Student Voice & Leadership with Xavier
I'm Patrick Malley, Superintendent of Haslett Public Schools, and you're listening to the first full episode of our new podcast, Haslett Voices. In this first episode, I get the chance to sit down with Xavier. He's Hazard High School senior whose name you've probably heard around the district. He's a drum major for a marching band, captain of the swim team, president of the French Club, and a longtime member of the Superintendent Student Advisory Board. But more than titles, what stands out about Xavier to me is his perspective.
Superintendent Malley:He's thoughtful, he's grounded, and he's always focused on making Haslett better for those who come after him. He and I got a chance to talk for about a half hour about leadership, student voice, and what it means to be part of a community that truly supports each other. You're gonna get a chance to hear his reflections on what he's learned, what drives him, and advice he'd like to give students who are just starting out. This conversation is just one of the many reasons I started this podcast, to get to see our students grow and getting to share their stories with you.
Superintendent Malley:You know, where I wanna start is just with the story that I've probably told a dozen times to people, and that is when I first got this job, and Yeah.
Superintendent Malley:I came in for my final interview for the Board of Ed, and you were seated outside the boardroom here and you and I ended up talking for probably about a half an hour as the other candidate wrapped up. I was so nervous coming in, and you really did set me at ease that day, and I just wonder how you experienced that. Like, do you remember about the day?
Xavier:Yeah, so back then I was like a sophomore, so that was like a long time ago, I was just asked by Mrs. Livingston to just come out and like sort of be secretary for the interview and like guide people into like the room, like tell them like what is going on, stuff like that. I just found it a good way to get my NHS hours done and then because those were available for me at the time and then I was also working on an English 12, not English 12, English 10 honors project, like I think it was an essay, so I was working on that at the same time as the interviews. So yeah, we just had that conversation and then you had your interview and I think after you had your interview I just, you know, went home and then turned in that paper.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah, a chance opportunity to meet a student and ask you questions and to set myself at ease. Yeah, I really appreciate it.
Xavier:Yeah, I mean, for me at the time, it was pretty cool to like get to know you and then like before your interview like see like who's interested in our districts, like who's like looking out for the superintendent role and like what they're willing to do, so I think that conversation also brought some like information to me too. Sure. So, yeah.
Superintendent Malley:Well, appreciate it. I so, yeah, I'm glad I asked because it's just a perspective I didn't really didn't really have. I just want to talk about the Superintendent Student Advisory for just a bit. You know, I know that you've been a part of that since before I started in the district, and Yeah. I just want to know a little bit about, like, when you were asked, what that looked like when it was first rolled out, because it's just a perspective that I don't have as somebody who's only been here for a little more than a year.
Xavier:Yeah. So I remember my freshman year, that was the pilot year of the Superintendent Advisory Board. I was asked in my English class by Mrs. Livingston to do a quick QR code, like, Google form and filled it out really quickly and I remember like a few days later I got a letter in the mail from the Administration Building inviting me to come out to our first meeting with mister Cook and I just remember like all the like upperclassmen and like just all the people in that board and then like me getting to meet with Mr. Cook and Mrs. Lindbert at the time that was very cool. I think like being a member for all four years like being a senior member I feel like I've gotten the opportunity to like learn a lot more about my district than like I ever could normally, it's a great honor and it's a great thing to be a part of.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah, I know I'll say in the meetings frequently and I hope you all believe me, it's one of my best meetings of the month. I wonder what your thoughts are about the work we're currently doing.
Xavier:I think it's gone great over the last few years, like having the students and my classmates in mind, like that's our main goal giving that perspective to you and then providing our solutions and working towards it. Me and Akem right now we're working towards meeting with Mr. Fisher that's gonna be tomorrow about the athletic website getting that all figured out. So I think what we're doing is pretty good.
Superintendent Malley:Can you say a little bit more about that work?
