Alongside rigorous college prep academics, Cristo Rey students receive a Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) placement where they work about five days a month – there, they gain professional experience and significantly offset their tuition. Viatorians founded Cristo Rey St. Viator in 2019 to facilitate this opportunity for under-resourced families in Las Vegas, and CRSV students’ placements include St. Viator Catholic Community and School as well as Viatorian-founded St. Thomas More Catholic Community and other archdiocesan sites.
CRSV President Lisa Burkhead is a veteran educator and a St. Viator parishioner and school parent. So, she loves these faith-based opportunities, especially since students see Catholic education first-hand. “Students push into classrooms and aid teachers in real classroom experience. Some never thought they’d go into education, but then they discover something there – and we need more educators,” Lisa said.
Associate Paul Mertzman, St. Viator Parish School Vice Principal, attended the student workers’ end-of-year presentation at Cristo Rey St. Viator.
St. Viator Principal Dr. Katie Kiss takes personal interest in mentoring and supporting her team of CRSV students. Katie starts with an introductory interview to get to know them and get them comfortable on campus, where she sees them as adult team members. “These students become a valued and visible presence in our community. They support academic classroom activities, model positive behavior on the playground, and become part of our daily rhythm. They’re even welcomed into our faculty room during breaks, reinforcing their role as colleagues,” Katie said.
The parish office staff views their student workers similarly. “Maricruz just did a retreat with us led by Fr. Dan, and she enjoyed being included as staff,” Associate Rosy Hartz, parish Youth Faith Formation Coordinator, said. “She often shares what she’s doing in Student Government and works hard, and Elizabeth is kind and brings us some needed youthful energy.”
Left to right, Associate Juliann Dwyer, Jocelyn, Associate Cheryl Schwarz, and Regina Comple, executive assistant to the STM pastor, celebrate Jocelyn’s end-of-year presentation at Cristo Rey St. Viator.
At St. Thomas More in Henderson, Jocelyn works with almost every parish staff member. This includes assisting Associate Cheryl Schwarz in the food pantry and gift shop, where Jocelyn’s Spanish-language skills help them serve more people, and Associate Juliann Dwyer, who is often managing paperwork and benefits from Jocelyn’s Excel know-how. “No matter what the assignment is, she completes it with perfection,” Juliann said.
“In the parish offices, they’re mentored in a place that emphasizes Catholic values and Catholic faith. They see what it takes to run a church,” Lisa adds. “It’s a win-win situation where shorthanded staffs get more help, and students get additional faith formation.”
And these Viatorian mentors relish seeing student workers’ growth. “They form meaningful bonds with staff and students; parents get to know them; and they’re introduced formally in our classrooms. The Viatorian spirit is very much alive in this partnership, and we’re proud to walk with these young people on their journey of discernment and leadership development,” Katie said. “We look forward to meeting new students each fall, and we’re always sad to say goodbye. It has been a gift to bridge these two Viatorian institutions.”
Maricruz enjoyed taking part in St. Viator Catholic Community’s staff retreat, and Elizabeth was treated to a celebratory lunch by Associate Rosy Hartz and Jamie Reyburn, parish coordinator for baptism and safe environment and program director for St. Viator School Campus Ministry.
Rosy just took her student worker out for an end-of-year celebration lunch, and Juliann could not be more pleased with Jocelyn, always brimming with pride for her outstanding work. “St. Thomas More has been blessed with the best student,” Juliann said.
Lisa loves these stories and positive mentoring relationships, and she celebrates how the data bears out the extraordinary impact of this model. “The data is clear that the Corporate Work Study Program, alongside our academics, makes a winning combination in preparation for college. They get to home in on important soft skills and learn to be part of an adult team. They build confidence and become comfortable in a professional setting,” Lisa said – and for our community commitment to teaching the faith and walking with youth, this is everything. “They get an opportunity to see themselves in positions they may not have imagined for themselves before.”