l e t t e r
f r o m t h e Headmaster
Dear members of the Xavier community, Over this past summer, the building underwent a When we gathered for school on Thursday, March 12, we transformation to the world of social distancing. We had all seen the uptick in COVID-19 cases across the country opened full and on time with 662 students. We now and here in Connecticut. What we did not know was that live in a world of masks, hand sanitizer and social it would be the last day of in-person classes at Xavier High distancing, but the mission of Xavier never changes. School for the 2019-20 school year. We seek to educate the whole man, spirit, mind Immediately the faculty, staff and administration went and body. Our goal at all times is to be together at into overdrive, and by the following Tuesday, March 17, we Xavier, but we will deliver our mission and academic were fully up and running delivering classes remotely to program remotely. 660 students. It was an incredibly seamless transition and For those of you who support Xavier, I cannot my sincere thanks go out to everyone in the Xavier thank you enough for your gifts. Now more than community for making this happen. ever we truly need your help. The pandemic has The in-person shutdown of schools around the brought unprecedented layoffs and furloughs, many state created a cascading effect on non-academic that involve our Xavier families. Our requests for programming. The athletic programs at all schools financial aid are higher than ever and I ask that we were immediately stopped just as the winter come together as a community to help as many state tournaments were about to begin. The families as we can. undefeated Xavier swimming team won May you and your families maintain good its first SCC championship in 26 years health until we have a suitable vaccine. All and was looking to capture its first state of us at Xavier thank you for being a part of title as the top seed heading into the our special community. championships. Similarly, the basketball God Bless you all. and hockey teams were seeded highly Sincerely, a nd never got t hei r tou r na ments started. We did, however, pick up a state championship with the wrestling team capturing its third state title two weeks Dave Eustis before the shutdown. Congratulations Xavier High School Headmaster to Coach Mike Cunningham and all of our wrestlers for hanging another banner in Kohs Gymnasium. Additionally the spring musical with Mercy also shut down prematurely. The cast and crew were about to perform Mamma Mia! and had worked tirelessly throughout the winter to prepare for a weekend of shows. ADMINISTRATION As we approached our year-end celebrations, Mr. David Eustis, Headmaster we knew that we wanted to create as much of a Mr. Brendan Donohue, Principal realistic experience for our seniors as we could. Mr. Nicholas Cerreta ’01, Dean of Students Mr. Kyle St. George, Academic Dean Putting together a virtual Baccalaureate Mass and graduation was a huge undertaking and again, the faculty and staff at BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-2021 Xavier came together to create what Atty. Mark Ryan ’81, Board Chair Mr. Ronald Cozean ’81 Dcn. Kevin McCormack we thought was a wonderful send-off Mr. William Rotatori, Vice Chair Mr. David Eustis Mr. Neil Mitchill, Jr. ’93 for the incredibly resilient Class of Atty. Richard Carella ’84 Atty. Brian Farrell ’86 Mr. Peter Mondani ’75 2020. They will forever hold a special Rev. David Choquette ’90 Mr. Jack Gastler ’74 Mr. Jeffrey Muzio ’84 place in our hearts for their patience Mrs. Ellen Ciampi Mr. Bernard Hallums ’81 Mr. William Nadeau, Jr. ’94 a nd u nder s t a nd i ng i n work i ng Dr. Jacob Conca Mr. Scott Jenkins ’85 Mr. Michael Picard ’83 through this pandemic. Mr. James Coughlin ’84 Mr. George V. Keithan, Jr. ’81 4
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