Xavier:Yeah, so like this all stems from our August 12 meeting I believe. We were thinking about like starting off with the clubs, getting, like, a little more student advocacy there with Mr. Kimball. We were working on that, especially with, the student life are going on. We were able to get a lot more student input. We're able to, like, get a general club like information doc out there and we're planning on doing a similar thing with the athletics. From what I heard from Mr. Fisher already is that like we're going under like some website changes due to like ownership and stuff like that. Sure. So we're thinking about like going over and like sort of revamping it and then getting like some input from like the team captains and like maybe upperclassmen teammates and then sort of compiling it all into the website so that people interested, incoming freshmen, or like parents who are looking for like a club for their kids could get some like input from the students on that website, I think is what we're aiming for. Yeah, for sure.
Superintendent Malley:I was struck at our last two meetings that we've had that we've had the Director of Technology & Innovation and the Director of Community Engagement, as well as the superintendent in a meeting listening to the student body in terms of improvements that we need to make to our website in general and just communication to families to make sure that you all have access to the information to be able to make those connections. It felt like a turn, right? Like I felt like my first year here, a lot of getting to know you all, identifying what some of the challenges are, and yeah, this kind of took a turn. So I really hope we keep that energy going.
Xavier:Yes, yes.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah. Another thing that the student advisory board does is that you all come and present to the Board of Education, and you just recently volunteered, so thank you
Xavier:Yeah, for of course.
Superintendent Malley:I just noticed, and no judgment on any student, some students will present and then get out of here, you do tend to stick around for the whole meeting, I think that's great. And I just wonder where that that comes from or what your thought process is in terms of I want to stay here for the meeting or be a part of this for a longer period of time.
Xavier:I mean, it's definitely like a to reach their own sort of ordeal. So maybe some students are just like not really interested what the school board's going and like talking about sadly.
Superintendent Malley:Understandable by the way!
Xavier:Yeah. I mean and like sometimes we're just like kind of busy like I've had nights before where I just left right after presenting because I was just overloaded with homework but I do take interest in like what's going on at the school board meetings, I like definitely do take interest in like how does like district functions and stuff like that because you know going on to college like I want to have that understanding of like departments and faculties and stuff like that. Like I just want to have that awareness as I go on about as my like day goes by.
Superintendent Malley:Well, I also think, and I don't know if many students understand like you do, that it's noticed, right? Like people do notice when you're around, when you're present, and so, no, I appreciate that. And it does give you perspective, I think. Like whenever you and I have one on one chats about something going on, you know, in the advisory board or somewhere else, like I appreciate that you have that broader perspective that not everybody has.
Xavier:Of course, yeah. I'm always willing to keep an open mind to like what people have to say and like what viewpoints are out there. I like really like keeping other people's perspectives in mind and like just the ongoings of the world too. Like I like to keep that
Superintendent Malley:That's cool. I wonder as a senior what you hope we achieve with student advisory board this year and maybe that's too big a question, but like, you know, what do you where do you hope we get to?
Xavier:So with our aim for like student life improvement, I just really want to like provide that environment for like every student. For example like the athletics and club information like getting that input from like other students, I really want a lot more student led initiatives like within our school that's why I really liked the student advisory board and then working with Akem and then Mary Claire and I think Maya with Mr. Kimble. I really like how we are taking any initiative and then improving stuff with clubs and athletics, my end goal for like student advisory as a senior, I just really want to bring that like student led initiative to everybody else in the school different, like, as many ways as possible, basically, Yeah.
Superintendent Malley:You just made me think about how in that room, when we meet, are these freshman students who are just joining for the first time, and like, they're not joining for the first time ever, they're joining and they have you as an example as a senior who's been a part of this for four to kind of lean on. So yeah, I'm excited about the future. I get to enjoy it longer than you do, right?
Xavier:Yeah, that's true.
Superintendent Malley:You're out of here, but like, yeah, I've been really, yeah, just excited about the direction and the hope that you all can have that active voice in what's happening in the district. And, you know, importantly, as you mentioned, you all are doing the work in order to advance some of this, which I think is really impressive and I've appreciated, so.
Xavier:Yeah, yeah.
Superintendent Malley:Something I didn't anticipate when I first took this job as superintendent is that my perspective changes, right? I don't get the chance to see things in the same way that a principal or a teacher or a student does all the time, and you obviously get to see things from all sorts of perspectives, from the hallways to the pool, to the band room, to the classroom. I wonder what's something about the daily student experience, what's something that students experience at Haslett that you think I should understand better?
