2021 - Xaverian Winter Magazine
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Te Magazine of Xaverian Brothers High School
FROM CHALLENGE TO OPPORTUNITY
XAVERIAN RESPONDS TO COVID-19
Lucas Sarkar ’20
Xaverian Magazine
800 Clapboardtree Street
Westwood, MA 02090
781-326-6392
www.xbhs.com
ADMINISTRATION
Head of School
Jacob A. Conca ’94, Ph.D.
Principal
Michael G. Nicholson, M.Ed.
Assistant Principals
Stephen W. Dacey ’95, M.Ed.
Teaching and Learning
Lauren R. Hill, M.Ed.
Academics, Grades 9-12
Joseph D. McGilvray, III, M.Ed.
Francis Xavier Division, Grades 7 & 8
Joshua M. Tranfaglia, M.Ed.
Student Life
OFFICE FOR SCHOOL
ADVANCEMENT
Chief Administrator for Advancement
Christopher J. Vasta ’00, M.Ed.
Advancement Services Manager
Linda M. Calabrese, P ’20
Director of Research and Data Analytics
Pamela J. Fothergill, P ’07
Advancement Program Consultant
Lawrence M. Furey, P ’21
Director of Advancement Operations
Dee M. Lane
Special Projects Manager
Donna M. O’Connor, P ’01
Leadership Gif Officer
James J. Scholl ’03
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC
COMMUNICATIONS
Director of Strategic Communications
Ann E. Alsfeld
Assistant Director of
Strategic Communications
Kathryn E. Hickey
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Daggett R. Morse
Communications Intern
Nicholas J. Daoust ’21
Graphic Design
Margaret Galeano
galeano@optonline.net
© 2020 Xaverian Brothers High School.
All rights reserved.
averian
X THE MAGAZINE OF XAVERIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Photos showing students or faculty
without a mask were taken before
the COVID-19 pandemic or were taken with all
necessary safety measures in place.
From the Head of School
To read about Xaverian’s
X-Ploration Center, pictured
here, go to page 8.
Dear Friends of Xaverian,
s I write this message, we are eight weeks
into our academic year. I know that by the
time this magazine makes its way into your
hands, the picture of daily life at Xaverian may look
drastically different. If we have learned anything from
the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that we must expect the
unexpected. Tat said, I hope you will grant me the
understanding that my words here reflect our current
reality, one in which Xaverian’s doors are open, students
are thriving, and life on Clapboardtree Street has taken
on the usual and comfortable rhythm of the school year.
Tese past eight months have certainly been tumultuous. COVID-19 has frankly turned
the world upside down. Lives have been lost, families have been separated, businesses
have closed, and jobs have been cut. Tese tragedies may seem distant for some, but we
know they are very real and raw for others. To those who are suffering, please know that
you are in our prayers. It has been a difficult and trying time to be sure.
And yet…
And yet, we have had the opportunity to spend quality time with our families.
We have seen the better side of humanity emerge in so many ways, from the first
responders and medical professionals who put their own lives at risk, to the touching
stories of human connections as loved ones find creative ways to bridge their distance.
We have been forced to slow down. To work from home. To skip the commute. To
pause and eat lunch with our children. To go for a walk. And yet, this unique time has
led us to take stock of what is most important in our lives. For those of us at Xaverian,
what’s important is creating the enduring personal relationships that are essential to
our school’s mission.
Strong relationships have powered Xaverian forward since 1963. Tis past spring, they
helped us navigate fully remote education, and this summer, our 118 online summer
programs were essential to keeping us connected. Tese relationships were also essential
fuel for our successful reopening this fall. And they are what keep our community
together, supporting one another, and providing for current and future Hawks. Some
of the strongest relationships come from the bonds of Xaverian brotherhood, and
they certainly run deep for the Class of 2020, our inaugural class of the Francis Xavier
Division (grades 7 and 8). You can read more about them and their unique graduation
on the following page. In this magazine, you’ll also learn about the newest (and most
high-tech) spot on campus, the X-Ploration Center (page 8). Additionally, you will see
the names of 3,221 individuals who generously supported our Xaverian mission this
year.
