Xavier High students find comfort at school after family losses

CEDAR RAPIDS — When the fathers of Dylan Bohon and Anne Baumann died three months apart while the teens were in high school, the students found comfort in the Xavier community.

Bohon and Baumann are two of 158 students who graduated May 22 from Xavier High School in ceremony at the high school.

Bohon’s dad, John Bohon, died in August 2021 of multiple brain and spinal cord disorders.

Bohon, who golfs for Xavier High, began golfing with his dad when he was a young child. “I got a little junior set, and I couldn’t hit a ball,” Bohon said.

He said he doesn’t think he would have had the same close relationship with his dad if it hadn’t been for golf. He used his dad’s golf clubs his freshman year of high school.

“They were so hard to hit compared to the technology today,” Bohon said with a laugh. “There’s so much forgiveness you get in a new set of clubs.”

He still has his dad’s golf clubs, however. “It’s good to have. I don’t want to touch them or play with them. I don’t want to ruin them. It’s good memories.”

When Baumann’s dad died only three months later, Bohon said it was like a “reversal of roles.”

“I’m really sad that this happened with my dad and with her dad,” Bohon said. “It really brought us together and showed what a true, loving community does for you.”

When Anne Baumann’s dad died unexpectedly from heart complications in October 2021, the school recited the rosary every morning for a week -- something that is typically reserved for once a week, Bohon said.

“That was truly inspiring to see,” said Bohon, who finds a lot of comfort in his faith.

Baumann swam for Kennedy High School’s varsity swim team, and her dad, Matt Baumann, would often cheer her on or send her a text wishing her good luck.

That’s what he texted her the morning he died, Baumann said.

“That was probably his last text,” Baumann said. “Growing up, he taught me how to throw a ball, drive a stick shift and was always there to give support.”

Xavier golf coach and language arts teacher Patrick Flanagan's first year of teaching was Bohon’s freshman year of high school.

“His dad was one of the first parents I met at Xavier,” Flanagan said. “He was a very special man, and I’m sure Dylan will be just as special.”

Flanagan said Bohon is a quiet leader who leads by example and is a good advocate for himself. On the golf team he pushed his teammates to do their best, Flanagan said.

Business education teacher Amanda Allard said Baumann has “incredible poise” and is “kind and loving toward her classmates.”

"She’s so focused, so driven and has an air of ‘I can do whatever I want to do,’“ said Allard, who coached her for Business Professionals of America, a student organization for students pursuing business. ”Anne, it doesn’t matter what you’re going to do in your life. I believe you’re going to be successful.“

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