As my summer winds down and I write my penultimate blog post, I have been reflecting on the impact of Cristo Rey Columbus. After speaking to parents and students, it is clear to me how truly awesome the impact of Cristo Rey really is. Cristo Rey students are actually attending college–oftentimes as the first in their family to do so–yet they also are growing holistically as young adults, students, and professionals. The vision of Cristo Rey is not meant to impact students for four years, but for life. Our former principal really summed up the vision to me when she mentioned during her oral history interview, “My dream is that Cristo Rey alumni will never have to send their children here.” 

The first graduating class of Cristo Rey are only juniors in college, so it is too early to start measuring the long-term effects of the school. Despite this, it is clear that Cristo Rey schools are working hard to ensure their students complete college and find success post-graduation. The students I have interacted with at Cristo Rey Columbus are proving this to be true as they all passionately share their dreams of how they want to work to make a difference in their communities. I’ve met students who dream of pursuing non-profit work to students who even tell me they want to come back and teach here after graduating college. Thanks to the supportive teachers and staff at Cristo Rey, our students are empowered to follow their passions in college and beyond. 

It has been so rewarding to join the Cristo Rey community and help foster support for our mission by working for the Development team. Things are starting to wind down as I complete the oral history interviews and finalize my editing work, and it is very bittersweet to know that summer is coming to an end. Next week will still be packed with work (and fun now that our freshmen will start Monday!), so I will take my time next week to savor my last few moments of working at Cristo Rey.