1. The Cristo Rey TorchVol. III, No. 1 Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School * 680 W Peachtree, Atlanta, GA 30308 Wednesday, October 28, 2015
New Beginnings
Cristo Rey Atlanta will be getting a new home
Malcolm Delfish
Staff Reporter
On September 24th, Cristo Rey was blessed
with the news that the school was moving to a new
building. President Bill Garrett gathered all of the
students into the great room and explained to the
student body that the school was running out of
space and needed a new building. Cont. p. C2
Pilgrim’s Progress
Cristo Rey students pay a visit to the pope
Benton Thompson, IV
Staff Reporter
Six students from the Cristo
Rey 2018 sophomore class were giv-
en the opportunity to see the pope on
September 26, 2016 in Philadelphia.
They traveled to Philadelphia by van
with two courageous chaperones: Mr.
Soares and Mrs. Bush.
Carlos Ramirez was inter-
viewed before leaving for the trip.
When he found out that he was select-
ed, he was shocked and excited to
have been given the opportunity to go
see Pope Francis. His expectations
for the trip were that it would be a pil-
grimage, not a vacation, and that they
would be living a simple life in commu-
nity while on the pilgrimage. Lastly, Carlos was asked how he expected this trip to impact his life, and he an-
swered, “One never knows what to expect, but in every pilgrimage, someone always comes back changed,
and becomes a better person."
Jaqueline Montes-Espericueta said she found Pope Francis’s speeches and the opportunity to see
him up close to be the most powerful part of her trip. His words at Independence Hall have caused her to
be open to anyone's ideas, to welcome people, to continue her culture and traditions, to not to be afraid to
show who she really is, and lastly to not be discouraged because everyone has a gift to show. She has
many great memories, but the best one is seeing millions of people in Philadelphia from different cultures
and religions all coming together to receive the pope in the Mass of the Family.

2. A2 SCHOOL NEWS
Freshmen Adjustments
Jahdirah Wilkinson, Eunique Banner,
& Kennedy Harris
Staff Reporters
Just as sophomores did last year, the class of
2019 is working on the adjustment to being a Cristo
Rey student. Eighty–four percent of students stated
that it was their dreams and future goals that inspired
them to come to Cristo Rey. Still, on the first day,
94% of students reported “not knowing what to ex-
pect.” Seventy-eight percent believed that homework
was the hardest thing about the school, but now are
taking advantage of study hall and 9th period. On a
positive note, 9th graders have had little trouble get-
ting to know their classmates. Eighty percent now re-
port knowing five or more students well.
The freshmen have many questions about
how to survive at Cristo Rey. The most common
questions are about time management, studying, ex-
tracurricular activities, how to deal with stress, and
balancing work and homework on the same day. If
these struggles are real for you, read on for expert
advice!
Q: How do you manage your time?
A: “After getting home, take a mini-break so you could
settle down; go do chores. Don’t procrastinate be-
cause time goes by quickly. Divide your hours of
homework and free time, if you have it.”
-Lizeth Morales, 10th grade
Q: How do you balance your homework and going
to work on the same day?
A: “Depending on what time you leave for work [you
might] have some time to start on your homework.
Sometimes the work-study program will give you
down time, that way you’ll finish early but don’t wait
until the last minute.” -Juan Garcia 10th grade
Q: How do you not give up?
A: “Ask for help and [do] not stay in the shadows. It’s
better to be with someone than to handle it alone.”
-Juan Garcia, 10th grade
Everyone knows the feeling of anxiety, especially the
freshman at this high school. However, these words
from the sophomores demonstrate that by taking
strategies and putting them to good use, students can
learn to be more organized and prepared for their
classes this year and years to come.

