What I’ve Learned (and What I Love) about the Aim Higher Foundation

I still remember the moment I first heard about the Aim Higher Foundation.

Yatziri Ortega, Cristo Rey Sophomore and Intern for Aim Higher

I was in 8th grade, sitting at home, helping my mom check her email for something related to taxes. While I was scrolling, being a little nosy, I noticed something that caught my eye: a $1,000 scholarship. I asked her, “Wait, we have a scholarship?” She smiled and explained that for years, Aim Higher had been helping make it possible for my sister and me to attend St. Helena Catholic School.

In that moment, I realized that something bigger had been supporting us all along. 

When I first started my internship through the Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program, I thought it would just be a typical office job: filing papers, answering emails, and doing basic tasks. I expected to observe and stay in the background. To my surprise, I found out I was placed with the Aim Higher Foundation; the same program that had supported my family and me. That realization made the experience feel much more personal, and I knew right away this internship would be different.

Working with Aim Higher now, I get to see the impact from the other side. It feels meaningful to know that the work I do helps other students and families the same way mine was helped. Being part of something that creates those opportunities makes me feel proud and more connected to my work.

"When I’m completing tasks, I think about students who might be in the same position I was in, needing support and an opportunity."

This internship has also taught me important skills, especially responsibility and organization. One specific moment that stands out is when I had to organize and upload receipts into Google Drive; at first, it seemed like a small task, but I quickly realized how important accuracy and organization are in a professional setting.

Another experience was learning more about our Director of Scholarships, Mike O’Keefe, and his work with scholarships. How detailed and careful the process is. Seeing how everything is managed behind the scenes showed me how much effort goes into helping each student. These moments helped me understand that even small tasks play a big role in a larger mission.

Looking back, Aim Higher has been part of my life for years. But now I truly understand its impact. It is more than just financial support; it is a community that believes in students and their futures. Because of Aim Higher and my internship experience, I have grown in confidence, responsibility, and professionalism. As I look ahead, I feel more prepared for my future and excited to continue learning. I hope to study business management and administration with a focus on law, and I know the skills I am building now will help me get there. Aim Higher has not just supported my education; it has helped shape who I am becoming.