Hurtado Scholars Program Showcases Results

Celebrating a decade since its inception, the Hurtado Scholars Program has snowballed the successes of its students, as 110 young men have been positively impacted by the program. The year-round dedication of the Scholars resulted in academic improvement, as well as social and spiritual growth.

Two 2022 graduates of the Hurtado Scholars Program, now incoming freshmen at Rockhurst, scored in the top-5 percent of all Rockhurst testtakers on the High School Placement Test (HSPT). Over the last three years, Scholars have increased their HSPT scores, on average, from 38.1 to 63.7.

Jabari Cambridge ’25, a Hurtado graduate, was invited to attend a drum and percussion workshop at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. All seven Hurtado graduates in Rockhurst’s Class of 2022 will attend a four-year college or university, and four of them received scholarships from the Hispanic Development Fund (HDF).

Students, families, and benefactors of the Hurtado Scholars Program gathered on June 9 for the annual

“The Fire That Kindles Other Fires /El Fuego Que Enciende Otros Fuegos” event. Mateo De La Torre ’22 received the Green Truck Award, given to a Program graduate who has made the most of his time at Rockhurst upon his high school graduation through his commitment to the values and skills he learned while a Hurtado Scholar.

“I continuously seek ways to give up my time and talents as a way to help me be better so that I might help others, which is why I’ve chosen a Pre-Law track at KU so that I might pursue a career in Immigration Law,” De La Torre told the crowd.

Marvin Grilliot, who tirelessly served as the program’s director for the last seven years, received The Fire That Kindles Other Fires Award. He is referred to as

“Un Buen Pastor” (A Good Shepherd) for his incredible dedication to the students and families of the Hurtado Scholars Program. Grilliot is stepping down from his role in July as he returns to being a full-time teacher at Rockhurst, which includes designing and leading Rockhurst’s first Hispanic History course this fall.

Anthony Re takes over as the program director after serving as the middle school director, and Spanish faculty member Vanessa Wiegman joins as the assistant director.

“If we can quantify love through tears and laughter, deep listening and understanding, a sense of belonging, hope-filled sacrifice, holding one another accountable, heartache and triumph, forgiveness, and challenging one another to be better, then I think the Hurtado Program has been successful,” said Grilliot in his remarks.

These successes would not be possible without significant community moral and financial support.

You can add your support at www.rockhursths.edu/ hurtado/donate.

Campers Keep Rockhurst Busy in Summer

Rockhurst High School let out for summer on May 25, 2022, but within days campus was bustling again as summer camps began.

Rockhurst faculty members and coaches lead camps, courses, and programs throughout June and July for grade school and high school students. Athletic camps include baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer, and wrestling. Academic camps for grade school students include future scientists, HSPT prep, musical theater, robotics, science enrichment, and study skills. Academic courses for high school students include Magis Academy, PSAT prep, and summer credit courses.

In total, more than 1,750 students enrolled in these camps and courses for summer 2022.

“We are proud of the high-quality camps that our faculty and staff members at Rockhurst lead,” said Matt Daby ’00, summer camp director. “It’s evident that campers enjoy themselves and improve their skills, whether that’s in a classroom, in an activity, or on a playing field.”

Kelley Wilson ’92 Memorial BBQ Supports Hawklets

In January of 1993, the Rockhurst High School community lost three good friends in a fatal car accident. Among them was Kelley Wilson ’92, who had graduated from Rockhurst just months prior.

The Kelley Wilson Memorial BBQ Competition (KWBBQ) was established in 2011 to memorialize Kelley’s life, have fun, and raise funds for the scholarship in his name, which is granted to a student in financial need who otherwise could not afford to attend Rockhurst.

The 11th annual KWBBQ was hosted over June 3-4, and was a Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS) State Championship event, with more than 40 teams competing. Entertainment on Friday night was provided by local classic rock band, Road Trip.

Jimmy Connell ’92 and Billy Hodes ’92 once again spearheaded the event in their classmate’s honor, as they have done since the KWBBQ inception.

The 2022 event netted just under $40,000 for deposit to the M. Kelley Wilson Memorial Scholarship Fund.