2005 BROPHY STUDENT AWARDS
Brophy's student awards are an occasion which not only gives
recognition to those members of our community who have excelled during
their four years here, but I hope inspires and provides models for all
of us as to what we at Brophy hold out as our ideal. The document that
delineates the criteria for this “ideal” for Jesuit secondary schools is called “The
Graduate at Graduation,” or the “Grad at Grad.” According
to this document we, as Jesuit educators, hope that our students will,
during their tenure with us, become open to growth, intellectually competent,
religious, loving, and committed to doing justice. And we as their mentors
find it incumbent upon us to recognize and hold up as models those young
men who seem headed toward maturity and a level of comfort with themselves
that allows them to lead their peers in these areas. In addition, we also
want to bestow on those who have earned it, the A.M.D.G. award. These letters
are the initials of the Latin words Ad Majoriem Dei Gloriam which means “For
the greater glory of God.” A student who earns this award is one
we see as encompassing all the qualities already mentioned. He further
understands and models Brophy’s vision of being a “man for
others.”
The privilege of announcing the winners of the underclassmen awards goes to this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian. These gentlemen are seniors who were chosen by their classmates, with the endorsement of the faculty and administration, to speak for and to their graduating brothers at the commencement exercises and at today's awards assembly respectively. The choices the class of 2005 made were as thoughtful and compassionate as most of the other decisions they have made individually and collectively this year. Your choice for valedictorian demonstrates all the characteristics of the “grad at grad.” He is intellectually competent, maintaining a GPA of 4.06, a combined SAT score of 1400. His friends, and that literally is everyone in the Brophy community, will attest to the loving concern he shows towards them as would those who accompanied him to El Salvador which for him was a life changing experience. As far as being open to growth, he has demonstrated his virtuosity as a Big Brother, captain of the football team, the intramural co-ordinator who helped make that program the most popular and fun on campus. He is the unselfish leader of the student body who made it cool to be on student council, and as president of his peers, he demonstrated with courage and character the art of true leadership. This year’s outstanding choice to represent an outstanding class as valedictorian is
The salutatorian was also voted by the members of the senior class. And although this young man is ranked 2nd in his class and maintains a GPA of 4.4, I don’t believe it is his intellect that garnered him so many votes. Nor is it the fact that he scored a perfect 800 on verbal section of the SAT and a 780 on the math. It may have been the fact that his contributions to the Brophy community are so varied. For example, he has been a Big Brother and a leader for Frosh Retreat. He sits first chair violinist in our orchestra, is member of the calc club, and a member of the science bowl team that went to the final round at nationals in Washington, D.C. But what makes this young man so outstanding is the authenticity with which he leads his life. His quiet presence, genuine concern for others, and deep reflective nature are apparent to all who have taught him and clearly all of the members of his class who wisely voted him salutatorian for 2005,
The Brophy College Preparatory medals will be presented to underclassmen
who the awards’ committee saw as those who model the ideals of
the Grad at Grad.
The students who will be recognized as outstanding in the category of OPEN
TO GROWTH are those who are beginning to reach out in their development,
actively seeking opportunities to stretch their minds, imaginations,
feelings, and religious consciousness. This award which is named the
St. Francis Xavier award is given to freshmen
As students progress through Brophy, more and more students come closer to attaining these ideals. Therefore, the 3 sophomores awarded the St. Francis Xavier medal for being open to growth are
Junior awards are decided by the same criteria as those for the freshman and sophomores except that 4 juniors are being awarded the St. Francis Xavier Award for being open to growth. They are
Students who will be recognized as INTELLECTUALLY COMPETENT are those who
exhibit mastery of academic requirements for advanced forms of education.
While developing their critical thinking skills, among others, they are
beginning to take pride and ownership in their school accomplishments
and beginning to enjoy intellectual and aesthetic pursuits. This award,
which is named for Saint Robert J. Bellarmine, is given to freshmen
The 3 sophomores awarded the St. Robert J. Bellarmine
medal for being INTELLECTUALLY COMPETENT are
The 4 juniors being awarded the St. Robert J. Bellarmine Award
for INTELLECTUALLY COMPETENTCY are
The students who will be recognized as RELIGIOUS are those who are beginning
to examine their own religious feelings and beliefs with a view toward
choosing a fundamental orientation toward God and establishing a relationship
with a religious tradition and/or community. Honorees, please come
forward as I read your names. This award, which is named for St Ignatius
of Loyola, is given to freshmen
The 3 sophomores awarded the St. Ignatius of Loyola medal for
being RELIGIOUS are
The 4 juniors being awarded the St. Ignatius of Loyola Award for being
RELIGIOUS are
Students who will be recognized as LOVING are those who are beginning to
establish their own identities. They are beginning to move beyond self-interest
or self-centeredness in relationships with others. They are on their
way toward being able to risk some deeper levels of relationship in which
they can disclose themselves and accept the mystery of another person.
Will the recipients of this award please come forward to be honored.
This award, which is named for late Brophy faculty member, Fr. Al Miller,
is given to freshmen
The 3 sophomores awarded the Fr. Al Miller medal for being LOVING
are
The 4 juniors being awarded the Fr. Al Miller Award for being
LOVING are
Students who will be recognized as COMMITTED TO DOING JUSTICE are those
who have begun to achieve knowledge of their local and wider communities
and are preparing for the day when they will take their places in these
communities as competent, concerned, and responsible members. This award
is named for Fr. Pedro Arrupe and is given to freshmen
The 3 sophomores awarded the Fr. Pedro Arrupe medal for being
COMMITTED TO DOING JUSTICE are
The 4 juniors being awarded the Fr. Pedro Arrupe Award for
being COMMITTED TO DOING JUSTICE are
For our seniors who come closest to exemplifying the Graduate at Graduation,
we bestow awards in the specific areas of activities, academics, service,
and in the names of those people who are important to Brophy's history.
