For Angelina, Class of 2026, the path to leadership started with those who came before her.

As the youngest in a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant family, she grew up learning from her two older siblings. She describes herself as a mixture of her older sister’s academic drive and her brother’s humor and personality. “They created the path for me,” she says. “I learned from their experiences.” Now, she hopes to do the same for others.

When Angelina first heard about Cristo Rey Boston, she wasn’t sure if it was the right fit. She attended Sant John Paul II Catholic Academy for middle school, where she was a Catholic Schools Foundation scholar. Part of her wanted a different experience for high school, but when she visited CRB in person, something shifted. “I felt comfortable right away,” she shares. “Everything felt natural.” That sense of belonging, combined with the balance of freedom and structure that the school offered its students, convinced her to enroll.

Through the Corporate Work Study Program, Angelina had the opportunity to explore multiple career paths. As a 9th grader working at Public Consulting Group, she learned about the issues schools face and how consulting groups help them to find solutions. At the Broad Institute, she conducted lab research, gaining technical skills and exposure to scientific research. At MathWorks, she thrived in the collaborative environment where she learned coding and worked on AI projects. These experiences strengthened her professionalism, communication skills, and confidence. This year, working as a project manager assistant at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, she’s learning how organizations operate and how grants support small clinics, which has expanded her interest in healthcare and mental health.

Academically, Angelina has grown just as much. Once shy, she now speaks confidently in class and builds strong relationships with her teachers. Her teachers created an academic environment where she felt engaged and able to build the confidence to share her ideas and make her voice heard. Along the way, she found mentors and a supportive community of adults who encourage her to be her best self.

Beyond academics and work, Angelina’s leadership shines in how she gives back. As a Student Ambassador at CRB, she welcomed prospective students, helping them feel the same comfort and belonging she once felt during her first visit to the school. Outside of school, she serves as a youth leader at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church in Dorchester and performs traditional Vietnamese fan dancing at community events. This is where she connects her culture, faith, and passion for mentorship. “Community is such an important part of life,” she says. “It’s easy for it to fade if you don’t put in the effort.”

Later this year, Angelina will attend College of the Holy Cross, where she was accepted through Early Decision and selected for the Passport Program for first-generation students. She hopes to pursue a field such as healthcare, psychology, or education where she can continue supporting young people.

At Cristo Rey Boston, Angelina has grown from someone shaped by example into someone others now look up to. Through her confidence, commitment, and care for her community, she is becoming the leader she once admired.