This year's Freshman Fun Day was a great success with over 250 students from the Class of 2018, 50 Big Brothers, freshman homeroom advisers, guidance counselors and other faculty in attendance. It was a day of both fun and learning, as the students shuffled between dodgeball games, relay races, tours of important places in the building and a Question & Answer panel with the Big Brothers. After lunch, the Class of 2018 learned Sons of Xavier from Mr. Joseph Sweeney '85 of the History Department and Mr. Renzo Ventrella '92 of the Fine Arts Department.

Ms. Johanna Tanzman, director of student activities, commented: “For me, the best part of Freshman Fun Day is how the energy in the building changes from the gym at 9 am, when the new students are being greeted, to when we all eat lunch together at noon. Though it's only three hours, by the time we're all together again eating lunch, friendships have been formed, nervousness has shifted to excitement and the seeds of a new crop of Xavier students who love their community have been planted. It's a terrific event to kick-start our year.“

In speaking about being a Big Brother, Jack DeFuria '15 noted, “My Big Brothers really helped me during my freshman year, so I was really excited to pay that forward this year with the Class of 2018." It was a feeling echoed by Martin Steffens '16 who said, “I chose to be a Big Brother this year because I really appreciated the impact of my Big Brother and I want to pass down that tradition.”

Justin Pastilha '16 who is being joined at Xavier this year by his brother Joseph ’18 said, “Being a Big Brother makes me feel like I am a big part of Xavier. I feel like I am a part of something way bigger than myself and the feeling is incredible. I love helping the freshman because I was in their place two years ago and I want to help them get through it."

Over the course of the year the Big brothers will continue to welcome and support the freshmen in their transition to life at Xavier helping them to grow strong as Sons of Xavier.