The Brothers Helping Brothers

By: Tim LeCras

When the Brothers of the Sacred Heart were founded in 1821 by Father André Coindre, their mission surrounded the education of youth who were at their “weakest” and “most deprived state.” Over 200 years later, that vocation is still prevalent on the Saint Joseph High School campus.

Scott Hunter ‘94 was the second of four Hunter brothers to attend Saint Joe’s in the 1990s. Growing up in a Catholic family where religious education was top of mind for his mother, Maria, the whole family attended Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood.

“Catholic education was something my mom instilled in us,” Scott Hunter said. “It was very important to us to continue that trend in high school.”

Scott’s older brother, Michael ‘92, led the way to Saint Joe’s for the Hunter brothers. Scott followed a few years later during his junior year after transferring from another local Catholic school, a decision he believed was the best one he ever made.

“The first day of school I remember I felt like I had been there all along,” Scott said. “I immediately fit in and it was like home after the first day.”

The financial burden was not lost on the Hunter family. When it became too much, Maria Hunter scheduled a meeting with Saint Joe’s Principal Brother Ronald Cairns, S.C., fully intending on taking her sons out of the school. However, Brother Ronald did not let that happen.

“My mom told Brother Ronald that she didn’t think her other boys would be able to come because financially it wasn’t feasible,” Scott Hunter said. “Brother Ron said to her, ‘You send your boys and don’t worry about the rest.’ I don’t know how much assistance was received. I suspect it was significant. I do know that the Hunter Boys received financial assistance to attend Saint Joe’s.”

Need-based financial assistance, like what the Hunter family received, is a core pillar of Saint Joseph High School and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. During the 2021/2022 school year, $869,000 in scholarships and need-based assistance was awarded to current Saint Joe’s students, providing opportunities to families that could not afford tuition.

Because of the experience that the Hunter family received over 30 years ago, Scott Hunter makes it a priority to give back to the school that set him up for success as a financial advisor.

“It’s a place I feel made a permanent impact on my life, not just from an educational standpoint, but kind of who I am as a person,” Scott Hunter said. “The friendships I formed, I thought it was a completely unique place. I always felt indebted to the school. Even if they didn’t help me financially, I would still be giving in a major way. I always felt they helped us out in a time when we needed help and now I’m in a position where I can help to the extent that I do.”