When Daura, class of 2026, arrived in Boston from Cape Verde at eight years old, she and her family came seeking better opportunities. As they adjusted to a new country and language, her faith and church community were vital sources of support. When it came to looking for a high school, Daura wanted a place where she could both grow academically and develop her faith.
Daura first learned about Cristo Rey Boston through a cousin who attended the school. The Corporate Work Study Program and the chance to experience the corporate world as a high school student immediately intrigued her.
When she started as a freshman, Daura found herself deeply engaged in her classes and the community she found at CRB. Her Theology courses allowed her to learn about religion and explore questions regarding her faith. She recalls learning in Sacred Scriptures the stories of biblical figures and how they were called by God in different ways. “Those stories really resonated with me,” she says. “I loved the conversations we had, even when we disagreed.”
Science classes also pushed her in new ways. Whether staying after school for extra support in Physics or working hard to learn all the new vocabulary in Biology, she found teachers who were patient, encouraging, and willing to help her understand difficult material. “They never gave up on me,” she says. “They explained things as many times as I needed.”
Her Corporate Work Study placements also shaped her journey. At the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, she learned organizational and office skills while gaining confidence in professional settings. At KPMG, she received training in accounting, tax, and audit, also participating in their high school experience program. Initially, Daura imagined a future in finance, excited by the pace of corporate life, but her interests shifted as she gained more experience.
Volunteer work with children’s programs, a service trip to the Dominican Republic, and guidance from mentors helped her realize she wanted a career centered on service and care. This was confirmed last summer at the Yale Young Global Scholars program, where she studied neuroscience, psychology, and physics alongside students from around the world. “Being around so many people who thought differently helped me open my mind,” she shares.
Now a senior, Daura is currently applying to colleges, including Yale, and plans to study pre-med. She aims to become a pediatric psychiatrist, with a long-term goal of opening a nonprofit for children in foster care. Looking back, she sees Cristo Rey Boston as the place where she discovered the path for her future. As she prepares for college, she is ready to take the next step with confidence and purpose.