Above: Reid Family (clockwise from top right) Vincent, Tyler (20), Darline, and Kyle (X22).
We are catching up with a family who has certainly made an impact since joining the Xavier community. Dr. Vincent and Darline Davermann-Reid have continually and generously given of themselves to support Xavier, which includes their resources, time, and even their dancing talent! Darline was one of our dancing stars in Dancing with the Saints: Season 4, while Vincent was scheduled to star in Dancing with the Saints: Season 6 this year until it was postponed to January 2022. Xavier marketing intern, Jack Delaney (X21), visits with Darline Davermann-Reid about their Xavier experience.
Darline’s Journey to Iowa
Darline was born in Cap-Haitian, Haiti. She immigrated to New York with her parents during her first year of life and grew up in Cambria Heights, NY, with her two younger sisters. She went on to attend New York University. Upon completion of her Bachelor’s degree, she attended the City College-Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education in New York to complete a post-baccalaureate program in pre-medical studies. During her tenure in her Master’s program, she received several fellowships and awards. Darline then pursued a summer research opportunity in Uganda-West Africa. There she participated in HIV and AIDS research focusing on the perinatal transmission of the HIV virus. She additionally worked for high-end retail companies selling the top designers on the fashion runways (including Armani, Versace and Prada). Darline had the opportunity to dress many celebrities (including Rod Stewart, Rachel Hunter, Luther Vandross, Kathleen Battle and Kelly Ripa among others). Darline met her husband, Vincent, while earning her Master’s degree. The two moved to New Jersey where they raised their two children: Tyler (X20) and Kyle (X22). Darline’s husband was eventually recruited to work at the Hall Perrine Cancer Center in Cedar Rapids, so the family relocated to Iowa in 2012.
Can you tell us a little about why you feel it is important to support Xavier?
Xavier Catholic Schools foster the opportunity to create connections between students, families, the school and the Church to foster a caring faith community. In addition, nationwide Catholic schools foster a high quality education. The students consistently outperform their cohorts in other private and public institutions by various statistical measures including standardized tests. Furthermore, Catholic schools are known for their ethical and moral teachings.
When your family moved to the area how did you discover Xavier and did you always plan on sending Tyler and Kyle here?
Tyler and Kyle attended catholic school in Short Hill, NJ, when we lived on the East Coast. When we moved we thought we would try the Linn-Mar public school system. Although a great school system, we wanted more as they entered the high school years so we transitioned to the Xavier school system.
Xavier is small enough where it can engender a feeling of family. You can get to know people in a more intimate way that is not always possible or feasible in a larger system. While we will not enumerate every experience we have had at Xavier, we would be remiss to not mention a few notables such as the impact Show Choir has had on our daughter, Tyler, and the incredible influence Coach Schulte has had on Xavier football and on our son Kyle, in particular.
How has your family been impacted by sending your children to Xavier?
We believe Xavier has provided our children with a strong academic foundation that prepares them for the rigors of college. We have seen this firsthand in how seamlessly our daughter, Tyler, has acclimated to a challenging academic liberal arts curriculum at Oberlin College and Conservatory ... even in the midst of a pandemic for the ages. Throughout their tenure at Xavier, we have seen our children immensely enhance their intellectual and personal maturity. They are altruistic, intellectually curious and socially conscious. We believe these values were enhanced by their experience at Xavier.
You had such an electrifying dance performance in Season 4 of Dancing with the Saints. Tell us about that whole experience and why you said “yes” to dancing.
I attended Dancing with the Saints in 2017. I sat in the audience and watched how much fun the participants were having and that feeling was felt in the audience. I probably am the only participant in this event that asked to take part in this awesome fundraiser. I was so energized by the event, I had to take part in Dancing with the Saints! Especially as new members to the Xavier family it was a great opportunity to make new connections while introducing myself and our family to the Xavier community. In addition, the school’s core values of faithfulness, serving, passionate and being “Xceptional” are all reasons I wanted to join in this fundraiser to raise money for Xavier.
When we are able to host our next Dancing with the Saints in January 2022, the Reids will be among only a few families who have had multiple members dance in the event when Vincent graces the dance floor. What made him want to put on a pair of dancing shoes too?
Vincent wants to participate because I told him to and I suggested to Heidi Brown (Dancing with the Saints committee chair) that he be considered as a possible dancer! Really, we love doing our part in giving back to all the organizations we believe in. Of course he will take part in 2022. In actuality, if I could do it again, I would without hesitation!
If other parents or supporters are asked to dance, why do you think they should?
Dancing with the Saints is an awesome fundraiser whereby you can have fun while raising money for a great cause and have the opportunity to increase your friendship pool. It was a great opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to the Xavier community, meet new families and raise money for an awesome cause and have fun while doing so!