Xavier Honors Area Educators 

More than 160 attendees packed the Commons Wednesday to honor 29 area educators at Xavier’s sixth annual Ignatian Educator Awards. “I would like to personally thank you for the instruction, time, care, and commitment you have shown these young men. They are better students and better people because of you,” said English department chair Mary-Grace Gannon as she welcomed the crowd. “Our aim tonight is simple: to thank and to honor you.”

The Ignatian Educator Awards serve as the culmination of a freshman writing project that requires ninth graders to write a descriptive essay about an influential former teacher. Inspired by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman’s essay about his former journalism teacher, students wrote with eloquence and humor about the educators who changed their lives. The most powerful essays were read aloud and their subjects honored Wednesday.

Freshmen commended their former teachers for their care, compassion, and creativity. “He taught me how to be a better student and also a better person. Because he believed in my abilities, I began to believe in myself,” wrote Alexander Day ’18 of The Buckley School’s David Elgart. “He was patient, and it led to understanding. He was light-hearted, and it led to joy. … He is the reason that I am not afraid to ask for a teacher’s help and why I am open to new ideas,” recalled Angel Ancantara ’18 of William Beller, his teacher at Our Lady Queen of Angels School. “Ms. Girovasi enabled me to walk into 30 West 16th Street with my head held high, ready to embrace the new challenges I would face on my four-year journey of being a student-athlete and a man for others,” said Francis Corrado ’18 of Hoboken Catholic Academy’s Margaret Girovasi.

“As one teacher to another, I offer you my most heartfelt thanks. My colleagues and I here at Xavier will strive to build upon the foundation you helped create,” Headmaster Michael LiVigni told honorees at the ceremony. “The world needs more teachers like you, so please never stop doing what you’re doing.”

“The Ignatian Educator Awards provide us with an opportunity to say thank you to many dedicated educators for the countless hours, time, and effort they put into shaping the youth of New York City,” said Director of Admission Jonathan Cambras. “This is one of the best events we host all year.”