Xavier:I think just student to student connections, like, there's so many, like, different people and so many different, like, perspectives within, like, the student body from, like, seniors to freshmen to, like, athletes to musical performers. I think it's the like the beauty of this school is my classmate could be like going to States for tennis or my classmate could be performing lead in a musical. It's it's genuinely beautiful to see so many talented people and like especially as we're doing our college applications like we're going over our greatest achievements seeing and hearing that from other people is really beautiful and I think like that's something important for you to know.
Superintendent Malley:Your guys' student section and the band are pretty high energy and together and trying to follow the cheerleaders in a way that, like, it's not uncommon for high schools, but it is certainly felt, right? When you're in our student section or in our band, there is an energy there. Is that kind of what you're getting? I mean, does that encapsulate a little bit of what you're talking about in terms of like togetherness of the students and that connection you all feel with each other?
Xavier:Yeah, I feel like that's definitely encompassing like school spirit stuff. We, as a school, have this connected spirit, but like despite being such different people, we could all connect with each other.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah, it's not just about sports, right? Mean, I think that's what you're saying. Like, and I use that as an example because it's visible to me.
Xavier:Yeah, yeah. But I
Superintendent Malley:think what you're saying is it's a little deeper
Xavier:Yeah.
Superintendent Malley:As well, so that's cool.
Xavier:It's that basic, like, understanding of each other that, like, we have Yeah. And that makes, like, our connection great. So, yeah. Yeah. That's how I see it.
Superintendent Malley:No, that's really cool. You've told me that you're I think you're take you've taken at Haslett, eight AP classes?
Xavier:Oh, yeah. I've taken I'm taking three this year, I took three last year, and I took two freshman and sophomore year.
Superintendent Malley:And then you're drum major for the marching band.
Xavier:Yes.
Superintendent Malley:Captaining the swim team. Yes. You're running French club, is that?
Xavier:Yep, president of the French club.
Superintendent Malley:Okay, and then coordinating NHS events, you're part of
Xavier:that I'm the biannual member event coordinator. Okay. So yeah.
Superintendent Malley:So I get tired just listing it all, know, what does a Tuesday look like for you?
Xavier:So, I mean, get up in the morning around 06:30, get a quick like, rice crispy treat for breakfast, drive to school and go on about my day, I started with VP biology which is one of the more fun classes I've ever took, I want to major in biology Throughout college, so like taking this class, getting the opportunity to take this class is great and then going on as my day proceeds like talking to friends, you know focusing on my classes, maybe goofing off at some point, taking lunch, lunch is always great and then just finishing off with band being that leadership, focusing on that leadership role in band, that's like when I really like focus up during the school day and then usually after school I go to the gym, eat out with a bunch of friends, stuff like that, I have enough time to and then like when I get home just knock out all the homework and then reflect on the day and like what happened and then focus on whatever is going on in the future say like I got senior photos this weekend for example I want to focus on that and then like Sunday I'm getting my lifeguard certification recertified so I'm going to focus on that too.
Xavier:So just keeping past, present, and future in mind is what really gets me through the day.
Superintendent Malley:How many hours a night do you think on average you're spending on homework for that course load?
Xavier:Honestly, senior year has felt very different. It really truly depends on, like, the class because last year I remember I spent about, like, crazy two or three hours every night. But this year, with, like, the classes I'm taking, I'm only spending, like, maybe one to two Okay. Like depending on what my teacher assigns. It's it's a crazy like feeling as a senior.
Superintendent Malley:Do you think that there's is part of that that you're just better at studying or that you're you're busy sort of compartmentalize or is it part of it too just that it's a little easier this year?
Xavier:Definitely because I got better with like managing my time and stuff like that. Like my study strategies have definitely changed, but I think they've certainly improved for this year and then definitely because like some teachers understand that like it's senior year, I'm already busy with like common app and common or like college applications, so like they decided to go a little less, so it's make sure both.
Superintendent Malley:As a student with so much going on, you have to get overwhelmed at times. What's your go to stress relievers?
Xavier:So like I said, go to the gym Yeah. After every day, especially if it's a stressful day, I just like, you know, work it out. And if I really need to, I just go on like the treadmill and walk it out, listen to music. Definitely listening to music all my other time.
