Giving back to community is his mission

Holy Cross High School senior José Alejandro Estrella is already making a difference in his community and hopes to do so in the future by promoting education.
Estrella, a 17-year-old resident of Whitestone, is an active member of Holy Cross’s campus ministry, assisting with things such as masses or student retreats. Although the work he does for campus ministry fulfills his service requirement, Estrella said that he wanted to do more.
“I went to the head of the service program … and I told him that I wanted to be a little more involved,” said Estrella, adding that he wanted to reach out to the community more.
Recently, he began volunteering as a tutor at St. Fidelis School in College Point. There, Estrella and some of his fellow students assisted three young girls who lost their parents in a house fire in Jackson Heights in 2004, in subjects such as social studies and English.
Estrella said that he has recently been getting more in touch with his spirituality, which has been part of why he wants to help others.
“I think I have found a certain strength in my faith that I can’t find anywhere else,” he said. “I feel when I help people it makes me stronger, it makes me feel like I’m contributing something.”
Besides his community service, Estrella, whose favorite subjects are history and English, is a member of Holy Cross’ student government, working as a senior representative. Through them, he was part of a coat drive that benefited NY Cares and took part in Rachel’s Challenge at Pace University on October 30.
Rachel’s Challenge was created following the death of Rachel Scott, who was killed during the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, and promotes “positive change in the way others are treated,” according to the organization’s website.
“I think it was a real eye opener and it made me want to set new standards for compassion for people,” Estrella said of the experience.
Also, Estrella, who already acts as a mentor to other students, is hoping to help create a sort of buddy system at Holy Cross to help make the transition for new students easier.
Estrella works on the yearbook committee. He described it as a multi-task job where he does things such as working on pages or taking photos.
Michael Genovese, the director of the Service Learning Program at Holy Cross, described Estrella as being very mature for his age and as a role model for other students.
“José is a person of action,” Genovese said. “His word is good, his word is realized in action. He is very sensitive to the needs of others.”
Holy Cross principal Joseph Giannuzzi also said that Estrella is a role model and also predicted that he will have a successful future that will always include helping others.
“He’s a hardworking, dedicated, very responsible young man,” Giannuzzi said.
Giannuzzi also said that Estrella is a good representative of Holy Cross High School students.
“He really truly represents what the Holy Cross man is all about,” said Giannuzzi.
Following his graduation from Holy Cross, Estrella plans on attending college to study international business with a financial specialization. He said he has always been interested in different cultures and people, and likes interacting with others. Estrella also said that he wants to help keep others out of serious financial trouble.
Also, Estrella said that his ultimate goal is to become successful enough in business so that he is able to open up a school or education center, saying that he wants to help get kids off of the street and see them reaching their full potential.
“I very much value education,” Estrella said. “I know everyone has something to contribute.”