23 June 2022

Preston Kendall, President, Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep

Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep is a co-sponsored ministry of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus

“In this room, I see so much hope,” Emily S. Valedictorian CRSM Class of ‘22

Gratitude was the overriding theme Saturday, May 28, when CRSM celebrated many achievements. Of special note, the entire senior class has been accepted into four-years bachelor’s programs for the third year in a row.

The day was a joy-filled one with family, friends, teachers, staff, and board members present to applaud the accomplishments of the graduates. Corporate Work Study partners and 30 alumni joined the school community, filling the new gym to capacity, to cheer for and bless the 101 graduates during the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony.

“It has been an honor to walk the journey with these seniors the last four years,” said Principal Mike Odiotti. “The hard work from the students of the Class of 2022 has paid off and this phenomenal class will leave a mark and example for many classes to come.” He cited the numerous challenges facing this class during the pandemic, including a junior year of remote and hybrid learning. Still, he was able to share notable list of achievements:

• College acceptances are nationwide;
• 3.6 is the average G.P.A.;
• 101 seniors comprise the largest graduating class in CRSM’s history; and
• This class will be remembered for establishing the Black Student Union.

The words of Valedictorian Emily S., who is headed to Washington University in St. Louis, captured the sentiment of the day “We did pretty good for a class who spent their junior year on ZOOM calls. But on the bright side, we never gave up. This is a minority success story as well because we faced many obstacles. The world said this could not happen for us. But now, that world is full of possibilities that await all of us. Let’s make it happen.”