St. Xavier helps students to be successful people
Isaac Bean
Coming from a lifetime of public schooling, I wasn’t optimistic about my years at St. Xavier High School. I had grown so accustomed to the environment and routines of my previous schools that stepping into a new world felt overwhelming. I resisted change, convinced that St. X was nothing more than an unnecessary expense — a waste of my parents’ hard-earned money. I couldn’t understand why they believed this private school was worth the investment.
Boy, was I wrong.
From the moment I walked through the doors on my first day, I saw what made St. X different.
Coach Glaser and Mr. Payne greeted us with contagious enthusiasm — not just polite smiles, but genuine excitement. I couldn’t understand how they maintained such energy every day. At the time, I didn’t realize it was a reflection of their deep pride and loyalty — the green and gold spirit that ran through their veins.
Later that day, all the freshmen gathered for an assembly. As we walked in, a massive crowd erupted in applause. “All this for freshmen?” I thought. I had never seen a school care so deeply about its students. But as the days, weeks, and months passed, St. X kept proving me wrong — again and again.
If I had to choose one experience that truly changed my perspective on what St. X stood for, it would be my involvement in the Ryken Service Club and Campus Ministry. During my sophomore year, I met Mr. Kresse, the service coordinator and club moderator at the time. From the moment I was introduced to him, it was clear that his passion for serving the poor and marginalized was something rare. He could talk for hours about his love for helping others, and the sincerity in his words was impossible to ignore.
But what impacted me most wasn’t just what he said — it was how he lived. Every single day, he poured his heart and soul into service, giving everything he had to make a difference. He didn’t just teach about the importance of helping others; he embodied it in every action he took. Watching him dedicate himself so fully to a cause greater than himself was nothing short of inspiring. His actions spoke louder than words, and they sparked something in me.
As I became more involved in service, I realized I wasn’t just volunteering — I was finding a sense of purpose. The work we did wasn’t just about helping others; it was about embracing a deeper sense of gratitude, humility, and responsibility. One quote from Mr. Kresse became the foundation of my outlook: “Give back the gifts you have been given.” When he shared those words with me during my sophomore year, they struck a chord. From that moment on, my opinion of St. X — and my role within it — was forever changed.
Though I use Mr. Kresse as an example of St. X’s impact on me, he is just one of many teachers and faculty members who embody the same values. This school truly wants the best for every student, and they will stop at nothing to help us succeed — not just academically, but as people. The opportunities, mentorship, and unwavering support are all here.
If I could offer one piece of advice to incoming freshmen, it would be this: St. X has the resources, the faculty, and the community to help you grow in ways you never imagined. But it’s up to you to take advantage of them. If you walk through these doors ready to embrace everything this school has to offer, you will leave not just as a better student, but as a better person.
St. X fosters a community-driven and faith-filled atmosphere
Bram Long
When I first stepped into St. X for my freshman orientation, I felt a mix of excitement and overwhelming uncertainty like never before. I had heard about all the great things about the school: a long and rich tradition, athletic and academic excellence, and most importantly, a “lifelong brotherhood.” As a freshman who hadn’t even gotten the chance to shadow due to the quarantine, I was unsure how much a school could really provide me aside from a good education and a chance to watch sports. However, over the course of the next four years, I was able to grow in ways that I had never expected.
The transition from middle school to high school was in no way easy, and it was marked by challenges such as having to actually try in classes for the first time, attempting to befriend new people when I could only see half of their face, and selecting out of the many sports and activities the school has to offer. As the days passed, I grew more and more comfortable with the school I would be immersed in for the next few years. I really began to see what all St. X had to offer.
Lots of schools have great athletics and academics, but not many have the community-driven and faith-filled atmosphere that St. X fosters every day. I believe that is what makes us special. While students earn various academic awards, state titles, and college acceptances every year, the education of the full person is what the students can learn from St. X and bring it into their life afterwards.
Out of everything I’ve been a part of during my time at St. X, I can say without a doubt that the retreats were truly special. Retreat gives every student the opportunity to truly grow in his faith and as a fuller man. St. X didn’t merely educate me on the surface level with math and science like I expected it to, but it taught me how to be more in touch with my spirit and be a better person.
In my life, I have always been connected to God and to my faith, but I was truly able to find that connection here at St. X. Leading retreat as a senior was one of the most special moments in my entire life, and without its Catholic nature, I would have never gotten to experience it.
As my time here comes to a close, I can say that these last four years have been life-changing. “The Brotherhood” is often talked about in assemblies or on the morning announcements, and for a while I didn’t really get what that meant. Now that I’m nearing graduation, I have finally realized the meaning of this Brotherhood. It comes from being connected with everyone from the great friends I’ve made, to the teachers, to the staff, to the coaches. Nearly everyone here welcomes each other into this truly lifelong connection. Every time I wear the green and gold out in public, I’m representing more than just myself; I’m representing a rich tradition that spans past generations and will hopefully continue for generations to come.
St. X provides unparalleled brotherhood
Cullen Spalding
My journey at St. X started way before I even stepped foot on campus as a student. My earliest memory was attending the St. X vs. Trinity football game at Cardinal Stadium when I was about eight years old. I recall sitting in the section adjacent to the St. X student section, which is better known as the Rage Cage. I became less interested in watching the game in front of me and more intrigued with the unified cheers and unwavering spirit from the Rage Cage student section. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be part of the St. X spirit.
In my middle-school years, my mom gave me a black Nike shirt embellished with the St. X logo and two words on it: “Tradition Unequalled.” The shirt symbolized belonging to the school and its rich history. I loved that shirt and wore it three times a week. As time progressed and growth spurts happened, I eventually outgrew the shirt, but the memory remained.
For me, the phrase “tradition unequalled” means something that is rooted in established customs and beliefs yet surpasses all others of its kind and is unparalleled in quality or significance. This also describes the brotherhood at St. X. The brotherhood can be seen everywhere and is understood by every student. It is on display at any given sporting event with the Rage Cage student section, always filled with fellow classmates. The brotherhood expands even beyond the hallways; several faculty members are graduates of St. X. This creates a unique dynamic, which fosters mentors in the classroom.
These individuals aren’t just educators or coaches; they are fellow brothers, invested in our growth, sharing not only knowledge but also the values instilled by our shared tradition. Coach Brockman, my English teacher and an alumnus, often shared anecdotes of his own St. X days, seamlessly blending academic lessons with the school’s rich history, making it more personal and meaningful.
I am proud to say that I will be a fourth-generation St. X graduate. This is something I don’t take lightly. I will forever be indebted to St. X for things it has blessed me with. St. X has not only provided me a superior education but also provided positive influences to many aspects of my life. This is what makes St. X truly a special place.
As I have matured at St. X, my understanding of “Tradition Unequalled” deepened. It was not just a motto on a shirt but rather a testament to the brotherhood of my school. St. X certainly focuses on academics, but what makes St. X a special place is the ability not just to be classmates for four years, but brothers for life.
