CRJ STUDENTS KICK OFF 2026-27 YEAR WITH DRAFT DAY

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

A REFLECTION FROM ANDY STITH

School is back in session, but there is still part of me that misses summer. As we head into the new school year, I can’t help but reflect on some of the summer experiences I enjoyed. Our family loves the national parks, but this year my son and I took our affinity for the great outdoors one big step further. We, along with a handful of other Boy Scouts and adult leaders, went to a large scout ranch in New Mexico for 12 days of backpacking. I had never done this before, but I took it as an opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone and grow. Fortunately, the other adults on the trip were very experienced and patient enough to teach me what I needed to know to survive! We did over 80 miles of hiking, and there was a lot of time to reflect surrounded by God’s creation. So as we start at the trailhead of the new school year, I’d like to share my top lessons learned on the trail and how they are also lessons for the school year ahead.

#1) Make sure you are prepared for the journey by having the essentials in your pack. Proper clothes, water and food, and a tent are essentials on the trail. As we set out for the school year, our school theme “Into the Deep” helps us all to anchor in our mission as staff and students, aligns us to our strategic plan objectives, and ensures that our spiritual foundation is beneath us as we walk. We are headed “Into the Deep” with a commitment to our mission and grounding in our faith.

#2) Before you start the hike, ask “Is anyone not ready?” Admittedly, it was a little annoying at first asking this question every time before we started hiking. By asking the question this way, we ensured that we were not leaving anyone behind or moving on too quickly. At Cristo Rey, we serve students from diverse academic backgrounds from about 50 grade schools around the area. This means some of them won’t be as academically prepared as they should. Whether it is in the classroom or in preparation for a student’s job in our Corporate Work Study Program, we know we have to provide the level of support a student needs to catch up or fill a learning gap. This means that we have to ask, “Is anyone not ready?”

#3) If you think someone else stinks, smell yourself first! Because of the threat of bear campsite intrusions, no bar soap or deodorant was allowed on the trek. (Soap is like candy to bears!) Consequently, all of us in nature smelled….well…natural! At CRJ, while we all have access to soap and running water, we also recognize that we are all in formation. Sometimes we dwell on what someone else needs to work on and neglect the work we need to do on ourselves. This is why “open to growth” remains as one of our core values in all that we do!

#4) Prioritize the right things! While backpacking, every time we arrived at our campsite, we looked for a good place to put the tent. Constructing shelter while out in the elements was a key decision that needed to be made each time we stopped. At Cristo Rey, our students are always our greatest priority. Our job is to make sure they have a rigorous college prep education, a high quality work experience, and a chance to develop spiritually in our Catholic, Jesuit tradition. All the rest slides lower on the “to-do” list.  

#5) Hiking in temperature swings and mountain elevation is difficult but a necessary part of the journey. We started our trek at about 6,000 feet above seal level and hiked to our highest point at about 12,500 feet above sea level. (For comparison, the highest point in Milwaukee is not quite 1,000 feet above sea level.) The air was thinner, the weather changed dramatically based on elevation, and hiking with 40-50 pound packs was difficult…but it was necessary to complete the trek. Similarly, our students are asked to go out into the work world every week. Walking into a professional work environment can present any number of challenges and the terrain is particularly unfamiliar, especially if it is the student’s first job. On our educational path, however, 100% of students participate in our Corporate Work Study Program. This is an essential part of the Cristo Rey experience.

#6) Working together gets us much farther, much faster down the trail. On a hike, the crew bands together to ensure all the important duties - cooking, cleaning, hanging the bear line, evening group reflection - are completed for the good of the group. Being part of our Cristo Rey mission requires much the same thing. None of this happens without students and families, faculty, staff, corporate partners, donors, volunteers, and community leaders. More than anything else, the crew’s work together determines the success of the trek. With all of us, our Cristo Rey Jesuit Trailblazers will reach their destinations and help other Trailblazers who follow.

Happy trails this school year!

