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December 18, 2025In recent weeks, Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School has marked a series of meaningful moments in which each are different in tone, but all tied together by the same sense of community, purpose and hope for the future.
From a schoolwide Eucharistic procession to a standout QuestBridge match to the celebration of 100% college acceptance for seniors, the season has been filled with reminders of what makes Cristo Rey a unique and mission-driven school.
Walking in Faith: A schoolwide Eucharistic procession
In late November, the Cristo Rey community gathered for a shared moment of prayer during a Eucharistic procession from Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Del City back to campus. After celebrating Mass together, students, staff and teachers stepped outside and formed a long, organized line behind Father Jonah Beckham, who carried the Eucharist beneath a canopy as the procession began its nearly one-mile walk.
Held in honor of the Solemnity of Christ the King and connected to the national Eucharistic Revival, the event brought a rare sense of quiet reflection to the school day.
With a police escort helping guide the route along Sunnylane Road, the Royals community moved steadily through the neighborhood, praying together and keeping pace with the rhythm of the procession. Several students volunteered to lead the rosary, and their voices carried gently through the crowd as others joined in.
There was a calmness to the walk, soft prayers, quiet conversations and the shared focus of the entire school moving with purpose.
Many students later expressed how meaningful it felt to participate in an experience that brought the whole community together outside the classroom. Staff members walked with different groups to help guide and support the reverent tone of the morning.
One of the most memorable moments came as the procession approached campus, stretching far down the sidewalk as a visible symbol of Cristo Rey OKC’s mission. Inside the gym, students entered reverently for Benediction before gathering for lunch. The experience served as a reminder that Cristo Rey is not only a place of learning, but a community rooted in shared faith and identity.
Arlem Escobar-Sancen earns scholarship
Arlem Escobar-SancenCristo Rey OKC celebrated a major academic milestone when senior Arlem Escobar-Sancen learned she had matched with Rice University through the national QuestBridge Match program. Her selection means she earned a full, four-year scholarship to one of the most selective universities in the country.
She is the fourth Cristo Rey OKC QuestBridge match. Two alumni are attending Notre Dame, and one is attending the University of Pennsylvania on full-ride scholarships through this program.
A dedicated athlete in volleyball and basketball, Escobar-Sancen is known throughout the school for her bright smile, commitment to her goals and the kindness she shows to those around her. Teachers and classmates describe her as hard-working, uplifting and someone who encourages others while pushing herself forward.
When she received her match results, Escobar-Sancen said the feeling was overwhelming in the best way.
“I just felt so grateful,” she said. “It didn’t feel real at first, but I knew all the effort was worth it.”
Her achievement quickly became a point of inspiration for younger students, many of whom see her success as proof that high goals are possible with determination and support. For the Cristo Rey OKC community, Escobar-Sancen’s accomplishment reflects the school’s mission of opening doors to life-changing opportunities.
A joyful tradition: seniors celebrate 100% college acceptance
The season of celebration continued with the annual College Acceptance Assembly, an event recognizing the senior class for achieving 100% acceptance into college. Students, staff and families filled the gym as the Class of 2026 gathered together at the front of the room.
School President Kelsey Herman, Principal Kinsey Genheimer, and college counselor Nicole Douglas each addressed the seniors, speaking about their resilience, personal growth and the effort behind every application submitted. They highlighted the importance of persistence and the proud tradition of Cristo Rey OKC seniors continuing their education after graduation.
No individual students were called forward as the celebration belonged to the entire class. Staff members exchanged proud smiles as they watched seniors reflect on how far they had come since freshman year. Younger students looked on with excitement, imagining their own college journeys in the years ahead.
The assembly closed with loud applause and an annual reminder that Cristo Rey OKC’s commitment to academic opportunity continues to shape futures, one graduating class at a time.