The Magazine of Jesuit High School of New Orleans
VOL. 42 | SPRING/SUMMER 2016
Off They Go! The Class of 2016 Spreads Their Wings
INSIDE Mothers Receive Alma Mater Award • Class Reunions • Blue Jay Inspires One Step at a Time • Fishing Rodeo
Jaynotes, the magazine about Jesuit High School of New Orleans, is published twice a year by the Office of Institutional Advancement. Opinions expressed in Jaynotes are those of the individual authors.
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President Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66 mcginn@jesuitnola.org Director of Institutional Advancement Tom Bagwill bagwill@jesuitnola.org Communications Pierre DeGruy ’69 degruy@jesuitnola.org Director of Alumni Mat Grau ’68 grau@jesuitnola.org
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Director of Special Projects William Dardis, S.J. ’58 dardis@jesuitnola.org Creative Director Meghan Weaver weaver@jesuitnola.org Executive Development/ PAG Coordinator Krista Roeling roeling@jesuitnola.org LEF/Events Coordinator Logan Diano diano@jesuitnola.org
WHAT’S INSIDE
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Volunteer Coordinator Marilyn Beauford beauford@jesuitnola.org Alumni Chaplain Norman O'Neal, S.J. oneal@jesuitnola.org
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Off They Go! 5 State of the Blue Jay 17 Commencement Luncheon 18 Class Reunions 28 Houston Chapter Reunion 31
Alumni Events & Social Media Coordinator Wendy Schneider schneider@jesuitnola.org
Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Awards 35 Medallion Story: Kostka 36 Alma Mater Award 39 Blue Jay Bazaar 42 Jesuit Golf Classic 43
IN EVERY ISSUE President’s Message 1 Life Is a Dance You Learn as You Go Where Y’at 20 Blue Jays here, there, & everywhere Bib List 25 Baby Jays In Memoriam 26 Remembering our loved ones Annus Mirabilis 32 Mining the depths of Jesuit’s archives Principal’s Corner 34 Observations of Peter Kernion ’90 Flying with the Jays 54 The latest achievements in sports
Articles, photographs, and Where Y'ats may be submitted online at jesuitnola.org/where-yat. Contact info and address changes should be emailed to alumni@jesuitnola.org, or call Jesuit’s alumni office at (504) 483-3838.
ON THE COVER Class of 2016 Valedictory Address After recognizing the contribution his class made to Jesuit High School, Connor Maheu thanked Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., for the contribution he has made to the lives of the graduating class through the many lessons taught throughout the years.
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Life Is a Dance You Learn as You Go Commencement Address of Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., to the Class of 2016 on May 24 at the Pontchartrain Center My fellow graduates who are of the Class of 2016: This evening we join you in saying farewell to a stage of your life that has seen great personal growth amid hardwon victories and challenging obstacles. Today you see yourself and the world differently from when you were a child. You have developed a more mature outlook.
Life is a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. Don’t worry about what you don’t know as long you have a right frame of mind that will open you to learn in diverse and challenging circumstances. Some mindsets help us to mature. Others lead us to unhealthy places that turn out to be dead ends. What is the basic mentality that will guide you in every encounter with reality? Do you experience the world through a lens of self-pity? If you absolve yourself of all responsibility, take the role of a victim, make excuses, and exaggerate obstacles, then you will live in a world where challenges are magnified into catastrophes. Every disappointment will become devastating if you see yourself as entitled to every success, honor, and fulfillment. I challenge you to avoid this toxic cocktail of self-pity, envy, and resentment which would enfeeble you and undermine your motivation to learn the dance.
If you perceive any limitation on your choices as an injustice, then yours is a mentality of exaggerated autonomy. Do you feel entitled to have all of your desires and whims satisfied? Unfortunately, we cannot love the truth and at the same time demand to have reality conform to our desires. Healthy choices are always circumscribed by the truth. Making one’s own truth requires a distorted sense of self and a twisted view of the world. Both of these attitudes are unhealthy because they distort the truth. Both self-pity and exaggerated control will prevent you from learning life’s dance as you should. Integrity should be your partner in the dance of life. I suggest a third way which involves your looking at the world with a humble recognition that all you are and all you have is a gift. All is grace. The gift may not always fit our plans. We may want someone else’s talent, someone else’s success, someone else’s gifts. Part of learning the dance is understanding we are entitled to nothing. We have begun the dance when we can say that our situation is better than we deserve. Be patient, be humble, be grateful, and be open to challenges because life is a dance you learn as you go. Thank you for your years at Jesuit. Please make the effort to stay connected with one another. Thank you for the difference you will make.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Your perspective will continue to change throughout your life as you grow into the man God has planned you to become.
On the other hand, do you view the world through a lens of control and dominance?
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Valedictory Address a Tribute to Fr. McGinn Fifteen members of the Class of 2016 earned the honor of being valedictorians based on their grade point average. The Valedictory Address is delivered by the senior with the highest total numerical semester grades in the core curriculum for his senior year. This year’s address was delivered by Connor Maheu.
F
ather McGinn, Mr. Kernion, faculty, family, and friends:
We, the Class of 2016, are about to graduate. This marks a point in our lives at which we look forward while also remembering the past. As the word “graduate” suggests, we are about to “take a step forward,” transitioning to an unknown future carrying with us the lessons and the experiences of the past four or five years.
Jesuit is known as the school that will change your life. Indeed, it has formed us in countless ways in our time here. Teachers, coaches, and other members of the Jesuit community have joined with our parents to give us the tools to accomplish much. They have also taught us how to accomplish, how to achieve, how to bear the successes we experience. At the first morning assembly of this school year, Fr. McGinn spoke to us about the true nature of humility. He urged us to have a truthful view of who we are and to use our victories and our defeats, not for personal glory, but for personal understanding of God’s plan for us.
GRADUATION 2016
Certainly, we have had our failures, but they have only served to shape us into greater men. Through these defeats we have become aware of our flaws, our weaknesses, and have sought to correct them, often resulting in great successes.
as our teacher of how we might live “for the greater glory of God.” His classroom has been the Chapel of the North American Martyrs during Masses and ceremonies, Traditions Courtyard at morning assembly, the Jesuit auditorium during meetings and assemblies, and at public arenas such as the Pontchartrain Center at so many graduation ceremonies. In these classrooms he has taught us many lessons about humility, integrity, truth, and our purpose in life. Consider these lessons through the years: “The Truth is our best friend.” “Become a force challenging the prevailing culture of comfort.” “The distinctions and successes you may achieve do not make you a better person – they simply call you to greater service.”
This past year, we captured state titles in chess, robotics, “You will live a happier life if you avoid arrogance and the cross country, debate, Quiz Bowl, lacrosse, and tennis. We illusion that you are the source of your strengths . . .” produced 43 national merit semifinalists, the second most of any graduating class at Jesuit. We are the only class to have “Be suspicious of the easy choices.” been led by a two-term student body president, which is a tall “Do not try to change the world until you have first begun to order for any man — especially Joseph Dupré. Lastly, our class change yourself.” was burning with Blue Jay Spirit, no matter the circumstances. We revived the Spirit Club and brought the passion of The “Each day God calls us to greater service.” And finally... Gizzard to all types of school events. The Blue Jay Boosters “It’s all a gift.” were formed, a group of men who put their heart and soul Fr. McGinn, please know that we heard you. Please know into the Jesuit tradition and never stopped believing even that with these lessons in mind, we seek to lead lives full of when all hope seemed lost. competence, conscience, and compassion. And for that, we We have climbed many steps together, sometimes faltering, thank you. often soaring. As we move on to our different roads, we will Now it is time for us to take one more step: to graduate and always be united by the many steps we climbed together. We move forward with our lives. Jesuit High School will never will always be the Class of 2016. really leave us. The values and ideals that we have learned here As we take the next step away from Carrollton and Banks, will remain with us forever. No matter what happens, we will we are not alone in our departure. A man who has been a always be proud to call ourselves Blue Jays. model of leadership for 21 years is also transitioning to the Thank you. next step in his professional journey. Yes, Jesuit High School has flourished under Fr. McGinn’s direction. Buildings have — Connor Maheu ’16 been built and rebuilt. Programs have been established and Valedictorian Speaker modified to serve us best. However, Fr. McGinn’s greatest Watch the videos of Connor Maheu’s and Fr. McGinn’s 2016 contributions have come not in physical enhancements, but Commencement addresses at jesuitnola.org/commencement.
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Awards Presented at Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2016
Brady R. Stiller was the recipient of the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award, which is presented to the senior who has exerted the greatest spiritual influence on others by living a life exemplifying his Catholic faith.
Joseph P. Dupré received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914, an award established to honor one graduating senior who has a good scholastic record, actively participated in co-curricular activities, and possesses those qualities which symbolize “the most representative student of Jesuit High School.”
Evan J. Slattery was the recipient of the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award, which recognizes the senior who has exemplified the spirit of being a man for others by his participation and excellence in service.
Special Commendations Presented at the 2016 Awards Ceremony
The Blue Jay Parents’ Club Award for excellence in scholarship is awarded to the seniors who are graduating with the highest grade point average for four years at Jesuit High School. They are also named co-valedictorians of their class. This year, the award is merited by 15 seniors: Andrew J. Cerise; Benjamin C. Creel; Nicholas P. Fresneda; John R. James;
Cameron F. Kaupp; Kenneth E. Krizan III; Connor J. Maheu; Mayank Mardia; Harrison H. Millar; Brian M. Piglia, Jr.; Cole S. Retif; Jeremy W. Scheffler; Evan J. Slattery; Brady R. Stiller; and James A.J. Stoner. The Frank T. Howard Memorial Award — for excellence in English — was merited by Kenneth E. Krizan III. The Jesuit 500 Club Award — for excellence in Latin — was merited by Connor J. Maheu. The William Helis Memorial Award — for excellence in Greek — was merited by Kenneth E. Krizan III.
The Loyola University Award for Mathematics — for the senior with the highest overall average in mathematics — was merited ex aequo by John R. James and Connor J. Maheu. The Reverend William J. Ryan Memorial Award — for excellence in social studies — was merited by Harrison H. Millar. (donated by the late Dr. J. Joseph Ryan in memory of his brother, Rev. William J. Ryan) The Frank T. Howard Memorial Award — for excellence in physics — was merited by Matthew J. Miceli. The Paquette Family Award — for overall excellence in French — was merited by Zachary O. Gandy.
GRADUATION 2016
Each year Jesuit High School recognizes seniors and underclassmen who have achieved significant academic and athletic honors. Among the awards presented to members of the Class of 2016 on May 19 in the Jesuit Auditorium were the following:
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The Class of 2016 co-valedictorians and Blue Jay Parents’ Club Award recipients. The L’Union Français Award — for excellence in French conversation — was merited by Zachary O. Gandy.
displayed exemplary sportsmanship and spirit — was merited by Joseph P. Dupré.
The Ubaldo Trelles Memorial Award — for excellence in Spanish — was merited by Joshua S. LaCoste.
The Larry Gilbert Family Memorial Award — for the best all-around athlete on the varsity teams — was merited by Mark R. Beebe, Jr.
The Susan & Garic Schoen Award — for excellence in computer studies — was merited by Maurice A. Carr. The Excellence in Theology Award was merited by Kenneth E. Krizan III. The Philelectic Society Award — for outstanding achievement in dramatics — was merited by Thomas J. Hellmers.
GRADUATION 2016
The Culture of Life Award — for the student who has shown exemplary leadership as a member of the Pro-Life Club at Jesuit High School — was merited by Justin M. Vlosich. The Aloysius J. Cahill Memorial Award — for proficiency in oratory — was merited by Andrew J. Cerise. The John D. Schilleci Memorial Award — for excellence in elocution in the senior division — was merited by Mayank Mardia. The Professor Michael Cupero Memorial Award — for overall musical excellence — was merited by Tristan C. Killgore. (donated by his grandson, Col. Hamil M. Cupero ’56) The Coach Edwin E. Toribio Memorial Award — for the senior who best combined scholarship and athletics — was merited by Evan J. Slattery. The Robert T. Casey Memorial Award — for the varsity athlete who
The Daniel “Rusty” Staub Award — for the senior baseball letterman who exhibited exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit — was merited by Brandon P. Briuglio. The William D. & Maybelle Postell Award — for the senior basketball player who exhibited exemplary leadership, scholarship, and spirit — was merited by Mark R. Beebe, Jr. (donated by their son, Mr. John Blake Postell ’59) The Morris B. Redmann, Jr., Memorial Award — for the outstanding senior football letterman who best combined scholarship and athletics — was merited by Benjamin C. Creel. The Edwin F. Stacy, Jr., Wrestling Award — for the outstanding wrestler who made a major contribution to the varsity team, excelled in academics, and exhibited exemplary leadership — was merited by Joseph P. Dupré. The Michael D. Conway Award — for the most valuable player on the varsity soccer team — was merited by Chase K. Rushing. The Rodriguez Family Award — for the most valuable swimmer on the varsity swimming team — was merited by Cade H. Fuxan.
The Chester M. Rieth Award — for the senior track letterman who exhibited exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit — was merited by Mark E. Jaunet, Jr. The Most Valuable Golfer Award — for the golfer who made a significant contribution to the varsity team, exhibited exemplary leadership, and performed in an outstanding manner in tournament play — was merited by C. Grant Glorioso. The Most Valuable Tennis Player Award — for the senior player who made a significant contribution to the varsity team, exhibited exemplary leadership, and performed in an outstanding manner in tournament play — was merited by Brandon G. Beck. The Christopher Morgan Memorial Award — for the cross-country letterman who exhibited exemplary courage, leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit — was merited by Carlos S. Zervigon. The Joseph Michael Worley Memorial Award — for the senior who, by his unselfishness, sportsmanship, and spirit during his career at Jesuit, enhanced the athletic program either as a player, manager, trainer, or student — was merited by Hayden W. Fuentes. The Award for All-Around Athletic Ability — for the most outstanding ability found in a student-athlete in an individual sport — is merited by Guy R. Patron, Jr.
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Off They Go! Graduates in Jesuit High School’s Class of 2016 are moving on to more than 60 different universities. The information in “Off They Go” was compiled by Jesuit’s guidance department college counselors from data submitted online by seniors and their parents. Universities or colleges listed in bold under the names of graduates are the institutions they are attending. (H) indicates the graduate was accepted to that school’s Honors program.
The scholarships listed pertain only to that university or college which the graduate has indicated he will attend. Congratulations to Jesuit’s Class of 2016!
GRADUATION 2016
Majors or courses of study are listed for the majority of graduates.
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Christopher W. Abadie National Merit Commended Scholar LSU (H) Political Science TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award
Cade M. Arbour National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) Biology Presidential Scholarship, National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship
Brandon T. Adam LSU Journalism TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Cristian A. Archaga LSU TOPS Performance Award
GRADUATION 2016
Alexander E. Aguilar LSU Computer Engineering TOPS Honors Award Claudio P. Aguirre Loyola University New Orleans Physics/ Engineering TOPS Performance Award JosĂŠ A. Aleman, Jr. LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Finance
Chandler C. Ancar University of Louisiana at Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award
Criminal Justice
William T. Anderson University of Mississippi Electrical Engineering Academic Excellence Scholarship, Academic Excellence Non-Resident Scholarship, Holmes Scholarship, Herb Dewees Alumni Association Scholarship
Finance
Cameron D. Armand Texas A&M University General Engineering Austin M. Ashburn University of Louisiana at Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award
Undeclared
Evan M. Aucoin LSU (H) Finance TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Corey J. Barberito LSU Construction Management TOPS Performance Award Benjamin N. Bares LSU TOPS Honors Award Ross P. Barrilleaux LSU
Civil Engineering
Political Science
Jackson P. Bauer University of Biomedical South Alabama (H) Engineering Whiddon Honors Scholar Award, Presidential Award
Brandon G. Beck Millsaps College Political Science Presidential Scholarship, Legacy Scholarship Mark R. Beebe, Jr. Boston College
Undeclared
Ryan G. Berzas LSU Chemical Engineering TOPS Honors Award Noah D. Billeaud-Lehotsky Nicholls State University Pre-engineering TOPS Opportunity Award Austin J. Blanchard Louisiana Tech University (H) Cyber Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Outstanding Student Scholarship Joseph P. Bongiovanni University of Mississippi
Journalism
William H. Breaux LSU Pre-dental TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award William P. Brewster National Merit Commended Scholar LSU (H) Finance TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Brandon P. Briuglio Florida International University Athletic Scholarship
Business/ Finance
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Randall C. Bullard III LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Psychology
Jacob M. Buuck LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Business
Andrew J. Cerise Co-valedictorian, National Merit Commended Scholar Tulane University (H) History/ Political Science TOPS Honors Award, Paul Tulane Award, Valedictorian Award
Ethan T. Calamia St. Edward’s University Digital Media Management Dean’s Excellence Award, Edwardian Scholarship
Aubrey A. Champlin National Merit Semifinalist Grinnell College Undeclared Founder’s Scholarship, Grinnell National Merit Scholarship
Ethan M. Camet LSU TOPS Honors Award
Hunter J. Chapman LSU TOPS Performance Award
Finance
Devyn J. Campiso Delgado Community College
Interior Design
Cody M. Capps LSU TOPS Honors Award
Biology
Carlo A. Carino National Merit Commended Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar LSU (H) Neuroscience TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, First Tee Outstanding Participant Award Scholarship, Fore! Kids Scholarship, RBS Scholarship SemiFinalist Award, Tommy Moore Foundation Scholarship Maurice A. Carr National Merit Semifinalist, National Hispanic Scholar Rice University Computer Engineering Trustee Distinguished Scholarship Thomas M. Cassagne Mississippi State Pre-veterinarian University Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship, Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
Finance
Caleb D. Chauhan University of Louisiana Chemical at Lafayette (H) Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Outstanding Student Scholarship Package, Louisiana Elks’ Assocation Scholarship, New Orleans Elks Lodge #30 Third Place Male Scholarship William L. Chautin LSU Psychology TOPS Opportunity Award, Slidell Moose Lodge Scholarship Lane J. Cormier LSU Electrical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Blaine R. Corvers LSU Construction Management TOPS Honors Award Kevin M. Credo Tulane University Digital Media Production/Film Studies TOPS Opportunity Award
Benjamin C. Creel Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist University of Mississippi (H) Biology/ Business Barnard Scholarship, Academic Excellence National Merit Semifinalist, Academic Excellence Non-Resident National Merit Semifinalist, Academic Excellence Housing, National Merit University of Mississippi Scholarship Gray V. Cressy LSU (H) Applied Coastal and Environmental Science TOPS Honors Award Flagship Scholars Award John P. Curran University of Louisiana Marketing at Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award, Academic Excellence Scholarship José M. Cuscó IV National Hispanic Scholar Millsaps College Accounting Presidential Scholarship, Else Scholarship Joseph D. Cvitanovich South Louisiana Community College
Business
Daniel J. D’Aquin UNO
Finance
Anton J. Derbes National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama Economics and at Huntville (H) Computational Analysis Scott J. Derbes University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Computer Science
Demetrio E. Castillo Loyola University Music Composition New Orleans TOPS Performance Award, Merit-Based Scholarship, College of Music Talent Scholarship Jonathan P. Cedro LSU Physical Therapy TOPS Opportunity Award
Jesuit scholastic Mr. Julio Minsal-Ruiz, S.J., visits with Matthew Torres, Solomon Jupiter, and Carlo Carino prior to the start of Baccalaureate Mass on May 21.
OFF THEY GO!
