The Salesians Will Always Be My Home

Gathered by Fr. Eduardo Chincha, SDB

The following article is from Salesian Past Pupil Daniela “Danii” Nieves-Ramos. She is an alumna of Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School, class of 2024. Danii was an active member of campus ministry during my time there. She was also the first Camp Mary Help counselor to volunteer at another Salesian camp for a few weeks. Tampa was blessed to have volunteers from other places come there in the past, but this was the first time it was able to give back in a similar way.

Here’s what Danii shared with us.

This summer in New Jersey was truly a transformative experience of a lifetime. I was able to grow so much as a person, deeper in my faith, and closer to my Salesian Family. This was truly an experience I will never forget and made me feel at home. I felt as if I could be my happy, Salesian self.

Although I was already close with the Salesians in Tampa, I knew that, to grow in my Salesian spirit, I had to experience it somewhere else. Being a Salesian is who I am. It is something I’ve held very close to my heart, and it will never leave me.

During my time in New Jersey, I also saw a couple of friends I made during my Salesian Leadership Retreat (SLR). I felt a sense of joyfulness and peace being in their presence once again, and it felt like no time had passed. This experience taught me to be more open when it comes to jobs, more patient with others and also with myself, and, most of all, the most important thing is the meaning of true friendship.