April 21, 2021

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.

I was very rebellious – a troubled kid.

Excerpts from an interview with Marco Carrillo, CRSM ’12

Marco (CRSM ’12) finished art school in 2016. He’s now a motion graphics artist with a unique and positive attitude about art and creativity – one that’s been a driving influence for as long as he can remember.

Things worked out well for you at Cristo Rey…

Actually, I hated it at first. I was going through a lot. My dad had passed away before I started at CRSM. Mom was working 4 jobs. The expectations at CRSM were tough for me. I was very rebellious – a troubled kid. I was confused and didn’t know what I wanted.

So, what turned it around?

I ended up getting fired from my work-study job. So, I was re-assigned and worked with someone who didn’t care about work. I didn’t want to look like him and waste my last opportunity. All my teachers really cared, and I started wanting to go to college. Now that we’re talking, I wonder how the staff at CRSM had any patience with me!

You mentioned channeling your rebelliousness into art…

When I drew on the walls in our house, instead of punishing me, dad bought art supplies. In art, if it’s been done already, why do it? Attitude can work. CRSM is responsible for a confused kid believing he could go to college and have a career using his talents.