Victor M. Castellon, Jr. LSU Biomedical Engineering TOPS Performance Award
Jason P. Finegan Seattle University Trustee Scholarship
Electrical Engineering
Michael C. Fleming Louisiana Tech University
Accounting
Kent T. Flower LSU Chemical Engineering TOPS Honors Award LSU Academic Scholars Award Chalon L. Fogarty II National Merit Commended Scholar LSU (H) Biology (Pre-med) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Sean A. Fogg University of Louisiana at Lafayette As the curtains close on the Class of 2016 at the commencement ceremony, Jesuit’s newest alumni burst forth with cheers. Reid A. Detillier National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) Engineering Presidential Merit Scholarship, Engineering Scholarship, National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship
Sean M. Duffy, Jr. University of Alabama
Kyle J. DiMarco University of Southern Mississippi (H)
Biology
David L. Discon University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Undeclared
Joseph P. Dupré The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, National Merit Commended Scholar LSU (H) Kinesiology TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award
Jacob M. Doran National Merit Commended Scholar LSU (H) Math TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award
Paul H. Dupuy IV University of Alabama Aerospace Engineering Engineering Scholarship, Engineering Tuition Supplement, UA Scholar Scholarship
William M. Dowling National Merit Commended Scholar Rose-Hulman Institute Engineering of Technology Rose-Hulman Merit Scholarship, RHIT Catapult Scholarship Jacob J. Dubos National Merit Commended Scholar LSU Biological Sciences TOPS Honors Award LSU Academic Scholars Award Jacob A. Ducote University of Louisiana at Lafayette TOPS Performance Award
Undeclared
Evan P. Dudenhefer University of Alabama (H) Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, UA Scholar Scholarship, Engineering Tuition Supplement, Engineering Scholarship
Cody M. Duhon LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Andrew D. Dyer National Merit Semifinalist Rhodes College Arsys M. E’Etessam LSU TOPS Honors Award Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Alejandro B. Esparza University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Business Undeclared
Undeclared Biology
Industrial Technology
Peter A. Espinoza University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Undeclared
John G. Fasick III Rhodes College Rhodes Award
Undeclared
Lionel J. Favret IV LSU TOPS Honors Award
Biology
Computer Science
Matthew J. Folse LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
English
Gregory R. Fortier Loyola University New Orleans Music Industry TOPS Honors Award, Dean’s Scholarship, Music Scholarship Nicholas P. Fresneda Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist, National Hispanic Scholar Northeastern University (H) Computer Engineering University Scholars Program, National Merit Fluor Scholarship Dillon A. Fuchs LSU TOPS Performance Award
Business
Hayden W. Fuentes LSU TOPS Performance Award
Business
Seth M. Fuentes University of Louisiana at Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award
Computer Science
Cade H. Fuxan U.S. Coast Guard Academy Mechanical Engineering Zachary O. Gandy Tulane University International Relations/ Russian or Arabic TOPS Honors Award, Army ROTC Scholarship Ryan P. Gaudet LSU (H) TOPS Honors Award
Chemical Engineering
Paul J. Gelpi III LSU Construction Management TOPS Performance Award
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Joshua A. Genovese Delgado Community College
Undeclared
Phillip A. Gerarve National Merit Semifinalist LSU (H) Undeclared TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academics Scholars Award, LSU Distinguished Freshman Award, National Merit LSU Scholarship Trai M. Gerkin University of Louisiana Undeclared at Lafayette TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholarship, Partial Housing Jaafar J. Gharib LSU Biological Sciences TOPS Opportunity Award Ethan M. Gilberti LSU (H) Studio Art TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Benjamin M. Gillen National Merit Semifinalist University of St. Andrews Philosophy and Economics Collin J. Gillen LSU Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Bert E. Gilmore IV LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Political Science
Charles E. Glass National Merit Semifinalist LSU (H) Computer Science TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award C. Grant Glorioso Southeastern Louisiana Business University (H) TOPS Performance Award, Honors Scholarship, Honors Housing Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship Alex M. Gomez National Merit Semifinalist, National Hispanic Scholar Tulane University (H) Undeclared TOPS Honors Award, Presidential Scholar Award Cole D. Grieshaber LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Gabriel G. Griffin University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Engineering
James A. Groos National Merit Commended Scholar Loyola Marymount University Screenwriting Jesuit Marymount HS Scholarship, LMU Achievement Award, LMU Early Action Award Gavin A. Gusler LSU Biology TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Ronald A. Harper, Jr. Xavier University Biology of Louisiana (Pre-med) TOPS Performance Award, Academic Scholarship Caleb D. Hart Delgado Community College
Computer Science
Jared A. Headrick Louisiana Tech Mechanical University (H) Engineering TOPS Honors Award, President’s Scholarship Thomas J. Hellmers Catholic University of America Catholic University Scholarship
Musical Theater
Zachary J. Huck Saint Louis University Psychology SLU Ignatian Tuition Scholarship, SLU Jesuit High School Award Malachi S. Hull, Jr. University of Business Administration & Southern Mississippi Entrepreneurship William J. Hurley National Merit Commended Scholar LSU (H) Accounting TOPS Honors Award Ben A. Incaprera LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Civil Engineering
Paul J. Ineich III Loyola University Mass Communication New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, Dean’s Scholarship Bradley S. Ingram United States Marine Corps Leland W. Jackson Louisiana Tech Professional University Aviation TOPS Opportunity Award, Academic Scholarship
Peyton A. Hidalgo Loyola University New Orleans Biology TOPS Opportunity Award, Loyola Scholarship, Jacques Curwen-Jay Guidry-Bill Blackburn Scholarship Fund, Grand Prix Scholarship, Smart Scholarship
Reginald T. Jackson II National Merit Semifinalist Tulane University (H) Evolutionary Biology TOPS Honors Award, Premier Scholar Award, National Merit Tulane University Scholarship
Robert S. Hinyub III University of Indianapolis Business U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar Academic Recognition Award, Initial-Year Athletic Scholarship
Crew A. Jacobs Rhodes College Rhodes Grant
Brett B. Hocke LSU TOPS Honors Award
Undeclared
Gary J. Hollander III University of Louisiana Computer at Lafayette (H) Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholarship, Partial Housing Award Zachary T. Holmer Spring Hill College Gautrelet Award
Nursing
Peter X. Hontas Case Western Reserve University Merit Scholarship
Finance
Stephen L. Hoorman, Jr. LSU
Undeclared
Health Care Administration
John R. James Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist University of Dallas Classics University of Dallas National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship, University of Dallas Departmental Scholarship in Classics Scholarship, University of Dallas Trustee Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship Mark E. Jaunet, Jr. Loyola University Physics New Orleans (H) (Pre-med) TOPS Honors Award, President’s Scholarship Richard S. Jenkins LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Business
Christopher S. Johnson LSU Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award, St. Bernard - John R. Bienvenu Memorial LSU Alumni Chapter Scholarship
Solomon J. Jupiter University of New Orleans
English
Cameron F. Kaupp Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame Chemical Engineering Provost’s Scholarship, University Scholarship David A. Keller, Jr. LSU (H) Pre-dental TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award John M. Kemmerly Rhodes College Merit Scholarship
Biology
Tristan C. Killgore National Merit Semifinalist University of Computer Alabama (H) Science Presidential Merit Scholarship Ryan L. Kramer Tulane University TOPS Honors Award
Chemistry (Pre-med)
Kenneth E. Krizan III Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist Fordham University (H) Accounting Presidential Scholarship Myles D. Kuss LSU Undeclared TOPS Performance Award Jaeyeon Kweon LSU (H) Biology LSU Academic Scholars Award Joshua S. Lacoste National Merit Semifinalist, National Hispanic Scholar Tulane University (H) Finance & International Relations TOPS Honors Award, Dean’s Honor Scholarship, Tulane National Merit Semifinalist John K. LaForge, Jr. LSU Chemical Engineering TOPS Performance Award Edwin G. Laizer LSU (H) TOPS Honors Award
Business
Brady J. LeBlanc LSU Business TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
George T. LeBlanc University of Alabama (H) Presidential Scholarship
Business
Adam C. Ledet National Merit Semifinalist Rochester Institute Video Game of Technology Design Presidential Scholarship, RIT Merit Scholarship, National Merit RIT Scholarship
Blue Jay Selected Presidential Scholar
Spencer G. Lemoine National Merit Semifinalist LSU (H) Biological Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Future Leaders Research Award, Flagship Scholars Award, National Merit LSU Scholarship Conrad A. Leonik National Merit Commended Scholar Tulane University (H) Biology and Computer Science TOPS Honors Award, Tulane’s Legislative Scholarship Jake A. Licciardi LSU TOPS Performance Award Kalija K. Lipscomb Vanderbilt University Athletic Scholarship Justin M. Lorio LSU TOPS Performance Award
Business
Undeclared
Pre-med
Connor M. Maginnis LSU General Business TOPS Performance Award Connor J. Maheu Co-valedictorian (Speaker), National Merit Semifinalist University of Engineering Notre Dame Provost’s Scholarship, University Scholarship David E. Maheu, Jr. Spring Hill College Gautrelet Award
Undeclared
Joseph-Richard C. Malbrough LSU Construction Management TOPS Performance Award Mayank Mardia Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist University of Pennsylvania Business National Merit Scholarship, U.S. Presidential Scholar
Senior Mayank Mardia is Jesuit’s newest Presidential Scholar. Mardia was chosen as one of three representatives from Louisiana. Only 160 seniors from around the country were selected this year. Mardia is the first Blue Jay to earn the distinction since Matthew Levy ’08. The 2016 recipient is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Manish Mardia of Kenner. He plans to study business and economics at the University of Pennsylvania. Participation in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is by invitation only. Students do not apply individually, nor do their schools nominate them. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects honored scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. Mardia received an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital to meet with government officials, including President Barack Obama. Jesuit English teacher Gary Wyss was also honored. Wyss, who was nominated by Mardia, received the 2016 Presidential Scholars Program Teacher Recognition Award for his “knowledge, skill, and performance.”
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The stage is set for the 2016 Commencement Ceremony on May 24, 2016, at the Pontchartrain Center.
Samuel D. Martin Hendrix College Biology Hendrix College Award, Hendrix Academic Scholarship, Hays Participation Award, Odyssey Distinction Award Connor J. Martinez LSU Construction Management Chase A. Mascaro National Merit Commended Scholar University of Polymer Science/ Southern Mississippi (H) Biochemistry Presidential Scholarship, Hunting Heritage Scholarship, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Scholarship Henry L. Mason IV Marymount Manhattan College Theatre Recognition Award Thomas G. Mason, Jr. LSU Finance TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Mason T. Mayfield National Merit Semifinalist University of Southern Mississippi Out-of-State Scholarship
Undeclared
Cameron P. McCall National Merit Semifinalist, National Hispanic Scholar University of Alabama (H) Biology/Physics Presidential Merit Scholarship, National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship Dominic T. McGinnis Xavier University Biology of Louisiana (H) (Pre-med) TOPS Opportunity Award, Academic Scholarship Connor J. McGowan University of Louisiana Civil at Lafayette Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Centennial Scholarship Chance M. Melancon National Merit Semifinalist LSU (H) Biological Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award, LSU Distinguished Freshman Award National Merit LSU Scholarship
Schaffer K. Mickal LSU Business Management TOPS Opportunity Award John A. Mieras National Merit Semifinalist LSU Undeclared TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award, Future Leaders Research Award Harrison H. Millar Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist LSU (H) Biology (Pre-med) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, National Merit LSU Scholarship Henry T. Mitchell LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Pre-law
Henry T. Moreau Tulane University Financing TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Philip W. Meric University of Alabama Aerospace Engineering
Matthew C. Mount III LSU TOPS Honors Award
Engineering
Matthew J. Miceli National Merit Semifinalist LSU Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award
Kenneth P. Murray, Jr. LSU TOPS Performance Award
Engineering
Left: The Class of 2016 was treated to a hot jambalaya lunch while they watched the Intramural Sports program wrap up the senior cabbage ball finals on the second day of Senior Week. Right: Zachary Gandy, Reid Detillier, John James, Connor Maheu, and George LeBlanc enjoy jambalaya as they watch the cabbage ball game. J. Maxwell Murret University of Tampa (H) Business President’s Academic Scholarship, Knights of Columbus Outstanding Catholic Youth Award Sebastian J. Navia Nicholls State University
Culinary Arts
Samuel J. Nettleton University of Alabama (H) Presidential Scholarship André L. Nguyen LSU (H) TOPS Honors Award
Finance
Biology (Pre-dental)
Andrew M. Nguyen National Merit Commended Scholar Tulane University Undeclared TOPS Honors Award, Founders Scholarship Bryan Nguyen LSU (H) Biological Sciences TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award
Ryan T. Nguyen LSU TOPS Performance Award
Biology
Tommy D. Nguyen LSU TOPS Performance Award
Biology
Jacob P. Niehaus Millsaps College Biology Presidential Scholarship Jonathan K. Niehaus University of Southern Mississippi (H) Presidential Scholarship
Undeclared
John M. Nimmo National Merit Commended Scholar Saint Louis University Undeclared SLU Vice President Tuition Scholarship, Enhanced Merit Scholarship, SLU Jesuit High School Award Tyrus R. Norcise University of Louisiana at Lafayette Nursing TOPS Honors Award, Centennial Scholarship
Cody N. Nguyen Xavier University Undeclared of Louisiana (H) TOPS Honors Award, Xavier University Scholarship
Austin M. North LSU Business TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Joey K. Nguyen Xavier University of Louisiana TOPS Opportunity Award
Colin M. North LSU Kinesiology TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Biology (Pre-med)
Eric O’Neal, Jr. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Pre-pharmacy
Jon T. Odell National Merit Commended Scholar LSU (H) Biology TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Dickson D. Ogbomah, Jr. Spring Hill College Gautrelet Award
Pre-med
Cristian E. Orellana Loyola University New Orleans English TOPS Honors Award, Dean’s Scholarship, New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation Hispanic Scholar Award Robert E. Oswald III LSU Finance/Economics TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Richard J. Oubre III LSU TOPS Performance Award
Civil Engineering
Stephen M. Owers Saint Louis University (H) Economics SLU Vice President Tuition Scholarship, SLU Jesuit High School Award, SLU Higher Purpose Scholarship Evan J. Palmisano LSU Biology TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award
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Seth M. Pohlmann National Merit Semifinalist LSU (H) Petroleum Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Rinard Scholarship, Flagship Scholars Award, National Merit LSU Scholarship Michael B. Pou LSU TOPS Performance Award
Engineering
Akintunde S. Pounds University of Louisiana at Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award
Chemical Engineering
Jordan A. Prechac LSU Economics TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Daniel R. Puente LSU TOPS Honors Award
Connor B. Passantino LSU Guy R. Patron, Jr. Loras College St. Joseph Scholarship
History
Felix M. Rabito National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame Engineering Kinesiology
Griffin J. Pels LSU Biology TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award B. Mark Piglia, Jr. Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) Mechanical Engineering Presidential Merit Scholarship, FreeportMcMoRan Scholarship, McWilliams & Rankin Memorial Scholarship, National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship
Ryan J. Redmann LSU TOPS Honors Award
Neuroscience
Chemical Engineering
Austin C. Reed Lousiana Tech University (H) Computer Science TOPS Opportunity Award Cole S. Retif Co-valedictorian LSU Accounting TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Ethan A. Rocha LSU (H) Pre-med TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Trevor J. Roussel LSU Industrial Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award, Fluor Foundation Scholarship Jon M. Ruello, Jr. LSU TOPS Honors Award
Kinesiology
Darren P. Ruiz National Merit Commended Scholar LSU (H) Biology TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Evan T. Ruppert LSU Pre-veterinary Studies TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Peyton C. Ruppert LSU (H) Chemical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Chase K. Rushing University of Alabama Biology Birmingham (H) Blazer Elite Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship Patrick T. Rye National Merit Commended Scholar Florida State Biomedical University (H) Engineering Full Out-of-State Tuition Reduction Scholarship, University Freshman Scholarship
Charles L. Rice III Howard University (H) Capstone Award
Finance
Rodney P. Schaubhut, Jr. United States Coast Guard
Francesco A. Pineda LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Performance Award
Edward J. Rice IV LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
Pre-law
Kyler T. Pisciotta National Merit Semifinalist University of Mississippi (H) Chemical Engineering Academic Excellence National Merit Semifinalist Award, Academic Excellence Non-Resident National Merit Semifinalist Award, Barnard Scholarship, Academic Excellence Housing, National Merit University of Mississippi Scholarship
Kyle R. Richoux LSU Global Studies TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Jeremy W. Scheffler Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) Biology Presidential Merit Scholarship, National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship
Evan O. Poche Mississippi College Hampstead Scholarship
Zachary H. Robert Texas A&M University Marine Galveston Transportation
Criminal Justice
Zachary W. Robbins National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) Engineering Presidential Merit Scholarship, National Merit Univeristy of Alabama Scholarship
Connor J. Schexnayder LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Joshua M. Schmidt LSU TOPS Honors Award
Pre-pharmacy
Karson S. Schmitt Baton Rouge Community College Ethan E. Schneider University of New Orleans
Business Biology
Gabriel Griffin signs his classmate's shirt. On the final day of classes, seniors assembled at lunch to continue a tradition — the signing of uniform shirts. Later that day when the dismissal bell rang, whoops and hollers filled the halls as the Class of 2016 raced out the doors, through the Traditions Courtyard, and onto Will Clark Field to celebrate their last full day of class as Jesuit students. Jackson O. Scott LSU General Business TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Nicholas G. Slay University of Alabama (H) Engineering Presidential & Engineering Leadership Scholarships
Steven L. Sellers National Merit Semifinalist, National Hispanic Scholar Texas A&M University (H) Engineering Non-Resident Competitive Scholarship, National Merit Recognition Award, President’s Endowed Scholarship, National Merit Texas A&M University Scholarship
Roshan I. Sojitra LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
John W. Sewell Sewanee: University of the South Business Administration Lancaster Scholarship Rudra B. Shukla LSU Kinesiology TOPS Performance Award, Burger King Scholars Award Conrad H. Skinner LSU (H) Chemical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Evan J. Slattery Co-valedictorian, Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award, National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame Pre-med Great American Rivalry Scholarship
Sterling A. Stafford National Merit Commended Scholar Tulane University (H) Undeclared TOPS Honors Award, Presidential Scholar Award
Nolan M. Stone Tulane University Chemical Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award J. Anthony J. Stoner Co-valedictorian, National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame Classics National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship. National Tournament of Academic Excellence All-America Team Kevin M. Sullivan LSU Psychology TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Joseph A. Stagni, Jr. Loyola University New Orleans Undeclared TOPS Honors Award, President’s Scholarship
Kyle D. Sullivan LSU TOPS Honors Award
Brady R. Stiller Co-valedictorian, Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award, National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame Biology Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship, National Merit James E. Casey Scholarship
Dominic S. Sunseri LSU TOPS Opportunity Award
James M. Stoddard University of New Orleans Civil Engineering TOPS Performance Award
Undeclared
Statistics
Baasel A. Syed Loyola University Biology New Orleans (Pre-med) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholarship Ty A. Tarzetti Gap Year
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Jacob P. Theriot South Louisiana Community College
Industrial Technology
Wolfe A. Waguespack LSU TOPS Performance Award
Biology
Matthew S. Torres National Merit Commended Scholar LSU Biology TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award
Seth C. Walker LSU Nursing TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Richard C. Vanderbrook III Texas Christian Mechanical University Engineering
Kolby D. Weber Louisiana Tech University Chemical Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award
Alexander S. Vargas University of Supply Chain Tennessee Management Jonathan H. Vazquez LSU Chemical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Arjun Verma National Merit Semifinalist Johns Hopkins University
Neuroscience
Justin M. Vlosich University of Louisiana Hospitality at Lafayette Management TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholarship, Partial Housing Scholarship Andrew T. Vuong National Merit Commended Scholar Purdue University Aerospace Engineering Entergy Community Power Scholarship William P. Waguespack University of Louisiana at Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award
Environmental Engineering
Wyatt O. Weilbaecher LSU Landscape Architecture TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Robert U. Weiss IV LSU (H) Biology TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award, Advocate Scholar Award Edward T. Welsch National Merit Semifinalist LSU (H) Civil Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Joshua J.L. West National Merit Semifinalist Howard University Andrew J. Westholz National Merit Commended Scholar University of Alabama (H) Presidential Scholarship
Biology
English
Kyle M. Westholz LSU Undeclared TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award
Birds Earn Senior a Feather A Jesuit senior’s love of the outdoors and art garnered national recognition in April. Chase Mascaro, a Slidell native who enjoys hunting and fishing, placed third in the 2016-17 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. The event is coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which uses the contest to engage young people and foster lifelong connections with the outdoors. His entry (right), a colored pencil piece, included a pair of hooded mergansers. Mascaro qualified for the national competition by winning Best of Show at the state level. Mascaro started drawing when he was ten. He’s hunted and fished most of his life.
