As a part of CMMB’s partnership with Cristo Rey High School in New York, students are given a chance to volunteer in the office to gain exposure to the so called “real world” of work. For some of them, this is their first time in an office setting. For all of them, this is just one step on their journey to great things.

To get to know what working at CMMB is like for our Cristo Rey volunteers we asked them a few short questions. Get to know the future leaders and change makers of the world!

And here are some members of the Cristo Rey High School team that she leads at CMMB:

Jenny

Tenth grader Jenny is aiming high. Really high. Her dreams are stratospheric. Inspired by YouTube videos of Chris Hadfield’s life on the International Space station, Jenny hopes one day to walk on the moon. With companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin promising to bring commercial space travel into the mainstream, look out for Jenny at the helm of the next Lunar Express!

On her path to the skies, Jenny’s first stop is here at CMMB helping manage our donor portfolio database, distributing key messages, and piloting the paper shredder.

When not dreaming of her life among the stars, Jenny turns her eyes to the problems that will affect all of us here on Earth. If she could solve any world problem, Jenny would put an end to global warming in order to prevent the rising sea level from turning Atlanta into Atlantis.

What do you want us to know about you? I’ve been practicing Taekwondo for 8 years and am now a 2nd degree black belt. I also just stated taking modeling and acting classes in New Jersey.

Imagine you are stuck in an elevator. Who would you most like to be stuck with? Why? My cousin named Verania because we make jokes out of the worst situations. We would know how to keep each other calm and we would just start laughing and say funny things like “this is what happens when you try to sneak out of your house” There’s never a dull moment with her.

You are featured in the NY Times. Whats the headline? “Jackie Chan and His #1 Fan, Jenny, Showcase Their Skills”

What would be your theme song? Rockabye by Clean Bandit

What is your hope for your experience volunteering with CMMB? Being open to new tasks and learning how to keep a conversation going.

What is your hope for the future? My hope is to compete in the Olympics for Taekwondo.

 

Osmairy

Osmairy with his mom

This sophomore is wise for his age. Inspired by the socially conscious lyrics of rap artist Jermaine Cole, Osmairy knows money doesn’t always bring happiness. His dream is to attend a top engineering school so that he can use his skills to develop something world changing. When we asked what world problem he would address, he responded that he would solve racism; end the hatred that it causes and bring people together despite their differences.

“God made us all equal so that’s how we should treat each other”

CMMB has seen first hand how big an impact technology and engineered solutions can have on communities in need. From apps that remind expectant mothers to go to their clinic visits, to smarter well design, the world needs more people like Osmairy who are willing to devote their lives to engineering practical solutions.

While at CMMB, Osmairy is taking the first steps on his professional journey by learning how to create expense reports, as well as soft skills like office communication.

Intersting fact about you: I play for two different basketball teams and I am crazy about music.

What are you most proud of? How much I’ve improved in basketball and how I am doing in school.

Imagine you are stuck in an elevator. Who would you most like to be stuck with? Why? J. Cole because he is my favorite artist and, apart from basketball, music is one of my other passions.

If you were to sum yourself up in two words, which two would you choose? Extremely humble

You are featured in the NY Times or your national newspaper. What’s the headline? Computer Engineer Develops New World Changing Technology

Favorite Quote: “I feel like this: Whatever is in your path and in your heart, you need to do”  – J. Cole

What book should everyone read? Why? Bodega Dreams because it teaches you many life lessons that you need to know especially when you are a young adult.

Arianna

A freshman at Cristo Rey, Arianna has become an integral part of our community here at CMMB. So far, she has served as the voice of CMMB by taking many of the calls that come into the office and entering key data into our records. According to Arianna, working at CMMB has taught her the importance of patience and responsibility, two skills that will come in handy when she fulfills her dream of becoming a teacher and photojournalist.

Like her fellow Cristo Rey volunteers, Arianna wants her career to help people, and says that if she could solve any world problem it would be hunger.

She has this to say to her colleagues at CMMB: “I would like CMMB to know that I value working here and I admire the hard work they do. It feels great to be a part of the CMMB family and an organization that is trying to improve the world.”

We were able to ask Arianna a few questions to get to know her better:

Interesting fact about you: I can run a mile in less than five minutes.

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of the fact that I am academically strong.

Imagine you are stuck in an elevator. Who would you most like to be stuck with? Why? I would like to be stuck with my siblings. Even though I would be terrified, at least I would have my siblings to comfort me.

Imagine if you were an animal or an instrument – which would you be and why? I would be an owl because I consider myself to be strong and wise. As an instrument, I would consider myself to be a flute because I am beautiful and sweet.

Keila

Keila is a junior at Cristo Rey, and for the past three years has worked closely with Marivette Cannon, Team Leader of Facilities and Office Management, and cornerstone of the CMMB office. Keila is one of the first people donors talk to when they call CMMB, a role that she says has given her the confidence to step outside of her comfort zone and speak with all kinds of people.

When we asked her who she would choose to be stuck in an elevator with (an event that occurs in our office much less than one would expect), Keila named former President of the United States Barack Obama. She hopes that while the firefighters and secret service are closing in to rescue them, some of the president’s inspirational words will encourage her to help solve the many injustices in the world.

What world problem would you like to solve?

The world problem that I would like to solve is education inequality and social injustices. I believe that everyone should have access to an education no matter their race, economic status, etc.

What are your hopes for the future?

My hopes for the future is to graduate from college and be in a career that I look forward to waking up to every morning.

Who inspires you? How?

The person that inspires me the most is my mom because she wakes up everyday to insure that my family is our best selves.

Anything else you would like us to know about you?

I like to dance and my favorite subject in school is history.

Kelsay

Kelsay was born in the heart of New York city, but currently lives in the Bronx. An enthusiastic, motivated, hard worker, Kelsay is a freshman at Cristo Rey and an intern at the CMMB front desk. She is one of four girls in her family, and is proud of her open mind and determination. We asked Kelsay a few questions to get to know her and her are her responses:

If you were asked to sum yourself up in two words, which two would you choose? Goofy and creative

You are Featured in the NY Times or your national newspaper. What’s the headline? Teen Breaks Barriers in Both Age and Race

What would be your theme song (the song that would play whenever you enter a room)? Redbone by Childish Gambino

Imagine if you were an animal or instrument – which would you be and why? I would be a koala because they are adorable!

What is your hope for your experience volunteering with CMMB? My hope is to learn the basic skills required in an office setting.

Favorite quote: “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will”

What book should everyone read? Why? Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys

Who would you like to play you in the movie of your life? Sandra Bullock

What is your hope for the future? My hope is to graduate and run my own photography company.

What would you love people to know about you? I love capturing moments and taking them in.

Favorite speech or Tedtalk? “Si, se puede!” by Cesar Chavez

If you could solve one world problem, what would it be? Cancer

What are the three things you are most grateful for? Family, friends, and technology