Draft Day 2023- “Let’s Get Rowdie” was a big win!

Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School students and 50 Corporate Work Study Partner matches were revealed during Cristo Rey Tampa’s Draft Day 2023. Cristo Rey Tampa students, faculty and staff, parents, and corporate partners filled the gym, with Pete the Pelican, the Tampa Bay Rowdies mascot leading the way, to cheer on the Panthers. Keynote speaker Cindy Stuart, Clerk of Courts for Hillsborough County and Corporate Work Study Partner, shared her road to receiving her degree and reminded students that “earning a college degree is an accomplishment no one can ever take away from you. Challenge yourself and you will succeed,” said Stuart.

DJ Felix brought the crowd to their feet as they erupted in applause and waved pom-poms each time students were called to the stage to meet their CWSP Partner match for the year and their official team photo with Pete the Pelican. Joining in the fun was Bobby Russ, Director of Community Engagement & DEI for the Clerk of Courts Office, who was the event emcee.

Team Cristo Rey Tampa scored a major goal this year and brought in new Corporate Work Study Program Partners Marriott, Red’s Team Sports, and WEDU to add to the current lineup of corporate work study partners.

“Draft Day 2023 marks the beginning of our work-study program for the upcoming school year. This is a special occasion where we all come together committed to empowering our students to achieve greatness…As we start this new year, let us remember the bigger picture. Our vision is to foster an environment where education goes beyond the confines of classrooms. We believe in providing opportunities that enable our students to gain valuable professional experience, develop essential skills, and instill a sense of responsibility and dedication,” shared Cristo Rey Tampa President Dr. Patrick Liang.

Draft Day 2023 culminated with Pete the Pelican and Tampa Bay Rowdies staff members launching t-shirts into the crowd of cheering students and fans.

Cristo Rey Tampa’s young professionals work five days a month in entry-level jobs in finance, healthcare, technology, marketing, education, and many other nonprofit and professional offices. All students participate in a college preparatory curriculum, including AP and dual enrollment courses, while building their professional resumes and honing their social and technical skills through the corporate work study experience.

Draft Day 2023 was the start of a great year for goal-driven Cristo Rey Tampa students. Special thanks to our Corporate Work Study Partners and the Tampa Bay community, for embracing the Cristo Rey education model and investing in Cristo Rey Tampa students. #Draftday2023

2023-2024 Corporate Work Study Program Partners:
Accenture, Advent Health, BAIRD, Baldwin Risk Partners, Banyan Street, BayCare Health System, Inc., BST Global, Inc., Burgess & Niple, Carr Pedatric Dentistry, Catholic Charities, CBRE, Christ the King Catholic School, Clerk of Court Hillsborough County, CLA (CliftonLarsenAllen), Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School, Educational Outfitters, EY, Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, Gulfeagle Supply, Hahn Engineering, Hazen & Sawyer, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office, Junior Achievement Tampa, Marriott, Meals on Wheels, Metropolitan Ministries, MI Homes of Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center, Nativity Catholic School, Optum, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Rivero, Gordimer & Company, Red’s Team Sports, Ryan Companies US, Saint Leo University, Skylight Dental, St. Joseph Catholic School, St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Peter Claver Catholic School, Tampa General Hospital, The Collaboratory Preparatory Academy, The Florida Aquarium, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, USF Health, Villa Madonna Catholic School, WEDU,  Wharton-Smith, Inc., and Zoo Tampa.