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Spotlight on Seniors
Each spring we invite a number of high school Crusaders to talk about their studies, their challenges and accomplishments, and their plans for the future. As graduation day approaches, they consider what they've achieved and get ready to take the next steps toward college and career success. Explore the Spotlight profiles below to learn more about these inspiring young people, and to hear their advice for younger students who are following in their footsteps.
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Marylissa Barbosa ‘12
 Graduating this year from: Central Falls High School. Favorite subject: History. “It’s so interesting to see how the past has influenced the way things are now.” Other favorite subject: Math. Currently working on: Derivatives and antiderivatives. Next big project: The summative reflection for her senior portfolio. Latest accomplishment: Getting accepted to URI, Roger Williams University, St Anselm College, and La Salle University, and being waitlisted for Drexel University. How that feels: “I was so happy, I was jumping up and down.” Latest challenge: Deciding on which of all these schools to attend. Plans to study: Political science. Also hopes to: Participate in a study abroad program. Then: “After I get my bachelor’s degree, I want to go on to law school.” Dream job: Supreme Court Justice. Biggest unknown about college: How the classes and the work will be different from high school. About my Crusade Advisor: “She has helped me big time, both with school stuff and personal issues, and especially lately as I sort out all my financial aid and loan questions.” Favorite Crusade program: “All the college visits. It was a great experience to see each campus. I got to rule out colleges I had considered applying to and add some that I had not.” How many visits she went on: Ten. Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Visit your Crusade Advisor and don’t be a stranger. Participate in all the Crusade programs that you can.” What she looks for in a friend: “Someone who is trustworthy and fun.” What she does for fun: Goes shopping with friends. Visits her sisters.
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Joana Delva ‘12
 Graduating this year from: Mount Pleasant Academy. Favorite subject: Current Events. “I like to know what’s happening around me.” Previous favorite subject: Physics. Latest accomplishment: Being accepted to Rhode Island College and starting the PEP program. Latest challenge: Getting her grade up in AP French. Senior project: A research paper on her chosen career field, explaining why she is planning to pursue it. Career plans: Social work. “When I was younger a close family friend was killed, and I was really affected by it.” Hopes to work with: Teenagers. Favorite Crusade program: Crusade Summer Experience. “I really loved it and went all four years.” Also: The Faculty vs. Senior All-Stars BBall Game that Crusaders organize as a community service project at her school. About my Advisor: “He’s a strong, spiritual, and calm person and a real inspiration for me.” Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Walk in with a positive attitude. Don’t fall in with students who skip class or who talk back. Make close-knit relationships with your teachers.” What she looks for in a friend: Someone I can trust and who is fun and who doesn’t have a mean attitude. No couch potatoes.” What she does for fun: Hip hop dancing, bachata, meringue, belly dancing. Plus: Throws the hammer and javelin for her school track team, grows tomatoes with the school Garden Club, writes poetry. Latest favorite book: Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters, by Marilyn Monroe. Dream job: Broadcast journalist.
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Eduardo Garcia '12
 Graduating this year from: Jorge Alvarez High School. Favorite subject: Math. Because: “I just get it.” Currently taking: AP Calculus. Senior project topic: Obesity in our population. “The government and businesses should take a larger role in participating in community health.” Wishes we could have: More nutritious fast food. Latest accomplishment: Applying to eight colleges. Getting into seven. “I’m still waiting to hear from one, so I might go 8 for 8.” Lastest challenge: Meeting his teacher’s high expectations in AP Spanish. College plans: To attend Johnson & Wales University to study Criminal Justice. Dream job: State trooper or FBI agent. A memorable book: My Bloody Life: The Making of a Latin King, by Reymundo Sanchez. Favorite Crusade program: Crusade Adventure & Academic Program (CAAP) in middle school. “We did a lot of group activities and had time to get to know one another.” Still remembers: Ziplining at the ropes course. About my Crusade Advisors: “They have helped by keeping me on track with school and introducing me to new colleges that offer what I’m interested in studying.” Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Listen to your Crusade Advisor and to your teachers and guidance counselor. They can help you a lot. Develop relationships with them so they will give you good recommendations for college.” What he looks for in a friend: Honesty. Someone who is up front and who values being polite. Biggest unknown about college: How commuting will be different from living on campus. What he does for fun: Plays basketball and football. Also enjoys: Ping pong, chess, movies, music.
