Destiny Maduro: Be Brave and Try Something New.
“As a shy, quiet first-year student, I was anxious about being pushed out of my comfort zone but intrigued by the opportunities attending Cristo Rey Boston would offer,” recalled Destiny Maduro.
Now a senior, Destiny reflects on how she opted to be brave and challenge herself. This journey has brought her to where she confidently fills out college applications and is a candidate for two prestigious scholarship programs, Questbridge and Posse.
“My older brother had attended Cristo Rey Boston, so I knew about the Corporate Work Study program,” Destiny recalled. “I was interested in the medical field and wanted to experience it first-hand. I’ve worked at Boston Medical Center since my first year and have had the opportunity to shadow doctors and nurses. It’s given me a great insight into what my future could look like.” She noted that working at Boston Medical Center for the past 3 ½ years has allowed her to gain an overview of the entire hospital and consider career options. Destiny is considering majoring in nursing but is also leaving the door open to other possibilities.
“What surprised me the most about Cristo Rey Boston was all the opportunities I’ve had to try new things. I love my art classes and am excited to take AP Art this year. I didn’t pIay any sports freshman year and now I am on Varsity Volleyball. I love being on the volleyball team; we have so much team spirit and never give up!”
“Even more shocking is what happened my sophomore year,” recalls Destiny with an infectious giggle. Her friend encouraged her to try out for a role at Boston College High School’s The Great Gatsby theater production, which needed some females. “As a shy person, that was something I never considered. My mom encouraged me to try it, and I decided to be brave and try something new.” Much to her surprise, she landed the role of Myrtle. When they cast TRAP, she landed the role of Kenosha, one of the play’s leading roles, and officially has the theater bug.
Destiny recalled, “Initially, I was scared to enter an entire school of boys, but I made some nice friends. It taught me not to allow my innate reserve to hold me back, and that I shouldn’t lose opportunities to experience new things and make friends just because I feel uncomfortable. It’s a lesson I plan to take to college with me.”
“My advice to incoming first-year students is to get outside your comfort zone and try new things! Cristo Rey Boston will challenge you, so you must focus on your work and prioritize your success because the time here goes by quickly.” She giggled, adding, “Make sure you get enough sleep because when you’re tired, it’s hard to focus.” She concluded, “The teachers at Cristo Rey are incredibly supportive, and the community is like a family. Strive to succeed, and always be open to new experiences; you never know where they will lead you!”