Jakirai R. Wiley University of Louisiana Finance at Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award, Kiwanis Club of Algiers College Scholarship Brandon M. Wolff National Merit Semifinalist LSU (H) Biological Sciences TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, National Merit LSU Scholarship, LSU Distinguished Freshman Award Michael A. Woods University of Louisiana Chemical at Lafayette Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award, 1st Marine Division Association Scholarship, Louisiana Sheriff’s Scholarship Logan K. Yokum National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame Computer Engineering Zachary D. Young LSU TOPS Performance Award David S. Zazulak LSU TOPS Honors Award
Business
Engineering
Matthew J. Zeringue LSU Chemical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Carlos S. Zervigon Fordham University Fordham Jogues Scholarship
Biology
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Where Are They Going? Most Blue Jays of the Class of 2016 will remain in state, but nearly 90 are heading to colleges throughout the country. Some of the many outof-state institutions Blue Jays plan to attend: University of Alabama (15) University of Notre Dame (7) University of Southern Mississippi (5) Rhodes College (4) Millsaps College (3) Spring Hill College (3) Saint Louis University (3) Texas A&M University (2) Fordham University (2) Howard University (2)
11%
67%
44%
Only 31 members of the class (273 grads) plan to stay in New Orleans to attend the colleges of their choice.
The majority of the grads, some 182, plan to stay in Louisiana and enroll in one of 12 institutions.
The largest contingent, 120 Blue Jays, is destined for Louisiana State University.
This year’s “long distance award” goes to one Blue Jay who is traveling more than 4,400 miles to attend the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland.
Intended Areas of Study
ACT Composite Averages
Sciences (69) Engineering (63) Business/Finance (51) Computer Science (13) Liberal Arts (9)
Louisiana 19.4
National 21
Scholarship Dollars
Jesuit 27.7
Blue Jays have accepted $8,704,916 in scholarship dollars (amount earned per year for four years).
Fine Arts (7) Political Science (6) Construction Management (5) Psychology (4) Communications (3) Armed Services* (3) Other (11) Undeclared (29)
* Two Blue Jays are entering the armed services, while one will be attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Blue Jays plan to study in a variety of majors and minors as they move on to their respective institutions.
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On the morning of April 29, Blue Jays of the 2016 school year stood together at assembly for the last time. In the traditional State of the Blue Jay address, student council president Joseph Dupré encouraged the assembled students to accept the torch from the Class of 2016 and . . .
Go, Set the World on Fire “Ite, inflammate omnia...”
During his years as superior general of the Society of Jesus, Ignatius often ended his letters to Jesuits going to the missions with this simple Latin expression. Translated, it means “Go, set the world on fire.” The imagery of fire is often one of destruction and evil, in which fire eradicates that which we hold dear. But fire, more importantly, and more along with what Ignatius hoped, can also be pure and good, in the way tongues of fire descended on the apostles at Pentecost. These words “go and set the world on fire” were not merely a P.S. message from a boss to his coworkers or a “raa-raa” message that a coach gives to his players at halftime. These were a Jesuit’s marching orders in their mission to evangelize. This was a demand for passion, a demand for zeal, a demand for a flame. This year, we, in the brotherhood that is Jesuit, have taken these marching orders to heart. At this address last year, we promised the outgoing seniors that we would carry the flame and do everything to become better sons, better brothers, and better men. With the stewardship of our school now our responsibility, we humbly strived in our pursuit of doing all things for the greater glory of God. Academically we produced incredible results with 43 National Merit Semifinalists, 15 valedictorians, and two perfect ACT scores. We brought home three state championships – cross country, tennis, and lacrosse – along with two state runner-up finishes in swimming and wrestling. We were represented in Philadelphia to greet Pope Francis, growing spiritually along the way as we listened to his message of caring for the poor. Our co-curriculars, such as the Quiz Bowl, the robotics team, the chess team, and the Ultimate Frisbee team, all received achievement accolades. The arts this year at Jesuit flourished as well under the guidance of senior leadership in the Phils productions and Blue Jay Band
performances. Yes, Jesuit is on fire. These flames can be seen in the shared brotherhood of the student body, in the perseverance of teammates, and in the work toward a common goal. They can be seen in the blood, sweat, and tears of the last year. They can be seen in the A.M.D.G. motto in which all that we do is rooted. For that is what separates this brotherhood from all others. This is what makes our Jesuit experience unrivaled — the fact that, here, we strive to glorify God, not self. This very
idea is the flame, summed up in a four-letter acronym. It is the fire that kindles other fires. And it is the pursuit of this ideal that colors our time here. In your experience, underclassmen, your job will now be to tend to this flame, to build the fire to greater heights, to spend the remaining months here strengthening yourselves for the challenges that await you after high school. To carry the flame forward, one must be committed, fearless, always striving for greatness for the whole. It means to be men of character who are willing to sacrifice and who will embody the values we hold dear here at Jesuit. No one person can do it by himself; it takes a full team effort, a full student body’s dedication to preserving, protecting, and nurturing the flame for the upcoming year. We, the Class of 2016, have absolute confidence in you, the student body, that
you will make all those Blue Jays who have gone before you proud. Wear the khaki with pride and carry the flame courageously. It has been a privilege as president to have walked with you as you have prepared to take ownership of this place with tenacity and with fervor. From where we stand, we seniors are proud to hand over the keys to such a vibrant student body. Seniors, as we pass the torch in our leading the school, we do not forget the bonds of brotherhood that have enflamed us for these last five or four years. The fire will not die, for it will live on despite however far apart our class is. There is sadness in leaving this place in which we have grown, yet there is joy in the approaching opportunities that come with college. But most importantly, there is peace from knowing we made the most of our five or four years. Just as the missionaries left the comforts of their residence to traverse foreign lands, so, too, do we embark on new journeys with no idea as to what lies before us. But as we leave, let us retain that which has been instilled in us. Let us live out the profile of a Jesuit graduate: Loving, Religious, Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Committed to Justice. Let us embody A.M.D.G. In closing, whether you will soon walk away from this assembly for the last time or you will continue to walk the Hall of Honors today, a question remains that can only be answered in our actions moving forward. Will you commit yourself to the marching orders that have been given to us down the years from St. Ignatius? Will you too be fervent and passionate in your endeavors? Will you carry the flame? Ite, inflammate onmia. Go, set the world on fire. — Joseph Dupré ’16 Student Council President
GRADUATION 2016
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Gerald Herbert ’82 Inspires the Class of 2016
M
embers of the Class of 2016 — 272 of them — and an almost equal number of Jesuit alumni enjoyed a midday dose of Blue Jay camaraderie at the 2016 Commencement Luncheon. The 15th annual program, at which Jesuit welcomes seniors into the school’s alumni association, took place in the Bienville Room of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on April 29. Guest speaker Gerald Herbert ’82, an award-winning photographer for the Associated Press, used stories from his vast experiences to urge the seniors to “be bold enough to take the lead in
showing love.” Herbert’s photography career has taken him across the globe, including Haiti where, in the 1990s, he established a fund to enroll Haitian children into private schools. He talked about some of his toughest assignments such as documenting the plight of a mother dying of AIDS and her desperate attempt to find a family to adopt her son. The bulk of his address, however, focused on Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who inspired him not only to document her story but also to join her mission in caring for the poor and the dying. From Mother Teresa he
learned two most important lessons: “God is love” and “the work is the prayer.” “The degree to which your prayer life is working is not necessarily what happens inside the Church, but what happens outside the Church,” Herbert said. “All of the small, positive decisions you make every day formulate you as a human and how much of the spirit of Christ you manifest.” View the photo gallery of the Class of 2016 Commencement Luncheon at jesuitnola.org/commencementluncheon.
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Pictured on opposite page: Gerald Herbert ’82 speaks to Blue Jays about his personal, professional, and spiritual experiences. This page: 1. Miguel Hull ’97, Matthew Darensbourg ’09, and Malachi Hull, Sr. ’92, whose son, Malachi, Jr. is among the seniors of 2016. Darensbourg is a cousin of the Hull family. 2. Rick Redmann ’85 & sons: senior Ryan (left) and Richard ’12 3. All in the Dupré Family: (from left) Matthew ’12, Christopher ’14, Dickie ’83, Joseph ’16, Arthur, Jr. ’76, Jonathan ’09, and Arthur ’04. Dickie and Arthur Dupré, Jr., are brothers. 4. Featured alumnus speaker Gerald Herbert (center) was joined by several of his friends from the Class of 1982. (from left) Brett Wise, Kevin Fuxan, Ronnie Camet, Herbert, Bryan Wolff, Al Derbes, and Mike Giambelluca. 5. Three generations of Jays: grandfather Albert Derbes ’58 is flanked by his two senior grandsons, Scott (left) and Anton, whose fathers are, respectively, Eric Derbes ’83 (far left) and Al Derbes ’82 (far right). 6. (from left) Kenny Retif ’76, Wayne Fontana ’69, Milton Retif ’51, Kevin Heigle ’69, and Gerard Discon ’99 (whose younger brother David is a member of the Class of 2016). 7. Bub Maurin ’50 with his grandson, senior J.T. Odell
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WHERE Y’AT 1940s
Peter Finney ’45 published his third book in February, The Best of Peter Finney, Legendary New Orleans Sportswriter. Edited by his son Peter Finney, Jr. ’74, the book is a collection of 75 of Finney’s best columns from his distinguished 69-year career at The States-Item (1945-1980) and The Times-Picayune (19802013). Pete’s other two books are The Fighting Tigers, 19831993: One Hundred Years of LSU Football and Pistol Pete: The Story of College Basketball’s Greatest Star. In 2010, Finney received the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Dick McCann Memorial Award for his distinguished reporting in the field of pro football.
at the organization’s Delta Section’s awards ceremony in May. The award recognizes distinguished service, especially in providing guidance and mentorship to those in the petroleum industry. Allen has been an SPE member since 1956 and currently serves as the senior advisor for the Delta Section. Recently retired, Allen spends considerable time bass fishing on his 5-acre spread in Covington.
St. Angela Merici Parish in Metairie.
this past Christmas. At Jesuit the three brothers all ran track while Erwin and Mike also played football. Bob writes, “The three of us are very proud of our school, Jesuit High.”
1950s 1960s Eugene Delaune ’57 is retired and living in New Brighton, MN, a suburb of St. Paul. He served as the vice-president of corporate development for the H.B. Fuller Company. Gene and his wife, Kathleen, remain active in their church and community. However, their priority is the enjoyment of quality time with their three children and five grandchildren. Of course, they also maintain close ties with long-time New Orleans area friends.
Merlin Remmers ’45 and his wife, Joan, celebrated 68 years of marriage in October. Merlin and Joan, along with their daughter Ann Lagarde, enjoyed celebrating Merlin’s 71st year reunion at Jesuit in June.
John Duarte ’59 has weaved a fictional story from Hitler’s alleged plot to kidnap Pope Pius XII during WWII. Kidnap the Pope, published in February, is Jack’s sixth book in his World War II series. Of interest to Jack’s 1959 classmates (one, in particular) is a major character whose name is Fr. Mike Rodi of New Orleans. Jack and his wife, Susan, live in Lexington, KY, where they own and breed thoroughbreds.
Allen Porter ’49 received the Jim Rike Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty and Mentorship from the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
Robert Caswell ’60, Michael Caswell ’53, and Erwin Caswell ’52 got a chance to reminisce about their days at Jesuit when they were together
ALUMNI: TELL US WHERE Y’AT! Email alumni director Mat Grau at grau@jesuitnola.org or submit online at jesuitnola.org/where-yat.
Lynn Brandin’ 61 and his wife, Dee, celebrated their 50th anniversary in January at the Dockside Café in Niceville, FL, owned and operated by fellow alumnus Ernie Danjean ’82. Lynn and Dee have made their home in Crestview, FL, for the past 45 years. After Lynn’s retirement they opened Wood-N-Things, a custom woodworking business. During this time they enjoyed trips with their family to the mountains of North Carolina and Disney World and, of course, the beautiful white sands of the Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida. They now enjoy full retirement after closing the business in 2015 and look forward to traveling and spending more time with family. Ed Mazoue ’62 received the St. Louis Medallion from Archbishop Gregory Aymond at a May 1 ceremony. The award is given to laypersons who have devoted themselves to the work of the Catholic Church throughout the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Ed received the award for his service at
Mazoue ’62
William Abbott ’63 received a master’s degree in English from the University of New Orleans this past December. His thesis addressed war and peace issues in Paradise Lost and other works by John Milton. Bill writes, “What makes this newsworthy? First, I’m old. Beyond that, I went back to school after practicing intellectual property law for 45 years. I did so on a dare from poet Brod Bagert ’65. I focused on Milton because, like him, I have limited eyesight.” William Coleman III ’66 has co-authored his tenth book, Illustrated Guide to Eyelid and Periorbital Surgery: Applied Anatomy, Examination, Blepharoplasty. Dr. Coleman, who has authored more than 300 scientific articles, has been active in teaching cosmetic skin surgery and serves as clinical professor of dermatology and adjunct professor of plastic surgery at the Tulane University Health Sciences Center. He maintains an active private practice in Metairie. Eugene Katz ’66 is now senior company counsel with Wells Fargo & Company in Charlotte, NC. Gene has been with Wells Fargo for the past 13 years.
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Jack Laborde ’67 was presented with the 2016 Outstanding Alumnus Award at the Tulane University School of Science and Engineering Eight Annual Alumni Awards Celebration in March. The award is given to an “individual who, through exemplary accomplishments and recognition, epitomizes the potential of a Tulane education and thereby brings credit and honor to the School and University.” It is the highest form of alumni recognition given by the school. Julien Baudier ’68 and several other ’68ers turned out on May 14 to support classmate Ned Rodrigue and his Bugs & Brew for Drew Crawfish Cook-off and Beer Festival. The festival honors Ned’s son Drew Rodrigue ’00, who died of cancer in 2009. The 6th annual event was held on Fulton Street at Ernst Café. Proceeds support the Drew Rodrigue Foundation’s initiative to help build a new pediatric oncology recreation center at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge. To learn more visit DRFnola.org. Pictured (left to right) are Jack Casey, Ned Rodrigue, Nick Matulich, Tommy Ryan, Jerry Ryder, Andy Williams, Jay Baudier,
and Lawrence Frischhertz. Frank Maselli ’68 has been named Honorary Consul of Italy in New Orleans by decree of the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C. Frank will represent Italy at international functions and promote business and trade between the United States and Italy. John McDonald ’68 has retired after ten years at Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. as vicepresident, general counsel, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary. Robert Tompkins ’68 received the Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism from the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in June. Bob retired last fall after 43 years as a sports journalist in Louisiana, 38 of them at The Town Talk in Alexandria. He has won numerous awards including the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association’s Sportswriter of the Year for Louisiana four times and Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Sportswriter of the Year. For many years he served on the committees to select the Heisman Trophy and the John Wooden Award.
1970s
Lawrence Chehardy ’71 was appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards to the position of chairman of the Louisiana Tax Commission. Lawrence’s
agency will review appeals of decisions made by tax assessors across the state. He will also represent a commission district encompassing Jefferson, Ascension, Livingston, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. Lawrence served as assessor of Jefferson Parish for 35 years before stepping down in 2010. Wayne Gsell ’72 recently moved back to the New Orleans area after living in the Pacific Northwest for the past 32 years. Wayne lives in Covington. Blake Krass ’74 was awarded the Chic O’Connor Memorial Award as the outstanding Special Olympics volunteer among the 105,000 Texas Knights at the recent state convention of the Texas Knights of Columbus. Blake is wrapping up a four-year stint as a district deputy and will be the state church chairman for 2016-17. He occasionally runs into his classmate Webster Veade ’74 at KC events. Blake reaches two milestones this summer: his 30th anniversary with his wife, Shelly, and his 35th anniversary working for IBM. He has lived in Austin, TX, since 1981. Mark Ripple ’74 has been named to the American Institute of Architecture College of Fellows Class of 2016. The fellowship program recognizes those architects who have made a significant contribution to
SAVE THE DATE LEF FALL PHONE & EMAIL CAMPAIGN OCTOBER 11-13 architecture and society. Mark is principal/director of operations at the Eskew+Dumez+Ripple architectural firm in New Orleans. Tony Abadie ’75 is now part of John Besh’s Our House Hospitality Group, the food and beverage management team overseeing food service at The Pontchartrain Hotel. The signature element of the revitalization project is the rebirth of the Caribbean Room restaurant. Tony worked for the Hilton New Orleans Riverside from 1982 until 2016 in the catering and banquet arena. Terry Murphy ’76 received the Y.C. Ho / Jelen and Michael Chiang Foundation Fellowship. Dr. Murphy is director of pediatric palliative care education at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in the University of Michigan Health System. Robert Roux ’76 is the new executive counsel for the Louisiana Workforce Commission, a state agency that administers programs designed to enhance workforce growth and provide family-sustaining jobs for Louisiana residents.
Alumni Involved in Leadership Changes in Catholic High Schools Ardley Hanemann ’61 has retired as president of Cabrini High School. Ardley served as the school’s president since 2004 after serving as development director at Jesuit from 1994-2004. Replacing Ardley as Cabrini’s president and chief executive officer is Jack Truxillo ’73. Jack served as Jesuit’s director of admissions from 2005-2012 before assuming the role of associate superintendent for the Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Catholic Schools. Mike Giambelluca ’82, Jesuit’s principal from 2001-2013, takes over as president of De La Salle High School. Most recently, Mike served as principal of Christ the Pictured (from left): Hanemann, Truxillo, and Giambelluca King Parish School in Terrytown.
WHERE Y’AT SAVE THE DATE ALUMNI HOMECOMING JESUIT VS. HOLY CROSS RIVALRY TAILGATE SEPTEMBER 30 5 PM HOMECOMING ALUMNI MASS & RECEPTION OCTOBER 1 5 PM Rob has been the agency’s lead attorney in workforce development issues for more than 25 years.
Uli ’76
Patrick Uli ’76 checked off A Bucket List item in 2014 when he released a CD titled Loving You with Bear Necessities. Pat writes, “As a member of the Jesuit High School Marching Band, Symphony Band, and Jazz Ensemble, I continued my music after graduating from high school. I played trumpet for many years and still continue to play piano today.” Pat surprised his classmates with a copy of his CD for each of them at their 40th year reunion in April. Pat and his wife, Terry, live in St. Petersburg, FL, where he is vice-president of business development and research and development for Burry Foods. “I truly thank the many Jesuit priests and teachers for their guidance of me as a young man.”
Charles Brodtmann ’77 is the day shift supervisor at USDA – National Finance Center. He has worked in the same area for 30 years and now oversees those whom he trained through the years. “Hopefully, it’s onward and upward from this position,” says Charles.
Brown ’78
John Gregory Brown ’78 has published his fourth novel, A Thousand Miles from Nowhere. Escaping the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, John’s protagonist comes up against another tragedy in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. What ensues is the story of an unstable man who seeks and finds the simple happiness of being able to pursue his dreams and get on with his life. John is the Julia Jackson Nichols Professor of English at Sweet Briar College in Virginia, a position he has held for the past two decades. He and his wife, the novelist Carrie Brown, have three children. Charles Marsala ’78 created the Krewe of Tusk and Horn specifically to end the poaching of endangered species. The Krewe’s creative approach to the issue is to engage artists to use their talents to increase public awareness of the problem. Projects have included an elephant and rhino themed coloring page created by a local artist and the creation of a bike float in the Krewe of Tucks parade. Charles took up the cause while serving as mayor of Atherton, CA. Curt Queyrouze ’79 has been named president of Transportation Alliance Bank
in Ogden, UT. Before his appointment, Curt served as the bank’s chief credit officer for the past two years.
