Photo Illustration by Josh Spano ’18 | Throughout the 2017-2018 school year numerous Brophy students participated in activism events both inside and outside of Brophy.

By Frankie Pastor ’20

THE ROUNDUP

At Brophy College Preparatory, due to the multiple socially-aware clubs, classes, and Jesuit heritage, the history of activism has been present.

“Ignatius Loyola…. 1550’s, all about change, all about disruptors. He turned the Catholic Church upside down,” said President Adria Renke as she staged in her opinion of how the Jesuit heritage plays a role in the history of activism at the school.

Ms. Renke said,  “Yes, we pray, but we better go out and fix what needs to fixed. We’re jesuit, we’re different, we’re pushing the envelope.”

“We’re a Jesuit catholic school, which means we are called to an Ignatius identity,” Mr. Paul Fisko, Director of the OFJ said.

Besides the Jesuit heritage, it is also the student body that influences the history of activism.

Commenting on the activism over the years, Mr. Fisko said. “I have been here for 14 years, and in the last five years, there has been an explosion of groups on campus that are more about advocacy.”

“The best part of that is it comes from you,” Mrs. Renke said referring to the formation of activism by the student body.

Additionally, Mr. Pete Burr ’07 and Mr. Will Rutt ’08 commented on activism at Brophy when they were a student.

“The short answer is no, and it has grown exponentially. We weren’t a campus void of concern, but, in the way it is taking shape today, absolutely not,” said Mr. Burr

“When I was a student on campus I don’t really remember any specific activism on campus. There were some small things surrounding the summit, similar to the small things that happen now,” said  Mr. Rutt.

The annual Summit on Human Dignity that varies in different topics each year also develops the history of activism at Brophy.

“The summit’s have been around since I’ve been here, and therefore, that is another way of advocating,” Mr. Fisko said .

The history of activism on campus has also remained politically sensitive in the different stances that the school takes. Yet, the school is still faced with some criticism.

“We’re in a climate now in this country, where there are so many issues that involve justice and dignity, and people have now taken political stances on them. Our detractors think we are being very political. No, we are serving a mission,” Ms. Renke said.

“We are here to call your voice for advocacy.”