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St. Xavier High School was formally separated from Xavier University in [[1919]] with full financial separation coming in [[1934]]. The school began its move from the original location in downtown Cincinnati in April [[1955]] when the president, Fr. John J. Benson, S.J. purchased a 61-acre plot in Finneytown. Following planning and preparation, St. Xavier High School moved into its newly-built facilities, which cost more than $4 million to build, in September [[1960]], the same month that [[Moeller High School]] opened its doors. At the time, the new facilities were called the ''Finneytown Hilton''.
St. Xavier High School was formally separated from Xavier University in [[1919]] with full financial separation coming in [[1934]]. The school began its move from the original location in downtown Cincinnati in April [[1955]] when the president, Fr. John J. Benson, S.J. purchased a 61-acre plot in Finneytown. Following planning and preparation, St. Xavier High School moved into its newly-built facilities, which cost more than $4 million to build, in September [[1960]], the same month that [[Moeller High School]] opened its doors. At the time, the new facilities were called the ''Finneytown Hilton''.


Since that time the facilities have gone through many expansions, most recently during the 2003–04 school year. The recent additions include a new football stadium, theater, blackbox theater, art wing, music rooms, science wing, and track and baseball fields. In recent years attempts have been made to expand the school's motto, "Men for Others," to "Men for and with Others". The addition of these two words has met with criticism and ridicule from the student body, which sees it as a corruption of the original, more memorable version.
Since that time the facilities have gone through many expansions, most recently during the 2003–04 school year. The recent additions include a new football stadium, theater, blackbox theater, art wing, music rooms, science wing, and track and baseball fields. In recent years attempts have been made to expand the school's motto, "Men for Others," to "Men who like it anally with Others". The addition of these two words has met with criticism and ridicule from the student body, which sees it as a corruption of the original, more memorable version.


==Extracurricular activities==
==Extracurricular activities==

Revision as of 18:21, 17 September 2006

Saint Xavier High School
New logo, circa 2004
President Fr. Walter Deye, S.J.
Principal Dave B. Mueller
Mottos Vidit Mirabilia Magna, Men for and with Others, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, Magis
Founded October 17, 1831
School type Private, all-male, college preparatory
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic, Jesuit (Chicago Province)
Enrollment 1,500 students (as of 2006) [1]
Tuition $8,995.00 (2005–06) [2]
Campus size Over 100 acres [3]
Campus surroundings Suburban
Location Finneytown, Ohio, United States
Mascot Bomber
School colors Blue and white
Student newspaper The Blueprint
Annual publications X-Ray, Expressions, St. Xavier Course Catalog

Saint Xavier High School (often abbreviated St. X) is a private, all-male, college-preparatory high school in Finneytown, a community in Hamilton County, Ohio in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1831, St. Xavier is one of the oldest high schools in the nation, preceding many universities in foundation. The school, an independent, non-diocesan institution, is operated by the Society of Jesus and is one of six all-male Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati; as of 2006, it has 1,500 enrolled students, making it the largest Catholic high school in Cincinnati and the surrounding region.[1]

History

St. Xavier, once a part of Xavier University, is the successor to the old Athenaeum on Sycamore Street, "a literary institute" dedicated on October 17, 1831, under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier. It was founded by the first bishop of Cincinnati, Rev. Edward D. Fenwick, O.P.

St. Xavier High School was formally separated from Xavier University in 1919 with full financial separation coming in 1934. The school began its move from the original location in downtown Cincinnati in April 1955 when the president, Fr. John J. Benson, S.J. purchased a 61-acre plot in Finneytown. Following planning and preparation, St. Xavier High School moved into its newly-built facilities, which cost more than $4 million to build, in September 1960, the same month that Moeller High School opened its doors. At the time, the new facilities were called the Finneytown Hilton.

Since that time the facilities have gone through many expansions, most recently during the 2003–04 school year. The recent additions include a new football stadium, theater, blackbox theater, art wing, music rooms, science wing, and track and baseball fields. In recent years attempts have been made to expand the school's motto, "Men for Others," to "Men who like it anally with Others". The addition of these two words has met with criticism and ridicule from the student body, which sees it as a corruption of the original, more memorable version.

