Our Work

For Angelia Cao, Cristo Rey Boston Class of 2026, leadership has always been rooted in the example of others.

As the youngest child in a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant family, Angelia grew up learning from her two older siblings. She describes herself as a blend of her older sister’s academic drive and her brother’s humor and personality.

“They created the path for me,” she said. “I learned from their experiences.”

Now, Angelia hopes to create that same kind of path for others.

A graduate of Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, where she was a Catholic Schools Foundation scholar, Angelia first learned about Cristo Rey Boston while considering her next step for high school. At first, she was not sure whether CRB would be the right fit. Part of her wanted a different experience, but when she visited the school in person, something changed.

“I felt comfortable right away,” she said. “Everything felt natural.”

That sense of belonging, along with Cristo Rey Boston’s balance of freedom and structure, convinced Angelia to enroll. Over the next four years, CRB became a place where she discovered her voice, built her confidence, explored future career paths, and grew into a leader.

Through Cristo Rey Boston’s Corporate Work Study Program, Angelia gained exposure to a wide range of professional environments. As a ninth grader at Public Consulting Group, she learned about the challenges schools face and how consulting groups help develop solutions. At the Broad Institute, she conducted lab research, gaining technical skills and exposure to the world of scientific discovery. At MathWorks, she worked in a collaborative environment where she learned coding and contributed to artificial intelligence projects.

Each placement helped Angelia strengthen her professionalism, communication skills, and confidence. This year, as a project manager assistant at the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, she is learning how organizations operate and how grants support small clinics. The experience has expanded her interest in healthcare and mental health and helped her imagine a future centered on supporting others.

Angelia’s growth at Cristo Rey Boston has also been deeply personal. Once shy, she now speaks confidently in class and builds strong relationships with her teachers. She credits CRB’s faculty with creating an academic environment where she felt engaged, encouraged, and empowered to share her ideas.

Along the way, Angelia found mentors and a supportive community of adults who challenged her to be her best self. That support helped her grow from someone who looked to others for guidance into someone others now look up to.

Her leadership extends well beyond the classroom. As a Student Ambassador at Cristo Rey Boston, Angelia welcomed prospective students and helped them feel the same comfort and belonging she felt during her own first visit to the school.

Outside of school, Angelia serves as a youth leader at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church in Dorchester and performs traditional Vietnamese fan dancing at community events. Through these commitments, she connects her culture, faith, and passion for mentorship.

“Community is such an important part of life,” she said. “It’s easy for it to fade if you don’t put in the effort.”

This fall, Angelia will attend the College of the Holy Cross, where she was accepted through Early Decision and selected for the Passport Program for first-generation students. She hopes to pursue a field such as healthcare, psychology, or education, areas that reflect her desire to support young people and serve her community.

As a Harrison Scholarship recipient, Angelia’s story reflects the power of Catholic education, opportunity, and mentorship. From Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy to Cristo Rey Boston, she has embraced each step of her journey with gratitude, determination, and a commitment to helping others.

At Cristo Rey Boston, Angelia has grown from someone shaped by example into someone who now sets an example for others. Through her confidence, compassion, and care for her community, she is becoming the kind of leader she once admired, and the kind of leader who will continue making a difference long after graduation.