Christel House Mexico Student Stories

S T O R I E S

CHRISTEL HOUSE MEXICO S T U D E N T

ALAN – 8th GRADE Alan wants to study automotive engineering, a love for motors his late father instilled in his son. Alan’s dad died after being assaulted last year. He considers himself a serious boy, but he is happy when he is with his friends. While many live in his home, including grandparents and uncles, only his mother works. Teachers say Alan is resilient, fun and positive student.

He is always willing to help and very respectful of others.

ANGEL – 10th GRADE Angel and two younger brothers live with their mom in a small apartment. Angel describes his poor neighborhood as “not friendly.” Each morning, he gets up before dawn and travels 45 minutes by bus to Christel House Mexico. A good student, Angel considers himself an artist and appreciates the opportunities at Christel House Mexico. A bass player in his high school band, he plans to go to university to study music.

CRUZ – 8th GRADE Cruz sees herself as an enterprising person. “I am firm and capable of achieving my goals,” she says. She appreciates the high educational level offered at Christel House Mexico and imagines she will continue at the university to study gastronomy. She sees a goal of opening a restaurant one day. Other important goals – having a house and supporting her family. Her teacher says Cruz will use her strong academic skills to overcome and succeed.

ALEX – 10th GRADE Alex is direct about why Christel House is different from other schools. “Books, uniforms and a good education,” she says. Alex is not alone at Christel House. She has an older sister also at the school.

Alex was six years old when she started at Christel House. Her favorite subject is mathematics because she likes the numbers. She’s not certain what career she wants, but she knows she wants a job that let’s her help people. Alex will return to the Culver Academies Leadership Camp this summer in the U.S. representing Christel House Mexico.

DANIELA – 8th GRADE Daniela’s life project is to study something related to art and photography. She wants to continue studying to “have a better future, achieve my goals and meet new people.” She lives with her father who is a taxi driver. Daniela is confident that she will have a great future and her teacher says she is highly motivated to learn. Daniela wants to travel the world. “I see myself as a person that strives to improve and live better,” she says.

DAVID – 9th GRADE For 13-year-old David, he thinks the people who work at Christel House Mexico are what make the school so special.

“My school is not only a place to study, but a place to develop yourself,” he says. David also cites the safety that Christel House Mexico offers. A highlight for David – the opportunity to travel to Universal Studios Florida as part of a school trip. “It was one of the happiest days of my life!”

DIANA – 9th GRADE Diana lives in a crowded house – in addition to her two sisters, mother and father, her grandparents also live in the same home. She sees herself as an enthusiastic person that loves to dance and listen to music. Diana is grateful that Christel House offers high school classes as she wants to graduate from the school. This young student already is looking ahead to a career in tourism. “I want to get to know other places,” she says.

FLOR – 5th GRADE Flor’s mother died when she was born. The young Christel House student says it makes her sad never having the chance to get to know her birth mother. But Flor feels loved – she is cared for by her grandmother whom she calls Mama. She enrolled Flor at Christel House Mexico, grateful for the education, nutritious food and healthcare Flor receives. Flor’s favorite subjects are mathematics and English.

FERNANDA – 9th GRADE Fernanda started at Christel House Mexico when she was six years old. Now 14, she says it is a privilege to be at Christel House. While her family does not have much, her parents encouraged her to be grateful for what she has. A good student, Fernanda has excelled in art. She has thoughts about a career – studying plastic arts or joining the Navy.

JIMENA – 8th GRADE Jimena lives with her mother in Mexico City. Her mom works, cleaning houses. She gets along well with her mother. “We live together a lot,” she says smiling. She appreciates the closeness of the Christel House family and looks forward to entering high school. While she is not sure of a career path yet, she does enjoy listening to music and videos. Jimena considers herself a shy person who strives everyday to achieve her goals.

JORGE – 8th GRADE Jorge is a young man very interested in technology. He’s only 14 years old, but he plans to study electronic engineering, graphic or industrial design. Jorge has been involved with robotics and programming since childhood. “I have goals to achieve despite the obstacles I have,” says Jorge. He enjoys drawing, singing and practicing martial arts. Teachers say he is a dedicated student in school and respectful of his classmates.

FRIDA R. – 12th GRADE

Christel House Mexico’s strong education and character building had an impressive impact on Frida.

Coming from a poor community, she remembers feeling small and scared on her first day at school.

Christel House changed Frida’s life outlook and given her confidence to succeed. “I was isolated and shy as a child. Now I am a girl with big dreams and ideals. Christel House has inspired me.” Frida plans to attend University after graduation.

LUIS – 9th GRADE “I see myself as a person who strives to achieve their goals,” says Luis. Luis lives with a brother, father and mother. His dad supports the family working as a general helper. Luis would like to study to become a graphic designer when he attends university. He has two hobbies – playing the guitar and playing soccer. He is very happy to be at Christel House Mexico and feels the academics of the school are at a very high level.

LUNA – 12th GRADE This young lady in the Class of 2019 has a big heart and big dreams – with a drive to succeed. A martial arts student, Luna has participated in two Lima Lama Championships in Mexico. She credits her Christel House teachers for motivating her to never give up. She gives back with a program to recycle old bicycles and teaching young children how to ride. “Not everyone has the opportunities that I have had,” says Luna. “I have to return a little bit.”

MARIA – 9th GRADE “I consider myself a person who has many abilities and I can achieve what I set out to do,” says Maria. She appreciates the high academic standards at Christel House. Maria wants to learn languages and travel. She is considering a career in Tourism. In addition to her classwork, Maria also enjoys playing soccer and watching movies.

HECTOR – 10th GRADE Hector says his neighborhood is not a safe place. “It’s a dirty neighborhood,” he says. Hector has been in Christel House since first grade. He says the education and the security offered at Christel House makes it much better than other schools. Hector is honored to have been selected for leadership training during his summers at Culver Academies in the United States through Christel House.

He credits the Christel House College & Careers program for a clear vision of what he wants to do as a future career – he plans to be an Engineer.

MARIO – 8th GRADE Mario says he and his mom and dad have a quiet life, eating together and enjoying movies. His father supports the family working as a janitor. Mario is thankful to be at Christel House as he feels it is his best option to continue studying. This young man is interested in medicine as a career. He like to play musical instruments, video games and is interested with motorcycles. His teacher says Mario is a peaceful, introverted, analytical student that enjoys reading.

RODRIGO – 9th GRADE Rodrigo has a large family. That includes his mother, brothers, grandmother, cousins, uncles and some nephews – and they all live under one roof! Rodrigo dreams to study Art or Music at University so he can get a good job that allows him to support his family. Rodrigo is cheerful, fun, and by his own admission, talks a lot. His teachers say he is a natural leader and very supportive of his classmates. And he has a talent for art.

XIMENA – 9th GRADE Ximena considers herself a “centered person” – she knows what she wants. She is also intelligent and friendly. Ximena lives with her working parents – Mom is a cook and Dad is a taxi driver. She has a brother and sister and says they all get along well. When she graduates from Christel House Mexico, Ximena would like to study Biochemical Engineering with an emphasis on food. “I am very interested in the subject,” she says.

MONICA – 12th GRADE Monica was very happy when 12th grade classes were added at Christel House Mexico – it allowed her to return and finish high school at Christel House. Monica had to attend another high school for one year. The experience was discouraging. But thanks to the education and values she learned at Christel House, she had the best average of her class. She was relieved to return to Christel House Mexico and is excited to graduate with the Class of 2019 this summer.