Fort Worth families gathered at the Casa Mañana Theatre on September 5 for Cristo Rey Fort Worth’s annual Draft Day, a celebration that mirrors the NFL draft but focuses on the school’s Corporate Work Study Program. The event highlighted how the Catholic‑based college‑preparatory high school is helping students from limited‑income homes gain professional experience while covering roughly half of their tuition.
Students discover their first professional homes
Angel Arvizu, a sophomore, waited anxiously as healthcare partners called out names. When his turn finally arrived, he heard, “Texas Health Resources.” The hospital placement means Angel will spend one day a week on the front lines of patient care, a personal mission for a young man who has lived with asthma and a weakened immune system.
“I’m going to be working in a hospital!” Angel said, adding that he hopes to help others the way doctors and nurses helped him. His excitement reflects the program’s goal: to turn personal challenges into a calling to serve.
Senior Miguel Garcia finds a path to engineering
Senior Miguel Garcia, whose older sister earned a full scholarship at Kansas State University after graduating from Cristo Rey, waited for his name to be called. When the announcement came—Halff, an infrastructure consulting firm—Miguel saw a direct line from his childhood love of Legos to a future in civil engineering.
“I’m new to them, and they’re new to me,” Miguel explained. “I’m trying to grow as a person while they grow as a company, and represent Cristo Rey well.” He hopes the experience will prepare him for a degree at Texas A&M or the University of Texas at Austin.
Work‑study bridges school and the workforce
Through the Corporate Work Study Program, each student works one day per week at a local business or nonprofit while attending college‑preparatory classes the remaining four days. For the 2026‑27 school year, about 90 Fort Worth employers—from hospitals and engineering firms to law offices and museums—participate.
The earnings from these placements cover roughly 50% of each student’s tuition, making a private, faith‑based education affordable for families who might otherwise be unable to afford it. More importantly, students develop professional etiquette, networking skills, and a clear sense of career direction long before their peers graduate high school.
Family, faith, and community at the heart of the program
Both Angel and Miguel credit their families and the school’s Catholic values for their perseverance. Miguel’s sister’s success at college gave his family a tangible example of what Cristo Rey can achieve. Angel’s desire to give back to the healthcare community stems from his own reliance on compassionate medical professionals.
“My family chose Cristo Rey because of the opportunities it provides students to prepare for their future,” Miguel said. “I want to make my parents proud and support them one day.”
Local businesses benefit, too
Employers gain early access to motivated, trainable talent and play a direct role in shaping Fort Worth’s future workforce. Companies like Texas Health Resources and Halff not only fill a day‑a‑week staffing need but also invest in the next generation of professionals who may become long‑term employees.
“Partnering with Cristo Rey allows us to mentor young people and identify future engineers and healthcare workers,” a Halff spokesperson said. “It’s a win‑win for our firm and the community.”
Looking ahead
Draft Day does not guarantee an easy year; students must balance rigorous academics, college‑prep coursework, and workplace responsibilities. Yet the program’s track record shows that participants emerge more confident, capable, and ready to pursue higher education and meaningful careers.
For Fort Worth’s families, Cristo Rey’s Draft Day is more than a ceremony—it is a tangible promise that faith, hard work, and community partnership can lift children out of economic hardship and into promising futures.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
