Christian Reyes, Vanderbilt University

Christian Reyes, of Paterson, NJ, is a quiet, hardworking young man who has earned a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University through QuestBridge. His cottage parent, Wayne Bala, and his advisor, Tom Johnstone, both note that Christian’s reserved demeanor belie what an extraordinary young man lies underneath. Mr. Johnstone says, “Christian is perhaps the most under-the-radar example of excellence that I've seen at Church Farm School. Academically, he is phenomenal; for the two full years in which academic records are available on the portal (his 10th and 11th grade years), his averages were 96.2 and 96.3. Socially, he is quiet in large groups but finds time and space for deep personal connections. Behind closed doors, he is willing to use these connections to call his friends out when they need it; not because he wants to put on a show or be seen as a leader, but because it is the right thing to do. Athletically, Christian had an excellent career at CFS. As a senior, he won 20 wrestling matches. The only other wrestlers to win 20 matches in a season since 2012 are Emmanuel Lawal, Sebastian Corrales and Noel Gilgeous, all of whom were outstanding wrestlers. Christian also likely would have broken our "modern" record for the javelin throw had the spring season not been cancelled. Christian has thrived at every turn and is the embodiment of how we want our young men to carry themselves.”

Adds Mr. Bala, “Christian, your quiet demeanor is deceiving. Some might understand that about you. What I have learned about you is that you are an outstanding young man. You have everything you need to be successful at Vanderbilt and beyond. It’s not just book smarts that make someone successful. You are respectful, insightful, very intelligent, you communicate well and you have a great sense of humor, to name a few good things. One day you will be interviewing for a job, when they learn what’s inside you, you’re in. Change nothing.”

Concludes Mr. Johnstone, “The success that Christian achieves across many areas is no accident, and I'm excited find out what the future holds for him!”
The Church Farm School is an independent boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12 located in Exton, PA. Founded in 1918 to provide an excellent education to young men from limited means, Church Farm School now serves boys from a range of socio-economic circumstances who are seeking an extraordinary educational opportunity. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum and an exceptional level of personal attention, with class sizes averaging between just 7 and 12 students.