Cristo Rey's Lucy Duke named area's 2010 Outstanding High School Counselor in College Admissions

The students at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School are a motivated bunch of kids. Coming from some of Baltimore’s most disadvantaged neighborhoods, the students not only receive a rigorous college preparatory education, they gain critical job skills through the school’s Corporate Internship Program. The faculty and staff work as hard as the students in preparing them for college, academically and beyond.

Recently, Cristo Rey college counselor Lucy Neale Duke was recognized by her peers who named her 2010 Outstanding High School Counselor in the College Admission Process in Maryland. The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC).

Founded in 2007, Cristo Rey's first senior class will graduate in June 2011. Duke, who is now finishing her second year at Cristo Rey Jesuit, exemplifies the highly qualified faculty and staff working on behalf of Cristo Rey Jesuit’s students. Since she arrived on campus, Duke has been busy arranging college visits for the students and educating their families about the college application process.

She says, “I wanted to come to Cristo Rey Jesuit because I felt drawn to the school’s mission to serve motivated students from Baltimore City. With my professional experience and network of colleagues through PCACAC and other associations, I am able to guide Cristo Rey Jesuit students as they search for colleges where they can meet their full potential.”

She has worked in college admissions and college counseling since 1982, beginning her career at Georgetown University in the admissions office, and continuing in college counseling at the Connelly School of the Holy Child, Potomac, Md., and at City College, in Baltimore City. Ms. Duke has been an active member of PCACAC for many years.

“This award is well-deserved; Lucy is simply sensational," said Rev. John W. Swope, SJ. "We are fortunate to have Lucy; her professional accomplishment is matched by her incredible commitment to fulfill our mission of sending all of our students to college."

Of the 24 schools in the Cristo Rey Network that have had graduating classes, the Network boasts a 96% college acceptance rate.