May 16, 2013
Senior Articles
11
It is going to be a bittersweet good-bye Winnie the Pooh once said, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Winnie the Pooh considered himself lucky, but I consider myself blessed. I am incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to go to Xavier. I have loved my time here and I can honestly say I wouldn’t have wanted to spend these last four years anywhere else. High school has passed in the blink of an eye, but the lessons I have learned and the memories I share with others are countless and will last forever. My favorite 10 memories/ things about Xavier: 1. Mr. Keating’s morning prayers – always challenging me to become a better person. 2. Mrs. Flores’ life
lessons and stories – I learned so much more than just English in her classroom. 3. Guatemala – serving alongside my teachers and classmates was an unforgettable experience. 4. March for Life – traveling to our nation’s capital to stand up for life with my friends was empowering. 5. Xavier
made here will truly be lifelong. 8. Football games – our school spirit was absolutely incredible. 9. The cozy comfort of my Xavier fleece – without a doubt the most worn clothing item I have ever owned. 10. The sense of community - so many of the people I encountered at Xavier touched my life in some way and I am a better person because of them. Class of 2013, I’ll miss you teachers – true role models and all. Now it’s time to take all that examples of faith. 6. Xavier cross we have learned at Xavier and go country – I developed some make a difference in our world. amazing friendships and learned to overcome the limitations I had set for myself. 7. Friends – I couldn’t have asked for better Lauren Lutgens friends than the ones I have at Student Life Writer Xavier. The friendships that I
You’ll have no regrets if you ‘Just Do It’ Recently, I was talking to one of my fantastic friends (you know who you are…) and we decided that we, between the two of us, felt as though we took advantage of almost everything Xavier has to offer. From clubs, to classes, to people, to weekends, it feels pretty darn awesome knowing that when I leave this little blue and silver place I call home, it will be with no regrets! A jampacked schedule did make for some late nights and brutal mornings, but it was worth it. I have to give Nike props for a pretty wise saying that sums up why I’ve had such an awesome time. ‘Just Do It.’ Really, Nike knows! Want to try out for golf even though you’re a total newbie? Just do it. Want to go to a foreign
I want to end this with a shout-out to the people who have helped me make these four years so wonderful. Mom and Dad, thanks for everything; I appreciate and love you two more than you’ll ever know! To all my classmates, thanks for the ride! And to all you underclassmen, do this school and yourselves a huge favor and ‘Just Do It’. country to do hands-on service? Just do it. Want to send some extremely prestigious college your transcript just to say you tried? Or lead a student section in unforgettable school spirit? Or get your friends to save up for a spring break getaway they won’t forget? Go for it! Once I embraced this mind-set, I can honestly say
that everything became a whole lot more enjoyable. I began to see Xavier as more than just a freezing place to do homework, take tests, and eat chocolate muffins. I’m not a huge fan of the whole “YOLO” deal, but I will say that I wouldn’t mind if “YOHSO” (You Only High School Once) became the new thing instead!
Nicole Draker Backpage Editor
Enjoy and cherish your Xavier moments Saints, as I leave you alone in the halls next year without the gift of my presence, I just want to share some words of wisdom with you on how to enjoy and get through your days at Xavier. We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware, beautifully wrapped in what others may consider small moments. So enjoy those small moments. Enjoy the chants in the student section; enjoy the heartfelt morning prayers Mr. Keating and Mr. Goldsmith give; enjoy those half clothed dance parties in the locker room with your teammates after a big win. Please cherish the small moments you have, because before you know it, they are going to be gone.
Also, do what you want to do. I don’t mean run through the hallways naked, or God forbid, out of dress code, but make your high school career what you want it to be. Don’t go out for a sport or activity because your parents want you to, your friends are in it, or you think it will make you more popular. The best decision of my high school career was
ending schoolwork. I know that you may think one day everything is going great and then the next everything is falling apart faster than you can put it back together, but remember where you are. You have countless friends and teachers to support you and who want to see you succeed, and God is on our side! Trust in them and trust in yourself and you are going to be just fine. Also, go on Kairos. I’m out everybody, letting go of a sport I had no desire to play and focusing on the thank you all for the best things that were important to me; four years of my life, so far. this raised my chances of success, took a tremendous amount of stress out of my life, and made me an overall happier person. Lastly, stay strong and willful Saints. I know high school can Connor Collins be a drama-filled sandwich, Sports Co-Editor complimented with a side of never