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Joel Gutierrez ‘12
 Graduating this year from: Hope Information Technology School. Favorite subject: Math. Why: “I like problem solving. In Precalculus right now we’re studying matrices, and that’s really interesting.” Latest accomplishment: His upcoming graduation. Latest challenge: A math project on vectors in flight. “There were a lot of aviation calculations for distance, flight time, speed, wind. I had trouble with it, but my teacher encouraged me, and I got it done.” Result: He put the project in his senior portfolio as sample work. Favorite Crusade program: Bridge to Success at Roger Williams University. Twice. Also: Choices at Brown University. “It helped me think about what I’m going to do after college and where I’m going with my life.” College plans: Start at Community College of Rhode Island and then transfer to URI. To study: Computer engineering. “I love computers and logic puzzles and working with my hands. I think I’ll be good at it.” About my Advisor: He’s the coolest Advisor anyone could have. He taught me a lot about my financial options and my college choices.” Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “No matter what, do your work. Do not procrastinate. Hand it in on time.” What he looks for in a friend: “They have to be funny, smart, and cool to be around. And not as shy as me.” Biggest unknown about college: How to meet new people and get involved in school activities. Dream job: Working for Geek Squad. What he does for fun: Goes online and finds out about things. What he’s reading: The Hunger Games trilogy.
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Malvin Herrera ‘12
 Graduating this year from: Central High School. Favorite subject: English. Why: His teacher is awesome. “And we do a lot of reading and writing.” Recent favorite book: The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair. Also likes: His Italian 3 class, where they are reading The Adventures of Pinocchio in Italian. Senior project topic: Airline Security After 9/11. Latest challenge: Graphing equations in AP Calculus. “I just keep trying until I understand the work.” Latest accomplishment: Getting accepted to the University of Rhode Island on a full ride. Plans to study: He’s keeping his options wide open. Favorite Crusade programs: Crusade Summer Experience (he went four times) and Bridge for Success (he went twice). “At CSE you learn a lot about how to prepare for college. At BTS you learn what college life is actually like.” After school: He’s part of the Inspiring Minds program in Providence and is currently creating a videogame with a team of other students. His job: Character design. Software he’s using: ZBrush. About my Crusade advisor: “She helped me get my college applications in and gave me tips on the process of applying.” Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Keep focused and stay on track. Do what you need to do to graduate. If you think teachers are giving you a lot of work, remember that college could be like that.” What he looks for in a friend: “Someone who is determined to do well in life, who likes to have fun but can be serious.” Biggest unknown about college: Living on campus with a roommate. What he does for fun: Plays kickball with friends. Dream job: Still dreaming about it.
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Tiffany Mencos ‘12
 Graduating this year from: E-Cubed Academy. Favorite subject: Science. In particular: Chemistry. Why: “It’s fun to experiment and learn new stuff. Science connects to everything in the world.” Senior project: “Photography Is Key,” a photo essay of Providence that shows how photography is a way of interpreting and spreading awareness of a place. Her most inspiring view: Prospect Park above the city. Latest accomplishment: Getting an A- in AP Environmental Science. And: Making honor roll all four quarters of junior and senior year. Also taking: AP English, AP Spanish. Latest challenge: Understanding vectors in Precalculus. “I need a lot of practice with that.” Extracurricular: Debate team, Science Olympiad. Her topic for state competition: Thermodynamics. “I’ve never been surrounded by so many real geeks. They all had matching tshirts.” Will attend: URI. Plans to study: Pharmaceutical science. Favorite Crusade program: Bridge to Success at Roger Williams University. “I liked the way they taught SAT prep.” About my Crusade Advisor: “She has always made sure I was on top of everything, especially in applying to schools. No slacking allowed.” Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Pay attention and make sure your grades are up. Remember that the first two years of high school count just as much as the last two.” What she looks for in a friend: People who can be themselves. Biggest unknown about college: What the professors will be like. Dream job: Pharmacist. Recently read: Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. “It’s a really good book.”
