Royals Report

Celebrating Black History Month, Judy Love and new sports

Black History Month
Black History Month, first proposed in 1969 by Black educators and Black United Students at Kent State University, was officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford after being celebrated all across the country in different types of educational institutions.

It is important to take the time to learn the history and culture of the people around us and understand the impacts they have had, and still have to this day.

Our lovely Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a Black History Month assembly sharing with all Royals the richness of Black culture inviting us to start off the month with a celebration of diversity and cultural pride. We even had the honor of having guest speaker Colisha Lewis join us in this celebration and speak about her experiences and pride in being a Black woman.

Offering words of encouragement to all students, she touched the hearts of every Royal who, encouraged to keep their heads high and reach for the stars because even in the face of adversity there is hope. 

Remembering Judy Love
It is with great sorrow that our Royal family felt the loss of a foundational member of our community, Judy Love.

She is remembered as a kind and generous soul who served on an array of nonprofit boards all across Oklahoma City, working hard to always give back to not only her community, but whoever she could. Her philanthropic nature reached far and wide across the state, even reaching us Royals as she helped Cristo Rey OKC flourish into the wonderful school it is today.

Cristo Rey held a special reverent Mass in memory of Judy Love, attended by all students and joined by several of Mrs. Love’s close family in worship to remember her and the positive impact that she had on all our lives.

We pray deeply for her family and hope that the love she shared with all the people she helped prevails through them.

Let it snow
The only thing more unpredictable than gas prices is Oklahoma weather.

A few weeks ago, we had the misfortune, or blessing depending on who you ask, of a massive ice storm crashing down upon us in mid-February. The temperatures dropped drastically, the roads froze over, and it even snowed.

School was cancelled, allowing students to bask in the taste of an early spring break, or more accurately, a very late Christmas break.

To the river
The spring rowing season has begun for Cristo Rey. If only the waters would cooperate.

Our Royal rowing team kicked off its first practice wrapped like penguins, discovering that the river had gone completely frozen. Regardless, they still enthusiastically welcomed the new season.

Royal senior Juliet Lopez found the rowing team inviting.

“I was a little intimidated joining sports like volleyball or basketball where I didn’t have any experience,” she said. “But I didn’t need any previous experience to join rowing, so I felt motivated to try it out.

“I really value the friendships I’ve formed with people on my team and how I’ve grown as a person through this sport.”

Beyond the fun, Lopez said rowing is providing lessons to carry into the future.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot about discipline and testing your own limits by doing rowing,” she said, “I push myself a lot more both during practice and outside of it.”

Diana Garcia is a senior at Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School.


Photo: Colisha Lewis was the guest speaker during a Black History Month assembly 
in February at Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School in Oklahoma City. Photo Orlene Chaney.