Each year, the Brophy College Prep Mother's Guild holds the event of the season- a luncheon and fashion show where Brophy families and members of the community enjoy a high-end fashion show, delicious lunch and a special presentation by the Brophy senior boys. Here, Arizona Foothills gets to know this year's chairs and the sons they are so proud of. Read on to meet Lori Larcher and her son Lee, and Elizabeth Saba and her son Matthew.

 

Where are you from?

Lori: Paradise Valley

Elizabeth: Ahwatukee

Why did you choose Brophy College Preparatory for your son?

Lori: Brophy has a reputation for excellence. One of the most compelling reasons for me was what I witnessed in a friend's son who attended Brophy. He was very reserved, and attended a small middle school. I watched and listened each year as he became more confident, involved, outgoing and successful. Brophy played a big part in his growth. Brophy works at helping boys find out WHO they were created to be, and HOW they are going to use their talents to make the world a better place. We wanted our son to have that opportunity. He is the one who made the decision to apply and earned his place at Brophy.

Elizabeth: Actually, all three of my sons made the choice to go to Brophy. We had met some Brophy students and graduates from our area and because of the way these students described their experiences at Brophy, we decided to take a closer look at the school. I was not familiar with the Jesuit approach to education; however, I liked the concept of educating the WHOLE person, mind, body and spirit, which is what Brophy accomplishes. The Brophy graduates we met were well-rounded, had opinions about global issues and talked about Brophy as a community, which made a positive impression on our entire family.

Why did you want to attend Brophy College Prep?

Lee: When I was in eighth grade, I shadowed a student at Brophy for a day. I felt an instant connection to the teachers, students, and the whole environment of the school itself. I wanted to be a part of that.

Matthew: My older brothers both attended Brophy but after I spent a day “shadowing” at Brophy, I realized that the teachers and the students were different. I knew I would be challenged academically at Brophy, but I could see the friendships and bonds that my brothers had formed and I hoped for the same experience. I liked the campus and the welcoming feeling that I got when I visited. There is a lot of laughter and interaction among the students and teachers and that camaraderie is important to me. I was a little worried about being the youngest “Saba brother” but the Brophy faculty has made a concerted effort to get to know me as an individual.

 

Elizabeth Saba and Lori Larcher

What makes BCP different from the other schools in the Valley?

Lori: Of course, being an all-boys school makes it unique, but from the start, Brophy supports new families and welcomes them into the community. The Freshman boys are assigned a "Big Brother" who reaches out to them to answer questions and help them transition into high school. Before the boys’ first day of school, they have made a connection, the bonding has begun and the boys realize they are part of something bigger than themselves. Brophy is the only Jesuit school in the state. Brophy empowers boys, and teaches them the importance of service to others. There is also a great deal of diversity among the student body because it draws from 110 elementary schools. The boys come from numerous religious, ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Lee: In addition to the non-coed environment and Jesuit tradition, Brophy is on the cutting edge of technology because we use tablet computers in all our classes. Brophy is also unique from other schools in the Valley because of its sense of community. This tight community, or brotherhood, is formed when guys from all different backgrounds come together to fulfill one mission and philosophy. Every year alumni come back to teach, coach, or just stop by campus because they know they are always welcome. We support, challenge, and respect each other.

Elizabeth: There are so many things that make Brophy unique. Brophy is a college preparatory school with honors and AP classes, but beyond academics, the service opportunities are an essential part of the Brophy experience. Beginning freshman year, the students have a “breakaway” where they travel with a small group of freshman and a faculty member to a local non-profit to work for the day. The students see the needs around them locally. Beyond local opportunities, students can travel on service/immersion trips in the United States to Los Angeles, Appalachia and New Orleans, and internationally to Mexico, Argentina, El Salvador and Africa. The quality of the activities and what the students accomplish at Brophy is impressive. Students are encouraged to explore their talents and use them to benefit others within the school and our community. I often wish I could have gone to a school like Brophy.

Matthew: My network of friends has definitely expanded. I have met other guys from around the Valley that have similar interests to mine. I am sure that I would not have met them otherwise. I think that diversity is actually celebrated at Brophy with regard to learning about different cultures and faiths. I can work side by side on a service project with someone who I might have debated or disagreed with in a class discussion. I also find that the teachers engage in conversation with the students and they are very interested in what we have to say.

 

Matthew Saba and Lee Larcher

What is the funniest thing that has happened at BCP since you started?

Lee: Everyday something funny happens when you have 1,200 boys in one place.

Matthew: I cannot think of just one funny thing because I laugh a lot at Brophy. We are definitely encouraged to do our best and there can be a lot of pressure, but there is always comic relief either by the teachers telling jokes or friends laughing with each other.

Why are you involved with the Fashion Show?

Lori: The proceeds of this show go directly into the financial aid fund. I believe that boys from communities throughout the Valley should have the opportunity to attend Brophy. We are working with a wonderful committee to create an event that will support this goal and that the entire community will enjoy.

Elizabeth: This year Brophy will distribute $2.6 million in scholarships to students based only on need. I think it is important that as many young men as possible have the opportunity to be a part of the Brophy community.

This year's theme is "Men for Others." How does Brophy accomplish its mission of teaching its students to be "Men for Others"?

Lori: The phrase" Men for Others" is not new, it was coined over 40 years ago and is part of the Jesuit world view. Brophy promotes, teaches, suppports, and expects the boys to serve others. With required hours of community service, immersion trips, various retreats and summits, Brophy turns a boy into a "Man for Others."

Elizabeth: Brophy graduates can be described as “Men for Others” but there are five other qualities that each Brophy student strives to achieve as they approach adulthood with a Jesuit education. We hope all of our students are Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Religious, Loving and Committed to Doing Justice. More than once, our sons will hear…. “if a young man graduates from Brophy COMFORTABLE with the world he is entering as a young adult, then Brophy has failed him.” As parents, we not only want them prepared for college, but also prepared to change the world.

Is the fashion show open to the community?

Lori: Yes, we would love to share this day with the community, please join us! It's a great way to connect with old friends, meet new ones and support the wonderful mission of Brophy College Preparatory. Our committee is hard at work to make this a fun and memorable day that everyone can enjoy, while showcasing some of the best Brophy has to offer.

Elizabeth: Please join us on Tuesday, November 8th at the Camelback Inn. The festivities will begin at 10:00am.

How can we buy tickets?

Lori: Invitations will be mailed and on-line reservations will be accepted in September. If you are interested in attending the Fashion Show, sponsoring a portion of the event or providing a 100% tax deductible donation to Brophy, please contact Patti Oleson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call her at 480 688 6772.

Elizabeth: To learn more about Brophy and its mission, please visit the website at www.brophyprep.org.