[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1180-E1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       GRADUATES OF CRISTO REY NEW YORK HIGH SCHOOL BEAT THE ODDS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I am honored to commend the fifty 
graduates from Cristo Rey New York High School in East Harlem, who have 
beaten the odds to achieve this success. Every student in this class 
has been accepted to college in the fall.
  Cristo Rey students dream big. Many aspire to become lawyers, 
forensic pathologists, journalists, psychologists and a wide variety of 
professions. The students will attend prestigious universities and 
colleges, in and out of New York, including Fordham University, 
Brooklyn College, John Jay College, New York University, Pace 
University, Georgetown University, Lehigh University, and Boston 
College.
  The school is part of a network of twenty-four Cristo Rey schools 
throughout the country--Catholic, co-ed, college prep schools, where 
students of all faiths are welcomed.
  Cristo Rey has played a special role in helping these students 
overcome obstacles they have faced in their young lives. Some have had 
financial difficulties, and others have faced the dangers and 
temptations of the streets.
  In addition to academics, the students received hands-on experience 
in the workplace, even before being handed their diplomas. One day a 
week, they worked in some very high powered firms such as JPMorgan, 
Chase and Citigroup. The students performed office work and received 
guidance from mentors who helped them identify desired career paths.
  Many of these firms pay sixty-percent of the school's expense.
  Cristo Rey's motto is, ``transforming Urban America, One Student at a 
Time''. The transformation of these fifty students shows what hard work 
and dedication can achieve. Cristo Rey has laid the educational 
foundation for these students. The sky is the limit for them in what 
they can achieve, in their working careers.
  Here are the names of the students whose achievements we celebrate: 
Lucio Reynoso, Steven Gonzalez, David Luna, Andrew Sanabria, Andy 
Paulino, Jonathan Balbuena, Aleksander Perpalaj, Daniel Estevez, Joel 
Frias, Bryan Santos, Charles Perez, Randy Nunez, Melany Rodriguez, Sade 
Gonzalez, Michelizabeth Sainvill, Nyesha Johnson, Tiffany Tejeda, 
Steven Saverino, Amaury de Dios, Stanley Majors, Jr., Christian Guzman, 
Angel-Alvarez, Laury Veudna; Devany Baez, Celia Martinez, Lizbel 
Escamilla, Sheniqua Green, Katherine Santiago, Olivia McBride, Vitoria 
Velazquez, Marisol Almonte, Ashley Garcia, Asia Davis, Angelique Agudo, 
Stephanie Ortiz, Amanda Rodriguez, Lidibeth Iona, Ashley Saucedo, 
Genesis Cedeno, Vanessa Ruiz, Noelia Taveras, Raquel Salgado, Cailyn 
Asturias, Jessica Vargas, Patricia Diaz, Stephanie Medaivilla, Tamika 
Flores, Paola Peguero.

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