Jaynotes | Vol. 49 No. 1 | Fall/Winter 2022

THE MAGAZINE OF JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL OF NEW ORLEANS

VOL. 49, NO. 1 | FALL / WINTER 2022

175 Moments | Becoming Men for Others | Cross Country & Swimming Championships

BLUE JAY CAFÉ JAYNOTES | FALL / WINTER 2022 JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL President Fr. John Brown, S.J. Director of Institutional Advancement Christian Bautista ’06 Director of Alumni Michael Prados ’83 Executive Development Coordinator Krista Roeling Creative Director Brittany Donnes Senior Development Officer Jean-Paul Perrilliat ’03 Volunteer & Events Coordinators Maura Owers Cindy Wooderson Assistant to the President for Mission Jeremy Reuther ’01 Major Gifts Coordinator Jamie Roy STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Christian Bautista ’06 Brittany Donnes Jacob Reeder ’19 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS & EDITORS Danny Fitzpatrick ’09 Peter Flores ’09 Matt Orillion ’98 Maura Owers Michael Prados ’83 Timothy Powers

ON THE COVER: The cover of this issue of the magazine features the Church of the Immaculate Conception in 1924, just before the school moved from its original Barrone Street location to its current location in Mid-City on the corner of Carrollton & Banks.

In 2021, the space that formerly housed the Jesuit bookstore was converted into a brand-new café. It is open throughout the entire day complete with meals, drinks, and grab-and-go snacks. Its uses range from a place for students to study or relax during their off periods to a place for clubs to gather and meet. Together with the commons, the cafeteria, and the courtyard, it creates a cornerstone of daily student and faculty life, fostering interaction and a sense of community.

FEATURES 2 The Hall of Legacy

Thanking Jesuit’s Supporters

6 175th Anniversary

175 Moments

12 Student’s 175th

Celebration

18 Alumni Homecoming

175th Celebration

22 The Blue Jay March

Band Performs Historic Piece

24 Latin: A Jesuit

Cornerstone

26 In the Spotlight

Cross Country Gains National Attention

28 Defending Titles

& Breaking Records Swimming Championship

32 To Wait and Hope

Jesuit’s Ukrainian Brothers

34 Becoming Men for Others

Junior Fernando Zuniga

36 Project 1983

From Humble Beginnings to a Lasting Impact of Giving

38 Going Beyond the

Service Project Daniel Swear ’09

40 Lifemark

David Scotton ’12

42 In Their Own Words

Alumni Service Corps Members

Fall/Winter 2022 Vol. 49, No. 1 Jaynotes is published twice a year by the Jesuit High School Office of Institutional Advancement.

HOW TO REACH US Jesuit High School 4133 Banks Street New Orleans, LA 70119 Email: jesuitnews@jesuitnola.org

Where Y’at articles and photographs may be submitted online at jesuitnola.org/where-yat.

HALL OF LEGACY

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THE HALL of LEGACY

T

he newly constructed Madonna della Strada building opens its doors to an inspiring entrance corridor, a profound testament to the generosity that has shaped the school’s legacy. Reflecting the Jesuits’ tradition of prayer before the Madonna della Strada as they sought protection and guidance before being missioned across the globe, this space serves as a gracious reminder that Blue Jays are able to depart from Carrollton & Banks to share Jesuit’s mission with the world because of the support and devotion of generations of alumni, parents, and benefactors.

Walking through this hall, visitors are first greeted by a display recognizing Prevost Society members, whose lifetime giving to Jesuit exceeds $1 million. This society is named for Henry C. Prevost of the Class

of 1873 who established the school’s endowment in 1926 in memory of his late son. Beginning with Prevost himself, these benefactors have made a resounding impact on Jesuit over the last century.

Following this homage, a display honoring those who have contributed endowed gifts serves as a permanent reminder of their commitment to Jesuit’s mission. Donors who have completed Full Education Funds are prominently acknowledged in gratitude for their substantial endowed gifts that cover the entire cost of a Jesuit education for a student for one year. The names of donors who have established Endowed Scholarships are also now centrally displayed. Alongside Full Education Funds, these endowed funds are vital for maintaining Jesuit’s commitment to accessibility and a “need-blind” admissions process.

The corridor also pays tribute to the current and past alumni of the year, inspiring current Blue Jays and visitors with the achievements of Jesuit alumni who stand out as exemplar members of the school community.

Beneath these displays, a beautifully rendered timeline traces Jesuit’s history.

“Beyond our unmatched faculty and our exceptional students, the humbling support of our alumni, parents, and benefactors is an indispensable component of what keeps Jesuit the unique place that it is,” said Christian Bautista ’06, Jesuit’s director of institutional advancement. “I’m thrilled that the campus itself is now able to be a part of how we express our gratitude.” 

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N E W F A C U LT Y

Jesuit Welcomes 17 Faculty and Staff Members

I

n the year of the dodransbicentennial, Jesuit High School welcomed seventeen new faculty to Carrollton and Banks, including five alumni and two members of the Society of Jesus.

The campus ministry team added two new members for the new year.

Fr. John Polce, S.J., is the new chaplain replacing Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., after seven years of service to Jesuit. A graduate of the University of Dallas and Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Fr. Polce was ordained in the summer of 2022.

He previously worked at Strake Jesuit High School in Houston, where he directed the Kairos retreat program.

Mr. Nick Blair, S.J., is teaching theology and serving as the codirector of campus ministry. Blair comes to Jesuit for his regency after graduating from Loyola Chicago and Rockhurst University.

