Aydee Cruz: A Jesuit education preparing a future politician

At Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, 100 percent of graduates are accepted into college. The graduating class of 2024 earned over $21 million dollars in scholarships and grants and one of those graduates, Aydee Cruz, received a full ride.

Cruz is part of Cristo Rey’s 2024 graduating class, and an intern at the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). She recently relocated to Fairfield, Conn., to attend Fairfield University. Cruz is a first-generation college student and the oldest of three siblings.

Cruz attended a Milwaukee Public School prior to beginning high school at Cristo Rey. Without Cristo Rey, Cruz thinks she would be a different person.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School is a rigorous, Catholic school dedicated to preparing students with limited financial means for life in college and beyond. Each student is connected with a work-study program through local employers, where students gain experience working in a professional setting five days a month in addition to studying in the classroom. The school hopes that students will use their faith and talents for justice and good in society.

“I loved my Jesuit education, hence why I am attending a Jesuit college,” Cruz said.

She was paired with MMAC as her first work-study placement during her sophomore year. She continued working there her senior year, after also gaining experience in Human Resources at Sendik’s Food Market. She has done a lot of work with MMAC’s member database, in addition to a variety of other tasks.

“I was assigned to be an IT intern, though throughout the time I worked on projects with almost every department,” she said.

Cruz worked at MMAC on Mondays. When she first started, she described herself as extremely shy. By the time she graduated, though, she had grown in confidence and created strong enough bonds that some staff even attended her graduation.

“I fostered really good relationships,” she said.

“It was a really fun internship that I get to continue once the school year starts,” she added.

When she began at MMAC, Cruz had no idea what to pursue in college.

“Being at the MMAC, I was given the opportunity to learn what it is that the organization does. I was able to learn about events and what goes down to upkeep such an amazing city,” she said.

Cruz was also exposed to government affairs through her internship. During her time at Cristo Rey, she was the student body president her junior year. She also went to Washington D.C. three times with Ignation Family Teach-In for Justice. One year she presented on the struggles of being a first-generation American student, and the following year she presented on segregation in Milwaukee schools.

“Usually, I don’t see people that look like me in Congress or even representing me and being a voice for myself and other minorities,” she said.

These experiences sparked her interest in government and law.

Cristo Rey offered Cruz a college readiness class each day of her senior year, and she admires everything the school did to equip her for the future.

“My college counselors walked through every step of the college process with my family and me,” she said.

Cruz always wanted to go to school on the east coast, and receiving a Company Scholars scholarship made it possible for her to attend Fairfield University. Cristo Rey flew her out to see the college before she committed. She is thankful to be able to continue receiving an education with the same values instilled in her during high school.

She sees herself attending law school in Wisconsin and possibly practicing corporate law before eventually running for office. She is very grateful for her experiences at both Cristo Rey and MMAC, since both have given her the relationships and tools she needs to pursue her goals in the future.

“As a minority, I want underrepresented voices to be heard,” Cruz said.

“It also correlates with the values Cristo Rey embedded in me,” she added.