by admin | Feb 28, 2022 | CWSP
On Wednesday, February 25th, the Corporate Work Study Program met virtually with its 80 business partners. Participants gathered in round-table discussions meant to maximize the benefits to the companies, managers, student supervisors and Cristo Rey students.
Brian Weinberg, the Director of Corporate Work Study gave updates, some very good news regarding student performance reviews and new information about training and peer mentoring with students.
“The supervisors at our Business Partners are a key component to the success of our Corporate Work Study Program,” says Weinberg. “Their mentorship and supervisory skills help our student workers be more productive, take ownership in their work, and communicate more openly with members of their teams.”
Attendees then broke out into groups to collaborate regarding supervisor feedback techniques and to share their positive experiences and their most challenging situations. The groups reconvened to share their insights.
Weinberg shared the following milestones:
- Students work for 80 business partners as far north as Kenosha, south as Evanston and west to Rosemont and Antioch.
- CRSM serves 7% of the total high school population in Waukegan and North Chicago, yet alumni account for 50% of all new bachelor’s degrees earned in Waukegan and North Chicago.
- 100% of the senior class accepted into 4-year bachelor’s programs for the last two consecutive years and on track for 100% in 2022. Colleges and universities range from Boston, DePaul, Northwestern and Stanford universities to St. Mary’s, St. Olaf, and Hope colleges.
by admin | Feb 28, 2022 | Alumni Spotlight
Sebastian Rodriguez was 14 years old when he first decided he wanted to combine his passion for scientific knowledge, with his commitment for helping community members in Waukegan and North Chicago improve and safeguard the environment and their health. “I always look for something I can improve upon,” says the 24-year-old CRSM Class of ’19 graduate who now works nine minutes away from campus as an Environmental Health Safety Specialist at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
“Good enough,” is not enough has been the spirited approach that has been Sebastian’s hallmark since his freshman year at CRSM. That’s when he fell in love with science and “the betterment of my community.” He volunteered for CRSM-sponsored food and clothing drives, alongside his classmates (and often with his mother Edith at his side.) At his work-study job at EMCO Chemical Distributors. he spent days alongside the chemists in the lab to create more efficient technologies to protect the environment.
“There is no question that the teachings of Dr. Odiotti and everyone at Cristo Rey, and my mom, taught me never to forget the community in your hometown and to come back and make a change,” says Sebastian. “The words ‘be a person for others,’ are the soundtrack that always play in my mind.”
Graduating in 2019 with a double bachelor’s degree in public health and environmental science from Johns Hopkins University, he has spent the last three years traversing the country from Texas to Montana, Washington DC and NYC in a myriad of roles supporting research and action to help ensure healthy environments. He’s been a park ranger at Lake Roland Park in Baltimore, Maryland, an air-quality inspector, and an environmental technician before landing his current role specializing in radiation safety at Rosalind. For the last two years, he’s been part of a five-person SWAT team that monitors, controls, and reduces radiation exposure in the anatomy laboratory and other learning centers throughout the medical teaching university.
Sebastian has put his drive and determination for public health and safety to good use.
When he’s not at work, he’s a board member for the North Chicago Public Library and a volunteer at the North Chicago School District. He works part-time at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville and was a seasonal “brick specialist” at the LEGO® store in Gurnee. The intricately detailed, 3,036-piece Treehouse and a 4,000-plus piece cityscape, along the hard hat with the sticker logos marking his portfolio of work experiences on the bookshelf behind his desk at his first-floor office at Rosalind honor his dedication to innovating and building big dreams. The Johns Hopkins license plate cover on his navy-blue Toyota Scion speaks volumes about his mantra that has carried Sebastian on his journey: “if you put your mind to something and work hard, you can make it happen.”
Lessons he’d like to share with CRSM students: “Recognize and understand there are different ways to find success. Be okay with adapting and realize that adaption doesn’t mean you are compromising. Always stay focused on your end goal.”
by admin | Feb 28, 2022 | Academic
Students lean over their projects, as they draft geometric shapes. Studio I classes begin working with multiple mediums to master the basics – drafting, gesture drawings, shading, perspective etc., in preparation for creating finished artwork, and in many cases, for students to pursue the study of art in college and careers.
Launched in September of 2021, about 90 students are now involved with the visual arts – either in Studio Classes or in an active Arts Club. For the first time in the school’s history, there will be seniors that will graduate having taken a full year of Studio Art.
The new Fine Arts courses are already producing results – college scholarship awards for art are on the rise with more on the way. (The School of the Art Institute, Fairfield University, Butler University, Elmhurst College.)