1980s
Gerald Eumont ’80 is now director for exploration and production and acquisitions and divestitures at Houlihan Lokey in Houston, a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, valuation, financial restructuring, and strategic consulting. Jerry is a member of the Houston Jays alumni chapter leadership team. Raymond Ventura ’83 recently released his newest novel, Vow of Secrecy. The fictional mysterythriller focuses on a young Catholic priest who is suddenly drawn into a dreadful sequence of events which ultimately test both his will and his obedience to the priesthood. A. Tom Leonhard ’85 has been named CEO of HRI Properties, his employer since he was a student at the University of New Orleans in 1988. Tom will continue as president, a position he has held since 2011. The company focuses on renovations of historic buildings in urban areas into large, mixed-use developments. It also manages hotels and apartments. Tom is a member of Jesuit’s Parents’ Annual Giving Drive leadership team. Henry Chassaignac ’86 has been named president and executive creative director of Zehnder Communications. Henry will oversee the advertising and public relations firm’s offices in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Nashville. He opened the Nashville office in 2010. William Trist ’86 recently celebrated his 20th anniversary with Merrill Lynch, where he is
a senior vice-president of wealth management. Will and his wife, Allison, live in Mandeville with their two daughters, Sophie (19) and Georgia (16). Christopher Galy ’87 has been promoted to chief people officer at Ten-X, an online real estate marketplace. Chris previously served as vice president of talent. He will oversee all human resources operations, talent acquisition, talent development, and employment branding efforts for the Silicon Valley company. Robert Luke ’89 has published his first book on Amazon. A parody of both Star Wars and the entire self-help genre, Everything I Ever Needed to Know about Leadership I Learned from the Emperor is a humorous romp through the culturally incorrect leadership skills of Star Wars’ most evil CEO. Rob writes, “It’s the perfect ‘how to’ guide for any Blue Jay intent on amassing unlimited power at the local, state, or galactic level and backing it with a vast military infrastructure.” Rob continues to enjoy his dual career of voiceover acting and running his academic tutoring business in Los Angeles. Todd Schrenk ’89 is an English and theater teacher at Cabrini High School. Along with several friends, Todd created Krewe of ’tit Rex in 2009, a Mardi Gras krewe dedicated to pintsized floats. As a native New Orleanian, Todd is well familiar with crafting Carnival parade floats out of shoeboxes.
1990s
Sean Burke ’92 was named executive assistant in the governmental office of Jefferson Parish in April. Steven Ellis ’94 has spent the last 16 years working for Bellwether Technology, where
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he serves as the company’s vicepresident. Bellwether is an IT service provider in the New Orleans area. Eric Hunn ’94 is the founder and team captain of Mr. Pigglesworth, a perennial favorite at Hogs for the Cause. In fact, Eric and his team won Fan Favorite for the second year in a row and donated more than $40,000 to the event’s cause, pediatric brain cancer outreach services. Eric is the regional manager of Wave Electronics in Harahan. Fr. Robert Murphy, S.J., ’95 is the coordinator of the retreat program and the campus minister for medical and allied health students at St. Louis University. Fr. Murphy is a physical therapist and athletic trainer. He was ordained a priest at College Church on the campus of SLU in 2014 and is happy to return there. Ralph Presley ’95 has published his first book, a memoir entitled Can We Get Back? Living in Houston, Ralph writes a loving tribute to his beloved New Orleans. A multi-talented artist, Ralph not only wrote the text, but also created the illustrations throughout the book. The story is based on a 2010 song Ralph penned. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business management from Xavier University of Louisiana. After college he worked in both the public and private sectors of business before transitioning into the field of education. Ralph and his wife, Syreeta, have one son, Zavier.
Presley ’95
Marcus Scott ’95 just could not stay away from prep sports. After one year as defensive backs coach at Nicholls State, Marcus will serve as the defensive coordinator at Destrehan High School. After a stellar career as a defensive back at Jesuit, he went to play at McNeese State. Marcus served for three years as an assistant coach of the Jesuit football team under Vic Eumont. He has also served as head coach of West Jefferson. Kyle Coleman ’97 has moved back to New Orleans to start his own cosmetic dermatology practice on St. Charles Avenue – Etre, Cosmetic Dermatology and Laser Center. After having practiced in Austin, TX, for seven years, Dr. Coleman decided to come home with his wife and two children to be back in the city they love. Brett Grau ’99 completed his first marathon in February, the New Orleans Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Brett achieved his goal of finishing under four hours when he came in at 3:54:38. Brett will marry Regina Lear in September.
Grau ’99
Arsalan Suleman ’99 has been appointed the acting U.S. special envoy to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Arsalan previously served for four years as counselor for multilateral affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and as deputy special envoy to the OIC. He graduated from Georgetown
University’s School of Foreign Service as an International Security Studies major with a Certificate in Muslim-Christian Understanding. As a George Mitchell Scholar, he earned a master’s degree in international peace studies from Trinity College, Dublin. He holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he published several articles on national security and the law and was a Fellow with the Harvard Negotiation Research Project.
2000s
Matthew Ekstrom ’00 is the co-founder and CEO at Prospectify, an online wealth prospecting tool. Matt lives and works in Phoenix, AZ. Mark Taliancich ’00 received his doctorate of philosophy: counselor education and supervision from the University of Holy Cross in May. Mark and his wife, Meagen, are celebrating their first wedding anniversary and expecting their first child in December. Harold Buchler ’01 graduated in May from Loyola Law School with a specialty in business and entertainment law. Kyle Huling ’01 is one of the founders of Urban South Brewery. Located on Tchoupitoulas Street just upriver from the Convention Center, the huge brewery is currently producing two beers, already available in local stores. Kyle hosted his Class of 2001 reunion event in May. Gary Boe ’03 is now Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser’s communications director. To assume the position, Buddy resigned his seat on the St. John the Baptist Parish Council, which he assumed in January. Jordan Ferrage ’03 graduated from LSU’s dental school in 2011. After five years with other
Steve Foley ’71 Presents NFL’s Golden Football to His Alma Mater
Steve Foley ’71 returned to Carrollton and Banks to present Jesuit with a gift from the National Football League. As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl, Steve presented the students with the NFL’s Golden Football. This ritual was repeated throughout the country as the league presented the high school of every player in a Super Bowl with the special memento. After playing quarterback for Jesuit and Tulane, Steve enjoyed an 11year career as a defensive back with the Denver Broncos. He played in two Super Bowls — Super Bowl XII against Dallas and Super Bowl XXI against the New York Giants. Steve remains the Broncos’ alltime interception leader with 44 picks. dentists, Jordan opened his own practice this past April. Paul Perez ’03 and his wife, Elizabeth, recently opened Avenue Family Dentistry on St. Charles Avenue. Paul received his doctorate of dental surgery from LSU in 2011. James Rehkopf ’04 earned his Doctor of Chiropractic in 2014. He operates his own practice, Life Chiropractic, in Metairie. James is an assistant coach with Jesuit’s rugby team.
WHERE Y’AT Brandon Chagnard ’05 was a member of the Club Deportivo Motagua soccer team of New Orleans that made history this year by becoming the first amateur soccer team from Louisiana to qualify for the modern Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Brandon was a member of Jesuit’s state championship soccer team in 2005.
flames. Cool flames are particularly interesting to NASA due to their fire safety implications. Christopher is a 2013 graduate of the University of Virginia and currently is a graduate student at Princeton University.
Stephen Sewell ’06 married Kaylyn Mansfield on June 25 at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church on Baronne Street.
Andrew Warren ’10 graduated from Louisiana State University in 2014 with a degree in sociology. In 2015, Andrew joined the Dudley DeBosier law firm as an intake specialist.
Daniel Walk ’06 recently began his residency in emergency medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Monte Montaldo ’08, after receiving an internship at Peter Piper Pizza in Tucson, AZ, now serves as the store’s manager. Christopher Reuther ’09 submitted one of two winning proposals that will use the NASA Physical Sciences Informatics System, an online database of International Space Station (ISS) flight experiments. The grant will allow Christopher to do research within the field of combustion science by conducting new ground-based investigation. His proposal centers on the study of cool flames, a type of low-temperature flames that are governed by a different chemistry than normal hot
2010s
Randall Agee ’11 graduated in May from the University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in sports security management. He is now working in the recruitment office for the Southern Miss football team. Randall, who played football for the Blue Jays and the Golden Eagles, anticipates becoming a graduate assistant next spring. Also, he is applying for fall acceptance into the doctorate program for human capital development at USM.
legislative staff for Congressman Trey Gowdy of South Carolina. He serves as Congressman Gowdy’s legislative aide for energy, trade, tax, and financial services policy. Clay served as student body president at LSU for the 2014-2015 school year.
Paul Stapp ’15, in his first year on the LSU lacrosse team, was named Rookie of the Year and second team All-Conference. LSU competes in the Lone Star Alliance Division I Conference. Paul was an All-State player on the 2014 state championship Blue Jay lacrosse team.
Blue Jay at Center of ALS Breakthrough Guerra ’14
John Guerra ’14 is a seminarian at St. Joseph Seminary College, a gifted pianist, and now a composer of sacred music. John’s “Mass of Mercy” was heard for the first time in March during Mass at the Abbey Youth Festival. The composition is copyrighted and approved by the U.S. Bishops. Patrick Steen ’14 studied abroad for four months through Spring Hill College’s study abroad program. While Patrick was based in Bologna, Italy, he was able to visit other parts of
Gregory Schwing ’11 graduated from the University of New Orleans, magna cum laude, in May of 2015 and completed a summer internship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Clayton Tufts ’11 is on the
Italy as well as other European countries. Patrick is studying economics and finance.
Steen ’14
David Scotton Continues to Advocate for Adoption David Scotton ’12 set off on a personal journey when he was a junior at Jesuit. He began exploring his story of adoption through writing and delivering a speech for the New Orleans Regional ProLife Oratory Contest. David was adopted after his parents chose to continue with the pregnancy while facing the difficulties of an unplanned pregnancy. After graduating from Jesuit, David joined Louisiana Right to Life to produce a documentary capturing his path to meet his birth parents, explore his identity, and offer thanks for the gift of his life and his family. In April, David returned to his alma mater to share with current students an editor’s cut of his powerful pro-life film, “I Lived on Parker Avenue.” The final version is expected to be released to the public at the end of 2016. David plans to attend LSU law school in the fall and continue advocacy for the pro-life movement. Pictured: David Scotton ’12 describes the process of producing the film at the campus screening of “I Lived on Parker Avenue.”
J. Gavin Daigle ’04 is among a team of researchers who have found a naturally occurring protein that could open a pathway for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Gavin’s research paper, actually a defense of his dissertation as a Ph.D. candidate at the Louisiana State University Health New Orleans School of Graduate Studies, was published in February in the online journal Acta Neuropathologica. The research uncovers a key as to how ALS kills cells and gives hope for ALS therapy.
BIB LIST
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Jesuit congratulates...
Anne & John Dardis ’59 on the birth of their grandson, Michael Joseph Singleton, June 9, 2016. Michael is the great-grandson of the late William Dardis ’25.
Emily & Gavin Gillen ’98 on the birth of their son, Gavin Daniel Gillen, Jr., October 5, 2015. Daniel is the grandson of the late Gerard Gillen, Jr. ’54.
Peggy & Randolph Pistorius, Sr. ’65 on the birth of their grandson, Ross Pistorius, Jr., September 17, 2015.
Kimberly & Keith Luminais, Jr. ’98 on the birth of their daughter, Claire Olivia Luminais, April 21, 2016. Claire is the granddaughter of Keith Luminais, Sr. ’76.
Louise & Karl Zollinger ’67 on the birth of their twin granddaughters, Natalie Rose Benitez and Afton Elise Benitez, October 20, 2015. They are the great-granddaughters of the late John Zollinger, Jr. ’29. Kathleen & Stanley Gauchet ’69 on the birth of their first grandchild, Jacob Patrick Menard, December 2, 2015. Ann & Kevin Heigle ’69 on the birth of their grandson, Christian Jude Siemssen, January 28, 2016. Christian is the great-grandson of the late Henry Briggs, Jr. ’40. Anthony Engolia III ’78 on the birth of his grandson, Cannon Cade O’Connor, August 17, 2015. Jessica & Anthony Williams ’92 on the birth of their son, Anthony Michael Williams II, January 6, 2016. Malise & Thomas Harold ’93 on the birth of their daughter, Evelyn Elise Harold, April 28, 2016. Evelyn is the granddaughter of Elliotte Harold, Jr. ’56. Akia & Terry Ursin, Jr. ’93 on the birth of their twin sons, Terry John Ursin III and John Terry Ursin, January 29, 2016. Kate & William Brown ’96 on the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Clark Brown, December 9, 2015. Lindsay & Jason Fein ’97 on the birth of their son, Conrad Louis Fein, October 5, 2015. Conrad is the great-grandson of the late Sidney Tiblier ’38 and John Thomas ’48. He is the grandson of Joseph Fein III ’68. Meghan & Bradley Landry ’97 on the birth of their son, Foster Benjamin Landry, December 17, 2015. Cherie & Chad Stouder ’97 on the birth of their son, Cole Michael Stouder, February 3, 2016. Katie & Christopher Adams ’98 on the birth of their daughter, Jane Frances Adams, October 23, 2015. Jennifer & Michael Fontenelle ’98 on the birth of their daughter, Aria Lexi Fontenelle, August 12, 2015. Aria is the granddaughter of Stanley Fontenelle ’60.
Gia & Joseph Fenasci ’99 on the birth of their son, Luca James Fenasci, February 29, 2016. Dana & Rhett Leger ’99 on the birth of their son, Bennett Patrick Leger, December 28, 2015. Sarah & Kevin Block ’00 on the birth of their daughter, Cecilia Jean Block, January 21, 2016. Cecilia is the great-granddaughter of the late Lloyd Drury ’42 and the granddaughter of Harry Block ’72. Christina & Gary Bordelon II ’00 on the birth of their son, Beau Leon Bordelon, June 2, 2015. Beau is the grandson of Gary Bordelon, Sr. ’72. Amberly & Charles Nunez, Jr. ’00 on the birth of their daughter, Ellie Lynette Nunez, March 28, 2016. Ellie is the granddaughter of Charles Nunez, Sr. ’73. Ann & Scott Zainey ’00 on the birth of their son, Jacques Davis Zainey, December 3, 2015. Jacques is the grandson of Michael Zainey ’74. Sudie & Richard Joint ’01 on the birth of their son, Sutter Christian Joint, April 14, 2016. Sutter is the great-grandson of the late George Joint, Sr. ’32 and the grandson of George Joint, Jr. ’68. Leilan & Tim Falter ’02 on the birth of their daughter, Teddy Elizabeth Falter, June 1, 2016. Teddy is the granddaughter of Paul Falter, Jr. ’71. Sarah & Millard Mulé ’02 on the birth of their son, Salvador Paul Mulé, May 31, 2016. Ashley & Justin Farge ’03 on the birth of their son, Benjamin Joseph Farge, November 16, 2015. Benjamin is the great-grandson of the late John Elmer ’39. He is the grandson of Douglas Farge ’72 and Robert Stevens ’74. Andrea & Jordan Ferrage ’03 on the birth of their daughter, Matilda Louise Ferrage, October 16, 2015.
Jeanne & Ryan Higgins ’03 on the birth of their son, James Charlton Higgins, January 2, 2016. Elizabeth & Paul Perez ’03 on the birth of their son, Samuel Joseph Perez, September 11, 2015. Sam is the grandson of Joseph Crapanzano ’75 and Peter Perez ’75. Elizabeth & Christopher Capretto ’04 on the birth of their son, Jacob David Capretto, December 2, 2015. Jacob is the grandson of John Capretto ’74. Rachael & Eric Johns ’04 on the birth of their son, Adam Hunter Johns, April 2, 2015. Adam is the grandson of Gregory Johns ’75. Heather & William Neilsen ’04 on the birth of their son, James Peter Neilsen, September 8, 2015. Miranda & Justice Buras ’05 on the birth of their son, Victor Joseph Buras, February 9, 2016. Victor is the grandson of Robert Buras ’74. Brittany & Alden Settoon ’05 on the birth of their son, Alden Anderson Settoon, February 3, 2016. Hillary & Nicholas Steckler ’05 on the birth of their son, Henry Joseph Steckler, January 16, 2016. Maegen & Joseph Vincent ’05 on the birth of their daughter, Olivia Schaff Vincent, July 9, 2015. Olivia is the great-granddaughter of the late William Vincent, Sr. ’32 and the granddaughter of William Vincent, Jr. ’63. Emily & John Faciane, Jr. ’07 on the birth of their son, John Leo Faciane III, February 16, 2016. John is the great-grandson of Louis Britsch, Jr. ’53 and the grandson of John Faciane, Sr. ’80. Megan & Brian Seay ’07 on the birth of their son, Collin Robert Seay, August 29, 2015. Grace & Daniel Fitzpatrick ’09 on the birth of their daughter, Therese Imelda Fitzpatrick, March 23, 2016. Therese is the great-granddaughter of the late Clendon Butera ’41 and the granddaughter of Daniel Fitzpatrick ’78. Info for the Bib List may be sent to Krista Roeling via the website: jesuitnola.org/ bib-list, or email: roeling@jesuitnola.org. Parents will receive a pink or blue Jayson bib for their new arrival(s).
