Winter 2019 Newsletter
58% OF THE CLASS OF 2020 IS ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE!
Twenty of those college-bound seniors were celebrated at our first College Acceptance Ceremony of the year on December 6.

The students were accepted to schools including College of Saint Benedict & St. John's University, Gustavus Adolphus College, University of Arizona, College of St. Scholastica, Saint Mary's University of MN, Normandale Community College, and the University of St. Thomas.

Click here to view photos from the ceremony.
3RD ANNUAL UNITY IN DIVERSITY DAY
Our Unity in Diversity Day was a great success! It was a very special day for our community to learn from others' stories, make art, perform service, and build community. We welcomed over 30 guests to share their gifts and perspectives. To name just a few of the topics, sessions included: "Hmong Culture," "Hip Hop 101", "Ending the Silence on Mental Illness," "Art as a Form of Liberation," and a "Women in Business" panel. 

We are especially proud of the students from our Black Student Union and Multicultural Club who led presentations for their classmates. In speaking their truth and sharing their experiences, these students led classmates to greater understanding and opportunity for dialogue. We are a greatly blessed community and are stronger for the amazing diversity of our student body. We will continue to work to make our community even stronger! 
ALWAYS SERVING OTHERS
Pumas volunteering at the Girls on the Run turnaround water stop
The Black Student Union supporting the Loaves and Fishes program at New Bethel Baptist Church in North Minneapolis
Student-athletes volunteering at the annual Our Lady of Grace Christmas Tree Lot in Edina
MOBILE BREAKFAST CART ENABLES EXPANSION OF SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School strives to ensure that our students are healthy, active and ready to learn! Students have always had access to free breakfast and lunch, yet due to the timing in the morning and transportation logistics, over half of students weren't eating breakfast.

Thanks to a generous grant from Action for Healthy Kids, we implemented a mobile breakfast cart with grab and go bags, as a second opportunity to have breakfast between morning classes. The access to and convenience of the mobile breakfast cart has resulted in an increase in our breakfast participation. This year, 60% of students are regularly consuming breakfast, thanks to the cart.
PUMAS EXCELLING IN THE NEW SKYLINE CONFERENCE 
The Puma boys basketball program has its sights set on big things this season. This will be the Pumas' first season in the new Skyline Conference, and the varsity team, led by seniors James S. and Jaylen C., and juniors Erick and Derrick B., are one of the favorites to win the title.

The team is also one of the two favorites to come out of Section 4AA when the MSHSL-sponsored playoffs begin in March. If the team is able to achieve this goal, it will be the first team sport in Cristo Rey history to make a state tournament in Minnesota. The Pumas began their season in late November with a 37-point victory over Minneapolis Roosevelt.

If you can find an opportunity this season to cheer on the boys’ and girls’ teams, check out the schedules online.
RECENT COLLEGE VISITS
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, VT
College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University
Collegeville, MN
CRISTO REY ALUMNA BUILDS CAREER AT ANIMAL HUMANE SOCIETY
Kasey Lyons '15 has built her career at her Corporate Work Study Program work site, Animal Humane Society, where she now serves as a Veterinary Technician at the Golden Valley location.

Before working at Animal Humane Society as a Cristo Rey student, Kasey wasn’t familiar with their work. Because she expressed an interest in working with animals, she was placed at Animal Humane Society her junior year. “I started off doing a lot of clerical work: faxing, filing, and copying in the admin area,” says Kasey. “But I also got some experience working with the boarding side, cleaning and taking care of those animals.”

Kasey returned for her senior year and was able to do more animal handling as Animal Humane Society and Cristo Rey worked together to give the students more responsibilities. After graduating, Kasey got a taste for many roles, serving as a receptionist in Adoption Services and working in Animal Care. These experiences solidified her dream of working in the veterinary field. “As my love for animals grew, I became more intrigued with the work we do here,” says Kasey.

Kasey stepped away from Animal Humane Society for two years, and returned to the organization in her dream role as a Veterinary Technician. She says she feels like she’s found her own forever home and believes Animal Humane Society's partnership with Cristo Rey has only gotten stronger.

If your company would like to explore creating opportunities for Cristo Rey students and graduates, please reach out to Kate Emmel at KateEmmel@cristoreytc.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS

College Acceptance Ceremony
Friday, January 10, 8:00 - 8:20 AM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Lunch & Learn
Friday, February 21, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Lunch & Learn
Friday, April 24, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Pathway to Success
Wednesday, May 20, 6:00 PM
Minneapolis Event Center, "The View" Space
212 2nd St SE #212
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Baccalaureate Mass
Friday, June 5, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Graduation
Saturday, June 6, 2:00 PM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Questions? Contact Yannin Dominguez at 612-545-9749 or YanninDominguez@cristoreytc.org .
YOUR SUPPORT CHANGES LIVES
"My brother inspired me to attend Cristo Rey. He worked hard and earned a scholarship to the University of St. Thomas. I hope to be the second in my family to graduate from Cristo Rey and attend college. 

I have been involved in robotics since elementary school and consider myself to be more of a “tech” guy, so I'd like to study computer programming in college. I find programming interesting because it’s fun, allows me to be creative, and you get to see the concept you develop turn into reality. 

I can’t wait to use the skills I learn at Cristo Rey to become a programmer and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ll receive at this school."

Jonathan V.  '23
Thanks to a generous board member, gifts will be matched until December 31, 2019, doubling your impact on Cristo Rey students, like me!