Call it love in a time of textbooks, the CRSM love connection or “all in the family.” Three CRSM couples are partners in work and life. Twelve alumni have exchanged vows and another dozen alumni couples are “seriously dating” and could be fated to march down the wedding aisle. Many of the couples agree that meeting or working with their spouses at CRSM has had a lasting impact, building their relationship on a shared professional, faith-based and personal mission. Read more.
Sustained by an Unwavering Commitment to Their Marriage and Mission
Christina Dippold, School Counselor and Jim Dippold, Director of Campus Ministry
After more than 26 years of marriage and nine years working together at CRSM, Christina and Jim are proof that couples that work together can bring their shared callings to the office and enjoy a life that is deeply fulfilling, both professionally and personally. “We love being part of a Catholic, faith-based community where we have the opportunity to work with first-generation students who will go on to college,” says Jim. Christina adds: “This is an incredible community, and the people here are passionate about and committed to the young people here. Everyone who works here is committed to the community and it is the intrinsic understanding that we are here to show the students ‘we care about you. We understand your challenges, and we see your gifts. We are here for you.” Parents to Erma, 19, Ernie, 18 and Ray, 14, the Dippold’s dog Bodi joined the CRSM team three years ago as a loving companion cheering up and comforting students throughout the school day.
Two Plus Two Equals the Power of Love
Andrea Horcher, Algebra 2, Precalculus, Personal Finance, Geometry, Teacher and Robert Horcher
Andrea and Robert “Rob” Horcher are both well known to students for their extensive roles in mathematics classes at CRSM and their after-school roles tutoring, running prom, the yearbook and attending Taizé prayer. But students especially love when it’s parent-teacher time and they help babysit for the Horcher’s son Isaac, 5, and daughter, Peyton,1. Since Rob started working at CRSM in 2010 and Andrea joined him 11 years ago in 2011, the same week they got married, Andrea says the CRSM community “has wrapped their arms around us as family.” “When we had Isaac, we were so supported. They held a gender reveal and we could ask any of the other teachers who were also having babies for help from finding a doctor to just about anything. And they still do.” When it came time to pick godparents for their children, the Horchers reached out to their professional and faith mentors, Christina, and Jim Dippold. Christina Dippold also served as sponsor for Andrea when she went through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults to become a Catholic.
It’s All in the Family
Veronica Lattes, Spanish 1, AP Spanish and Literature and Angel Pradas, AP Spanish, and Literature
One of the things that Angel Pradas and Veronica Lattes’ say makes teaching at CRSM so special is the opportunity to hear about each other’s day, because as Lattes says, “we’re able to learn from each other and talk about different ideas we might have for teaching something differently.” That’s a good thing, considering their commute to Waukegan from their Westchester home can average an hour to an hour-and-a-half each way. During snowstorms it can be significantly higher, like the time it took six hours to get home. “The students feel like family to us, and I think they see us as extended family members too,” says Pradas. “When we walk through the halls they shout out, ‘hey Pradas,’ or ‘hi Lattes.’ We understand their heritage and I think they really appreciate that.”Every day, winter or summer, Angel always pulls up to the front door of the school to drop off Veronica, “as a sign of kindness and delicacy towards me,” she says.
Computer Woes and Cupid United this Alumni Couple
Esme Silva, Class of ’10 and Jose Nunez, Class of ’11
Esme Silva, Class of ’10 and Jose Nunez, Class of ’11 passed each other daily in the crowded calls of what was then called St. Martin de Porres. They never spoke to each other. That was until one day when Esme was having laptop issues. Even though the duo were a year apart, it was widely known that Jose was the go-to tech guru on campus. He agreed to look at her defective device. He couldn’t fix it, but a friendship was formed. Fast forward to today, Esme is now a board member for the Cristo Rey St. Martin Board of Directors and works in Wisconsin as a regional specialist for anti-human trafficking. Jose works for the State of Illinois as a systems analyst in technology. “Being almost three years deep into married life, we continue to learn from each other in every retrospect,” says Esme. “We enjoy traveling, surrounding ourselves with good company of our mutual friends and envisioning growing our family. Our foundation: the values and friendships we made at Cristo Rey and our passion to give back to the community.”