Alumni Spotlight: Jazmin Zamudio

At the University of Notre Dame, Jazmin Zamudio studies alongside some of the brightest students in the nation. Thanks to Holy Redeemer and Cristo Rey, Jazmin claims that her ability to handle the heavy academic workload is better than some of her peers.

Jazmin graduated from the eighth grade at Holy Redeemer in 2019. Then, as a senior at

Cristo Rey, a guidance counselor encouraged her to consider applying to Notre Dame. While she was at first uncertain about the school, once she visited the campus, she felt at peace. Not only was the campus beautiful, but there were also many other students who had left their community to attend the university known as much for its football as for its intellectual prowess.

Jazmin is currently studying psychology and pre-health, with a plan to return to Detroit and attend post-bac programs at either UD Mercy or Wayne State to then become a nurse practitioner.

She wants to return to uplift her community with what she has learned.

There are many benefits to attending Notre Dame, including internships and studying abroad. And since Jazmin earned scholarships, she hasn't paid a dime.

Jazmin's experiences testifies to the success of Holy Redeemer and Cristo Rey. Together, these two schools form students of the highest caliber.

Jazmin says that she was formed by Holy Redeemer in many ways. First, her faith grew during middle school, even though her family did not have the deepest faith at that time. She enjoyed learning about the faith and came to see Mary, Mother of God, as a role model for her life. Secondly, her values were shaped at Holy Redeemer. In the challenging academic environment, she learned accountability and responsibility. Finally, she became a leader. Since her father dropped her off early on the way to work, she became responsible for helping the staff open the school. Overall, Jazmin credits Holy Redeemer and Cristo Rey for preparing her for success both in college and in life.

Some of her favorite memories include sports and faith practices. She always played sports, and she especially enjoyed soccer. In middle school, she was the only girl to play on the soccer team (middle school teams are co-ed). She says this taught her about how to work with guys. In addition she enjoyed the weekly meditation, scripture reading, and journaling sessions. This deepened her faith. She learned it was more than just going to church once a week -- it was a way of life.

Some of Jazmin's favorite teachers were Ms. Ilov and Sr. Kateri. Jazmin looks back fondly on a video she produced with a group of classmates under Ms. Ilov's supervision. They scripted, filmed, and edited a short film on the effects of drunk driving. The video won an award. And coming from a low-income background, this was Jazmin's first introduction to photography and film production.

Jazmin would give the following advice to current Holy Redeemer and Cristo Rey students: There is no limit to what they can do. She says students in Southwest Detroit may not know of all the career paths that are available to them. Your mind is what sets your boundaries. Get out of your bubble. It helps to leave your space and your comfort zone, make new friends, learn as much as you can, and have fun while doing it. Find what gives you passion, and keep doing it. Don't let stereotypes hold you back. Lastly, nobody can take away your knowledge, so keep learning.

We are grateful that Jazmin visited the school during her Christmas break, and we wish her safety and good health as she prepares to study abroad in Australia!

If you would like a school tour or have any questions, please contact development@holyredeemergradeschool.net or submit a question here.