by Miranda Eby | Dec 27, 2023 | CWSP, School News
At the age of 15 Samantha (Sam) Bahena began her journey as a student intern with Advanced Resources. And today at the age of 24, she has risen to the role of Director of Recruiting for that company. In Sam’s sophomore year at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep she was placed in a CWSP job at one of our CWSP business partners, Advanced Resources, a leading staffing and recruitment firm in the northern Chicagoland area. Little did she know that this internship would foster not only professional growth but also a lasting, impactful relationship between mentor and intern, transforming a school requirement into a career-defining opportunity.
The 2016 Emmy Award Winning video, A Day in the Life of a Cristo Rey Student- Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep followed Sam throughout the day as she prepared for work at Advanced Resources. During the feature, Sam says she felt like her work was meaningful to the company, even at her young age. She states that CRSM students like her “go to work to pay our tuition, but the companies actually want to give us a chance to have an experience”. Advanced Resources opened the doors to an intern experience that would stick with her for life.
While working for her supervisor, Dina Fiorelli (also featured in the video), Sam found not only a mentor but a friend. Dina, now the President of Advanced Resources, lauded Samantha’s capabilities as a student intern. “Initiative work ethic, competence, those are just a couple of words to describe her”, says Dina in the Day in the Life video. “We have no problem saying she’s an intern, she’s here with Cristo Rey, and she’s fantastic. We always have to remind ourselves that she’s only 16.”
After Sam’s high school graduation in 2017, Dina and Samantha continued to collaborate, even as Samantha pursued higher education. Samantha worked towards her bachelor’s degree and her career simultaneously, with Dina’s encouragement to stay on part-time at Advanced Resources. Their connection strengthened over the years, evolving into a friendship that Samantha deeply cherishes. Sam expresses her gratitude to Dina during her most recent interview, and says that “she’s been a part of every milestone in my life, and I’ve been honored to witness her milestones, like recently becoming a mother of two… She goes above and beyond as a boss, mentor, and friend. She’s a genuine, good person, and very successful in her career. I feel so incredibly blessed to have learned from one of the best people in our industry.”
Their professional relationship transcended time and titles. Dina’s support remained unwavering, allowing Samantha to grow both personally and professionally. “I had the most incredible experience working with Samantha Bahena… Her drive and professionalism were over and beyond all expectations. Ten years later, I sit side by side with her, where she now works as a full-time, permanent employee. I am extremely grateful for the CWSP program to introduce the two of us. She is an absolute pleasure to have on the team, and I have enjoyed watching her grow personally and professionally.”
7 years after graduating, Samantha emphasizes the significance of the work done as a CRSM student, highlighting the positive impact of early professional exposure. “I would advise every (CRSM) student to be a sponge. Take in every opportunity and have the ambition to want to learn more,” says Samantha. “The work that you do as a CRSM student is so important because you are given these opportunities before you even graduate high school, let alone college.” The CWSP’s success is not just in preparing students for college and life but in shaping lifelong careers and relationships, as demonstrated by the enduring collaboration between Samantha and her mentor, Dina Fiorelli.
Thank you Advanced Resources and Dina Fiorelli for being the outstanding Business Partner you are, and for helping Sam grow and develop into the professional she is today!
by Miranda Eby | Dec 26, 2023 | CWSP, School News, Student Life
The world has been taken by storm with AI and the new technological revolution it has brought forth, and Cristo Rey St. Martin students are not immune to this phenomenon. Every Monday after school, CRSM’s Robotics Team meets to utilize the ever expansive elements of development and technology. Our Robotics Club is a testament to the power of partnership and hands-on learning, thanks to our business partner, Abbott Labs.
Abbott graciously hosts our students biweekly, offering a space for creativity and knowledge exchange. These sessions provide a wonderful opportunity for our students’ growth, outside the classroom. From tinkering with legos and beginner-level programming tools, to delving into the intricacies of AI and coding, each interaction sparks curiosity within our CRSM students.
On the off weeks where students don’t meet at Abbott Labs, they congregate in a conference room at CRSM and work on their next robotics project for the week to come. It’s during this time that students are able to create, code, and collaborate amongst one another to further their understanding of robotics and the technology it involves. So far, our students have built Sumo Wrestling robots that are coded to fight one another in a ring, robots that are coded to rescue other robots that are malfunctioning or disabled, and so many more! Alonzo Villasenor, the president of our Robotics Club, exemplifies the spirit of exploration and technological avidness. When asked about his future aspirations, he stated that he was interested in pursuing a STEM career, with a particular interest in coding. “Robotics brought that interest out.”
