Xavier High School - March 2023 News & Notes

Dear Xavier Family,

In the sixty-three year history of Xavier High School, icons sprinkle the landscape. Historic moments such as Rocky Bleier’s historic run, the opening of the Fine Arts Center, and the first Eucharistic Procession populate a timeline of memories. Championships won, concerts performed, shows given standing ovations, Masses offered, service trips attended…there are so many ways to measure the legacy of a school with a rich and diverse tradition like Xavier. Still, if we attend a class reunion or even talk with the current students, the first thing we hear about is not the moments or the achievements; rather, the relationships are the enduring memory of one’s time in high school and specifically the trait that makes a Xavier experience unique.

To that end, we have had our share of legends. The Christian Brothers and Franciscan Sisters who first staffed the school are unforgettable – I am told that the school was once led by Brother Peter and Sister Peter. Teachers dedicated their lives to Xavier inside and beyond the classroom as educators, coaches, advisors, role models and so much more. Names like Dennis Oudenhoven, Kathy Bates, Doc Lamon, Peter Bartman and Andy Mahoney come quickly to mind from the last 30 years. When it comes time to bid farewell and thank them for their service, I find that words can seldom do justice to the legacy they leave, but it’s important to try. So this month, please allow me to tell you the story of a Xavier legend and to thank him for his service to Xavier High School.

As many of you know, Mr. Steve Hurula has been courageously battling cancer for nearly two years. What you may not know is that Steve has spent almost thirty years serving the students of Xavier, largely as the teacher of senior theology classes. It has been Steve’s calling to prepare students for taking their faith into college. Beyond his classes, Steve served tirelessly as a coach for the football program, a bowling club moderator, a strength and conditioning coach, and so many more things. As his condition limited his ability to do the things he loved, Steve found ways to adjust. Last summer, when he was no longer able to drive, Steve woke up early and walked miles to school in the early morning to be able to support our students in the fitness center. He fought like crazy to get himself back here to teach our seniors this year and I am so glad that he was able to be with them for as long as he could. His courage and faith were far bigger lessons than anything we could provide in a textbook. This is a man who bleeds Xavier blue – he attends everything, is a legendary storyteller, is curious about the result of any Xavier game or competition and wants all of the students to know how the mock trial team, cross country runners, or anyone else fared in recent events. His laugh and his enthusiasm are undoubtedly a part of the memory of any Xavier alumnus of the past three decades.

Our faculty knows Steve as a humble servant of God, probably the most valuable member of the long time “second lunch squad,” and the consummate reminder of what love for one’s profession should look like. Last year I had the chance to meet Steve’s sister and she relayed this story. When Steve received his diagnosis, the doctors told him that he probably had a few years left. He called his sister to tell her the difficult news. Trying to make the best of a terrible moment, she asked him, “OK, well, what do you want to do with your time? Travel? Move someplace warm? What’s on your bucket list?” She said Steve only chuckled and responded in a way that made her think the question was completely ridiculous. “I want to teach” he said, “I love what I do and love where I am. I am going to keep doing it for as long as God allows.”

There is nothing I can say to follow that up. That is how much Steve Hurula loves Xavier and loves to serve your students and families. That’s who he is. Steve was in the theology department when I started here more than 25 years ago. He has been a friend, colleague, and inspiration to me and to many. I have no effective means to entirely show our gratitude so I am hoping that your prayers for him will be a small token of our gratitude.

Last week, Mr. Hurula passed away and gained eternal rest. In Steve’s farewell e-mail to the students in December, he wrote “Take nothing for granted. Say thank you a lot.” I am sorry that perhaps we have taken the legend that is Mr. Hurula for granted and I thank God for him every day. Xavier is better off because of his dedication, his faith and courage in the face of suffering, and the dignity and grace with which he has persevered during these last few years. I pray that every one of us privileged enough to serve the students at Xavier can do so with the love, enthusiasm and integrity that Steve has modeled for us. He does things the Xavier Way. Thank you, Steve Hurula, for a lifetime of service and an impact on thousands of young people and hundreds of colleagues. You are a blessing to all of us.

For God’s Greater Glory,

Mike Mauthe Principal

From the Business/ Attendance Office

Lunch Accounts:

All lunch accounts are expected to have an available balance at all times. Funds remaining in an account at the end of the school year will carry over to 2023-24. We will refund account balances to families of seniors who have neither outstanding financial obligations nor younger siblings in the system.

