2024 Gala Student Speaker, Jordan Busciglio '24 Jordan's Speech Show Transcript honored and blessed to stand before you at tonight’s gala to give what we call at our retreats a witness talk so that I can tell you about my journey to faith, excellence and family while a student at TC. From the moment I stepped onto Tampa Catholic’s campus, our mission statement resonated deeply within me: to glorify God through cultivating academic excellence, personal and spiritual growth in the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice, and serving the community. This mission became the cornerstone of my experience, guiding every step to this moment with you. The pillar of faith was something new to me. Having come from a charter school and with little to no knowledge about the religion I claimed to be a part of, my eyes were opened freshman year as I attended my theology classes. These classes sparked a profound curiosity within me about the essence of faith. Through many discussions with our dedicated theology teachers and the compassionate guidance of Father Xavy, our chaplain, I was encouraged to explore my newfound curiosity. I embarked on the RCIA program to understand the depths of the Catholic faith and discover its personal significance to me. Through insightful discussions with peers and mentors, I found clarity in embracing Catholicism In the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual growth, I found clarity and purpose which led me to Campus Ministry where I have truly discovered myself. I have grown as a Campus Minister, from being a club member to being an executive as well as the lead lector for school wide masses. During retreats, I am able to help my fellow and younger Crusaders embark on their faith journey, experiencing the growth that we are shown through Blessed Edmund Rice. Campus Ministry creates spaces where every soul is valued and leaves an indelible mark on the Tampa Catholic community. Tampa Catholic’s second pillar of excellence is the one that motivates me. The Ambassadors program has taught me the importance of representation and leadership. Here, I have the responsibility of being the face of our school and embodying its spirit. By being a Varsity Softball team captain, I strive to have our team exemplify teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. My academic growth and commitment has been a result of continuous dedication, opportunity, and improvement. I started TC as a summer school student and am now an honors and AP student. It is Tampa Catholic’s pillar of family that has resonated with me the most. This pivotal element has been truly special to me as I’ve gotten to experience this journey with my younger sister Bella Busciglio, a junior here at TC, as well as many members of my extended family. It is through the shared experiences and values with the teachers and staff, my peers, and my teammates, that I have created a family here at Tampa Catholic that I will cherish for a lifetime. With the guidance and support of Ms. Yingling from my entire time at Tampa Catholic, I have been able to push through. When I struggled with a topic for my college essay she told me, “Jordan, I have seen you laugh and hugged you when you cried. I have watched you grow, make mistakes, and come back stronger.” She spoke to me like a mother and someone who has been invested in my story from day one. This is true of many of our TC teachers, staff, and coaches - they cultivate our journey from the sidelines, watch us grow, cheer us on, call us out, and have faith in us when we don’t. Tampa Catholic's commitment to a true Catholic education transcends more than just academics; it fosters spiritual development and nurtures a profound understanding of the people and world around us. My journey at Tampa Catholic has been transformative, shaping me into a person grounded in faith, committed to academic excellence, and devoted to serving others. Yet my journey as a Crusader is not complete. It is my hope, standing here tonight in this room of fellow Crusaders, that as we navigate our individual paths, that we remember the profound impact of our experiences and strive to embody the mission of Tampa Catholic in all facets of our lives. Thank you.
