On Saturday, May 14, Xaverian Brothers High School celebrated the Commencement of the Class of 2022. Diplomas were conferred to the 187 graduates by Head of School Jacob Conca ’94, Ph.D. and Principal Michael Nicholson, Ed.D. The Class of 2022 hails from 55 cities and towns and comprises the 56th graduating class since Xaverian opened its doors in Westwood in 1963. Collectively, these young men have enrolled at 94 different colleges and universities. They have committed to continue their academic careers at top institutions such as Harvard, New York University, Notre Dame, Brown, Boston College, Cornell, West Point, Syracuse, Holy Cross, Providence College, Northeastern, Tulane, Baylor, and many more. 

Krish Shah, the Class of 2022 Valedictorian, will attend Brown University in the fall. Krish was an important member on Xaverian’s Speech and Debate Team, earning a State Champion title in Group Discussion this year. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award. He is a member of the National Honor Society and was a NHS Scholarship Semifinalist. He served as a Hawk-to-Hawk mentor to younger students at Xaverian, and worked as a math tutor at Mathnasium in Walpole. He also contributed to Xaverian’s literary magazine, The Concordian, co-founded a new student club called X-Ploring the World of Modern Science, and worked on the daily student bulletin.

Zachary Usher, the Class of 2022 Salutatorian, will attend Northeastern University in the fall. Zach took 11 AP classes during his time at Xaverian and is an AP Scholar with Distinction. He held multiple leadership positions within Xaverian’s Model UN, including Head of Underclassmen Recruitment, Junior Chair, and Senior Chair, and also served as Co-President of the Politix Club. Zach led the student bulletin news team as Editor-in-Chief, helping to compile daily news to share with the Xaverian community. In addition, he was an active member of Speech and Debate and the Student Council, serving as Student Council Secretary his senior year. Zach is a member of the National Honor Society and was the recipient of the Rensselaer Medal.

Every year at commencement, one senior is selected for the highest honor bestowed to a graduate – the Xaverian Award. The members of the graduating class, in concert with the faculty and staff, nominate a senior for this special honor and the recipient isn’t revealed until the graduation ceremony. The Xaverian Award recipient must have distinguished himself by living the mission and core values associated with Xaverian. This year’s recipient is described by Dr. Conca as someone who is “seen by many as a true giver, who believes deeply in service to others. It is not uncommon to find this young man volunteering his time in support of worthy causes and charities, leading a campus ministry retreat, or assisting our youngest students as they begin their Xaverian experience.”

The winner of the 2022 Xaverian Award is Tyler Stearns. Tyler is the son of Dana Stearns and Lisa Marie Stearns. His older brother, Sam, was the 2020 Xaverian Award winner. Among many extracurricular activities, Tyler is a four-year track athlete, a member of the Business Club, the Entrepreneurship Club, a singer with the chorus and a capella group, a performer in Xaverian’s theater program, a member of the Mock Trial team, and lastly, a member of both the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music National Honor Society. He will be attending Bates College in the fall. 

This year’s “Loyalty and Service Awards,” another high honor, were bestowed to the following graduates: 

Outside of the academic and character awards, members of the Class of 2022 have made their mark at Xaverian in many ways. Nicolas Gill, is a National Merit Finalist. Nick will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the fall. A National Honor Society member, Nick was very involved in Xaverian’s theater program and sang with the a capella group, the X-Men. 

Michael Karshis, is a talented pianist on an international scale. His accomplishments include taking first place at the 33rd International Young Artist Competition, Grand Prix winner of the Young Promise International Piano Competition, six-time first-place winner at Bay State Competition, third prize winner of the 2020 Chopin International Piano Competition, winner of the Outstanding Performance Ruth Fish Memorial Award from Keys Music Challenge 2021, first-place winner of the 2021 Steinway Competition, and being selected as 2021 Steinway Young Artist of the year. He is also an avid runner with the Xaverian track program. Michael is proud to be headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, following in his uncle’s footsteps. 

Student-athletes from the Class of 2022 at Xaverian have made some exceptional college commits. Jack Funke, will play football at Boston College. Michael Bobola, will wrestle at Harvard. Joey Lenane, will play golf at North Carolina State. Jake Gilbert, will play lacrosse at Fairfield University, joined by Henry Novicki, who will compete in the Stags’ rugby program. Of note, Jake Gilbert was named Xaverian’s 2022 Athlete of the Year as a two-sport athlete in both football (quarterback) and lacrosse (attack). Matt Brinker, will play baseball at Northeastern University. In addition, 17 other talented Hawks have committed to continue their athletic careers at various competitive D2 and D3 programs. 

Joseph “JB” Gilmore, son of Joseph Gilmore, Jr. ’88 and Alyssa Gilmore, is the first third generation graduate of Xaverian Brothers High School. His grandfather, Joseph Gilmore ’69, was a member of Xaverian’s third graduating class. JB will attend Louisiana State University. 

In his Commencement remarks, Dr. Conca, Head of School, noted that throughout their Xaverian experience, the Class of 2022 witnessed the power of community, the power of relationships, and the power of compassion. “No one is better positioned to bring these gifts to the broader world than you,” he said. “As you go forward, I challenge each of you to bring your Xaverian experience to a world in need. Make sure your future communities are healthy, and rooted in mutually respectful relationships, where compassion for everyone abounds.”