Connor Xavios has accomplished much over the years. From high school sports to leading a college council for an international service organization, Connor approaches life with purpose. His motto, “Go to work with a smile on your face.”
During high school, Connor was voted MVP for his golf team for two years, played two years in the all-county tournaments, had the lowest scoring average in Berk County, PA, his senior year, and tied for 13th place as a state junior amateur golfer. And while he’s not formally competing anymore, he’s continued to be close to golf by working for a golf course for the past three summers.
Upon his arrival at Mason, Connor began playing intramural sports and quickly decided to become an official. Because he enjoyed officiating so much, he decided to get certified by Cardinal Basketball Officials Association to enable him to officiate for local high school games. Additionally, he’s become a supervisor for Mason Rec.
But Connor says the highlight of being at Mason is the diversity of friends he’s made – mostly through his campus church – Catholic Campus Ministries. He currently leads two Bible studies and attends another for his own growth. In addition, he’s President of Mason’s Knights of Columbus council which currently has more than 50 brothers serving in service and fraternal events.
Events include soccer and football for brother Knights and prospect members, hiking trips, poker nights, a formal dance to raise money to help single mothers pay for medical bills, yard work for retired Catholic priests, and more.
This month they’re hosting their 4th annual formal fundraiser, benefitting the local diocese in its effort to help expectant mothers with expenses incurred during birth. In three years they’ve raised $8,000, offsetting the typical cost of about $3000 per childbirth for two mothers. With proceeds from this year’s formal, they expect to be able to help with at least one additional expectant mother.
After graduation, Connor has an internship with a defense contractor and after that, his goal is to work in the Federal system as an Intelligence Analyst in counter terrorism.
Connor graduates in May with a degree in Criminology and a minor in Intelligence Analysis.
By Jennifer Lehman, MS RYT