Breslin Ocampo, graduate of Wolfe Street Academy, Baltimore City Curriculum (BCP) neighborhood conversion charter school, loved her time as a Wolfe. She’s taken the many lessons learned there to Cristo Ray Jesuit High School where she is a junior.
WOLFE STREET ACADEMY:
Attended Pre-K through 5th Grade, then attended Crossroads School for middle school where she did debate and played soccer.
ATTENDING CRISTO RAY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
- Class of 2026
- Activities: National Honor Society, Yearbook staff/photography, Peer Ministry Program
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WOLFE STREET MEMORY
I loved Wolfe Fest, the spring street festival that the school had. I participated in them with our PE teacher. It was just incredible! We saw performances with other kids who sang or had a special talent. Parents and families came, and it was so much fun to hang out with everyone at Wolfe Fest.
HOW DID WOLFE STREET PREPARE YOU?
In 4th and 5th grades, I was on the debate team. We competed against different elementary and middle schools all around Baltimore City. I loved it! In 5th grade, I placed 2nd among all elementary school debaters.
Debate helped me get out of my shell. I had the chance to stand up for myself and talk about certain topics instead of just being shy and keeping my opinion to myself. It was a great way for me to talk to new people and learn to stand my ground on certain beliefs or opinions I had.
This experience greatly prepared me for middle and high school and for my future. I think especially as you grow up, it can be hard to ask for help. It can be intimidating to speak up because you’re scared of the result. Because of debate, I am able to talk with people—teachers and other students—if I need to solve a problem. I hope that in the future, whether that be in my career or in college, that I can continue to do the same and advocate for myself and others by speaking up.
Also, I was able to really build relationships, whether that be with other classmates or teachers, at Wolfe Street. I think it helped me flourish academically and socially. I have continued to use the values I learned at Wolfe Street that I got from my teachers and classmates. Every experience is different, but when you find the right people, when you have the right teachers and build relationships with them, and when you surround yourself with good people, it’s easier to stick to a path. I’ve been able to do this because of what I learned at Wolfe Street and saw others doing.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE CRISTO REY?
Both Wolfe Street and Cristo Rey are small schools. We don’t have big classrooms. When I was applying to high school and looking at which schools would be the best options for me, it came down to Baltimore City College or Cristo Rey. After being at a small school like Wolfe Street, I realized that that’s what I really wanted. I wanted to be able to get help from a teacher and not worry about hundreds of students. Cristo Rey has amazing programs, including its corporate internship program.
Cristo Rey is providing me with an experience and a path to hopefully decide what I want to do. Ever since I was little, I wanted to become a teacher. More recently, I’ve wanted to become a doctor, maybe a pediatrician. In undergrad, I plan to major in biology, and then see where life takes me from there.
My favorite class so far is probably AP U.S. History. It’s very fast paced. History has always interested me. To see the evolution of our country, where everything came from and why things are the way that they are, and how we’ve progressed as a country is fascinating.