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Jessica Pawlowski ‘12
 Graduating this year from: Blackstone Academy. Favorite subject: English. “I’ve always been interested in writing and reading. Writing is one of my passions.” Senior project topic: She conducted her school’s first poetry slam and ran a writing workshop for students. “I introduced different types of writing styles and created a confidential space where students could express themselves.” What she discovered: How to coax out hidden talents in others. Latest accomplishment: Her acceptance to Antioch College on a substantial fellowship award. “I felt really proud. I worked hard to be able to do something different in school, and now I can.” Plans to study: Creative writing and psychology. Is looking forward to having: Freedom and time. Latest challenge: Accepting some things for what they are. Biggest unknown about college: “Is it going to be everything I think it will be?” Favorite Crusade program: SPIRIT. Her role in it: She’s a peer leader. About my Crusade advisor: “She reached out to us and got us involved.” Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Stay on top of everything. As soon as you start to fall behind, you’ll feel that high school is a drag, and it’s not.” What she looks for in a friend. “Honesty, trust, patience, flexibility. Someone who understands me.” Dream job: To be a chef and a psychologist. Her secret ingredient to cooking: Not rushing it and knowing what she’s eating. What she does for fun: Hangs out with friends, listens to music.
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Mohammed Seck ‘12
 Graduating this year from: Woonsocket High School. Favorite subject: English. “It’s my best subject. I’m good at writing persuasive and personal essays.” Recently wrote about: How the concept of reasonable doubt is beneficial for our judicial system. Likes: Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Is a member of: Varsity Debate Team, Science Olympiad, Chorus, Band. Plays: Violin. Senior project: Designed a website called Psychology Possibilities that provides information about the field of psychology and what it takes to become a psychologist. Field that interests him most: Industrial psychology. Latest accomplishment: Overcoming procrastination on his senior portfolio and getting it done. Latest challenge: To complete his Spanish II credits using Rosetta Stone. Favorite Crusade program: Crusade Adventure & Academic Program (CAAP). “The CAAP mentors helped me a lot at a time when I was trying to decide who I wanted to be.” College plans: Community College of RI, then transfer to a four-year college to study psychology. Dream transfer school: Stanford University. About my Crusade Advisor: “He has helped me stay on a college path and recommended good programs for me to do.” Such as: Bridge to Success at Roger Williams University. “I met a student there who talked with me about her psychology major.” Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Get into honors and AP classes. Try really hard. Stay in touch with your Crusade Advisor.” What he looks for in a friend: Kindness and a sense of humor. Biggest unknown about college: None. “I feel like I know what I need to know.” Dream job: President of the United States.
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Emily Teixeira ‘12
 Graduating this year from: Shea High School. Favorite subject: Math. Currently taking: AS Calculus. “We’re studying logarithms right now.” Latest accomplishment: Getting into URI, Rhode Island College, and Curry College. Worked hard on: Her application essay. “I wrote about my grandfather, who was a big inspiration to me.” Plans to attend: URI. To study: Either nursing or criminal justice. “Both career fields interest me a lot, so I am still deciding.” Latest challenge: A bumpy start to math class last fall. “Everything usually comes easily to me in math, so I knew I needed to focus on it. I stayed after school with my teacher to get help.” Result: An immediate improvement in her grade. Other things she does: Student Council, cheerleading, Drama Club. And: Playing midfield on the soccer team. Favorite Crusade program: “Believe it or not, I really liked the Saturday programs in English and math.” Also: All the college visits. About my Crusade Advisors: “They helped a lot when I was a freshman and sophomore. They got me ready for junior and senior years and got me thinking about college.” Advice for Crusaders going into high school: “Focus on your schoolwork and don’t let anything take you away from it.” When she learned that: Sophomore year. What she looks for in a friend: Trustworthiness, loyalty, sense of humor. Biggest unknown about college: “Will I struggle with the classes, or am I prepared?” Dream job: Plastic surgeon. What she does for fun: Hangs out, watches movies. Recommends: Think Like a Man.
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