This senior demonstrates maturity and leadership capabilities beyond his years. He has consistently shown a unique and unusual commitment to developing his abilities as a musician. He has been dedicated to the goal of becoming a music teacher and dreams of returning to BCP as a faculty member. It would be a privilege for the music department if that were to happen. A member of Honor Band, Men's Choir, Jazz Band, Brass Ensemble, Pit Orchestra and more, he has unselfishly shared his time and talents. We proudly recognize
.
Mr. Orchestra, is what the music department is calling this next senior honoree. He is a gifted violinist, an honest and dedicated student and a true gentleman. Recognized by both faculty and students as a superior example of dedication and class. His orchestra classmates recently awarded him the first Orchestral Excellence Award, which will bear his name when presented to future recipients involved in the orchestral program. As for now we would like to honor
Clearly it would take a pretty remarkable violinist to keep up with Jason Theobald, and the second orchestra honoree is definitely up to the challenge. Enthusiastic, witty and dedicated to his music. Whether it was with his violin in Orchestra or his guitar in his band, he always had a sparkle in his eye that demonstrated a true love and enthusiasm for the power of music. The other half of the orchestra award goes to
The third music award is also split and will also be presented by Mr. Olson, and this one is for men’s choir. As long as the music department is giving out sobriquets today, Mr. Olson decided that the first senior recognized for men’s choir should be called Mr. Voice. This young man possesses the unique ability to blend his wonderful voice with his acting abilities and then sprinkle it all with dedication and enthusiasm. "Master Cody" as he was known in Men's Choir will truly be missed, not just for his voice and leadership, but also for his energetic spirit for life. Congratulations to
The second choir honoree has been dubbed “Mr. Energy,” and that's an understatement. This volatile senior has been the cornerstone of the bass section in Men's Choir for the last two years. I don't believe I have ever had to give him the direction to sing with more enthusiasm or energy, in fact keeping it in line is like harnessing the power of a mighty river. But like a mighty river his voice is something wonderful to behold and certainly deserving of the Men’s Choir award. Congratulations to
A new award this year is for jazz band. Presenting the initial Louis Armstrong Jazz Band Award is their director Ms. Julie Thibodeaux.
The Louis Armstrong Award is a national award given in recognition of outstanding achievement by an instrumentalist in the field of jazz, as demonstrated through superior musicianship, character, and individual creativity. This year’s premiere recipient has been involved in the Brophy music program for all four of his years as a trumpet player. He has been involved in the Honors Band and the Jazz Band, as a section leader and as band council president. He has been named to the North Central Regional Honor Band. His dedication to the music program has been evident through his leadership in front of and within these ensembles. It is our pleasure to award the first Louis Armstrong Jazz Award to
This year’s recipient has demonstrated over the course of his four years at Brophy that he is strongly rooted in a faith that is lived, not just talked about. While his involvement in and leadership of the Life Choices Club is noteworthy, it is his involvement with the Muscular Dystrophy Association that is less known. During the summer before his junior year, he spent one week in Payson as a counselor for young people who suffered from this degenerative muscle disease. He was so touched by the experience that his involvement didn't end at the end of camp. Later that year, he appeared on the MDA telethon with a few of his classmates, speaking about his experience and encouraging people to support the efforts of MDA. His commitment continued at Brophy later that spring when he spearheaded the MDA shamrock drive to raise money for kids who couldn't afford the cost of camp. his commitment to others, specifically those who are often overlooked by the rest of society, is what we celebrate today as we present to him the award for Christian Service to
Over the course of the last year these two have put in more hours at Brophy than many athletes. They have come in on the weekends; they have come in at the crack of dawn—sometimes at 5AM—all in the name of meeting deadlines. And they have made this one of the most successful years ever for Brophy’s student newspaper. Their excellent layouts, the stunning timeliness of the articles, and the sheer number of issues published far exceeded their moderator’s expectations as well as the expectations of many in the Brophy community. They have sacrificed hours of their personal time, and they have done so with cheerfulness—even as their senioritis started to reach an especially acute point. The publications award goes to the co-editors of the re-vamped Roundup
The Speech and Debate Award is given to that student who contributes most to the success of the Brophy Speech and Debate Team, not only through his own victories in competition, but also by providing the other members of the team with the tools they need to succeed. Our 2005 recipient qualified for The Tournament of Champions in Lexington, Kentucky, for Policy debate with a total of almost 840 National Forensic League points. Additionally, this outstanding debater was brave enough to serve as one of the team officers. While he does not plan on debating in college, he does intend to give back to the debate community by judging for high school tournaments in the Chicago area, as he begins his studies at the University of Chicago. Today, we honor
This year Mr. White saw fit to honor two seniors. The first is the only student athletic trainer who has completed 4 years in the program- this despite unbelievable obstacles. What sets him apart from others is his loyalty and dedication to the program and to the athletes he serves. He logs more hours than required, travels to many away contests, and even shows up on Saturdays! He is humble, devoted, and responsible, and well-deserving of this award.
