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Xavier Jesuit Academy's Companion Scholars Program was featured on Local 12 News on January 20, highlighting the mentorship partnership between St. Xavier High School students and XJA fifth and sixth graders.
Reporter Chelsea Sick visited both campuses to capture how this program impacts young men from both schools, showcasing St. X students working on lessons, playing basketball, and building meaningful relationships with their younger companions.
Building Bridges Through Mentorship
As part of their morality class, St. X students dedicate an hour each week to their XJA companions. The first half hour focuses on collaborative lessons, allowing both students to learn from each other. The second half takes them outside for activities and conversation.
"I think it's pretty fun playing or doing fun things with older people who already know what to do in high school and how to get to Saint X," shared fifth grader Key'Shawn DeVaughn.
St. X student Porter Little reflected on the mutual learning. "I hope you saw all of the kids learn from us, but I mean, we had to learn from them."
Opening Doors to Possibility
The 11 XJA students participating were selected based on their strong character, academic promise, and leadership potential. The program is already expanding horizons, with students sharing aspirations to attend St. X or other college prep high schools like Moeller.
"This is an opportunity for our young people to feel valued, to feel understood, and to feel like they have access to a quality education, no matter who they are," one educator noted.
For the St. X students, the program reinforces becoming men for others. "We're trying to lead, be the leaders because we're like the next generation," shared one participant. "So the goal is to be the best we can and to inspire the people."
A Partnership Rooted in Jesuit Values
The Companion Scholars Program exemplifies the Jesuit commitment to cura personalis and forming men for others. By partnering XJA with St. Xavier High School and five other schools, the program creates a continuum of support preparing young men for college prep high school, university, and beyond.
