Some late-breaking news from the Class of 2011 - Patrick Klein '11 (who,  won a great gift basket at this week's Senior Breakfast), was elected New York State Chief Squire for the Knights of Columbus Youth Program. Patrick will oversee the 800 members of New York's K. of. C. Youth Program, and, this week, he told E-News a little more about his involvement with the Knights and his upcoming responsibilities.

E-News: How long have you been involved with the Knights of Columbus?

Patrick Klein '11: I've been involved with them for the past five years, since I was in the 7th grade. There are six officer positions, and last year I served as NYS Notary Squire. In May, the annual convention was at Lake George and I ran against the current Chief Squire and won. My term as Chief Squire runs from this July through next June.

E-News: Do you feel prepared to lead the state's youth program?

Patrick Klein '11: I believe so - during my campaign for Chief Squire, I spoke a lot about Xavier and my experiences with the Companions of St. Francis Xavier service program, as well as the JROTC. I hope that the morals and the leadership abilities bestowed on me by Xavier and the Knights of Columbus will enable me to do as good a job as possible as the Chief Squire of the state. I was happy to be elected, I know that this is a lot of responsibility, but it’s exciting. I was handed the gavel at he meeting and thought to myself that New York really is a big state, with 800 members. I think it’s a big step, and I’m excited about the opportunity.


E-News: What will your duties be as Chief Squire?

Patrick Klein '11: I'll have the chance to run the entire program and oversee the events that go on, including the Mass that celebrates the founder of the program, the installation ceremony each year and inauguration in the fall. I'll also oversee the state meeting at next year's 55th annual convention.

Patrick Klein will attend St. John's University in the fall, and he plans to study economics.