by admin | Jan 31, 2022 | Academic
The past two years have brought many challenges and CRSM educators have worked tirelessly to keep students healthy and learning in the classroom and at their corporate work-study jobs.
Recognizing the critical role that CRSM plays in student’s lives — academically, socially, and emotionally —became more and more evident as CRSM focused on reasonable steps to stay open safely beginning in June of 2020.
For Principal Mike Odiotti, part of his role over the last two years has been monitoring IDPH and CDC data as leadership planned the approach to school operations. With data indicating that the latest COVID-19 surge is ebbing away as quickly as it ramped up, Odiotti says, “I am hopeful this continues and that in upcoming months we will be able to do away with some of the mitigation strategies we have had to employ since reopening our classroom doors in June of 2020.”
When COVID-19 closed schools across the country, CRSM teachers and staff adapted, inspired by students who reminded them that we are a community of “grit” determined to succeed.
It’s been no small feat, the business of keeping 400 student-workers in school and on the job because many corporations are still working remotely and cannot have students come in for internships. But, through pivoting, innovating and firm resolve; 100% of students have been placed in jobs for the 2021-22 school year.
During the first year of the pandemic, CRSM modified its school schedule to allow students two full days per week of in-person instruction. In September last year, the entire student body returned to full-time classes. The all-school assembly, held at the beginning of this academic year, marked the first time in two years that students, teachers and staff were able to gather as a community. Although everyone was wearing masks, “everyone’s eyes were smiling,” said President Preston Kendall. “The air crackled with excitement – it just felt right, like a giant step toward normalcy.”
Despite the pandemic, CRSM students had many achievements:
- 99% of students earned a GPA of 2.0 or greater in the first semester of the 2021-2022 school year.
- 81% of students are at or above 3.0 or higher and are on the honor roll for the same period.
- We are again on-track for 100% of our seniors to be accepted into either a four-year college or university or to Arrupe College (a two-year program from Loyola University Chicago preparing students to eventually earn a four-year degree).
- 95% of our work-study partners expressed satisfaction with student performance, despite the challenges of remote work for many.
- Students and staff donated almost 1,000 community service volunteer hours during this fall semester: each monthly drive-up food distribution with Northern IL Food Bank serves over 500 families, in addition we pack thousands of meals weekly with the food bank and Feed My Starving Children and more.
by admin | Jan 1, 2022 | President’s Pen
Earlier in December, our principal let me know that our AP English Literature class would be using the new stage instead of their normal classroom because they planned to read aloud and act out scenes from Hamlet. So, a few minutes into seventh period, I wandered over to the gym and was floored! The gym space was dark with only red backlighting on the stage. As I opened the door to slip in, there were two students up on stage reading and acting out the “get thee to a nunnery” scene between Hamlet and Ophelia. As my eyes adjusted, I saw the rest of the class sitting cross-legged on the floor watching intently – quiet, respectful, and completely engrossed in their classmates’ performance. I doubt they even knew I was there.
I’m an English Major from way back and my initial impression when I saw our students up there was to marvel at just how competent they were with Elizabethan English. Do you know how many times I would need to read a scene before my voice, inflections, and mannerisms reached the point where the scripted words would sound both sensible and effortless? Not sure I could ever rise to their level. Unpacking Shakespeare is tough enough for someone whose first language is English. Many of our students grew up in homes where Spanish was primary. Yet, here they were, giving exceptionally credible renditions of several scenes. Something may be rotten in Denmark, but these small bits of drama bore witness to wholesome accomplishments – so obviously the result of much hard work and attention by our students. It made me giddy.
I was transported back to our old campus where we had nothing… or at least, very little. It would have been impossible for a teacher to consider an alternative space to hold class. Nothing was available other than the one old, tired classroom to which she was allotted. Our new campus and new spaces open greater possibilities and it is incredibly gratifying, humbling even, to see faculty and students exploring the new potential.
Another afternoon in mid-December, I was working late. Understand that, in a school, most activities and athletic practices are over by 5:00 pm or 5:30 pm. The building is usually quiet but this weeknight I heard lively Ranchero music. Was someone streaming to a Bluetooth speaker? I started in the new Student Union, but it was dark and empty. Music and singing were coming from the cafeteria. Walking down the main hallway, the volume increased until I turned the corner. There, in the cafeteria, were students with instruments and more students and faculty accompanying them as a choir. They were practicing for our upcoming mass for the feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe. The song was “La Guadalupana,” a traditional song celebrating the miracle of Mary’s appearance as an indigenous Mexicana:
Desde el cielo una hermosa mañana
La Guadalupana
La Guadalupana bajó al Tepeyac.
Su llegada llenó de alegría
de luz y armonía
de luz y armonía y de libertad…
(From heaven, one beautiful morning
the Virgin of Guadalupe
the Virgin of Guadalupe descended to Tepeyac.