The second recipient of the student trainer award may be described as competent, compassionate, responsible, and personable. He has a passion for learning, and he grasps concepts at the level of a college graduate student. He perfectly combines warmth and wit with responsibility and trustworthiness, and he has enthusiastically served the needs of so many of our athletic teams at Brophy. It is a pleasure to recognize
The first recipient of the intramural award goes to one of Brophy’s finest athletes. His passion for athletic competition, his ability to lead other athletes and girls into playing intramurals during lunch, after football games or at the sports campus for a Sunday Fun Day is what elevated him to this award. He is known as much for sprinting the sidelines of the football games carrying the Brophy flag after a touchdown as he is for being a nationally ranked swimmer. But as the captain of the swimmers and the Untouchables, he also needs to be recognized as Brophy’s top intramural athlete for 2004-05
The second recipient is the model for why intramurals is successful and popular at Brophy. A normally quiet and humble young man off the playing fields, this next award winner plays sports with determination and confidence. Not only has his athletic ability blossomed, but his character and leadership skills have bloomed. For the past 4 years, Brophy’s top three intramural teams have always included his teams, and last week in a victory that was the culmination of a four-year intramurals career, his team won the three-on-three basketball tournament in double overtime. We congratulate the 2005 intramural honoree, representing WWJD4KlondikeBar and the Illegalz,
This special award goes out to Brophy athletics’ most committed member. He is the only Brophy letter-holder that is a paid professional in his craft. His work on the baseball diamond earned him a place in the record books as the youngest to ever hold his position. His tireless efforts, passion for the game, and commitment to Brophy serve as a reminder of what high school athletics is all about. He brought the motto of “Men for Others” from an abstract term in a glossy admissions magazine to something tangible to be seen on the gridiron every Friday night at our football games, on the court at each basketball game, and on top of the dugout for every inning of the baseball season since his freshman year. This man was not just a teammate to the players on the football, basketball and baseball teams, but to anyone in the Brophy community who attended any sporting event. Congratulations to the voice of Brophy sports and the very first recipient of the Brophy College Preparatory Athletic Leadership Award,
The two young men being recognized for tech theatre have honored us through their varied talents in theatre arts. One is a superb technician. There is hardly an aspect of theatre he does not fully understand, including the complicated mechanical or electrical configurations associated with theatre production. He loves to experiment with new ideas, find solutions to monumental tasks, and does so with ease and fluidity. He is truly wonderful and caring young man. He is respected for his leadership, his abilities and his commitment to theatre. As for his talents in acting, we hope he continues to stay on either the right or left of the stage!
The second techie being honored also is one of those that has taken his talents and given them as gifts to the wonderful world of theatre. His vision and art has been influential in at least 4 major productions. He has painted treasure islands, made magnificent flags, and geometric patterns all with great grace and skill. His demeanor is quiet, his impact on the audience through art is quite dynamic.
The Drama Award is presented to the Brophy senior who has distinguished himself in the performance aspect of theatre. The recipient of this award, however, must exhibit dedication to and leadership in Brophy theatre, as well as talent. This year’s recipient has done all that. For four years he has auditioned for every Brophy production, and while he did not always succeed in being cast for a show, he never gave up. He continued to audition and was willing to risk taking on roles for which he believed himself unsuited. He was wrong, of course. Because despite his wonderful singing voice and seemingly natural flair for comedic roles as proved by his hilarious portrayal of Bud Frump last year in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, he truly became a better actor when the two roles he earned this year: Hilton, the defense lawyer for the condemned murderer in Dead Man Walking, and King Arthur in Camelot, required him to stretch and find new ways of expressing deeper emotions and more realistic and valid moral arguments, something he does with great finesse in real life. It is a pleasure to recognize the drama award winner for 2005
Today, we are here to honor people who have made a difference on the Brophy Campus. Although we only see the next recipients about twice a year, they have made a huge impact on all of our lives. Whether or not you have experienced Manresa through the Shep Program, a club or sport retreat, or the Senior Kairos Experience, most students and faculty consider Manresa to be a place to relax and refresh. During the past six years that Manresa has been in their care, they have made many improvements and have welcomed every visitor with compassion. On a recent trip, Doug and Lauralie Drotzmann, the caretakers, chefs, and heart of Manresa, suggested that they enjoyed having the Brophy Boys come to Manresa even more than they thought we enjoyed being there. Not likely. We would like to present the Drotzmanns with the Manresa Magis Award. It is constructed of the “M” from the original Manresa sign. It was found on top of the woodpile in pieces. After putting it back together, we decided to return it to you, because when we come to you, you help put us back together. Thank you Doug and Lauralie.
This gift signifies out gratitude for what Brophy has given us over the last four years. As we graduate, we will all take a piece of Brophy with us, and, in return, we would like to leave you with a new scoreboard for this gym. Below the new scoreboard will be a sign providing a constant reminder to everyone in the gym where they are ---- “The Home of the 6th Man.”
Please carry on the pride in Brophy that we all share, and accept this gift as a heartfelt thank you from the Class of 2005.
At Brophy there are seven disciplines which comprise the academic program.
Each of these departments has decided to honor the following students
not only for their academic excellence but also for their leadership,
inquisitiveness, and generosity to their fellow students.