Attendance:

Your cooperation in reporting absentees is sincerely appreciated. If you are planning a vacation that does not coincide with the vacation that is scheduled in our school calendar, it is your responsibility to notify school, stating the days your student will be missing. It is also your responsibility to contact your student’s teachers. See the school web site for an “Anticipated Absence Request Form”, this form is then turned to the Attendance office. You are reminded that although the absence is considered excused, the number of days missed is counted as part of the maximum of five days allowed per term.

Valedictorian & Salutatorian

Congratulations to Katherine Mastorides for earning the highest grade point average in the graduating class. She is the valedictorian of the Class of 2023. Katherine is the daughter of Arist and Mary Beth Mastorides.

Congratulations also to August Ehrlich, the salutatorian of the class. August is the son of Daniel and Lynn Ehrlich.

We look forward to hearing Katherine and August at Graduation!

FBLA

FBLA competed at Regionals on Feb 4th. We had over 35 students compete in various business-related events such as tests on different business categories, performances, and group presentations.

We ended up with 24 students eligible to compete at STATE, 12 of which placed 1st! Students will spend the next month studying and revamping their presentations as we take on 40+ schools in Green Bay after Spring Break.

Forensics

Congrats to the Forensics Team, they took 2nd place overall at the Oshkosh North tournament on Saturday. Other awards went to:

Grace Woelfel & Isabelle Bestul - Champions in Duo Interp, also took 2nd & 3rd respectively in Oral Interp.

Adam Michels - Extemp Speaking - 3rd place

JJ Vander Loop - Extemp Speaking - 2nd place

Senior Events

PROM - Prom will be held on Saturday, April 29 from 7midnight at Butte Des Morts Country Club. Xavier juniors and seniors are invited to purchase tickets. Each Xavier student may bring one guest. No freshmen are allowed and non-Xavier students must have a dance pass on file. Details on tickets will be available in April.

SENIOR AWARDS - Awards will be held on Sunday, May 21 at 7pm in the Xavier Theatre. All award winners will be contacted in advance so that seniors know that they are receiving an award that evening.

BACCALAUREATE MASS - Baccalaureate Mass will take place on Tuesday, May 23 at 10:50 am. Family members are welcome to attend.

SENIOR EXAMS - Senior exams will take place on Thursday, May 25 and Friday, May 26. Seniors will be done after Block 2 on Friday, May 26.

GRADUATION - Graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31 at 7 PM at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Each family will receive an allotment of tickets for the first level and general admission tickets will also be available for the upper levels.

World Language Honor Societies

French, German and Spanish students may be eligible for membership in one or more of our world language honor societies. To qualify academically, students must be sophomores or older and have completed three terms of their language at Xavier. Their grade point average in the language must be at least 3.5, with no grade lower than a B.

In addition to the academic requirements, new members must earn a minimum of six service/social/ cultural-activity points by the end of third term. Continuing members must continue to maintain the 3.5 grade point average in the language and earn eight points each year. The most popular ways to earn points have been by preparing and serving international meals for family and/or friends, hosting international students, viewing international films, and tutoring students who are struggling with language learning.

There are many other opportunities to earn points. The complete list is included on the application for membership, which may be obtained from any world language teacher. The deadline for applying for membership, either as a new or a continuing member, is Friday, March 24th.

If you have any questions or want more information, please contact your son or daughter’s world language teacher.

Campus Ministry

Lent 2023

Our theme during this holy season is “Walking with Jesus…one step at a time.” Students and staff are invited to share a Lenten intention as part of our display outside the chapel. During Lent, our focus is both inward and outward: what can we do to better share Jesus’ love with one another?

Lent began with Ash Wednesday Mass on February 22 at 10:45 in the theatre, and students will have the opportunity to attend Reconciliation after break: March 14, 16, and 21. Thank you to our priests and pastoral leaders for all they do for us.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be prayed throughout Lent during both lunch periods; it will also be prayerfully sung on Friday's.

In the spirit of walking with Jesus and one another, please consider donating unworn shoes to our Lenten Soles for Jesus shoe drive. Donation boxes are between the front doors of school and outside the chapel.

Weekday Mass Opportunities

Join us during X on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:15am for Mass!

