The Mercy-Xavier Walk-A-Thon Is Back!
The Mercy-Xavier Walk-A-Thon is back on the calendar after a long hiatus. For 25 years, starting in 1974, the walk-a-thon was a competitive schoolwide fundraising event that helped both schools. This year at Xavier, instead of the Ad Drive, we renew this tradition. The goal at Xavier is to raise at least $100,000. The money supports all of Xavier's clubs and activities, academic programs, athletic events, and the arts. The 2021 campaign culminates with a walk on the Xavier track, activities, food trucks, music and much more. If you are interested in a sponsorship, please contact Associate Director of Advancement Greg Jaskot at [email protected]. You can also visit https://tinyurl.com/4z8nt68y to support Xavier for this year’s Walk-A-Thon.
Message From Alumni Association President
Your Alumni Association kicked off the year with our first meeting that included three new Board members. We are proud to welcome Mike Edelson '08, Sal Nesci '14 and Troy DeLeon '16 to the Board and look forward to their contribution to our membership, with a focus on developing the Young Alumni Committee. Our first Xavier Motorcycle Ride provided great weather, excellent roads, and great company, ending in everyone arriving safely for a warm cup of coffee at Perkatory, a Xavier/Mercy-owned business. We have exciting programing this year to support fellow alumni and current students. Consider yourself invited to be a part of this year’s socials, Speaker Series, Career and College Fairs, and much more. We hope this year provides opportunities to get our membership together.
-- Brian Farrell '86, Alumni Association President, [email protected]
Open House On Oct. 17
Xavier is having an Open House from 1-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17. If you know of any families that might be interested, please pass on the word. Registration is at xavierhighschool.org.
Around The Campus
The Opening Of School Mass celebrated by the Most Rev. Michael Cote, Bishop of the Norwich Diocese, was on Tuesday, Sept. 7. Bishop Cote reminded the students that the start of the new school year is a time to come with “expectant faith. We come with open minds and hearts to learn and grow. We are an ordinary people chosen by God to do extraordinary things. Because of God’s grace all things are possible for us.”
Aidan Higgins ’22 has been named a National Merit semifinalist. Each year, approximately 1.5 million students entered the National Merit Scholarship program by taking the PSAT in their junior year. Of those students, approximately 16,000 were recognized nationally as semifinalists for their outstanding performance. Higgins is now eligible to become a finalist.
Seven named Commended Students: Andrei Abarientos, Adam Chasse, Stephen King, Matt O’Connor, Mario Pugliese, Will Schneider, and Liam Sheeley, each a member of the Class of 2022, have been named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Xavier opened the school day on Friday, Sept. 10, by remembering all who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Included among those was Peter Gelinas '86. It was the 20th anniversary of that horrible day.
The Grandparents Mass was celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 12 in the gymnasium with many families attending. The family Mass is one of the most popular events on the calendar.
The Xavier cross country team's opening meet on Friday, Sept. 10, was extra special as the Falcons kicked off the 2021 season with their 50th consecutive victory, a streak that started on Oct. 19, 2015. That streak hit 56 as the Falcons headed into Saturday's SCC Divisional Championships.
The Xavier soccer team is unbeaten at 5-0-1 after knocking off Fairfield Prep 3-1 on Tuesday. Prep entered the game 7-0 and ranked first in the GameTimeCT boys soccer poll. Xavier was ranked sixth. The Falcons play Friday night at 7 on the road against Shelton.
The Xavier football team was ranked No. 8 in the GameTimeCT preseason high school football poll and won its first two games by a combined score of 87-31. The Falcons are now 2-1 with a big game Saturday night at home at 7 p.m. vs. St. Joseph.
Upcoming Alumni Events
Nov. 6: Homecoming Football Game vs. Notre Dame-West Haven, 6 p.m. There is a reception in the Dining Hall at 4 p.m., but due to COVID that part of the event is restricted to the first 100 who reply with an RSVP to a recent invitation by email. Masks are required at the reception. Hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer are served, which makes it an adult-only event.
Nov. 28: The next Mass for the extended community is the Thanksgiving Family Mass. RSVP's will be requested. Watch for an invitation by email.
Dec. 2: SFX and Heritage Society Reception, Griswold Inn, by invitation only. Watch for an invitation by email.
Class of 1976 Reunion Postponed
The Class of 1976 Reunion has been postponed until summer 2022.
Alumni News
Preston Zdrojeski '17 graduated from the Connecticut State Police Academy in ceremonies held at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford in late August. Preston is a member of Troop C in Tolland. His father Rob also is a State Trooper and pinned the badge on his son at the graduation ceremonies.
Corey Fagan '07 is a civil engineer for the U.S. Coast Guard. He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Connor Dwyer ’19 is a junior at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. He is the Director of Analytics for the Fordham baseball team and in March was chosen to be part of the first analytics and player development department in Independent Professional Baseball. He spent the summer working in Florence, KY, for the Florence Y’alls.
In Memoriam
In each monthly newsletter we will remember those in the Xavier community that have passed away that month and others that have come to our attention. We remember:
Stephen G. Cobb, Class of 1967: For the obituary please click HERE.
Robert Tringali, Class of 1974: For the obituary please click HERE.
John D. McKeown, Class of 1978: For the obituary please click HERE.
Richard Michael Shafrick, Class of 1980: For the obituary please click HERE.
Lost And Not Yet Found
In each month's newsletter we will list some alumni for whom we do not have contact information. If you know how to reach them, please have them email [email protected] one or more of the following: phone number, email, address. Thank you. This month's names: Sean Zisk '81, Richard Zipoli '68, Ryan Ziolkowski '91, Joseph Zinkiewicz '82, Michael Zinkiewicz '80, Richard Zawisa '83, Anthony Zasciurinkas '82, Jason Wyer '90, Brendan Wood '78.