3. A3 SCHOOL NEWS
Drafted to Success
Jada Milligan & Melanie Mata
Staff Reporters
On August 14 Cristo Rey held its second
Draft Day. Dressed in their business attire,
freshmen and sophomores waited impatiently,
ready to seize the day and get assigned to their
companies. When it was finally time to go to the
All Saints’ Episcopal Church for the ceremony,
all anyone could see was a line of students
along the sidewalk dressed in gray and white
with teachers here and there. The seats of the
church were filled with students in their business
attire, businessmen and women occupied the
back rows, camera crews stood nearby, and a
news broadcaster at the front happily waited to
announce the names of the students.
Freshman Nala Bishop, assigned to Air-
gas Specialty Products where oxygen tanks are
made, said that she was nervous and excited
prior to Draft Day. When it finally came, she was more enthusiastic about finally getting a job.
When freshman Chloe Simon, assigned to Alston & Bird, law firm, learned what her job would be,
she didn’t know what to expect, but she had an open mind. Once Chloe went to her job site during the Cor-
porate Work Study Program (CWSP) orientation, she knew what type of environment she was going to be
working in. She now believes that she will fit into her company perfectly because her co-workers are goofy
and they like to have fun.
Sophomore Tre’vion Williams works at Invesco, a stock and trade company, and said that he was
overjoyed that he gets to work at the same company he worked at last year and to see his former co-
workers again.
Despite the nervousness and anxiety of the students, they can’t wait for Draft Day to happen again.
“I love the food at my job, one
word to describe my job is
delicious!”
-Nala Bishop, 9th (D’Youville)
“My job has a lot to offer, I al-
ways have different projects!”
Solomon Hill, 9th, (Toussaint)
“I love doing projects that
involve my own personality
and tastes!”
Cassandra Canales, 9th,
(Drexel)
You’re invited to Cristo Rey's first official...
Dance!Dance!Dance!
November 20th from 6 to 8 p.m.

4. B1 OPINION
Pious Parakeets?
Kennedy Harris
Staff Reporter
One question that I have always wondered the an-
swer to is if animals pray or not. Do dogs open up their doggy
bibles and read? Do birds sing songs of prayer? How do ani-
mals connect with God?
According to Father Van Dyke and Father Kenny, ani-
mals pray by being their best animal selves. Birds sing songs
of worship to give God glory. Dolphins tilt their heads back-
wards and show God thanks.
Are animals closer to God because they give praise in
a different way? As we have learned in Father Kenny's reli-
gion class, humans were put here to have dominion over the
animals. Animals unlike humans weren’t made with con-
sciousness. What if that lack of consciousness actually
makes them closer to God? Animals can hear and see the
unknown and unseen; for example, they can sense natural
disasters and even death. Maybe this shows that God values
animals more because he gave them special powers. Ani-
mals may get warnings of danger while they are being their
best selves and that’s why sometimes they stop and stare.
Only God will know how animals truly praise him. Ani-
mals might even be oblivious to the higher spirit that created
them. Who knows?
All I know is that, at the end of the day, animals and hu-
mans all praise God in a different way.
The matter of free will
Eunique Banner
Staff Reporter
Of course animals don’t pray! Ani-
mals are simple-minded creatures that can-
not have an understanding of religion. The
definition of prayer is a solemn request for
help or expression of thanks addressed to
God or an object of worship. I believe that
animals don’t pray because they have no
reason to and also that God never gave
animals specifically the right of free will as
He did with Adam and Eve. Animals, soul-
less and ignorant, do not have the ability to
pray or even comprehend religion.
Although the Bible says that ani-
mals, in fact, do go to Heaven, there are a
lot of other absurd ideas and beliefs within
its many passages. Luke 3:6 states, “And
all flesh shall see the salvation of God”.
Typically, when the Bible refers to some-
thing as being “in the flesh,’’ it is alluding to
humans. Metaphorically speaking, how
could a dog possible be able to compre-
hend a higher being and pray to it when it
spends all day chasing its own tail? There
is, logically, no way that animals are able to
pray.
Do Animals Pray?

