1st Member of the Class of 2015 Accepted to College!

James is a self-described motivator and prides himself on reaching for success and taking advantage of all that CTK has to offer. The University of Iowa sent James his first letter of acceptance and we expect many more for this student ambassador and National Honors Society scholar. James was very busy this summer with working at his work-study site, O'Keefe, Lyons & Hynes, LLC due to his stellar school-year performance, participating in a summer accelerated math class here at CTK, and participating in the Cristo Rey College Exploration Summer Program and Pre-College Workshop.

This summer, James traveled to Fairfield University in Connecticut, along with fellow senior Kenya, for the six-day program is designed to increase college access and awareness and provides students with many of the skills and tools necessary for selecting the appropriate college in their future.

Top academic students were invited from the 24 Cristo Rey Network Schools in the U.S. as well as students from a number of schools in the local New England and Tri-State areas.

During the program, Fairfield University professors exposed students to college level academics and helped prepare them for a college classroom environment. James and Kenya lived in the freshmen dorms and were asked to reflect daily on what they experienced. They wrote personal statements, addressing the educational commitment they promise to make during their senior year in high school and beyond.

During the visit James and Kenya students visited several top colleges and universities, including Wesleyan, the University of New Haven, Sarah Lawrence, and Columbia University in New York City. 

James returned to CTK with plans to support not only his siblings and fellow classmates but to conquer the school year with the academic dedication to take him to the next level and beyond.

While on a college visit to Yale, James and fellow students rub the foot of the Woolsey statue for good luck. This superstitious act is a common practice among Yale's undergraduates before exams.

James is just one of the talented members of the Class of 2015 who participated in enrichment programs and college explorations this summer. We look forward to sharing more of their stories with you over the coming year.