This senior is a creative and insightful young man. No matter the topic, his contributions are always worthy of serious consideration. He takes his responsibilities seriously, and both fellow students and instructors appreciate his sense of humor and stylish contributions to the learning atmosphere. Without any guile, he exhibits a certain maturity and authenticity that indicates a reflective personality and an open-minded character. Fluent in French, as well as English, just this spring, he scored first in Arizona and ninth in the nation on the National French Exam. When not making noteworthy contributions to his language classes, he is often found participating in student council or even more frequently treading the boards in a Xavier-Brophy production. His last role, that of the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, was truly his tour de force. It is, therefore, with great pleasure and pride the English Department award is presented to
When it comes to talent, there is certainly no shortage in the Fine Arts Department. This year, we honor two young men who are not only talented artists in their own right but also have worked hard to allow others to showcase their own abilities as well as enjoy the talents of their classmates. Both of these seniors took responsibility for this year’s Coffee House evenings, and together they built a bigger and better program, doubling the number of events and expanding the venue to include performance in the mall area. Today we honor a young man who has been interested in the arts practically since his first day here. He leads his own band, Achilles, which has performed together since March 2003, not only here at Brophy, but also at places like the Mason Jar and the Cajun House. Everything he does seems connected to his love of music and the arts. His junior research paper argued against censoring music lyrics, while he constructed his own set of drums out of aluminum cans, plastic, cardboard, and duct tape for his senior physics’ project. Mostly, though, he receives this award for his generosity. Whether by organizing our Coffee House evenings or by leading a Kairos group, he has truly given back much to Brophy. We will miss him greatly and wish him luck next year at Loyola, New Orleans
The second honoree is an accomplished photographer who won prizes at Brophy’s first juried art show, who is featured in the Belfry literary magazine, and who contributed greatly to our yearbook, the Tower. His personal, artistic vision includes the seriousness of documentary photographs which express his concern for certain social conditions, as well as the whimsy of staying up all night pin-striping the Motorhead’s homecoming billboard. His abilities as an original, commercial artist have grown and connected the Brophy community in a way so as to make Brophy a better place. So, next time you see an’02, pearlescent raspberry Tahoe shimmering through the streets of Phoenix , tip your hat to this young man who created it all by himself.
There are two divisions within the foreign language department:
The Classical Language award is traditionally bestowed on that student who has not only excelled in his study of Latin but also demonstrated a sustained interest in the language and culture of ancient Rome. This year’s recipient, has garnered all the appropriate academic honors beginning in 9th grade when he earned a perfect score on his first National Latin Exam and continuing through his junior year when he passed the challenging AP Vergil Exam. Additionally, this year’s winner has accomplished something quite extraordinary and, we believe, without precedent at Brophy. He is the first 5th year Latin student who began his study of the language in the 9th grade. In order to achieve this distinction, he taught himself second year Latin over the summer between this freshman and sophomore years and joined the advanced placement Latin literature class in 10th grade. Chaucer praises on of his characters in the Canturbury Tales with the words “Gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche.” This senior has time and time again demonstrated his ability to work effectively with his fellow students on class projects. We, the classics faculty, would like to offer the hope that he will take that attitude of unselfishness and collegiality with him as he goes off to continue his studies at Yale University. We heartily congratulate
The young man receiving this year’s Modern Language Award has proven himself in the classroom as well as in his community. As a junior, he earned a score of 5 on the AP Spanish Language exam. One week ago today, he braved the difficult AP Spanish Literature exam where he’s sure to earn a 5 as well! Academically, his record speaks for itself. What is more impressive, however, is that he has never taken for granted his ability to communicate perfectly in two languages. In fact, young students at Wilson Elementary—his Alma Mater—and St. Matthew’s grade schools have benefited greatly from his generosity as a tutor and a mentor. Not only that, he’s the favorite of all Xavier cheerleaders. For all these reasons, the foreign language department is proud to name as this year selection for the Modern Languages Award
The student chosen to receive the mathematics award this year has been one of the backbones of the Calc Club for the past two years. This means he was not only a solid math student, but also a young man devoted to serving others. Whether he were scheduled to sell doughnuts on a particular day or not, he would jump in and do so without anyone’s asking. He was also a main cog in the Christmas drive, spending time wrapping gifts and helping to deliver them. As for his mathematic acumen, he is one of the top students in differential equations, consistently scoring in the top 5%, and earning a score of 5 on both the APBC and APAB calculus exams. His affinity for math may explain his affinity for music, as well. A trumpeter in concert band, this senior was honored last week at Music Appreciation Night for his being a student conductor. It is a pleasure to recognize a fantastic young man who consistently does excellent work
This senior is sincerely committed to his faith. He has had some profound experiences that have revealed to him God's unconditional love. He feels called to share that love with others in real, tangible actions. He is also intellectually active in his faith. In philosophy class, he presented St. Thomas Aquinas with particular enthusiasm and insight. He takes seriously the Church's admonition that all of us are called to lives of holiness. I am sure he will continue to deepen his awareness of God's call in his life and respond with integrity as he has for the past four years. It is with pleasure we present the award for religious studies to
The recipient of this year’s science award has made a habit of exceeding expectations. Over the past four years, he has taken every science and math advanced placement course and test that Brophy offers. In addition, he has engaged in advanced research with TGen Corporation and Barrows Neurological Institute working on the cure for brain cancer. His love of science has not, however, dampened either his generous spirit or his sense of humor. He placed second in the state in the Arizona Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and is the very proud recipient of the Flinn Scholarship. The Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University department of molecular biology had better prepare itself because this future Nobelist is on his way, but before he goes, we are very proud to present the science award to
The recipient of this year’s Social Studies award has proven himself during the past four years to have an incredibly lucid and articulate mind when it comes to history and government. Not only has he earned A’s in A.P. European History, A.P. U.S. History, A.P. Psychology, and A.P. Comparative Government (earning 5’s on most of his A.P. exams in the process), but he has also aced three exams this semester alone in A.P. Economics/Government – at a time when senioritis is claiming the lives of many! A man of action, he puts this knowledge to good use as a member of the Phoenix Youth and Education Commission and as a worker for some high-profile political campaigns. The Department of Social Studies honors
This award is given to that student who for various reasons did not have
an easy time at Brophy, yet managed to persevere and not only graduate
from Brophy, but to thrive here.
