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The Finale!


The class of 2024 has concluded their time at Cristo Rey NY, which makes them our newest Alumni! Before their graduation, we celebrated many events in honor of our 20th anniversary, and memorable moments for our seniors. Continue reading below for the highlights that led up to this amazing milestone!

20th Anniversary Panel

The 20th Anniversary Panel was one of the most heartfelt events of 2024! This event was a wonderful reunion of current and former staff members, supporters, and alumni. It was the perfect mashup that had to happen to celebrate 20 years of our school's success. We started off with a beautiful mass at Saint Cecilia's Church, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. The event had delicious food, great drinks, and a panel that reflected on the creation of Cristo Rey and how far we have come. The panel featured Founding Principal Bill Ford, the Founding Chair of the Board of Trustees, Madeline Lacovara, and Founding President Fr. Joe Parkes, S.J.

MAGIC of Cristo Rey

On May 21st, Cristo Rey hosted an unforgettable event dedicated to celebrating the college choices of our seniors. The evening was set at Bryant Park Grill with a lively auction that passionately supported our mission. Surrounded by a lively atmosphere. Guests enjoyed each other's company and were moved by an inspiring speech delivered by Sean Mejia '24.


The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the announcement of our seniors' college decisions, greeted with resounding cheers and applause from an amazing crowd (similar to College Rec. Day). This moment was the conclusion of their hard work and dedication throughout their Cristo Rey journey.


The event also served as a platform for generous contributions towards future endeavors at Cristo Rey. It was a joyous and meaningful occasion, uniting our community to celebrate and support our seniors' achievements and the school's mission. Gloria Rivera '17 was our alumni speaker. She beautifully introduced the event and recently joined our Advisory Committee. Learn more about her achievements on the right!


Gloria Rivera '17


Gloria just received her graduate degree from Syracuse University's Arts Journalism and Communications program. She spent the last year freelance writing for publications such as Rochester's CITY Magazine, CNY Magazine, and Syracuse University's NewsHouse publication. Her overall goal is to use journalism and communications to uplift and amplify the ways that art has the power to educate individuals and foster societal change. She had the opportunity to speak at her school's commencement and share some words about her journey with her peers. She shared, "It wasn’t until I found a little high school in the middle of East Harlem that I really began to think about who I wanted to be. We were encouraged to bulldoze through the pretenses society placed upon us before our lives had even begun. When it was time to apply to college, I didn’t have a dream school. In fact, I figured I’d go somewhere local and make everyone semi-proud. But for everyone else around me, shout out to my mom and dad, there was never a question about whether or not I’d make it to college, it was always just ‘which one.’I soon realized that I deserve to be picky. We get to choose our own story and it’s important to choose wisely." She is grateful for both her time at Cristo Rey as a student, and for the work she has been able to do as an alum.

College Recognition Day & Graduation!

May 24th was an unforgettable College Recognition Day filled with excitement and pride at Cristo Rey! Our seniors had on their college merch, showcasing their future alma maters with pride. The entire school community came together in a dedicated celebration to honor their achievement. It was a day brimming with laughter, cheers, and heartfelt moments of reflection.


The Class of 2024 marks the 17th graduating class of Cristo Rey New York High School! This remarkable group began their journey with a freshman year on Zoom and overcame every challenge with incredible passion, charisma, and endurance.


Their hard work and dedication have culminated in this triumphant moment as they graduate and move on to the next exciting chapter of their lives!

Emely Reyes '14


I graduated from Cristo Rey High School in 2014 and went on to study psychology at Providence College, where I graduated in 2018. Following my passion for understanding workplace dynamics, I earned my master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Touro College in 2020.


After graduating from Providence, I began my career as a recruiter and have been promoted several times since then. Currently, I serve as the Talent Acquisition and Development Specialist at an agency dedicated to providing services to adults and children with autism. In this role, I oversee the recruitment process, create and execute training programs, and assist with various HR responsibilities. My journey has been driven by a commitment to making a positive impact in the field of human resources and supporting the autism community.

Alumni Highlights

Danielle Clayton '17, Writer & Freelance Editor


Hello Cristo Rey Family! It’s Danielle Clayton, Class of ’17, and published writer here! I am excited to share that a prose poem of mine was published in an anthology of Bronx writers. I have lived in and loved The Bronx my entire life, but it has a reputation primarily because of the Black and brown families that live there. I know it differently than most, so I was honored to write a piece about The Bronx as I know it, see, and understand it. 


In my junior year, I came across a quote of Toni Morrison’s: “If there’s a book you want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must be the one to write it.” There was confirmation of my God-given purpose. I was meant to do something that had never been done before, to tell stories that had never been told, and at 17, it felt both exciting and daunting.


I am equally excited to share that I have graduated with my Master’s in Creative Writing with a Concentration in Non-Fiction from The Schools of Public Engagement within my alma mater, The New School.


