Last February, Xaverian hosted I Have the Right To for two days of presentations and workshops focused on leadership, respect, healthy relationships, and masculinity. The non-profit organization works with schools and communities to empower young people to respect boundaries by fostering accountability and empathy.

Rooted in Xaverian’s mission to educate young men, the partnership provides students with guidance on living with integrity and becoming leaders who positively influence those around them. On the first day of the program, grades 8 and 10 students participated in a keynote presentation and interactive workshops led by former NFL player, James Smith-Williams. Smith-Williams’ keynote, More Than a Game: The Everyday Path to Being a Good Man, encouraged students to view leadership not as something strictly for athletes or public figures, but as a daily commitment to accountability and service to others.

During the second day, Xaverian hosted students from Ursuline Academy for the organization’s first coeducational Catholic school summit. Grade 11 students from both schools got the chance to hear from nationally recognized speaker Chessy Prout, who shared her story and emphasized the importance of respecting boundaries and creating communities where everyone feels safe and valued. The day concluded with group workshops, a student panel, and small group discussions.

Mr. Joshua Tranfaglia, Xaverian’s Assistant Principal for Student Life, played a major role in organizing the program. “Our goal is to help students understand that healthy relationships begin with respect and humility,” he said. “In an all male environment, it’s important to recognize that our students don’t experience every perspective firsthand, so bringing in a speaker like Chessy Prout creates opportunities for students to listen, learn, ask questions, and practice the skills they’ll use everyday, whether that’s in these hallways or far beyond the Xaverian campus.”

“At Xaverian, our mission is to form young men of faith, character, and service,” said Principal Dr. Michael Nicholson, P ’29. “Partnering with ‘I Have a Right To’ helps our students recognize the inherent dignity of every person while challenging them to become compassionate leaders who use their voices to build a more just and caring community.”

The impact and importance of the partnership is already extending beyond the event itself. Inspired by their experiences, two Xaverian students, Ryan Naccour ’30 and Daniel Poggi ’28, expressed interest in becoming more involved with the organization and are now participating as interns with I Have the Right To. These students’ continued engagement reflects the program’s lasting influence and highlights Xaverian’s commitment to developing young men who lead with empathy, integrity, and respect.

“This internship has encouraged me to continue striving to push myself to be better every day, not just by improving myself, but by encouraging others to do so as well,” said Daniel. “I’m excited to support the organization’s important mission as well as honor my desire to help shape future generations of men of strong character.”

Photo Credit: AR Media