By Rocco Carioscia ’26
A few months into my eighth grade year, I had no idea where I wanted to attend high school. I had shadowed at two schools closer to my house but didn’t feel like either one was home.
Someone suggested that I shadow at Brother Rice. I had such a good experience when I shadowed, I told my parents I wouldn’t want to shadow anywhere else. I didn’t and never looked back.
It is safe to say that after four amazing years on 99th and Pulaski, Brother Rice was the best choice I have made in my life to this point.
My senior year started off as good as any school year could have. I celebrated my 18th birthday on the same day our football team beat Marist 35-0. I went to almost all of the football games and had a great time cheering on my brothers as they cruised to a state championship. I think my favorite game was the semi-finals against Downers Grove North when I painted the letter “C” on my chest in the freezing cold.
As the school year went on, I continued to support my brothers on the basketball, baseball, and volleyball teams, and spent many nights with the many friends I made during my time at Brother Rice. That BRotherhood everyone talks about was something I felt more than ever in my final year here.
In my last month of high school, I really started to slow down and appreciate everyone and everything that has been in my life these past four years.
If there was something that I would like any Brother Rice student present or future to know, it would be to not spend every day “just trying to make it to the weekend.” While school might be challenging at times, appreciate every single day you have in this building. Your time here will be over before you know it, and the sooner you start to appreciate Brother Rice, the more thankful you will be.
While I am extremely excited for my next journey in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, I am sad to leave Brother Rice. It makes me feel a lot better knowing that this BRotherhood is something that lasts forever. I will forever be grateful for my second home on 99th and Pulaski.
