IMMERSION IN EMPATHY

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July 15, 2025

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Notre Dame Prep’s Katie Fortino gains new perspective on immigrant workers as part of Strangers No Longer immersion experience.

For rising Notre Dame Prep senior Katie Fortino, the summer of 2025 so far hasn't been just a break from the classroom — it's also been a deep dive into compassion, justice and human dignity.

Fortino, who lives in Rochester Hills and serves as a peer ministry leader for NDP’s Circle of Support social justice ministry, spent part of June in the Thumb region of Michigan, where she joined a group of high school students from across Metro Detroit for an “immigration immersion experience.” The trip, organized by the Catholic nonprofit Strangers No Longer (SNL), was designed to introduce youth leaders to the lived realities of migrant workers in Michigan’s agricultural sector.

“I had an absolutely amazing time in the Thumb,” Fortino said. “Interacting with other students who share the same values and meeting incredible people who shared their inspiring stories — it was truly eye-opening.”

The immersion experience included visits to dairy farms of various sizes, conversations with immigrant families, and time spent learning about local immigration policies in places like Bad Axe, Pigeon and Sebewaing, Mich. The students also visited a restaurant owned by an immigrant couple, whose story of migration and entrepreneurship left a deep impression on Fortino.

“My favorite moment was hearing how they started a new life through their love of food,” she said. “And it was such a powerful story of resilience and passion.”

Fortino was one of about a dozen teens who took part in the trip, representing Catholic schools and parishes from around the region. Throughout the immersion, they built friendships, shared meals, prayed and reflected on how their Catholic faith calls them to recognize the dignity of every person, especially the marginalized.

It’s a mission Fortino has embraced wholeheartedly. Recently elected co-chair of the Youth in Action for Immigration board at SNL, she plans to help lead efforts during the school year to raise awareness about immigrant issues and advocate for just policies.

“I think it’s important to participate in these sorts of opportunities because it offers a perspective into others’ lives, which some may not imagine before,” she said. “It’s very important to learn about those who are providing our communities with compassion and care.”

Fortino emphasized that many of the stereotypes people hold about migrant workers, especially regarding documentation status, are not only inaccurate but harmful. 

“Everyone I met was just working there to live a better life and make a difference,” she said.

The trip not only reinforced Fortino’s passion for service and justice but also reflected the broader mission of Notre Dame Prep: to form Christians, citizens and scholars. Her role with the Circle of Support and her growing involvement with SNL underscore a deep commitment to living out that mission beyond the classroom.

“My experience at Notre Dame Prep has been nothing short of wonderful,” she said. “I’ve learned so much from such a wide variety of classes, and I’ve met incredible people who work hard to achieve their goals. I love the community of NDP so much, and I wouldn’t trade how I’ve grown here for the world.”

As she looks ahead to her senior year, Fortino is still discerning her path after high school. But one thing is clear: she wants her future to have meaning.

“I know I want to do something that brings me joy each day and can make an impact on someone or something,” she said. “Maybe something involving the environment or animals, but I also really enjoy working with others to make a difference.”

Colleges on her radar include Michigan State, the University of Michigan, Loyola University Chicago and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Wherever she lands, Fortino said she’s excited to apply what she’s learned at NDP in a new environment.

In the meantime, she and her peers from the immersion trip will continue to collaborate throughout the year via SNL, supporting one another in faith and action — and reminding their communities that behind every harvest, every meal and every story is a person with dignity, worth and hope.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.