I have witnessed incredible strength in the Xaverian community over these last eight
months, and I am confident that with God’s grace, together we will not only weather
whatever unexpected challenges befall us, but also turn them into opportunities for
growth and learning.
Respectfully yours,
Jacob A. Conca ’94, Ph.D.
Head of School
y classmates and I lef school on
March 12 unaware that we would
never step foot in a high school
classroom again. Tat day started
off with a loudspeaker announcement on the
status of the spread of COVID-19, and as the day
went on, the vibe in our classes became more and
more eerie. Tey say that unconventional times
call for unconventional measures, and that’s
exactly what happened. Our final nine weeks of
senior year were nothing if not unconventional.
We rounded out the home stretch of our high
school careers from our bedrooms, dining
tables, and home offices. While we continued
to learn online, our expectations for the prom,
awards night, senior nights on the playing fields,
Christian Senior Service, and so much more
suddenly seemed unrealistic.
COVID had the ability to strip seniors of
nearly everything that is typical at the end of the
year, but Xaverian’s administration remained
determined to have a graduation ceremony that
was as normal and routine as possible. While
other schools were making their plans early
to drop off diplomas at homes or host virtual
commencements, Xaverian surveyed the Class of
2020 families and waited until they could do that
which the majority of families wanted...an in-
person commencement ceremony. It finally came
together on July 25, 2020, and I know that I speak
for all of my classmates when I say how grateful
we were to have the opportunity to gather one last
time and to cross the traditional graduation stage.
Here’s a look at my class, the 212
members of the Class of 2020:
Te Class of 2020 marked a major milestone
in Xaverian history, as they completed the
inaugural journey of the new Francis Xavier
Division (FXD), and were the first class to
graduate afer taking part in that program (see
more on page 4).
Te valedictorian of the Class of 2020
was Benjamin Karasko. Ben is a person of
incredible character and is always willing to
assist others in his classes with confusion about
difficult topics. He was a four-year member of
both the indoor and outdoor track and field
teams, a founding contributor of the Aerospace
Club, and a National Honor Society member. Ben
is attending Dartmouth College.
Te salutatorian of the Class of 2020 was
Kevin O’Brien. Kevin was known to put
his best effort in everything that he did over
his six years at Xaverian. He was a four-year
varsity tennis player, three-year cross country
participant, and a member of both the Spanish
Honor Society and the National Honor Society.
He was also an active participant in SADD and
the campus ministry program. Kevin is attending
Georgetown University.
Te winner of the Xaverian Award, the
highest award that can be given to a student, was
Samuel Stearns. Dr. Conca aptly described
Sam at graduation when he said, “In the
classroom, this graduate performs exceptionally
well, ofen producing work of the highest caliber
while offering commentary that further enhances
classroom discussion and student understanding.
He actively shares his gifs with our community
through campus ministry, his athletic prowess,
and through our fine arts programs.” Sam is
attending Tufs University.
I wish we could say that graduation happened
and we all went off to start college like normal,
but we know that’s not the case. Some of us are
in dorms as we planned, while some of us are
learning from home. A handful of us are taking
a gap year or a PG year, pursuing sports, or are
involved in other endeavors. Ninety-six percent
of us headed straight to college, and you can see
that list here. As for me, I enrolled at Boston
College and I’m loving life on campus. Wherever
my classmates landed afer graduation, we all
remain #BrothersForLife.