Xavier:Definitely stress reliever. Especially just lying down, taking naps can definitely be a stress reliever. And then just, like, I don't I never, like, tell anybody this, but, like, sometimes, like, I journal and then, I doodle a lot, that keeps my my it keeps it just, like these activities keep my mind off of whatever's overwhelming me Yeah. And then I just focus on like the greatness I can have in the future if I just get through today.
Superintendent Malley:I'm struck by the fact that you didn't say video games, is not a part of your
Xavier:Well, mean, yes, it's a part of my daily schedule.
Superintendent Malley:It's fine, right?
Xavier:Yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe one hour at least.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah, but I think sometimes even that can add to it if you don't have other releases as well. I think you also mentioned several other strategies, right?
Xavier:It's always a little like awkward mentioning video games, but I definitely do
Superintendent Malley:No, you've got to let go. You've got to do something Exactly. Yeah, totally
Xavier:It's perfect medium to just like let go.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah, and I don't think a lot of people my age really understand too, like how much of a creative outlet that can be as well, like for certain games, but yeah. No, really cool. So I've watched you conduct the marching band, and I just want to go through this list one more time because I think it's impressive. You know, captain of the swim team, you've obviously taken we've talked a lot today about student advisory board. Yes.
Superintendent Malley:These are really different kinds of leadership roles, and I just wonder which one feels more natural to you and why.
Xavier:I think drum major comes the most natural to me. Honestly. Yeah. As a member of the band for, like, since, like, sixth grade, like, growing up with the people in my grade and then getting to know the people in the grades below me Mhmm.
Xavier:I think has taught me, like, how to deal with, like, diverse people and especially like how to deal with like younger people. Being the drum major, I could just naturally set myself out there and be I've always been sort of outgoing and drum major is definitely the role where like you got to do that one to two times every day, so I think drum major is definitely the role that I could just like be natural with.
Superintendent Malley:I think when most people think of drum major, they think of the role that you play out front, right?
Xavier:Yes.
Superintendent Malley:Conducting the band. But I can only imagine that you sometimes also need to serve as a coordinator or a mediator or a translator between the band director and the band members. Can you speak a little bit more about that role and what it looks like to do that?
Xavier:Yeah, so it goes beyond the band members and band directors in my opinion because we also have a lot of parent volunteers. We interact a lot with other bands. We interact with, like, other, like, band directors who come and mentor some of what we do. So being the mediator between all that has been not only tough, but I mean very rewarding, like getting to talk to so many people and then like it's it comes with a lot of problem solving, but getting that satisfaction of succeeding in not only helping others but like putting in resolutions between people, I think that that's very rewarding and I'm glad to see it between like everybody in the band.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah, it leads into my next question just a little bit, because I can only imagine, and we don't have to get into specifics about relationships or whatnot, but there have to be challenges with that, right?
Xavier:Of course.
Superintendent Malley:And I just wonder if leading peers ever feels hard how you handle that, right? I think, like, sometimes I can think about being a senior leading freshman a little easier than being a senior leading seniors. Yes, definitely. Any perspective on how you handle that?
Xavier:One of the first things I did with like this new class of freshmen is that is be comfortable around them, have them be comfortable around me and other members of the band. That was like one of my first priorities as a drum major, but definitely leading that has been tough. Sometimes like I've questioned myself, I've questioned whether or not they take me seriously or not, but I think recently especially with our last performance I feel like I definitely am aware that they look up to me.
Superintendent Malley:So that's interesting though, so you leading the freshmen this year, you felt was a little harder than those who've grown up with you. Yeah, They especially don't know you as well.
Xavier:Yeah, like, and plus it's a little awkward to lead people that I've grown up with, like, getting, but they're they're the most understandable, like, upperclassmen. They're they're the most, like, mature people that could always rely on it. It's just the underclassmen vibe.
Superintendent Malley:It's just different, right? Yeah.
Xavier:Yeah, of course.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah. You fill the uniform well, right? When you're up there conducting, you are the, you're definitely the drum major, but I just know behind the scenes that there's so much more to that role than just standing up there, so.
