There are many things that being a Saint brings. One of the best is getting to be at Xavier High School as a student. I love being surrounded by people that are alike and different from me in many ways. Being a Saint means representing Xavier as well as you can, and helping out in the Xavier community and even the Cedar Rapids community. Being a Saint also unveils the many stereotypes and high standards that are placed on students and staff.
Standing up to Stereotypes
The stereotypes that Xavier students get put under are numerous, but nothing we can not stand up to. The biggest stereotype that I hear all the time is we are all rich, spoiled, brats. I beg to differ. Some of the people that I have met at Xavier are the most inspiring and faithful people. Much to any non Saint's surprise, many students at Xavier get help from Xavier to pay tuition and many parents make sacrifices in order to send their students to Xavier. Another stereotype I see is the idea that all members of Xavier are faithful Catholics that pray all day everyday. False, we do take time to pray at Xavier, but that is not how we spend our whole day, and we are definitely not perfect Catholics. Finally, why the hate for uniforms? Simply, Xavier gets made fun of for wearing uniforms. Many surrounding schools come dressed in their preppy outfits and uniforms when playing Xavier for any sport. There are dress days at other schools where it is uniform day, and they wear Xavier uniform apparel then take pictures with their hands folded (rude). If they think this hurts us by ridiculing us for wearing uniforms and being Catholic it does not. I secretly thank them for their support of Xavier High School.
Held to a Higher Standard
I do think as Xavier Saints we are held to a higher standard. We are told many times by Mr. Keating and many other teachers and staff that we represent Xavier at all school activities and sporting events. We also are told to represent Xavier outside of school events. Just by wearing a Xavier shirt in public, I feel like I need to represent Xavier well. I think this is expected of anyone. Many people in the Cedar Rapids community and surrounding areas know the history of Xavier High School. I think we should be held to a higher standard, even though we are just like any other school. This is beneficial to Xavier though. The better students act outside of school and on any sport field, the better the name of Xavier. I do have mixed opinions about how a situation is treated when a Xavier team or group doesn't do the right thing. Maybe a player says something wrong on the field and they get called out for it. A big deal is made out of this because we are Xavier and we are supposed to be perfect people right?. I understand why this happens because of the higher standards that are placed on Xavier, but it can happen at any high school and nobody is perfect.
Being a Xavier Saint is a blessing, no matter what any outsider thinks. No matter the stereotypes or high standards that are held. I love Xavier and I am a proud Saint. I wouldn't want to go to any other high school!
Standing up to Stereotypes
The stereotypes that Xavier students get put under are numerous, but nothing we can not stand up to. The biggest stereotype that I hear all the time is we are all rich, spoiled, brats. I beg to differ. Some of the people that I have met at Xavier are the most inspiring and faithful people. Much to any non Saint's surprise, many students at Xavier get help from Xavier to pay tuition and many parents make sacrifices in order to send their students to Xavier. Another stereotype I see is the idea that all members of Xavier are faithful Catholics that pray all day everyday. False, we do take time to pray at Xavier, but that is not how we spend our whole day, and we are definitely not perfect Catholics. Finally, why the hate for uniforms? Simply, Xavier gets made fun of for wearing uniforms. Many surrounding schools come dressed in their preppy outfits and uniforms when playing Xavier for any sport. There are dress days at other schools where it is uniform day, and they wear Xavier uniform apparel then take pictures with their hands folded (rude). If they think this hurts us by ridiculing us for wearing uniforms and being Catholic it does not. I secretly thank them for their support of Xavier High School.
Held to a Higher Standard
I do think as Xavier Saints we are held to a higher standard. We are told many times by Mr. Keating and many other teachers and staff that we represent Xavier at all school activities and sporting events. We also are told to represent Xavier outside of school events. Just by wearing a Xavier shirt in public, I feel like I need to represent Xavier well. I think this is expected of anyone. Many people in the Cedar Rapids community and surrounding areas know the history of Xavier High School. I think we should be held to a higher standard, even though we are just like any other school. This is beneficial to Xavier though. The better students act outside of school and on any sport field, the better the name of Xavier. I do have mixed opinions about how a situation is treated when a Xavier team or group doesn't do the right thing. Maybe a player says something wrong on the field and they get called out for it. A big deal is made out of this because we are Xavier and we are supposed to be perfect people right?. I understand why this happens because of the higher standards that are placed on Xavier, but it can happen at any high school and nobody is perfect.
Being a Xavier Saint is a blessing, no matter what any outsider thinks. No matter the stereotypes or high standards that are held. I love Xavier and I am a proud Saint. I wouldn't want to go to any other high school!