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Closing In on Securing All $10,000 of the Challenge Gift to New Donors
Getting close! As of December 31, we had received $8,200 from 102 new alumni donors who responded to the $10,000 challenge gift issued by an anonymous member of the Class of 1972.
Although very pleased with the response to date, there is still $1,800 in challenge gifts left "on the table." Any alum from the Classes of 2000 to 2023 who has not donated to XHS over the years but would like to respond to this challenge can double any donation he makes up to $100.
Help Xavier High School receive the entire $10,000 from his generous alumnus while helping your alma mater to achieve its goal of 20% alumni participation for fiscal year 2025-2026!
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Young Alums Golf Outing a Go - Significant Interest Received
The response to the December E-News article that explored the possibility of conducting a spring golf outing for younger alums (2000 to 2025) in addition to the regular Xavier Alumni Golf Classic in the fall received very positive feedback via the alumni link. So much so that the Alumni & Development Office has decided to move ahead with plans for this event.
A committee made up of Alumni Ambassadors will be formed this month and the planning will begin. The date has already been set for Saturday, May 16, at Portland Golf Course. Mark it on your calendar! A shotgun-start will commerce at 1:00 p.m. The selected honoree, cost, etc., will be announced once the committee has made these decisions and will appear in the Alumni E-News beginning in February with a link to register.
We look forward to presenting this event to help engage more young alums in activities and events here at Xavier High School. Our goal is to have at least 72 golfers play that day. Hope you plan to be one of them!
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FALCON WINTER SPORTS UPDATE
Hockey: Currently 4 - 4 on the season and sit at #2 in the State for Division I. Over Christmas Break, the team traveled to RI to take on some tough out-of-state competition. Their next home game is this Saturday, January 10th at 7:00 PM vs Moses Brown (RI)
Swimming: The swim team record is currently 1 - 2, they are continuing to see progress not only in the number of athletes coming out for swimming but also seeing improvement within their own swim times and personal goals.
Basketball: Started the season 4 - 0 before losing to Maloney in the Championship game of the Kohs Tournament. They are currently 5 - 2 on the season and begin a four-game road trip before they head back to Kohs Gymnasium on Thursday, January 22nd against Foran.
Indoor Track: The start of competition for the Track and Field team was delayed while the Floyd Little Athletic Center finalized its renovations. The first meet was held on Monday, January 5th and many of our guys have already hit their state qualifying mark.
Rifle: The rifle team has only had practices so far but they are eager for their first competition of the season which will take place on Wednesday, January 14th at Blue Trail Range vs Suffield Academy.
Wrestling: The wrestling team spent Christmas Break traveling to Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Wisconsin to take on some of the toughest competition in the country. They had a great showing at all three of these events with several wrestlers going undefeated in their competition. The team remains undefeated in in-state competition. The Colter Abely midseason classic is being held on Saturday, January 17th at Mercy High School starting at 9:00 AM.
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Last Call - Associate Alumni & Development Director Job Applications
If you are interested in applying for the Associate Alumni & Development Director position, your application must be
received by Friday, January 23. Please submit your materials to Mrs. Jennifer Biro, c/o Xavier High School, 181 Randolph Rd, Middletown, CT 06457 or
[email protected].The position is posted
HERE!
Interviews will begin in the first week of February. Starting date for the position is July 1, 2026.
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The Xavier Home and School Association announces the 34th Annual Black and White Auction date!
The Xavier Home and School Association is excited to announce the date for the 34th Annual Black and White Auction - Saturday, March 21, 2026. After the financial success of last year's event (we raised $85K!), as well as all the dancing, celebrating, and fundraising, we cannot pass on an opportunity to repeat it!
If you were with us last year - join us for the sequel! If you missed it - here's your opportunity to join the fun!
Join us under the disco ball for an unforgettable evening of fellowship and philanthropy. Funds raised at the Auction enable us to complete projects benefiting the entire student body.
Last year's success allowed us to furnish a classroom with collaborative-style student desks as well as renovate the Staff Lounge to create a more modern, fresh, and relaxing space. We were also able to continue the tradition of supporting the Alumni & Development Office's mission to help make the Xavier dream possible for hundreds of students.
This year's celebration will also include a very special moment as we honor someone who truly makes Xavier great - a person who works tirelessly for our young men and helps make the X dream a reality for so many students; Mr. Rich Feitel, Alumni & Development Director. We are excited to have Mr. Feitel celebrated and appreciated for all that he has done over his many years at Xavier.
We'd love for you to Save the Date so you don't miss a spectacular event. And be on the lookout for more information on both the event and the honoree program.
Please direct any questions to Ania Simpson, HSA President at
[email protected] or phone 860.966.9825.
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Some New & Old Items on the Xavier "Wish List"
There are several items we would love to purchase to improve the quality of our academic, athletic, and spiritual programs, but just can't afford them within our current operating budget.
- Strike Pad for football team/weight room. Allows player to work on "striking" form in off-season - $1,200 (2 needed)
- HP Elite G11 high performance notebooks for teachers - $2,000 each (5 needed)
- Three pocket QB Net for Football Team - $1,000 (1 needed)
If you see something on the list below that gets your attention, and you would like to direct a tax-deductible donation to purchase any of these items, please call Rich Feitel (office: 860-346-7735, ext. 732 or cell: 860-324-1689).
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Ways to Support XHS Other than the AFD and Financial Aid
Although donations to the Annual Fund Drive (unrestricted) and the Financial Aid Fund (restricted) are the areas of greatest need at Xavier High School, there are many other ways to support the school if neither of these seem particularly attractive to you.
Restricted donations can always be made to any academic department, athletic team, or the campus ministry department. You can also support any of the Endowed Funds for deceased alums that have been created over the years by families and classmates, or those established to honor current and past faculty members. There are currently 78 endowed funds that exist at Xavier High School with most generating income that is used to provide tuition assistance for needy and qualified Xavier families. A complete listing can be found under "Giving" options on the Xavier High School website.
You can also establish an endowed fund in your name or the name of a loved one with a minimum donation of $25,000.
Any tax-deductible contribution you make, whether unrestricted or restricted, ultimately helps Xavier High School to provide programs of excellence and secure its future.
Please contact Rich Feitel (Office 860-346-7735, Ext. 732, or Cell 860-324-1689) to discuss any giving opportunities of interest.
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1975 and 1981 take leads at half-way point
As of December 31, the Class of 1975 leads the percentage of participation by 15%! They now have 46 members of the class that have contributed. The Class of 1967 is a distant second with 22% participation.
The Class of 1981 leads in the dollars contributed category with $215,161. The Class of 1975 is second and the Class of 1974 is third.
Below are the top 5 classes in each category. Please donate today and help your class to improve its position in the class competitions.
Percentage of Participation Dollars Contributed
1. Class of 1975 - 37% 1. Class of 1981 - $ 215,161
2. Class of 1967 - 22% 2. Class of 1975 - $ 32,572
3. Class of 1970 - 18% 3. Class of 1974 - $ 29,717
4. Class of 1971 - 16% 4. Class of 1979 - $ 22,380
5. Class of 1974 - 15% 5. Class of 1977 - $ 17,669
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IN MEMORIAM
We honor the lives and legacies of our dearly departed alumni, family members, and friends, whose impact on our community will forever be greatly appreciated.
- Paul Logiudice, Jr. '69
- Matthew R. Gagnon '01
- Henry "Hank" Jemiola '73
Each month we remember those who have died recently and those who are called to our attention. Please keep them, their families, and friends in your prayers. The full list of alumni, faculty, and staff memorials is on the webpage at
MEMORIALS.
