100% of CRSM Graduates Accepted to a 4-Year Bachelor’s Program for the Third Year in a Row

100% of CRSM Graduates Accepted to a 4-Year Bachelor’s Program for the Third Year in a Row

From Brown University and Northwestern University to other prestigious institutions such as Stanford, Boston, Fairfield and St. Louis universities, 100% of the Class of ’22 has been accepted to four-year colleges.

On Friday, April 29, the seniors celebrated National College Decision Day, submitting their acceptances to the colleges and universities of their choice.

When Evelyn G. joins her classmates to walk across the graduation stage May 28, she will have plenty to celebrate. The 17-year-old will be the first in her family to attend college, when she joins a select cohort of five students awarded Loyola University’s Cristo Rey Scholarship. The scholarship covers most academic and living expenses.

“I’m excited to join another Cristo Rey family,” says Evelyn who will begin a 5-year bachelor’s and master’s program in social work. “I learned so much here through volunteering at the food bank, the vaccine clinic and soup kitchen about helping others and want to have a career helping others who struggle.

Other colleges and universities CRSM graduates will be attending include: Boston, Carthage, Grinnell, Holy Cross and Lake Forest colleges, and Johns Hopkins University Boston University and the University of Illinois.

“Today was especially exciting because we haven’t been able to host a celebration in three years,” says Lori Felix, College Counselor. “It’s fun to see the students hang out with their friends and enjoy the last few moments of their time together. We’re especially proud because so many of them are going to their dream schools. Affordability is always at the forefront, so we’re blessed that they are getting the backing to go.”

Hope Forward: College Surprises Seniors with Hand-delivered Acceptance Letters

Hope Forward: College Surprises Seniors with Hand-delivered Acceptance Letters

Seniors Gallery, Eliza and Judy thought they were meeting with other members of the Class of 2022 and Principal Mike Odiotti to discuss outstanding details they needed to clear up before graduation next June; instead, the trio and 14 of their peers found a representative from Hope College waiting for them with surprise acceptance packages and a sea of congratulations.

“This is so exciting,” said Judy, who will be a first-generation college student. “It’s almost unbelievable to think I’m holding this and that it is real.” A member of the National Hispanic Honor Society, the National Honor Society and a Student Ambassador, Judy is looking forward to college and possibly pursuing a career in forensic science.

The trio were among the 18 students who received hand-delivered acceptance packages to Hope College, on Nov. 17. Hope College is a four-year liberal arts college in Holland, MI, which shares a like mission with CRSM, said Kayleigh Wonch, a CRSM English teacher and graduate of Hope College. Fifteen percent of students there are considered first-generation college students.

“At Hope College, we know that how we lead is how we live: with passion, curiosity and an anchored conviction to serve the world, which is very much like what you do at Cristo Rey St. Martin,” said Allison Bulson, admissions representative for Hope College who presented the acceptance packages.

Representatives from College Bound Opportunities and Waukegan to College also attended the acceptance event.

For CRSM seniors, ‘tis the season when they start hearing back from the colleges and universities they’ve applied to, and have shared their dreams in personal statements. Acceptances are just starting to dribble in.

“This is huge and makes it all seem like it’s really happening,” said Gallery, who is looking to pursue opportunities in environmental science.