Carver Hix ’25

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From 1960 when the football field was farmland to 2022 when the construction of 80,000 square foot Loyola Hall was completed, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory has undergone immense change while staying true to its core traditions. 

Strake Jesuit in 1960 was a small Catholic high school on the edges of Houston, a school with a student population of 75, but now it is the city’s largest Catholic high school with an enrollment of over 1300. Amidst major changes in the enrollment, staff, campus, and opportunities for sports and other activities offered, Jesuit has always emphasized Catholic teaching, Catholic formation, and Catholic community as top priorities. 

“Education was why we all went,” said David Sitz ‘65, my grandfather. “Although we all had four hours of homework a night, religion was always the priority, and Jesuit really wanted us to understand faith.”

Similar to today, Jesuit has always been big in sports. 

“Everyone played ball,” said David Sitz, “but half the team would be out because if you weren’t careful, you would roll your ankle on the field.” Luckily, players do not have to worry about falling in holes. This past year the football field received new turf. 

Strake Jesuit is not only a Catholic high school, but also a college preparatory school, styled in its campus like a small college and focusing on incorporating important factors of religion into its mission to prepare its students for life beyond formal education.

“No one really worried about college because Jesuit really prepared us,” said Chris Sitz ‘91, my uncle. “The two things that really stuck and prepared me for the future were scheduling and time management skills, and if you needed anything, you would go to a priest. They were teachers, counselors and wrote your college recommendations.”

Strake Jesuit not only takes pride in its educational, religious, and life values it instills in its student body, but also the lasting connections and sense of community built along the way.

“One thing that I know will stay with me after graduation is my friends,” said Owen Canella ‘25. “We have spent so much time together that we have created an unbreakable bond that will last for the rest of our lives.”