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Meet Kristel Wilkins: CWS Partner and Saint Martin Parent

Kristel Wilkins, as the proud parent of two distinguished alumni, Jerry Robinson '11 and Christian Robinson '12, has deep ties to Saint Martin, intertwining her life with the school's rich legacy. In an unexpected twist, these ties have transitioned from familial pride to a pivotal role as Corporate Work Study Supervisor and Head of School at Warner Girls Leadership Academy. In this new capacity, Kristel's relationship with Saint Martin takes on a broader perspective, offering her insights and experiences beyond what she gleaned as a Saint Martin parent.

Thanks to the 8-year partnership between Saint Martin de Porres High School and Warner Girls Leadership Academy, Kristel embraces her experience as a Corporate Work Study supervisor with genuine enthusiasm. Each year, a team of Saint Martin students is assigned to the Academy, contributing their skills across diverse areas including the kindergarten and preschool classrooms. Kristel emphasizes that the true benefit of being a Corporate Work Study Partner lies in the profound impact that Saint Martin students have on their younger students at Warner Girls Leadership Academy. She also notes how Saint Martin students help take the burden off teachers and lend a helping hand where they need it most. According to Kristel, the Annual Partner Appreciation Lunch that the school hosts each year is a delightful occasion. It provides her an opportunity to witness her work study students in their element and further solidifies the meaningful connections between the two educational institutions.

While Kristel acknowledges the impact of Corporate Work Study on the Warner Girls Leadership Academy community, it has also fostered within her a deeper appreciation for the supervisors who mentored her sons during their own experiences in the program. She recalls selecting Saint Martin for her two sons’ education because of the benefits that Corporate Work Study could provide for them. Now on the other side, she sees how that rings true for them and the students she gets to mentor today. She shares, “Saint Martin was the best option for my sons to receive a quality education without excessive costs. They were able to gain such valuable experiences at a young age which set them up for the success they are achieving today. My boys come back for every reunion they have because it feels like a family to them and people support you even after you graduate high school.” Now over 10 years after her sons’ high school graduations, Kristel is proud of their success and the careers they have both established within the Navy. Jerry has been stationed in places such as Washington and Japan and now serves as a Navy recruiter in New York. Christian has been stationed in California and Virginia specifically in the Navy’s communication department. After ten years, Jerry re-enlisted in the Navy in September 2023 and Christian will be exiting the Navy in summer 2024.

From the pride of a parent to the pivotal role of Corporate Work Study Supervisor, Kristel sees first-hand how Saint Martin impacts students across the city of Cleveland. Through the lens of mentorship, Kristel sees not only the growth in the students she guides but also a profound appreciation for the supervisors who shaped her own sons' paths. As Jerry and Christian chart their courses in the Navy, Kristel beams with pride, knowing that Saint Martin's foundation has played a vital role in their success. For Kristel, Saint Martin isn't just a school—it's a family, a community, and a legacy of excellence that continues to shape lives for generations to come.