In the classroom, the community, and Chicago

Las ObrasTHE WORKS OF CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL

SUMMER 2017

CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!

This summer, we celebrate not only the 101 graduates of the Cristo Rey Class of 2017, but also our alumni who have earned higher education degrees. With over 1,720 alumni and counting, grad- uates of Cristo Rey are setting the world on fire!

Belen Dominguez, Cristo Rey ‘17Woman for Others Awardee

College of St. Benedict (MN)‘21

“Cristo Rey provides its students with the opportunity to learn the grad at grad characteristics in the classroom, at work, and through other experiences at school. My experience at Cristo Rey will definitely affect the qualities I would like to continue develop- ing in my higher education and in my future career. I believe that the Cristo Rey experience will provide a base for the person I hope to become in the future.”

Sergio Perez, Cristo Rey ‘17Man for Others Awardee

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ‘21

“School values and Jesuit values went hand in hand and helped me see the importance of being a man for others. Cristo Rey has helped me see there will always be imperfection with ourselves and others, but that we should always strive to be better.”

Dr. Elsa Camargo, Cristo Rey ‘02Ph.D. in Higher Education, Virginia Tech ‘17

M.A. in Hispanic Studies ‘09,

University of Illinois Chicago

B.A. in English and Spanish ‘07,

University of Illinois Chicago

At our June 9th Commencement Ceremony, a very special guest joined students on stage: Dr. Elsa Camargo, Cristo Rey ‘02 and our school’s first Ph.D. alumna. Dr. Camargo earned her Ph.D. in higher education at Virginia Tech. Her research focused on minor- ity students and underrepresented faculty in higher education. 

Dr. Camargo shared her insights and advice with the graduating seniors: “This school provided me with a foundation – academically, socially, and spiritually – to pursue my dreams. When you are ‘the first’ to reach a goal in your family or community, remember that you are never alone. Being ‘the first’ at anything doesn’t mean much if it doesn’t benefit those who follow. Being ‘the first’ at anything means one needs to build a bridge for others. It means we come back to our community, our schools. We share what we know and help others succeed. Be open to new opportu- nities and believe in yourself. My parents are from Mexico; I was raised a mile from here in La Villita (Little Village). My parents, my faith, my education, and my community gave me what I needed to earn my doctorate. I know you can as well. You have the foundation to succeed.”

It was a pleasure to welcome Dr. Camargo back home to Cristo Rey, and we are grateful to her for sharing this special day with our graduates. Congratulations, Dr. Camargo!

Continued on page 5…

DEAR FRIENDS,

Graduation day at Cristo Rey is one of my favorite events of the school year – truly a day of celebration for our community in its broadest sense. This year’s commencement ceremony was especially memorable, as we welcomed home our first alumni speaker to share remarks with the graduates. Dr. Elsa Camargo (Cristo Rey ’02), our school’s

first Ph.D. recipient, offered advice and insights from her own experiences as a fellow alum.

In addition to Dr. Camargo, the gym was packed with alumni cheering on our graduates, parents watching with pride as their sons and daughters walked across stage to receive a diploma, and corporate work study supervisors celebrating all that their mentees accomplished over the last four years.

Graduation reminds us of the supporters who make the Cristo Rey dream a reality. In this issue, you will see the impact our friends make on the students of Cristo Rey: alumni who paved the way for future generations; corporate work study supervisors who serve as mentors; and donors who provide much-needed scholarship support to our students.

With all of the uncertainty in today’s world, it brings me comfort and pride to know that each June, another class will graduate and make their contribution to the world in accordance with our founding vision. As committed alumni of Cristo Rey, graduates become men and women for others who are open to growth, religious, intellectually competent, loving, committed to justice, and work experienced.

Congratulations to our graduates, their families, and to you –the community who make Cristo Rey a success!

¡VIVA Cristo Rey!

Antonio Ortiz, President

NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Please join us in welcoming two new staff members to Cristo Rey, who will serve as key members of our Leadership Team. Welcome, Morgan and Rob!