“Duncan Donuts”

Join us from 7:20-7:40am Thursday mornings in the Commons to share a faith moment from your week. Informal. Free doughnuts. All are welcome.

Bible Study

Students are invited to join Ms. Wesolek in Room 134 Wednesday morning at 7:25 for a bible excerpt and reflection.

Individual Reconciliation

Fr. Patrick is available during X on Thursdays for confessions in the chapel sacristy.

Service Hour Opportunities

Every Tuesday, students receive a “SPIRIT Stuff” email update with new service opportunities!

Social Media Opportunity

We need a group of students to lead our Campus Ministry social media committee. Please see or email Mrs. Geenen if interested: kgeenen@xaviercatholicschools.org

All-School Retreat Day

Students will get to participate in an all-school retreat day on Friday, April 21. Please avoid scheduling appointments or time away from school that day. With any questions or to lead a group, please contact Kate Geenen (kgeenen@xaviercatholicschools.org).

Eucharistic Adoration

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held the first Friday of each month in the Chapel from 7:45am3:00pm. Please contact Katie Wesolek to sign up. (kwesolek@xaviercatholicschools.org).

National Athletic Training Month

It is finally March and that means that it is National Athletic Training Month! We like to use this month to help people get to know us as Athletic Trainers and what we bring to our schools, communities, and companies that we help serve.

Athletic Trainers deal with 5 main domains, that being; Injury Prevention, Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis, Immediate and Emergency Care, Treatment and Rehabilitation, and Organization/Professional Health and Well-being. Athletic Trainers work in a multitude of different fields and are able to help people of all different ages and skill sets. You can find Athletic Trainers in K-12 schools, colleges, professional sports, hospitals, clinics, factories, police and fire stations, and even in the military. While the Athletic Trainers you may be familiar with usually work with students and athletes, we are able to help with all ages and with more than just orthopedic injuries.

In our Ascension Wisconsin Sports Medicine - Fox Valley schools, Athletic Trainers do more than just tape ankles and help with water(s). Athletic Trainers at our schools are/have been responsible for: injury diagnosis, creating team workouts, individual rehabilitation programs, summer strength programs, teaching American Heart Association First Aid, CPR and AED, teaching Stop the Bleed, concussion baseline testing, mediation between physicians and people, helping with implementation/running COVID policies, assisting with/in the hospitals, and countless other things.

Athletic Trainers pride ourselves on being able to juggle all of our responsibilities, while being a personable and bright spot for our athletes and patients everyday. We love our athletes, schools, and communities. We enjoy the time that we get to feel a part of all of our teams, through the ups and downs, the late nights and early mornings, and through hot summers and the cold winters. Please take this month as an opportunity to get to know us and who we are and what we do. We look forward to getting to know new people and growing our communities.

Here at Xavier High School, we have two athletic trainers, Dakota and Becky, to help all our student athletes. Our room is located between the girls and boys locker rooms, just down the hall from weight room. Dakota is in the training room every day after school for injury checks and pre-practice preparations. Becky can be found in the weight room after school. We encourage anyone with sports injuries or orthopedic questions to reach out to us and to see how we can help.

Thank you to everyone at Xavier High School for your continued support and happy Athletic Training Month!

Upcoming Events

March 2 Jazz Band Benefit Concert & Dinner

March 3 XSC Blood Drive

March 6-10 Spring Break

March 14 College Fair (6-8PM)

March 15 All School Mass

March 23-24 Half Days – Final Exams

March 27 No School – End of Term 3

April 6 Half Day – Holy Thursday

April 7-10 Easter Break

April 19 Kaboom (7PM)

April 21 Xavier Retreat Day

April 21 International Dinner

April 24-28 Blue & White Week

April 28 Xavier Day

April 29 Prom

May 1 No School

May 3 Spring Choir Concert (7PM in theatre)

May 10 Spring Band Concert (7PM in theatre)

May 12 XSC Blood Drive

May 15 Fine Arts Awards Night

May 17 Spring Orchestra Concert (6:30PM in theatre)

May 21 Senior Awards Night

May 23 Baccalaureate Mass (10:50AM in theatre)

May 25-26 Senior Final Exams

May 29 No School – Memorial Day

May 31 Graduation (7PM at PAC)

June 1-2 Half Days - Final Exams