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Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Fri Mar 19, 2010

As many people know, the corporate work study program is integral to the success of a Cristo Rey school. Originally, it was designed as a way to finance private school education for students who would not normally be able to afford the tuition. It has certainly achieved that goal! This year, Cristo Rey students across the country will earn over $30,000,000 toward their education expenses. In Detroit, our students will earn over $650,000. That is pretty impressive for a group of students who are mostly 14 and 15 years old.

The interesting thing about the work program is the benefit it has on our students academically. One day a week, they work jobs where they see the benefits of what we always speak to them about – hard work, communicating well and most importantly, earning a college degree. They see successful people modeling that exact behavior. In addition, their co-workers treat them like adults and give them advice, such as – work hard, do your homework and go to college! The exact message they need to be hearing.

We are incredibly grateful to our work sponsors (they are listed elsewhere on the website). Because we anticipate having at least 100 more students next year, we need to add 25 new work sponsors. If you know of an organization that can use a team of workers for an entry level administrative or clerical job – please tell them about the great workers available from Detroit Cristo Rey High School. Our Director of Corporate Work Study – Dave McIntyre is working hard at finding new sponsors and we can use your help.

Thanks for your support of our students and school.

Small but Mighty!
Tue Mar 16, 2010

Sunday was chilly, windy and rainy. A perfect time to take a walk! Actually it was not a walk, but a parade. Detroit Cristo Rey High School participated in the Detroit St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Corktown. Despite the weather, there were tens of thousands of people watching and marching. It looked like everyone was having a great time! I think the beer vendors were having a good day.

I did not do a good job getting the word out and combined with bad weather – the Cristo Rey contingent was pretty small. But led by Sarah and Rachelle, we had plenty of spirit.

Next year we will have a much bigger group marching and hopefully the weather will be a little nicer.

Students, staff and supporters in the 2010 Detroit St. Patrick's Parade

Making New Friends
Thu Mar 11, 2010

On Wednesday night, Fr. Pelc and St. Ambrose hosted a small fundraising dinner for Detroit Cristo Rey High School. Anytime we can share the Detroit Cristo Rey story with someone new, it is a good day. When we get to share it with forty people – it is a great day!

The people were very interested in learning about our work and the progress we are making. The absolute highlight of the evening for everyone was the chance to meet and speak with our students. In all honesty, I can’t say enough about what wonderful ambassadors our students were. They introduced themselves, talked about the school and their jobs and listened when others spoke with them. Everyone commented on how they handled themselves.

Two of our students were selected to speak in front of about 80 people and they were awesome. I think everyone associated with the school was incredibly proud as Diamond and Manny shared their experiences at Detroit Cristo Rey High School.

Thanks to Rob and Katisha for organizing the event. Good work.

Sophomores Sandy and Pauline are all smiles.

Freshman Amia and Sr. Barbara Stanbridge, IHM & DCRHS Board Chair.

Friday Night Fun
Tue Mar 09, 2010

Last Friday night was a lot of fun. The Detroit International Bridge Company donated 11 tickets to attend the Red Wings game. But these weren’t any tickets, they were tickets to their suite and the chance to meet a very special guest who would be stopping by – The Captain, Steve Yzerman!

We were able to find friends of Detroit Cristo Rey and fans of the Red Wings willing to pay a nice price for an opportunity like that! We raised several thousand dollars for the school and had a wonderful time.

When I arrived at the suite, I saw that Jennifer from the Bridge Company had laid out Detroit Cristo Rey information throughout the suite and even had our banner hanging outside the suite for everyone in the arena to see. It looked great.

The Red Wings played great and won 5 – 2. The real highlight was when Steve Yzerman stopped by the suite. As you would expect, he was all class. He spoke with everyone, posed for pictures and signed autographs. I was all prepared to make a pitch to him about the school, but was barely able to stutter out a hello. Rob Quinn was with me and he did better – giving Steve a little background on the school. Rob got Steve to autograph a number 19, Steve Yzerman jersey. We will be auctioning it off at our Garden Party.

Thanks to the International Bridge Company for being such a great host on a wonderful night.

Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman and DCRHS President Mike Khoury

Who is Crystal Ray?
Thu Mar 04, 2010

Many times when I introduce myself as working at Detroit Cristo Rey High School, people ask me, “Crystal Ray – who is that?” I then explain that that the name is Cristo Rey and it is Spanish for Christ the King.

The first school in our network was founded in the south side of Chicago, an area known as Pilsen. It is an almost 100% Hispanic neighborhood and the founders of the school wanted to recognize their Hispanic heritage when selecting the school name – Cristo Rey Jesuit.

