Annual Report 2011-2012

Welcoming the Newest
Members of Our Community
This year also brought bountiful blessings to the families of our faculty
and staff. A total of nine administrators, faculty or staff are welcoming
new children into their families. Students, faculty and staff alike are enjoying
the new additions to community. Of one thing we can be sure – our next
faculty and staff family gathering will not be a quiet one.
Setting high standards
Gabriel Jara ’14 achieved a first at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Gabriel was
recognized not once, but twice as “Student of the Session,”—an award given
five times a year by teachers to the student who has most excelled in his/her
classes and maintains exceptionally positive relationships with teachers and
peers. Gabriel was selected his freshmen and sophomore years.
The oldest of five, born to Ecuadorian parents, Gabriel’s family motivates him
to persevere and get the best education he can. “I want to get the most out
of my education, which shapes my future. It shapes what I am going to be.
There is no one from my family who has gone to the university. I want my parents to be proud of me and feel
happy because I tried really hard and got into a good university.”
Gabriel tries to teach the same values to his younger siblings, helping them with their homework at night before
starting his own. “They want me to just give them the answers, but instead, I try to help them understand.”
Helping his siblings is not enough. Gabriel also tutors students of Urban
Ventures’ Learning Lab each week after school. Gabriel says, “It’s so important
to give back to the community. It feels good. It makes you want to keep coming
back and teaching them.”
Gabriel has set high goals for his future; he wants to be a doctor and knows his
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School teachers will support him. “They are very helpful
and very intelligent. They take the time to help me. They care.”
Gabriel’s English teacher, Mr. Andrew Baron has no doubt Gabriel will
accomplish this goal. “I’ve never met another student with the same level of
commitment to his long-term goals. He wants to go to Harvard Medical School,
and he has the determination to get himself there.”
And who knows….this year might bring a “three-peat” as Student of the Session.
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