Mentoring
Each student is assigned a mentor who guides the individual student in finding practical applications of the principles taught in the classes. He is like a coach who teaches, challenges, and encourages each student to reach his best.
Specifically, he helps the student set goals that are important and practical. In an ongoing way, he helps the student track his progress toward these goals.
Student mentoring sessions typically take place once a month at Southmont or Overlook, on the first or second Saturday of the month. For the sake of continuity, the mentor also tries to maintain contact with the student by phone in between mentoring sessions.
Mentor Bios
Conner Reilly
Conner Reilly is the director of The Grade. He brings over 10 years of experience in mentoring and helping families to educate their children. Conner studied at Boston College and later worked in supply chain & logistics in Boston and New York and then strategy & business development in Dallas. He then spent three years in Dallas directing educational programs and now does the same in New York as the Director of Schuyler Hall. Conner enjoys reading, the outdoors, and sports.
PETER CONROY
Peter is the assistant director of The Grade. Originally from Chicago, Peter graduated from the University of Dallas with a degree in Politics and a Master's in American Studies. He then taught government, US history, and economics for a year at Founders Classical Academy in Lewisville, TX. During his first year in NYC he worked in Manhattan Institute's Adam Smith Society. This year he will be teaching history at Cardinal Hayes High School. His favorite pass-time is going on adventures with friends.
Miguel Caranti
Miguel was born Houston, Texas to Argentine parents and was (naturally) raised in the saddle. He graduated from Princeton University with an AB in Physics in 2021 and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering in 2023. He currently does materials science research at a lab at Columbia University and directs technical operations at First Things. In his spare time he enjoys grilling, long runs, and catching up with his siblings.
TONY CRNKOVICH
A proud son of Virginia, Tony grew up on the outskirts of our nation's ever expanding capital. While at The Catholic University of America, he studied Philosophy and was elected Student Body President. Currently he works for Seton Education Partners recruiting teachers for its network of charter schools. For fun, Tony enjoys playing Squash (not the fruit) and working with his hands.
Javier Mazariegos
Javier was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He grew up in the Washington DC area where he attended The Heights School and graduated as the Salutatorian in 2019. He studied Philosophy and English at The Catholic University of America where he won the President's Award in May 2023. After graduating he managed operations for Cornerstone, a start-up promoting fatherhood and family flourishing. Currently he works in development and alumni relations for The Heights School. The second of seven boys, he enjoys sports, story-telling, and learning from the people around him.
Rizaldo Salvador
Growing up in a military family, Rizaldo spent much of his life overseas, mainly South Korea and Italy. He graduated from The Catholic University of America, where he studied International Business with a dual specialization in Chinese and Arabic. Following in his family's footsteps, Rizaldo's professional journey includes serving as a Commissioned Army Officer in the U.S. Army, leading a logistics team, and engaging in professional mentorship. He is currently a project manager with Third Bridge. In his free time, Rizaldo loves studying foreign languages and long-distance running.
zig sanchez
Zig hails from Houston, Texas. A veteran mentor for The Grade, he graduated from University of Houston in 2022 with a B.A. in History. Since then, he’s moved to New York where he works as a middle school teacher at Resurrection Ascension Catholic Academy in Queens. In his free time, Zig enjoys the outdoors, reading (he’s a history buff), and playing sports, especially Frisbee.
Max Yun
Max was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. He received his B.A. in Public Administration with a Specialised Honours in Law, Justice, & Public Policy at York University. Max has experience in both federal and provincial levels of Canadian government and will be working for the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN this year. For several years, Max was heavily involved with the OneUP program, The Grade’s brother program in Canada. Max is an avid skier and enjoys reading in his free time.
