We celebrate a new school year, one filled with so much excitement. Our student body and school community has returned with such passion and enthusiasm that it has even exceeded my own expectations!

 

Let us use this momentum as we move forward with confidence, proudly representing our school and remaining always ahead. Adelante! 

New School Mission Statement & Mantra
During the 2021/22 school year, our school community underwent a collaborative, in-depth examination of our school's mission statement.  Led by alum and strategic marketing consultant Albert Sanchez, the concerted effort gave rise to commencing the year with an updated  mission statement and new mantra.  Mission:  Brotherhood, Faith, and Scholarship define the Marist Brothers Catholic education at Christopher Columbus High School.  By making Jesus Christ known and loved and creating an inspiring academic and extracurricular environment, we prepare young men for higher learning and a life-long commitment to leadership and service through Gospel and Marist values.  Mantra:  Serve ▪ Lead ▪ Inspire; Make Jesus Christ Known & Loved

In August, Columbus lost a longtime Marist educator and beloved colleague, Mr. Dave Isenberg.  The loss hit the Columbus community hard.  As an art teacher, coach, retreat moderator and mentor, Mr. Isenberg impacted thousands of Columbus students.  We are so grateful for the many contributions that he gave to our school community for the last 36 years.  Mr. Isenberg embodied the Explorer, Marist spirit.  He will be greatly missed and always remembered at Columbus.

 

This past summer, over 300 students participated in close to 500 internships.  The fields included I.T., law, business, medicine, engineering, hospitality, banking, accounting, and marketing.  Thank you to Externship & Internship Director, Mrs. Anderson. The program is made possible due to the participation and support of our many dedicated alumni and parents.

Welcome to all the new parents who have joined the Columbus family! The New Parents Reception was a wonderful opportunity for our new parents to learn about the school and meet fellow parents and members of the administration and faculty.  Special thanks to Mr. Marinelli and Ms. Tellechea who organized the event which included a raffle, photo booth, a DJ, and parting gifts.

 

Football Kicked-Off Season With Win Against Georgia Powerhouse Benedictine Prep
The Columbus Football Team won the season opener (41 – 15) against Savannah’s Benedictine Military High School in front of a crowd of more than 6,000 at Tropical Park.  Albert Mendoza threw three touchdown passes in his first career start.  Sedrick Irvin Jr. scored two touchdowns and Edward Bandy ran for the sixth touchdown. Congrats to Coach Dunn and the entire team.  (photo courtesy of the Miami Herald)  

Long Awaited Pep Rallies Took Place Ahead of Football Game
Columbus pep rallies have always been known for great fun and for instilling excitement and school pride ahead of important athletic games.  Due to Covid, there have not been pep rallies at Columbus for over three years.  On August 26th, we were able to go back to tradition but instead of one school-wide pep rally, we offered two (one for Freshman & Sophomores and another for Juniors & Seniors). The rallies were filled with games and laughs led by emcee Mr. Marinelli and our talented cheerleaders gave an impressive performance.  Our new Mr. Explorer mascot was also on hand.   Special thanks to Ms. Brown and Mrs. Alonso.

Congratulations to freshman Nicolas Merchan for being chosen by the Knights of Columbus (Coral Gables Council 3274) for a 4-Year scholarship.  It was a proud moment for Nicolas and his parents when several CCHS alums and members of the Knights of Columbus came by to present him with his first check. 

Jake Dans’ “Carbs Count Initiative” Resulted in the Cafeteria Implementing Carb Listings
Due to the efforts of sophomore Jake Dans, the Columbus cafeteria started the 2022/23 school year listing the carb counts for every item on the lunch menus. Jake, who has Type I Diabetes and is insulin dependent, spearheaded the effort by bringing the need to President Kruczek.  Since he and several other Columbus students with diabetes need to monitor the carbs they consume and inject themselves properly with insulin before meals, the addition of the carb counts has made lunchtime much easier for them. Before the listing of the carb counts, students like Jake would spend a large amount of their lunchtime researching and guessing the amount of carbs they would consume.  Now these students have more time to enjoy their lunch.    

Jose-Arnel Ortega is a Fencing National Champion
Jose-Arnel started the qualifying competitions  for the National Fencing Team for Puerto Rico over the weekend this month.  He is the 2021 National Champion for the Cadet age group. During the Spring, he represented Puerto Rico as part of the Junior team at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru and at the World Championship Games in Dubai.  Congratulations Jose-Arnel!

