2018 Northeast CWS inspires students moving toward college

The 2018 Northeast CWS program concluded yesterday at Cabrini University in the Philadelphia metro area, with students coming away inspired from both parts of the program — the first half looking at the college application process, and the second half exploring the Inquiry-Based Learning process that has helped CWS graduates in college and beyond.

“Congratulations to the students, NHI staff, university coaches, and Cabrini representatives for putting together a memorable experience,” said CWS director Zachary Gonzalez. “Almost 140 students convened to discuss applying their talents to higher education and pathways that address challenges within their future. A very special thank you to Dr. Kaselica, Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Mr. Eury, Vice President of External Relations for Chief of Staff​,​ for joining ​our ceremonies and sharing compelling words​ with the ​NHI graduates.”

A team comprised of mostly Texan students took the League Series title looking at the college admissions process, learning along the way that it can be a process to help students define themselves.

“CWS has showed me the specifics of each step of the college application process,” said Esteban Fernandez from Cathedral High School in El Paso, Texas, a member of the League Series-winning team. “Now I feel like I can turn the college application process into a challenge for myself and not make it a burden.”

“When you think of a school, you think of a logo, you think of a campus, you think of the students, clubs, the majors, the minors, but you don’t really think of the admissions officers,” said Isabella Nieto Sada from Hays HS in Kyle, Texas, another League Series winner. “But those are the decision makers. We tend to forget that they are people,” she said, adding to her surprise, “They turned out to be really loving and welcoming — they really represented their schools.”

The League Series winning team (representing Swarthmore College) included:

Victoria Cerda, Earl Warren HS, San Antonio, Texas
Gabriella DeSimone, Suffield Academy, Manhasset Hills, New York
Eduardo Duran, Cathedral HS, El Paso, Texas
Esteban Fernandez, Cathedral HS, El Paso, Texas
Reilly Garcia, Leander HS, Leander, Texas
Bianca Gaytan, Johnson HS, San Antonio, Texas
Fidel Gonzales, South Hills HS, Fort Worth, Texas
Jordhy Gonzalez, Paschal HS, Fort Worth, Texas
Nicolas Gonzalez, El Paso HS, El Paso, Texas
Regina Grajeda, John B. Alexander High School, Laredo, Texas
Ava Moreno, Loretto Academy, El Paso, Texas
Jacob Niera, Central Catholic HS, San Antonio, Texas
Isabella Nieto Sada, Hays HS, Kyle, Texas
Jorge Ramirez, Earl Warren HS, San Antonio, Texas
Estefani Sanchez-Fonseca, Kennett HS, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Jorge Tapia Becerril, Kennett HS, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Christina Urrea, Loretto Academy, El Paso, Texas
Lizette Vera, IDEA Pharr, Pharr, Texas

In the Thought Series, another group with mostly Texas representatives — though those hailed across a large stretch of the state, from El Paso to Houston — took the title.

The Thought Series winning team (representing Cornell University) included:

Hannah Bomberg, Incarnate Word HS, San Antonio, Texas
Edgar Gandara, Coronado HS, El Paso, Texas
Adrianna Gonzalez, Incarnate Word HS, San Antonio, Texas
James Herring, Jr., Central Catholic HS, San Antonio, Texas
Citlalli Ibarra, Cypress Lakes HS, Houston, Texas
Rudys Luciano, Teaneck HS, Teaneck, New Jersey
Preston Mendez, Cypress Woods HS, Houston, Texas
Diego Perez, IB Lamar Academy, McAllen, Texas
Justin Piel, El Paso High School, El Paso, Texas

(The 2018 Northeast CWS was sponsored in part by State Farm.)