An Opportunity to Grow

In the summer of 1995, I spread mulch, washed windows, and played lots of lunchtime basketball while completing my hours for my work grant. I had not learned that working the switchboard was a comfortable way to complete my hours. Mr. NJ Santarcangelo ’67 ran a tight ship but didn’t get too upset when he found us in the 300 building watching the OJ Simpson trial. Besides giving me some great memories, the work grant/financial aid program at Strake Jesuit allowed me to have an excellent education, an opportunity that my family could not have afforded on our own. My older brother, Mark, was on financial aid all four years. During my senior year, I still qualified for aid, and I remember getting ready to sign up for my work grant hours when my father told me that we could afford tuition that year and that it was more important to leave that money for someone who needed it, to give someone else that opportunity. The financial aid program allows students who could potentially thrive at Jesuit to attend no matter their socioeconomic backgrounds, making Jesuit accessible to all.

 

Strake Jesuit is a place that provides opportunities for its students. As a student, it felt like everyone was involved in something. As a faculty member, I’m impressed with how the school continues to grow and keeps adding different and diverse offerings for our students' formation and development. Are you into athletics? Robotics? Performing arts? Jesuit has something for you. Every student seems to find his niche. In particular, the number of opportunities for leadership roles at Jesuit has grown tremendously since I was a student. Today, you can be a leader in the House System or a leader in your advisory in addition to retreats, sports, and student government. 

 

Beyond extracurriculars, Jesuit continues to add services to help our students. In the 90s, no system was in place for accommodating learning differences. In years past, students who struggled with learning differences looked to leave the school, where today their needs are addressed. Jesuit now has the Learning Resource Center (LRC). The LRC helps students and families with learning differences with accommodations, executive functioning classes, and relationship development. In my class, I have seen young men grow and succeed thanks to the work of the LRC.

 

Strake Jesuit, now more than ever, is accessible to students from all backgrounds. Be it financially disadvantaged young men or students with learning differences, Jesuit has consistently added student services to help young men grow to become Men for Others.