Mission & Vision

We all have words and phrases with deep meaning that we overuse, throw around, and maybe water down the impact they can have. We commonly talk about the Rockhurst “community” or “brotherhood”. We regularly use the phrase “men for others”. Certainly, over the decades there is depth to these descriptions regarding Rockhurst High School that alumni know from the small groups of interest and friendships, from retreats or team gatherings, or when we witness an all-school Mass or pep rally, or see a student section cheering on their classmates. These words and phrases have real meaning at Rockhurst.

In our storied 110-year history, the 2020-2021 school year presented challenges that no one here had experienced in their lifetime. The COVID-19 pandemic and cultural tumult from race relations to polarized politics provided a context for our school year that presented obstacles placed in front of our young men for their academic learning, socializing, activities, and faith formation.

Committed to our mission, these oft- used phrases had profound meaning for us last year. I’m incredibly proud to be associated with the perseverance at Rockhurst last school year. COMMUNITY:

• Our Administration made themselves students of science and medicine to be able to both operate in-person school all year, and do our best to protect remote learners. Through it all, they managed 800 instances of health-related concerns and 75 positive COVID cases without a single transmission on our campus.

• Our faculty overcame the obstacles presented to them. They prioritized health and safety and cared for their students’ progress in every way possible. They accompanied their students toward a hope-filled future. • Our parents reached out with special care and messages of monthly appreciation for the perseverance of our faculty in care of their sons. The abundance of gratitude was remarkable.

• Our Jesuits, Pastoral, and Ignatian

Service teams insured that

Sacraments, retreats, service, and prayer were not compromised. The eternal goals of our school remained constant in the face of obstacles.

• Our alumni, benefactors and friends provided tremendous financial support outlined in this report. As a result, we didn’t just survive the year – we excelled. BROTHERHOOD:

• Our students were absolutely incredible in making the necessary sacrifices in order to have school and as many co-curriculars as possible. They sacrificed a great deal of normalcy last year, but they modeled perseverance in their own formation and the care of their brother Hawklets. These young men ought to be proud of the standards they upheld in our proud tradition.

We are immensely proud of them!

MEN FOR OTHERS:

• Our young men continued their faith development in all-school Masses, weekly

Confessions, and daily prayer.

• We not only stayed committed to our four-year retreat program, but we added an extra retreat for our Class of 2021.

• Though community service necessarily looked different, it didn’t pause. We realigned our

Senior Service Projects and continued to serve those in need in Kansas City and beyond. The grit, resilience, and perseverance of our community is the sustaining memory for me of a great year, despite the circumstances, at Rockhurst High School. Without your support, it would not have been possible. We are fortunate to be part of a school that has shown perseverance before in its history. World wars, economic crises, social unrest. When you are 110 years old, you’ve seen a few things. For our part in 2020-2021, I’m proud that our community was able to answer that call when our moment arrived and build upon the foundation given to us by our predecessors in care of our young men and our mission. Thank you and God bless you!

GO HAWKLETS!

ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA, PRAY FOR US.

GOD BLESS,

David J. Laughlin

President