WE ARE ST. XAVIER

For 91 years St. Xavier students have provided for the hungry of the Cincinnati community. Freshman and sophomores focused on collecting over 64,000 pounds of food that was immediately distributed to over 30 local food pantries. Juniors and seniors focused on collecting non-perishable food, paper items and blankets for the HEART to HOME Program. This program allows the students to partner with individuals and families and encourages them to meet the recipients to gain compassion and become Men for Others. St. X parents, faculty, staff and friends were encouraged to help the student efforts in providing food and essentials for the holidays. This effort is the central community service activity with over 90% of the student population taking part.

The students of the Bring Change to Mind club shared the first of many projects to come at St. X. They built an installation with the goal of spreading knowledge about mental health and of course, ending the stigma to an all-boys school. Additionally, there is a clothesline with motivational/inspirational message on sticky notes that students can take if they need or leave one for other students. This has allowed great opportunity to spread positivity around the school as well.

Retired faculty and staff members were honored with a dinner on September 19, 2019 in the Reynolds Room. The reception is an annual event to catch up with those who have helped nurture members of the Long Blue Line.

The St. Xavier community gathered to celebrate the annual Feast of St. Francis Xavier Mass on December 5. Fr. Eric Sundrup, pastor of Bellermine Chapel, was the celebrant for this Mass to honor the school’s namesake.

TX’s fall production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time told the story of a gifted boy named Christopher John Francis Boone. He knows every prime number up to 7,057, relates well to animals, has no understanding of human emotions, cannot stand to be touched, and detests the color yellow.

After his neighbor’s dog is killed he sets out on an adventure to discover the identity of the murderer. Along the way, he discovers unexpected truths about the world, his family, but, most importantly, about himself.

The students used intricate choreography of movement, lighting and sound to offer a window into the experience of the gifted protagonist. They delivered moving and skilled performances of the compelling tale.

Senior Gabe Puthoff plays basketball for the Cincinnati Dragons and realized a dream to play basketball on his home court at St. Xavier. On October 19-20. St. X hosted a wheelchair basketball tournament for the Cincinnati Dragons in both gyms. This tournament usually takes place at Eastern Kentucky University but they have been trying for years to host a “home tournament” in Cincinnati. Fortunately, St. X was able to make this happen! Gabe’s team won the tournament. Congratulations to the Champion Cincinnati Dragons.

Students posed with guest speaker and alum Rob Carroll ’04 in one of the two sections of History of American Capitalism. The course has grown in popularity requiring that an additional section of the course be offered. Because of the dynamic speakers and innovative content, St. Xavier is going to offer a follow up course, ‘Entrepreneurship in Action: A Hands On Approach to Entrepreneurship’ in the 2020-21 school year.

Mark Cappel ’86 Don Deters Tim Reilly ’76 Rob Carroll ’04 Tom Compton ’00 Patrick Foppe ’06 Dave ’96 & Mark ’98 Ibanez Melinda Kirk and Jerry Stenger ’78 Chris Muzzo ’90 Jim Neitzke Matt Pettit ’03 Brent Rippe ’99 Catherine Seifert Brett Smith ’87 Joe Sprengard ’96 Elle & Curtis Zimmerman Thank you to the guest speakers for this academic year:

The annual Grandparents’ Communion Breakfast was held on October 6, 2019. Grandparents and their freshman grandsons look forward to this opportunity to share a moment together in celebration of their St. Xavier enrollment. Many alumni with grandsons continuing the Long Blue Line tradition enjoy this special day.

The annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ), was held Nov 15-18 in Washington D.C. Students were empowered, inspired, challenged, and supported by a community that sees faith and justice integrally linked. Attendees had the opportunity to meet students from Jesuit institutions from all over the United States while hearing from an amazing group of speakers on issues of social justice and advocacy. Students concluded the conference by heading to Capitol Hill on Monday morning to meet with their elected representatives.

Ignatian Family Teach in for Justice 2019 Kyran Barnes Aiden Turner Teddy Ford Eric Givens Chapman Justin Jackson Andrew Klus Bobby McAlpine Matthew Ugaz Michael Rohs Thomas Telling Doug Thorne Jr. Michael Niceley Owen Brown Isaac Griffith

Chaperones: Katie Collins Kris Holmes Jake Federle Ben Kemper Patrick Luongo Alex Bruner

Congratulations to the 13 students who signed with universities to further their education while excelling in sports! The students were joined by their parents and university officials on November 13, 2019 for the National Signing Day.

BACK ROW Scott Sobolewski – University of Southern California – Swimming Tommy Walters – Notre Dame – Cross Country Hank Thomas – Georgia Tech – Baseball Ian Van Gorp – Ohio State – Swimming Ronit Hiryur – University of Dayton – Tennis Jared Deville – Ohio University – Golf Nate Buse – University of Kentucky – Swimming

FRONT ROW Kellen Roddy – Johns Hopkins – Swimming Eli Majick – University of Dayton – Baseball Jean Pierre Khouzam – Ohio State – Swimming Bobby Jones – Xavier University – Baseball Tucker Hundley – Central Michigan University – Baseball Wyatt Hudepohl – University of Kentucky – Baseball

Thank you to the Mothers’ Club for hosting another successful Christmas Celebration! More than 100 volunteers worked tirelessly to make sure 650+ guests had a memorable experience. Thank you to all who volunteered, attended and purchased items to support St. Xavier. Thank you also to the pictured students who volunteered on their day off to make the event a success!

