Cristo Rey New York High School (CRNY) celebrated its 20th anniversary at the annual Access to Success Gala on Thursday, October 24. 

The gala, which took place in New York City’s midtown, recognized founding Principal William P. Ford III, founding President Father Joseph P. Parkes, S.J., founding Board Chair Madeline E. Lacavora, and the organization’s three subsequent board chairs: Susan Braddock, Kyle L. Miller, and William Cody, along with founding Trustee Mark DeWaele, DMD.

Alumni, donors, stakeholders, and other supporters of CRNY’s mission were in attendance. Sister Margaret (Peg) Doyle, who previously served as a member of both the Advisory Committee for the CRNY Feasibility Study and the organization’s Board of Trustees, opened with a heartfelt invocation, celebrating the dream that led to Cristo Rey New York High School’s founding. She recognized the contributions of early supporters — benefactors, faculty, families, and endorsing communities — and honored spiritual founders like Maura Clarke and Oscar Romero. She encouraged all to continue working for justice and embodying hope.

The funds raised at the gala allow the school’s tuition to remain affordable for its students. It will cost approximately $23,000 to educate each student this school year, yet the average family can afford only $1,500 in tuition. The money raised allows Cristo Rey New York to continue to provide educational services to the families it supports.

Two current seniors – Adrian Santos and Savannah Aranzamendi (Class of 2025) – emceed the event. Aranzamendi shared her journey from the Lower East Side to CRNY, reflecting on the school’s transformative impact on her life. Initially hesitant, she quickly grew passionate about the community, joining multiple sports teams and excelling academically. She highlighted the school’s support through her college application process and expressed excitement for the future, knowing Cristo Rey New York had prepared her for success.

“Thanks to Cristo Rey, I know I have more adventures waiting for me than the little girl watching her brothers play video games could have ever dreamed of,” she said.

The night also included two guest speakers from Cristo Rey New York’s first graduating class, Michelle Gonzalez and Jeffrey Collado (Class of 2008). Gonzalez recounted her family’s journey from Ecuador and her initial doubts about the school’s then-humble campus. She highlighted the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) as a key factor in her success, teaching her professional skills from a young age.

Now a legal project manager, she emphasized the school’s lasting influence and the community’s role in shaping her career and life, saying, “There are times when that little voice creeps in: ‘Do I really belong here?’ But I remind myself, ‘Yes, I do.’ I’ve been walking into corporate rooms since I was 14 years old, thanks to Cristo Rey.”

Santos reflected on his growth at Cristo Rey New York, where he developed confidence and leadership through the drama club and CWSP. Working at Morgan Stanley and caddying in Chicago gave him new experiences, expanding his career aspirations in aeronautics. Santos praised Cristo Rey New York for its supportive community and said he felt it prepared him to meet future challenges with courage and resilience.

“We love being at Cristo Rey because we feel safe, heard, and understood by each other and our teachers,” Santos said. “We have learned so much about ourselves and aspire not just to improve our futures but to better our community.”

Collado spoke about his journey at Cristo Rey New York and its influence on his personal and professional achievements. From early challenges to his current role at American Express, he credited the CWSP and the network at the school for instilling confidence and fostering growth in his career. Collado encouraged students to leverage the opportunities and networks available through CRNY for their future success.

“The experience of the work-study program opened the door for me to know how to navigate the corporate world and has changed my life,” he said.

Ford, one of the evening’s honorees, spoke about his experience in leading the feasibility study for CRNY, building the school from the ground up, and relying on the mission that allowed the school to succeed in the first place. He then led a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of three people who were closely tied to the honorees and have died.

Closing out the evening was Daniel Dougherty, president of Cristo Rey New York, who thanked the evening’s honorees for their foundational roles in the school’s success. He emphasized the impact of the school’s mission and urged attendees to support the school financially and by promoting its mission. Dougherty concluded by inviting corporate partners to provide students with work experience, reaffirming CRNY’s vision to continue transforming lives.

“Together we will dream new and bigger dreams and work to bring them to fruition, so the next 20 years are even better than the first 20,” he said.