5. C1 SPORTS
Exclusive Interview with new AD
Meet History Teacher and Athletic Director, Mr. Straube
Benton Thompson IV
Staff Reporter
Tell me what the sports are that we have here at
Cristo Rey.
We have boys and girls cross country, girls volleyball,
boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, and
boys baseball.
When are these sports coming?
Cross country and girls volleyball will take place during
the fall. Basketball will be in the winter. Baseball and
soccer will begin in the spring.
What are your expectations for this year's sports
teams?
I expect all student athletes to give 100% effort. All
sports will be competitive and have games this year.
Will you ever practice and interact with our student
athletes?
Yes. I will also be the coach for the boys baseball team.
Flame Spotlight: Naol Hulufe
Melanie Mata & Eunique Banner
Staff Reporters
Student Naol Hulufe has always had a forte
for running. However, when Naol first learned he
would be competing in the varsity race at the Do-
minion Dash on September 19, he felt uneasy. His
competitors were mostly seniors, and it was not
the race he prepared for.
Although Naol started the race slow, he
eventually picked up the pace and caught up with
the front runners. He won his first varsity race with
a time of 19:52. The race was not easy for Naol
because he did not like leaving his teammates be-
hind, but he knew that he needed to in order to run
his best race.
He has had running experience all his life
but didn't join a cross country team until the age of
thirteen. Before moving here he used to live in a
mountainous area in Ethiopia where he would
practice running with his friends. His dedication
did not stop there; he would also run a mile or two
everyday at six in the morning!
Apart from everything, he knows that team-
work is most important, "If they don’t win, I don’t
win ,If they lose, I lose." To Naol the most im-
portant aspect of it all is having great teamwork
and feeling comfortable with his cross country
team.

6. C2 SPORTS
Serve’s Up!
Regan Riley
Tenbite Tesfaye
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Staff Reporters
The game at KIPP Collegiate on Thurs-
day September 17, 2015 marked the real com-
mencement of Cristo Rey’s volleyball team. After
over two weeks of tough after-school practice
almost every day, Cristo Rey’s girls volleyball
team debuted under the coaching of Ms. Melissa
Beam and Mr. Ivan Soares.
The Cristo Rey Volleyball team played a
total of three volleyball games this year which is
a drastic improvement from last year. The girls
learned teamwork, communication, and strategy.
The volleyball season is over for now but the
team will still be warming up for next season so
that they may set the net on fire next season.
The team practiced three days a week
until 6 p.m. Many players chose to practice af-
ter, therefore extending practices to around 6:15
or 6:30. Sometimes, when games were coming
up, they stayed after school on Fridays to be
able to do well in the game. Overall, the girls on
the volleyball team have worked hard, and are
ready to work harder, to represent the Cristo
Rey Flames. Viva Cristo Rey!
Cont. from front page He gave the students visuals of
the building along with plenty of information. After deliv-
ering the great news, the students awarded him with a
huge round of applause.
The new building is located on 22 Piedmont Av-
enue at a soaring seven-story building with a two-deck
parking garage. Cristo Rey will be relocating to the new
site during the 2017-2018 school year. The students
are very thankful for the new space.
Isela Benitez said, "The new school will be
amazing, large, and better than Cristo Rey's current
location. I will feel no significant loss moving from our
current building. There will be more space and opportu-
nities and an actual gym."
Monick Umana said," I like the new building and
have no real attachments to this building. I'm looking
forward to having more space in the common area.
Right now it's too crowded and there's nowhere to put
your stuff."
Students and staff are optimistic about the
move.
The Cristo Rey Torch Staff would like to
thank all of the faculty, staff, and students
for their contributions. Without their help ,
we would not have been able to complete
our first issue of the Cristo Rey Torch.
Sincerely,
Benton Thompson IV
Malcolm Delfish
Jadirah Wilkinson
Kennedy Harris
Eunique Banner
Jada Milligan
Melanie Mata
Regan Riley
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Amani Clark
& Tenbite Tesfaye