Sinsinawa
Spectrum
A Congregation News Magazine
St. Martin de Porres High School
Celebrates 5 Years
by Jennifer Marr Rodriguez
 Front row, from left: Sr. Mary Ellen Green (OP), Sr. Mary Popit (SHCJ), Sr. Judy Seiberlich (OP), Sr. Margaret Doyle (SHCJ), and Fr. Tom von Behren (CSV). Back row: George Rattin, Br. Michael Gosch (CSV), Br. Carlos Ernesto Florez (CSV), Fr. Charles Bolser (CSV), Fr. John Nowak (CR), and Michael Odiotti. |
|---|
On Oct. 19, the five endorsing communities of St. Martin de Porres High School (SMdP) joined the board of trustees and the school community to celebrate five years of innovative education in Waukegan, IL. A member of the Cristo Rey Network of schools, a consortium of 24 high schools across the country that incorporates a work-study component into the curriculum as well as more traditional classroom education, SMdP first opened its doors in 2004. It was the first Catholic high school in Lake County in over 40 years.
Margaret Doyle, SHCJ, began the ceremony by identifying each endorsing community of St. Martin de Porres: Society of the Holy Child Jesus; the Clerics of St. Viator; the Congregation of the Resurrection; the Sinsinawa Dominicans; and the Church of St. Mary Lake Forest, which completed its sponsorship this year. These religious communities support the school through talent, time, and finances.
Bishop George Rassas, who brought the vision of a Cristo Rey school to Waukegan, presided over the liturgy. A liturgical dance performed by a student concluded the ceremony. “As a community that is committed for young people and those who often struggle, we (The Clerics of St. Viator) are happy to celebrate five years of success in offering opportunities for young people in Lake County. I have been impressed with the quality of education provided at SMdP and the commitment of the dedicated and qualified faculty. In addition, it has been a pleasure to witness that the students care for one another―there is less competition and more cooperation,” said Rev. Tom von Behren, CSV.
The school has experienced considerable success in its first five years, opening in 2004 with 95 students in rented space. Today, SMdP has more than 230 students on a new campus. The class of 2009 received more than $800,000 in college scholarships and 97 percent were accepted into a college. Almost 90 percent of SMdP alums are currently pursuing a college degree.
A member of the national Cristo Rey Network, SMdP is a Catholic, coed, college preparatory school and is committed to academic excellence made affordable for young people of limited options through each student’s participation in the Hire4Ed (corporate internship) Program.