REACH Helps Students Reach their Future Potential

By Stefanie Gutierrez

OUR LADY OF SORROWS School Principal Sister Katherine Hanrahan, C.S.J., congratulates David Vargas on his academic achievement through the REACH program.

When David Vargas was in kindergarten at Our Lady of Sorrows School, Corona, his teacher told Sister Katherine Hanrahan, C.S.J., principal, he was “the most intelligent student” she had ever seen. The son of immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, David is now an eighth-grader who has received full scholarships to four Catholic high schools in New York City.

His path to such academic success began when Sister Katherine nominated David when he was in fifth grade to attend a special program at Regis High School, Manhattan, called the REACH (Recruiting Excellence in Academics for Catholic High Schools) program. It is designed for middle school boys in the New York City area who are Catholic, academically gifted and talented and have leadership potential, but whose families have significant financial need.

The educational and leadership program prepares students to earn admission to Regis, as well as other top Catholic high schools in New York City. The program accepts nominations of boys who are completing fifth grade and display early signs of potential to earn admission into top schools.

When Sister Katherine had the opportunity to nominate students at Our Lady of Sorrows, she nominated David.
When he was accepted, his parents Juana and Pablo were reluctant to let him participate. He was only 10 years old at the time, and the program included a three-week summer camp experience at the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where David would attend daily classes and leadership activities. After the three-week camp in Scranton, he would then attend summer classes at the high school until mid-August.

Sister Katherine recalled, “At first, Juana wasn’t sure. She was grateful to God she had a bright son but wasn’t sure if the program had come at the right time. She would tell me, ‘I trust you Sister… But it’s my son!’”

“My mom was very hesitant at first, but saw the program and saw that it was good. Now she has seen me through completing it,” David said. He was also nervous at first. At the camp, he had classes five days a week and then three hours of recreation. He took trips to go canoeing and swimming in lakes and, he said, “It turned out to be a great experience.”

Speaking in Our Lady of Sorrows School’s cafeteria after lunch on a Friday afternoon, David is a little shy but answers with great thought. “I knew that the (REACH) program was a good opportunity, and it really was.”

After three years of academic and leadership preparation in the REACH program that included three summers of camps and classes, 20 Saturdays a year and enrichment in all subjects, David has won full scholarships to Archbishop Molloy High School, Briarwood; St. Francis Preparatory School, Fresh Meadows; and Xavier and Regis high schools, Manhattan.

He has chosen Regis. “The program let me get to know the school better,” he explained. “It was definitely worth three summers… It was more than worth it. I look forward to being able to explore more of the things I am interested in at the school.”

Sister Katherine added, “His mom has been a great support. The pride that she has in her son and the realization that he got something wonderful…” She trailed off, a few tears in her eyes. She is proud of David, too.

“The experience that David has would be an ideal thing for everyone,” Sister Katherine said. “This gives students an opportunity to explore different aspects of what they can do and want to do.”

Because there are many bright students in his class, Sister Katherine said that there has been much effort in the school with the teachers to better enrich their learning experience.

David, who has attended the parish school since pre-kindergarten, was also baptized at Our Lady of Sorrows and received all of his sacraments at the parish. He and his sister Emily attend through a scholarship from Futures in Education. He is a member of the school choir, the yearbook staff, the school’s service team, the parish’s intramural basketball league, and is an altar server.

He credits his parents for much of his academic success. “My mom has been a great help in all that I have done and she should get a lot of credit for this. And my dad has also helped me… He works hard to pay my tuition at Our Lady of Sorrows and also keeps me focused on my own work. And I definitely couldn’t have done this without Sister Katherine.”

She smiles as she hears David say this. “I see this as a part of my job,” she relates. She loves writing recommendation letters for her students and filling out applications. “But to be able to look at a student, watch them grow, see the gifts and talents they have and to see the students use them... It is a wonderful part of my job.”

As David prepares to head off to one of his afternoon classes, Sister Katherine adds, “Catholic education provides an opportunity for families, children and young adults to experience growth and education in the framework of our beliefs. It’s a grounding that allows excellent students to grow – and those who struggle – to also achieve growth and skills. It is an important gift to the city and to the families.

“Ideally, every child should come out of a belief system that lets them receive a great education so that their lives can move forward.”