Xavier welcomes another freshman class as the school is about to embark on its 57th year. First up is the Falcon Blast for freshmen and their Big Falcons, who are seniors.
It is a day designed to get to know your senior mentor better, learn more about the school, meet other freshman and, just as important, have fun. The Falcon Blast, a longstanding tradition, is Aug. 26 from 8:15 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
“The seniors who are Big Falcons are excited to introduce the freshmen to Xavier and help them get the most out of the experience,” Director of Admissions Nick Grasso ’05 said.
Then on Sept. 4 freshman orientation is 8:15-2:30. The students will have a brief run-through of their class schedules as well as a review of safety protocols concerning COVID-19. These will include such things as the requirement of morning safety checks before coming to school to procedures while on a school bus, the requirement of wearing a mask, the use of hand sanitizer, and hallway traffic and bathroom rules. These and other safety protocols have been added as an addendum to the student handbook.
There are, as usual, connections to Xavier’s past and present in this freshman class, among them:
- Hunter Feitel will be a freshman. He is the son of Bryan Feitel ‘86, and the grandson of Rich Feitel, the longtime former teacher, coach and alumni director.
- Marco Aparo ’24 is the third Aparo brother to come here. Giovanni graduated in 2019 and Dante will graduate in 2021. This is just one example of members of the Class of 2024 who have a brother currently here or a brother who has graduated.
“The Xaverian Brothers have long been associated with the spirit of The Pioneer,” Principal Brendan Donohue said. “From the patron, St. Francis Xavier, and the founder, Theodore James Ryken, the Brothers and their lay colleagues in the 13 Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools have taken the missionary spirit to heart and been Pioneers since the first Brothers arrived in America since 1854.
“This year we welcome a new group of Pioneers to Xavier in a way that none of us would have imagined. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us to be adaptable, innovative, and creative. It has presented us all with opportunities to grow in so many ways. The Class of 2024 are the latest Pioneers who will help to lead Xavier into this new reality.
“We will call upon them to help unite our school community in these difficult times. It is an exciting opportunity, and I have great confidence that these young men will rise to the occasion and follow in the footsteps of the great Pioneers who have come before them.”
A few numbers regarding the Class of 2024:
165: Number of incoming students.
43: Number of cities and towns represented.
6,675: Number of miles from Beijing, China, home to one incoming freshman, to Middletown, home of Xavier.
23: Number of students from Middletown, the most represented city or town in the state. There are 13 from Meriden, the second-most represented.
12: Number of students coming from St. John Paul II School in Middletown, the highest amount from one school. There are 10 coming from St. Bridget School in Cheshire and 9 from Haddam-Killingworth Middle School.