For Xavier students, high expectations are part of everyday life, from balancing demanding classes and extracurriculars to preparing for college and life beyond the campus. While Xavier has long emphasized discipline, independence and academic achievement, a new program hopes to ensure students feel supported along the way. BRIDGE, a new wellness-initiative aims to connect Xavier’s expectations with a greater focus on student well-being, balance and community.
The BRIDGE wellness program: Building Resilience, Independence, Dignity, Grit and Empathy, was introduced this school year as a way to support students’ minds, bodies and spirits. Through student-led activities, educational speakers and community events, the program seeks to strengthen the relationship between Xavier students, administrators and parents.
BRIDGE does not seek to lower Xavier’s expectations. Instead, it hopes to ensure students have the support and skills they need to succeed. By building on Xavier’s values of strength and independence while placing a greater focus on wellness, BRIDGE hopes to create an environment where students can succeed without sacrificing their well-being.
According to BRIDGE Director Sara Kiefer ‘01, the program’s name represents its goal of “bridging the gap” between different parts of the Xavier community.
“It’s bridging gaps between outside and inside Xavier, and then also administration and students,” Kiefer said.
The initiative originally began under the broader idea of student wellness before administrators developed the BRIDGE name and acronym. Erin Alaimo ‘84, who helped establish the program, explained that its name reflects the connections Xavier hopes to create through the initiative.
BRIDGE is not intended to operate as a therapy program. Instead, it will take a holistic approach to wellness by addressing students’ physical, mental and spiritual needs. Possible topics include nutrition, body image, social media, stress management and healthy communication between teenagers and their parents.
“The goal is to build a holistic approach to mind, body and spirit,” Kiefer said. “It’s not a therapy program, per se, but more like promoting wellness inside and outside.”
While Xavier will maintain the discipline and expectations that have shaped its identity, BRIDGE could introduce a more nurturing element to students’ experiences.
“I hope it brings a little more fun back into school in a productive way,” Kiefer said. “I hope it brings stress relief around finals time and some educational advice that can be productive for the girls to learn.”
The program will be guided in part by a student leadership team composed of representatives from different grade levels. The current team includes one Executive Board member, one senior STUCO member, two STUCO juniors and two STUCO sophomores. Two freshmen will be added after freshman student council elections in October.
The inclusion of multiple grade levels allows BRIDGE to represent students at different stages of their Xavier experience rather than relying only on seniors. At the team’s first meeting, members proposed possible events, speaker topics and initiatives they would like to introduce throughout the school year.
Student leaders are expected to meet once or twice each month, help coordinate events and promote BRIDGE around campus. The program may also establish a presence on social media to make its resources and activities more appealing to students.
According to student council BRIDGE member Audrey Craiger ‘29, during the meeting “we started by introducing ourselves, and then we were supposed to come prepared with three speakers and three ideas about events.”
BRIDGE may also work with GatorLink to develop a big-sister program. Although the details are still being discussed, the partnership could give younger students additional guidance and help foster those connections at Xavier.
Students will not be the program’s only audience. BRIDGE also plans to provide resources for parents, recognizing that students need support both at school and at home.
Possible events include speakers at Mothers’ Guild and Dads’ Club meetings who can address topics relevant to teenage girls. Experts such as therapists may discuss body image, social media pressure or strategies parents can use to communicate with their daughters in ways that would be constructive and relevant.
“The need to bring nurture in is really critical,” Kiefer said, emphasizing BRIDGE’s goal of providing support for both students and parents.
BRIDGE currently plans to hold approximately one major student event each semester. Some events may use an assembly or speaker format, while others may provide students with opportunities to relax and connect, particularly around stressful periods such as final exams.
The program is also considering smaller initiatives that could become part of everyday campus life. One possibility is “No Phone Mondays,” which would encourage students to temporarily put away their devices and become more present with the people around them.
“We’re all so glued to technology,” Kiefer said. “We can give it up for a little bit.”
Because BRIDGE is still developing, administrators and student leaders are working to narrow a large collection of ideas into initiatives that can be realistically and effectively implemented. Its first year will help determine which programs resonate most with students and should become Xavier traditions.
“I think that BRIDGE will really decrease students’ stress levels and they’ll know how to manage school sports and other clubs. We really want to show them how to have a growth mindset instead of a fixed one. BRIDGE can provide students with a safe place and give them a sense of comfort knowing they will never have to go through anything alone,” said Kaylen Mosley ‘27, a student council BRIDGE member.
In three years, Kiefer hopes BRIDGE will have created stronger connections among students, parents and administrators while helping students feel more invested in their school community.
“I hope it helps both students and parents connect better with Xavier,” Kiefer said. “I hope the students will buy in a little more.”
As BRIDGE begins its first year, its future will depend on the participation of the students it was created to serve. What begins as a new wellness program could eventually become a lasting link between Xavier’s established traditions and the changing needs of its students.
