Holy Cross Catholic School Hurtado Scholars gather at Drexel Hall on June 12. | Photo by Daisy Garcia Montoya

Daisy Garcia Montoya

Education Reporter

Community members, family and students gathered at Drexel Hall (3301 Baltimore Ave.) on Thursday, June 12 to celebrate another year of Rockhurst High School’s Hurtado Scholars Program and to honor student achievements. 

Since its inception in 2013, the Hurtado Scholars Program has provided middle school boys the tools and resources that allow them to best prepare for a college-preparatory high school — a high school designated to prepare students for higher education.

The program, which was named after St. Alberto Hurtado, SJ — a Chilean Jesus priest who focused on offering housing and education to boys across Chile in South America — has served 142 boys in its 13 year history by providing support to students from under-resourced communities as they transition into middle and high school and prepare for college readiness. 

Students in the scholars program are nominated to join the program before their sixth grade year by their respective partner Missouri Diocesan school, which includes Nativity of Mary School, St. Regis Academy, Our Lady of Hope Catholic School and Holy Cross Catholic School, located in the Historic Northeast. 

After receiving nomination, students go through a rigorous admissions process that includes interviews and evaluations of test scores and grades. 

Once students are accepted into the program, they enter a five-week summer academy where students focus on core instruction as well as cultural and recreational field trips. 

Program Director Anthony Rea said in an interview that the program aims to remove financial and education barriers for students as they prepare for a college-preparatory. 

Although the program serves as a pipeline for Rockhurst High School, Rea said that attending the high school is not required of students who become a Hurtado Scholar. 

“If they choose to come, you know they’re ready to hit the ground running as leaders and students, and you know, co curricular members, as players, whatever it is they might want to do while they can they’re here,” Rea said. 

In order to provide personalized attention, the program has small cohorts each year — allowing for more one-on-one support, as well as stronger connections among students and staff. 

The partnerships between the schools and parents, Rea shared, is a reason why the program has continued to thrive in the way it has. With trust already established with partner schools, parents and students feel more comfortable as they begin their new journey and further involve themselves in the new environment. 

At the reception, staff and students as well as community members and donors were able to interact with one another as they celebrated this year’s scholars. Testimonies and information from the latest class of Hurtado Scholars could be found in presentation boards around the room for attendees to read. 

During an interview, sixth grade student Joshua Hernandez shared that being a Hurtado Scholar means that it will allow him access to a good education and the opportunity to meet other people from different schools before entering high school. 

For eighth grader Simon Henggeler, being a part of the Hurtado program means he is one step closer to following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both attended Rockhurst High School. 

“My grandpa also went to that school, so it’s really nice to go with them with my brother, and I’ll be able to learn a lot more,” Henggler said. “When I go to Rockhurst, I won’t be nervous to meet other people, and I’ll know those teachers, to at least have some starting places to know others.” 

Students continued by sharing that the program made them feel welcomed at Rockhurst and allowed them to create a brotherhood with other boys. 

“Becoming a leader, and getting to know more guys. It really helps you in high school, because  as soon as you get in, you already know what you’re doing, and it’s very helpful,” incoming freshman Aaron Hernandez said. 

As the celebration concluded, attendees enjoyed appetizers and an hour of socializing. 

For more information on the Hurtado Scholars program, visit: https://www.rockhursths.edu/about-us/hurtado-scholars-program.