Morgan Henington, Vice President of AdvancementMorgan is a veteran nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience in fundrais- ing, communications, and management, with a focus in Chicago’s Catholic fundraising arena. Prior to her hiring at Cristo Rey,

Morgan served as the Chief Development Officer at Holy Name Cathedral, the Cathedral parish of the Archdiocese of Chicago. For five years, she led fundraising and stewardship activities for the Cathedral, parish to over 5,300 registered households and host to thousands of visitors annually. Previous to her role at Holy Name, Morgan drove development initiatives at other Catholic institutions like Catholic Charities, the Big Shoulders Fund, and Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart.

In a volunteer capacity, Morgan sits on the board of the Illinois Chapter of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums and was a founder of the Patron Associates’ Board. In addition, Morgan serves as the SVP of Education for the Chicago Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the second largest chapter in the United States. She is a member of the Executive Committee and, in 2017, is leading efforts to rebrand educational opportunities for fundraising professionals in and around the Chicago area. Morgan lives in Lakeview and is an avid Alabama football fan – roll Tide!

Rob McCloskey, Chief Financial OfficerRob is a finance professional with significant experience managing the fiscal stability of nonprofit organizations in the private and civic sectors. Prior to joining Cristo Rey, Rob spent the last sixteen years working for the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), most

recently as Vice President of Finance & Administration. He brings significant experience in strategic financial planning and oversight, operational and HR expertise, and overall experience managing the fiscal stability of a well-respected nonprofit organization.

Rob has an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison – making him a Badger at heart when it comes to college football. Rob and his wife Olivia are raising their three children on the northwest side of Chicago.

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CRISTO REY OPEN ITS DOORS TO THE COMMUNITYBy: Mayra Gradilla-Ozuna, Administrator for the Mariachi Institute of Chicago and Cristo Rey Dean of Students

If you have the chance to visit Cristo Rey on an evening or weekend, you may be surprised to hear the sound of a guitarrón or a vihuela mexicana coming from the school’s classrooms. One year ago, our school opened its doors to a community-based music organi- zation, The Mariachi Institute of Chicago (MIC).

MIC launched in the spring of 2016 with a mission to provide arts education music to children and young adults in underserved areas through mariachi music. MIC students spend their after- noons and weekends learning to play instruments, reading music, developing technique, and exploring their culture through mariachi music dating back to eighteenth century Mexico. The organization currently serves more than eighty students, ages eight through eighteen, hailing from private, public, and charter schools across Chicago and Indiana. For the majority of the students, MIC is an affordable opportunity to study mariachi at a higher level.

MIC Director, Jose Ozuna explains, “Most of my students come from underserved areas and schools that lack music programs – they have no musical outlets to nurture their talent. They are proud of their heritage, curious, creative, and determined music scholars, but lack the financial resources to participate in enrich- ment opportunities.”

While many of our students are new to mariachi, their commitment to learning has already resulted in countless sold-out performances across Chicago. MIC has played at festivals, a Bulls game, and even headlined Cristo Rey’s annual ¡VIVA! fundraiser. The group also traveled to Arizona for the annual Tucson International Mariachi Conference this past spring, where they received train- ing from world-renowned mariachi instructors.

For our students, these experiences connect students to the music of their parents and grandparents and paves the way for future generations to carry on this rich tradition. In this way, the program creates a cultural bridge through mariachi education. Cristo Rey Jesuit High School serves as the ideal partner and home for us to fulfill this mission.

Above: MIC students entertain guests at Cristo Rey’s

annual ¡VIVA! fundraiser.

Right: Students pose for a picture at Northern Illinois University,

where they were invited to perform at the World Music Festival.

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A SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP: REFLECTION FROM A WORK STUDY SUPERVISOR AND HER STUDENT WORKERBy: Amy Harris, Director of Membership and Accounts, The Economic Club of Chicago

The Economic Club of Chicago (ECC) has partnered with the Corporate Work Study Program since 2013, being first introduced to the Program by John Canning, Jr., Past Chairman of ECC. For the last there years, I have had the pleasure to work with Crystal D., a Cristo Rey rising senior.

We have watched Crystal grow and mature both professionally and personally over the past three years. It has been exciting to see her transition from a shy freshman to an assertive junior, possessing confidence in herself and her work. I still remember watching our entire staff break into smiles when I shared the news that Crystal had committed to stay on as our Cristo Rey intern through her senior year.