I am eternally grateful to Cristo Rey for the realization of what I was meant to do in this world and for instilling in me the importance of being a professional for others because as a writer, that is exactly what I am. Being a writer is more than just a job, it is a way of perceiving the world, and with that perception comes a commitment to honoring and amplifying the people and stories that have shaped me. 

Grenny Ramos '09, ESL/Bilingual Teacher MSEd


My name is Grenny Ramos and I graduated from Cristo Rey High School in 2009, as part of the second senior class. After high school, I pursued my passion for working with children by earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from City College. However, my desire to make a difference in the lives of young learners led me back to school, where I obtained a Master's degree in Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University. This allowed me to become a certified elementary teacher in New York City.


I began my teaching journey at South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts, where I had the opportunity to work with students from kindergarten to fourth grade in a dual language setting. During my time there, I taught both core Spanish and English subjects, fostering a love for bilingual education.


Since then, I have relocated to South Jersey and joined the team at Mastery McGraw in Camden. Here, I continued my professional development by obtaining certifications in English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual education from Rowan University. As an ESL teacher at McGraw, I have witnessed the increasing need for bilingual education due to the growing immigrant population. Excitingly, our school is now transitioning to a bilingual model, starting with Kindergarten and first grade.


In my current role as a core bilingual teacher at McGraw, I am thrilled to be at the forefront of this transformative journey. Additionally, I have the honor of serving as a Teacher Lead for Family & Community Engagement, where I strive to bridge the gap between families and the school.


To the Cristo Rey seniors graduating today, my advice is to embrace every opportunity that comes your way. Follow your passions, never stop learning, and remember the impact you can have on others' lives. Stay resilient in the face of challenges and always believe in your ability to make a difference in this world. Congratulations, graduates, and best wishes on your exciting future endeavors!

Afrida Rahman '20, Nursing Attendant


Beginning college during the pandemic was something I never expected. I committed to Long Island University-Brooklyn in 2020 to pursue a degree in nursing. My freshman year was remote, and I felt completely lost, wondering if I even wanted to pursue nursing to begin with. However, returning to campus my sophomore year solidified my decision and I’m so happy I stuck to it. The past four years were tough. Nothing can ever prepare you for the transition of becoming a young adult. All the sudden responsibilities, emotions while trying to figure yourself out, etc. Being a commuter student also made it difficult to feel like I belonged in any community on campus. But like most things in life, I found my circle of friends and mentors (some from Cristo Rey!) that made the journey a little less difficult. I graduated from LIU Brooklyn in May with a Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing. Since January 2023, I have been working as a Nursing Attendant at New York-Presbyterian to work alongside nurses before I become one. I’ve only completed half the journey with my degree. This summer I plan to take my NCLEX licensing exam to become a registered nurse and hope to become a future Labor and Delivery nurse or wherever this journey takes me!

Kwame Assinor '21, Creative Director


Hey everyone, I'm Kwame Assinor, a 2021 graduate from Cristo Rey NY High School. The school has been instrumental in shaping me into the person I am today, instilling in me traits like professionalism, a strong work ethic, and cleanliness. Now, as a Cybersecurity major at SUNY Albany, I'm working towards my goal of becoming a Data Analyst while also nurturing my passion for fashion through my clothing company, Passé NY. Thanks to the leadership skills I gained at Cristo Rey, I'm driven to create opportunities for people of all backgrounds in the fashion industry.

Raymond Nicasio '09 Senior Manager


I’m coming up on 8 years in the music industry, currently the Senior Manager of an independent music label: Chosen Few Emerald Entertainment, Inc. At the time, as an assistant project manager, I got an RIAA certification for a platinum plaque for one of our songs. I also got film credits for a documentary short we released on the platform Music Choice..

Alumni Information!

Photo Drop-Box

Class Notes


Congratulations to all the alumni who graduated from college this year, you did it! The Cristo Rey family is so proud of you.


Please send over your best graduation photo to the link on the left so you can be a part of a special shoutout coming soon!

Brunch & Bubbly Recap


The Alumni Reunion held at Harlem's new hotspot BIXI on June 15th was a fantastic event! It provided our alumni with the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alum lions over a delightful brunch menu featuring a variety of food and drinks. Be on the lookout for information regarding next year's event!

Puente Fun With Incoming Students!

(Click on image or screenshot to register)


Who's Hiring?

Cristo Rey NY High School


Former students, deeply familiar with the school's mission, make the best staff members! Click HERE to see CRNY job descriptions and application requirements for more positions.


Brooklyn Jesuit Prep Careers


Brooklyn Jesuit Prep is currently seeking to fill teaching positions and a graduation support role. If you are interested, please use this LINK.


Make sure to also connect with "Cristo Rey New York Alums" community page on LinkedIn to stay tuned for other opportunities.

#ThrowbackNotThursday


Each photo depicts our three month highlights!


MAGIC of Cristo Rey 2016

Alumni Reunion 2013


College Recognition Day 2012

Prom Celebration 2010


Do you have Throwbacks? Send Through...





For more information contact Skyla Orozco, Advancement Associate, at:

sorozco@cristoreyny.org