CELEBRATING THE
CLASS OF 2020
By Matthew Malley ’20, Communications Corps
Samuel Stearns ’20,
Xaverian Award Winner
2 www.xbhs.com
ATHLETICS
COMMITMENTS
• SOCCER
Matteo Marino, Regis College
Lorenzo Mancini, Babson College
• FOOTBALL
Rocco Basso, St. Anselm’s College
Colin Howe, Hamilton College
Mike McGough, St. Anselm’s College
Liam Peck, Bentley University
Justin Wenstrom, St. Anselm’s College
• TRACK AND FIELD
Colin Keady, Stevens Institute of
Technology
Michael Mazzocca, College of the Holy
Cross
• RUGBY
Lucas Sarkar, Bryant University
• LACROSSE
Tanner Alexander, Bryant University
Teagan Alexander, Bryant University
Pete Canning, St. Michael’s College
Jack Daoust, Bates College
Trevor Ivatts, Washington College
James Munn, Utica College
Shaun Padden, Quinnipiac University
Ryan Taylor, Clark University
• BASEBALL
Erik Foster, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst
Aidan McMillan, University of
Massachusetts, Boston
Reece Rappoli, Brown University
Assumption College
Babson College
Bates College
Bentley University
Boston College
Boston University
Bridgewater State University
Bristol Community College
Brown University
Bryant University
Clark University
Clemson University
College of Charleston
College of the Holy Cross
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Elon University
Fairfield University
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Furman University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Hamilton College
Indiana University-Bloomington
Johnson & Wales University
Lehigh University
Louisiana State University
Loyola University Maryland
Maine Maritime Academy
Marist College
Marquette University
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Merrimack College
Miami University-Oxford
New York University
North Carolina State University at
Raleigh
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Ohio University
Pennsylvania State University
Plymouth State University
Providence College
Queen’s University
Quinnipiac University
Regis College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Roger Williams University
Saint Anselm College
Saint Joseph’s University
Saint Michael’s College
Salve Regina University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Siena College
St. Anselm College
St. John’s University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Stonehill College
Kevin O’Brien ’20, Class of 2020 Salutatorian
COLLEGE ENROLLMENTS — CLASS OF 2020
Suffolk University
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
The University of Alabama
The University of Arizona
The University of New Hampshire
The University of Tampa
Trinity College
Trinity College Dublin
Tufts University
United States Military Academy
United States Naval Academy
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Connecticut
University of Dallas
University of Delaware
University of Maine
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
University of Massachusetts-Boston
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
University of Miami
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of Rhode Island
University of Rochester
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest University
Washington College
Washington University (St. Louis)
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Westfield State University
Wheaton College - Massachusetts
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Xavier University
Matthew Malley ’20
Benjamin Karasko ’20, Class of 2020 Valedictorian
Winter 2021 Xaverian Magazine 3
THE FIRST FXD GRADUATING CLASS
n the summer of 1549, Jesuit leader Saint Francis Xavier arrived
in Kagoshima, becoming the first Christian missionary to bring
the gospel message to Japan. Over four and a half centuries later,
Xaverian Brothers High School opened its namesake middle school
program—the Francis Xavier Division—and 120 seventh graders,
much like their patron saint, found themselves trailblazers of an exciting
and experimental prospect.
Experimental is exactly the word to describe that first day in September
of 2014. Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia, who was hired that same year as a seventh-
grade social studies teacher and now serves as Assistant Principal for
Student Life, explains, “Xaverian is really good at educating high school
boys, and that first year we didn’t know what to expect with middle school
boys. Being the first FXD class, the Class of 2020 has a badge of honor;
they were the experiment, and they were the result of the experiment.
Te middle school program looks the way it does now because they went
through it first.”
But this is Xaverian afer all. With innovation came
preparation, and lots of it. “People don’t realize,” says Mr.
Jay McGilvray, Assistant Principal of the FXD, “that the
idea of a middle school program was many years in the
making before the official announcement in 2013.” Te
FXD was the product of four years of planning and
construction, confronting the logistical and practical
measures needed to integrate a fully-functioning
middle school into an already
fully-functioning high school.
Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X.,
who served as Xaverian’s
headmaster during the
integration of the FXD
program, says that “for many years, parents
and alumni had been asking Xaverian to
open up a middle school.” A survey was
created to gauge interest and the results
By Nicholas Daoust ’21, Communications Corps
showed “overwhelming support.” “In 2010,” Brother Dan recounts, “the
Board of Trustees and school administration began developing a master
plan for the campus”—a plan which included the new Wellness Center and
science labs, as well as more field space and parking to accommodate the
growing student population.