IN MEMORIAM The list of deceased members of the Jesuit High School community represents information received from December 1, 2015 – May 31, 2016. For current announcements, visit jesuitnola.org/in-memoriam. The symbol † indicates the related alumnus is also deceased. The symbol * indicates the individual is either a current or a former member of the faculty or staff of Jesuit High School. ALUMNI… (By Class Year) James F. Roy ’36 Arthur O. Schott ’36 Joseph C. Howard, Jr. ’40 Richard E. McNeely ’40 John J. Signorelli ’37 Harry G. Caire ’41 George C. Battalora, Jr. ’42 Edgar J. Kehlor, Jr. ’42 Philip H. Roach, Jr. ’42 Richard B. Spangenberg ’43 William A. Watson, Jr. ’43 Edward W. Hess ’44 Louis W. Cazentre ’46 John O. Edwards ’46 Philip J. Foto ’46 Stephen J. Herbert ’46 Frederick J. Baehr, Jr. ’47 Donald L. Murphy ’47 Paul Bethancourt, Jr. ’48 Leo L. Dubourg, Jr. ’48 Dick E. Roach ’48 Anthony N. Scalco ’48 Juan R. Baker ’50 Craig J. Crovetto ’50 Charles J. Holmes ’50 Barry F. Trinchard ’50 Jeremy D. Adams ’51 E. Burton Kemp III ’51 Augustus G. Cambias III ’52 Gerald L. Babin ’53 Peter E. Brue ’53 Donald S. Harter ’53 James M. Linn, Jr. ’53 Edward J. Martin, Jr. ’53 Robert C. Flair ’54 Emile E. Richard, Jr. ’55 Numa L. Marquette, Jr. ’56 Paul V. Palermo ’56 Frederick W. Kraemer III ’57 Richard C. Gravois ’58 Elbert H. Goodier III ’59 Donald H. Loisel ’59 John O. Mason, Jr. ’59 Donald G. Weilbaecher ’59 Robert C. Coleman, Jr. ’63 Thomas J. Pennison, Sr. ’64 William J. Hammond ’65 Gary M. ImMasche ’65 R. Theodore O’Dwyer III ’65 Lawrence W. Stoulig, Jr. ’67 John L. Prendergast, Jr. ’69 David M. Tringali ’71 John B. Potts II ’72 David Michael Frey ’73 John M. Gatti, Jr. ’76 John D. Wolfe ’89 Colin T. Faherty ’93 Austin C. Naremore ’11
WIFE OF … (By Name) Gerald L. Bertucci ’44† Robert J. Brennan ’42† Terry M. Brennan ’55 G. Gernon Brown, Jr. ’44† J. Fred Crane ’41† Waller H. Dobbins ’32† Hugh J. Farnet, Jr. ’45† Walter F. Garvey ’45† Milton L. LeBlanc, Jr. ’38† John K. Long ’49 Fernand D. Lorio ’40† E. Clarke Montgomery ’49 Robert A. Pajares, Sr. ’58 Alfred R. Pierce, Jr. ’37† Thomas J. Poole ’49 Stephen B. Rodi, Jr. ’58 J. Harry Roman III ’53 Thomas J. Roux ’70 Wayne H. Scheuermann ’61 Julius A. Smith, Jr. ’54 Thomas J. Tomeny, Jr. ’50† Richard L. Voelker, Jr. ’32† FATHER OF … John S. ’69 & Robert A. Anderson ’78 Dean M. ’86 & Jon D. Berthelot ’87 Stephen M. ’69 & Wayne E. Blust ’73 Kyle S. Brue ’84 Aaron C. Burgau ’92 (stepfather) Donald C. ’79 & Stephen L. Cazentre ’87 Lawrence R. III ’87 & Michael C. DeMarcay ’88 (stepfather) Robert B. Fisher III ’15 Kevin I. Flores ’81 James G. Foto ’80 Robert J. Funck ’75 Michael A. Goodier ’95 Sean M. Hardy ’02 Stephen J. Jr. ’72, Gregory F. ’78, Lawrence G. ’81, & Gerald E. Herbert ’82 Juan B. Ibieta III ’88 Mark S. ImMasche ’91 Peter J. Knecht ’74 James M. III ’79, Kevin P. ’82, Michael E. ’87, & Robert J. Linn ’97 Edward J. III ’78 & Logan J. Martin ’84† Kevin J. McNeely ’70 Gage M. Polkey ’18 John B. Potts III ’05 Andrew Rinker, Jr. ’75 Steven E. ’73 & Mark J. Ripple ’74 Steven A. ’75 & Mark E. Scalco ’82
Christopher D. ’78, Kevin P. ’79, & Richard G. Schott ’81 John M. Shay, Jr. ’65 Marc R. Spangenberg ’69 Gray C. ’95 & Lawrence W. Stoulig III ’06 Gregory K. ’09, Grant W. ’13, & Garrett T. Tobin ’15 Joseph S. Trapani ’60 Robert G. ’65, Jay C. ’69, & Michael S. Zainey ’74 MOTHER OF … Martin ’65 & Ralph Adamo ’66 Cameron C. Arroyo ’20 Timothy C. Brennan ’84 G. Gernon III ’73, Blair G. ’74, T. Desmond ’76, John G. ’78, & Felicien J. Brown ’80 Louis T. Busenlener ’60 Edward E. ’70 & Paul F. Cambon ’72 Shannon C. Ceasar ’91 J. Fred Crane, Jr. ’69 R. Stephen Crane ’71 Bennett P. deBoisblanc ’73 G. David Dubois ’71 Frank C. Dudenhefer, Jr. ’63 William C. Edmund ’80† John B. Elstrott, Jr. ’66 Thomas P. Garvey ’72 James F. Gieselman ’67 James H. ’84 & Thomas A. Grady ’88 Henry W. Hinrichs, Jr. ’69 Matthew L. Juge ’89 Michael J. ’74 & Zachary J. Landry ’78 Leo J., Jr. ’67 & Kevin A. Lay ’79 Timothy S. McCaffery, Sr. ’78 Charles F. Munro ’64 Robert A. Pajares, Jr. ’83 (stepmother) Edward J., Jr. ’68, Rev. Claude N., S.J. ’70, Nicholas J. ’71, John M. ’75, & James C. Pavur ’77 A. Rene Pierce ’64 Craig G. Scheuermann ’94 Robert G. Skinner ’85 Donald J. Sprague ’74 Byrd C. ’71 & Brian J. Thibodaux ’79† Gregory M. Verges ’71 J. Marc ’88, Gerard S. ’90, & M. Craig Vezina ’92 Michael O. Waguespack ’68 Robert R. III ’80 & John D. Wolfe ’89 John E. Worrel, Jr. ’76
BROTHER OF… John G. Amato ’62 Harold J. Battalora ’46† James P. Caire ’38† Ronald D., Sr. ’53 & Timothy J. Cambias ’61 Henry O. ’48† & Donald C. Cazentre ’51† Anthony J. Centanni, Jr. ’72 Charles J. Dugas ’49† Duncan S. Faherty ’02 Ronald F. Fontana ’46† James M. Gatti ’81 Glenn G. Goodier ’65 Ronald J. ’56 & James M. Gravois ’63 Robert P. Hammond, Jr. ’60 John ’65, Robert A. ’74, & William A. Hardin ’74† Frank L. Herbert ’43 Neil M. Joseph ’79 Rev. Lloyd A. Lorio, S.J. ’44 Robert J. ’55, David J. ’57, & John J. Martin ’60 Samuel S. McNeely, Jr. ’31† James J., Jr. ’47†, Alvin ’52†, & Robert F. Murphy ’56 Chad M. ’06 & Mason C. Naremore ’20 William T. Nolan II ’65 Ronald R. ’69 & J. Emile P. O’Dwyer ’78 Charles A. Palermo, Jr. ’60 Earl J. Pennison ’60 Ewell C. Potts III ’74 Michael T. Prendergast ’75 Ralph J. Romig ’35† Julian L. Roy ’38† Bernard J. ’37†, Rev. Paul W., S.J. ’40, Steven H. ’46 Patrick M. ’47, & Matthew J. Schott ’53 Joseph D. Signorelli ’40 Brandon D. Spann ’99 James L. Trinchard ’74 Robert G. ’56 & Thomas G. Weilbaecher ’66 Robert R. Wolfe ’80 Joseph A. Yazbeck, Jr. ’67 SISTER OF… Joseph J. Ancona ’23† Christopher E. Berthaut ’66 Emile A. Bordenave ’48† Paul C., Jr. ’43† & Donald J. Boudousquie ’51 Daniel J. Brupbacher ’56 Thomas L. Cahill ’42† Andrew P. Caneza ’43 Leo C. Comeaux ’51 Andre P. Constantin ’56 Richard M. Dawes ’45†
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John J. Ernst III ’58 John R. Flowers, Jr. ’47† William H., Jr. ’41, Robert K. ’51†, Charles K. ’52†, & Richard F. Gallmann ’55 Alec P. Gifford ’45† Gerard J. Gillen, Jr. ’54† Thomas J. Hanemann ’61 Robert J. Liles, Jr. ’51 Joseph M., Jr. ’55†, Nicholas R. ’62, & Ronald J. Liuzza ’69 Jacques A. ’33† & Numa Livaudais, Jr. ’34† Harry S. McDonald, Jr. ’48† Emile C. Netzhammer, Jr. ’52 Michael A. ’81 & Paul Schiro ’86 Rev. Msgr. Arthur T. ’34† & John F. Screen ’34 Julius A. Smith, Jr. ’54 Marion M. Truxillo ’32† SON OF… John M. Gatti, Sr. ’51† Robert P. Hammond ’28 Friedrichs H. Harris, Jr. ’68 Timothy E. Hinrichs ’99 Marion A. Loisel ’32† Edward J. Martin, Sr. ’29† Ulisse M. Nolan ’28† Rudolph T. O’Dwyer, Jr. ’35† Charles Palermo, Sr. 1917† Pascal P. Pareti 1919† Ewell C. Potts, Jr. ’40† John L. Prendergast ’41† Melvin J. St. Blanc ’45† Edwin A. Stoutz, Jr. ’59 J. Oswald Weilbaecher ’25 DAUGHTER OF… J. Kenneth Butler ’41† Joseph M. Liuzza ’30† M. Emmett Toppino ’27† Adolph S. Rivé 1918† Daniel H. Walsh ’44† GRANDFATHER OF… Reed S. Barkate ’15 Elijah R. Bartlett ’21 Roger E. Bauer ’97 Christopher K. Blanchard ’97 Ryan A. ’17 & Reese H. Bourdais ’20 Benjamin D. ’99, Daniel J. ’01, & Jordan T. Bourgeois ’07 Joel M. Carimi ’01 Trevor G. Christman ’07 Quincy J. Curley ’21 Trevor W. Daigle ’20 Bradley E. Davis ’14 Drew G. ’07 & Clavin M. DiZinno ’10 Matthew T. Dobson ’21 John F. Doherty ’15 Jude M. Donnaud ’20 Sean M.T. Duffy, Jr. ’16 Christopher S. Dusang ’20 Joseph P. Failla ’08 Bradford M. ’11 & Matthew F. Felger ’13
Alan M. Flake ’12 Michael I. Flynn, Jr. ’11 Charles J. Fontana III ’88 Brandon C. Ford ’06 Joshua J. ’02 & Chet T. Ford ’13 Jeffrey L. Foreman ’97 Scott M. ’99, Christopher L. ’04, & Lawrence E. Francioni IV ’13 Kyle R. Funck ’03 Travis L. ’03, Maxwell E. ’12, & Grant F. Garrison ’14 Adam M. ’00 & Jared A. Goens ’03 James G. Goudeau ’12 John A. Guerra ’14 Mark D. ’99 & Scott D. Harlan ’01 Christopher J. Heneghan ’09 Douglas R. Higginbotham ’04 Steven P. Knecht ’11 Christopher R. Laan ’01 Bradley T. Landwehr ’09 Jacob R. ’14 & Jarod D. Larriviere ’17 Matthew E. Levy ’08 James M. Linn IV ’06 Christopher S. Lorio ’90 Aaron G. Lowe ’90 Chase M. Markovich ’05 Edward J. IV ’07, Royce E. ’12, Brody L. ’15, & Wyatt L. Martin ’20 Timothy S., Jr. ’01 & Tyler C. McCaffery ’12 Thomas C. Meaux ’94 Robert J. Murphy ’19 Paul J. Naquin ’96 Charles J. Nunez, Jr. ’00 Jacob C. Nungesser IV ’13 Darrell C. O’Neill, Jr. ’06 William T. Pique ’01 Alex J. Plaisance ’17 Cole J. Radetich ’19 James W. Raley ’05 Ronald L. Redmann III ’99 Sean P. Richmond ’99 Michael J. Ripple ’04 Joshua T. Romig ’06 Anthony S. Rotolo ’95 Austin J. ’12 & Peyton A. Schillaci ’17 Arthur O. Schott III ’92 John M. III ’90 & Timothy B. Shay ’94 R. Sefton Spangenberg ’00 Nicholas J. ’05 & Baron A. Steckler ’14 Gregory J. ’05 & Douglas M. Stokes ’06 Christopher J. Taliancich ’14 Mason J. ’13 & Collin J. Thibodeaux ’15 Jason C. Trapani ’93 Ricardo G. ’94 & Jason G. Vita ’97 (step-grandfather) Eban J. Walters ’94 Leo J. Webb, Jr. ’06 David E. Weidner, Jr. ’11 Mason S. Wulff ’21
Scott M. ’00 & Jay C. Zainey, Jr. ’01 GRANDMOTHER OF… John B. Ariail III ’12 Jeremy S. ’12 & Joshua S. Baldassaro ’14 Stephen P. ’05 & Robert J. Baxter ’08 Michael D. Benz ’02 James G. Bercaw ’20 Kyle R. Berner ’99 Samuel K. Birdsong ’97 Charles L. Bourg ’10 Seth R. Bourg ’10 Brian F. Brignac ’03 Gregory D. Brousse, Jr. ’12 Mark J. Browning ’97 James T. Busenlener ’86 Preston A. ’94 & Russ M. Cantrelle ’00 Michael J. Catalano ’10 Nicholas F. Cavalier ’98 John M. Cazabon ’17 Anthony C. Ceasar ’18 Justin M. Chopin ’99 Felix J. Ciolino ’12 David J. Colomb, Jr. ’00 Kelly C. ’00 & Jerad C. Comarda ’05 Sean M. Conway ’85 Christopher R. Countiss ’09 Ian P. deBoisblanc ’10 Neal A. ’99 & William E. deJong ’03 Frank C. Dudenhefer III ’88 Clay M. Duplantier ’15 Chance F. ’03 & Michael M. Duran ’13 Daniel R. Edmund, Jr. ’15 Justin B. Elstrott ’98 Manuel G. Estrada, Jr. ’08 Gaston T. ’14 & Jacob M. Eymard ’17 Brett J. ’92 & Jason B. Falterman ’94 Sean M. ’96 & Kevin J. Fitzwilliam ’99 Christopher J. Fleitas ’99 Dillon M. Fuchs ’16 Bret P. Gessner ’01 Jack N. Grady ’19 Keith J. Gravener ’97 Craig P. ’91 & Carey S. Himel ’93 Peter H. Hopkins, Jr. ’00 Michael T., Jr. ’98 & Thomas E. Hinricks ’99 Patrick J. ’03 & Joel M. Hron II ’05 Bryan J. Hymel, Jr. ’97 Keith G. Jenkins ’99 Neils V. Johnsen ’04 Guillaume S. Kirsch ’14 David G. Kleinschmidt, Jr. ’10 John D. Kling ’17 Brian S. Knowles ’09 Michael R. Koenig ’95 Michael G. Kreider ’83 Cody A. Kucera ’05
Patrick G. ’15, Matthew G. ’19, & Luke G. LaCour ’20 Gerald J. Lannan III ’89 Derek A. Larson ’99 Alexander G. Lopez ’13 Brandon W. ’04, Matthew T. ’06, & Christopher J. Lorio ’09 Hunter L. Maher ’18 Thomas J. ’99, Garrett S. ’07, & J.R. Malbrough ’16 Kristopher L. Martinez ’02 Timothy S., Jr. ’01 & Tyler C. McCaffery ’12 James S. ’08 & Christopher M. McKinnie ’10 Michael M. Minvielle ’01 Sean F. Munro ’03 Stephen M. ’16 & Michael J. Owers ’19 John E. Paisant III ’08 Nicholas A. ’15 & Nathan A. Pajares ’18 Benjamin M. ’15 & Luke O. Parks ’18 Thomas J. Peri ’95 Terry K. Perkins ’01 Mark S. ’07 & Clayton P. Ponseti ’11 Daniel W. Riehm III ’00 Alexander D. Roeling ’09 Joseph A., Jr. ’74† & Christopher R. Sedita ’78† Stephen P., Jr. ’99 & Brien E. Seiler ’02 Conrad H. Shinner ’16 Scott R. Steudlein ’85 Lawrence D. III ’88†, Anthony J., Jr. ’91, & Michael J. Taffaro ’95 Christopher T. ’89 & Timothy W. Thomas ’93 Lee M. ’03 & Reece D. Thomas ’05 Hunter K.W. Tracey ’17 Russell E. Trahan III ’06 Paul L. Veazey ’07 Christopher E. Verges ’00 Kenneth L. Verlander, Jr. ’00 Jeremy M. Vezina ’13 Andre M. Waguespack ’11 Patrick J. ’10, Peter C. ’13, & Preston T. Warwick ’17 Kevin S. Weisgerber ’99 John E. III ’05, Andrew J. ’07, & Christian T. Worrel ’12 William K. Wright IV ’08 GRANDSON OF… Joseph E. Leininger ’28† Friedrichs H. Harris, Sr. ’44† GRANDDAUGHTER OF… Omer F. Kuebel, Jr. ’56 Send information and corrections to Br. William J. Dardis, S.J. ’58 at (504) 483-3814 or dardis@jesuitnola.org. Alumni who live outside the New Orleans metro region are especially encouraged to send information about deceased loved ones.
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Class Reunions 1946
B
1956
lue Jay Spirit was out in full display during the 2016 reunion season. Beginning in April and going through mid-July, reunion events provided opportunities for Blue Jays from 1943 to 2011 to be together to celebrate being sons of Jesuit High
School. So strong was the alumni’s urge to be together as Blue Jays, not even floods could keep the Jays apart…literally. Just ask the classes of 1956 and 1981.
ALUMNI
1946 was joined by 1943, 1944, and 1945 to celebrate 70+ years since graduation. The four classes came back to Jesuit on June 4 for a Saturday afternoon Mass in the Holy Name Chapel followed by cocktails and dinner in the Student Commons. In appreciation for their many decades of service and support, Jesuit helped subsidize this cross-class event. 1951 Class leader Hank Ecuyer and his committee look forward to their traditional fall celebration on October 14 at the Chateau Country Club. 1956 Adversity was no match for Pat White and his reunion committee. First, just weeks before their stag gathering, organizer Barra Birrcher was informed the Saints’ Hall of Fame Museum, booked weeks in advance, was no longer available because of a renovation project. The committee quickly secured the Landmark Hotel for their celebration. One disaster averted. Then on the morning of their couples’ Mass at Jesuit and brunch at the Southern Yacht Club (SYC), they found out the roadway to the
SYC was flooded! Really?!? Yes, indeed. Within three hours, committee member Al Gooch had secured a private area at nearby Landry’s, which, incredibly, was able to put together a multi-course brunch for the 60year celebration. 1961 had no problems getting to the SYC for their July 8 stag event. The events of the weekend, organized by Rookie Leopold and Fabio Canton, continued on Saturday evening at the Marriott Hotel at the Lake with a couples’ dinner, preceded by a Mass celebrated by class member Fr. Mike Kettenring. 1966 George Moisant and his committee organized a festive Golden Anniversary weekend. On Friday, June 3, the 50-year Jays came back to Banks for a spirited reception in the Student Commons. The next evening the ladies joined the Jays for a cocktail reception at the Metairie Country Club. 1971 David Willem and his committee also chose the Metairie Country Club for their Saturday evening couples event as they celebrated on the weekend of
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1971
1961
1966
1976 June 17-18. On Friday, Walk-On’s was the site of their stag gathering. 1976 kicked off the reunion season on Tax Day with a stag crawfish party hosted by Jubi Hillery at his beautiful uptown home. The event was a generous gift of Jubi and his wife, Jeannie, who asked class members to consider a financial gift to the scholarship fund of their classmate, Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. The celebration continued on Saturday evening with a couples’ reception at the Heritage Grill in Metairie. 1981 overcame the same adversity that 1956 faced to ultimately enjoy a great open-air celebration on the
1986 banks of the Basin Canal. Stanton Murray and Skip Santos had intended for their couples’ event to be at the SYC. Guess what prevented that from happening? That’s right, another flood! But Murray’s quick work secured the downstairs area of the Blue Crab Restaurant, just across the canal. Blue Crab owner Nick Asprodites (father of two Blue Jays) generously invited the ’81 Jays not only to use his space, but also to bring their whole spread of crawfish, jambalaya, and beer, already prepared by the yacht club. And bring they did… via boat! (see photo above) 1986 Tommy Moran and his committee organized a weekend of celebration for their 30th year
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1981
1991
2001
2006 reunion. Café Reconcile was the site of Friday’s couples cocktail reception, while Saturday night was devoted to a stag party at Southport Hall. 1991 enjoyed their Silver Anniversary celebration on the weekend of June 10-11 with events organized by Vinnie Varisco, Ryan Gootee, and their committee. On Friday night the Jays and their wives or guests filled the Oak Wine Bar for a couples’ reception. On Saturday evening the guys made their way to Fulton Alley in the Warehouse District for a stag party. Special cheers led by Hunter Higgins added to the fun. 1996 also celebrated on the weekend of June 10-11 with two Warehouse District events. Quinn Vorhaben and his committee put together a couples reception at The Chicory on Friday night and a stag crawfish boil at The Rusty Nail on Saturday afternoon.
1996
2011 1979
2001 Dan Serio took the lead in creating events for the Class of 2001 celebration in May. The guys and their guests celebrated at Fulton Alley on Friday night, while the guys went solo on Saturday afternoon with a crawfish boil at class member Kyle Huling’s brand new Urban South Brewery on Tchoupitoulas Street. 2006 Under the leadership of Max Gruenig and Vincent Scelfo, 2006 closed out the reunion season with a couples dinner at Katie’s on Friday and a stag party at the Rusty Nail on Saturday. 2011 filled the Red Eye Grill with 114 Blue Jays on June 18, thanks to the leadership of Stephen Capella and his committee. It was a great turnout for a great class of young Blue Jays. View the photo galleries of the 2016 class reunions, as well as archived reunions dating back to 2002, on Jesuit’s website: www.jesuitnola.org/alumni/ reunions.
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Family Affair: Houston Alumni Chapter Hosts Spring Crawfish Boil
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n the day of the 2016 Kentucky Derby, Jesuit High School alumni and their families saddled up for the 5th Annual Houston Alumni Crawfish and Jambalaya Reunion. More than 150 people representing seven decades of Blue Jays gathered at Jackson’s Watering Hole in early May. The menu included 600 pounds of Louisiana mudbugs, mouth-watering jambalaya, and Cajun infused
corn on the cob prepared by Jerry Eumont ’80 and his expert cooking crew. Shetland pony rides were a new addition for 2016. This year’s party was underwritten by Jesuit’s office of institutional advancement in appreciation of Houston alumni and their efforts to remain connected to each other and to Jesuit.
