by Kate Burns (X21), XHS Marketing Intern
Xavier High School has been marching through the 2020-2021 school year with great success. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law requiring all schools in the state to offer 100 percent in-person learning for students/families who desire it beginning on February 15th. Xavier has been operating in the Hybrid Model since the beginning of the school year and anticipates having a majority of students back in the building, full-time and in-person. While some events and activities have looked different, Xavier’s layered mitigation strategies (which remain in place), and the buy-in from students, teachers and staff have allowed us to continue our pursuit of “Xcellence” this year.
Xavier Volleyball won a state championship for the first time in school history. Thus far, 12 Xavier seniors have signed their letters of intent to further their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level.
In our winter sports, Xavier Wrestling qualified for the regional duals for the first time in school history. Wresters Ivan Thomas, Ryan Volk, and Christian Stanek, Caelen Shannon and Ronan Thomas qualified for State. Boys’ Swimming’s Spencer Kramer and Brian Foerster have qualified for the state swim meet in multiple events. Xavier Boys' Bowling team finished 3rd at the State Meet.
The Xavier Dance Team finished first in the state for the fourth time in the last five years, receiving the second highest score of all classes at their state competition.
We were blessed to hold our production of “Christmas with Xavier” this school year. Our band and choir students were socially distanced in the gym while their performances were aired on KCRG 9.2 Christmas morning. Our Jazz Band One team received a Division I rating at the IHSMA (Virtual) State Jazz Band Festival. The Xavier Drama Department also presented its fall play, “Noises Off,” in November.
Catholic Schools Week took place February 1-February 5. Due to poor weather conditions, we were unable to host our traditional mass and other festivities. Although the weather restricted us from doing those activities, students and staff were still able to have fun with dress-up days and compete in a food drive. Our five school communities were assigned different food items to donate for HACAP, a local nonprofit organization.
During Catholic Schools Week, Saints heard from some of our alumni who are serving a religious vocation. Ben Valentine (X14), Sr. Louis Marie Zogg, OP (X05), Fr. Dennis Conway (X09), Deacon Kyle Tietz (X11), Michael Pederson (X07), and Sister Christin Tomy (X06) all shared their reflections on what brings them joy as they continue to live their vocation.
Listen to their video messages...
Two Xavier seniors, Justin Korbel and Joanne Lee, were named National Merit Scholar finalists.
Xavier has been blessed -- and we continue to offer our thanks to God for giving us the opportunities to experience the successes we have thus far. We continue to pursue our mission and embrace our 2020-2021 theme of “Beholding the New” as we head into the spring season.