Alongside the various construction projects underway, Brother Dan
and then-principal Mr. Domenic Lalli, P ’98, were also tasked with hiring
staff specialized in developing a new environment within Xaverian for
the incoming middle schoolers. Brother Dan calls the appointment of
Mr. McGilvray (previously a Xaverian English teacher and coach) as
Assistant Principal of the FXD one of the most important decisions of the
process, and acknowledges the strength of Mr. Steinbergher’s crucial FXD
counseling and study skills programs. Once these preliminary faculty were
hired, a group was formed to seek out the most “experienced and talented
teachers” for the middle school; many of these first FXD teachers, including
Mr. Tranfaglia, Mr. Jay Iannoni ’02, and Mr. Stephen Brennen, still serve as
Xaverian faculty and staff.
When the Class of 2020 arrived on campus in September
of 2014 as seventh graders, they were pioneers of the program
that, by the time of their graduation, had become a polished
and quintessential part of Xaverian’s identity. For the teaching
staff, it was immediately clear that educating seventh graders
necessitated a different approach than teaching high schoolers.
“I learned it is really more about the relationships than the
subjects,” Mr. Iannoni remarks. “As educators, we
can spend a lot of time focusing on lesson plans
and making tests, but it is in the day-to-day
interactions with our students that we really
can make a difference.”
As much as the FXD was and is its
own entity within Xaverian, the Class of
2020 showed how important it was
to have integrated learning
CLASS OF 2020 IN 2014
4 www.xbhs.com
Pictured above: Michael and Matthew Hayes - first day of school 2014;
Kevin Prata, Alex Di Martino, Brian Hayward, Cam Tullie - first day of school 2014;
Michael Collins and Patrick Butler at Hale Reservation 2014
Opposite page: Louis DiPietro
Te Class of 2020 made the Xaverian values
their own. Teir strong spirited sense of
community, their abiding friendships, and
many successes in academics, the arts, athletics,
and Christian service have earned them a
special place in Xaverian history.
BROTHER DANIEL SKALA, C.F.X.
between the middle and high school. Mr. Brennen remarks, “Students in
the FXD are not second-class members of the community. Tis special
quality of the FXD helps fully integrate the students into the Xaverian
community as quickly as possible.” Mr. McGilvray echoes this sentiment,
emphasizing the positive effect of an FXD education on a Xaverian student’s
next four years of high school. “FXD students have the advantage of
taking challenging classes, early exposure to campus ministry and service
opportunities, and are more confident that they can be successful Xaverian
high school students,” he says. “Not having the high school be this big
mystery sets these young men up for success.”
It’s a poetic coincidence that the Class of 2020 should start and end
their collective Xaverian experience as true trailblazers. Teir legacy as
a graduating class will not just be as the inaugural veterans of the FXD
program, but also as the class who finished the final lap of their senior year
during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Mr. Brennen notes, many students
missed their final sports season at Xaverian or were not able to perform in
XLI CLASS OF 2020
their final play, yet even through every unexpected roadblock of 2020, the
historic graduating class showed true leadership. In Brother Dan’s words,
“Te Class of 2020 made the Xaverian values their own. Teir strong
spirited sense of community, their abiding friendships, and many successes
in academics, the arts, athletics, and Christian service have earned them
a special place in Xaverian history. Tey served as leaders through the
devastating pandemic and right up until their graduation. I am so proud
of the Class of 2020, and I am looking forward to seeing them fulfill their
dreams in the years ahead.”
Winter 2021 Xaverian Magazine 5
What made you decide to start this
podcast about technology?
I have always loved learning about new
things. My past is littered with the exploration
of various science-related interests, including
robotics, cars, rockets, computers, etc. And
while exploring and experiencing all of this
stuff by myself was great, I never really got any
satisfaction out of it until I was able to give the
knowledge that I had to other people, but that
was a bit hard to do during quarantine. Our
podcast is a way for me to share the fruit of my
curiosity with a large group of people from right
behind my desk. It acts as an outlet I can use to
give my knowledge to other people and inspire
them to explore on their own as well. Finding
some friends to do this with me was not too hard. My friends, Pratham
Gujar (a senior at Xaverian) and Vinay Balaji (a senior at Franklin
High School), share similar interests in the field of tech, so together we
run our podcast.