Pictured above, top: 1989 classmates Richard Lo and Shawn O’Brien and their children Bottom left: Alumni director Mat Grau with the Rosato family: Nick ’79, Nick, Jr. ’13, Laurie, and their daughter, Molly Bottom right: Heather and Lawrence Matthews ’90 with their two children, Trey (being held) and Kennedy
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Return to Cuba ... How we respond to distance says something significant about us. The distance of time fuels our memories. The distance of place breaks our hearts. Sometimes our relationship with distance shapes who we are. Such is the case of three Blue Jays from three different generations.
F
ANNUS MIRABILIS
ifty-five years ago life changed for an eleven-year-old boy. Fifty-five years ago Raul Bencomo ’68 left his native Cuba, “this tropical paradise” as he would recollect seven years later in an essay he wrote for the final edition of The Blue Jay as a senior at Jesuit. Fifty-five years ago Bencomo began an unwanted exile that continues today. [See essay from The Blue Jay, May 1968 at right.] Through his years of exile, Bencomo would be blessed with deep friendships with his Jesuit classmates. He would earn a law degree and enjoy a successful career as a prominent attorney. He would live a long, happy marriage with his college sweetheart and experience the joy of parenthood. And he would see his mother live a long, rich life. All in exile. “I still live in a form of exile,” Bencomo says. “I lost a father and a brother while in exile, not in our native land. So my feelings today in 2016 are complex and deep. I cannot simply overlook why I left.” Another Blue Jay, Miguel Soler ’82, should have been born in Cuba but wasn’t. Just as Bencomo had done, Miguel’s parents had abandoned their dreams and their homeland when they were stolen by Fidel Castro. While a brother and a sister had been born in Cuba, Miguel and two additional sisters would be born in New Orleans to Cubans in exile. Still, Miguel would absorb the Cuban culture through his parents and siblings along with others in New Orleans’s Cuban refugee community. For years Miguel and his family, including son Cristian Miguel Soler ’12, lived their “Cuban” life in absentia through storytelling, dinner celebrations, and speaking the language of the homeland.
In 2014 everything changed for the Solers. Cuba would no longer be only a fond memory to conjure up or a beloved country to talk about. Cuba would become a homeland to be experienced. Following President Barack Obama’s 2011 easing of travel restrictions to Cuba for humanitarian or academic reasons, LSU presented 20-year-old Cristian with the opportunity to visit Cuba in 2014. In an article marking the first anniversary of the opening of relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Cristian told Yahoo! News, “I had the sense that if I [went] on the LSU trip to Cuba, I would have a better understanding of my roots. I would also get a sense of where my path in life should be headed.” The experience did, in fact, provide Cristian with a greater sense of direction. In December he received a degree in international studies with minors in business and Spanish. Law school is next. Miguel says, “It is Cristian’s hope that he may someday have an opportunity to involve himself with the changes going on in Cuba. What a gift that would be from him to our family and to our memory.” In that summer of 2014, in addition to his academic studies, Cristian became the first in his family to reunite with relatives in Cuba. After his return from the family reunion, Cristian would tell Yahoo! News: “I remember feeling as if I was at a family gathering in the United States because they kept feeding me and feeding me, making sure my glass was refilled. This really put me at ease. I realized that family is family no matter the distance between us.” Four months after Cristian returned, President Obama undid more than 50 years of history when he reestablished economic relations with Cuba. Miguel realized it was time to follow his son in returning to the motherland. In June
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Maybe 2015, Miguel, along with his sister Ana, spent ten days in Cuba, not as a tourist, but as “someone coming back home,” as Miguel would later say. Their cousin Argeo would be their guide. “He showed us my father’s family neighborhood and then took us to the church where my parents got married,” Miguel told Yahoo! News. “It was incredible. I get emotional just remembering it.” Nine months after Miguel’s reunion with his family, President Obama stood where Miguel had stood . . . on Cuban soil. It was the first time a U.S. president had visited the country in 88 years. Speaking directly to the Cuban people, President Obama evoked Cristian’s own words to inspire them of the possibilities of reconciliation: “You see it in Cristian Miguel Soler, a young man who became the first of his family to travel here after 50 years. And meeting relatives for the first time, he said, ‘I realized that family is family no matter the distance between us.’ ” But reconciliation will not come easily for Raul Bencomo. The distance of 90 miles and 55 years has, indeed, broken his heart. “For 55 years I have had a dagger in my heart,” Bencomo says. “It’s manifested by my thinking about my people whose food is rationed while I eat at fancy restaurants. It’s manifested by my enjoying the fruits and success that this great country affords us while doctors in Cuba make 20 pesos a month. These thoughts have never left me and never will. I harbor no ill will towards those who want to go to Cuba ‘before it’s ruined.’ You can’t ruin freedom. You just have to be eternally thankful for it.” Fifty-five years ago Bencomo left Cuba “maybe forever.” Today, as a more open relationship with Cuba suggests the possibility of reconciliation, that “maybe” looms fragilely in Bencomo’s life. Maybe freedom will return to Cuba. Maybe Raul Bencomo will once again stand on the soil of “a grandiose monument to God’s goodness.” Maybe. Pictured above, left: Miguel Soler ’82 and his son, Cristian Miguel Soler ’12 Right: Raul Bencomo ’68, who penned the essay at right for the May 1968 issue of The Blue Jay (photo courtesy of Barberito Photographers) from The Blue Jay, May 1968
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A Look Back at the 2015-16 School Year As we come to the end of another school year, the graduating seniors of the Class of 2016 have the opportunity to look back and take stock of the ways they have grown over the past four or five years. Certainly many of these young men will look to The Profile of a Graduate at the Time of Graduation to assist them in their reflection. And most will come to realize that they have grown as men who are Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Religious, Loving, and Committed to Doing Justice.
PRINCIPAL'S CORNER
As I look back over the school year, I recall many examples of how this graduating class excelled in all areas of student life. Academically, the class of 2016 produced 43 National Merit Semifinalists, 22 Commended in the National Merit Program, and 8 National Hispanic Scholars. Fifteen seniors received the Blue Jay Parents’ Club Award for Excellence in Scholarship (highest GPA), two students achieved a perfect score on the ACT, and collectively the class earned millions of dollars in college scholarships. On the playing field they led our teams to district titles in cross country, swimming, soccer, golf, tennis, and beach volleyball; state runner-up honors in swimming, wrestling, rugby, and Ultimate Frisbee; and state championships in cross country, tennis, and lacrosse. Furthermore, 19 of these athletic Blue Jays were named to the LHSAA composite all-academic team for various sports. The Class of 2016 led the way in the achievements of other co-curricular activities. These young men filled key roles in the Philelectic Society as they impressed audiences with several outstanding performances while the band received Superior and Excellent ratings in their District Marching Festival. Additionally, they led the debate, quiz bowl, chess, and robotics teams to state championships.
In terms of their spiritual development, 50 of these young men volunteered to staff six Kairos retreats as retreat leaders; and many took time out of their busy schedules to attend a senior silent retreat. This past fall several members of student ministry made the trip to Philadelphia to greet Pope Francis. And this past winter the student sodality joined with the Class of 1984 in a coat drive through which they collected more than 1,000 articles for donation to the Harry Tompson Center. Ultimately, what is most impressive about the Class of 2016 is their commitment to service. Over the course of their Jesuit careers, they performed more than 30,000 hours of community service. They tutored low-income children, provided companionship to the elderly, and assisted the homeless and disabled. They rebuilt blighted homes across the city, and they fed dozens of families every Thanksgiving. Additionally, many seniors sacrificed countless hours after school this year to assist new Blue Jays with their school work as part of the Academic Support Program. These young men showed the Jesuit community that they truly understand what it means to be a man for others. It is my hope that these experiences have helped these young men to grow and to realize their potential for success as they go out into the world. Ultimately, as I look back on this past school year and think about the Class of 2016, I am reminded of what Connor Maheu stated in his valedictory speech: “Jesuit High School will never really leave us. The values and ideals that we have learned here will remain with us forever.”
Peter Kernion ’90 Principal
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Pair of English Instructors Recognized for Excellence as Educators
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n May principal Peter Kernion ’90 presented the 2016 Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Award for excellence in teaching to Malcolm Villarrubia and Michael Begg, two English teachers with a long history of administrative leadership in Catholic education. Their profiles below provide just a few reasons why they were selected for this year’s honor.
Malcolm Villarrubia Malcolm Villarrubia has worn many hats during his long career at Jesuit High School, all identifying him as a model of servant leadership. Villarrubia has served as English teacher, English department head, director of summer school, moderator of the National Honor Society, and director of faculty development. As summer school director, Villarrubia guided students through five long weeks of summer study as he himself once
experienced, helping them to prepare for next year’s course work. In his current role Villarrubia organizes the school’s mentoring program, pairing new faculty with a skilled veteran teacher to ease the transition to Jesuit’s campus. He also provides professional guidance through the first-year teacher meetings with resources and strategies to help guide new faculty. His tireless championing of Resource for Better Teaching exemplifies his determination to have all teachers, both at Jesuit and at other schools, reach their potential. No less important are the acute and thoughtful classroom observations he writes on a daily basis, the long hours he spends after school with ACT/SAT prep courses, and his effective teaching of AP English for many years. Villarrubia clearly models the ideal characteristics of the Jesuit High School teacher.
Michael Begg When Michael Begg joined the Jesuit faculty four years ago, he made an immediate impact on student formation on several levels. In the classroom, Begg is an excellent English teacher – well prepared, creative, comfortable using a wide range of technologies, and always looking to improve. The result for his students is an engaging and dynamic educational experience. Begg shows a deep concern for his students. They know him as someone they can talk to, someone they can trust, someone who cares. Part of this concern is an interest in the students’ spiritual formation. He is a fixture
of the Kairos program, chaperoning and helping lead multiple retreats each year. Professionally, Begg is an exemplar of collegiality and humble service. He has mentored young faculty members, helping them transition to their new school. Also, Begg serves on the Ignatian Identity Team, spending a great deal of time studying Jesuit documents, diligently trying to understand, model, and implement Jesuit ideology and pedagogy. Begg displays the hard work and “care for the whole person” that makes him a worthy recipient of the Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Award.
Faculty News Tim McCaffery ’01, who has been teaching theology at Jesuit since 2007, is now working for the Archdiocese of New Orleans’s Family Life Apostolate, which promotes marriage and families in church activities.
Travis Smith self-published Indie Darling, a novel about a former rock star’s opportunity to revisit his old life and former bandmates. Smith teaches English, comoderates Calliope (Jesuit’s literary magazine), and coaches the Jesuit tennis team. (See page 54.)
Amy Tassin was recognized as an outstanding teacher by the Delta Chapter of the American Petroleum Institute. Tassin heads Jesuit’s science department, comoderates the school’s National Honor Society, and moderates Jesuit’s bio-technology club. She received API’s Chairman’s Award.
Scott Thompson ’92, who taught social studies and coached basketball, cross country, and track at Jesuit, is the new head of upper school and dean of students for Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart, an independent Catholic school for boys in Grand Coteau.
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Wanderer or Wonderer?
St. Stanislaus Kostka (1550-1568) by Jeremy Reuther ’01 And yet, setting out in search of divine treasure forfeits nothing of the high romanticism of the drifter’s wandering. It requires the same courage in setting First, he is one of the Jesuit out into the unknown as “boy saints,” along with St. the journey begins but Aloysius Gonzaga and St. armed with the confidence John Berchmans, so called that the omnipotent God because they died before faithfully supplies His aid. ordination. Also appealing Stanislaus incorporated this to high school students is lesson into his life even as a the youthful portrayal of the young boy. After Stanislaus’ saint as a pilgrim, wearing Jesuit college in Vienna the pilgrim’s seashell on was closed, arrangements his journey across Europe were made for him and to Rome to be admitted his brother Paul to be into the Jesuit order. instructed by a tutor in the Students thus might mistake home of a Lutheran. So Stanislaus for a modernclose to the beginning of day drifter, backpacking the Protestant Reformation across Europe in search of in Germany, tensions were adventure and self-discovery, high between Catholics thinking that life is only and Lutherans. Paul used about the journey. these circumstances as an opportunity to carry out What differentiates acts of violence and cruelty Stanislaus from these against his pious younger characterizations and brother. For example he ultimately makes him “St.” rejected every request Stanislaus is that he was Stanislaus made to change a man of concentrated their living arrangements purpose. He had a in order to provide access fundamental knowledge of to the sacraments. But in the summum bonum – the Above: Stanislaus Kostka the pilgrim presents himself all these trials, Stanislaus greatest good – against to Peter Canisius in Germany seeking admission to the remained firm in his trust Society of Jesus. This window is set in the Jesuit Church which all other earthly goods of divine providence. Left of the Immaculate Conception on Baronne St. are measured. From an early without the sacraments age Stanislaus was convinced in the face of serious that Christ’s love was that pearl of Stanislaus became too swept up illness, Stanislaus relied especially great price for which a man should wondering at God to be concerned on prayer and the intercession of sell all he has. Since communion with his patron, St. Barbara. While at God and the satisfaction of doing His with a search merely for himself. the Jesuit college, he was a member will gave him his richest happiness,
MEDALLION STORY
St. Stanislaus Kostka is a worthy patron for the students of Jesuit High School.
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of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin (similar to the Sodality at Jesuit today), which recognized St. Barbara as a secondary patron. His prayers were answered as St. Barbara miraculously appeared to him in his room with angels who administered Viaticum to the sick boy. His confidence in God’s divine providence typified his saintliness as a pilgrim. His influential father, Polish Senator John Kostka, firmly opposed his entrance into the Society of Jesus, making it impossible for the Jesuits in Vienna to admit him. Resolved in God’s will through this trial, he left home indifferent to the life of comfort and vain honors rightfully his under his father’s care. Here again, the wanderer’s flight apes the wonderer’s. Even the prodigal son left his well-to-do father behind, albeit to pursue a life of dissipation. Thus the saint’s virtue is demonstrated not only in what he rejects, but also in what he embraces when he renounces the bread that fails to satisfy.
Jeremy Reuther Joins Advancement Team Jeremy Reuther ’01 becomes a member of Jesuit’s advancement team for the 2016-2017 school year. Specifically, he will oversee the communications efforts and work with the school’s young alumni. Reuther recently completed his 11th year at Jesuit. He has served in various roles – theology teacher, theology department chairman, creator and teacher of The Theology of C.S. Lewis
Stanislaus entered the Society of Jesus in Rome on his 17th birthday in 1567. He died ten months later. His determination to enter the Jesuit order never superseded his determination to enter heaven. Both the wonderer and the wanderer must abandon personal aims in life, but only the wonderer renounces them for the splendor of a higher aim. Keeping life with God as the summum bonum, the purpose and end of every decision, never diminishes the adventure of life’s journey, but actually reveals the fullness of each moment along the way. One can picture Stanislaus in the hills approaching Rome, filled with wonder at the sweeping vista of the eternal city because the beauty of each pilgrim step foreshadows that beauty which awaits all God’s children in the communion of everlasting life.
class, basketball coach, and director of campus ministry. He has been directly involved in various spiritual formation opportunities for Jesuit’s students, often in a leadership role. In 2011, Reuther was recognized with the Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Award for excellence as an Ignatian educator. On June 11 Reuther married Kate Wyman. In addition to his advancement duties, Reuther will lead the Jesuit choir and continue to assist in student and alumni formation at Carrollton and Banks.
From an early age Stanislaus was convinced that Christ’s love was that pearl of great price for which a man should sell all he has.
MEDALLION STORY
His application to the Society having been denied in Vienna, Stanislaus donned the garb of a beggar and traveled on foot 450 miles to Augsburg to petition the provincial, St. Peter Canisius. After three weeks Stanislaus was sent to
Rome by Canisius, who – though saddened to part with the pious youth – knew that Rome would provide the necessary protection from the political influence of his father. St. Peter Canisius’ letter endorsing Stanislaus to the Superior General, St. Francis Borgia, is a rare Catholic treasure for being a letter written by a saint to a saint about a saint.
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Father-Son Dinner Sings & Sizzles Fathers and sons were taken for a surprise ride at Jesuit’s 2016 Father-Son Mass & Dinner on Saturday, January 16. The special evening of connection commenced with Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs. Following Mass, senior Felix Rabito paid tribute to his father, Dr. Felix Rabito, a 1980 alumnus. After a steak dinner in the Student Commons, the evening
concluded with a surprise 20-minute country music concert featuring singer-songwriter Jim McCormick. The 1986 alumnus performed his Billboard-topping hits, “Take A Little Ride” (Jason Aldean) and “Louisiana” (Tim McGraw), before inviting Frs. John Brown, S.J., and Kevin Dyer, S.J., to join him on stage for two additional tunes. Their performance was dedicated to school president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., a country music aficionado.
Top left: Felix Rabito ’16 pays tribute to his father in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs. Top right: Junior Palmer Montalbano and pre-freshman Carter Montalbano with their father, Ron Montalbano ’83 Bottom: Fr. John Brown, S.J., Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., and Jim McCormick ’86 share their musical talents with an appreciative audience.
Pinned! Four More Mothers Receive Alma Mater Award
Four Blue Jay mothers are the newest recipients of Jesuit High School’s prestigious Alma Mater Award. President Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., thanked Ellen Frischhertz, Marian Gibbs, Andrea Legrand, and Karen Matthews for their exemplary service to
Jesuit and presented each of them with a beautiful Alma Mater Award pin. The 2016 Alma Mater Awards Luncheon was held at Southern Yacht Club on January 19. The event was chaired by Denise Currault. This was the 16th year that Jesuit recognized its volunteer mothers whose extraordinary contributions of time
and talent have greatly benefited life at Carrollton & Banks. The event is open to mothers of current Blue Jays and Jesuit alumni. Save the date for the 2017 Alma Mater Awards Luncheon scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2017. Learn more about our 2016 honorees at jesuitnola.org/alma-mater-awards.
Above, center: 2016 Alma Mater Award honorees Marian Gibbs, Ellen Frischhertz, Andrea Legrand, and Karen Matthews with event chairwoman Denise Currault and Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. Above, left: (seated, from left) Julie Buhrer, Maryellen Leger, Jodi Power, and Lori Frischhertz; (standing, from left) Monique Kinler, Barbara Ballard, Rosalie Gilberti, and Jane Hotard Above, right: The 2015-16 Alma Mater Awards Luncheon committee: (from left) Ann Colfry, Linda Tufton, Karen Pilié, Shawn Wilde, Denise Currault, Cindy Wooderson, Suzette Herpich, Darlene Robért, Julie Vanderbrook, Jeanie Favret, Janis deVerges, Indie McKay, Marianne Call, and Sheila Vocke
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Evenings of Reflection Offer Spiritual Nourishment for Alumni and Parents of Alumni One hallmark of Jesuit education is the pastoral attention it gives to those in its community. On the evenings of March 1 and 2, first alumni and then parents of alumni gathered at the school to receive spiritual nourishment through programs organized by the advancement office. Both events featured spiritual talks and time for socializing. First, former teacher Fr. Nick Schiro, S.J., ’44, now retired and residing at Grand Coteau, returned to Carrollton and Banks to offer guidance to the 130 alumni in attendance on how to enhance their daily prayer life. Many alumni remember Fr. Schiro as the creator of the Prayer Class. Typical of the response from alumni after the event was this reflection from Brian Bent ’89: For some time, I have been thinking that I need some additional spiritual time in my life other than the weekly Mass. As a father and husband, I have been so familyfocused, ignoring time for myself. As my kids grow older, I am looking forward to having a bit of my own life. The Lenten refection was a reminder that I need to get on the wagon to find a regular type of prayer as I had in my high school days at Jesuit. The next evening nearly 150 parents of alumni gathered in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for Mass and to hear from Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., on “Having the Mind of Christ.” While the previous evening’s event was an inaugural event for the alumni, this was the 5th annual event for the parents of alumni. After Mass, the guests moved to the Student Commons to enjoy each other’s company and reflect on the insights offered by Fr. McGinn. The great turnout to both reflection pieces indicates a yearning by the school’s adult community for guidance in seeking spiritual fulfillment. Accordingly, the school looks forward to shepherding the flock entrusted to it by offering a series of spiritual formation pieces in 2017, including one for current parents. Pictured at right, top: Fr. Nick Schiro, S.J. ’44 speaks on Prayer in a Busy Life. Middle: The Class of 2004 attend the evening of reflection: Mark Hill, Nick Pontiff, Mike Hollander, Andrew Waldron, Hill Dupuy, Justin Genovese, and Edward Neal Favorite Bottom: (seated, from left) Fr. Schiro, Frank Incaprera ’44; standing, from left: Earl Johnson ’13, Art Kingsmill ’53, and Phil Kitchen ’58
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Pictured left: Sanjiv and Charlotte Chauhan and John Montelepre attend the reception following Mass at the Parents of Alumni Evening of Lenten Reflection. Above: Jack ’73 and Leah Eumont and Hank and Gina Arnold visit at the POA reception.