“I’m very impressed with CRSM Leadership’s commitment to the Fine Arts Program,” says John Geis, founder of the program. “They know that the data is clear; involvement in the arts has a positive impact on a student’s performance in all their studies. The benefits aren’t just limited to kids that plan on majoring in Art.”
The goal of offering art classes is to allow more students the opportunity to create their own art, explore career opportunities in the arts, and give back to the community through their artistic talents. It also provides a positive outlet for students, especially following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic during the last two years.
“I’ve picked up a studio art class to learn the ins and outs of all the wonderful paintings and artists of the world,” says Anthony, a senior, who has been accepted at Fairfield University in Connecticut. “I wanted to better understand how art, and expressing yourself, can help people get through hard times. I hope one day I can use my artistic and musical talents to give back to this community.”
Student work will be featured at the April 1st opening of the upcoming Art Show titled: The Creative Refined Student Mind celebrating their imagination and skill in a variety of media. The show will be curated by students with the help of The Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest, and will be on display through April 30th.
CRSM students are studying art under the tutelage of John Geis, who founded the art department at Loyola Academy. Geis received his Fine Arts Degree from The University of Dayton, with additional training in sculpture and bronze casting at the Dayton Art Institute. He studied with the renowned artist Harry Richard Black, a student of N.C. Wyeth and famed illustrator for The Saturday Evening Post. Geis has worked as a graphic artist and illustrator for several Chicago-based magazines, including advertising illustration for Marshall Fields in Chicago and founded the ZDI Creative Agency. He also worked on three dimensional architectural projects, the most well-known being the lobby of The Carbon and Carbide Building (South Water Street, Chicago). His list of credits in the visual and performing arts is a standout including: The Norris Gallery’s juried watercolor shows, publication in annual graphic artist publications and numerous musical composition placements for TV dramas.
In addition to the Fine Arts Department, John works in the Development Department, supports the Video Blog Club, and various musical events that take place at CRSM.
In the future, Geis hopes for the arts programs include significant growth; so, every student with an interest in music or theater or the visual arts will have an opportunity to participate.
by admin | Feb 28, 2022 | Academic
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.”
by admin | Jan 31, 2022 | Alumni Spotlight
At 15 years old, Samantha Bahena made a pledge: “I want to be that one out of 10 students in Waukegan who goes to college,” which at the time was the trajectory. The 22-year-old CRSM Class of ’17 grad recently was named “Rookie of the Year,” at Advanced Resources where she works full-time as she completes her final semester at National Louis University. She is certainly poised to be the first in her family to graduate from college in June.
Balancing a full-time job and college is not an easy feat, but Samantha is no stranger to hard work.
When she graduates this summer, she will already have six years of recruiting experience, specializing in the placement of temporary and contract-to-hire office operations professionals. Since she was in high school, she began as a Staffing Coordinator intern, then transitioned to Recruiter for their Northbrook-based firm as part of her Corporate Work Study program. Today, she’s a full-time employee as a Consultant Engagement Associate. “Confident, well-spoken, very determined,” these are all words chosen to describe her since she joined the firm.
“Since coming into our organization, as a Sophomore at Cristo Rey, Sam Bahena has been an incredible asset to her team,” says her boss, Brian Brooke, Managing Director. “Sam has a desire that cannot be taught. She has taken that desire and has been humble, determined and extremely hard working in her progression at Advanced Resources. Starting as an intern, she earned the opportunity to do more complex and important tasks before finally becoming a recruiter in early 2021.”
He adds: “Sam parlayed that experience and desire into becoming the Rookie of the Year in 2021 for the whole organization. Sam has an incredibly bright future and I have no doubt that she will be successful in whatever she puts her mind to.”
“Working full-time and going to college is stressful for sure, but I know it will pay off in the long run,” she says.
It’s a lesson she learned at CRSM. “I saw that you had to put in all you can to be successful,” she says. “I’m pretty self-driven and competitive so I push myself and have friendly competitions with my co-workers. I am honored to have been recognized as Rookie of the Year. I want to thank Advanced Resources for the recognition, and for their constant support.”
As one of Advanced Resources’ 600 team members, Samantha has her eye on moving up the corporate ladder with her next win, a director’s title. In 10 years, she says she wants to be working, “have a home and two kids,” and get her Master’s degree.
Her advice for CRSM students:
“Be open to learning as much as you can,” Samantha says. “Be yourself, speak your mind and have confidence you can achieve your dreams. It’s hard for me to believe I was 15 years old working in a corporate job. But you can do anything you work hard for.”
