I am lucky to have been part of the Jesuit community through my time at Xavier High School. Here, goodness truly meets greatness, as Jesuit values aid students in their development as a person above all. Through Xavier, I’ve learned to live out the value of “men for others” as a central part of my athletic and extracurricular school life.
A motto that my sprinting coach always says is we are“people first, students second, and athletes third”. This cura personalis within the development of ourselves as people as well as a genuine care for others embodies a focus of goodness within the track team. Between staying after races to support each other and trusting teammates wholeheartedly within a blind stick pass, the team displays immense solidarity.
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Jazz is about creativity and bringing one's ideas to life. Early in my jazz band experience, my teacher Dr.Pace taught me a lesson that extends past the stage. Admittedly, my comping used to be very overbearing. Although jazz emphasizes our own ideas, it is important to support and emphasize the ideas of others through appropriate accompaniment and effective listening. Not only is this relevant within a cohesive jazz unit, but it has instilled an innate respect for others. This imperative to our band's success. With performances at Berklee, Washington DC, Fordham University, The Pierre Hotel, Gotham Hall, the band has established itself as a crucial and successful part of Xavier. The money we raise on these gigs goes straight to the band fund, covering costs for instruments and trips for less fortunate students. Additionally, I frequently give advice on effective piano accompaniment through correct chord voicings. When my classmate Thomas was required to play “All Blues” by Miles Davis with only two days to rehearse, I stayed with him to perfect his timing and note accuracy until his performance. He was proud of what he did; I was