LOOKING BACK, MY CRISTO REY JESUIT EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN TOTALLY WORTH IT! 

My love of engineering came from many sources. I view engineering as a combination of math (my favorite subject) and problem solving. I want to dedicate my life to a career that will help me find solutions to help people through engineering. I am so thankful for the many different parts of my Cristo Rey Jesuit experience that have put me on this path.

Thank you Corporate Work Study Program. During my junior year, my Corporate Work Study placement was at Marquette University in the Opus College of Engineering. This experience allowed me to have insight into the projects that college seniors were creating. I was inspired by seeing their ideas and designs, and it gave me a chance to talk with them about their engineering experiences first-hand.

Thank you Ms. Spykstra. Cristo Rey Jesuit has also given me an opportunity to work with the tools, equipment and technology in the Northwestern Mutual Innovation Lab with Ms. Spykstra as well as being a part of the robotics team. I have been able to have hands on experience with the same types of machines and applications that I will be using as an engineer. Ms. Spykstra was also a big reason that I was able to take part in a STEM camp at MSOE this past summer that reaffirmed my interest in engineering.

Thank you Ms. Melso. All of the teachers at CRJ are really nice, approachable and helpful. They are all SO open to help and support students in any way they can. Ms. Melso is a big reason for my love of math. I first met her during my sophomore year when she was in charge of Yearbook Club. Our relationship has grown over the last two years as one of her students in Advanced Placement (AP) Pre-Calculus during my junior year - where I received a 5 (the equivalent of an A+) on the AP exam - and AP Calculus this year. I am also grateful for the letter of recommendation that she wrote as part of my Questbridge application.

Thank you Mr. Vasquez. While the QuestBridge scholarship process was really stressful, the college counseling team at CRJ was so helpful throughout. I had to write fourteen essays and fill out applications for seven different potential match schools, and I’m so thankful for my college counselor Mr. Vasquez for reviewing every part of my submissions the night before they were due.

Thank you to the CRJ community! Your support allows me to take advantage of these opportunities that made this possible. I will be the first in my family to go to college, and I can't believe that I will be attending a top 50 engineering school in the country. I am so excited about everything that comes with this opportunity to attend Notre Dame next fall!

Samantha Sanchez Trujillo, Class of 2025

Cristo Rey Jesuit Milwaukee was named by the New York Times as a place that has had a transformational impact on its community and, along with the national Cristo Rey Network of high schools, worthy of the community's philanthropic support in the The New York Times Opinion’s Giving Guide 2024.

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