Xavier:Yeah, it's so much more behind the scenes. Like, know, just getting the band together, getting them warmed up, getting all the uniforms on, it's procedural. Or I think our leadership this year has especially been like very disciplined. I've I've said this at like, a few times during senior night, but I don't think we could have done such a hard show and all these performances. We couldn't have done it without these people. We're able to focus up, walk in, and then get things done. Mhmm. I'm I'm genuinely so proud of these people, so yeah.
Superintendent Malley:That's really cool. You've taken AP World, AP US History, AP Gov, AP Macroeconomics, AP Bio, you're in now, you said. AP Calc, AB BC, and AP Physics C. So that's a statement, right? You've taken a What lot of hard drives you to challenge yourself like that?
Xavier:Well, it's an interesting thing. I think as I was signing up for AP United States history, my eighth grade year, I was definitely pushed to it by Mr. Panetta. He encouraged me to take a harder class, so I was like, why not? And plus like I had a few friends who also wanted me to take it so a little bit of peer pressure but that was my first really really hard like AP class and then just moving on looking at my options and what to logically go next, I took AP gov which was another challenge in of itself but I was able to succeed and then around the time I was taking AP Gov sophomore year I was really considering like what colleges like I can get into and then like my main college I want to go into is University of Michigan and then looking at their like demands and prerequisites and like what classes to take I definitely decided to really challenge myself junior year by taking three and then just finishing off with three more.
Xavier:Yeah, I think ever since sophomore year, I just decided to graduate with eight AP classes.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah. So a little bit of both, right? You both want to push yourself and then there's a practicality there to being a and like, you know where you want to go, right? And so that drove your schedule. So is there a class that you've taken at Haslett in particular that you struggled in more than another, but you ultimately grew the most in?
Superintendent Malley:Like I'm always curious to know what a teacher did that made a difference to help you, like a hard subject area, but something that you have gotten a lot out of.
Xavier:Definitely. One of the hardest classes I've genuinely ever took is AP Physics C, Mechanics. I've never took a physics class Mhmm. Before Mhmm. And I was also learning calculus at the same time, which are both like they're basically the prerequisites of AP Physics C. It was definitely one of the hardest, like, academic things I've
Superintendent Malley:So you were learning the prerequisite while you were taking the course?
Xavier:Basically. Yeah. I mean, because it was it was the first year they offered it, they allowed me to take it because I was taking AP Calculus, I believe. Mhmm. And I'm genuinely glad I took the class.
Xavier:I definitely didn't get the grade like I wanted the most, but I definitely learned about how I was as a student and like my studying habits and like the way I learned. It was just you know heavy course load and like notes every single day and then homework every single day. It was a lot, but I definitely grew from it. I learned like when I needed help to like ask, I know I didn't do it as much, but I know now. Yeah.
Superintendent Malley:That's a real skill, I don't think people give that enough credit, like you know, they'll say professors, when you get to college, have office hours. Use them. Know, you have to take advantage of every relationship, every skill that you've learned through, all these things you've done in high school, apply them in college, because it's
Xavier:Yes.
Superintendent Malley:You know, you're going to have meat grinder classes, right, that are going to chew you up if you don't take care of your relationships and connecting with these people. That's great to hear, but also I'm glad this year is easier. Of course, That it's sounds excruciating. Yeah, good, good. So yeah, just closing out, I've got a few more questions.
Superintendent Malley:Just thinking about your aspirations and going into a medical field, you're probably looking at eight to twelve more years of fairly intense education after you graduate high school. So what keeps that dream alive? What makes you want to pursue that?
Xavier:So definitely my main inspiration for like why I want to go into like the medical field and why I'm willing to take like this course load of education is definitely my father. He has been like my main inspiration for me since like I was a kid. So like seeing him like persevere through a lot of challenges and then teaching me, like, my, like, ways to, like, live basically as, like, my father, like, definitely inspired me. It eight to twelve years seems like a lot, but looking at how my dad and my mom did it for their degrees and stuff like that, it definitely inspires me that I could do this, that this is possible, it's not impossible. And then, like, another main motivator is, like, my friends around me.
