2017 - Xaverian Fall Magazine
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The Magazine of Xaverian Brothers High School | Fall 2017
Answering
the Call…
Cameron Tullie ’20
Xaverian Magazine
800 Clapboardtree Street
Westwood, MA 02090
781-326-6392
www.xbhs.com
ADMINISTRATION
Headmaster
Brother Daniel E. Skala, C.F.X., Ph.D.
Principal
Jacob A. Conca ’94, Ph.D.
Assistant Principals
Stephen W. Dacey ’95, M.Ed.
Teaching and Learning
Joseph D. McGilvray, M.Ed.
Francis Xavier Division
Christopher J. Vasta ’00, M.Ed.
Academics, Grades 9-12
Michael J. Vitelli ’92, M.Ed.
Student Life
OFFICE FOR SCHOOL
ADVANCEMENT
Assistant Headmaster for Advancement
Lawrence M. Furey, P ’21
lfurey@xbhs.com
Director of Alumni
Charles Carmone ’85, P ’16
ccarmone@xbhs.com
Advancement Services Manager
Pamela J. Fothergill, P ’07
pfothergill@xbhs.com
Administrative Assistant
Copy Editor
Donna M. O’Connor, P ’01
doconnor@xbhs.com
Director of the Fund for Xaverian
and Leadership Giving
James J. Scholl ’03
jscholl@xbhs.com
Director of Stewardship and
Advancement Services
Mary M. Taylor
mtaylor@xbhs.com
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC
COMMUNICATIONS
Director of Strategic Communications
Ann E. Alsfeld
aalsfeld@xbhs.com
Assistant to the Director of
Strategic Communications
Kathryn E. Hickey
khickey@xbhs.com
Graphic Design
Margaret Galeano at www.gr8pg.com
© 2017 Xaverian Brothers High School.
All rights reserved.
averian
X THE MAGAZINE OF XAVERIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL
From the
Headmaster
Dear Friends of Xaverian,
ver the last five years, Xaverian Brothers High
School has asked you to answer the call – the
call for leadership, the call for service, the call
for academic excellence, the call for philanthropy, and
the call for faith. This magazine is dedicated to honoring
all whom have answered that call, from Cameron Tullie
’20, who spent his summer researching solutions to water
pollution in China and rebuilding houses in hurricane
ravaged North Carolina (page 8), to philanthropy in action
as it transforms our campus (page 4), the stories of the
Xaverian community on the following pages are sure to
inspire. This fall edition of the Xaverian Magazine is filled
with exciting news that we are eager to share, including an
in-depth look at our Francis Xavier Division as we enter
our fourth year with the program (page 12).
Xaverian Brothers High School is in a very strong
position, 55 years into our story. We are enjoying an
increase in enrollment, while still being able to provide
one-on-one, personalized attention. Our campus is
modern and impressive, with all of the state-of-the-
art amenities to meet the needs of our students. We
experienced our best annual fund on record in 2016-2017,
raising $1,350,005, and successfully closed out our biggest
fundraising initiative in the school’s history, our $25
million capital campaign, Called to Lead.
As you’ll see in this magazine, it’s the power of the
Xaverian community that allows these accomplishments
to come to fruition. We are incredibly grateful for your
support, and we look forward to continued partnership
with you, as we see Xaverian into its next bright chapter.
God bless you and your family.
Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X.
Headmaster
See all of our newly renovated spaces on page 4!
Called to Lead: The Most Successful
Capital Campaign in School History
education, strengthened our counseling program, and renovated an area
of the school which has been untouched for more than 50 years. Finally,
as part of our commitment to educate the whole person, we renovated
alled to Lead: The Campaign for Xaverian, the largest
fundraising effort in the history of Xaverian, successfully
reached the $25 million expanded goal. The campaign’s
conclusion was celebrated this October at the Francis Xavier
Society Reception with more than 140 parents, alumni, grandparents,
parents of alumni, and friends, as well as many Board members and loyal
donors, in attendance.
“The tremendous support of so many has enabled Xaverian to address
the ambitious initiatives of its strategic plan, Growing in Harmony, which
articulated a bold vision to strengthen every dimension of the school.
