From the Headmaster
Photo Credit: Michael McMath ’69
Dear Friends of Xaverian,
hen I think about Xaverian Brothers
High School, I am so grateful for our
tremendous facilities and resources.
However, more importantly, I think about the people. In
the 56 years since Xaverian opened its doors, more than
10,000 young men have toiled in our department centers,
library, classrooms, and labs. Hundreds of teachers
have shown up early to help their students and stayed
late preparing upcoming lessons. Countless coaches
have poured over play books and given inspiring pep talks right before a big game. And
administrators have strained their eyes against long ledgers of figures, making sure that
the school stays on solid ground. Many names stand out in this history of educational zeal,
including our visionary leader of the past 29 years, Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X.
Brother Dan transitioned from serving as our headmaster to the role of General
Superior of the Xaverian Brothers this fall. As Michael Nicholson (Xaverian’s newly-
appointed Principal) and I settle into our new roles and adjust to the absence of Brother,
some days it can feel that much has changed at Xaverian. But as I walk the halls and
visit our young men; as I pass our classrooms and see teachers working alongside their
students; as I stop in the music center and hear the awkward notes of an instrument
being played for the first time, and then witness the budding musician’s resulting grin;
and as I see our student athletes grinding out reps late in the evening in the Domenic
Lalli Strength and Conditioning Center, I know that the Xaverian we love continues
with the same vibrance and purpose that we have all come to appreciate. From sunrise
to sunset, Xaverian is home to an amazing community of students, faculty, staff,
coaches, and parents. It is a beacon of hope and opportunity. What binds us together
is our steadfast commitment to mission and to living the Xaverian values of humility,
compassion, simplicity, trust, and zeal.
As you will read on the following pages, we have much for which to be proud. Our
theater program set new records with sold out shows of their spectacular fall musical,
Newsies (pictured here and more on page 16). Our students are soaring to great heights in
our new aerospace club (page 12). In-class lessons have become real-life successes, such as
freshman Ben Buie’s efforts to make streets safer in West Roxbury (page 8). And perhaps
most notably, Xaverian soared through its 10-year accreditation process with glowing
reviews from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (page 6).
Thank you for being a part of the community we hold so dear. I am honored to write
Xaverian’s story with you. May God bless you and Xaverian.
Respectfully yours,
Jacob A. Conca ’94
Headmaster
P.S. I hope to see you at the Gala on March 14, as we honor Brother Dan and the
phenomenal leadership that has shaped Xaverian for the past 29 years.