#IAmCristoRey: Meet Joan

Above: Joan, a rising junior at Cristo Rey San Diego High School, is pictured in front of the classroom that is currently being remodeled into a chemistry lab for Fall 2022.

For this extended edition of #IAmCristoRey, we’d like to introduce Joan! Joan is a rising junior (Class of 2024) who is a Student Ambassador and member of our cheer team. During the 2021-2022 school year, her work study placement was in the Development and Marketing Office here at CRSD. Read on to learn more about Joan and her experience so far at Cristo Rey San Diego High:

Q: Why did you decide to go to Cristo Rey?
A: To help my family and myself – to get a better future. To help people back in my country [Joan is from Nigeria] and to make my parents proud. To have a better future for myself and to take care of them.

Q: What’s your favorite class and why?
A: Theology, because it talks about God and teaches you more about other cultures and things that happen in the world. About the saints and feast days I never knew about, like St. Patrick. I also like English, which teaches us about the past. And History – making sure things don’t happen again and making the world a better place.

Q: What are some things you’ve learned this year in work study?
A: I’ve learned about marketing. It’s really fun and helps me to understand what it’s like to start a business.

Q: Why should other students come to Cristo Rey?
A: To help get a good community and make good friends. It’s like a big family where you can talk about your problems with teachers and trusted friends, or the counselor.

Q: Why did you join cheer?
A: I decided to join cheer to get more exercise. It’s also fun to see other people dance, because that’s what I love doing. It brings me happiness and joy to see others dancing and encouraging each other. For me, I don’t know the word “can’t,” so I don’t give up easily.

Q: What are you looking forward to for next year?
A: I’m looking forward to thinking about college, where I hope to study engineering or medicine, and trying to start a business to help my parents and save some money. I’ll be keeping my head up high!