CHALLENGE & DISCOVERY AT MIT

Here is a follow-up on a story we shared with you last spring. For six weeks this summer, Senior Gabi T. demonstrated her CRJ trailblazing spirit on the campus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Drawing on her CRJ academics and experiences, Gabi participated in the MITES Summer program, where determination, courage, and curiosity led to growth, self-discovery and a bright future. Here's Gabi's story:

"Going into the program, I knew I would be challenged, but I don’t think I fully understood what it would feel like to spend six weeks taking 5 college level core courses - Calculus, Physics Mechanics, Chemistry, Machine Learning, and Humanities - while being surrounded by people who were incredibly passionate about what they were learning. A typical day at MITES Summer was exhausting in a way that’s honestly hard to explain until you’ve lived it. But somehow, it was the kind of exhaustion I looked forward to because I knew I was growing from it. We had classes from 9am to 5pm, and then after dinner I would go straight into homework, office hours, and whatever I still needed to finish. There were many nights where I would work until 2-3am knowing I had to be back in class at 9, but somehow I would still get up and do it again the next day. When I think back to those strenuous nights, I also remember the amazing people around me. The random late night conversations and the procrastination ping pong tournaments every night are the memories that have stuck with me the most. MITES was extremely intense, but there was something special about being exhausted alongside people who understood exactly why you kept showing up every day.

MITES Summer taught me that I’m capable of handling a lot more than I give myself credit for. At first, I took struggling as a sign of weakness, but over time I started realizing that struggling did not mean I was behind. It meant I was in an environment where I had room to grow. I learned how to be okay with asking for help when I needed it and being proud of the progress I was making even when it wasn’t perfect. I also learned that I really value being around people who challenge me, because I left MITES wanting more of that instead of wanting things to be easier. More importantly, I learned that I don’t have to be completely confident to belong in a space. Sometimes you just have to continue learning and let yourself gradually grow into it.

I’ve wanted to attend MIT as a student since my freshman year, and over the years, it became more than just a university I dreamed of. It became the place I connected to the future I’ve been imagining for myself, especially the goal of becoming an astronautical engineer and working on equipment that can push space exploration further. At the same time, MIT always felt so far away. Spending six weeks there changed that. I got to experience what it felt like to learn in that environment and struggle through difficult work, even if it was only for the summer. Being at MIT actually made me want it even more. Sometimes you have to step into a space that intimidates you and give yourself the chance to grow into it. I left MITES with a stronger sense of what I want, but also with a better understanding of who I am and the kind of person I want to become."

GET TO KNOW A CRJ STAFF MEMBER:

Jack Hoover, CWSP Client Relations Associate

How long have you been working at CRJ?

This is my third school year.

What is your favorite part of working at CRJ?

Going on site visits and hearing about the success of our students at their workplaces. It is extremely rewarding to hear corporate partner supervisors/program manager talk about what a benefit their student worker is to their workplace. It becomes a testament to the strength of the program and highlights just what our students are capable of when given the opportunity.

What is a challenge that you face?

I suppose a challenge I face is getting others to see the value of our work the same way I do. When I am immersed in this environment every day, it is a no-brainer that people should want to help and support the next generation of Milwaukee's workforce. Not everyone sees it that way, and that is something I am hoping to change!

What about CRJ’s mission resonates most with you and why?

Our Jesuit identity is very important to me. As someone who went to a Jesuit high school myself, I have been able to see firsthand how transformative this experience is.

Fun fact about yourself:

Aside from my day job, I also coach soccer here at Cristo Rey. I also practice the banjo in my free time!

SUPPORT CRISTO REY JESUIT THROUGH UNITED WAY

Please consider supporting Cristo Rey Jesuit High School through the 2026 United Way Community Campaign! Many local companies participate in workplace campaigns to support worthy causes through corporate giving and the United Way.

You can designate your United Way gift to support Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, an approved 501(c)(3) organization. Simply fill in CRJHS and our address (1818 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53204) under the "Optional designated contribution" line on the United Way pledge form (see below).



Click here for more information on the United Way Community Campaign.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR

MILWAUKEE STARS MERENGUE 2026

Milwaukee Stars Merengue

Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Baird Center Ballroom

Downtown Milwaukee

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Milwaukee celebrities take the stage with a professional dance partner to entertain and raise funds to benefit Cristo Rey Jesuit High School’s rigorous academics, innovative Corporate Work Study Program and faith formation.

Is your business interested in partnering with our work study program?

We would like to speak with you about how your business or organization can partner with our Corporate Work Study Program! Contact Everette Fernandes at 414.436.4600 Ext. 3141 or efernandes@cristoreymilwaukee.org.

Please remember

Cristo Rey Jesuit in your will or estate planning.

The generous support of Cristo Rey Jesuit donors like you make possible a Catholic, college-prep education and professional work experience to young women and men of all faiths and limited financial means. Consider a gift today or email Shannon Watry to discuss a planned gift for tomorrow.