Blind from a young age and of Iranian descent, Cyrus Habib had climbed to the pinnacle of academia with degrees from Columbia, Yale, Oxford, and built a storied career as a lawyer and Lieutenant Governor of Washington State. In 2020 Cyrus made a startling life change and joined the Jesuit order — The Society of Jesus. He hasn’t looked back. In his second year of studies, Cyrus joined the Prep community for a five-month “experiment.” This summer he will relocate to the bayous of Louisiana for a Spanish immersion program and service work. In August he will take his first vows.

How would you describe your months at Prep?

Amazing! When I first spoke with Principal Erin Luby about what kind of experience I wanted I had just come from assignments that were beautiful but slower paced. That was healthy for me because I had such a fast-paced academic and professional life. But I wanted something that was more active and cerebral. Specifically, for that reason I asked to be assigned to a high school. Erin said, “Okay, be careful what you ask for.” And she delivered. I taught two periods of AP Literature, one section of Collegio, one theology course and coached Mock Trial.

I became closest with the kids on Mock Trial because of all the time we spent together. Several asked me to write their college recommendations. I was honored. It was amazing being part of a nationally ranked team. The students are so well coached, hardworking, and brilliant. The team wasn’t able to travel to Michigan for Nationals, but we were holed up in a Seattle hotel for a few days and it was a wonderful bonding experience. Not only with the students but with fellow teachers Jen Freeman, Andy Hendricks ’83, and Andy McCarthy. I think co-curriculars are where you get to know students the best. They get to experience you in a different way, and I get to experience them in a different way than in the classroom.

The Kairos retreat was also an amazing first-time experience. I went to public school, so I was less knowledgeable than the juniors on the retreat. It was a real highlight. Such a spiritually profound time of sharing with adults and students alike. That is where the real value of a school like this lies. The academics are great but it’s that ability, the permission that this school has as a private, Catholic, Jesuit school to be able to provide spiritual formation and accompaniment to young people—to help them become adults formed by love, charity, and compassion.

In what ways did the students’ interactions with you (being blind) change throughout your time at Seattle Prep?

I am so impressed and consoled by the way in which young people instinctively understand diversity. It’s never awkward for them. These kids are so natural, and flexible in finding other ways to do things. Look how they have adapted to COVID — to do things in such a drastically different way. COVID in a way caused everyone to experience what life is like with a disability because you have to say, ‘how do I adapt this to make it work under new circumstances.’

I invite the school to think about how it can be more welcoming to students of disabilities. I know the heart is there, the desire. But like with any type of diversity, you can’t wait for it to happen organically. There is too much history, too many assumptions and past baggage. Having been here, I have every reason to believe that Prep is a welcoming school for students with disabilities. The law should never be the standard it should be the floor. This is a Catholic school. This is a Jesuit school. Our calling is above and beyond the calling of federal or state laws. Cura personalis is way above section 504 of the rehabilitation act. Hopefully if I have done anything it’s to help people see that it’s not that big of deal. If we can have a blind teacher, we can have a blind student. By me being at Prep you now have 780 students who have met a blind person. They saw me on stage, in their classes. Now if someone talks about blindness, they aren’t ignorant anymore. That in itself is a valuable education.

What were the benefits of working with Fr. Rallanka, S.J. and Fr. Celio, S.J.?

They are extraordinary. I’ve often gone to them for advice and ideas. They have tremendous gifts. These two men are so good for this ministry. It’s such a well discerned assignment for them. They communicate the joy of the gospel. They are so relatable to young people, boys and girls with their involvement in the Dungeons and Dragons Club, coaching baseball, and everything in between.

What is your favorite memory at Prep?

Kairos. There was a beautiful moment in a small group conversation. It showed up in a very short period, this group of human beings who didn’t know each other that well and had really grown to love one another. Everyone had assumptions and their hearts were broken open in some way.

What advice did you take away from your conversation with Fr. Fitterer, S.J. and apply to your Prep experience?

He said, get to know the students! The students are the ones that we are all here to serve. Just interacting with young people there is a humility to it. They will keep you honest. I remember one time I was teaching something I thought was so extremely exciting. I heard this student yawn—so audibly, no subtlety, no tact. Something inside of me died a little. Well, that’s honest.

What is your parting thought on ‘unexpected joy’?

There is a natural instinct to fear the unknown. We have a saying, better the devil you know. Every assignment I’ve been given as a Jesuit has been the best assignment. Rather than come to Seattle Prep, the more comfortable thing for me would have been to go to a university. But, I’m learning that if you allow yourself to be open to new graces, and if you are fundamentally a hopeful person, the unknown can only be good. We have to ask ourselves, ‘How do I enter into situations with an optimism that is adventurous, cosmopolitan, curious, but also vulnerable?’ What I wanted to impart to the students is that there will be a lot of that in their coming years. Just be excited and keep trusting that whatever comes will be good. It will—even if it brings challenges.