Alumni Use Careers to Connect With Today’s Jays
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lumni are a great resource to today’s Blue Jays. This connection takes center stage at Career Day, at which yesterday’s students return to Carrollton & Banks to offer insight and practical advice about jobs and careers. In January, 38 alumni spoke to seniors and juniors about 28 specific careers, ranging from engineering to education. Three new areas were added for 2016: digital and social media advertising, mental health/counseling, and medical sales. In two 30-minute sessions, the alumni speakers covered such topics as college preparation, a typical day in the office, future outlook of the field, getting experience, salary, and service opportunities connected to their field of specialty. Meanwhile, sophomores, freshmen, and pre-freshmen assembled in the auditorium to hear from 1998 alumnus Nick Rauber, who talked about channeling his passions into a life of service and adventure. Rauber balances his dental practice in Baton Rouge with numerous charitable endeavors. While a 17 year-old at Jesuit, he founded Swollfest, a fishing rodeo that eventually became a major financial supporter of
the Muscular Dystrophy Association and other charities to the tune of more than $1 million. A more recent endeavor is his Outdoor Wish Foundation, which allows underprivileged children, war veterans, or anyone deserving of a great hunting, fishing, or outdoor experience to attain their wish. A complete list of offerings and speakers is available at jesuitnola.org/career-planning. Pictured above, left: Jeremy Mancheski ’90 speaks with students about business and contemporary entrepreneurship. Center: Nick Rauber ’98 with alumni director Mat Grau ’68 Right: Evan Stoudt ’07, the founding principal at Livingston Collegiate, an open enrollment public school in eastern New Orleans, talks about careers in education.
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Bazaar Showers Supporters with Blue & White Spirit
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tudents, alumni, parents, and friends of Jesuit braved the elements – a stiff wind and afternoon of drizzling rain – to enjoy each other’s company and the games, food, music, and prizes that make the Blue Jay Bazaar one of the school’s most anticipated events.
New additions for 2016 included prestidigitation presentations by members of Jesuit’s Magic Club in the auditorium, a Smash Brothers video game tournament for juniors in the Student Commons, and a muddy flag football game on Will Clark Field, in which members of the Class of 2016
defeated a ragtag team of faculty, staff, alumni, and parents. Jesuit thanks Bazaar co-chairs Laurie Gaudet and Alison James, their talented team of volunteer workers, and the countless sponsors and donors who helped make this year’s event a soggy success.
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1. Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., with co-chairs Alison James (left) and Laurie Gaudet 2. Seniors celebrate their win over a better-dressed, but less athletic, adult squad. 3. Just kiddin’ around... Freshman Matthew Sauviac may have been responsible for a Blue Jay Bazaar first – a goat selfie. 4. Volunteers Joyce Minnard, David Gaines ’83, Karen DeBlieux, Andrea Thomas-Reynolds, and Meeka Cheramie work the Ticket Booth. 5. Mr. Julio Minsel-Ruiz, S.J., plays Iron Man while senior Todd Crabtree eggs him on. 6. Jayson poses with students and friends. 7. Kenny Velleman ’84, who lives in Corpus Christi, TX, with friends Michael Varisco ’83 and Pierre Legrand 8. Confetti eggs are always a smash at the Blue Jay Bazaar.
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Perfect Weather Greets Golfers at 2016 Classic Mother Nature never looked better. After a couple of lousy weather years, a Trifecta of BLUE skies, a light breeze, and low humidity welcomed 229 participants to the 2016 Jesuit Golf Classic. The event, which took place at English Turn Golf and Country Club on April 8, was presented by IBERIABANK.
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The coveted Class Cup, which goes to the foursome made up of alumni from the same class with the lowest overall score, was awarded to Adam Bailey, Christian Jacob, Craig Geraci, and Jared Strecker from the Class of 2001. The morning round, consisting of more than 100 golfers, was won by Blake Garin ’02, Stan Ripp ’98, Ryan Vincent ’98, and Nick Cavalier ’98, who posted a score of 17-under 55.
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The afternoon round was won by a foursome from the Class of 1992: Marc Bonifacic, Wiggins Edrington, Geoffrey Smith, and Roland Waguespack, who shot a 12-under 60. Jesuit thanks 2016 Golf Classic chairman Bill Hare ’90 and his committee: Beth Bares, Anne Barnes, J.P. Escudier ’95, Eddy Hayes ’90, Vinson Knight, Mike Rodrigue ’71, Cherie Turk-Adler, John Faherty ’53, members of Jesuit’s office of institutional advancement and facilities staff, Bill Poynot, and members of the Class of 2006 for the roles they played in 1. Winners of the 2016 Class Cup: (from left) Craig Geraci, Adam Bailey, Christian Jacob, and Jared Strecker of the making the 2016 event one of Class 2001 2. Jesuit Golf Classic chairman Bill Hare ’90 (right) chats with retired athletic director and coach Frank the biggest and best yet. Misuraca. 3. Michael North ’82, Brian North ’83, Tim Sicard ’82, and Greg Nolan ’91 4. A foursome from the Class
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of 2011: Alex Nay, Todd Johnson, Michael Bates, and Ryan Acomb 5. The grilling crew of the Class of 2006: Jeff Ganucheau, James Linn, Ricky Becnel, and Vincent Scelfo (Not pictured is classmate John Pivach.) 6. Anne Barnes, Sharon Barreca, Jeanne Dufour, Ellen Frischhertz, and Jeannie Favret volunteer at the check-in table.
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CO-CURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS
Debate & Quiz Bowl Earn State Team Titles
Debate — Seniors Mayank Mardia and Andrew Cerise, juniors Jamie Colon and Andrew Souther, and sophomore Robert Cerise display their LHSSL championship plaques.
Debate
Quiz Bowl
The Jesuit Debate Team, coached by Ian Gunn ’07, capped off another successful season by finishing first at the Louisiana High School Speech League State Tournament of Champions. The event took place at Mount Carmel Academy on April 2.
Jesuit’s Quiz Bowl team went undefeated to win the overall state championship in the 25th Annual State Quiz Bowl Tournament at Northwestern State University on March 19. The event is hosted by the Louisiana Association for Academic Competition. This is Jesuit’s eighth overall LAAC title, more than twice the number of any other Louisiana high school.
Sophomore Robert Cerise won the Lincoln-Douglas Debate (LD) category, making it five straight LD state crowns for the Blue Jays. In Public Forum Debate, Jesuit solidified its status as the top squad in Louisiana, with the final round being an all-Jesuit affair. The senior team of Andrew Cerise and Mayank Mardia went undefeated and joined the junior team of Jaime Colon and Andrew Souther to share the state championship. Cerise, Mardia, Colon, and Souther earned All-State Team honors.
The varsity team included seniors Anthony Stoner (captain), Andrew Cerise, and D.J. Ogbomah, and sophomore Caleb Rogers. The same group of impressive Jays finished as runners-up at a second state competition – the National Academic Quiz Tournament held at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in April.
National World War II Museum Quiz Bowl In what host Kenneth Hoffman called “…the most exciting Quiz Bowl we’ve
Quiz Bowl — WWII Museum’s education director and Quiz Bowl host Kenneth Hoffman congratulates seniors Connor Martinez, Andrew Cerise, and Daniel Puente.
ever had,” a team of seniors Connor Martinez, Andrew Cerise, and Daniel Puente won the 2016 National World War II Museum Quiz Bowl. Jesuit defeated threetime defending champ, Central High School of Baton Rouge. The match was decided in overtime with the last of three tie-breaker questions. Cerise correctly described the U.S. flag during World War II — stars and stripes with 48 state stars.
State Rally Two Blue Jay sophomores won overall literary events at the 2016 State Rally, which took place in April on the campus of LSU. Sophomore Chris Ross was the overall winner in Environmental Science, while Caleb Rogers was awarded the overall title in U.S. History. Seventeen of the 29 Jesuit students who qualified for State Rally state participants in Division I competition returned to Carrollton & Banks with first place medals. District and
State Rally are moderated by English teacher Danny Fitzpatrick ’09.
Mock Trial A young Mock Trial team consisting of junior André Navarre; sophomores Nathan Alvarez, Gabe Dupuy, Nick Leonik, Manuel Molina, and John Schmidt; and freshman Donovan Reynolds finished second in regional competition, but did not advance past preliminary competition at the 2016 state tournament in Baton Rouge. “Given the age of our participants, I am very pleased with this year’s results and am already looking ahead to next year’s season,” said coach Brett Wise ’82, who is assisted by coaches Michael Mentz ’74 and John Becknell ’05 and moderator Greg Ernst ’83.
Mu Alpha Theta Jesuit’s Mu Alpha Theta team placed second overall in the 2016 Louisiana State Math Convention that took place
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from April 7-9 in Baton Rouge. Jesuit finished first in Theta Interschool competition. The Blue Jay team, consisting of 61 students, was led by senior officers Harrison Millar, Steven Sellers, Andrew Vuong, and Matthew Miceli. The tournament included 31 schools from across the state. Mu Alpha Theta is moderated
by Jo Ann Schexnayder and Khanh Nguyen. A full listing of winners is available at jesuitnola. org/honors-organizations. Pictured at right: Jesuit Quiz Bowl all-senior Team A: D.J. Ogbomah, Stephen Owers, and Anthony Stoner (captain) with coach Ron Rossi. Not pictured is Andrew Cerise.
Guidance Counselor Andrew Schiro Honored at MCJROTC Parade & Review
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uidance counselor Andrew Schiro was honored for his 35 years of service to Jesuit High School by the MCJROTC at the organization’s 29th annual Parade and Review on April 7.
At the ceremony attended by his colleagues and witnessed by the entire Jesuit student body, Schiro was celebrated as the embodiment of Jesuit’s motto “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.” Through his example of faith, strength, and humility, Schiro shows Blue Jays the true meaning of being a “Man of Faith” and a “Man for Others.” In a proclamation signed by Jesuit President Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., Schiro was lauded for his impact on the thousands of students he has guided throughout his time at Jesuit. “An astute counselor, he is deeply concerned for the well-being of his students, always making time to meet with them and to help them with their problems,” read the proclamation. “He is especially effective with the younger students as they navigate the sometimes difficult transition to
Jesuit. His friendly, caring demeanor and sincere interest in his students… have made him a trusted counselor.” A 1975 graduate of Nicholls State University, Schiro earned his Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola University New Orleans in 1980. Since 1981 Schiro has served as a guidance counselor at Jesuit, counseling more than 8,700 Blue Jays. He served as the guidance department head for four years and has been the pre-freshman counselor for 17 years. He has also served as the coach of the golf and tennis teams and currently moderates the Golf Club, assists in the Peer Support Program, serves as Jesuit’s registrar for the Selective Service System, and mentors younger guidance counselors. After Schiro was recognized, the MCJROTC Drill Team and the MCJROTC Band gave brief performances for the honoree and Jesuit’s entire student body. The parade is a time-honored ceremony of the Marine Corps and Jesuit’s MCJROTC.
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T EC H N O LO G Y AT J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L
An Effective Means to an Important End by Sharon Hewlett
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he classroom at Jesuit High School has changed dramatically over the last fifteen years. To ensure that teachers have all the necessary tools in their instructional tool bag, school president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., launched an ambitious program to evaluate and ultimately upgrade technology in the classroom. The results have both altered the architecture of the classroom and changed the educator’s approach to teaching. No longer does a teacher exclusively lecture while students diligently take notes. Technology has transformed classrooms into active learning environments. Teachers often serve as facilitators of student learning allowing Blue Jays to learn by researching and doing. Simply put, teaching and, more importantly, learning have been enhanced. When Jesuit chose to build computer and science labs in the early 2000s, the school adopted a progressive technology plan to suit our community’s needs. Although Jesuit has offered computer courses since the 1980s,
the school has gradually and carefully incorporated technology into the general curriculum. Currently almost every aspect of the school curriculum utilizes the latest devices available. Each classroom at Jesuit features a computer system incorporating multimedia components to provide instructors with full access to their teaching resources. The Resource Center, five computer labs, and nine science labs are also each furnished with computers and multimedia components to enhance the students’ learning experiences. Two years ago, Jesuit embarked on a multi-year project to renovate every classroom, focusing on a block of classrooms each summer. One goal is to have every redesigned classroom equipped with the latest technology. Over the last few years, Jesuit has expanded its wireless infrastructure to allow for Internet access throughout the campus. The school has mobile labs equipped with Microsoft Surface Pros and Apple iPads that
can be moved throughout the building for in-class assignments. This enhanced accessibility to the latest digital tools has resulted in greater engagement in the classroom. • Theology classes use technology to hold student interest and help relate current issues with church teaching. • English classes utilize the labs and library for research and the writing and editing of essays. • Science classes employ technology to conduct realistic experiments with scientific probes connected to computers followed by analysis of the results via software. • Foreign language classes have adopted online textbooks and the corresponding programs to enhance the students’ speaking and listening skills. • Current events come alive in social studies classes as students employ technology to gain insight into the people,
the countries, and the happenings around them to gain a better understanding of history and how it is relevant in our contemporary world. • Digital access to real-world scenarios assists students in
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math classes in developing problem solving skills. Senior analysis courses are now taught online with a dual enrollment option for college credit at LSU. • And in fine arts classes students go on virtual “field trips” to museums, galleries, and other locations throughout the world. Objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest become real as students “experience” them virtually. Another digital enhancement that will greater facilitate course management and organization is an online learning management system (LMS) for student assignments and communication. This LMS allows teachers to post notes, handouts, and lectures; give
online quizzes and reviews; and respond to student questions. In the 2016-2017 school year, Jesuit will utilize Canvas, a robust LMS, which will also allow Jesuit families to view student grades throughout the year. Also, in the 2016-17 school year, Jesuit will expand its elective offerings to include engineering and robotics classes. An introduction to engineering course will explore the concepts of computer-aided modeling and 3D printing, and a beginning robotics class will study topics such as engineering, circuitry, and programming. Technology at Jesuit is an instrument that provides students a better grasp of subject material, but in no way does it replace the
teacher in any course. The school has made a thoughtful commitment to provide Blue Jays with proven technology that creates a learning environment that complements the traditional standards of a Jesuit education. Jesuit High School remains committed to the goal of providing the best Jesuit education supplemented with the digital tools that meet the school’s rigorous requirements. Sharon Hewlett has overseen Jesuit’s technology for the past 18 years. Charged with evaluating the school’s use of technology and implementing the necessary changes to meet its mission, Hewlett,
assisted by Dan Wagner (network administrator) and Stephen Blum (database administrator), has been an important player in shaping the Jesuit High School of 2016. She serves on the President’s Advisory Council.
Photos, left top and bottom: Students in Nilda Rivera’s class use Surface Pro 3s to enhance her Spanish curriculum. Top right: Rivera uses Skype to allow her students to communicate directly with an actress from Rivera’s native Puerto Rico. Bottom right: Spanish teacher Deika Bustamante uses an iPad to guide students on a virtual field trip via Google Expedition.
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Robotics Closes Out Successful Season with Trip to Super Regionals After capturing top honors in the Southeast Texas and Louisiana FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Regional Qualifier and earning several awards along the way, the Robotics Club traveled to San Antonio for the South Super Regional robotics competition in March. Robotics team members participating in the FTC South Super Regional were freshman James Bragg, juniors Todd Crabtree and John Crowson, freshman Reece deBoisblanc, sophomore Emory Ducote, junior Mikey Elvir, pre-freshman Hayes Martin, and juniors Luke Navarro and Andrew Stapp. The super regional competition put the Blue Jays against 71 other teams from 12 states. The Jays were able to win five of nine matches played in the qualifying rounds, but did not advance to the elimination rounds. Before earning a spot at the super regional competition, the Jays first had to win at the state level. They did just that, earning the highest honors – first in competition and the Inspire Award. The Inspire Award is given to teams who serve as strong FTC
ambassadors and role models. That victory advanced the team to the regional championship for the fourthconsecutive year. At regionals they earned both the Inspire Award and the Winning Alliance Award. The Robotics team is moderated by physics teacher Kyle White, James Raasch, and former Jesuit mathematics teacher Eric Leefe ’03. For full coverage on the Robotics Club, visit jesuitnola.org/competitive-clubs. Pictured, above: Jesuit Robotics team 6448 competes in the FTC South Super Regionals in San Antonio. Right: A judge inspects the Blue Jays’ robot in the FTC South Super Regional Championship.
The Very Rev. Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, visited Jesuit High School in early May. His trip included a social and dinner with local members of the Society in St. Ignatius Hall. Fr. Nicolás has served as leader of the Society since January 2008. He is the 30th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the largest religious order in the Roman Catholic Church. Pictured: Society of Jesuit members Br. Larry Huck ’87, Very Rev. Adolfo Nicolás, Br. William “Billy” Dardis ’58, and Br. Terry Todd ’58.
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Central and Southern Province
Superior General of the Society of Jesus Visits New Orleans
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Father-Daughter Theme Reels ’Em In At Fishing Rodeo 1
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1. Mike McGlone ’68, his daughter Meghan, granddaughter Beverly, and son-in-law Jarrett Brashear 2. Colin Bruzdzinski, an incoming pre-freshman, hurls a mullet with the hope of outdistancing his father, Andy. 3. Some of the first place winners of Jesuit’s 24th Fishing Rodeo: (from left) Peyton Cox ’17 (Redfish, Division 2); Jamie Bonck (Sheepshead); Ray Faugeaux ’73 (Red Snapper, Division 1); Lenny Labiche (Speckled Trout, Division 1); Olivia & David Lavie ’84 (Father & Daughter); Damon DiMarco (Five-Trout Stringer); Zack Robert ’16 (Red Snapper, Division 2); Blake Dulcich ’17 (Flounder, Speckled Trout, Division 2); and George Haydel (Biggest Fish). 4. Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58, who is chairman emeritus of the rodeo, greets Mickey Zimmerman. 5. Participants in the 24th Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo were greeted at the registration table by this trio of happy volunteers: (from left) Amy McMahon, Letty Jane Clark, and Carol Besselman. 6. The McMahon Brothers — Matthew ’17 (left) and Chris ’18 — along with Mike Torry ’18 7. The Discon Brothers — John (left) and Connor — hold bragging rights to the Sheepshead category in Division 2.
The best catch at John Ryan Stadium on June 25 didn’t come in the outfield… or the infield, for that matter. Record heat did little to deter hundreds of anglers, families, and friends from enjoying the 24th Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo. The event was held in the Wally Pontiff, Jr. Pavilion and under the Blue & White Big Top that was added to the layout in 2015 to accommodate additional attendees. A new feature for 2016 was a father-daughter division, which attracted 13 pairs of competitors. David Lavie ’84 and his daughter Olivia walked away with first place. All daughters received a special gift from rodeo chairman Mike McMahon ’85. The icy fish display case, added several years ago, featured a gorgeous Golden Tilefish, some beautiful big-mouth bass, two giant Jack Crevalle, and a pair of rangy redfish. Go to jesuitnola.org/fishing-rodeo for a complete listing of 2016 winners. Assisting the chairman were committee members Art Brewster ’87 (door prizes); Drew Burnside (CCA registration); Larry Canada, Michael Heier ’05 and Chris Mills ’80 (weighmasters); Letty Jane Clark (registration); Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58, Gary Discon ’75, and Ryan Gootee ’91 (awards); Andy Fuller ’96 (trophies), Jim Hotard ’81 (mullet toss); George Haydel, Rookie Leopold ’61, and Jude Trahant ’80 (prizes); D.J. Galiano ’06 (music); and Floyd Guidry (stadium operations). Plans are already underway for an extravaganza of epic proportions to celebrate the Rodeo’s 25th anniversary.
