November 26, 2018

Since she graduated from Cristo Rey St. Martin in 2010, Paola Cazares graduated from Dartmouth College, ran the Ivy League institution’s Spanish speaking Affinity House and currently works at a primary care clinic in Waukegan. As a medical scribe and clinical information specialist, her goal is to become a physician.

At Oak Street Health in Waukegan, she is fulfilling her mission; working in public health and giving back to the people of Waukegan. She’s passionate about her role in fostering preventative medicine. “Culturally, people usually go to their doctor once they are sick, not to prevent getting sick,” she says.” I feel like this shift will make a huge difference in the Latino community. I am happy to play a small part in it.” Like many CRSM graduates, Paola underscored the importance of collective success, “We are a community working together to reach back into the community and ignite change.”

Ms. Cazares grew up in a working-class Mexican household in Waukegan, inspired by her parents’ 10-hour day commitment to hard work and bright futures for their children. She is the first of four siblings to attend CRSM and the lessons she’s learned at CRSM helped to define her life.

“At CRSM, I learned the value of professionalism, and being able to interact in a work environment,” she says. “This is huge for job interviews and internships. People are very impressed when 18- and 19-year-olds can thrive in a professional environment.”

About Cristo Rey St. Martin

Cristo Rey Saint Martin College Prep, a Catholic learning community, co-founded with the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, empowers young people of limited economic means to become men and women of faith, purpose and service. Through a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, integrated with a relevant work study experience, students graduate ready to succeed in college and in life.