The transformation of our campus represents the Board’s commitment
to providing the best facilities for the young men we educate,” said
Headmaster Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X. He continued, “All of us can
readily see the impact of the capital campaign. A substantial share of the
campaign helped ensure that all talented boys can attend Xaverian, no
matter their family’s financial means. Providing access and affordability
continues to be more essential than ever. We’ve also further strengthened
teaching and learning to meet the growing needs of our students and to
prepare them for college and beyond. To do all this, we most recently
developed more space for the collaborative nature of 21st Century
Campaign Reaches $25,000,000
alled to Lead: The Campaign for Xaverian, was
publically launched at the 50th Anniversary Gala in
March of 2014. This timeline shows the many changes to
the Xaverian campus made possible by the campaign.
July 2013: Mr. Joseph “Jay”
McGilvray, chair of Xaverian’s
English Department, becomes
Xaverian’s first Assistant Principal
for the Francis Xavier Division
(grades 7 and 8)
June 2013:
Construction
begins on
Xaverian’s new
varsity stadium
May 2013: Xaverian’s Board of Trustees approves
the addition of grades 7 and 8 (Francis Xavier
Division) and new campus improvements
TIMELINE
Pictured here is the new Admissions Welcome Center.
Campaign Reaches $25,000,000 Goal
the Josephine M. Noble Chapel, which is the heart and soul of the school.
With the completion of these improvements, among so many others over
these past five years, we hope to inspire all to lead lives of learning, faith,
and service.”
“The success of the campaign is a tremendous cause for celebration
and another example of the highly effective leadership of the trustees,
who help make the school better in all aspects,” said Larry Furey, P ’21,
Assistant Headmaster for Advancement at Xaverian. “The efforts of our
current parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends of
Xaverian further enhance Xaverian’s reputation and add to the school’s
proud legacy,” he said.
“‘Called to Lead’ is so fitting a description for what the Xaverian
community has done since this campaign began,” said former Chairman
April 2014:
Topping-off ceremony
commemorates
final beam laid on
construction of new
Wellness Center
March 2014: Called to Lead: The
Campaign for Xaverian is publicly
launched at the 50th Anniversary Gala
at the Boston Marriott Copley Hotel
September 2013: Construction completed on Xaverian’s
new varsity stadium with enhancements, including new turf,
an eight-lane track, a new drainage system, and lights
October 2013:
Groundbreaking
on Xaverian’s new
Wellness Center and
athletic fields
School counselor, Michael Dornish, meets with a student in one of the new
counseling offices.
“ ”
of the Board, Rick Spillane ’68. “So many in the Xaverian community
heard the call and stood up as leaders with their support. In doing so,
they have enhanced the lives of our students and faculty, who themselves
strive to be the best leaders they can be every day,” Spillane concluded.
Trustees, alumni, parents, and faculty and staff show themselves to
be terrific supporters of the campaign, understanding the tremendous
impact it has by enhancing the learning environment for students. The
effort was spearheaded by an outstanding volunteer campaign cabinet
led by Campaign Executive Chairman, Jack Egan ’75; Campaign
Co-Chairs, John Murphy ’70, P ’03, Rick Roche, P ’11, and John
Brennan ’70, P ’06; and Advancement Committee Chair, David
Capobianco ’76, P ’06.
So many in the Xaverian community
heard the call and stood up as leaders with their
support. In doing so, they have enhanced the lives
of our students and faculty, who themselves strive
to be the best leaders they can be
every day.
— Rick Spillane ’68
Final Phase of Campaign Construction Completed
September 2014:
Xaverian welcomes its
first seventh grade class
of boys to the Francis
Xavier Division
September 2015:
10,000-square-foot academic
classroom addition opens,
including five modern classrooms
and two collegiate-inspired, state-
of-the-art science labs
October 2014: Xaverian’s new 32,500-square-
foot Wellness Center officially opens to students,
faculty, and staff
TIMELINE CONTINUED
THE LIBRARY
Call it a huddle space. A maker space. A collaborative learning space. Whatever you call it, the
newly renovated Xaverian library is the space where Xaverian students want to study, research,
work together, create, and learn; and it’s easy to see why.