What do you discuss in your episodes?
We discuss a variety of topics that are related to tech. We have
focused on space exploration, video game consoles, computer building,
and social media, among numerous other topics. We try to tie in our
opinions on how technological developments can have an impact on
the world, socially and economically. We also present the option for
listeners to sign up to be guest speakers and introduce new topics for
us to talk about through our website. It allows for new voices to come
onto the podcast and allows for a diversity of topics that we might not
have considered earlier.
How has Xaverian supported your passion for
technology?
Xaverian’s academic and social impact on me has mainly inspired
me to create this podcast. Technology stems back to the sciences, and
my interest in the sciences has mainly been created by the academic
opportunities at Xaverian. Being allowed to take the AP courses that
I wanted to, right from my freshman year of high school, triggered
my desire to learn more about science in general. Taking high-level
THE TECH CHECK
Xaverian senior, Neeraj Ramesh, brings passion for
all-things-tech to life with new podcast
courses in these fields also allows me to connect the base sciences
with other, niche fields of science, such as robotics. Socially, Xaverian
has taught me how to talk in front of people better and to be more
confident in my words. Te environment at Xaverian allows for
students like me to learn to communicate better, and that made me
comfortable to be able to speak on a podcast. Similarly, being able
to talk to teachers during my free time gives me the opportunity to
learn more about the niche areas of science and technology and get a
professional’s opinion on the subject.
How do you feel about starting your senior year at
Xaverian?
It is definitely strange to call myself a senior; it seems like only
yesterday that I went to Hale Reservation for the Freshman Day of
Awareness. And back then, I did not assume we would be in the
coronavirus situation that we are right now. Tat all being said, I am
excited for this year. Te opportunity to take the courses I want to
take and use my interests to build on that in the future is exciting. Te
college admissions process is a bit stressful, but I am not too anxious,
as the help from the counseling office at Xaverian has helped ease up
most, if not all, of my anxieties.
The Tech Check can be found through Google Podcasts,
YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
“Our podcast is a way for me to
share the fruit of my curiosity with
a large group of people from right
behind my desk. It acts as an outlet
I can use to give my knowledge to
other people and inspire them to
explore on their own as well.”
NEERAJ RAMESH
he COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop Xaverian senior, Neeraj Ramesh, from reaching his goals. In fact, it may
have given him the extra push he needed to make his idea for a tech podcast come to life. Although he was
responsible for the initial idea, he’s quick to credit his co-creators, Pratham Gujar ’21 and Vinay Balaji,
saying they hold equal power in the content, production, and marketing of each episode. We spoke to Neeraj to find out
more about the creation of his podcast, Te Tech Check, his passion for technology, and everything in between.
6 www.xbhs.com
hen Xaverian suddenly shut down in March per Governor
Charlie Baker’s orders in response to COVID-19, the campus
was virtually empty and classes, extracurriculars, and even
athletics shifed online. Afer students and faculty maneuvered through
their remote learning platform, REAL/X (Remote Education And Learning
at Xaverian), through May, it was clear that there was an appetite for more
content from Xaverian families for the following months. As such, teachers
and coaches generously gave of their time to create REAL/X in Summer, a
series of 118 online learning, entertainment, and engagement opportunities
for current and newly-enrolled Xaverian students. Programs were split into
four categories:
• ACADEMIC: Such as Mr. Michael Plunkett’s summer reading book
club, which allowed students to complete their summer reading with
the support of their fellow students and Xaverian English teachers
• ENRICHMENT: Such as Mr. Daniel Tucker’s, P ’21 Politix Club, an
extension of the year-long student-led Xaverian club in which students
discussed pandemic policies as well as the RNC, DNC, and other news
relevant to the presidential election
• ATHLETICS: Such as Mr. Luke Murray’s lacrosse skills and drills
program for students who were new to lacrosse, as well as experienced
players. Tis program blended asynchronous training plans with
online real-time weekly meetings to discuss a student athlete’s progress
• CAMPUS MINISTRY: Such as Mr. Robert Gill’s, P ’26 weekly rosary
program, in which participants gathered via Google Meet every
Wednesday afernoon to pray the rosary. Additionally, SpiritHawk,
Xaverian’s weekly faith-sharing group, continued virtually throughout
the summer
Xaverian’s Assistant Principal for Student Life, Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia,
said the programs were meant to continue social interaction among
students at a time when the pandemic was preventing in-person
socialization. Mr. Peter Ball ’10, a Xaverian faculty member, ran
a program on classic Boston sports games. He said, “Even better than
getting to watch a classic game every other week were the bonds formed
REAL/X in Summer Delivers
between myself and the attending students, as well as bonds between the
students themselves. Quarantine has been hard on everyone, but technology
allows us to still connect, talk, laugh, and share in our common interests.