This year's award recipient is not only a “man for others” but lives and models Brophy’s ultimate goals of the Graduate at Graduation on a daily basis. He is open to Growth. When Chris’s parents divorced during his senior year, Chris was devastated; however, he, per usual, thought of others, and remained focused and flexible despite his confusing emotions regarding his home situation. The oldest of six children, and the only boy, Chris had to shoulder more responsibility at home and help his family remain as “normal” as possible under the circumstances. He channeled his anger into constructive energy which propelled him to victory on the Brophy Varsity football team. Learning lessons in sportsmanship, loyalty, camaraderie, and most of all perseverance, Chris attributes his ability to maintain balance in his life to his participation in the Brophy football program. As for being loving, whether in a classroom, on a football field, or in dealing with his personal life, Chris inevitably puts others first. From his own personal challenge of overcoming a congenital speech impediment, he learned to be non-judgmental, accepting, and compassionate. He demonstrates love in action on a daily basis. When his sister Katie is hospitalized due to her battling Cystic Fibrosis, Chris often spends the night at the hospital finishing homework and sitting by her bedside to keep her company. As for being religious, Chris is an active participant in his parish, he is a Eucharistic Minister, Kairos retreat leader for Confirmation, and a member of the Youth Group. Chris also found time to attend Kairos 72 at Brophy. Chris models the words of the St. Ignatius Generosity Prayer “…to give and not to count the cost. He has demonstrated the ability to care deeply for others in the Community by volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul and spending countless hours with the Boy Scouts volunteering for the Adopt-a-Mile program. Chris is an active participant in the Cystic Fibrosis walk and plans to build houses this summer with his Church youth group in Mexico. Finally, Chris is a terrific young man…one of Brophy’s finest! His goals include remaining in state and attending ASU next fall. Fortunately, the Brophy community will continue to benefit from Chris’s interaction on the football field since he was selected to be an assistant coach next year. We happily re-present the Gwendolyn Reese Spirit of Challenge Award to
In addition to recognizing students’ contributions to Brophy, we
also take pleasure in recognizing those members of the faculty and staff
who have served our community so well. Today we celebrate the 10
years of dedicated service generously given by three members of the Brophy community:
Three members of the Brophy family have served us well for 15 years:
Celebrating 20 years as members of the Brophy family are
And finally 2 of our community are celebrating 30 years of service to Brophy:
There are six additional faculty members whom we will miss greatly next year, but we thank them for having served us so well and wish them only the best as they start new phases in their lives. Let us, therefore, publicly thank
The Michael P. Klein Award is given to the faculty or staff member who
exemplifies outstanding service to school, family, and community. It
is awarded in honor of the 28 years of service that Mr. Mike Klein
gave to Brophy Prep as teacher, assistant principal, master scheduler,
problem solver, and, most importantly, dear friend. Presenting this
award is a member of the Klein-Brophy family, Mr. Joe Klein class of’’86.
This year’s recipient of the Klein award is, indeed, a wonderful family man. In fact, according to his wife, “He is the ultimate example of what husband and father should be. The love and support he has given me throughout our marriage could never be matched. His intelligence, gentleness, sense of humor, religious commitment and ability to challenge me on a daily basis are things I love most about him. No matter how busy he is, he always has time for the family.”
And this man is busy. He perhaps more than any other faculty member has served Brophy by taking up the slack when and wherever it was needed and accepting those assignments that other less able, or less generous, faculty refused. In 1990 he was asked to chair the North Central Accreditation process. He was assured that this was a one-time commitment so he accepted the challenge and fourteen years later, he requested to step down as chair—which he did, but to this day he remains on the committee. He began coaching freshman football in 1976 and continued to do so until the mid-nineties. In 1978 he was asked to start a wrestling program which he coached until the mid-eighties when the program was temporarily disbanded. In 1990 it was resurrected with off-campus coaches, but this teacher again served as moderator until 1998. The last few years he has been involved in our expanding music department, teaching guitar, forming the wire choir, and moderating Cantemus, the Liturgical Music program. He also began the jazz band, and he has been involved in the spring musicals for the last two years. Oh, yes, he also has taught Latin, and sometimes Greek, to generations of Brophy and Xavier students
His peers describe him as the “consummate professional…. Watching him teach is inspiring. His knowledge of the world is only surpassed by his wisdom about the way that world works. His concern for his colleagues is genuine. He is thoughtful, considerate…open to growth…loving…all those grad at grad things. He is an integral part of this school community and this school’s history.” And this community thought it was about time we formally recognized and thanked him for all he has done for the past 30 years. Thank you,
To earn one of these awards a student has to have displayed the Jesuit quality known as the magis, the more. That is, he continually is discerning how more deeply he can contribute to whatever he is involved in. The tributes detailing the character of the honorees will be read by those teachers who wrote them and are considered mentors by the recipients.
Jeff Connell, '78, was killed in a tragic accident during his junior
year. In recognition of Jeff's high achievement, energetic participation
on the track team, prolific articles in the Round-Up, and, in particular,
his involvement in the student council, this award was instituted. It
is given annually for outstanding leadership in student government.