Her arrival brought happiness,
light and harmony
light and harmony and freedom…)
Despite COVID, CRSM is working on expanding our fine arts offerings this year. Our new art teacher and head of the art club mentioned that he thought we now had enough musically trained students to form our own mariachi. I had no idea they had come so far in so short a time. What a revelation to stand in our cafeteria and witness such joy!
The story of Guadalupe culminates with a double miracle: 1) roses grow on Tepeyac hill in the middle of winter, and 2) Mary appears on Juan Diego’s tilma or cloak and speaks to the Archbishop, humbling him who doubted the Mother of God would choose to speak through a powerless and marginalized campesino.
Despite the wintery challenges of this pandemic layered upon the ongoing economic challenges of living in a depressed community, our students are flourishing – developing and sharing their talents, preparing to become agents for positive change in our world. It is awesome and celebratory and inspiring. Thanks to so many donors and supporters like you, our new campus affords our students even more opportunities to discover more and more about themselves and their potential. We are witnessing so many moments of grace that were never dreamed of in our old facilities.
Our school Christmas card this year featured some graphic arts by one of our students who found inspiration in this quote: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…” Ezekiel 36:26. Every day at CRSM feels like something new is happening. Creativity, community, possibility, and hope are alive here – walking through our halls, reciting Shakespeare, playing music and singing.
In a cold, desperate world roses are blooming at CRSM. May this Christmas season bring you light and happiness and freedom and may 2022 fill you and those you love with new hope and possibility. Peace and joy!
by admin | Dec 29, 2021 | Alumni Spotlight
Weekdays, Jalyn Jones works in the R & D lab at AbbVie, testing and experimenting with drugs slated to break new ground in complex medical treatments including oncology. The CRSM ’16 grad is especially proud of his “associate scientist,” title because (he’s the first to admit), it was hard-earned, and because he’s on the front lines of research that is impacting lives.
After hours, the CRSM ’16 grad, who graduated in 2020 from Carroll University with a degree in biological sciences, passionately pursues his curiosity around the question, “Why do things work the way they do?”
To that end, he’s developed a strong appetite for pottery and baking, which he says also requires great attention to detail. Both also feel meditative and therapeutic – the perfect antidote and medicine for these challenging times, especially during isolation in his Grayslake apartment.
One of three children raised in Beach Park by his single mom, Jalyn says “without Mr. O and Dean Evans helping me believe I can succeed, I never ever would have been here.”
“I wasn’t the best student when I was 14, but my mother also believed in me and pushed hard,” says Jalyn who worked in the financial department at Abbott as part of the Corporate Work Study Program during high school at CRSM. At CRSM he also became involved in volunteering at Feed My Starving Children and was on the basketball and soccer teams, going on to be a goal keeper and forward on Carroll’s Men’s Soccer Team.
“I was quite the introvert, but Cristo Rey and my mom encouraged me to put myself out there and work hard,” says Jalyn. “My job is a dream job because it is a place where I can keep learning, and because I know the research will contribute to other people’s health.” Jalyn is one of 10 CRSM graduates currently working full-time at AbbVie.
His mom, Christina, led by example, enrolling in college, and receiving her associate degree in 2020 when Jalyn graduated from Carroll. His younger sister, Jaellah is a current student at Carroll and his youngest sister, Tiera is in 8th grade and hopes to be a CRSM freshman next year.
Jalyn likens his passion for pottery and experimenting with culinary creations (and taste-testing) to his work on the science front. And his mom, Christina and two siblings, are loving his scrumptious goods, two specialties include blueberry scones with a lemon glaze and banana nut cinnamon scones.
by admin | Dec 28, 2021 | Academic
It might be five months until the May 1, 2022, National College Decision but CRSM seniors Claudio and Anthony have set their sights on the specific colleges/next launching pads where they can pursue their dreams and studies, they are passionate about.
Claudio, who holds a 3.82 GPA, was selected from more than 2,500 students to receive the Posse Scholarship. He will study computer science at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, on a full-tuition scholarship. Posse and its partner institutions strive to empower diverse groups of leaders who will “transform communities, this country and the world.”
“At CRSM I’ve always learned to work hard to set high expectations for myself and to do work to make a difference to help others,” says Claudio, who is a regular food bank distribution volunteer. “This is huge for my future.”
Anthony has his sights set on Columbia College where he has been accepted and hopes to pursue his dream to study music arts. It’s a dream come true for him and testimony to his hard work. Anthony had been a retreat leader and has been heavily involved in CRSM’s fine arts program, playing flute in the choir (and the new Mariachi band), and winning the lead role in Dracula.
Both students will be the first in their families to attend college.
Awesome Acceptance Moments
‘Tis the time of year when colleges are sending acceptance letters, and Claudio and Anthony’s feelings of joy are not unique. Senior Yahir will attend the prestigious Grinnell College in Poweshiek County, Iowa, on a Questbridge, scholarship. Questbridge is a national nonprofit based in Palo Alto, California that connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading colleges and opportunities. Yahir worked closely with the community-based College Bound Opportunities Seniors Emmanuel and Janissa have been awarded the Evans Scholarships, a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies.