As libraries increasingly move away from paper books toward online catalog and searchable
databases, Xaverian opted to scale back its book collection and in the place of the old stacks,
add modern, student-centric spaces. Four collaborative learning spaces, (brightly lit, glassed-in
rooms with whiteboards, tables, network capabilities, and comfortable chairs) have been added
to the library. Students are able to sign out the spaces throughout the day. They’ve been used for
everything from group study sessions, to engineering projects, to robotics. Outside of these rooms
is a section of upholstered individual club chairs, each with its own power source for students to
plug in and work in a more comfortable environment. Additionally, all of the original private study
carrels were maintained. At any given time during the day, hundreds of students can be found
working in the library.
THE JOSEPHINE M. NOBLE CHAPEL
Striking the tone between cool modernity, warm welcome, and just enough jaw dropping,
reverential awe, the new Josephine M. Noble Chapel is proudly on display as the heart of Xaverian’s
campus. The grand space is open to the Sarah M. Bisson Foyer through oversized glass panels and
doors. Cloaked in solid maple wood, from the two-story walls to the ornately carved furniture,
the Chapel houses two new statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of
the Xaverian Brothers. Suspended in the air above the altar is a maple carved crucifix, matched by
wooden alcoves behind the altar to house and display the beautiful new tabernacle and Book of the
Gospels.
The Chapel promises to provide an inspiring community space for generations of students to
reflect, pray, and feel closer to God.
Final Phase of Campaign Construction Completed
THE NEW OFFICES
Gone are the dark, 1960s spaces that used
to make up the admissions, advancement,
business, and counseling offices. The wing that
formerly served as the Brothers’ quarters was
converted this summer to provide a cutting-
edge work environment, expand community
space, and most importantly, better serve the
students.
The Admissions Welcome Center is
Xaverian’s new front door for prospective
families. It’s a bright, clean, inviting space for
admissions guests to be received when they
visit campus. In addition to the impressive
waiting room are three new offices and a sleek
conference room.
The counseling offices were renovated
with current students in mind, as we continue
to expand our counseling services to meet
the needs of today’s students. From students
seeking guidance and support, to those meeting
with college admission representatives, the new
counseling wing is a hub of activity throughout
the day. The counseling conference room
serves as a meeting space for Xaverian’s student
mentoring programs, as well as a private
and quiet place for college interviews and
October 2017: Called
to Lead capital campaign
officially concludes at the
Francis Xavier Society
Reception, held in the Sarah
M. Bisson Foyer, outside the
newly renovated Josephine
M. Noble Chapel
September 2017: Students, faculty,
and staff are welcomed back to a newly
renovated library (complete with new
collaborative learning spaces), chapel,
admissions office suite, counseling office
suite, language lab, and advancement
and business office suites
April 2017:
Renovations begin to the
Ryken Wing (the former
Brothers’ residence),
which had remained very
much untouched since
the 1960s
October 2016: The Board of Trustees approves the extension of the
Called to Lead campaign from $20 million to $25 million and approves
renovations to the school’s library, chapel, admissions office, counseling
office, language lab, and advancement and business offices
informational sessions.
The advancement and business teams both
benefitted from new offices, storage spaces, and
conference rooms. The advancement suite also
has a large central meeting space for the parent
volunteers who generously give of their time
to help drive the department’s philanthropic
efforts.
In addition, the language lab used for the
study of world languages (Xaverian currently
offers Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese)
was also renovated.
“As someone who attended Xaverian in
the early 90s, the ongoing transformation of
our campus during the past 25 years has been
nothing short of remarkable. Not only do we
continue to bolster our state-of-the-art facilities
in order to fully satisfy the educational needs of
our students, but our alumni and friends have
been steadfast in their support of our efforts.
From that vantage point, it is safe to say that
our continued growth is indeed a community
effort, one that benefits our most cherished
members - our current and future students,”
said Jacob Conca ’94, Ph.D., Principal of
Xaverian.
averian is excited to welcome
our new Board of Trustees
Chairman, John Murphy
’70, P ’03, and Vice Chairman, Richard
Czaja ’67.
“We are fortunate to have new
leadership for our board in John and
Rick, two esteemed alumni who are
willing to invest their time, talent, and
treasure in Xaverian,” said Headmaster
Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X.
John has played countless roles in
Xaverian’s success over the years. An
avid and long-standing supporter, he
has served as Chair of the Finance,
Audit, and Investment Committees,
Co-Chair of the Called to Lead Capital
Campaign, and Vice Chair of the Board
of Trustees. In 2015, John and his wife,
Denise, were awarded the Xaverian
Medal, a tribute worthy of an alumnus
and his wife, whose commitment,
service, and generosity have made
Xaverian the institution that it is today.
