Teen is St. Xavier’s first sixth generation graduate

Mason Sullivan with his grandfather William J. Sherman Jr. at St. Xavier High School's graduation May 22. Sherman graduated from St. Xavier in 1954. (Photo Special to The Record).
Mason Sullivan with his grandfather William J. Sherman Jr. at St. Xavier High School’s graduation May 22. Sherman graduated from St. Xavier in 1954. (Photo Special to The Record).

By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
Among the more than 300 students who walked down the aisle during St. Xavier High School’s 144th commencement ceremonies, there was one who could trace his roots at the school to the late 1800s.

Mason Avery Sullivan became the school’s first sixth generation graduate at the commencement, which took place at Broadbent Arena May 22.
“It’s amazing to be the first sixth generation graduate,” said Sullivan, who plans to attend Xavier University in the fall. “I found out only a few days before graduation.”

Sullivan’s great, great, great grandfather John P. Cassilly graduated from the all-boys’ school in 1882. Mason Sullivan’s mother, Alyson Sullivan, said her great, great grandfather Cassilly went on to become a court reporter after receiving a degree from the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law.

According to records Sullivan kept, Cassilly was named the longest-serving courthouse official upon his retirement at the age of 80 in 1946. Cassilly, she said, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Mason Sullivan’s grandfather, William J. Sherman Jr., graduated from St. Xavier in 1954. Sherman was the generation to precede his grandson Mason at St. Xavier (Sherman didn’t have any sons).

“I’ve been around there since I was a freshman,” said Sherman, who was the president of the school’s alumni association for two years. Sherman was also the recipient of the 2015 St. Francis Xavier Award. “I think the world of that place.”

Sherman — who went on to attend the University of Notre Dame and serve in the United States Marine Corps — said the lessons he learned at St. Xavier helped in every aspect of his life. He is pleased, he said, that his grandson is also a St. Xavier graduate.

“Each young man graduates knowing he’s been given the best direction in life,” said Sherman. The fact that his grandson become the first sixth generation graduate from his boyhood school is “quite an honor,” Sherman added.

Mason Sullivan, like his grandfather, thinks his education at St. Xavier brought out the best in him.

“I learned how to be a better man and how to put others first,” he said. “I learned that service isn’t something you do because you have a requirement, but it’s something you do because you want to help others.”

Mason Sullivan’s other ancestors who graduated from St. Xavier High School include his great uncle James C. Krebs, who graduated in 1952. Krebs was the husband of Mason Sullivan’s maternal great aunt.

Another great (maternal) uncle Henry Warren Willen graduated in 1948. Willen was an honor student, an athlete and was active in public speaking, journalism and drama clubs, according to old school records kept by Alyson Sullivan.

Willen — who was a graduate of Centre College and the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law — was a Maryknoll brother who served in Hong Kong for four years. Willen left religious life following his return to the United States, according to Alyson Sullivan.

Mason Sullivan said he plans to earn a degree in business administration and management.

“I feel ready for what life has to throw at me,” he said. Most importantly, he said, he always wants to be a part of St. Xavier’s mission.

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