Brie Dragonetti
Xavier College Prep, ‘07
St. John Bosco Catholic School, ‘03
Background: Growing up my parents always wanted my brother and I to have a Catholic school education. When we moved to Arizona it was very difficult to get into a Catholic elementary school. My parents helped open St. John Bosco and I was the second graduating class from St. John Bosco. I was a competitive dancer and dreamed on being on the Xavier pom team. I was fortunate to spend my high school years at Xavier. I was on the varsity pom team all four years as well as the performance dance company. After high school I went to Arizona State University where I was on the ASU dance team and was on the first team to compete at UDA Nationals. While attending ASU, I majored in dance education. After ASU, I received my first masters in teacher leadership from University of Phoenix. I then decided to go back to school again and get a master’s in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University. While earning my degrees, I taught and coached pom at Notre Dame Preparatory, Desert Edge High School, Higley High School and Desert Mountain High School. I decided to change paths and put my degrees and experience with high school students to use and became the dean of women at Notre Dame Preparatory. After three years of being the dean, I will now be moving up to Assistant Principal of Student Affairs at Notre Dame Preparatory. I was married to my husband at St. Francis Catholic Church in May 2014. We have two amazing little boys, Rocco (5) and Nicco (2). My family and I are parishioners at St. Benedict in Ahwatukee. Our children will carry on the St. John Bosco legacy.
What impact did Catholic schools have on you? Catholic schools made me who I am today. I am so fortunate to have attended Catholic school for most of my life. Xavier taught me how to be a strong and independent woman. Xavier held us to high standards and always expected 110% from us. Xavier helped me see my strengths and how to use those strengths to my advantage. I also loved being able to celebrate mass monthly with my friends. Attending mass as an entire school community is something I loved. Being able to express our connection to our faith is so important and something that cannot happen in a public-school setting. I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I had not attended Catholic school. My husband and I will do anything to make sure that our boys have Catholic education their whole life.
Accomplishments: My biggest accomplishment (besides our two little boys) is becoming an Assistant Principal at Notre Dame Preparatory.
Future plans: To become a principal at a Catholic school in the Diocese of Phoenix.
