he Ryken Award is bestowed annually as part of
Xaverian Brothers High School’s Founder’s Week,
which celebrates Theodore James Ryken, founder
of the Congregation of St. Francis Xavier (more
commonly known as the Xaverian Brothers). It signifies an
exceptional commitment to Ryken’s vision and dedication to
the core values of a Xaverian Brothers education. Each year,
Xaverian faculty and staff nominate colleagues to win the
prestigious award, and the winner is kept secret until the big
announcement at the Founder’s Day liturgy.
Essential to this plan is Mrs. Julie Horne, P ’12,
’14, ’14, Administrative Assistant to the Administration. It’s
her responsibility to buy flowers for the presentation and set
up a light breakfast reception for the award winner’s family
who are invited to the liturgy but kept hidden until the award
winner is announced. This year, Mrs. Horne had no idea it was
her own flowers she was buying, and her own reception she was
planning.
Congratulations to Mrs. Julie Horne, Xaverian’s 2022 Ryken
Award winner!
“I knew if we told Julie she didn’t need to do the usual tasks
necessary for this liturgy and award presentation, it would ruin
the surprise. She would figure out it had something to do with
her,” says Dr. Michael Nicholson, Principal. “So instead,
we let her plan her own party. It worked. She was thoroughly
shocked when her name was called, and she deserved to enjoy
the experience the same as all previous Ryken Award winners.
Julie is the best, hands down.”
The only hiccup was when Mrs. Horne said she’d stay in the
main office to handle the phones and front door during the
liturgy. Dr. Jake Conca ’94, Head of School, intervened.
She says he told her absolutely not, she would attend the liturgy
— “end of discussion.”
“I couldn’t figure out why he was so snarky about it,” she says
with a laugh. “I was completely overwhelmed. I did not have an
inkling. They really got me good!”
As is customary, Dr. Conca made the Ryken Award
announcement, sharing first excerpts of the submissions
on the winner’s behalf before he revealed the name of the
recipient. He shared that colleagues described this year’s
winner as “possessing a loving, joyful, helping heart, and an
unwavering commitment to Xaverian’s students, faculty, staff,
and administrators.” They said that she continually “lets the light
of Christ shine to everyone,” “treats everyone with respect,” and,
“puts people at ease.” He further shared that, “Her faith, while
kept close to her, is felt by her patient and soothing manner. Our
students appreciate her grace and caring, and our staff admire
her support and kindness, as well as her daily smile.” But it
was when he said that the nominee reads to a blind man in her
Julie Horne
Xaverian’s 2022
Ryken Award Winner
6 www.xbhs.com