NMC Alumni Spotlight: Guadalupe Regional Middle School Alum, Augusto Celis

Guadalupe Regional Middle School (GRMS), we takes immense pride in the accomplishments of its graduate, Augusto Celis, an inspiring example of passion and perseverance.

Augusto graduated from GRMS with a thirst for knowledge that eventually led him to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Now, as he finishes his final year of graduate school in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Augusto is making a tangible difference in his community through his work as a bilingual psychotherapist at Latinx Talk Therapy in Chicago.

Augusto’s therapeutic approach is as unique as his journey. As a therapist, he embraces an eclectic style that incorporates humor, authenticity, mentorship, and Spanglish—perfectly tailored to meet the needs of his Latinx clients. Having personally navigated the cultural nuances and mental health challenges that many in the Latinx community face, Augusto is deeply committed to helping others overcome anxiety, depression, and trauma.

His strong foundation in humanistic philosophy, combined with a deeply personal understanding of the obstacles his clients encounter, allows him to guide them on a journey of self-discovery. Augusto helps clients identify patterns, set goals, and reach their personal and professional aspirations.

Beyond his clinical expertise, Augusto’s love for music, art, and even video games becomes a unique part of his therapeutic process, connecting with clients in creative ways. He believes that therapy has the power to transform lives, and his passion for this work stems from his own experiences and challenges with mental health. His work is not just about fostering healing but also about building confidence and empowering his clients to lead fulfilling lives.

Guadalupe Regional Middle School is incredibly proud of Augusto’s journey from middle school student to UTRGV and now as an intern at Latinx Talk Therapy, where he is empowering others to thrive. His story serves as a testament to the power of education, community, and resilience. We look forward to seeing where his passion for mental health will take him next!

Virgil Sheppard Joins the NMC Board of Trustees

We are pleased to announce that Virgil Sheppard has joined the NativityMiguel Coalition as the newest member of its Board of Directors. Virgil is the President of Hope Partnership for Education (Philadelphia, PA), bringing over 15 years of professional experience in education and nonprofit leadership to our board.

In reflecting on his new role, Virgil shared, "The work being done in the schools within the NativityMiguel Coalition is inspiring. It is thoughtful, joy-filled, and most of all, impactful. I am excited to serve on the board of such an innovative organization."

We look forward to Virgil’s leadership and contributions as we continue advancing our mission of supporting member schools and making a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

Washington School for Girls President Beth Reaves Publishes Her First Book: "In My Garden"

After pouring my heart and soul into this book, I’m thrilled to introduce "In My Garden," a story that has been a true labor of love for me. Gardening has always been one of my favorite pastimes, and writing this book has allowed me to combine my passion for children’s literature and nature with my desire to share meaningful lessons about patience, strength, and gratitude with young readers.

I started writing this children’s book as an outside of work passion-project during the pandemic.  I loved turning my attention regularly to challenge myself to take on something new and different.  While I’ve read children’s books my whole life and currently serve as a school leader, I’ve never authored a book for kids. I remember thinking at the time, truly - how hard could this be?  (Laughing to myself now!)

Bit by bit I learned about the writing and book publishing process.  I worked with an illustrator located in the Ukraine when the war first started and page by page she beautifully illustrated my words.  I’ve become familiar with a wide range of publishing alternatives and formats.  At times it felt like despite everything I did, it was just one small step in a project that truly only mattered to me.  While we talk all the time about helping our students embrace growth experiences in life, it is entirely different for us as adults.  Perseverance, patience and a willingness to admit what you don’t know are among the biggest lessons I have learned through my author journey.  I’m proud to share this journey with our students and any interested adults who ask.  Hard work leads to the biggest feelings of personal joy for me.

It’s my hope that In My Garden will inspire children (and adults!) to see the magic in nature and perhaps even start their own garden.  The story follows young Jaki as she embarks on an adventure with her grandmother, discovering the beauty and magic of springtime gardening. Together, they explore the unique meanings of each flower, and Jaki learns how her garden can be a reflection of herself.