Royals Report

Twisters …
On Nov. 3, many families across Oklahoma including, our students, woke up to the blaring cries of sirens and the intruding ding of pop-up notifications on their phones telling them to seek shelter immediately.

It was predicted that we would have a nasty storm upon us and so it was. The sky was bleak, the clouds were ominous and various tornadoes were rampant, carving out their path of destruction.

Surely the last thing on any student’s mind was, “I ought to study for that math test in first period.”

Due to the circumstances, understandably, class was canceled. Although our school values the education of its students, their safety comes first, always, so we got the day off to connect with family and check up on our neighbor’s well-being. Fortunately, none of the students or their immediate families were injured, but this weather scare allowed us to reflect on the importance of family and unity in times of uncertainty. 

Season of Giving
It’s the season of giving. So many Royals thought, “what better time to donate blood than the holidays?”

Cristo Rey OKC recently hosted its semi-annual blood drive, giving all Royals the opportunity to spread early holiday cheer to our community. Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to help those in need, since human blood is an invaluable resource that cannot be substituted for anything else.

Blood donors are always in need, and one blood donation saves on average three lives. Generosity goes a long way, and so did the donation line. I can say with absolute certainty that our Royals sure got a lot of joy in their hearts knowing they saved a lot of lives, as well as a cool shirt.

Parent Student Conferences 
Our Royals had to face one of the most daunting tasks of their high school experience: being independent.

As of last year, Cristo Rey has steered towards a new and more engaging way to approach parent-teacher conferences so as to not completely trivialize our Royals as the name parent-teacher conferences would imply. That was of course by putting them directly in the driver's seat and slamming on the accelerator.

Cristo Rey’s mission is to prepare its Royals for the responsibility and independence it takes to be a successful person in this world, so why not start with a meeting? Our Royals were in charge of presenting to their parents all of their projects that they’ve been investing their efforts into for the past semester and having in depth conversations about their academic importance all independently.

Of course, their study hall teacher was there to lend a hand when needed and to affirm their credibility whenever a parent raised an eyebrow at a believed over-exaggeration of an assignment that went a little too well.

Leadership is an important skill to have, especially on the road to success. If we can cultivate the proper skills and mindset our Royals need to step out of our doors with the confidence and certainty that they will prosper in this life, then we will give it our all, even if it takes getting through an awkward conference.

Royal Regatta 
Despite the freezing temperatures, our Royals stood strong in the face of Oklahoma's unpredictable weather and raced in the Youth Rowing League Regatta.

Royals from all across the school littered the bleachers to cheer on their fellow classmates during the competition. Although our newer rowers headed off to a rough start, they showed resilience by not allowing defeat to drag down their spirits as they swashed past the finish line proud in knowing that they could finish whatever they started with teamwork.

Our second team of Royals led a heftier performance as they glided across the water, battling against the currents, the winds and frostbite all the way to the end. Although neither team managed to place in the finals, every Royal walked out of the competition with the certainty and pride that they had given it their all, and in time to catch a lovely view of the sunset over the river.


Photo: Royal Rowing team Alan Ballina, Arianna Shirallie, Adriana Gonzalez, Esteban Martinez, Jorge Narvaez, Francisco Varela Lopez, Eduardo Velazquez, Alexandrea Jakelin Avelar, Tatiana Vierling, James Cortes-Rodriguez, Dayeli Lopez Ramirez, Jacob Perez, Jasmine Reynolds, Aziza Edwards, Juliet Lopez, Emanuel Rivera, and Aaron Stinson Jr. posing together before regatta. Photo Agatha Gasperoni.