SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS graduated at the end of May, but not without one final breakfast with the boys — and an opportunity to talk with alumni about what awaits them in the world.
MEMBERS OF SERVITE’S CLASS OF 2024 POSE WITH THEIR CLASS PLAQUE, WHICH WAS LATER INSTALLED IN THE ALUMNI GARDEN ON CAMPUS. PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT ARE: KYLE HERAS, JOHN CARLSON, MARK BUSTILLOS AND KELLY BOULGER (‘73). PHOTO COURTESY OF SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL
The all-male preparatory school in Anaheim hosted its annual senior breakfast on May 29 for its 154 students graduating in 2024. Breakfast was held at Dave & Buster’s in Orange. It served as a chance for the students to have fun together, but also to be welcomed into the brotherhood of Servite alumni.
“As graduates of Servite High School, young men become a part of a lifelong brotherhood,” said Servite Vice President of Advancement Steffanie Early, who is also an alumni parent. “Our alumni/senior breakfast is an opportunity for our newest alumni to be welcomed by Friars who have walked this journey before them. Wherever the Class of 2024 may go, they will be part of a community of more than 10,000 graduates who were formed by the Servite charism of Fraternity, Service and Devotion to Mary.”
The seniors, wearing the shirts, sweatshirts and hats of their soon-to-be universities, played arcade games, shot hoops and ate a hearty breakfast of french fries, chicken tenders, pizza flatbread and pigs in a blanket.
The event — both the breakfast and the forthcoming graduation — were looked upon with mixed emotions by many.
“I’m very excited for today,” said 18-year-old John Carlson. “We get some chances to hang out with the boys and have some fun before we graduate.”
Carlson, who is attending the University of Notre Dame in the fall, added: “I feel really good about how I’m leaving and where I am leaving to go to school. I feel like I accomplished just the right amount and I’m really happy with where I’m at.”
Senior Spencer Schley said he was also excited but felt a tinge of sadness that his classmates were spreading across the country. Schley, who will attend UC Davis in the fall, said he will always consider his Servite peers as brothers. He was looking forward to speaking with alumni about college, careers and life.
“I would love to talk to them and get their viewpoint, because they’ve gone through it,” Schley said. “They’ve gone through Servite and they’ve gone through life for years. We’ve only gone through Servite; we haven’t hit life yet.”
Kelly Boulger (’73) spoke to the seniors before breakfast to let them know that the brotherhood continues.
“What happens here is that they become best friends,” Boulger said. “That’s normal in high school. But what’s not normal is that these boys will stay best friends their whole lives. My best friends are all Servite guys.”
Boulger told the seniors that he could see their futures and it would include each other’s weddings, being there when children are born, starting softball leagues and being there to pick up a fallen brother when times get tough.
“Where do you get that, but here?” Boulger said. “It’s so unique.”
Senior Aryam Kehmani, 17, said his Servite experience went above and beyond his expectations of what high school would be. Kehmani, who will attend the University of Southern California, said he remembers exactly why he chose Servite four years ago.
“I saw the connections and the energy, and the way the students interacted in the classroom — kind of playful with the teachers,” he said. “There was a mutual level of respect, but at the same time the students were still learning, and the teachers were all supportive.”