The recipient of the Jeff Connell Award is
Mr. Stephan Johnson will present the award
Unlike some student council members, Mike never draws attention to himself, yet his personal confidence and strength call people to notice and respect him. He is a natural leader who never truly needed to learn that leadership is service, but he has taught that to his classmates simply by the way he lives his daily life. He was elected to office all four years during his tenure at Brophy, simply because he peers trusted him and knew that he would be about the business of freely giving his time and talent, and sometimes even his treasure to them. They saw in Mike qualities that they strive to embrace. He has made a tremendous impact on the Student Council. His faithful service, wisdom and spirituality moved the student council to a higher level than it has ever experienced. Michael Hilcove is a man among men. He rewrote the rules of what it means to be a true son of Brophy and a true leader of great men and women. Thank you and congratulations.
Tom Davison, class of '84, was severely injured and paralyzed his senior year. Despite Tom’s being incapacitated, he continued to participate in many school functions and graduated with his class. In recognition of Tom's faith and determination, this award is to be given to the senior who has shown loyalty in activities beyond and above what was expected.
This year’s recipient of the Loyalty Award is
Mr. Mark Nolan will present the award.
Oscar Borboa is a great choice for the following three reasons; his character, his work ethic, and his attitude. Oscar is a living example of being a “Man for Others.” He always encourages his teammates and classmates, after their success and, at times, after their failures. As a result of this, his teammates have developed a deep respect and love for one another that can only come from the crucible of competition. This caring, giving nature seems to come naturally for Oscar, and he uses it used so generously. He is a goal-oriented person with a tremendous work ethic attains the high standards he sets for himself academically, athletically and in community service, as well. community service, as well as in his athletic accomplishments.
Oscar’s attitude is determined , and that is how he attacks the difficulties of life. He has a quiet nature, but his attitude is bold, allowing him to work and compete at a high level and overcome all obstacles. Oscar, we challenge you to be the man of character, who with great work ethic and attitude can make the world a better place! Congratulations.
Mr. Paul Fisko is the next mentor and he will be awarding The General Academic
Excellence Award to
who most exhibits outstanding intellectual abilities and dedication across all academic fields.
Harvard University professor of education Howard Gardner has officially outlined eight different types of intelligence. Alex Lemon has nine. They say that when it comes to business investments and finance, make darn sure you’re the smartest guy in the room. Alex Lemon’s world is a huge hotel full of kindergarteners. They say academic awards are all about the numbers. And, I guess I can agree if what they mean are the number of times Alex took the lead in group work to guide his classmates through a challenging concept in economics; the number of times I heard classmates ask Alex to review a calculus problem with them for an upcoming test; or the number of times Alex was willing to openly examine his own personal religious views. In those regards, Alex Lemon has racked up some very high scores. Alex, my hope for you is that you will always choose to use your intellectual gifts morally, ethically, and in a spirit of service to those who need and deserve a better life. Congratulations.
The first member of the senior class who is being recognized for excellence in both academics and athletic pursuits is
Mr. Andy Schmidbauer will present the first of two scholar-athlete awards.
By simply talking to Alex, you would never know that he is a top student at Brophy and one the top distance runners in the state of Arizona. You would not know that he does this against all reason--that he should, in fact, not run at all. His asthma may affect Alex, but you would never know. You would never know unless you taught him in class or watched him run with your own eyes. That is because Alex runs not for glory, not for medals, not for championships. He runs because that is what he knows. You would be hard pressed to get him to talk about his accomplishments in the classroom or as the leader of the distance teams in both cross-county and track. His courage, dedication, desire, and work ethic separate him from everyone else, but his humility allows him to lead by example. It is what makes Alex the clear choice for scholar athlete. I have never had to challenge him to be the best, but now I challenge you, Alex, to continue to run and excel in your academic endeavors as you always have--as if it were to be the last race of all. Congratulations.
Our second scholar-athlete award winner chose Mr. Stephan Johnson as his mentor. The second senior being recognized today as a scholar-athlete is
who just this week was named the United States National High School Swimmer of the Year.
I like to describe Alexander Righi as “one who could be truly terrible… but isn’t! “ It speaks volumes
about this extremely gifted young man. Upon sight, Alex presents a winning personality, a loving
charm, a human frame larger than life itself as he towers over most people that he meets.
We know how intelligent and athletic he is as he, almost effortlessly, lights up a swimming
pool or a classroom. Despite the cornucopia of great things God has showered upon Alex, he
never forgets where he comes from. This young man, rich with all the best life has to offer finds
a loving place in his heart for the poor and oppressed.. One day last summer Alex took a plane
to El Salvador to be with people who suffered greatly, He embraced their pain. He learned from them;
he became one with them. They changed him. As Alex moves on to this next phase of his amazing
life, he is challenged to be forever conscious of all the great things he received from Brophy Prep
and to never look down on those who are less fortunate, without his arms outstretched to raise them up. Alex has been given much… and much is expected. This excellent student,
this prodigious athlete, this loving young man… will not disappoint. Congratulations, Alex.
The Gates Stoner Family Humanitarian Award is given to an outstanding senior
for both academics and service to Brophy. A $1000.00 scholarship accompanies
this award.
Mr. Bob Ryan has been chosen mentor by our next honoree,
John, as we award you the Gates Stoner Humanitarian Award today, I could cite your ongoing commitment to Loyola Project - way beyond the required 50 hours, or your help in planning student liturgies as reasons for this award. But, as anyone who knows you would attest, I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about your work at Bashas. John, your commitment suggests a deep understanding of vocation and for this we recognize you today.