“We are so proud of all of our students and their accomplishments,” said Sharon Holdvogt, college counselor. “These scholarships, like the Evans, Posse and Questbridge, are really a testament to our students who have worked so hard throughout their high school years to get to this point! It’s exciting to be a part of the process where they see all their hard work pay off!”
Life-changing Opportunities
Lori Felix, college counselor, added: “For the students and their families, this is a life changing opportunity. Many families are still feeling the financial effects of the pandemic and were worried about how they would afford the cost of their child’s education. The students are all thankful to have received these scholarships because they’re able to make their parents proud, follow their educational goals, and be part of incredible programs.”
Anthony recently visualized his dream, heading for the first-time to downtown Chicago to visit Columbia College with his father. Because of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, CRSM college counselors have not been able to offer the same level of college visits that occurred prior to the pandemic. However, they are offering some financial support for students to make individual visits with their families, and recently took a group of seniors to Lake Forest College. Seniors Mackenzy and Ashlee recently visited Arrupe in Chicago.
“The second I walked into Columbia, I felt like it was home,” said Anthony. “I met with the heads of the department, and they interviewed me and told me about all the opportunities. I know this is the place where I can work hard to make my dreams come true.”
Scholarships Streaming In
Janissa, a first-generation student and recipient of the full-ride Evan’s Scholarship said: “The dream that I have always fantasized about as a young girl, has finally become a reality. My mother, whom I’ve always admired for being a strong and hardworking woman, has always told me, “No matter how long the path is, your time always comes.” Though the scholarship committee will not make its decision until March, she has been accepted to Michigan State, Penn State, and the University of Illinois Chicago. UIC.
Last Wednesday, a National Louis University (NLU admissions representative was here to hand deliver some seniors their acceptance letters.
A total of 11 students were greeted with a nice surprise in the midst of a busy finals week. Laura Beaupre from NLU brought students a sweet treat as they celebrated the news that they got offered admission to the school. As the students ate their donuts, Laura explained to the students next steps and provided them with a short presentation about their school.
“It was a very nice surprise because I didn’t expect it and we were the first people to receive our acceptance letter which I felt very honored and happy,” said Gabriela. “I choose to apply to this school because I like how their school works.”
In November, 18 students received hand-delivered acceptance packages to Hope College. Hope College is a four-year liberal arts college in Holland, MI.
Stay tuned for more success stories as the acceptances continue to stream in.
by admin | Nov 30, 2021 | President’s Pen
Sometimes small occurrences combine in such a way that saying it is just a coincidence is an entirely insufficient explanation. In certain moments, Providence plays a hand and for a brief second you sense that God really is actively working in our world through those around us. At Cristo Rey St. Martin, it seems we are offered more of these moments then most. Probably because we are surrounded daily by talented young people working toward a better future for themselves, their families, and our world. In the spirit of Thanksgiving and with the Hope so integral to Advent, I want to share one of those recent moments witnessed here at CRSM.
Earlier this month, one of our sophomores contacted our Campus Ministry office expressing interest in doing something for others. She was motivated by an event that took place last year at this time in late November/early December. CRSM was in a hybrid schedule at that time and students were only able to come to school two days per week – that is how Rosa and her classmates spent their entire freshmen year at CRSM – but, because she is a thoughtful and compassionate person and because her parents are, too, and because maybe her limited time at CRSM still stressed the importance of being a community of “persons for others,” Rosa described her thinking as follows: “Last year around November or December we saw a man in front of our house and he came to knock on our door to ask for a blanket since it was cold outside. My mom gave him a bed comforter we had and we also gave him a jacket and a hat.” Since it was getting cold again, she thought of that person and then thought he and people like him would be in need again this year.
“Since winter is coming up, I want to do a type of fundraiser or charity thing for the homeless. What I was thinking about was a fundraiser and maybe from that money we can buy some winter essentials, such as jackets, blankets, boots, gloves, scarfs, hats, socks etc. I know that during the winter a lot of homeless people have trouble with this… I don’t know if you are able to help in any way with this or if you can maybe help me look for something to volunteer for?”
Wouldn’t you know it but the very same morning that Rosa reached out, our Campus Minister was contacted by an organization called Cool Ministries. “Rosa came to me shortly after a gentleman from COOL food pantry here in Waukegan had contacted us to see if we’d be willing to host a supply drive for veterans this November.” So, Rosa and about 4 or 5 other sophomores headed up the weeks-long project to collect toilet paper, body soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent, shampoo so that veterans in crisis could also get these special items when they came to the pantry to get food.
I’m reminded of what Jesus said around the table at the Last Supper in John’s gospel:
“Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
May we all be touched by some experience with others – by some chance encounter with a stranger perhaps – and may that be the seed that motivates us to do something out of love. May that seed grow and grow to motivate us to do even more until all we know is love. And by that love others will know God.