Xavier:Having such a great close knit group of people to support me has definitely kept me going, like, especially last year with, like, AP Physics, like I said, but but it's genuinely great to have people around me and like it reminds me to just never give up.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah. No, that's really good. Yeah, I'm also struck that you had said earlier that you want to go to University of Michigan. I know that you've applied to other universities as well, but like, what are you actually looking for, and what makes you think University of Michigan?
Xavier:Like I said, my dad was a major inspiration for why I want to go into medicine. He's also a major inspiration for why I want to go into U of M because he went to U of M and then just seeing like how successful he became after you know getting that degree, like that's where I want to go. But I mean also Ann Arbor is very very
Superintendent Malley:it's definitely a different feel growing up in this area and knowing the yeah, state, like it's a it's more of an urban kind of environment Mhmm. In terms of the way the university and the city are intertwined,
Xavier:so Yeah.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah. But that family connection, campus
Xavier:Yeah, plus like every time like I've had the chance to go there, I've spun the cube Okay. They have there. Yep. And that's just special, like you know, as a kid and then like when I visited there like two years ago, just running around that cube, spinning it, that was so fun.
Superintendent Malley:That's cool. What advice would you give to the freshmen that are walking our hallways this year?
Xavier:I would advise them to challenge themselves, especially knowing like how far like the people around me have come. I would advise the freshmen this year to definitely take up harder things, definitely take up like a sport or like a club, get them closer to people they wouldn't really talk to naturally and to just know that they're always going to be supported. No matter like how hard like something may be, there will always be the light at the end of the tunnel and to just never give up. Perseverance has been one of my greatest values in life. Keeping that first in mind is something that everybody, not just like freshmen, but like middle schoolers and underclassmen and upperclassmen and people in college, that's what people should that's something people should have in mind is that as an optimist, having that positive mindset is definitely something to have.
Superintendent Malley:Yeah, no, I think that applies to teachers and principals and superintendents as well, right? I think like we all we all need to hear that. I really appreciate that. So when you graduate in the spring, what do you want to have left behind at Haslett? What do you want people to remember about about Xavier?
Xavier:I don't care if they remember my name or what I look want them to take up the mantle of leadership. I want them to, like I said, challenge themselves. Yeah. And then I just want to be like remembered in that way. I want to be remembered as an inspiration for others.
Superintendent Malley:I hope that's the case, honestly.
Xavier:Of course.
Superintendent Malley:That's pretty awesome. So before I wrap today, want to do something for each session that I'm calling lightning round, and so what I've got is just five quick questions that I'm going to ask everybody I interview, and it's just an opportunity for the community to get to know you better as a person. There are no right or wrong answers, and whatever comes to mind first
Xavier:Sick.
Superintendent Malley:Say it, yep. So the first question, what's your favorite season and why?
Superintendent Malley:Winter,
Xavier:Christmas and my birthday and the snow.
Superintendent Malley:Okay. What's your go to restaurant or food spot in the area and what's your go to order?
Xavier:Oh, this is tough. I really like Casino Bravo in Eastwood, and my go to is a fettuccine Alfredo.
Superintendent Malley:Oh, I will have to check that out. Morning person or night owl?
Xavier:Night owl, definitely night owl.
Superintendent Malley:Beach vacation or mountain getaway?
Xavier:Mountain getaway.
Superintendent Malley:Okay. And what's your favorite way to spend a Saturday?
Xavier:Out with friends.
Superintendent Malley:That's awesome. So I just want to thank you
Xavier:Yeah, of course.
Superintendent Malley:For doing this. Thank you for your leadership. Mhmm. Thank you for all that you do for the school district. It's really been a pleasure getting to know you.
Superintendent Malley:And I'm glad you're a senior because you're going to go on to do wonderful amazing things, but you know, at the end of this year you will be missed around here, so.
Xavier:Of course, thank you so much for inviting me, Mr. Malley. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to talk and then like have my message be spread around, so yeah.
Superintendent Malley:Alright, man. Well, you. Appreciate it. Look at that. Yeah.
Superintendent Malley:Cool. We're done.
Xavier:Thank you so much.
Superintendent Malley:Pretty simple.
Xavier:Oh, yeah.
