Xavier High School
Senior Articles
6
It’s never too late in high school
It’s never too late to turn things around. I have learned countless valuable lessons from Xavier, but this is the most important. Freshman year was not my favorite. I couldn’t wait to graduate even though I had just begun high school, and I wasn’t willing to give it a chance. That was my first mistake. High school is whatever you want it to be! If you want it to be miserable, it will be. Look for the positives though, and you will get so much more out of your experience! In my second year I did just that. I played tennis, took photography (great memories with Ms. Rooney and Ms. Finley!), went to more sports games, took Beginning Journalism, and started running to get ready for the next cross country season.
Cross country, journalism, and art were the three most standout things that I did during high school. I was involved in countless clubs and activities as well, which were also a ton of fun and great to meet new friends, but those first three things were what really helped to define my Xavier experience. I discovered that I was actually a decent runner! I put in
a lot of hard work, and ended up earning a varsity letter in cross country my senior year. I loved my coach and the rest of the girls on the team, and it really helped to teach me that I could do anything if I set my mind to it, even run in a varsity race! Art and journalism also opened up new doors for me. I started to attend many more extracurriculars at Xavier to take
pictures, and learned about all of the great things that Xavier offers and just how talented everyone is here. I also obviously really enjoyed journalism, because I became co-editor-in-chief this year! I found my home in the J-Lab, and the staff is like my family. As I move on to Loras next year (and hopefully write for The Lorian!), I will go into it with as much enthusiasm as I can! I will continue to try new things, and have already taken steps to do so by trying out for cheerleading for the first time, and actually making it! If I start college with anywhere near the excitement that I ended high school with, there is no way it will be anything but amazing! Cassie Busch Editor-In-Chief
Don’t make high school too stressful I can’t believe we actually made it! It’s crazy to think I’ll no longer be able hear Zach Sweeney’s boisterous voice from two hallways away, fail another econ test, and cheer in the best student section in the state (THIS IS A FACT). Now Before I endeavor into my words of advice a for the underclassmen, I would just like to say it’s been an absolute honor getting to know all of you these past four years. As much as this might pain every teacher, after going through high school my best advice to the rest of Xavier High School would be to not let grades take over your life. Yes, you heard me right. Now don’t get me wrong, grades are important, but I think you should also find a way to bring some fun into your time here as well. As
my high school years are now put in the rearview mirror, I’m glad to know that I’m leaving with endless memories with some of the best people you could imagine because I didn’t let grades take over my high school experience. Now, my other piece of advice is simple. Do what you love. Freshman year I was faced with a big decision of whether to play football (which was the cool thing
to do), or play golf (which I loved to play). To this day I am forever thankful that I decided to play golf. Nothing against football, I just didn’t love playing it the way I loved to play golf. Sure, I was never considered one of the cool football guys, but choosing to play golf allowed me to have an amazing time with a great group of teammates who I now consider friends. What I’m trying to say is:
don’t let society’s view on things affect your decisions. If you want to do show choir, do show choir, if you want to join a club, join a club! You only have one shot at this life, so live it up with no regrets! Do things you’ve always wanted to do so that one day when you leave this earth you know you lived it to the fullest. Try to get as involved as possible during high school because you won’t have those same opportunities once you go to college. Take advantage of your time here Saints, because I can guarantee one day you’ll wish you had it back. Alex Fox Sports Writer
Make every moment at Xavier count
This is it, seniors. As our last days at Xavier are just around the corner, I cannot help but think about what my college years have in store for me. This time of year, your average senior would say, “I cannot wait to be done with school and leave this place!” Yes, I do feel the same way, but honestly, I am terrified to leave. These past four years, Xavier has literally been my second home. I know where everything is and I do not get lost anymore. My family is here, and I could probably drive here in my sleep. Many moments here have turned into memories that will never be forgotten. As I am moving my second home to college next year, I will lose the
security that Xavier gives me. My friends will not be around and no teachers will be there for me to go vent to. In college, I hope I make friends (cross your fingers) and I hope it gives me the security that Xavier has given me these past four years. My advice to you, underclassmen: cherish every
moment you have at Xavier because, before you know it, that moment will be left as a memory. High school has given me so many great memories at school and with my friends. From the light saber fight in the hallways sophomore year to Dr. Drey’s hilarious sixth period Death and Dying class, every
memory Xavier has given me will stay with me forever. No matter if they are good or bad memories, they are all golden. Xavier has given me a place to feel safe and has given me everlasting moments. College, which will be very different from high school, will hopefully give me many more memories to come. For the seniors, I hope we can all stay as close as we are, and I hope every single one of us succeeds in whatever we do. Xavier, it’s been fun and I am really going to miss you.
Lauren Van Hoeck A&E Writer