You enjoy your job not because of a fondness for the grocery business or for blue denim shirts, but because it gives you the chance to live out your values. You believe strongly that we all have an obligation to give back to the communities we are a part of. This is why you have been so active in campus ministry and with Loyola Project and is also why you appreciate Bashas' goal to be a positive force in the community, more than just a place to buy eggs. You revel in your commitment to customer service because you believe strongly in the ministry of presence, whether it means hanging out with friends in the Activities Center, sitting patiently with a fourth grader at St. Catherine's as he resists doing his math homework, or taking time to establish a personal connection with your customers in the check-out line. John, your desire to stand on the side of the underdog is represented not only in your participation in the Day of Silence and your traveling to the School of the Americas and Appalachia, but in your commitment to supporting local, homegrown businesses- places that represent your values.
John, as you surely remember from your gospels in action class, vocation means 'calling.' In your time at Brophy, you have responded generously to God's call in your life. My hope for you as you leave Brophy is that you continue to be open to the ways God will call you in the years to come. Congratulations.
This award is given to the graduating senior who exemplifies service, concern, and action to Brophy, and the community at large in issues of Social Justice. This year’s most deserving recipient is
Fr. Mike Gilson will present the award.
Peter, your name means rock. Living up to that name will be a struggle, but you already know that. You said as much in your beautiful synthesis paper when you wrote about the encounters in your life that have shaped and formed you. Each of the experiences you wrote about were instrumental in forming you, in opening your heart, as you said it.
Today we honor you because we recognize what has happened to your heart. It’s no accident what has happened to you, Peter. You have risked experiences that have changed you. Think about the choices you’ve made to expose yourself to suffering: Jaurez, Appalachia, and perhaps most especially, El Salvador. They were simple things that opened your heart, Peter: your conversation with Fidel and his friends where, as you put it, barriers fell; your experience with Rufina, which challenged your own belief in human goodness; and your encounter with vast inequity and injustice which, thank God, you still can’t reconcile. We want to thank you, Peter, for making choices that have shaped that heart of yours.
Peter, your name means rock. God can use rocks. He can build with them. He uses them as stumbling blocks. He can smash things with them. We need you to live up to your name: Cephas. The only way you can do that is to remain rooted in the one who calls you, in Jesus your brother who needs you as His companion. So my challenge to you is this: remain faithful to the Examen. Never stop asking what God is doing. And never stop dreaming of how you can best respond. Congratulations.
This award is given to the graduating senior who exemplifies a "man for others" in service to Brophy, his fellow man, the community at large, and God, and that is certainly an apt description of this senior
Ms. Sabina Khan-Nelson is the mentor who will present this award.
We are honoring Enrique today for his spiritual commitment not only to Brophy, but also to the community at large and to God. As a peer counselor for a teen crisis hotline, Enrique is the voice of calm and reassurance when someone reaches out in panic and despair. He brings this same compassionate heart into his friendships, his leadership, his inclusiveness, and his ready desire to understand the minds of those in pain. As one of two Honors students in my 4th period physics class, Enrique is a model of patience, kindness and humility. His daily presence in my classroom, always self-less, always loving, is truly a gift from God. Upon accepting my invitation to take the AP Physics test, he immersed himself into independent study of the material and rose to the challenge with dedication and perseverance, taking up hours of additional work and often coming to our lunch-time meetings better prepared than I was. His commitment to learning challenged me to become a better teacher. On the recent Student Council retreat, Enrique assumed the role of spiritual guide, gracing us with his philosophy on leadership through service and inspiring each of us to become lights among the shadows. Enrique, both in and out of the classroom, you have been the perfect example of a loving and Christ-like leader, and I hope that you will always continue to project your light onto the world around you. Congratulations.
This award is the only one that bears the name of a current member of the Brophy community. The awards committee takes all its decisions very seriously, but none more so than the only one that bears the name of our beloved Fr. Olivier. To be honored with this award a student has to be loving, kind, generous and involved in nearly every facet of Brophy life. This year’s recipient certainly fills the bill.
Mr. Paul Fisko will present the award:
On the first day of school, it was Ravi Fernando who was the first senior to speak to me. “Who are you?” he asked.
On the second day of trying to write a guitar part for a new song, it was Ravi Fernando who was first to say, “Can I help you?”
On the 3rd weekend of the college football season, it was Ravi Fernando who was first to ask, “What does the University of Notre Dame mean to you?”
In the 4th chapter of his synthesis paper, it was Ravi Fernando who was first to state, “God, you are the reason I have hope.”
In the 5th month of this school year, on Kairos 71, it was Ravi Fernando who was first to share, “You guys are just awesome. I love being here with you!”
I am not the first and I am certain I will not be the last to say it, but when you are with Ravi Fernando, it’s all about you. That is a Man for Others.
Ravi, my hope is that you continue to wield the power of your smile, to be strengthened by faith, and to show this world a depth of concern and care that it seldom sees. Congratulations.
