For Edwsmely (Mely), Class of 2026, Cristo Rey Boston is the supportive community she needed to find success and reach her fullest potential.  

In 2019, Mely moved with her mom and baby sister from the Dominican Republic to Boston. She was in sixth grade at the time, spoke little English, and left her friends and loved ones behind to come to a new country in search of better opportunities. Just six months later, the COVID-19 pandemic made these challenges even harder. Academically and socially, she struggled to adjust. 

When she started ninth grade at Cristo Rey Boston in the fall of 2022, Mely finally found the community she needed. With small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and motivated peers, she was supported to grow and thrive.  

As an English language learner, Mely often needs additional support outside of class to do her best. She works after school and helps care for her younger sister – a busy schedule that makes finding extra time for schoolwork challenging. But her teachers at Cristo Rey Boston go above and beyond, offering flexibility and support whenever she needs it.  

The challenging curriculum and rigorous AP courses at Cristo Rey Boston prepare her for the demands of college coursework. Mely says, “As someone whose first language isn’t English, my teachers help me a lot. Taking AP English Literature my junior year, I learned the process of academic writing at the college level.” 

Mely’s experience in the Corporate Work Study program inspired her to pursue nursing. In the spring of 2025, the Corporate Work Study staff referred her to the Brigham and Women’s Youth Summer Program. She spent the summer working in the radiology department where she shadowed doctors, interacted with patients, and learned about different roles in medicine.  

Through that experience, Mely discovered how fulfilling a nursing career can be. She continues to work at Brigham and Women’s Hospital through her Corporate Work Study placement. This firsthand experience in a hospital gives her insight into her future career and prepares her for the challenge of a college-level nursing program.  

In just six years, Mely has grown from a struggling middle schooler to a confident high school senior with a vision for her future. With the support and guidance she receives at Cristo Rey Boston High School, she is ready to make that vision a reality.