As my alarm shrieked into the still air of my bedroom at 6 A.M last Friday, I subconsciously questioned why I wanted to do this. Why did I want to fly to Cleveland Ohio to participate in a leadership summit I knew little about? As my mind began to recollect its thoughts and the early morning fog cleared from my eyes, the purpose of this experience became increasingly evident. As my peers and I each traversed our unique routes to the airport, driving from Bay Ridge, the Upper East Side, Hell’s Kitchen, and Crown Heights, we all mentally grasped the importance of this trip, not only for ourselves but for our school and city.
Following a seamless two-hour flight from LaGuardia Airport to Cleveland, our group—led by Ms. Dewitt-Allen and Ms. Derose— ventured out into the sprawling suburban landscape of Ohio, our first stop being John Carroll University. My peers and I enjoyed an hour-long tour, given by a current Junior at JCU. We were all thoroughly impressed with our guide’s passion and admiration for her school, and her affection began to rub off on us as the tour progressed.
Visiting John Carroll University offered a glimpse into a campus that blends tradition with modern academic opportunities. Located in University Heights, Ohio, the Jesuit University emphasizes a well-rounded education rooted in service and leadership. Our tour of JCU showcased the picturesque campus, from the historic brick buildings to state-of-the-art facilities like the Boler College of Business. We experienced what it’s like to be a part of the close-knit community through interactions with friendly students and faculty, many of whom were preparing for spring break. Our guide highlighted the small class sizes, strong faculty support, and vibrant student life. It was a memorable experience and displayed what attending a Jesuit collegiate institution means.
After a short twenty-minute car ride from JCU, we arrived at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Parma, Ohio. Upon arrival, we first noticed a group of students playing basketball just outside of the main building, and other delegates introducing themselves to their peers. After checking in and dropping off our bags in our rooms, we quickly rushed off to the court to meet our neighbors for the weekend and run a little basketball. Following an intense and sweat-inducing game of 3v3, we were off to dinner, where we met students from Magnificat, Canisius High School, Walsh Jesuit, Brebeuf Jesuit, Saint Ignatius High School, and Cristo Rey Milwaukee. It was remarkable to see how students from such diverse and contrasting backgrounds all found common ground in their faith and call to seek justice.
The events of the night began with each school presenting a specific item that portrayed their school’s commitment to social justice and dedication to service in their community. Paul Esposito 26’ and I anxiously took our place in the center of the congregation and presented our item, a poster from Ally Week. We discussed our school’s deep commitment to Ally Week and the extensive participation shown by students, faculty, and alumni alike. Afterward, all delegates attended a presentation by Dr. Jimmy Menkhaus on the power of personal values in overcoming injustice and personal “cannonball” moments in the spirit of Saint Ignatius.
As part of the activity, each delegate selected a meaningful quality and wrote it on a small rock. At the center of the auditorium stood a balance scale, with one side labeled “Injustice” and the other “Justice.” Initially, the injustice side was weighed down, but as delegates placed their rocks on the justice side, the scales gradually shifted. Eventually, justice outweighed evil, symbolizing the collective impact of individual values. This powerful moment set the tone for the ideas explored in the days ahead.
Paul Esposito and Hudson Dew 26’ presenting Xavier’s Ally
Week poster to the Arrupe Leadership Summit.
Day 2: A Test in Leadership and Faith
Our second day began at 8 A.M. breakfast, prepared by a skilled team of chefs at the Retreat Center. After an hour of quick dining and lively conversation, delegates returned to the auditorium for a presentation on radical faith by Father Deleon S.J. He emphasized that diversity and inclusion are essential pillars of modern faith and that a “radical” or deeply rooted faith recognizes the value of individuality. According to Father Deleon, all people are created in God’s image and therefore deserve equal dignity and respect—a theme we often discuss in theology class at Xavier.
Following the presentation, delegates were divided into teams with students from different schools, eagerly awaiting the next activity. This marked the start of the first Ultimate Leadership Challenge, where each team received specific items needed to complete five tasks. With only ten minutes to finish, teams had to negotiate and collaborate to distribute resources effectively, reinforcing the importance of communal effort. The challenge also underscored the inequality between those who start with more and those who start with less, highlighting the need to uplift others and create a level playing field for all.
Despite the frigid temperatures and snow-covered court, the second portion of the day kicked off with yet another inter-school basketball game, one where Paul Esposito dominated the paint and Equon Sanders played an efficient point, leading to a decisive Xavier victory over all schools. Fun activities like this helped foster a deep friendship between all schools at the summit, which hopefully will be carried into the future and lead to more beneficial collaboration. Exhausted and out of breath, we made our way back to the building to attend Mass, where Chris Cho and Callum Strebin 26’ both performed prayers and readings during the ceremony. Mass was centered around a sustained commitment to justice, specifically in the context of the sacrifice of Saint Ignatius and Pedro Arrupe.
Chris Cho 26’ leading students in prayer during the communal
Mass on Day 2.
The final hours of Day 2 were spent observing a presentation by Carolyn Wright, a teacher at Fordham Prep, about justice in action. Her personal experience with theater inspired her to convey her pursuit of social justice through acting. She allowed us to experience this same feeling through multiple hands-on activities that brought social justice into a physical and entertaining form. “The Arrupe leaders summit allowed for me to engage with peers from around the US and we were able to work together to plan on fighting justice in our school and communities,” stated Chris Cho 26’.
The second Ultimate Leadership Challenge soon followed, this event requiring each team to develop a compelling pitch advocating for the creation of a community garden at a hypothetical high school. Each group selected one member to present their proposal to the larger assembly, with students Paul Esposito, Hudson Dew, and Callum Strebin earning second and third-place awards for their strong performances. Exhausted but exhilarated, delegates later gathered in the library for a lively, twenty-person game of Uno—where emotions ran high, and new friendships formed. By the time lights-out arrived at 11 P.M., everyone was thoroughly satisfied with the day’s experiences, eagerly anticipating what the final day would bring.
Final Reflections: Lessons In Leadership
The final day began with a mix of emotions–some were excited to return home, but others were sad to have to part with their new friends and peers. After another delicious breakfast of French toast and eggs, delegates gathered once more in the auditorium for a presentation by Grace Adams on the three most essential qualities of an Arrupe leader: Passion, Love, and Courage. Passion drives a leader to pursue their beliefs with unwavering enthusiasm, refusing to be discouraged by obstacles. Love fosters a genuine connection with those being served, helping leaders understand and respond to the needs of the less fortunate. Finally, courage empowers a leader to stand firm in the face of adversity and fight for what is right.
The grand finale of the summit came with two final leadership challenges, each requiring strong leadership and collaboration between team members. “This experience offered numerous life lessons on leadership, and will ultimately produce great young leaders who will help the next generation,” said Paul Esposito 26′. Final addresses were given by the directors of the summit and just like that, our weekend at the Arrupe Leadership Summit came to a close. Before boarding the flight back, our Xavier delegation visited the West Side Market in Cleveland, where we ate delicious perogies and bratwurst sandwiches in one of the most historic marketplaces in the United States. It was a fantastic way to cap off a fantastic weekend.
Reflecting on the past few days, I realize how truly transformative this experience was. The summit strengthened my faith, expanded my understanding of justice, and deepened my commitment to leadership. More than anything, it reaffirmed the power of community—something I will carry with me long after this trip. My peers and I intend to bring this dedication to leadership into Xavier through programs that uplift our community and help the most needy. Our action plan is being carefully crafted and will hopefully be implemented soon. This was more than just a leadership summit. It was a call to action.