At Xavier High School, we have a proud tradition of service and servant leadership. Service is at the heart of what Xavier instills in our students.
Mr. Lyons, the Director of Campus Ministry, carries cards on him for our students and staff that read “Service isn’t something we do…it’s how we live.”
Our Falcons are encouraged to embody these values in their everyday lives and to make a positive impact in their communities through acts of kindness and volunteer work. But what exactly is service, and what does it mean to be a servant leader?
Service can take many forms, from volunteering at a local charity to simply being kind to others in your daily interactions. It is about putting the needs of others before your own, and recognizing that we are all part of a larger community that we need to take care of. Service is not just about giving back, but about building relationships and creating a sense of connection with others.
Servant leadership, on the other hand, takes service to the next level. It is a philosophy of leadership that emphasizes the importance of serving others first and leading by example. A servant leader puts the needs of their community before their own and focuses on developing their people to be the best they can be. They are humble, empathetic, and work to create a culture of trust and collaboration.
Jakob Beck is a member of the Class of 2025 and most of his service hours were through working with the Boy Scouts or helping at a summer camp. He enjoys doing community service because working in a group gives him a sense of comradery. Giving back and serving is something Jakob takes pride in. “I’m able to help my community while having fun. Service also gives me opportunities to meet new people and learn new skills along the way.”
Jakob says that doing community service has taught him to be more aware of his surroundings. “I think we all have a responsibility to give back to our community, whether it is helping people that are less fortunate or by keeping our environment clean. I have understood how fortunate and lucky I am to be in the position I’m currently in. I believe we all have the obligation to help others in need because that is what God does for us.”
At Xavier, we believe that service and servant leadership go hand-in-hand. By serving others, we develop the skills and qualities that make us effective leaders. We learn to communicate more effectively, to work collaboratively, and to be resilient in the face of challenges. By putting others first, we build strong relationships that form the foundation of any successful community.
Cooper Woodward is also a member of the Class of 2025. After transferring to Xavier, Cooper’s thankful for all the opportunities he’s been presented with since becoming a member of the Xavier community. Cooper chose to do a variety of things for his service work, including helping out with shooting music videos and live recordings at his church.
“Those are always really fun because I get to capture moments of people encountering Jesus and I’m sitting there behind the camera. It’s something that, in a way, I feel I’m taking for granted because it’s something of such magnitude. I really appreciate being able to part of those moments.”
Cooper also notes the importance of service for people of all ages. “It allows you to humble yourself. I did my service under my own free will. I felt that in order to grow as a person, I needed to humble myself and that is the biggest driving factor or why I think service is important.”
One of the most inspiring things about service and servant leadership is that anyone can do it, regardless of their background or experience. You don't need to be a CEO or a politician to make a difference in the world. All you need is a willingness to serve others and a commitment to making the world a better place.
The smallest gestures can have the largest impact. Whether we realize it or not, we are presented with opportunities to serve others in our daily interactions. Holding the door open for someone, offering to carry their bags, or simply giving them a smile and a kind word. These small gestures can make a big difference in someone's day.
Griffin Manske is a member of the Xavier Class of 2025. He has spent a great deal of time volunteering at his former elementary school. “I love doing this because I see how much I am helping the kids learn for their future. I also am able to go out to recess, gym and have lunch with kids.”
Griffin, like many students at Xavier, has learned to respect others more because everyone is different through his service experience. Griffin has also spent time volunteering at his Church carnival. “I enjoy this because I see that people are having fun and I have a chance to meet new people.”
At Xavier High School, we are proud to be a community that values service and servant leadership. For underclassmen, students must complete a total of 35 hours of community service by Jan. 31 of their junior year. Seniors must complete an additional 28 hours of community service, primarily people-interactive, by Feb. 28 of their senior year. The total number of hours each student must complete upon graduation is 63, although many go above and beyond.
The Xavier graduating class of 2023 completed a total of 15,500 service hours during their four years at the school. As of September 18, the current student body has completed a total of 29,432 service hours.
We believe that by putting others first, we can create a better world for ourselves and for future generations. We challenge all members of our community to embrace these values and to make a positive impact in the world. Together, we can make a difference.