Pat Call & Irene Culmo Center for College & Career Guidance
We are happy to announce that what was formerly known as our college and career services department has expanded and now as the Pat Call & Irene Culmo Center for College & Career Guidance has a staff of three.  Mrs. Iris Martinez leads the center as director with the help of new college counselor Mrs. Heather de la Osa and assistant Mrs. Aimee Cibran.  The goal of the center is to educate, guide, and support Columbus students with the necessary tools to achieve their personal and professional goals while navigating the college and career process.  A series of upcoming events have been scheduled through the center to include:  College Rep Visits, Financial Aid and College Application Nights, a Time Management & Motivation Workshop and a College Fair.  CLICK HERE to learn more. 

Also new this year is another center which provides support to select students─The Desmond Family Success Center.  Led by former Counseling Department Leader, Mrs. Betty Vinson, the center serves as a cross-area initiative that meets the ever-growing needs of our diverse student body. Ms. Vinson and her team (Ms. Krystal Alegret, Mr. Kevin Alegret, and Mrs. Pat Call) help equip students with the necessary skills, resources, and support to become young men of character in the classroom and the community.  Their offices are temporarily located on the third floor of the L Building.  Plans call for both The Desmond Family Success Center and the Pat Call and Irene Culmo Center for College and Career Guidance to be housed together in a new building in the near future.  

Campus Ministry Leaders Retreat & Workshop
Our Campus Ministry leaders also attended a retreat and a workshop that helped prepare them to make Jesus Christ known and loved for the new school year. Special thanks to Br. Tom, Mrs. Alegret, Mr. Emmanuel Gonzalez, Br. Peter, Mr. Kumer, Mr. Machado, Mr. Alberto Rodriguez, Ms. Valdes and Mr. Fallon and Br. Poulin from the Marist Brothers U.S. Province. 

 

Our Confirmation candidates and their parents gathered to prepare for their formation phase. Please keep them in your prayers.  Thank you Mr. Gonzalez.

 

Counseling Department Staff Changes
Our counseling department is made up of nine counselors who are trained to monitor and evaluate the abilities, interests, skills, and performance of students at each grade level. With the last 18 years in education and the last nine as counselor, Carlos Nunez has taken on the role of Counseling Department Leader and will continue to serve as the Senior Counselor (A-L).  New to the department as Counselor (M-Z) is Christine Guzman who comes to us from Cypress Bay High School in Broward and before that Monsignor Edward Pace High School.

New Marist Educators
We welcomed 12 Marist educators to the Columbus family this year: Arlene Cendan Clute (Administrative Assistant, Mas Program), Heather de la Osa (College Counselor), Christine Guzman (Senior Counselor M-Z), Elizabeth Hernandez (Science), Robert Lewis (Mas Program Counselor), Michael Martinez (Technology Support Specialist), Cristel Valentina Medico (Spanish), Daniel Rivero (Theology), Maria Romero (Math), Eduardo Sanchez (Math), Darrell Sheppard (Sub) and Jeffrey Swasey (Strength & Conditioning Coach).  Pictured are several of our new members.  Welcome to the Columbus Family! 

 

 

John Lynskey ’78 Returns to CCHS in Advancement Role
Mr. John Lynskey is officially working for Columbus again!  He had left his position as Dean of Students last year to head the Allman Brothers Museum and Foundation in Macon, GA yet remained close to the school and continued to lend us his valuable support.  The Associate Director of Advancement position will allow him to continue his work with the Allman Brothers and travel back and forth between Miami and his home in Georgia. Mr. Lynskey taught at Columbus for 30 years and served on the administration for another seven years.  He will be assisting President Kruczek in the areas of donor and alumni relations. 

Looking for brief moment of silence and tranquility with Jesus Christ face to face?  The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed every Wednesday in the school Chapel. Students, faculty and staff are welcome.  The school chapel is open for silent prayer Monday - Friday.  "But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see” (John 1:46).

 

Check Out the Latest Columbus Connects Magazine
The 2021/22 Edition of Columbus Connects Magazine published over the summer.  VIEW DIGITAL VERSION HERE

Marist Youth (Co-ed student faith community) meets every Tuesday at Columbus from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. High school adolescents, from any high school, are invited to attend.