In October, the Environmental Action Club met for the kick off of our forest management project. Under the guidance of Greg Torres, horticulturist at the Civic Garden Center, students prepared soil flats with native tree seeds that were collected from local forests. Next, they set the trays up in a protected area outside at the entrance to the campus nature trail, where they will remain through the winter to undergo stratification. Next fall, these seedlings will be used to replace invasive species such as honeysuckle that they will be removing from the campus forest. This is part of a long-range project that aims to boost the biodiversity of our campus forest and promote positive community engagement with the natural world.

The 2000 State Championship basketball team celebrated its 20th anniversary on Friday, January 10 when the 2020 Bombers played the Elder Panthers in a GCL South matchup. The entire team was able to attend the reunion and traveled as far nationally as Washington D.C. (Steven Callahan), Bristol, Connecticut (Jordan Cornette) and South Bend, Indiana (Steven Sollmann) and internationally, the Philippines (Nick Graham). The team, their families and coaches enjoyed celebrating the spirit of the State win and rekindling the bond they still hold for each other. It was a special night for all!

Members of the Championship Team include: Alex Bast ’01, Manager Danny Callahan, Steve Callahan ’01, Tom Compton ’00, Jordan Cornette ’01, John Cronin ’00, Nick Graham ’00, Mike Grogan ’01, Jack Keating ’00, Dan Kennedy ’00, Andy Larkin ’00, Nick Larsen ’00, Evan Nolan ’01, John Shriver ’01, Steve Sollmann ’00, Mark Waligora ’00, head coach Scott Martin ’87, and assistant coaches Brian Borden, Tony Brumfield, Gil Martinez and Ishaq Nadir.

“This is a woman full of unbounded courage” Literature teacher, Julie Brandel said of Betty Rosemond. “She is one of my newest heroes. My co-teacher and I had the absolute pleasure of bringing our seniors to hear Betty Rosemond, one of the original freedom riders in the Civil Rights Movement, share her experience with nonviolent resistance. We witnessed history. I’m so moved. Her message prompts us to live with courage and agency; ‘If we want a change in the world, we have to be the change.’”

Mrs. Brandel, in partnership with Wayne Miller, Director of Diversity, and Jim Schurrer, teacher and Dean of Faculty, invited Ms. Betty Rosemond to speak to the combined Other Voices of American Literature classes at St. Xavier High School on September 26.

Ms. Rosemond was a Freedom Rider and shared her riveting experiences as she and others advocated for Civil Rights in America in the 1960’s.

Mr. Miller, Director of Diversity said, “We were so honored to have Ms. Betty Rosemond speak to our students about her role as a Freedom Rider and her specific encounters during the Civil Rights Era. To have someone who actually lived the history about which they were reading left an indelible impression upon them and our entire school.”

When legislation passed in the 1960’s to allow all Americans to ride the public bus without segregation, the Freedom Riders, like Ms. Rosemond, risked personal injury and rode the bus in support of the law and to test if the citizens of some regions in the South would uphold the law. Violence and taunting often met the Freedom Riders but they persevered.

“It was a blessing and honor hear Ms. Rosemond’s story of faith and determination regarding the Civil Rights era. If The Freedom Riders were to happen all over again I would love to be right by her side the whole way. That is how much she inspired me and I’m sure my classmates,” said student Kazir Wilson.

Ms. Rosemond’s experience is relevant to St. Xavier students today as they live and learn within a diverse student body and strive to become Men for Others.

X-Travaganza is an annual St. Xavier High School tradition, bringing together parents, alumni and friends of St. Xavier to enjoy fun events while supporting the students. X-Travaganza proceeds directly benefit all St. Xavier students by funding educational programs and co-curriculars that contribute to the students’ development as Men for Others.

Opening Party 2020: Hula Palooza kicks off X-Travaganza weekend on Friday, March 6 with a casual evening of food, drinks, music, raffles, baskets and exclusive Silent Auction items. Held on the night before X-Travaganza each year, Opening Party is an informal opportunity to meet new friends, reconnect with fellow St. Xavier supporters and enjoy a fun atmosphere that includes a performance from St. Xavier’s acclaimed music groups. Opening Party Co-Chairs Kate and Steve Feldmann and Julie and John Herrmann will create an evening of excitement!

X-Travaganza 2020: Off to the TropiX Hawaii Bound will transport guests on Saturday, March 7, starting with Mass in the Chapel, followed by hors d’oeurves and a complimentary bar, Silent Auction bidding on hundreds of unique items, and an elegant sit-down dinner. As the X-Travaganza Live Auction items begin to appear, the excitement builds as items – from coveted tickets to sporting and entertainment events, vacation packages, jewelry and one-of-a-kind experiences – move quickly to the lucky highest bidder! X-Travaganza 2020 Chairs Colleen and Adam Ireton ’88 and Lisanne and Mike Thompson ’84 promise a memorable event that includes the Grand Raffle drawing for cash prizes of $20,000, $10,000 and $5,000 – an exciting start to the evening!

Both nights surround guests with X-ceptional decorations inspired by this year’s theme. Our appreciation goes out to the hundreds of volunteers, donors and sponsors that make these unforgettable events possible. This collective generosity and enthusiasm creates a unique opportunity for fun and fellowship, with proceeds benefiting all the young men of St. Xavier. Your ongoing support of X-Travaganza – whether attending an event, purchasing Grand Raffle tickets, donating gifts for the auctions, volunteering or countless other roles – fulfills the long-standing tradition of student support by the St. X community.

Make your X-Travaganza reservations and purchase Grand Raffle Tickets online at www.stxavier.org/support-st-x/ x-travaganza.

X-Travaganza Golf Outing May 11, 2020 at Four Bridges Country Club

For more information www.stxavier.org/xtravgolf