Christopher Elementary Student Brings Light to Those Around Her

Maritza Gonzalez is a 5th grader at Christopher Elementary School. She has been a part of the YMCA of Metro Chicago community school programming since she was in 1st grade. "She is such a wonderful student to have in the program!" says Christopher YMCA-Community Schools Initiative Program Manager Emily Goddard.

"She is always happy to participate in the enrichment activities and shows enthusiasm about all the programs the Y offers at Christopher. When asked what her favorite activity is she answers right away with, “Chess!”

Maritza is always the first person to lend a hand to our staff. She is a huge help to Jasmine, her Y-CSI Youth Enrichment Instructor. She assists the younger students with their homework and supports Jasmine in whatever she needs.

Jasmine says, “Maritza stays true to herself and she shows a lot of leadership skills, she is not a follower. Every day she me asks how she can help and gives me great ideas. She is always helping me execute an activity with the younger students.” Our staff knows that they can always count on Maritza!

Maritza is a very hardworking, sweet, and friendly girl! She is friends with everyone and never has a bad thing to say about anyone. She is kind to every student in her group and is open to getting to know any new student. Every day, she works diligently on her homework and tries her best in school. She says her favorite thing about the YMCA is, “That we get to go to gym!” Her favorite thing to do in gym is play basketball. Maritza also enjoys being able to work on her homework and do the fun activities that are offered. She says that she will definitely continue with the Y. Emily sums up Maritza by saying, “I look forward to seeing Maritza’s smiling face in the program each day!”

Thank you Maritza for always lifting everyone's spirits and for being such an important part of the Community Schools program at Christopher Elementary!