Celebrating Excellence

This spring, Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle gathered as a community for our first-ever Honors Convocation—a joyful celebration of academic achievement, growth, and the values that shape our students. Though a snow delay postponed the ceremony, the spirit of celebration remained strong as we honored the hard work and resilience of our students during the first semester of the 2024–2025 school year.

Hosted by Mr. Elias, our Geography teacher, the event opened with a warm welcome and prayer from Principal Dr. Guy. In her remarks, she emphasized the dedication of our students and expressed deep gratitude to the teachers, families, and corporate partners who support their journeys. "This moment is yours," she told students. "Your effort and determination inspire us all."

Ms. Silva, our math teacher, shared heartfelt reflections on the unique personalities and progress of each homeroom, likening them to the universities they are named after—ASU, Notre Dame, Loyola, and Pepperdine. She celebrated the curiosity, perseverance, community spirit, and transformation each group has shown, underscoring how these qualities reflect Cristo Rey’s mission in action.

The heart of the ceremony was the presentation of academic awards. Students were honored across three categories:

• Honorable Mention: CRJS recognized 10 students with a GPA of 2.7 or higher and successful participation in the Corporate Work Study Program (CWS).
• Second Honors: CRJS recognized 28 students earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher with CWS success.
• First Honors: Finally, CRJS recognized 10 students with a GPA of 3.7 or higher and strong CWS performance.

Each name called was met with pride and excitement as students crossed the stage to be recognized. The standing ovations and applause were more than well-deserved—they were a testament to the perseverance and potential within each student.

Capping off the celebration was the introduction of our Grad at Grad Awards, recognizing the young leaders who most embodied the core values of our Jesuit identity. Each award was presented by a teacher or staff member who knows the recipient personally, speaking to the deeply relational nature of our work. One by one, members of our founding 9th-grade class were recognized for embodying the six Grad at Grad values:

• Open to Growth – Minh P. was honored for her resilience, reflection, and willingness to embrace new experiences.
• Intellectually Engaged – Atia’s insatiable curiosity and passionate inquiry earned her this recognition.
• Spiritually Alive – Alison S. was celebrated for her faith in action, both in prayer and in service.
• Loving – Nat received this award for embodying compassion and care, consistently showing up for others.
• Committed to Doing Justice – Mia G. stood out for her advocacy, including writing to U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell on climate issues.
• Career Ready – Elizabeth E. and George were both honored for professionalism and excellence in their Corporate Work Study placements.

As each student stepped forward, the room erupted in applause—not just for individual achievement, but for what these awards represent: a vision of education rooted in faith, justice, excellence, and opportunity.

Our Vice President of Corporate Work Study, Katie Seltzer, captured the moment beautifully in closing remarks:

“When the small but mighty team of volunteers began the journey to bring Cristo Rey to Seattle five years ago, we only dreamed of moments like these. Tonight, we see our mission alive in the hearts and minds of our founding class.”

These students are not only preparing for college and careers—they are becoming leaders who will serve with integrity, compassion, and purpose. And none of this would be possible without you—our community of donors and partners—who have made the dream of Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle a reality.

As we look ahead to future classes, we’re excited to grow our reach and share this mission with even more students and families across the city. Together, we are building a legacy of transformation—one student at a time.

Thank you for walking with us.