Winter 2018 Newsletter
50% OF THE CLASS OF 2019 IS ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE!
Twenty of those college-bound seniors were celebrated at our first College Acceptance Ceremony of the year on December 7.


"I was really excited to be accepted to college. It was a good example to show my brothers, allowing them to know that people actually get accepted to college," said Quinton Martin, one of the accepted seniors.
SYNERGY PROGRAM AIMS TO HELP DIVERSIFY ACCOUNTING 
Eight Cristo Rey Jesuit High School seniors joined students from Minnesota Math and Science Academy and Bloomington Kennedy High School at the University of St. Thomas in November for the inaugural Synergy Program. The University of St. Thomas and PwC, both Corporate Work Study Program partners, created the program to encourage diverse students to consider careers in accounting.

Students joined St. Thomas faculty and alumni in a full day of programming centered on exposure to people and paths into business and accounting fields. They toured the campus, went through a college admissions readiness program and networked with current accounting professionals, including several St. Thomas alumni.

The goal of the program is to provide "pathways and opportunities for those who are underrepresented at St. Thomas and in accounting,” said Tim Radermacher, Opus College of Business accounting clinical faculty and one of the program’s main organizers.
NOCHE DE CIENCIAS HOSTED AT CRISTO REY JESUIT 
In October, the Twin Cities chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) hosted its 2018 Noche de Cienias at Cristo Rey Jesuit. Twenty-five Cristo Rey students and their families spent the night exploring science with STEM professionals. 

After a keynote speaker and dinner, students rotated through three different spaces to practice their skills on building bridges, designing roller coasters and (gently) shocking muscles to mimic a defibrillator. Parents met separately to hear about STEM career options and scholarship opportunities. We are grateful for our partnership with SHPE and all the support they offer to our students! 
CRISTO REY JESUIT AND URBAN VENTURES SERVE AS INNOVATION HUB HOST SITE
This fall, Cristo Rey Jesuit and Urban Ventures hosted an “Innovation Hub” on our front sidewalk. Corporate Work Study Program partner and computer software company, Jamf, partnered with MATTER to develop the Innovation Hub, a 21st century classroom designed within a shipping container that runs on solar power and utilizes the latest Apple technology. Students programed drones to fly and manipulated robotic spherical balls to roll around a table—skills learned on-site through hands-on, self-directed activities. As a portable learning environment, the Innovation Hub can be shipped and set up anywhere in the world, and was shipped to Haiti following its stay at Cristo Rey.

“This project is part of a grand vision,” said Dean Hager, CEO, Jamf. “We want to get technology into the hands of kids as an avenue to a brighter future. It is our mission to not only introduce these kids to iPads, but more importantly, to get them excited about the possibilities that technology could bring into their lives. Additionally, we’re specifically providing training on technology, because it can translate into job creation around the world.”
CRISTO REY JESUIT STUDENTS SHARE THE STAGE WITH "HAMILTON" 
In September, our students had the opportunity to experience a performance of “ Hamilton,” a hip-hop musical that tells the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant who became George Washington’s right-hand man and first treasury secretary. 

Students attended the production at the Orpheum Theater, where juniors Gilianette Lopez and Christina Castaneda were selected to perform an original “Hamilton”-inspired rap on stage prior to the performance – a Latin-influenced take on King George III. 

Prior to the performance, Gilianette, Christina and their peers spent several weeks studying American history through a special, integrated curriculum about Alexander Hamilton and the founding fathers. According to Christina, studying and attending “Hamilton” helped her understand the historical events and her performance helped her build her skills and confidence. “I felt proud of myself following the performance, because I am usually a shy person. Never would I have thought I would perform in front of all those people.” 
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT 
Susie Rodriguez, a 2018 graduate and current student at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, received an Aspirations in Computing award from the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). Susie’s work in AP Computer Science led her to apply for the award. 

The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing award recipients are young women highly qualified to enter the computing and IT workforce. Recognizing and encouraging their interest at this early stage could be the catalyst that propels them into studying computer science in college and ultimately pursuing a career in computing and information technology. As a student, Susie was placed at H.B. Fuller through our Corporate Work Study Program.
PARTNER WITH US!
We are always looking for new Corporate Work Study Program partners!

It’s easy for companies to participate—companies pay Cristo Rey directly for the students’ time, and the school handles all administrative details such as payroll, FICA, FUTA, W-4, I-9, etc. Participating companies get diverse, reliable and motivated talent for high-turnover positions, without the cost of additional benefits. 

For more information on the Corporate Work Study Program, click here or contact Jeb Myers.
UPCOMING EVENTS

College Acceptance Ceremony
Friday, January 11, 8:00 - 8:20 AM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Auditorium

Lunch & Learn
Friday, February 15, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Multipurpose Room

College Acceptance Ceremony
Friday, February 22, 8:00 - 8:20 AM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Auditorium

College Acceptance Ceremony
Friday, March 29, 8:00 - 8:20 AM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Auditorium

College Acceptance Ceremony
Friday, April 5, 8:00 - 8:20 AM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Auditorium

Lunch & Learn
Friday, May 3, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Multipurpose Room

Pathway to Success Graduate Celebration
Wednesday, May 22, 6:00 PM
Interlachen Country Club
6200 Interlachen Blvd
Edina, MN, 55436

Baccalaureate Mass
Friday, June 7, 6:30 PM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Gymnasium

Graduation
Saturday, June 8, 2:00 PM
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Gymnasium


Questions? Contact Hannah Jones at 612-545-9749 or HannahJones@cristoreytc.org.
YOUR SUPPORT CHANGES LIVES
" My favorite thing about Cristo Rey is everyone goes out of their way to understand each other. The whole point of Cristo Rey is to grow, be better people and strive to serve others. 

Also, I have really improved my communication skills through the Corporate Work Study Program and I know these skills will be helpful in the future.

After I graduate from Cristo Rey, I hope to go to college and enroll in business school. I know I want to participate in a few clubs or activities when I get to college so I can get to know others and start building my network for the future. 

I can’t wait to see what my future holds and I’m thankful to everyone who has helped me get here."

Nke Akpati '18
Make your gift by December 31 and it will be matched dollar-for-dollar, thanks to a generous $50,000 matching gift.