Crystal has proven herself a perceptive and quick learner who also manages to pay close attention to detail, while following directions and effectively absorbing the various intricacies of our organization. Crystal helps with countless tasks at the ECC, including making name badges, assisting with special projects, and recently, training new hires. When Crystal was just 14 years old, I trained her to enter all of the ECC’s deposits and pay our bills using the software program QuickBooks. She rarely, if ever, made a mistake, and the accounting department soon came to rely on her as an indispensable part of our company. Crystal is an asset to our office: her readiness to contribute when needed is admirable; she is always up for a challenge and willing to do what is asked of her; she is dependable, composed, conscientious, inquisitive, attentive, eager, and appreciative – all of the traits that demonstrate what it is to be a team player.

Crystal also interfaces with members of the Chicago Consular Corps and Fortune 500 CEOs on a regular basis, who are invited as guests to our meetings. It is important to us that Crystal also participates in these meetings, and shares these unique experi- ences with her family. We frequently invite her mother and father to attend The Club’s events so they can see how she contributes to our work each day. Our events are the product of months of preparation, so it’s very important for us as a team to share our successes with one another. To date, Crystal has had the oppor- tunity to hear from Gregory Brown, Chairman & CEO, Motorola Solutions; David MacLennan, President & CEO, Cargill, Inc.; David Rubenstein, Co-founder & Co-CEO, The Carlyle Group; Mary Barra, Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Company; Bob Iger, Chairman & CEO, The Walt Disney Company; Dean Kamen, Founder, DEKA and inventor of the Segway; Ben Silberman, Co-founder and CEO, Pinterest; and most recently Tom Ricketts, Executive Chairman, Chicago Cubs.

Over the years, I have come to know Crystal on a more personal level. She lives with her twin brother and her mom who works full-time and is also in school. Her father works for the Sherriff’s Office. Together, they are a busy family working to make ends meet, but this does not stop Crystal from excelling with her studies at Cristo Rey. A couple of years ago, Crystal and I decided to check in weekly to discuss her grades and progress. These discussions made Crystal realize that she could be doing better at school, so she completely removed herself from social media and decided to seek the help of tutors. No small feat for a teenager in today’s world. Her grades have since improved and the look of accomplishment on her face during our weekly check-ins continue to make me proud.

Crystal has an outstanding work ethic, efficient time management skills, and an excellent attitude. She is a hardworking employee who not only cares deeply about the work she is doing, but also about those around her. She is a brave soul, filled with kindness and compassion for others. We are so thankful to have her as part of our organization and I know I speak for everyone at The Economic Club when I say she is an absolute joy to be around.

Crystal (pictured bottom left) and her colleagues have a chance to “meet” the 2016 Cubs’ World Series trophy.

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A SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP: STUDENT REFLECTION By: Crystal D., Class of 2018

My parents are immigrants from Mexico. So, for me, going to a school like Cristo Rey and working at The Economic Club of Chicago is an opportunity that my parents never had. Cristo Rey challenges and supports me in the transition from high school to college, from being a child to being a grownup. Being at Cristo Rey is a privilege.

One day a week, I get to commute downtown for my job at The Economic Club of Chicago. Working at the ECC is an amazing experience and my favorite part about going to Cristo Rey. At The Club, I have developed skills that prepare me for my new future: I learned how to input financial information into QuickBooks and how to speak in public. My supervisor, Amy, is a big inspiration – she always encourages me to try my hardest. She pushes me to try new things that make me feel uncomfortable.

There are often events at The Club, and Amy invites me and my parents to attend. I felt nervous and out of place at the first few events I attended – I had never been in a room like that before! But I loved seeing all the hard work my coworkers and I put into these events pay off. Being there with my parents, I knew how proud they were. They did not have these experiences when they were in high school, so I make the most of them. Because of my work experience at The Club, I know that when I graduate from Cristo Rey, I want to go to college to study business management.

I came to Cristo Rey as a shy person – I was not comfortable giving my opinion or talking out loud. Cristo Rey helped me become more confident. So much of that comes from the work-study pro- gram. In fact, I decided to come to Cristo Rey because of the work-study program. But, what makes Cristo Rey really special to me now, is how my life in school and at work go together.

