why they’re here at this school, and the school has done something so right that by the time they are seniors, the students get it and know their role in the college process”, remarks Jeanie. Jeanie also comments on the preparation students receive in their English classes junior year, “I would like to give kudos to the great English teachers at CRSM. I have been impressed in recent years by the high caliber of the student’s writing. Their teachers obviously prepare them well and that makes my job so much easier”.
Cristo Rey St. Martin seniors start and leave prepared for their college journey ahead of them thanks to our college counseling program. Last May, for the fifth year in a row, 100% of our seniors were accepted into a four-year college program, and 97% were accepted into three or more college programs. The numbers speak for themselves, and they are a testament to the dedication, hard work, and support provided by the CRSM community.
by Miranda Eby | Oct 1, 2024 | Academic, School News
Every year, our alumni and college counseling departments at Cristo Rey St. Martin (CRSM) host representatives from various colleges and universities across the country in our gym, to prepare our juniors and seniors for their upcoming applications and college decisions. This year, and for the past couple of years, the fair has taken place at the beginning of the school year in early September. This allows our students, particularly the seniors, to become exposed to different college options early on in the academic year, to prepare them for their upcoming college applications.
The college fair was held on September 12th this year, and approximately 63 colleges and universities were represented, from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, to the University of Denver in Colorado.
Our students prepared beforehand with questions and conversation points for the representatives they were interested in speaking with. “The questions the students have asked have been fantastic. This is one of my favorite college fairs I’ve been to. All of the students I’ve talked to are so professional in how they have spoken and dressed”, said Leah B., a representative from Milwaukee School of Engineering.
“The students guided the conversation and asked great questions. I can tell they were well prepared, and I am impressed with all of the students I have had conversations with tonight”, remarked Michelle, a representative from Saint Louis University.
Our student’s hard work and preparation for this event does not go unnoticed. This is highlighted by the kind anecdotes of the college representatives and furthered when seeing how seriously our CRSM students take the college decision process.
We are thankful every year to the representatives that come out to speak to our students at this event. It’s highly appreciated amongst our faculty and staff, and especially our students and their families.
by Miranda Eby | Oct 1, 2024 | Development, School News
CRSM is proud to announce that our new solar energy system on the roof of our school is now fully operational and producing clean, renewable energy. This marks a major milestone in our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.
Since becoming fully energized on Friday, September 20, the solar panel system is expected to generate approximately 500,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in the first year alone.
With an estimated 64% reduction in our energy bill, CRSM will save around $58,476 annually.
by Miranda Eby | Sep 5, 2024 | President’s Pen
“The whole world is a series of miracles, but we’re so used to them we call them ordinary things.” ~ Hans Christian Andersen
We are back at it! Only a couple weeks into the new school year and the easy rhythms of CRSM are back in swing. There is nothing better than having the school building full again with students and staff. The cafeteria and library are just a little brighter. The hallways are certainly louder. Everything feels fresh and better. The energy is palpable.
We started the year off with an all-school assembly that also marked the 20th anniversary of our school opening its doors to students back in 2004. A momentous occasion to be sure but it really was only a small supplement to the positive vibes being felt in the classrooms.
What drives the positivity of CRSM is simple. We all want to be here. Faculty can work anywhere – they really are that good – but choose to work at CRSM because of co-workers, students, and a supportive administration. Students don’t have to come here but their families make sacrifices so they can.
At CRSM, we care about each other; we look for and support the best in one another. Not in some grand or ostentatious way but in the little things. Helping keep the cafeteria clean, holding the door for a classmate, smiling and greeting a visitor, sharing a joke, helping with homework, telling someone they can do better because you believe in them, asking if someone is okay… these types of occurrences are frequent and widespread. The norm, not the exception. I like to say that at CRSM, we are living out an example of the way the world can be, not the way it is.
At assembly, our Principal shared two quotes from CRSM alumni highlighting that the cooperative spirit we nourish at CRSM has a lasting impact after students leave us. Mauricio is working full time at The Wraparound Center for Waukegan public schools. It is a one-stop location for students, families, and other residents to receive therapeutic support and access to services and resources from community agencies. He described his time with CRSM this way:
“I am forever thankful to be a proud CRSM alumnus. Thank you for all the opportunities that you have been planting and creating for students, long before they need them. That is truly God’s work. I would not be who and where I am without CRSM and its blessed staff who made sure I crossed the finish line and kept me hungry for more after.”
The other quote is from Mayra who currently works for Vital Voices in Washington, DC., a global partnership founded on the simple idea that nations and communities cannot move forward without women’s voices in leadership positions. She was interviewed recently on a podcast called, Empowering Women. At one point, she was asked about her formative high school years, and shared:
“I was already living in the US when I went to high school… I think over 90% [of us] were Latino…it was Catholic School, but I loved, loved my high school, it is the place where I learned and experienced my first community, and I learned what it means to be a member of a community, somewhere where everybody counts… what I am so thankful for that school it allowed me to dream, it allowed me to realize I could do more, that I could have an impact in my community, that I could pursue these paths that otherwise would not feel available to me… “
While we are back at it starting another school year here in Waukegan, it is also incredibly gratifying to know that our students are leaving transformed. And paying that experience forward in their lives and careers. ¡Viva, Cristo Rey!
