Since its founding in 1847, Xavier High School has educated the hearts, minds, and spirits of young men, drawing students from Manhattan, its outer boroughs, and the surrounding areas. A Jesuit school, Xavier’s mission is steeped in the values of spirituality and social justice, making the high school experience there much more than simply academic. New York City itself affords Xavier students unique enrichment opportunities. Gregory Stelzer, class of 2011 and the current Alumni Volunteer in Campus Ministry, shared his perspective of what it feels like going to high school in the middle of downtown Manhattan. He spoke of masses, the gorgeous St. Francis Xavier Church, and field trips to the MoMa. For him, however, service was at the center of Xavier’s mission, which he sums up in three simple words: “spirituality, respect, and generosity. ” Perhaps the most concrete example of this is the senior service program, wherein senior students spend their Mondays, not in class, but volunteering with nonprofit organizations throughout Manhattan. Such a platform has made Xavier a resource and a light, not just for its students, but for the broader New York community.