Gonzalez & Lopez, college prep school exemplars
Cristo Rey Kansas City is a Catholic college preparatory school that does more than break the cycle of poverty through educating underprivileged youngsters for whom a topnotch secondary education would otherwise be out-of-reach.
“At Cristo Rey, students see career possibilities they never knew existed,” says Ted Koppen, who directs Cristo Rey’s unique corporate work study program. “That expands their horizons and helps them build a better dream for what they can become.”
Each student works five days a month at a paid position in one of the school’s partner white-collar businesses or institutions. Student earnings are applied to their tuition.
“Work study generates about half the cost of their education, and we ask parents to pay something,” Koppen says.
The program exposes students to the working world where they learn how to communicate with professional adults, acquire and hone important skills and build self-confidence. And navigating in a business setting authenticates in very practical and human terms the relationship between a college education and better options for life and career.
Cristo Rey juniors, Kevin Gonzalez and Jimena Lopez are making the most of the experience. “They’re outstanding young people, outstanding workers,” Koppen says.
Gonzalez is in his third year at Children’s Mercy Hospital. It’s a good fit. The 16-year-old aspires to be a pediatric physician.
“Working at Children’s Mercy opened me up to a future career,” he says.
Students don’t pick their work situations but indicate to Cristo Rey what their interests are.
“Kevin is bilingual and has a certain level of maturity and social skills,” Koppen says.
Among Gonzalez’s hospital responsibilities are translating and helping staff the volunteer, philanthropy and guest services offices.
Gonzalez, whose parents, Elizabeth and Renteria came from Camargo, Chihuahua, Mexico, is fluently bilingual. His ability to provide simultaneous translation has been a valuable asset. Assisting Spanish-speaking patients and their families is a most gratifying part of his job.
“They’re always relieved that someone understands them,” he says.
The middle of three children, Gonzalez will be the first member in his immediate family to attend college. Outside school hours, he babysits, enjoys his dogs and occasionally tickles the ivories. He appreciates classical music.
“I’ve learned a lot of different skills at Cristo Rey,” Gonzalez says. “My work experience helps me develop those skills and put them to good use.”
It was the work study program that lured Lopez to Cristo Rey.
“The idea of being able to work in high school at a professional setting intrigued me,” she says.
Three dissimilar placements have afforded her a diverse intern experience. The Wisconsin-born 16-year-old supervised tots at El Centro Academy for Children and performed various tasks at Saint Luke’s Hospital. This year, she’s with IT staffing firm, TriCom Technical Services.
“I enjoy the work and the people,” she says. “They’re really generous. If I don’t understand something, they help me through it. I really appreciate that.”
The younger of Consuelo and Guillermo’s two daughters, Lopez is shopping colleges but hasn’t chosen a major.
“I want to study interior design, but I also want to look into other careers because many students change their majors during college,” she says.
Between academics and helping her parents at home and in their small business and caring for five pets, she has little leisure time, but she makes creative use of it. Lopez designs and handcrafts home decorations and gifts from disused, everyday household objects.
Her parents immigrated to the U.S. from Jesús María, Jalisco, Mexico in order to “give their children a good life.” Lopez is grateful.
“I’m glad to be going to Cristo Rey,” she says. “I’ve learned so much, and because of Cristo Rey and the work study program, I’ve grown as a person.”
