Is there anything Max Troppmann ’25 doesn’t do? As the founder of the Engineering club, a peer tutor, and a member of Speech and Debate, Mathletes, and wrestling team, Max is entrenched in many parts of the Jesuit High School Sacramento community. On top of these skills, he speaks four languages: English, German, French, and Spanish. 

Max’s vast and varied talents make him a unique individual.

“At the other schools where I have worked, the top students all had a similar type: high academic achievers who devoted most of their time to being the best, with little to no time for other interests,” said English teacher and Speech and Debate Moderator Mr. Kyle Trivits. “Max, while a great student and high academic achiever, is not defined by these successes alone. In a single afternoon, he goes from calculus office hours to debate practice, followed by a wrestling workout and then service or time with friends. He is a true ‘renaissance’ man, and it is his well-rounded nature that makes him so engaging in conversation.”

Ali Zaidi ’25 believes that Max takes full advantage of his Jesuit experience. 

“Max is a talented athlete and student who makes the most out of his opportunities at Jesuit,” Ali said. “Max cares deeply about everything he does, from sports and academics to clubs and service; he is a very driven person. He’s perceptive and detail-oriented, [and] always willing to go the extra mile.”

Math teacher and Engineering Club Moderator Mr. Justin Tsai attests to Max’s intellect and capability to think critically. 

“Max is an exceptionally thorough and strategic thinker,” Mr. Tsai said. “His ability to gather inputs with remarkable focus and efficiency is unparalleled, propelling any project forward with precision and momentum.”

Max is no stranger to facing adversity. Throughout Max’s high school career, his father has been battling illness. Despite this, Max tries his best to find the silver lining in every situation. 

“The uncertainty and doubt surrounding my father’s illness have weighed down upon my family for several years,” Max said. “I have responded by spending more time with my father, getting to know him better, and strengthening my relationship with him. This experience has taught me patience and compassion and has emphasized how important human connection is. When a relapse in his illness led to the cancellation of my planned school year in France for my junior year, I responded by embracing the opportunities that were available to me. I strengthened my commitment to my language studies and have since made rapid progress in Spanish, my most recent step on my language journey.”

Through it all, Max is someone who can go with the flow.

“Max is rare in his embodiment of the Ignatian value of indifference: in conversation about college plans, he is patient and open to whatever path is laid out by God, not burdened by the pressure or stress of a flashy college admission,” Mr. Trivits said.

Max believes that Jesuit has a “commitment to excellence and compassion.” As he reflects on his time here, he hopes that he’ll be remembered for those very same virtues.

“I would like to be remembered as a committed friend who always took the time to listen to and to help those who were struggling,” Max said. “I have had a wonderful time at Jesuit and cannot believe that I am already in my final year of high school. I will value the friendships I have formed at Jesuit for the rest of my life and will always appreciate the commitment to excellence and compassion that Jesuit embodies.”