President’s Message
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School! The Archdiocese of Washington and the Salesians of Don Bosco have prepared the soil and we have planted a new high school in the “Cristo Rey” model. It has taken nearly four years of hard work, much risk and deep, deep faith, but we have opened a wonderful garden where students, families, educators and the local Business community have come together to prepare the way, till the soil, water, nourish, fertilize, prune, and experience a dream come true - a miracle come to pass! We never imagined that we would already taste a bit of the fruit, the life, and the hope promised.
The first group of students trained in our summer business training last August is now working hard to gain both a Catholic College preparatory education along with professional experience in entry level clerical positions at businesses throughout the greater Washington area. Some travel great distances to get to our school. Some find balancing a job, their studies and the long tiring days very heavy, while a few feel the pressures of little time to experience the youthful exuberance of regular activities a huge sacrifice. Yet they agree that it is all worthwhile to have the chance to help their families pay for an education that they could never have dreamed of. They have the real hope of getting into college and the shot of achieving their dreams in life! Listen to their words:
“My goal is to be a pediatrician. I am a hard worker looking for a challenge. I am learning a lot and taking all the experiences with me. This is not like other schools. We’re getting prepared for the real world. I want to be somebody. The teachers, the people here really care about us – they push me to do the best I can. Getting to go to work –at such a young age, working at such important places that make a difference in people’s lives is great. I love interacting with people…”
– Linda, who works at a local hospital
“The work program is my favorite part of going to school at DBCR. It matures me and gives me an advantage over regular students. It’s not like a regular high school here. I want to graduate from here and have a better advantage. People at colleges and jobs will be able to look at me and see what I’ve done and see my experience. I’d like to go to Auburn or maybe a school that has a really good marine biology program. I think there’s a school in England that has a good marine biology program.”
– Isaiah, who works at a local university
To see and hear our students and their dreams is inspiring. To live and journey with them is to see God’s Spirit is in their hearts. We must believe in our young people if they are to believe in themselves. I hope you take time to browse through our web pages and see some of what we are planting. Perhaps you want to be part of this new and exciting garden, just planted in the Washington metropolitan area as a student, educator, business sponsor or person interested in helping us plant through your generosity. We welcome you! What a privilege it truly is for all of us to be part of Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School.
God Bless you,
Fr. Steve Shafran, SDB
President