This award is given to a member of the graduating class who has overcome inordinate odd and/or difficulties and still pursued academic excellence while being involved in school activities and building the Brophy community. The senior being honored with the Principal’s Award is
Mr. Chris White will present the award:
On this great day of honoring outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement, it gives me great pleasure to honor someone so deserved, for perseverance. A few years ago, I was writing a scholarship recommendation letter for Max and. I asked him if he ever had overcome any adversity in his life…, if he had any special challenges or obstacles to overcome. He candidly…, calmly…, kept saying no. After continuous, unrelenting prodding, he, finally, matter-of-factly, stated that he had had a liver transplant and almost died…. This was only the beginning…. Max further revealed that his father had left the family, suddenly, shortly after the transplant (his father dropped him off at a golf course and never picked him up…). Recently, he has suffered seizures, spinal fractures, shingles, and, last year, had his entire large intestine removed as a result of severe ulcerative colitis. His list of medications reads like a pharmacy inventory. Last year, I feared that we might lose this wonderful person …. I am certain that Max would not want me to tell you any of this… With the exception of a few people, and his Kairos comrades, he has told no one. He wants no pity…, no special treatment… he merely wants to be like everyone else. Max has proven himself as an exceptional honor student and as a true servant of others, despite his obstacles, and, always, with a positive, willing, attitude. My challenge to you, Max, for the future, is to find balance in your life and take care of your health, so that you may continue your zeal for learning and service of others, and, somehow, someday, find it in your heart to forgive your father …Every so often a student comes along who teaches me more about life, than I could ever teach a student… about anything. I feel very humbled, and privileged, today to present the Principal’s Award to
The President’s Award is given to that senior who has excelled in extraordinary service and generosity to the school and community. Mr. Stephan Johnson will pay tribute to this year’s honoree,
You will never find T.J. attempting to steal the spotlight from others. Perhaps it is because he is already enlightened. With personal dignity and confidence, T.J. journeys through his life with eyes, mind and heart wide open. He knows the truth when he hears it. He will confront dishonesty and injustice when he sees it. With the most gentle and unassuming personality, T.J. cares deeply for his friends and for his word. You get the sense that he excels in his classes knowing that he will be called to use his gifts in a powerful way. He has taken opportunities to immerse himself into the lives of those who suffer from poverty and the inhumanity of others. T.J. cares about the state of his world and knows what he can do to fix it. If you observe him, you will see that he excels in everything, yet never seeks affirmation. With all of his humility, it will be important for you, T.J., not to be too quiet, but to use your talents and influence to truly change the hearts and minds of those who are just as clever as you, yet whose hearts are not in the right place. You must take what you know and speak loudly to a world that does not want to hear what you have to say. If you accept this challenge, we will just wake up one day and see that you, T.J. Hutter, have moved the world all the closer to being what God has created it to be. Congratulations.
This award is given to the graduating senior who best represents the Graduate at Graduation. The quintessential Brophy Man for the class of 2005 as determined by the awards committee is
Ms. Cheryl Lenox will present the award:
We have heard about many of Jason’s talents and his academic accomplishments today. But it is Jason’s loving and kind nature that also brings him the JSEA award. While in Washington D.C. at the national Science Bowl Competition I saw Jason reassure his teammates with an encouraging pat on the shoulder if they felt bad about a wrong answer. He kept a positive attitude and was able to smile even when the pressure was intense. His quiet inner peace was contagious to those around him; and it comes from the depth of his openness to growth, his intellect, his sense of justice, and the way he lets love and religion into his heart.
Jason, it is not only a great honor to be recognized as the student who personifies the Grad at Grad, it is a responsibility. As you prepare to begin life at Vanderbilt University, I would ask you to carry the spirit of the JSEA award with you. There may be times when you long for your Brophy family. There may be times when life does not seem simple anymore. I ask that you take us with you by continuing to live the values of the Grad at Grad no matter how much the world changes around you. We will be with you in spirit. Congratulations Jason, on winning the JSEA award. May you go in peace. We will be with you.
This award is named after the foundress of the school. The winner must epitomize those qualities we associate with the magis which we as a school seek to promote. This includes but goes far beyond the academic. True Christian witness, leadership, community service, activities - all contribute to determining the recipient. The tribute to this year’s honoree will be paid by Mr. Jeff Glosser, and this year the Brophy Trophy goes to
Two visions of Sean that stand out most for me are watching him lead the student body in the roller coaster and lying in prayer on the grass in the center mall during the Examen.
Watching Sean enter the gym with Coach Granger during lunch was like seeing the face of a child coming down the stairs on Christmas morning: Excitement in the air, a smile across his face, but yet still a little nervous that his dreams and prayers might not come true. Sean’s dream was that the Brophy student body would unite in a fun-filled atmosphere that would cause everyone to remember school spirit as one of the highlights of their high school years. Coach Granger and Sean were hoping 25-50 students would attend the lunchtime workshop to learn a few cheers. When they entered the gym, over 100 students waited for them. As Coach Granger and Sean demonstrated each cheer, one could see not only the trust the students have in Sean, but also their fondness for his positive energy. Sean took these initial cheer camp sessions to a new level this past fall when he introduced the Roller Coaster. Standing in front of hundreds of peers from Brophy and Xavier, dressed in red, Sean controlled their attention and excitement up, down and around the coaster tracks.
When the Examen was introduced this past fall it was with trepidation and many questions. Sean juggles multiple responsibilities throughout the day so to take a few minutes a day to stop and pray is much tougher than it seems. No matter if he is coming from a football meeting, an intramural game, a student council activity or just eating lunch with friends, Sean can be found picking up trash throughout the mall as the bell rings to start 6th period. Then a voice will filters over the loud speaker to start the Examen. Sean will lie down in the center grass and allow himself the opportunity to talk and listen to God’s words: How is God at work in my life? How have I responded to God’s presence in my life? How am I being called to respond now? At the conclusion of his prayer, Sean will get up, throw a few more pieces of trash into the nearest bin, and then enter Regis 105 to lead the student council as our Student Body President.
The daily ritual of observing Sean seeing no task as being too small , allowing himself to pray daily, and then leading his peers to greatness sums up for me why Sean epitomizes the magis.
Sean, may you bring your special talents to the diverse Los Angeles area and continue to spread happiness, love and hope to all that you encounter. May you and your classmates continue to ride the Roller Coaster with the positive energy and passion you have blessed us with here at Brophy. Congratulations, Sean.
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