Sam Jurgenson ’26 Reflects on Faith, Leadership, and the Brotherhood of St. X

As my time at St. X is slowly, yet quickly, coming to an end, I find myself reflecting on my years here  and how they have shaped me into the man I once dreamed of becoming. Over the past three and  a half years, I have experienced many ups and downs. I have gone through tough moments like  knee surgeries and injuries, but I have also had some of the best times of my life playing lacrosse  and spending every day at school with my friends. Although these experiences may seem very  different, one thing ties them all together: faith.

Faith is an important part of the St. X curriculum and is shared by the majority of students. I was not  the most faithful person walking through those doors as a freshman. However, experiencing this so-  called “brotherhood” turned out to be the biggest blessing of my life.

Just a couple of years ago, I could barely speak in front of a classroom, let alone an auditorium  filled with my peers. Thanks to the incredible work of the faculty, I have been shaped into a  completely new person.

Now, as senior class president, I serve not only my school but also my community by celebrating  the school spirit that St. X has to offer. I have also been given the opportunity to serve St. X through  faith-based experiences such as the XBSS retreat and leading Tuesday Morning Bible Study.

Becoming a leader has been one of the most transformative experiences I have had at St. X.  Whether on the field, in the classroom, or in the Rage Cage, I am honored to set the standard for underclassmen and future Tigers.

Earlier this year, I attended the Christian Awakening Retreat, honestly not expecting much. Since my dad did not attend St. X like many of my friends’ dads did, I felt nervous because I had no one to guide me through the experience. Even though I had experience leading others, I felt like I was the one who needed guidance.

The seniors and faculty leading the retreat did exactly that. I was welcomed with open arms and truly felt the brotherhood everyone talks about. Those four days were some of the most memorable of my life. I became closer with people I had grown up with while also forming strong friendships with people I had never talked to before.

That experience changed me so much that I decided to sign up to become a senior leader. Although I was nervous about sharing my story, I wanted to give the juniors the same experience I had. I was extremely pleased with how seriously each person took the retreat. Leading it was the biggest blessing I could have ever experienced. The bonds my group formed will last a lifetime.

One motto of the retreat is “Live the Fourth.” This is not just a saying; it is a statement. Coming home on that Friday night and listening to the retreatants speak about their love for their parents may have been my favorite part. In that moment, you could truly see the growth they experienced and the lessons they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.