Our Work

On Friday, May 17th, CSF Senior Scholar, Alejandro Baez Tejeda ’24, took the stage as the student speaker at St. John’s Prep’s Benefactors Breakfast. During his speech, Alejandro shared his experiences as a student at St. John’s Prep, reflecting on how both the school and the Catholic Schools Foundation have changed his life. You can read Alejandro’s full speech below.

On Saturday, May 18th, Alejandro graduated alongside his classmates and received this year’s Xaverian Award, St. John’s Prep’s highest honor. The award is given to the class member who best epitomizes the values and tradition of Xaverian education. Alejandro will matriculate at College of the Holy Cross this fall.

At CSF, we couldn't be prouder of Alejandro and all our incredible Senior Scholars. We have no doubt that each of you is destined for a future full of incredible achievements.

Alejandro Baez Tejeda's Full Speech:

There are certain points in an individual's life where they must pause and reflect. One of those moments is during the end of their high school tenure. That’s where I am at right now, at the end of my high school tenure reflecting on what this institution has done for me, what I have done for it, who I have become in spite of it, and who I have become because of it.

I am Alejandro Baez Tejeda and St. John’s has had a role in me saying that with integrity, dignity and with all the power it comes with. As I take you through this journey of mine I hope that you find your moment of relatability through my words. I hope that an image of nostalgia, a vision of the future, or a contemplation of the present is painted and considered.

Before I stepped foot on campus as a student, I had the impossible decision to make as a 14 year old boy. Thanks to the nature of the relationship I have with my mom I had almost complete agency in this choice. I could have either decided to go to the Prep, or to a different institution that was geographically more accessible to me and my family. I could have gone to the Prep or another institution that was more representative of my culture. I could have gone to the Prep and commuted 40 minutes or chosen to walk 5 minutes to and from school. I could have chosen to go to the Prep with 3 of my friends from middle school, or go to an institution where many of my friends and community members went. I chose St. John’s Preparatory School. What was so special about this community that I felt inclined to be a part of it? What drew me in? What kept me engaged? And would I do anything different?

At first I thought that this was the best option for me with regards to my disability. I am legally blind, and more specifically completely blind in my left eye. At the Prep I was assured that I would receive the necessary resources to combat any learning inequalities that I may face. The Prep didn’t fail me. Mrs. Page, my learning coach in CLASS, Center for Learning and Academic Success, is always there for me, like when I needed strategies to overcome obstacles like reading small print. I’m sure if Mrs. Paresi, my guidance counselor, looked in her log of visitors, my name would be the most frequent one found there. For a year I was in her office every Monday at 8 am just to talk things out about life, never mind college matters and miscellaneous requests.

What I have come to realize is that yes, these folks' jobs are to help me be successful but I have become more successful because I got to know these folks as people rather than simply their identity within the scope of their title. This is unique in my experience in education. Where else would I get that level of interpersonal investment, that zeal from faculty and staff? Another person who shaped my Prep experience and liberated me to be able to say the name Alejandro Baez Tejeda with all its power is la senora Carrasco-Velez. She taught me to never conform to the status quo, especially if the status quo is flawed and unjust.

Every adult here in this community has made an impression on me, and that's because they have a high level of investment in this community. Investment requires sacrifice. I look at all of you this morning and I can’t talk about investment and sacrifice without talking about the investment and sacrifice of my mom, and all the parents of the Prep. My mother came to this country when she was 18 years old, sacrificing her education for me. At the same time as learning English she was completing her GED and working at BJs. Today, she is a medical assistant and is waiting for the conclusion of my high school academia to pursue nursing school – yet another sacrifice, and yet another investment. There are parents here this morning who drive miles to make it to their sons’ game, who invest their time by helping out with the fall play, parents who serve on the parent council, who attend parent nights, who are engaged with their sons’ teachers, who help their sons with homework, and parents that never go a day without asking their son “how was school today?” perhaps knowing they will get a routine answer.

I look at all of you this morning and I think about the investment and sacrifice of folks like Julie Difilippo, current board member and head of school at Bellesini Academy. I was the last student who enrolled in the class of 2020 in 7th grade. It’s true that at the time I needed Bellesini and I’m sure Bellesini is a little bit better because of my presence. I needed guidance and Bellesini got my passion. Another example of investment and sacrifice is emulated by Mr. Stuart Meuer, the current chair of St. John’s Board of Trustees. I got to know Mr. Meuer over the last couple of years at Prep events, where he is always a presence. Our conversations revolved around the school’s partnerships with Haitian and Dominican communities. Mr. Meuer’s investment, his calling, and his leadership, ensures that we reach every child and guide their educational journey here at the Prep.

This focus on mission trickles down to all our distinguished trustees, benefactors, and donors as well. See, it all trickles down. From faculty and staff, parents, trustees, and students. Therefore don’t underestimate the investment and sacrifice of us students in this community that inevitably reaches back to the start of this process.

Part of my legacy at the Prep is the work I continue to do creating a partnership between El Ministerio Nino Rey in the Dominican Republic and St. John’s Prep. El Ministerio Nino Rey is a small school and community hub with a mission to eradicate illiteracy and works to create a healthy culture in the community. This community in Sabana Buey Dominican Republic is built on the principle of love thy neighbor. They depend on each other, they break bread with each other, and as a result, their community is one to be admired. Within this community, El Ministerio offers health services for students like dental care, cultural events for the region such as Haitian dances, and food drives for parents- understanding that children cannot express their gifts if they aren’t in the classroom. These children represent a larger truth about their community, a truth about hope, about love, and about resilience. A truth we here at the Prep can admire and learn from. El Ministerio did not just focus on the academic, but also the social, the emotional, and the cultural. Sounds familiar? It's educating the whole person.

I introduced El Ministerio Nino Rey to the Prep community through research and presentation, implemented interaction through dress down days, and was able to reach and advocate to the Catholic School’s Foundation through my table presentation at their annual Gala. All of this was possible with the help of the MACD office, St. John’s administration, and the student councils.

My investment, my sacrifice. I said that's only part of my legacy because the proudest impression I hope to leave on this campus is with my peers. Through my work with SJP and El Ministerio, fellow seniors Elias Bouzid and Joseph Jimeno, felt empowered to follow suit. They were able to secure a partnership with the Youth Development Organization in Lawrence MA, recently hosting a dress down day this past March. My point is, I never felt more fulfilled in my work for liberation and social justice than when I saw my peers be inspired and motivated.

I have come to understand that this community empowers and motivates each and every student because of the investment and sacrifice that all members make on a daily or yearly basis. Whether it involves sacrifice of time, talent, or treasure, all contributions combined make
this community what it is today.