The countdown to graduation for Cristo Rey Jesuit High School's Class of 2011 graduation began late in the summer of 2007 when the school opened its doors to the first freshman class. This school year, the 78 seniors could see the milestone approaching as they took SATs, applied to and were accepted at more than 70 colleges and universities across the country.
This week, the countdown kicks into high gear as the Class of 2011, their families and the Cristo Rey Jesuit community anticipate the June 18 ceremony at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.
In addition to the commencement speech by Dr. Freeman Hrabowski III, President of UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) students are looking forward to the announcement of the winner of the Aysha Dawn Ring Award, in honor of a slain employee of Cristo Rey Jesuit.
Class of 2011 signs on to college
Earlier this month Cristo Rey Jesuit celebrated its students' success in college admissions with an "academic signing ceremony." Seniors with a 3.4 GPA and above, and those who had received full-tuition scholarships were recognized. Officials from University of Scranton, Stevenson University, Goucher College, Barnard College, Messiah College, Loyola University Maryland and McDaniel College were present for the all-school assembly, which was modeled after the NCAA signing ceremony.
After each signing, representatives shared information about their institutions, while seniors talked about what first attracted them to the schools in which they chose to enroll and how they made it through the college application process. Dean of Students Derrick Lifsey and Principal Tom Malone used the occasion to encourage the underclassmen to stay focused on the goal of attaining a college degree.
Cristo Rey Jesuit has already established an excellent reputation with many colleges and universities. Goucher College's Assistant Director of Admissions and Coordinator for Multicultural Recruitment Kimberley Gordy said, "I am a huge fan of anything Cristo Rey does. The holistic education--spirit, mind, body--really does a lot. It's the kind of preparation this generation needs. Hearing them speak today is further inspiration."
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