CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2026!

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

A REFLECTION FROM ANDY STITH

Following our graduation, I heard many comments of appreciation from families for the opportunities Cristo Rey Jesuit afforded their children over their four years with us. Our graduation speakers expressed their gratitude for our community, the experiences that helped them to grow, and the deep friendships that were made. I feel so fortunate to be in the room or even a direct recipient of this gratitude, but I always think about those who can't be at graduation with us but stand in support of us nevertheless to enable us to carry out our mission. I wish you could see the huge smiles on parents' or grandparents' faces, the nervous joy of our graduates crossing the graduation stage, and the younger siblings who literally look up to their big brothers or sisters and have the look in their eyes that they will be where their older sibling is someday as well. Instead of describing the graduation scene for you, I thought I would share a note we received from a graduating senior. We didn't ask her to write it, and her humility would never seek attention, but I felt that her words of gratitude captured so much of the Cristo Rey Jesuit experience. When I read her words, I felt that her gratitude was meant for everyone who supports our students and mission, so I am sharing them with you so you can feel some of the joy of our graduation and know first-hand of the difference you are making in the lives of our students.

It's surreal to believe that this chapter of my life is over now. Four years ago, I didn’t even think I was even going to attend Cristo Rey, but looking back, it was the best choice I made. Cristo Rey guided me to build an identity I am proud of, and the support and encouragement to take on the future. 

Attending Cristo Rey was a privilege I am eternally grateful to have gotten. The teachers noticed the work I put in and gave me advice and the resources to grow beyond the classroom. The staff acknowledged my background and got to know me beyond a student, but as the eldest daughter who translates for her father and tries to be a role model for my younger siblings. My classmates made showing up to school every day worth it and cultivated a sense of belonging. 

What I put in the school is what I got out of it, and this school has given me everything I could’ve possibly asked for: support, love, community, and gratitude. 

In every aspect of my life, I believe Cristo Rey has encouraged me to become the best version of myself. It's taught me to embrace my background and have the hunger to learn. The school has taught me to never forget to foster a sense of justice towards the marginalized, to put effort into the work I do to make projects possible, to advocate and communicate for the voices often unheard, and how growth never stops. 

I’ve learned to feel seen and grateful for the support around me, and how to reciprocate it back to the community that has watched me grow. 

Cristo Rey is the high school that has helped me to become the person who I’ve become. They’ve helped me create an identity I am proud of, one that wants to keep growing even amidst doubt and challenges. It taught me to set boundaries but to also expand my heart.

I believe my future is possible because the people who believe in me have given me the self-confidence and support to keep going...thank you for giving me the chance to attend Cristo Rey.

GET TO KNOW A CRJ STAFF MEMBER:

Zuleyka Rios, Director of Postgraduate Success

How long have you been working at CRJ?

This is my fifth year at Cristo Rey Jesuit.

What is your favorite part of working at CRJ?

It's such a privilege to walk with our students and their families through such a formative, crucial time in their lives as they navigate the end of their high school careers and transition to adulthood. On paper, we help our students and families get to and graduate from college but there is so much more that goes into the work that we do - students and families trust us with their hopes and their futures and that is a huge responsibility, especially when so many of our students will be the first in their families to experience college. There are many highs and lows we and our students experience over the course of a year but it is truly an honor and a joy to be the ones to help them understand all that is available to them and watch them make decisions that will serve them best.

What is a challenge that you face?

Staying on top of all of the trends and changes in higher education and in the workforce so that we can not only advise our students on how to get into and afford college but how to make choices that will ensure they are in a good position professionally and financially when they graduate.

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

As a college access professional our mission to ensure our students are successful in college and life obviously applies to my role directly, but what I appreciate about Cristo Rey is how we practice this mission through Jesuit education and by caring for our students as people. Of our six values, the one that has always stood out to me the most and the one I work to incorporate in my work with students is our "Loving" value. Our students are unique individuals with their own backgrounds, stories, values, and it's so important to take this into account as we counsel and guide them to what comes next after high school and be there for them as they navigate the ups and downs they'll experience in the next phases of their lives.

Fun fact about yourself:

My one and only celebrity encounter happened with Giannis Antetokounmpo - not in Milwaukee, but in the Athens airport back in 2019.

CRJ STUDENT SAVES CWSP PLACEMENT $700,000

CRJ freshman Jimena worked at Johnson Controls this year in Financial Planning & Analysis.

When most people think of high school interns, they probably don’t think of someone who will save their corporation almost $700,000, but that’s exactly what CRJ freshman Jimena did at Johnson Controls. Jimena works within JCI’s Canada Region Financial Planning & Analysis team. Her job is to look through financial results, search through data, and look for new opportunities to make any positive adjustments financially. Due to Jimena’s hard work, she was recruited to help out on a new opportunity where her skills and experience could be useful!

She reviewed hundreds of files, making sure every piece of financial data was accurate and kept her supervisor informed throughout her work. After her work was completed and reviewed by her team, it was determined that Jimena's project saved the Canada region about $700,000! Rebecca Rentz is Jimena's supervisor at Johnson Controls and had been working with her throughout the project. She said, "Jimena’s focus, attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy has far exceeded my expectations, even from the very beginning of her time in JCI. I knew based on her track record with previous projects, that if she told me a number, she’d already verified it 12 different ways, and I could trust it."

It’s surreal, the experience of being a freshman intern yet making such an impact with your work. Some might feel indifferent, perhaps imposter syndrome, but that wasn’t the case with Jimena. She stated, "I am proud of the work I completed, especially knowing that it saved them $700,000. This work helps me realize the impact I am making in my company, and I am equally as grateful for the opportunity to learn with the company. These skills are valuable for my development as a student and professional." 

The project was a learning experience for both students like Jimena and the supervisors involved. Moments like these show the importance of CWSP and how involving students in work environments early can benefit all involved. Rebecca Rentz explained, "I’ve consistently been impressed with the CWSP program. I’ve been a manager for two years now, and the professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail that CRJ provides its employer partners is noticeable and appreciated. This program is taken seriously by JCI; it requires time, dedication, effort, and planning. The level of dedication demonstrated by CWSP employees is what makes this program so successful."

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.

Make a difference in the lives of CRJ students!

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.

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