Cristo Rey Jesuit is thrilled to announce that Salvador 'Chava' C. has been awarded the prestigious Posse Scholarship to attend Cornell University this fall. Chava is the first student from Cristo Rey Jesuit to attend Cornell and the fifth to earn a Posse scholarship since 2022.

This scholarship award not only covers full tuition but also includes pre-collegiate training to help scholars transition smoothly to college. While at Cornell, students receive ongoing support from dedicated Posse staff, including faculty mentoring and career guidance. As many Cristo Rey Jesuits students are first-generation college students, Posse's intentional support is invaluable.

Chava, the youngest of five siblings who are all Cristo Rey Jesuit alumni, shared his excitement: “The Posse Foundation Scholarship has been an incredible blessing for me and my family. This scholarship will not only alleviate me and my family financially but will also allow me to pursue higher education in an environment that will allow my intellectual curiosity to thrive.”

The Posse Foundation identifies, recruits, and trains individuals with extraordinary leadership potential. This year, 17,500 outstanding young leaders nationwide were nominated for the Posse scholarship, with 3,000 advancing as finalists.

Chava described the application process as a “long, exciting, and nerve-racking experience.” The Posse Chicago application involved three interview rounds, starting in August with roughly 5,000 nominees from across Chicago. By December, only 10 students from the Chicago area were awarded the Posse Scholarship. Chava recalls the moment he found out he was a Posse Scholar: “I went home that day anxiously wondering if I had truly done my best because every other nominee was just as astounding. I left my prayers in God's hands, and He responded. I was called that same night around 10:30 p.m. by a Cornell representative notifying me that I was admitted to the university with the scholarship!”

Chava is eager to attend Cornell this fall, planning to major in Economics with a minor in Finance. “I’m drawn to Cornell’s community and believe it is one in which I will thrive,” he said. “Cornell developed as an innovative institution, and I am inspired to learn how I can integrate innovation, technology, and the principles of economics to advance the fields of city planning and public policy. Most prominently, I am eager to connect with like-minded individuals from all walks of life who share my passions and desire to implement our learnings to find solutions to matters we care about.”

Chava is grateful for the support of his college counselor, Dr. Tom Angiello, who has provided mentorship and guidance throughout the college planning and application process. “Working with Dr. Angiello has been such a blessing. He has been my recommender, my English teacher, my college counselor, my mentor, and, moreover, a true friend,” Chava said. “He has tremendously helped polish my writing and invested so much time and effort in every aspect of my life and the lives of many others. He is the person I think about when I hear CR’s motto of being a Man and Woman for Others. We have spent countless nights writing and reviewing my essays. He was there to pick me up even when I felt like giving up. I truly couldn’t have made it this far without the help from college counseling and Dr. Angiello.”

Dr. Tom Angiello echoed Chava’s sentiments: “Chava is the ideal candidate for the Posse Scholarship because their selection committee looks for elite students who demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Beyond his stellar academic skills, Chava has been a great leader during his time at Cristo Rey, bringing joy, enthusiasm, talent, and selflessness to every aspect of his life at school. Whether he is serving as a retreat leader, mentoring freshmen, or spearheading a lively discussion in class, Chava is a man for others through and through. Cornell and the Posse community got themselves a great one with Chava!”

Director of College Counseling Reina Garcia has been rooting for Chava this year and is grateful to see Cristo Rey students recognized for their hard work. “We deeply value our partnership with Posse and are incredibly proud of Chava. We are excited for him and his family as they embark on this new journey,” Garcia said.

Reflecting on his journey, Chava shared, “As the youngest of five to two hardworking immigrant parents, I was taught to cherish all that we have and to work diligently to earn whatever it is we desire. Through this scholarship, I carry the spirit of all my ancestors before me, who could only dream of having the luxury of an education. I am a culmination of my lifelong neighborhood – Pilsen. I am the product of my family’s effort and hard work, or in the words of my father: ‘Mijo, tú eres número uno en todo Estados Unidos de América.’”

Felicidades, Chava!

To commemorate Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, Cristo Rey students joined students from St. Ignatius College Prep, and Loyola Academy and Christ the King Jesuit College Prep on Monday, January 20 for the annual Jesuit Day of Solidarity. Christ the King hosted the day of learning focused on advocating for justice in climate change and immigration. Students participated in peer-led discussions, faith-driven reflections, and activities. Together they had the opportunity to listen to and learn from their peers, as well as those working on the frontlines, about the efforts being made to create more humane and just communities, particularly for those on the margins of society.

Highlights from the day included:

A student Advocacy Panel led by Clarissa Aljentera. Director of Education for Justice, Ignatian Solidarity. Representatives from each school shared about their advocacy experiences at the Ignatian Family Teach In for Justice they attended in October in Washington, DC. Cristo Rey Jesuit Seniors Celene and David represented their delegation. 

Marylou Gonzalez from Catholic Charities, Sr. Tracy from Kino Border Initiative, and Kino student advocates talked about their service experiences in Chicago with migrants and at the border. 
 

Dr. Joshua DeVincenzo, Assistant Director for Education and Training and Adjunct Professor at the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, shared his unique perspective on how we can better educate ourselves to become advocates for climate justice.
 

Cristo Rey Jesuit Junior Saul shares a reflection with the group at the end of the event.

Cristo Rey's Corporate Work Study Program Welcomes Three New Partners

We are thrilled to announce three new partnerships for Cristo Rey’s Corporate Work Study Program: Mt. Sinai Hospital, Namaste Charter School, and St. Procopius Dual Language School here in Pilsen. These exciting collaborations, which began in the first week of January, are already providing valuable learning experiences for our students. 

At Mt. Sinai Hospital, 20 students are gaining hands-on experience across various departments, including Food & Nutrition, Central Scheduling, IT, Clinical Laboratory, Dialysis, Supply Chain, and Guest Services. Supervisors have already shared that the students are "remarkable" and mentioned that the patients are loving them.

Over at St. Procopius Dual Language School, a Cristo Rey Jesuit feeder school, four students are assisting in 1st and 2nd grade classrooms, preparing materials, grading, engaging in small group instruction, and completing data entry projects. In just a short time, Sheila Doyle, principal of St. Procopius, and student supervisor, has commended the students for their work. "It has been great getting to know and work with the young ladies from Cristo Rey," she said. "Students have seamlessly joined the St. Procopius team and immediately contributed to the work done each day. From taking inventory of school supplies to sorting curricular resources, these ladies have been a great addition to our community. We are looking forward to continuing to partner with Cristo Rey and work alongside these students."

At Namaste Charter School, another Cristo Rey feeder school, four students are supporting a kindergarten classroom while also helping with technology integration. Supervisors at Namaste said our students are “exceling in their role,” and their “ability to adapt and communicate effectively ensures smooth interactions and a supportive atmosphere.”  

These partnerships are pivotal in broadening our students’ horizons, exposing them to diverse industries, and equipping them with the skills needed for future success. We are especially excited to collaborate with Namaste and St. Procopius, schools that have already played an important role in shaping many of our students. We are incredibly grateful to all three organizations for their commitment to shaping the next generation of professionals.

Stay tuned for more updates on the impact of these collaborations! 
 

Students working at at St. Procopius Dual Language School through the Corporate Work Study Program