Building Future Tommies: St. Thomas Students Volunteer at Risen Christ Catholic School

University of St. Thomas Students Make a Difference at Risen Christ Catholic School

When Cesar Osvaldo Mendez Portillo ’23 walks into Risen Christ Catholic School, the students light up with excitement. The University of St. Thomas senior has been volunteering at the Minneapolis dual immersion school for three years, working with fifth graders in Maestra Angelina Aliendres’ classroom.

Mendez Portillo, a business administration and marketing management double major, is passionate about helping students who are learning English for the first time, as he himself immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador at 17. He sees his work as not only teaching academic lessons but also instilling confidence in a new generation of Latinos.

Joining Mendez Portillo in volunteering at Risen Christ are other St. Thomas students, including Dionicio Saldana-Rosas ’23, who leads discussions on European explorers with his pod of fifth graders. Saldana-Rosas, a business major and Catholic Studies minor, believes that being a role model for these students and showing them that college is a possibility is crucial.

All of the St. Thomas students volunteering at Risen Christ are Page Scholars, fulfilling a volunteer commitment as part of the Page Education Foundation scholarship program. Regina Mancilla, director of community engagement at Risen Christ, notes the immediate connection that St. Thomas students have with the students at the school, creating a personal bond based on shared experiences.

Alejandra Soria ’25, a scholar from the Dougherty Family College, also volunteers at Risen Christ and emphasizes the impact of building friendships and community with the students. She finds joy in watching her students grow and plans to continue volunteering next year.

Overall, the St. Thomas students volunteering at Risen Christ are making a significant impact on the students’ education and sense of community. Their dedication to giving back to the next generation is evident in the smiles and hugs they receive from the students, showcasing the power of building connections and friendships in the classroom.