Extracurricular activities

Athletics

The school has developed and maintains a large and very successful athletic program. The Finneytown campus features athletic facilities comparable to most colleges, highlighted by a new football stadium and a modernized natatorium housing an Olympic-size swimming pool. Teams representing St. Xavier are nicknamed the "Bombers" and are part of the GCL. The school is one of four all-male institutions that participates in the GCL's South Division, competing with nearby Elder, La Salle, and Moeller high schools. The Bombers won the state basketball championship in 2000 and finished as runners-up in the 2005 state basketball tournament.

St. Xavier has established a prestigious swimming and diving program that has garnered considerable national respect. This team, known as the "Aquabombers" (a play on the "Bombers" moniker), has won district, sectional and city-wide titles in every year since 1970, capturing 28 Ohio state championships during this span. The team has earned the distinction of national high school swimming champions in 1973, 1992 and 2001. The team is currently headed by Coach James Brower. The Aquabombers have produced Swimming World Magazine high school swimmers of the year with Joe Hudepohl in 1992 and Jayme Cramer in 2001. Hudepohl was also a member of the United States Olympic Swim Team in 1992 and 1996 and still holds several school, state and national records in swimming.

St. Xavier has won a state championship in every sport in which it fields a team, except for bowling, wrestling, ice hockey, and track. On December 3, 2005, under Coach Steve Specht, the Bombers defeated Massillon Washington High School to earn the 2005 state football title, the first in team history, after having finished as state runners-up in 1992, 1998 and 2001. The Bombers ended their season with a perfect record: undefeated in the regular season and the playoffs. For this occasion, the City of Cincinnati declared December 14, 2005 "St. Xavier High School Day".[2] The Cross Country team has also had much success, having qualified to the Ohio state championships every year from 1987 to 2004, a streak that ended with the 2005 season.

State titles

The Bombers have won 37 state titles overall, the most in the state of Ohio. St. Xavier shares this record with Upper Arlington High School, who tied St. Xavier after their 2006 Girls Swimming championship. [4]

Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I State Championships:

The Arts

Under Michele Mascari, the school's drama group, Theatre Xavier (TX), has won the Cappies of Greater Cincinnati for many of its productions. Productions from recent years include Godspell, Red Noses, The Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Laramie Project, and Les Miserables Student Edition.

The marching band is run by Anthony Palm. It has not enjoyed much success in competitions in recent year, but it has received a superior rating in state competition several times and often receives standing ovations. The St. Xavier drumline is especially enjoyed at football games. They are often seen and heard entering the stadium with their cadence, "Stroker Style". Palm also leads the Stage band and jazz ensemble. St. Xavier has other music groups including a men's chorus, Xmen and Something Blue. Xmen recently received first place in a national competition and has earned recognition on other occasions. Both choruses are under the direction of Karl Thomsen.


The string ensemble, under the direction of Ellen Stephens, has won several awards for performance in past years.

Other clubs

  • An active student-run newspaper, the Blueprint, is published and distributed to students and teachers monthly.
  • The St. Xavier Quiz Team has also enjoyed success under John F. Hussong, who has taught English at St. Xavier since 1964, and Ron Weisbrod, a history teacher at the school. The team managed its first state championship in 1997, as well as two runner-up finishes in the early 1990s.
  • Under the direction of Lindy Michael, the Math Club has grown to 120 regularly-participating students, making it "the second-most populated extracurricular after football."[3]
  • The St. Xavier Chess Team, led by Dr. Brad Homoelle, won the Greater Cincinnati Scholastic Chess League (GCSCL) championship during the 2005–2006 season.

Alma mater

The similarities between the alma maters of St. Xavier and St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland are often noted:

Our famed alma mater graces
Every shrine within our hearts
With her unforgotten faces
And the faith that she imparts.
Years in passing cannot sever
Ties of old days from the new.
We are Xavier men forever
As we hail the white and blue.

Fight song

We're on our way to victory
And when those Bombers get that ball
They'll rush right through the other team
And hit 'em hard until they fall.
(Fight! Fight! Fight!)
We're on our way to win the game
And then we'll let our banners fly
For we are the unexcelled
Bombers of Xavier High!

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ Amos, Denise Smith and Cindy Kranz (March 31, 2006). "Private school tuition climbing". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved 2006-04-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "December 14th Declared St. Xavier High School Day" (Press release). St. Xavier High School. 2005-12-15. Retrieved 2006-05-31. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "St. X Bids Farewell to Trio of 'Superstars'" (Press release). St. Xavier High School. 2006-05-30. Retrieved 2006-05-30. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

Sports teams

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