What’s more, this program creates an impact beyond our school. Recently, our students had the privilege to collaborate with peers from Vernon Hills High School on exciting build projects. These opportunities not only broaden horizons but also foster a community of young minds dedicated to shaping the future through innovation.
Through the support of Abbott and the enthusiasm of students like Alonzo, we continue to foster a generation dedicated to shaping a future where technology and innovation intersect. The journey of the Robotics Club at our school is not just about building robots—it’s about building futures, one innovation at a time. As we look ahead, our commitment remains resolute—to inspire, to create, and to forge ahead in the realm of technology and innovation.
by Miranda Eby | Dec 26, 2023 | School News, Student Life
From Thailand to Costa Rica to right here in the Sierras of the United States, our students are national and international travelers! All because Cristo Rey St. Martin is fortunate to partner with several organizations that allow our students to travel abroad to a country or US state of their choice, complete service work, and immerse themselves in a new culture. Two of those programs are The Ellie Burns Foundation and Road Less Traveled. For these excursions, our students apply to receive scholarships to pay for their expenses through either the programs themselves or an outside organization such as the Crystal Fund or Farther Foundation. During their time away, students don’t have access to their cell phones, except to call their families on occasion. This is in hopes they fully immerse themselves in their new surroundings without everyday distractions.
The Ellie Burns Foundation was started by Sally and Michael Burns in honor of their daughter, Ellie, who tragically passed away. Ellie loved traveling and being in nature, so to honor her memory, Michael and Sally created a foundation that allows high school students to experience being out in the world. It’s through the goodwill of Sally and Michael and their foundation that our students are able to partake in these new experiences and expand their horizons. Monserrat L., junior at CRSM, explains how her experience traveling to the Sierras of California was an awakening for her that solidified her love of nature and sent her on a journey of self-discovery. “This journey was not just about conquering mountains, but about conquering myself. The challenges I faced were not only physical but also internal, pushing me to confront fears and uncertainties… The pristine landscapes [of the Sierras] became my sanctuary, a place where I could disconnect from the chaos of daily life and reconnect with my inner self.”
During this trip, and others through the Ellie Burns Foundation, students were tasked with something seemingly impossible, but something that would really leave a strong impact on their sense of self. Students were “given the ambitious goal of… [summiting] a 14,180-foot volcano mountain, aka Mount Shasta”. This is something that pushed the students both physically and mentally, but in the end, students like Monserrat felt as though they could overcome anything. Valuable lessons can be gleaned from experiencing something challenging like legitimately ascending a mountain, but overall they shape us into resilient individuals. CRSM is extremely grateful to The Ellie Burns Foundation for providing our students with these transformative experiences. We look forward to many more opportunities to partner with them!
The other travel opportunity that our students often engage in is provided through the Road Less Traveled where our students have had the opportunity to go to places like Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Thailand. Yeili and Yinnel O., went to Thailand last summer. On their trip, the students taught English to kids, spoke with Monks, and volunteered at an Elephant Sanctuary. Yeili and Yinnel explained that the “main mission of the trip was to teach English to the kids,” but in the end, they enjoyed so much more than that! The group first visited Bangkok, where they engaged with the local children in their schools. Yeili says that she now has a new appreciation for how hard her teachers work after teaching the local kids. “We spent hours lesson planning, woke up early, taught all day, and then lesson planned some more!” The group then went to Shanghai, where they interacted with Buddhist Monks, and were able to “learn lessons from monks about their religion, and… [in turn would then] teach them about [their religions].” Yinnel and Yeili reflect on the surrealness of their experiences, as traveling to Thailand was not something that they ever thought they’d be able to do, but with the help of the Farther Foundation scholarship and the Road Less Traveled program, the students feel like they are able to accomplish anything now!
by Miranda Eby | Dec 26, 2023 | Development, School News
Amid acts of goodwill and generosity, certain individuals stand out, directing their resources and passion to help others realize their true potential. Meet Ed Webler, a long-time supporter of Cristo Rey St. Martin, and Humanas representative who is the very embodiment of goodwill to others.
