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For Jada Nguyen, a senior at Cristo Rey Boston High School, education has always been more than academics it has been a pathway to possibility. This fall, Jada will take her next step as a QuestBridge National College Match Scholar, enrolling at Princeton University as a member of the Class of 2026. As a first-generation college student, this milestone represents not only personal achievement, but the collective support of a community that believed in her potential.

Jada’s journey to Cristo Rey Boston began in middle school, when she attended St. John Paul II Catholic Academy. In eighth grade, she applied to Cristo Rey Boston drawn by its unique Corporate Work Study Program and the opportunity to gain real-world experience while earning a rigorous education. That decision would shape the next four years of her life.

Through the work-study program, Jada explored multiple professional environments that helped her refine her interests and confidence. Her first placement at a law firm taught her valuable lessons about professional communication and networking and helped her realize what paths were not the right fit. Later, she worked in the IT Department, where she was introduced to the biotech industry and the clinical trial process, gaining insight into how technology, medicine, and patient care intersect.

These experiences sparked a deeper curiosity that continued to grow. As a senior, Jada became a Student Associate at the Broad Institute, working in the PRISM Lab to support cancer-screening processes. Over the summer, she helped optimize the Hamilton STAR Liquid Handling Machine, gaining hands-on exposure to research that directly impacts patient outcomes. Together, these opportunities affirmed her long-term interest in molecular biology and cancer research.

Cristo Rey Boston’s small, close-knit community played a critical role in Jada’s success. She credits her teachers and college counselors for their unwavering support, especially as she navigated the college application process as a first-generation student. When Jada learned she had matched with Princeton through QuestBridge, she opened her decision letter at school with her college counselor, Ms. Nigesca Maxime, by her side.

“There was a lot of pressure,” she recalls. “My family didn’t have a financial backup plan for college.” The moment was surreal, exhilarating, emotional, and life-changing. “It took a while for it to sink in,” she says, “but it meant everything to my family.”

Jada plans to major in Molecular Biology, with potential minors in Gender & Sexuality Studies or Health Policy. Her academic interests are deeply personal, shaped by her experiences growing up in a Vietnamese household and navigating the expectations often placed on women. Witnessing health disparities in underserved and immigrant communities, including among her own family members, inspired her commitment to women’s health and her desire to help normalize conversations around health and wellness.

Her Catholic education has further reinforced these values. A practicing Buddhist, Jada has found meaningful alignment between Buddhism and Catholicism through shared principles of compassion, mindfulness, and service. “Cristo Rey really emphasizes caring for the whole person,” she says, a lesson she plans to carry with her to Princeton and beyond.

Outside the lab, Jada finds balance through creativity. She paints and crochets to unwind, and enjoys reading thrillers, historical fiction, and Asian literature. These creative outlets provide a counterbalance to the intensity of scientific research and help her approach problem-solving with a fresh perspective.

As Jada and her twin sister prepare to become the first in their family to attend college, the moment is filled with pride, gratitude, and anticipation. While Princeton will take her five hours from home, Jada feels grounded by the support system that helped her reach this milestone, including her family, educators, mentors, and the Catholic Schools Foundation.

Through the CSF scholarship, Jada was able to attend Cristo Rey Boston without the burden of constant financial stress, allowing her to fully engage in academic, professional, and leadership opportunities. “Knowing that a community of donors believed in me means more than I can put into words,” she says. “I am so deeply grateful to the donors who made my education at Cristo Rey Boston possible. Knowing that a community of people I have never met believed in me and invested in my potential means more than words can express. Their support didn’t just help pay tuition it gave me the freedom to focus on learning, explore opportunities I never imagined, and grow into the person I am today. Because of them, I am able to chase my dreams and look forward to giving back to my community in the future.”

Looking ahead, Jada is excited to continue exploring research and biotechnology as she considers a future in medicine or scientific research. Whatever path she chooses, she is committed to giving back and uplifting others, inspired by the generosity that opened doors for her.

We are proud to celebrate Jada’s remarkable achievements and grateful to the CSF community for helping make her journey possible. We look forward to following all that she will accomplish next.

Your generosity makes stories like Jada’s possible. By supporting the Catholic Schools Foundation, you help students access life-changing education, real-world opportunities, and the confidence to dream big. Give today and open doors for the next generation of scholars.