Not all of the schools in the network have Cristo Rey in their name – but about half do. I am glad that in Detroit, we have it in our name for several reasons. First, it helps establish our connection to the community – we are located in Mexicantown and about 35% of our students are Hispanic. Second, it clearly connects us with the Cristo Rey Network and the wonderful mission and success rates that all of the schools in the network share.

Please do me a favor – help me tell everyone who Crystal Ray is!

Busy Days at Detroit Cristo Rey
Tue Mar 02, 2010

There is a lot going on at the school right now and I just wanted to share a couple of items with you.

Yesterday our Garden Party Committee was at the school to continue their work planning our Annual Fundraiser scheduled for May 23rd. The committee really puts their heart into making this a great event. Last year was wonderful and I am looking forward to this year’s party. Put it on your calendar!

Tomorrow our women’s basketball team will play in their first ever state tournament game. Our freshman and sophomores will be competing against a varsity team lead by seniors. It will be a challenge, but our young ladies have worked hard all year. Good luck to the Lady Wolves!

This Sunday we will host Parent Teacher Conferences to review mid term grades for the 3rd quarter. These provide a great chance for families and teachers to discuss our students’ progress and ways we can encourage improvement. It is nice to see the involvement of the families in the success of our students. It makes a difference.

Tell someone about Detroit Cristo Rey High School!

Thank you Holy Name!
Thu Feb 25, 2010

It was a great time for Detroit Cristo Rey High School last weekend. Holy Name parish in Birmingham has selected us as their Lenten charity. As part of the process, we spoke at each of the Masses last weekend and met with parishioners afterwards. I was joined at each Mass by students and members of our leadership team.

Student Jacqueline, Celina and Pauline visited Holy Name along with Principal Susan Rowe and Director of Development Rob Quinn

I can’t say enough about how welcoming the parish was to us and also their interest in our students and school. People spoke to us about becoming work sponsors, tutors and financial supporters. It was energizing to the Cristo Rey team to see the level of support.

We had what I consider a real “only at Cristo Rey” moment during the weekend. At the beginning of Mass, when all participants greet their neighbor – the gentleman in front of me turned and greeted the Detroit Cristo Rey student by name. I asked the student how he would know her name. She told me, “Oh, I work with him at my work study job.” Here is our student in Birmingham, a long way from her neighborhood, literally and figuratively, connecting with the Holy Name parishioner because of her Detroit Cristo Rey work experience! It was a nice moment.

A special thank you to Msgr. Zenz, Deb Shinder and Marcia Swain for making this possible.

 

A Lot Going On!!
Tue Feb 23, 2010

There has been a lot of activity at and around the school this past week.

Last week Geoff Pope visited the school and spoke to our students. Geoff is a graduate of University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He attended U of D when our Principal, Mrs. Rowe was there and they have stayed in touch. Geoff went on to college and is now a professional football player in the NFL. He is the proud owner of a Super Bowl ring from when he played for the New York Giants!

I had another visitor while Geoff was speaking and missed his talk. However, the students told me he spoke about the need for hard work and the importance of staying focused on your studies. He shared that the teachers who were the hardest on him are now the ones he respects the most.

Geoff Pope talks with freshmen Tasja Bovee and Jazmene Floyd

I did stop by after the talk was over and expected to see Geoff surrounded by our young men asking him about the NFL. I was surprised to see so many of our young ladies have an interest in pro football! Many of them were getting their picture taken with him. It was a good day and very nice of him to take time out of his busy schedule to visit with us.

Over the week-end we were at Holy Name in Birmingham. I will let you know how that went in my Thursday blog.

Proud of them all!
Tue Feb 23, 2010

Today, WXYZ aired a wonderful segment on one of our students – Jasmine Kendrick. As we have mentioned elsewhere on our web site, Jasmine has been selected by Best Buy as one of two students nationwide to document their life at school, work and home as they transform their future through their hard work.

We are very proud of Jasmine. But as I told the reporter when she visited the school, we are proud of each of our students as they all work to build a better future for themselves as future college graduates.

For the video of Jasmine and other information on the Cristo Rey Network/Best Buy @15 partnership, check out our page.

Ash Wednesday
Thu Feb 18, 2010

The religious season of Lent began yesterday with Ash Wednesday. All Detroit Cristo Rey High School students attended Mass at Holy Redeemer. It was a nice start to the season for me. I enjoy our all school Masses. About half of our students are Catholic, but all students participate at Mass. Mass is a great opportunity for all of our students to reflect on the gifts God has given them.

Another part of the Lenten season that I like are the daily reflections that Fr. Jose shares with the faculty and staff. In a busy day, they are great reminders to stop and think about what our real priorities should be.

I hope each of you have time to spiritually prepare for Easter during Lent. Please keep Detroit Cristo Rey High School in your prayers.

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