Webler’s engagement began in 2013, stemming from a meeting at the school’s former campus, where he crossed paths with Assistant Principal, Marlene Eby, and School President, Preston Kendall, setting the stage for a long-term commitment to the CRSM students through his involvement with the Humanas Foundation. The Humanas Foundation focuses primarily on helping inner-city students during their college years and beyond. They currently have programs in the New York City and Waukegan, Illinois areas.
Through his association with Humanas, Ed focuses on a select few students at a time who are about to graduate from high school and go off to college. He meets with them individually before they go off to school, makes sure they have what they need physically and financially to begin their education, and continually checks in with them throughout their time at their University or College. “What continues to motivate me is seeing these students thrive and create their narratives of success,” Webler remarked, highlighting his dedication to creating a lasting impact through empowering others.
Over the years, Ed’s involvement with CRSM alums has left a positive impact on our community by assisting in our mission to help get students to and through college. “At the core, it’s always been about the students,” Webler emphasized, reminiscing about the journeys of CRSM alumni who he has been able to interact with and support over the years. Ed commits to both financially and emotionally supporting these students, and remarks how they feel like they’re “part of [his]… family” through it all.
Through his involvement with CRSM, Webler upholds the belief that opportunities, regardless of background, can shape futures. His advice to students echoes his own experiences: “Go to college and get involved. Do something where you are able to meet people from all different backgrounds, and you will fit in.”
As Cristo Rey St. Martin continues its mission of shaping futures through access to quality education, Ed Webler remains an essential partner and mentor for CRSM alumni.
by Miranda Eby | Dec 26, 2023 | CWSP, School News
Cristo Rey Network Schools are unique in that they offer a well-rounded high school education by incorporating a mandatory internship component along with a standard academic curriculum. Cristo Rey St. Martin partners with over 80 companies in the Northern Chicagoland area that employ our students to gain meaningful corporate experience. CRSM greatly values our relationships with our business partners, and to honor them, we hosted a brunch in early October at the high school. Over 100 representatives from our partnering companies came out to celebrate the success of our Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). We heard wonderful speeches from Cristo Rey alumni Samantha Bahena and Daniela Sanchez, and UL Research Institutes President and CEO, Terry Brady. Our CWSP staff were touched to hear such kind words said about the program, and we hope our partners enjoyed the chance to be celebrated for their commitment to our mission.
The brunch began with a casual gathering where all partners were invited to get bagels, coffee, and other refreshments near our Pavilion and mingle with one another. We then moved into an awards ceremony, where we recognized our partners that have stuck with our program for 5, 10, and 15+ years. We were proud to see how many companies stayed with us over the years, especially through the uncertainties of the 2020 pandemic. It really showed us how our program is not only beneficial to the students for gaining work experience and paying for tuition, but also to companies by giving them the opportunity to work with interns and give the next generation the value tools they need to succeed in the corporate world.
The speeches that kicked off the award ceremony were dynamic, and telling of a program that serves the greater good. Samantha Behena, CRSM class of ‘17 alum reflects in her speech that, “without the Cristo Rey Network, and the CWSP, I simply would not be in the position I am in today. Dina Fiorelli (her supervisor during her time as an intern, now president of the company) saved my life. She took me under her wing, and she treated me like family. At 15 years old she saw something in me that I was not yet capable of seeing.” Samantha’s story is especially compelling, as she is now the Director of Recruiting for the company she started out as a student intern at, Advanced Resources. About 40% of our alumni now work for the business partner they did while they were CRSM student interns. This goes to show the chance at upward corporate mobility that our program truly provides our students with. “The CWSP changed my life in countless ways that I can’t even begin to describe. At 18 years old I was obtaining skills that people my age only dreamed of. I was meeting with executives, managers, directors, C-Suite leadership, and high-level HR professionals… I was surrounded by intelligent high performing producers, and I was a sponge” says Samantha.
CRSM Corporate Work Study Coordinator and alum, class of ‘16, Dulce Zarinana speaks to the benefit of the program for both students and alums, as she says, “As an alumni and current Cristo Rey St. Martin Employee, I have experienced and witnessed the benefits of the Corporate Work Study Program. The partnerships with our business partners have been essential to student’s professional growth and network… The Corporate Work Study Program challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and prepare me for ‘real-world’ work.” The coordinators, business partners, and students all have nothing but positive feedback for the Corporate Work Study Program. Us at CRSM would like to thank all of our business partners that came to the Business Partner Appreciation Brunch, and those who continue to assist our students everyday in working towards a successful future career. We would not be here without your unwavering support.
