Gilly Cardona may be the perfect example of the “say yes” UP RVA student. His high school experience has been transformative. Whether on the athletic field, the wrestling mat, or with younger students at UP RVA’s after-school program, Gilly is a true leader amongst his peers. The winner of a prestigious book award last year, we know that the St. Christopher’s community also greatly values having Gilly as a member.
What are your favorite subjects in school?
I enjoy history the most because I like to know who did what and why things are the way they are today. It’s interesting how the choices and actions of people in the past impact us today.
What has been your favorite extracurricular activity in high school?
My favorite extracurricular activity is wrestling because the team is like a family to me. Wrestling taught me grit, sportsmanship, and working hard for what you want. I also like being around the wrestling community because you often run into the same people from different schools and make those connections outside of school.
What has been the best part of attending St. Chris?
The Brotherhood.
What has been the most challenging thing about high school? Did UP RVA help you overcome that challenge? If so, how?
The most challenging part was the workload, but the support of UP RVA helped by being there for me, providing rides to school and moral support, and offering many opportunities outside of school.
You have participated in summer programs for the past two years. Share a little about what you learned about yourself by participating in those programs.
Volunteering at Feedmore taught me that it takes effort and willingness to impact our community. I also had the opportunity to participate in the Henrico County Police Department’s Youth Academy, which helped me learn more about the police profession.
You’ve been part of the UP RVA College Mentor Program. How has the mentor program helped you in your college research and application process?
One of the biggest ways that my college mentor helped me was by taking me on college tours, which I may not have been able to do on my own.
What do you like most about working with your college mentor?
He took me to colleges that I wouldn’t have been able to visit on my own and also gave helpful insight into the college process along the way.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still be a part of UP RVA? Why?
Of course, I would be a part of UP RVA because they have assisted me and been there for me, whether during the school day or in the after-school program.
What are the 2 or 3 things you want people to know about how UP RVA helps its students?
UP RVA has always helped financially with things ranging from school supplies to sports equipment. Also, UP RVA provides transportation to and from school, which would have prevented me from attending St. Chris otherwise.