FLYING WITH THE JAYS
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Jesuit Tennis Captures Ninth Consecutive State Championship by Jay Combe ’83 Jesuit’s tennis team narrowly defeated favored Catholic High to claim the program’s ninth consecutive state title on April 25 and 26 in Monroe. The Jays scored 12.5 points to 11.5 for Catholic (teams earn one point for every match won at state, with a halfpoint bonus for semifinal wins). “That’s about as close as it gets,” said an elated coach Travis Smith. “Coaches talking about total team efforts is almost cliche, but this was the real deal.” Indeed it was. Had Jesuit tied in total points with Catholic, the Bears would have been awarded the title by virtue of their individual title in singles.
“So literally every win was essential,” said Smith. “If even one of those 12 matches our guys won goes the other way, we’re coming home with the second place trophy. And each of our eight state qualifiers notched at least one of those 12 wins.” Senior Brandon Beck and junior Trey Hamlin scored the Jays’ twelfth point by defeating teammates Jack Steib, a junior, and Cristian Archaga, a senior, in the doubles semifinals. One court over, Catholic High’s No. 1 doubles team lost their semifinal to St. Paul’s, mathematically clinching Jesuit’s team title. At that point, the only remaining
drama was whether or not Beck and Hamlin, who were making their second consecutive appearance in the doubles finals, would claim their first doubles crown. But St. Paul’s top-seeded Shiell brothers, Kurt and Kent, who had already eliminated Catholic, didn’t do the Jays any more favors, playing nearly flawless tennis to win 6-2, 5-7, 6-1. Earlier in the tournament, the Shiells eliminated Jesuit’s Niehaus brothers, seniors Jonathan and Jacob, in the quarterfinals. The Niehauses were the defending state champions. “Jonathan and Jacob have carried us so many times,” said Smith. “I’m sorry
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Speaking of critical, Jesuit’s No. 3 doubles team, the unseeded duo of Steib and Archaga, earned three points on Day One of the tournament. They blazed through their first round match in straight sets, but then had to battle through two back-to-back three-set nailbiters to earn their shot at Beck and Hamlin. “This is the second year in a row we’ve asked Jack to work in that No. 3 doubles slot with a relatively new partner,” said Smith. “And both years he’s come through in a big way” “As for Archaga, here’s a guy who’s been in the program for four years but never had a chance on the big stage like this. If anyone had a reason to be nervous, it was Cristian. But he’s absolutely fearless.”
Archaga wasn’t the only untested Blue Jay making a successful debut at state. Junior Graham Buck scored two points by advancing to the singles quarterfinals. On the other side of the draw, sophomore Christian Lacoste, a last-minute replacement for injured junior Luke Lingle, advanced to the Round of 16, earning a point in the process.
seniors Andrew Nguyen, Griffin Pels, and Andrew Westholz; junior Leo Seoane; sophomores Paul Myers, John Nuttli, and Andrew Ryan; and freshmen Cole LaCour, Colin Meyer, and Dexter Webster.
As happy as Smith was with the outcome, he couldn’t help but be a bit wistful. “I hope somewhere in the future I’m proven wrong, but I can’t imagine a better group of seniors than we had this year,” said Smith. “Those guys will be missed.”
Pictured above, left: The Jesuit Blue Jays claim the 2016 LHSAA Tennis Division 1 State Championship title with a total of 12.5 points. Top right: Senior Brandon Beck and junior Trey Hamlin defeat their Captain Shreve opponents during their first match of the state championships. Bottom right: The Blue Jays celebrate becoming the 2016 LHSAA Tennis Division 1 State Champions. This victory marks the Jays’ ninthconsecutive year as state champions.
Two of those seniors, Jacob Niehaus and Brandon Beck, will remain teammates. Both signed to play college tennis at Millsaps in Jackson, Mississippi. Other members of the varsity were
Jay Combe ’83 teaches social studies, assists with the tennis team, and contributes to the website.
FLYING WITH THE JAYS
they went out with a loss, but the two points they earned were critical.”
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High Five!
Lacrosse Wins 5th Consecutive LHSLL State Title
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T
he fastest growing sport in the nation has established itself as one of the most successful athletic programs at Carrollton & Banks. On April 24, Jesuit won its fifth consecutive Louisiana High School Lacrosse League (LHSLL) title by whipping cross-town rival Brother Martin, 15-6, at Joe Yenni Field in Metairie. Lacrosse isn’t an official Louisiana High School Athletic Association sport. Not enough teams play it, though the sport continues to grow across the state. It’s already huge in Texas (Isn’t everything bigger in Texas?) where the Blue Jays travel to play against tougher teams in Dallas and Houston in preparation for district competition. “The scores of those early Texas games in the Jesuit Dallas College Prep Tournament were pretty lopsided, but playing against stronger and more experienced players helped our guys improve,” said head coach Steve Krobert, a 2005 alumnus. Today’s games against Lone Star teams are much more competitive.
Origins of the Sport Some believe lacrosse (“the stick”) may have been developed as early as 1100 AD in North America by Native Americans. According to U.S. Lacrosse, some of the earliest details of the game (team size, equipment, field size, and game duration) were provided by missionaries such as French Jesuits in Huron country in the 1630s. Jesuit Jean
de Brébeuf, one of the first Europeans to write about the game, observed Iroquois tribesmen playing the game in 1637 where New York is today.
parents raised and donated more than $5,000 to the victim’s family. It didn’t matter that the Blue Jay wasn’t a lacrosse player.
Lacrosse started at Jesuit in 2004 when Krobert was a senior. “We didn’t know a whole lot about the sport back then, but as we practiced and worked at getting better, our skills began to grow.” The club grew, too. At one point Jesuit fielded four separate lacrosse squads (U-15, JV-B, JV-A, and Varsity), which included more than 100 studentathletes. In 2015, however, coaches and administrators decided to go with a more manageable three-team program.
Looking Ahead
The LHSLL consists of 22 teams who compete in three divisions. One of the teams in Jesuit’s division (South) is actually in Mississippi.
“I’m just happy that the effort our young men are putting in and the results they’re posting are raising awareness for the sport, earning them and the program credibility among administrators and the community, and strengthening what is already a quality Jesuit athletic program.”
The 2016 season was one of the school’s most impressive, with the Jays winning all but one of their in-state games before polishing off St. Paul’s, 19-6, and Brother Martin on championship weekend. Attacker Max Murret and goalie Rob Hinyub took home tournament MVP plaques, emblematic of their senior seasons. Both will continue their lacrosse careers in college.
Men For Others Not recorded on the stat sheet is a team project that allowed Blue Jays to breathe life into the school’s motto. When players and coaches learned that a Jesuit pre-freshmen lost his home and possessions in a fire, the team and its
So where does the program go from here? Krobert would love to find a permanent place for his teams to practice and play. Looking for practice fields in City Park – something Blue Jay football and baseball teams did for decades – and driving to Muss Bertolino in Kenner to play games isn’t ideal. But Krobert isn’t complaining. In fact, it’s just the opposite.
Pictured above, left: Junior attacker Noah Martin scores the first goal of the state chamionship for the Blue Jays. Right: Senior attacker Max Murret, who was voted the championship tournament’s offensive MVP, shoots and scores for the Blue Jays. Murret finished the game with two goals and three assists. Opposite page: Blue Jays celebrate their state championship win. Photos courtesy of Bryant Faust.
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Nationally Ranked Rugby Team Finishes State Runner-Up
Head coach Sheridan Moran and Guy Patron ’16
2016 Wrestling: Rejuvenated and Successful A renewed spirit was the hallmark feature of the 2016 wrestling team. A new coach, a state runner-up finish, three individual state champions, and an enhanced connection with wrestling alumni all contributed to an exciting year of Blue Jay wrestling. Coach Sheridan Moran hit the ground running as he quickly organized a wrestling homecoming with the assistance of Jesuit’s advancement office. To begin the season, former Blue Jay wrestlers and their families returned to campus to meet Coach Sheridan and his 2016 grapplers and see the team in action in a Blue and White intra-squad meet. Then to further generate interest and excitement, Moran brought his wrestlers and their many fans to John Ryan Stadium on an early November night for an outdoor meet against St. Paul’s.
The Blue Jay rugby team had an explosive start to a state-runner up season. The squad turned in 12 wins and just two losses. Along the way, they earned a national ranking, won the tough Jesuit Dallas Invitational Tournament, and enjoyed the admiration of their loyal fans who enjoyed the Jays’ level of skill, intelligent play, and toughness. Head coach Adam Massey, who was assisted by Jesuit alumni Wes Eustis ’99 and Jimmy Rehkopf ’04, was proud of how his team played throughout the season. “The team returned to championship form this year,” Massey said. “The squad was ranked 20th in the nation and beat two nationally ranked teams on its way to the state title game. We look forward to a great season next year and intend to return the state title to Jesuit.” When the Jays took to the pitch in the May 5 state championship match against the Bayou Hurricanes, they knew they were taking on a formidable opponent. Despite the Jays jumping to an early lead, the Hurricanes stormed their way to a 28-10 win to capture the coveted crown. The Blue Jays’ only two losses this year came at the hands of the Hurricanes. Based on their performances throughout the season, a half-dozen
The Jays’ performance at state was highlighted by three individual state championships: sophomore Eli Larriviere (126) and seniors Guy Patron (195) and Corey Dublin (285). After pinning all of his opponents at the state meet in the first period, Patron was recognized by the LHSAA as the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler in Division 1. In addition, he was selected as the Greater New Orleans Amateur Athlete of the Month for February.
Blue Jay ruggers were named to the All-State Team by the Louisiana High School Rugby League. Seniors Will Waguespack and Evan Slattery and sophomore Gabriel Massey were named First-Team All-State Honorees. The Second-Team All-State Honorees are Senior Scott Derbes and juniors Bryce Duffy and Case Ellis. Senior Joshua West was recognized with an Honorable Mention. In June several Blue Jays who made the state all-star rugby team represented Louisiana in the Regional Cup Tournament in Charlotte. Through participation in the tournament, Gabe Massey was invited to the High School All American camp in Phoenix, Arizona. Waguespack and Ellis were invited to the USA South Panthers’ U-19 selection camp in Atlanta where they represented the United States in international rugby matches against teams from Central America and the Caribbean. Catch up on the rugby team’s season highlights, including their national ranking and All-State honors, at jesuitnola.org/rugby.
New Coach Has Bowlers in the Right Lane A Blue Jay alumnus has the Jesuit bowling program rolling in the right direction. “I’m very proud of the way our young men competed this year, and I’m already looking forward to next season,” said head coach Todd Bourgeois ’88, who took over the program at the beginning of the school year. Bourgeois was on Jesuit’s first bowling team, decades before it became an LHSAA sport, winning the school’s first prep league title. He also played football for the Jays. Since then he’s traded his cleats for bowling shoes and his passion for the pigskin for a love of the lanes.
Will Waguespack ’16
The 2016 bowling team was led by seniors Peyton Hidalgo and
their closest competitor.
Bowling Team at Bi-Regional round
José Cuscó. Hidalgo was one of 11 Louisiana bowlers to earn the opportunity to compete for the individual LHSAA state title.
The following week, Coach Seiler and the same five players from the district tournament — seniors Carlo Carino, Grant Glorioso (who will play golf at Southeastern Louisiana University), junior Nolan Lambert, sophomore Grayson Glorioso, and freshman Britton Khalaf — competed against seven other teams in the Region II event at Carter Plantation Golf Course near Ponchatoula. A fourth place finish earned the Jays a trip to the LHSAA state tournament at the Farm d’Allie Golf Course in Carencro, where they finished a distance fifth out of eight teams.
The Jays, who finished the regular season with a record of 8-4, upset Chalmette in the New Orleans Regional before bowing out of the playoffs in the Bi-Regional round in Baton Rouge. Bourgeois, who was assisted by faculty moderator Gary Wyss, hopes his passion for the sport and his enthusiasm for Blue Jay athletics will lead to continued improvement in 2017.
Golfers Win District, But Struggle at Region, State Tourneys Jesuit’s golf teams have reigned supreme when it comes to bagging district championships. In the past 26 years, Blue Jay golfers have captured 20 district titles, three regional championships, and won five state championships trophies. But as all golfers know, it’s a tough sport that plays cruel and unforgiving mind games. 2016 was one of those years. Head coach Owen Seiler ’75 put it simply: “We have to learn to hit the ball straighter.” The post-season started well. The Blue Jays conquered a dozen local rivals to win the district tournament, held at Beau Chene’s tightly wound Oak Course, finishing 21 strokes ahead of
was the end of the streak. For the first time since 1998, the Jays were eliminated from the playoffs prior to the semifinal round, getting stunned in the quarterfinals by Catholic High in Baton Rouge. Collins, however, isn’t attending any pity parties. “This is a tremendous group of young men. Nobody waltzes their way to a district title or the state quarterfinals, for that matter. We just hit Catholic at their absolute best, and I can live with that. There’s no other group I’d want to coach.” Three Jesuit seniors were named to the LHSSCA All State team. Chase Rushing earned a spot on the first team, while Patrick Rye and José Aleman were named to the second team.
Grant Glorioso ’16
Coach Seiler, who was assisted by Monty Glorioso, is optimistic that his nucleus of young and talented players will be more accurate and more competitive in 2017 post-season play.
Early Dismissal: Soccer Out in Quarters The 2016 Blue Jay soccer team enjoyed another very successful season once again capturing the district championship. However, teams that enjoy sustained success over time often get measured by unfair yardsticks. Such is the case for the Jesuit soccer team. This year’s squad enjoyed success that would make most teams enviable, with Coach Hubie Collins’s squad posting a 23-4-2 record and capturing a district championship. But what most people wanted to talk about after the season
Rushing and Aleman will play at the next level, as will Charles Rice. Aleman has signed with Barry University in Florida; Rice will lace up his cleats for Howard University in Washington, D.C.; and Rushing will play at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. Earning LHSAA All-State Academic honors were seniors Rye, Conner Maheu, Edwin Grant Lazier, and Cole Retif.
Charles Rice ’16
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Also competing at the state meet, junior Reed Meric finished 5th in the 800-meter run with a time of 01:56.11, less than two seconds away from the school record.
Jandon Briscoe ’17
Track and Field Aims for the Record Books Members of the Blue Jay indoor and outdoor track and field teams spent this year striving for and putting their marks on Jesuit and state record books. At the state indoor track and field championship at LSU’s Carl Maddox Field House on Feb. 20, junior Jandon Briscoe broke Jesuit’s 400-meter indoor record when he ran a time of 49.71 seconds, knocking more than a second off of his time from last season. A few weeks later, he competed at The Armory in New York, running the New Balance National Indoor Meet. He ran a personal best of 49.60 seconds, finishing in 5th place. Despite all of Briscoe’s success in the indoor season, it was his outdoor performance at the LHSAA/Sugar Bowl Track & Field State Championships at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium on May 6-7 that set his place in Blue Jay and state history.
The 4 x 800 relay team came close to a school record when they ran 8:15.07 in the outdoor state meet. The team of Tanner Tresca, Eli Sisung, Reed Meric, and Carlos Zervigon finished just 1.17 seconds shy of last year’s school record in that event. Senior Mark Jaunet also grazed a school record when he threw the javelin 169' 10'', just 14'' off the school record. Sophomore Alex Klein became the first Blue Jay to compete in the ParaAmbulatory division, an appearance that helped him meet several personal goals. Klein threw the discus 88 feet; set a personal record in the javelin of 103 feet, 8 inches; and qualified for the Paralympic trials this summer in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, running 14.58 and 30.37 seconds. (See article on opposite page.)
best baseball. Then a freak accident at practice took standout player Brandon Briuglio out of the lineup and out for the season. “Brandon is the kind of player who is difficult to replace because he’s not only your best hitter, he’s also your number two pitcher,” said Coach Latino. Weeks after the season ended, it was still difficult for Coach Latino to express his thoughts. “We went to Catholic and played extremely well in that first game and twice had them on the ropes,” he recalled. “We had a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the seventh and let it get away from us. We had a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the 10th inning and lost on a two-run walk-off home run.” “That ride back from Baton Rouge, I could tell it was going to be extremely tough for us to come back and win two games,” Coach Latino reflected.
Jays Were Unselfish in Baseball
In the second game, Coach Latino gave credit to Catholic’s pitcher. “We got beat by a really good pitcher,” he said. “We fell down 4-0 in the first inning, and to try to climb up that hill, it just wasn’t happening.”
By the time Jesuit’s 2016 prep baseball season ended, Coach Joey Latino’s Blue Jays had played 36 games, winning 26 of them.
Despite the losses to the Bears, Coach Latino said he will look back on the 2016 Jesuit team as having done a “tremendous job.”
The exhausting schedule included eight shutout wins and beating five teams by a single run. Jesuit was 3-4 in district play and mired in a slump before reeling off nine straight wins, five in district. The Jays were the runners-up in District Briscoe had one of the best performances 9-5A, but their demanding schedule of the state meet, finishing 4th in the produced enough power point ratings to 200-meter dash with a time of 21.48 garner a fifth seed in the Division 1 state seconds, less than a tenth of a second playoffs. from the school record and the 5th In round one, a single game at John fastest time of the meet. Briscoe lined Ryan Stadium, Jesuit dispatched up for the 400-meter dash and, with the Ouachita, 9-3. Round two began rest of the field chasing him, ran a school the best-of-three series with the Jays record-shattering time of 47.63 seconds sweeping Destrehan. to win the state championship. Not only Going into the quarterfinals series did he win the 5A class title, he ran the fastest 400-meter time in all classes and against fourth-seeded Catholic High of Baton Rouge, the Jays were playing their the fastest in Louisiana this year.
“They played with tenacity and they played for each other,” he said. There were no selfish players. They didn’t care who got the credit. It was about all of them trying to accomplish something special.”
Brandon Briuglio ’16
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Blue Jay Alex Klein Inspires One Step at a Time On your mark. Get set. Go! These are words of conquest to Blue Jay track and field athlete Alex Klein.
W
hen he was 8 years old and diagnosed with cancer, Klein was faced with the prospect that his greatest sports dreams might be turning into mere sports daydreams. His right leg would need to be amputated to prevent the cancer’s spreading to his heart, lungs, or brain. But Klein never let his chemo treatment and surgery keep him from the inside lane. Equipped with a prosthetic leg up to the knee, he first began competing in events for GUMBO (Games Uniting Mind and Body). His involvement in this interscholastic track and field competition for children with physical or visual disabilities helped get Klein’s track career out of the starting blocks. Klein’s dedication has only gained speed as a student-athlete at Jesuit. His sophomore season saw him gaining strides in district competition against non-disabled runners. At the state meet in the beginning of May, Klein competed in the para-ambulatory class, posting personal bests in the javelin and running events. He threw the javelin 103 feet and clocked in at 14.58 seconds in the 100 meter dash and 30.37 seconds in the 200. He threw the discus 88 feet. His times in the track events qualified him for the U.S. Paralympic Trials in Charlotte in June. His ultimate goal is to compete in the Paralympic Games
in Tokyo in 2020. His success in competition at Jesuit has imbedded in Klein the belief that he can do anything life puts in front of him. A true Blue Jay, Klein is committed to striving for excellence through physical activity despite his disability. This passion even inspired his mother to remain strong in her own battle with breast cancer last summer. As the radiation treatment took a toll on her body, she drew her confidence from the knowledge that if her boy Klein could do it, then so could she. Most Jesuit students walking the halls are unaware of Klein’s prosthetic limb, covered as it is by his khaki pants. But every student who encounters Klein realizes that he is a young man who sets a future standard for his life and passionately strives to achieve it. As the proud member of a family who has beaten cancer twice, that mark is set pretty high.
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