Academic rigor and commitment to college enrollment truly sets CRSM apart, as evidenced by recent data that shows CRSM reaching top marks among the 38 Cristo Rey Network schools on readiness for college, graduates doing well in college, AP tests and more. Each year the Cristo Rey Network shares an annual data directory which is an opportunity for us to … Read More
“I wonder how the staff at CRSM had any patience with me”: An Interview with Marco Carrillo
Marco graduated from CRSM in 2012. Immediately after graduation he went to art school, studying animation graphics. He now works for a production studio in Chicago as a motion graphics artist. He has a unique and positive attitude about art and creativity – one that’s been a driving influence in his life for as long as he can remember. I’m … Read More
“Grateful, Resilient and 100% Committed ”: An Interview with Ryan Scott
Ryan graduated from CRSM in 2016, and received his Bachelor’s degree in 2020. He is now working with a non-profit that focuses on supporting the development, growth and success of students in under-resourced schools. He is a full-time student success coach, partnering with classroom teachers in the city of Chicago, doing one-on-one tutoring and helping students cultivate social, emotional and … Read More
“Let the Barriers Drive You; You’ll Break Through”: An Interview with Klaudya Padilla
Klaudya graduated from CRSM in 2012, received her Bachelor’s in 2016, and finished her Master’s this past December. She is now a College and Career Navigator at the College of Lake County. As an interesting sidenote, her family may hold the record for the most children to enroll at CRSM. We spoke about her family, CRSM, her studies at Marian … Read More
“Commitment, Appreciation and Grit”: An Interview with Alexis Alvarez
I spoke with Alexis (CRSM ’15, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ’19) at his home during a break from his new job at PwC. He just recently finished his Master’s in Accounting Science and is prepping for the CPA exam, so I promised to keep it brief. That wasn’t easy; he’s a thoughtful guy with some very interesting observations. We … Read More
“Don’t forget to Dance”: An Interview with Sharon Zavala
Sharon (CRSM ’11, Allegheny College ’15, Northwestern University ’20) has a family background analogous to the majority of Americans – immigration, harsh living and working conditions, financial hardship, dreams of a better life and college for the children. It’s clear that Sharon’s successes have a theme: High grades at CRSM = lots of involvement in service projects. College scholarships and … Read More
“From Criminology to Comedy to Communications”: An Interview with Kenny Robinson
Kenny (CRSM ’09 DePaul ’13) and I talked after he spoke to the student body at a CRSM assembly. I was particularly interested in hearing about how he fit his degree and his wide-ranging work experiences together. After a few minutes with Kenny, it became obvious that the glue for putting it together is his sense of humor and communication … Read More
“Don’t be intimidated. Ask questions. There’s good advice out there”: An Interview with Guadalupe Flores
Guadalupe (CRSM ’19) and I talked during a rare break from her intense schedule of work and nursing studies at the College of Lake County. As a recent graduate of CRSM, she has first-hand experience with the obstacles that the Covid-19 pandemic is presenting to college students across the country. She graduated with a high grade-point average and was accepted … Read More
“If I Could Do College All Over Again”: An Interview with Leslye Franco Soberanis
Leslye (CRSM ’16 Carthage College ’20) and I talked after she finished her day as a volunteer at Cristo Rey St. Martin. As a recent college graduate, she is in the middle of her search for a position that fits her many talents and passions; some of which include training, global corporations and living abroad. Like many of her fellow … Read More
“Commitment and Time Management”: An Interview with Cassandra Abarca
Cassandra (CRSM ’18 Alverno College ’22) and I spoke on the phone not long after a Boston-based non-profit announced that she had been elected to the organization’s 2020-2021 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows. Like most recent college prep graduates, her journey during the Covid-19 pandemic can only be described as unpredictable. But it is clear that her ambition and mastery … Read More