The People

Cristo Rey Jesuit Alumni Volunteers

Volunteer Profiles 2005-2006

The Cristo Rey Jesuit Alumni Volunteer Program, now in its seventh year of operation, was founded in response to the extensive needs and limited resources of Cristo Rey. It has grown to be a vital part of delivering a Jesuit education to the students. As alumni/ae of Jesuit schools themselves, the volunteers understand the nature of social justice and the mission of the school and the program.

The volunteers commit to two years of service to Cristo Rey, living simply in community, and developing spiritually. They serve the school and students as teachers, coaches, service coordinators, tutors, campus ministers, and in many more capacities. In response to their commitment, Cristo Rey strives to find a balance between the needs of the school and the particular gifts of each volunteer.

Here are a few short profiles of the young men and women who will be serving as volunteers during the 2005-2006 school year. The entire Cristo Rey community is grateful for their generous commitment of time and talent. We are truly blessed to have them with us.

* * * * *

Mary Kate Brunell is from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. She just graduated from Boston College in May of 2005 where she majored in English and studied abroad in Ireland for a year. She enjoys playing the fiddle, planning retreats and working with Special Olympics. This year at Cristo Rey, Mary will be teaching a Junior Civics class along with 2 Freshmen Computers and Keyboarding classes.

Michelle (Shelly) Goliber is from Orange City, Iowa. She just graduated from Xavier University in May of 2005 where she majored in Spanish and studied abroad in both Spain and Nicaragua . She enjoys playing softball, swimming and planning retreats. This year at Cristo Rey, Shelly will teach a Sophomore Global Issues class in Spanish as well as two Freshmen Physical Education classes.

Teresa Olson is from Orland Park, Illinois. She just graduated from Loyola University Chicago in May of 2006 where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry.   She studied abroad in Rome for a semester.  She enjoys tutoring children and traveling.  This year at Cristo Rey, Teresa will teach a Sophomore Physics class as well as two Freshmen Introduction to Technology classes.  She is also coaching JV volleyball.

Dustin Smith is from Detroit, MI.  He just graduated from Villanova University in May of 2006, majoring in Philosophy, minoring in Business & Spanish, and spending time abroad in Spain.  He generally delights in running, cycling, climbing, tennis (table and otherwise), travel, reading, cooking and good coffee.  He spends most of his time in our Corporate Internship Program office as a Program Coordinator, but also teaches a Freshman Intro to Technology class and is presently working on upgrading departmental IT infrastructure, as well as developing a program that will allow every Cristo Rey student to attain a Microsoft Office Specialist certification.

Joanna Wusinich is from Downingtown, Pennsylvania. She just graduated from College of the Holy Cross in May of 2005 where she majored in Political Science and minored in Philosophy. She enjoys tutoring children and working with Habitat for Humanity. She has five sisters, so she is ready to live in the JAV house this year with five other girls. Joanna will teach a Junior Civics class and a Freshmen Computers and Keyboarding class this year at Cristo Rey.

* * * * *

John DeCostanza is the JAV Program Coordinator. After graduating from St. Joseph 's University in Philadelphia , John volunteered with Jesuit Volunteer Corps for a year. Then he continued volunteering with the Christian Brothers in Chimbote , Peru for two more years. Last year was his first year at Cristo Rey, where he worked as Dean of Students and also taught Freshmen Religion in Spanish. This year will be his first year as JAV Program Coordinator, and he is very excited about working with our great group of volunteers.

Mark Luedtke, SJ is the JAV Program Chaplain. Originally from the Chicago area, he studied undergraduate at Georgetown University and then received a masters' degree in Philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago . He is now in the second year of his Regency, which is his seventh year overall of his Jesuit formation and training. This is Mark's second year as JAV chaplain. He also teaches Sophomore Religion and Senior Ethics. He is very excited to continue working with the volunteers this year to guide their personal and communal spiritual formation.