The relationships I have with my teachers and counselors is something equally special. It is obvious that they always want what is best for me, even when the path is not easy. They also help me to appreciate what I have, to find ways to share with others, and to grow my Christian faith. Last year I joined Dance Club. I was certainly not the best dancer, but I decided to give it a try. Just like with Amy, my teachers push me into uncomfortable experiences while still holding my hand.

And, in every way, that’s what my time at Cristo Rey has always been about.

Crystal takes advantage of her lunch break at work to study for school.

Angelica Flores, Cristo Rey ‘13B.A. in English,

Dominican University ‘17

Currently working

at Dominican University

“As someone who later on decided to major in English, Cristo Rey’s encouragement in writing and reading was the beginning of my  dedication to literature. My advice for Cristo Rey graduates: do not be afraid to take risks and switch majors – it happens all the time. Always be open-minded and ready to explore different possibilities.”

GRADUATES… continued from page 1

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ANNUAL ¡VIVA! RAISES $650,000 FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS!

This May’s annual ¡VIVA! event was a huge success thanks to more than 600 friends and sponsors who joined to help our event gross nearly $650,000 in support. We offer a special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Insurance Auto Auctions, and the other 43 sponsors who made the night such a success. All proceeds from the evening benefitted the Cristo Rey Scholarship Fund.

The evening began with a reception honoring Mr. Tim and Mrs. Sue Sullivan with the Rey of Hope award. Fr. James Gartland, S.J., last year’s awardee, presented the award to the Sullivans. Tim and Sue were recognized for their unwavering commitment to Cristo Rey over the last twenty years. The highlight of the night took place when senior, Cindy L., took the stage. Cindy graduated in June and will attend Loyola University Chicago this fall to prepare for a career in immigration law. Cindy shared her story with the audience:

“My parents alone have not brought me to this point. My parents have held one hand and Cristo Rey, all of you, have held the other. During my freshman year of high school, my family struggled to pay the $2,950 in tuition, and we were not sure I would be able to continue at Cristo Rey my sophomore year. Then, at the beginning of my sophomore year, I received two gifts: a reduction in my tuition through financial aid, and a merit scholarship for having the highest GPA in my class. Although sleepless nights of doing homework and studying made me feel like a zombie (and maybe even look like one) the hard work really paid off. I did not waste this opportunity, something both my parents and Cristo Rey have taught me, and continued to receive this award each year for the last three years.

My parents brought me to Cristo Rey, but financial assistance has allowed me to stay here, gain invaluable professional work experience, and find the resources to apply to college. My parents did not have the opportunity to attend college, but thanks to the resources offered at Cristo Rey, I will be the first one in my family to attend college. I am standing here because of you and I thank you.”

We are thankful to everyone who supported and attended ¡VIVA! 2017, and we hope to see you again next year on May 3, 2018!

Left: 2017 Rey of Hope Awardees, Tim and Sue Sullivan, enjoy the company of current Cristo Rey students.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 10-21 CWSP Summer Business Institute

August 18 New Sponsor Orientation

21 First Day of School

23 Mass of the Holy Spirit

24 Golf for Cristo Rey, Harborside Golf, 10:30 am

25 CWSP Mandatory Student Team Orientation

28 First Day of CWSP

September 1 Field Day

4 Labor Day, no school

15 All-School Mass

21 Board Meeting

All events are at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School unless otherwise indicated.

Editor: Ashley K. Donohue, Director of External Relations

If you would like to receive electronic versions of Cristo Rey communications, visit www.cristorey.net to sign-up.

Longtime friends and supporters gather at ¡VIVA! each year.

Left: Student speaker Cindy shares her experience of being the first in her family to attend college.

Cristo Rey’s past and present Presidents

(left to right): Antonio Ortiz,

Fr. John Foley, S.J., and Fr. Jim Gartland, S.J.

In the classroom, the community, and Chicago

Las ObrasSUMMER 2017

THE WORKS OF CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL

1852 WEST 22ND PLACE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60608

INSIDE THIS ISSUE• Congratulations, Graduates!

• Mariachi Institute of Chicago Partnership

• Reflection: Work-Study Supervisor and Her Student

• Highlights from the ¡VIVA! Event

Thursday, August 24, 2017Harborside International Golf Center

presented by

for Cristo Rey Jesuit High School