Category: Impact Stories
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Mely finds her path and her potential
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…
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College Counselor’s Bold Impact
Debbie Rateau, Director of College Counseling at Cristo Rey Boston, knows firsthand how daunting the college application process can feel. As the first in her family to attend college, she remembers navigating every step with little guidance and strives to be the mentor she once needed. “I try my best to support students in the same manner that I would want someone to advise or…
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Bryie, Class of 2026, discovers leadership through soccer
When Bryie, class of 2025, chose to play soccer at Cristo Rey Boston High School, she discovered an unexpected community and stepped into her potential as a leader. Bryie joined the soccer team during her sophomore year to find a hobby outside of school and be physically active. She shares, “I started just to have…
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Carrying Her Mother’s Dream: Esmeralda Mejia’s Journey from Waltham to Stanford
“My mother immigrated to this country as a young woman, determined to find better opportunities for herself and escape the hardships of Guatemala. She was incredibly brave, and life as an immigrant has not been easy. Now it’s my turn to carry her legacy of grit and determination forward as I set off to Stanford…
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Breaking Barriers, Building Legacy: Viviana Jaramillo’s Rise from Cristo Rey Boston to NFL Leadership
“Before enrolling in Cristo Rey Boston High School, what I saw was what I knew,” recalls Viviana Jaramillo, now the Director of Community Development for the Miami Dolphins. “My parents are incredibly hard-working—my mom is a barista, and my dad manages the produce section of a grocery store. But until Cristo Rey Boston, I didn’t…
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From Quiet Observer to Aspiring Changemaker: Clinton’s Path Through Cristo Rey Boston
Despite living next door, Cristo Rey Boston was never in Clinton’s plan. He laughed, “As a Buddhist, I worried that the Christian aspect of CRB was an obstacle, not a draw. However, one thing intrigued me: the Corporate Work Study program. It was something public schools could never offer—an opportunity to explore the corporate world…
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Ale’s Journey: From Canvas to Community Care
Every morning, before the sun rises, Ale embarks on a two-hour commute to Cristo Rey Boston, her sketchbook tucked in her backpack beside her textbooks. A talented artist, Ale has always found comfort in colors and brushstrokes, using her art to express the emotions and stories she sees in the world around her. But beyond…
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Maria’s Journey: A Heart Set on Saving Lives
Maria’s dream beats with purpose—literally. She aspires to become a heart surgeon, driven by a deep passion for medicine and a desire to make a difference in people’s lives. Born in the United States but raised in the Dominican Republic, Maria grew up surrounded by a close-knit family who instilled in her the values of…
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Tanairi Camacho: I Am a Person of Resilience.
“I am a person of resilience. Life has thrown some formidable challenges my way. Still, I’ve learned to maintain my composure and face them head-on,” shared Tanairi Camacho, a senior whose words reflect wisdom and maturity that surpass her years. She recalls living in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria, a devastating category four hurricane…
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Michael Melo: Independence is Everything
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”– Marcus Aurelius. “Independence is everything to me. Being able to rely on my talents and have full agency in my life is incredibly important,” stated Michael Melo, a quiet, introspective senior about to embark on an exciting new…