Cristo Rey St. Martin kicked off its 20th year anniversary Monday with a giant balloon arch in the main hallway, towering over the school’s patron saint, St. Martin de Porres. The day culminated in an all-school assembly, where students, faculty and administrators celebrated 20 years of success, academic achievements, and milestones.
Students at the all-school assembly
“As we enter our 20th year, there is plenty to roar about,” said Preston Kendall, President, at the school’s Founders’ Dinner in April, which had a roaring 20s theme. “College acceptances are pouring in for our class of 2024 and we have already hit the milestone of being the fifth year in a row of having 100% of seniors accepted to at least one bachelor’s degree program.
“CRSM again leads the entire Cristo Rey Network of 40 schools,” he added, “in student retention, college acceptance and college enrollment.”
The Viatorians are one of three religious communities to endorse the school — the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, and the Sinsinawa Dominicans — and they have been there since it opened in 2004. Viatorians also have served on its faculty and staff, in administration and on its board of trustees.
Fr. Charles Bolser, the school’s second president, poses with current president, Preston Kendall
“We are so excited to have been serving the Waukegan and North Chicago communities for 20 years now,” administrators said, “by helping to create purposeful professionals and dedicated students.”
Still, they readily acknowledge the ongoing support of so many who help animate the mission of the school, including its religious sponsors, corporate work partners and individuals.
“Our success has always been a team effort,” Kendall said, “a collective success resulting from the hard work and generosity of so many people.”
Cristo Rey St. Martin now turns its attention to the next 20 years, which they describe as a “future full of promise and hope for the next generation.”