March 25, 2022

Dan Dougherty, President, Cristo Rey New York High School

On March 7th and 8th, the Cristo Rey New York Class of 2023 attended the school’s 12th annual college trip. The young Lions explored universities such as Villanova, Yale, Scranton, and Fairfield, where they gained a glimpse of their futures. Many Lions are first-generation college students who have never been on a college campus. The goal of the annual college trip is to broaden their vision of what college entails. Each campus is distinct, so students experience a range of different college settings.

Daisy, one of our Juniors, described her experience on this trip as “eye-opening.” She shared, “I was able to see schools I didn’t know existed. This trip taught me to keep an open mind throughout my college application process and not to limit my options. My favorite part was witnessing each school’s spirit and seeing how proud the students were to be a part of their school traditions. I appreciated learning about life as a college student.”

In just a few months, the Class of 2023 will apply to colleges and think about their life beyond Cristo Rey’s walls. By visiting larger-than-life libraries, gymnasiums, and lecture halls, our ambitious students started picturing themselves in those exact spaces and gained insight into college life.