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November 5, 2022 was an milestone in the history books of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. To either win a state championship or have a record-setting fundraising gala could be considered exciting feats in and of themselves. On November 5th, however, we achieved both our first state soccer championship and a record-setting fundraising gala surpassing $700,000 raised for the first time. It is humbling to think of the events on November 5th. In this season of gratitude, I'm grateful for all who’ve been part of building Cristo Rey Jesuit to what it is today.
One memory that I will always have from the day was an interaction with an alumna who was attending the game to support our Cristo Rey Jesuit soccer team. As a former soccer player and soccer fan, there was very little that could have kept me from seeing at least part of the game where our team played for the state championship. I decided that I would go to the game and then leave for our fundraising gala at half-time.
As I was standing in my tuxedo by our bleachers watching the game and greeting others passing through on the way to our bleachers, one of our alumni approached me, and we began talking. She asked me how I felt about the game. I replied to her that I was proud to be a small part of helping to make it happen. I then turned to her and asked her, as an alumna, how she felt. She replied with some insight that put it all into perspective. She said, “Mr. Stith, I feel like this is bigger than a state championship.” I looked quizzically at her as I wasn’t sure how much bigger things could get. Then she pointed at the bleachers and said, “Do you see all those kids and families sitting on our side?” I replied, “Yes, why?” She said, “Because they are kids from Cristo Rey and from about four or five other high schools on the south side - public, charter, and private schools. They are all here for us.” She continued, “This is bigger than a state championship because this shows that kids from the south side of Milwaukee can do this. That we belong here and can win at the top levels of soccer. This is for all those growing up on the south side of Milwaukee!” I looked at our alumna and I thanked her for her insight. I had totally underestimated the significance of this moment to the broader community. It was about so much more than a state championship.
In light of our alumna’s comments to me, I reflected upon the core of our mission at Cristo Rey Jesuit. We empower our young people through opportunities in the classroom, in the workplace, through the practice of faith, in co-curricular activities, through the arts, in tech-related activities, and so much more. We can only do this because of the many corporations and donors who support our work. We are grateful to so many for providing the necessary financial resources to ensure our mission is brought to life. I am also thankful that our students continue to place Cristo Rey Jesuit on the map as a destination high school in Milwaukee. Our students give us the opportunity to inspire the community to do so much more than we ever imagined.
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