CLASS OF 2021
CLASS OF 2017
New York, has been inter-
esting. Being a part of the
advantages and disadvantages.
However, growing up here means I
was lucky enough to be able to at-
tend the school that has done so
much for me, Xavier High School.
ulty and staff. Two people come
to mind specifically: My biol-
ogy/anatomy teacher, Mr. Steve
Iannuccilli, and my journal-
ism/A.P. U.S. Government teacher
and headmaster, Mr. Michael
LiVigni. Those two well-rounded
individuals gave me a platform to
share my talents with a large au-
dience. In my journalism class,
Mr. LiVigni inspired and pushed
me to be the best possible writer
I can be. After a rocky start, I be-
lieve I did that. Mr. Iannuccilli
started a podcast with me that is
at Xavier, but around the city.
ment, a well-known Junior Re-
serve Officers' Training Corps. It is
here I learned what it means to
not only lead by example, but to
do my best to serve others. In my
time in high school, I have com-
pleted more than 100 hours of
community service, following the
motto of my school, "Men for
others."
recommended St. Bonaventure
University. My parents and I did
some research, visited campus
and by July of 2016 I knew that I
was destined to be a Bonnie.
influential journalists in the coun-
try and around the world. This in-
cludes five Pulitzer Prize winners,
it is my goal to one day win that
award.
learned in high school. Xavier set
a foundation for me that allows
me to use my talents and abilities
to serve others and create new
opportunities for myself and
those around me.
journalism. My experience in cre-
ating two podcasts is an advan-
tage for not only me, but for my
fellow classmates.
challenges that lie ahead. I am
very grateful for my parents for
giving me this opportunity to at-
tend such a prestigious university,
and to all those at Xavier who
have inspired me to do what I
love.
all my life. And when I applied
as a senior in high school, my
would be a legacy student. My
parents, Patricia Flynn, `83, and
John Curran, `84, my uncle, and
my cousin all had glowing things
to say about this place, and I
thought I might like it, too.
surrounded by pretty incredible
people: student leaders, resident
assistants, professors, advisers, and
students who had profound ef-
fects on my experience. I saw
what they had accomplished --
the jobs, internships, or positions
they juggled on a daily basis --
and I marveled at how they still
made time to answer my silly
questions. The transition to college
life is never easy, and I looked to
these people for guidance.
and adjusting to college academ-
ics, I got involved with everything I
could. I started with the activities I
Music Department, played on an
intramural basketball team, and
spent lots of time with my friends.
the positions I wanted, or that I
wasn't involved enough in com-
munity service. I wanted the full
experience, but I also had to bal-
ance the responsibilities. Eventu-
ally, I branched out more, applying
for positions across campus and
building my résumé. Following in
my mentors' footsteps, I found
new loves as a student ambassa-
dor, Orientation Team leader, and
co-founder/co-captain of the
women's club basketball team.
Each new title felt like another lit-
tle win, and holding leadership po-
sitions gave me opportunities to
pay forward the kindness I was
shown.
"Bloom where you are planted." I
took this to mean that it's not
about being involved in every-
thing. It's about using your talents,
taking the time to be a positive in-
fluence.
thinking about my college years,
and I realize that my most influen-
tial experiences stemmed from
someone showing me the kind-
ness, compassion, and humanity
that Bona's is famous for. I've
come to realize that your legacy
isn't defined by your family history,
or the titles you hold -- it is meas-
ured by how you choose to spend
your time and your talents.
lending a helping hand, a shoulder
to cry on, or a listening ear. When
I think about what kind of legacy I
hope to have left at Bonaventure,
I'm reminded of all the people
who laughed with me, cried with
me, and were there when I
needed them. My Bonaventure
family taught me how to share the
love I have been shown, and I'm
incredibly grateful to be a product
of this community.
bachelor's degrees
in psychology and
music in May. She
is returning to SBU
this fall to work on
her MSED in clini-
cal mental health
counseling.
major who does two
podcasts: X-Squadron
(he and his friends dis-
cuss movies, comics, TV
shows and video
games) and Blueshirt
Talk (New York Rangers
and hockey in general).