It’s no surprise to see Richard Czaja
playing a larger role in the future of
Xaverian as Vice Chairman of the
Board of Trustees. The Czaja family
have been dedicated supporters of
Xaverian for decades. An alumnus
himself, Richard has always
maintained a keen interest in the
progress and future of Xaverian.
“I look forward to working with
John, Richard, and our Board of
Trustees in the coming year, to develop
an ambitious plan to ensure that all
young men who are qualified can
attend Xaverian,” said Brother Dan.
Welcoming
John Murphy &
Richard Czaja
he Francis Xavier Society recognizes the
dedication and leadership of a special group
of current benefactors at Xaverian Brothers
High School who have made contributions of $1,000 or
more to the school during each fiscal year. In 2016-
2017, 487 generous donors met this threshold. 141 of
these donors (including alumni, parents, grandparents,
faculty, staff, and friends), were able to attend the
Francis Xavier Society Reception, hosted on October
12 by Headmaster Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X. and
the Board of Trustees. It was an exciting evening
of fellowship which included the celebration of the
successful completion of the Called to Lead, $25 million capital campaign. From the incredible
ice sculpture, to the tasty hors d’oeuvres, to the tours of the new campus renovations, attendees
enjoyed a festive evening in honor of their outstanding support of the mission of Xaverian Brothers
High School.
A Night to Celebrate the
Francis Xavier Society
John Murphy ’70,
P ’03, Board of
Trustees Chairman
Richard Czaja ’67,
Board of Trustees
Vice Chairman
David Capobianco ’76, P ’06, Co-Chair of Called to Lead and member of the Board of Trustees; John
Murphy ’70, P ’03, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X., Headmaster; Rick Spillane
’68, former Chair of the Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of Called to Lead; and Larry Furey, P ’21, Assistant
Headmaster for Advancement
Adam Cookson ’18 was the student speaker
at the reception. He’s pictured here with his
parents, Kimberly and Jeffrey Cookson.
6 www.xbhs.com
t 1:00 p.m. on October 13, a hush fell over the Xaverian Brothers High
School campus. Over 1,100 students, faculty, and staff gathered outside in
silence. With bowed heads and clasped hands, young men in grades seven
through twelve stood along both sides of the school’s driveway, from the
main lobby doors all the way to the Varsity Baseball Field. They waited
for the body of Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70, to be delivered home to Xaverian.
The hearse drove slowly through the assembled honor guard to the main entrance, where
student pallbearers carried Brother Ray into the Josephine M. Noble Chapel. It was an
intimate and poignant tribute to the man who influenced generations of young men,
faculty, and Xaverian families.
Brother Raymond was a much beloved teacher and Assistant Principal at Xaverian for
over 20 years. He was a mentor and a one-man welcoming committee. Whether it was the
well-timed laugh or a bit of sound advice, Brother Ray had the ability to make anyone feel
at home and appreciated. His affection for the students and dedication to Xaverian was
palpable.
Brother Ray retired last spring, after his battle with ALS took away his voice. He died
on October 9, only 15 months after being diagnosed with the ravaging disease. The wake
was held here at Xaverian, and was attended by more than 1,000 friends, family, co-
workers, and alumni. Brother Ray was buried the following day at the Brothers’ cemetery
on the grounds of St. John’s Prep.
“Though we are sad and miss Brother Ray a great deal,” said Headmaster Brother
Daniel Skala, C.F.X., “we take comfort in the knowledge that he is at peace now, in the
hands of our loving Lord. Thank you for the outpouring of support from the Xaverian
community, from the hundreds who offered encouragement as Brother Ray battled ALS,
to the hundreds more who waited in the long line at his wake to offer condolences. The
spirit of the Xaverian community was evident, and appreciated.”
At the annual gala in March of 2017, the Board of Trustees honored Brother Ray with
a scholarship fund in his name. If you would like to make a gift to his scholarship fund,
you may do so on the Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70 Scholarship Fund webpage, at
www.xbhs.com/brother-ray-scholarship.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO
Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70
Fall 2017 Xaverian Magazine 7
Cam on the Great
Wall of China
8 www.xbhs.com
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