When the final bell rings, the school day is over, but for some students, their day is only halfway done. Whether they’re on a stage, field, volunteering or doing anything in between, Xavier students are finding ways to chase passions and interests outside the classroom.
For those students, extracurricular activities are more than just items to add to a resume. They become pursuits that allow students to explore what interests them, build capabilities, make lasting friendships, learn new skills and serve others.
For Anaya Osuna ‘28, her pursuit is community service. She regularly donates socks to those in need, works as a treasury assistant and teacher at her Sunday school and has recently completed a certified nursing assistant training course. Her interest in helping others kicked off when she noticed the people who needed help in her community, and she decided she wanted to get involved.
“A little goes a long way when supporting communities,” Osuna said.
Whether it’s through donations or assisting patients during her CNA clinical hours, Osuna said that even small acts of service do lots to help strengthen a community. Making a difference, no matter how big or small, is what actually counts. She encourages other students to also get involved and make changes by looking around in their communities and taking note of what can be improved.
While Osuna found her passion through service, Ellora Hood ‘28 found hers in expression and creativity. Hood participates in modeling through an agency, while also playing piano.
Hood was first introduced to the modeling world by a friend, and since she started she has made many new friends and gained confidence.
“The biggest thing I’ve taken away from modeling is honestly the friendships,” Hood said.
She enjoys, in particular, the creative sides of modeling, which includes photo shoots and fashion. She also hopes to continue playing the piano and to find different ways to mix her musical interests with other creative projects and activities.
For Saniya Dwivedi ‘27, her extracurricular activities are combinations of leadership, culture and sciences. She founded and leads the Paradise Valley Youth Advisory Council; studies Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance; and conducts microbiology research with a professor affiliated with MIT and ASU.
Through each of her activities, she has learned something different from all of them. She learned how to talk to adults and shift ideas into action through the Youth Advisory Council. The YAC gives the young people of the Valley a platform to share their ideas and advise organizations or local governments on issues that affect the youth. Dancing allowed her to develop discipline and exercise patience, while her research has deepened her curiosity and attention to detail.
“I think that variety is what makes these activities so meaningful to me. They each bring out a different side of who I am,” Dwivedi said.
Other students, such as Evelyn Montes ‘28, found her interests through family. She began dancing baile folklórico at just four years old, due to her mother helping her discover something new and related to their culture.
“I learned life skills like working under pressure, expressing myself through dance and focusing on the little details to make the whole thing more focused,” said Montes.
Gege Flamino ‘28 spends her time outside of school horseback riding. From this activity, she has cultivated both a passion and leadership skills. She has competed as an equestrian for eight years, and currently serves as a treasurer for the youth board of the Arabian Horse Association. She also volunteers regularly with the Swift Youth Foundation and serves on its Teen Leadership Board. Her sport and leadership positions offer her opportunities to connect with both people and animals.
Through her activities, Flamino has learned that success does not come easily, but improvement will come with practice and endurance. “Success and growth take patience,” Flamino said. “Patience in learning how to work with others and being a competitive equestrian has helped me grow as an athlete and as a person more than any other activity.”
Life outside of school is as important as what happens inside it, and each experience and interest pushes Xavier students to discover the things they love and care about. Extracurricular activities allow students to see what challenges them, to meet new people, to make new connections and to make differences in the world around them.