Tis was a pleasure to run!”
With the pandemic and unrest surrounding social justice causing
debate and tension in America, Mr. TJ Manning ’09 ran two courses.
One was called “Science of the Coronavirus” which had about 20 students
enrolled. “My hope is that the participants of this course were equipped
with the knowledge and resources to teach their families about the virus
and consume news with an informed perspective,” he said. Another course
offered by Mr. Manning was “Topics in Social Justice.” He is proud of the
way Xaverian students handled this difficult topic: “Te group of about
eight students who participated did an amazing job of sharing their own
perspectives, learning from each other, and being open to growth. In a
time where so ofen discussion on contentious topics is highly partisan and
emotionally charged, this week of discourse gave me hope that at Xaverian
we can continue to have difficult conversations and grow together.”
Hundreds of Xaverian students were able to have fun, socialize, learn,
and connect throughout June, July, and August due to REAL/X in Summer,
all of which was made available free of charge to Xaverian families.
The number one, most popular program of REAL/X in
Summer was football, led by Coach Fornaro ’78 and
Coach Anderson ’07. The online
program had 76 participants for chat
about football, plus virtual skills
and drills training.
By Matthew O’Halloran ’21, Communications Corps
The Exploring Rocketry and the Engineering Design Cycle class showcased their rockets shortly before their scheduled launch
DID YOU KNOW?
Winter 2021 Xaverian Magazine 7
etween new plexiglass installations,
socially-distanced desks, and hybrid
classrooms, Xaverian Brothers High
School looks a lot different this year; however,
not every change was COVID-related. Tis
September, Xaverian officially opened the new
X-Ploration Center, a multi-purpose space that
encourages students to unleash their creative
potential.
Te X-Ploration Center provides teachers
and students with the opportunity to engage
in project-based learning through design,
creation, and experimentation. With access
to the latest technology, students are able
to discover solutions and develop a deeper
understanding of key concepts through the act
of making. Plans for this innovative addition to
800 Clapboardtree Street began in December
of 2019, and though the coronavirus pandemic
complicated matters, construction was still able
to proceed in early June.
CREATIVITY UNBOUND
By Nicholas Daoust ’20, Communications Corps
Tanks to the generous contributions of
Xaverian’s donors, the X-Ploration Center
is currently home to four 3-D printers,
including one Formlabs Form 3 that
utilizes stereolithography, by which three-
dimensional objects are made through the
manipulation of light. Te center also houses
an Epilog Laser Fusion Pro laser cutter,
which is connected to a program that can
transfer any design onto a variety of materials
through superfine etching. Tis machine
alone has already been used to engrave
wooden displays, acrylic advertorial designs,
and personalized metal keychains—just a few
examples of its even broader potential. For
those who have an interest in woodworking,
“We want students to walk into the X-Ploration
Center and realize that a new way of expressing
their content knowledge is being emphasized.”
MR. RYAN HOWARD, DIRECTOR OF THE XPLORATION CENTER
Thacher Purdy ’26
Sam Maloof ’21
8 www.xbhs.com
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