"My immersion trip to Africa changed my life.  We were building a school

for girls who previous to our arrival, had not been able to attend

school.  Knowing they would be educated there was inspiring.

Additionally the school brought together two warring tribes; the school

is call KISARUNI in Swahili.  It means peace."

-Phil Matteucci, '12

Name:Phillip Matteucci

Graduation Year:2012

Brophy Extra Curricular Activities: Lacrosse, Red Cross Club, Free the Children Club, Summit Committee

Where do you live in the valley? I live in Phoenix Arizona but specifically in Arcadia.

Arizona Foothills Magazine: How difficult is Brophy? Is it really that tough?

Brophy is a pretty challenging school. Brophy likes to challenge their students and it’s called a College Prep for a reason. I think the work load and the amount of material covered plays a big factor in the “toughness” of Brophy. Also Brophy always has so much going on and everyone here is so involved that between school work, activities, and family you only get a certain amount of time for homework. I don’t think it’s the hardest school in the country or anything but it definitely pushes it’s students to work hard and balance life and school.

AFM: Who was your favorite teacher and what was your favorite class?

            Well this is hard because I honestly love a lot of my teachers at Brophy, but some of my favorites have been Mr. Danforth, Mr. Cox, Mr. Hooten, and Ms. Karp.

            I will say though I do love Mr. Danforth, he’s an awesome teacher and guy. He makes class fun and likes to joke and mess with the guys so the atmosphere is more laid back but also very challenging because he teaches AP English 3 and likes things his way. I do love English as a subject and all my English classes so far. My favorite class and most interesting though has been History with Mr. Hooten, he’s a great teacher and really knows a lot about history and makes it interesting to learn and forces students to participate and stay engaged.

AFM: What is your favorite Brophy Memory:

These questions are too hard… Brophy is hard place to explain and the amount of good times and amazing memories we have of this place I’m sure are near the thousands but I would have to say either my Immersion trip to Africa or my Kairos this year. Both experiences brought me really close with the groups I was with and really made you feel the bond of Brophy and also learn about love and social justice.

AFM: How did you hear about Brophy and what about the school made you want to be apart of the community?

            Well my Great Uncle Dino went to Brophy in 1963 and my brother graduated in 2008, so I sort of always knew I was going to Brophy. At first I didn’t want to be a part of the community, I know not the right answer, but most of middle school friends had gone to a different school so I was nervous and mad to be there. But after experiencing a year at Brophy I knew there was no other place I would rather be, the sense of community and family really that Brophy provides is unbeatable, everyone loves everyone here. Also I really liked the social justice aspect of Brophy and the school spirit everyone had, we were all changing and helping the community and no one was too cool to do it or go to games and rallies.

AFM: If willing, please tell us a time in your life that was particularly difficult for you and how you were able to overcome it. Was the Brophy community apart of helping you get through it?

Well it wasn’t necessarily my personal life but when Robby Mayasich passed two years ago I remember being extremely sad and I barely knew him. He was my sisters age and good friends with her friends. It hit me really hard and the whole school felt this massive amount of grief together. In a weird way it really bonded everyone there, as a community we came together to mourn and celebrate Robby, it was really powerful.


AFM: What are your goals and aspirations? 

            Well I would like to find a job that helps others and is also enjoyable, I want to love what I do whatever that may be. I would also love to have a family some day and maybe even teach somewhere far down the road. My goal is to continue living the values that were instilled in me at Brophy and always be a Man for others J. I would also like to get in to most of the colleges that I am applying to because the pressure is definitely on (it’s that time of year). I would say my biggest goal though is probably to find peace in whatever it is I’m doing and where I am in life, so I can feel fulfilled.

AFM: What does “Men for Others” mean to you?

I think being a man for others means putting others before your personal needs. To be that guy that says hi to a stranger or someone you can tell is struggling, it means going out of way to help someone else. To be a man for others means to push yourself past your comfort zone and be with people that have less than you or are looked down upon and help them in any way you can.

AFM: What college do you want to attend and why?

            I don’t have one specific college that I’m looking at, but I am looking at a lot of Jesuit Colleges and schools in the West Coast. For example, Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount, Chapman, Fordham, TCU, and a couple others. I wanted to find schools that have the same beliefs or at least ideals that are about helping others and have some sort of faith background. Also I wanted schools that are near cities and have connections to business and real life world situations to apply what I am learning there. Geographically I love the West Coast and New York, but I’m also looking in Texas, Chicago and Colorado.