Two Cristo Rey St. Martin (CRSM) sophomores, Isabella and Ketzia, recently made their voices heard at a Waukegan City Hall meeting, where they spoke with city leaders about expanding healthcare exposure and mentorship opportunities for students.
Isabella, president and co-founder of Cristo Rey’s Pre-Med Club, said the idea for the club began when she first arrived at CRSM. “When I first entered Cristo Rey, I decided to form a Pre-Med Club with Ketzi and other students,” Isabella said. The club was created to inspire students interested in healthcare careers and connect them with professionals in the field.
As the club grew, Isabella and Ketzia recognized the need for outside support. “The members of this club are all future healthcare professionals, and my goal is to inspire students to pursue careers in medicine,” Isabella explained. The students hoped to gain guidance from firefighters, paramedics, nurses, and doctors who could offer mentorship and hands-on learning experiences.
“Even though we were not initially invited to speak, we took the initiative to visit City Hall to request the support and guidance we need,” Isabella said.
Their message was well received by city officials. During the meeting, the students connected with city staff, including the mayor, the fire chief, and the police chief. “The individuals we met were welcoming and receptive and took our ideas seriously,” Isabella said, noting that city leaders expressed interest in supporting students pursuing healthcare careers.
The experience highlighted the confidence, leadership, and advocacy skills of CRSM students, demonstrating how initiative and student voice can open doors to meaningful community partnerships.