The Alumni Service Corps welcomed three new members this year. John Kling ’17 returned to Jesuit to teach English and coach cross country. Kling earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and recently completed his master’s in English and classics from Boston University. Jake Kuebel ’18 graduated from the University of Florida and teaches fine arts and assists with the golf team. Ridge Retif ’19 comes to Jesuit after graduating from Louisiana Assistant to the President for Mission, Jeremy Reuther ’01, welcomes the newcomers at the faculty & staff training.

State University and teaches Science and also assists in coaching the soccer teams.

The science department added two Blue Jay alumni.

Dr. Wayne Wagner ’96

returned to Jesuit to teach physics. After researching at UT Austin, UC Berkely, and most recently at UNO, Wagner is excited to get back in the classroom to teach students.

Jacob Campos ’13 came back to Jesuit after spending the last year teaching at Pope John Paul II High School in Slidell. Campos teaches biology and coaches the offensive line of the football team.

The English department welcomed four new members, one of whom is a Jesuit alumnus. Returning for his second stint as a faculty member, Danny Fitzpatrick ’09 teaches English, moderates the Blue Jay Annual, and co-directs the National Honor Society. Dr. David Delio moved to the English department after filling in for the theology department last year. Previously, Delio was the head of Our Lady of Holy Cross College’s theology department, and currently he runs the Newman Idea, a program for students in secular colleges to take Catholic studies courses. Marc Gittings comes to Jesuit after graduating from Wheeling University and teaching at the Linsly School in West Virginia.

Having served as a law-enforcement officer for the last two years, Frank Maddalone returned to teaching English. Maddalone graduated from New York Tisch School of Arts and has an MFA from the University of Southern California.

The computer science

department added two new teachers.

Jacob Karl comes to Jesuit after

graduating from LSU and teaching for the last eight years at De La Salle.

Karl teaches computer literacy and coaches football. Rob Synder also joined the department following his graduation from LSU. He teaches computer literacy and coaches football.

Four other departments added new faculty members. Stepping into a college counseling role midway through last year, Deborah Flanagan joined the department on a permanent basis. Flanagan spent the last fifteen years as the director of college counseling at St. Martin’s Episcopal School and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago and her master’s at Michigan State University.

The Spanish department welcomed Kristen Austin, who previously led the foreign language department at Mount Carmel Academy. Austin graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and earned a master’s from Tulane University. Joining the math department this year is Kristin LaGraize. After graduating from Tulane University and completing a master’s from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, LaGraize taught math for ten years at St. Paul’s School on the Northshore. Jason Templet joined the social studies department for the new year. Templet graduated from LSU and taught and coached basketball for Baltimore City Schools and the University of Mobile.

Jesuit is grateful to have such accomplished educators join its faculty for its 175th academic year. 

S TA FF U PDAT E S

BRETT LONG ’04 Chief Financial Officer Brett Long ’04 has been named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Jesuit High School. The CFO is responsible for planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial and accounting activities for the school.

Having completed a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University and holding many professional certifications, such as Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, and Certified Fraud Examiner, Long will be responsible for fine-tuning internal processes and contributing to an atmosphere of continuous organizational improvement.

Long comes to Jesuit from Cleco, where he has served as auditor for the large investor-owned electrical utility. For nearly a decade, Long has also maintained a consulting practice providing strategic and operational insights to various public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

In accepting the position, Long stated, “I am both honored and grateful to serve the students, teachers, families, and the entire community of Jesuit. I look forward to giving back and working with all of Jesuit’s stakeholders to advance the mission of forming men of faith and men for others.” 

IN THE NEWS

National Merit Program Honors 32 Jesuit Students

T

he 16 National Merit Semifinalists from Jesuit in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program represent approximately seven percent of the 230-plus Louisiana high school honorees. This year’s Jesuit semifinalists posted scores ranging from 213 to 225 on the PSAT/NMSQT®, which is used as the initial screen in the annual competition underwritten by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). Since the inception of the program in 1956, there have been 494 Blue Jays to achieve that level of excellence.

The following ten students also earned special commendations from the National Merit Scholarship Program. Jesuit’s commended scholars are Aleksander Cognevich, Christian Courtade, Maxwell Daly, Dylan Dang, Scot Fisher, Luke Hopkins, Christian Pausina, Maxwell Prechter, Leon Reymond, and Corey Sakryd.

The following seven students earned recognition from the College Board National Recognition Program. Receiving the National African American Recognition Award was Chase Haydel, Jonathan Jordan, and Luis Espinoza.

The 16 National Merit Semifinalists Top row (from left): Kyle Jackson, Aeric Wender, Patrick Dowd, Dylan Falcon, James Nolan Middle row: Derek Tsang, Ethan Roberts, Preston Rumney, Aidan Couvillon, Daniel Lee, Dalton Haydel Bottom row: Chase Haydel, Jake Morvant, Asher Terrell, Andrew Davis, Wade Rogers

Access the complete 2022 Academic Accomplishments brochure via the QR code.

Receiving the National Hispanic Recognition Award was Diego Fernandez, Leonardo Garcia, Luis Espinoza, Michael Ferguson, and Nicolas Kapusta.

The faculty, administration, and staff of Jesuit High School congratulate these 16 National Merit Semifinalists, 10 Commended students, and 7 College Board National Recognition Program awardees for their significant academic achievement. 

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MOMENTS

BY M AT I A S GR AU ’68, FORMER ALUMNI DIRECTOR & JESUIT EDUCATOR

A

s is the case with all 3,730 schools of the Society of Jesus today, Jesuit High School of New Orleans traces its origins to a decision by the Society’s founding fathers to focus on education as a means of converting an individual’s heart to believe that all good things are for the greater glory of God. What they saw at first in the success of the training of young men to become Jesuits soon became the planning and implementation of schools for the education of lay boys. After initial attempts to form such schools in Goa, a Portuguese colony in India, and Gandia, on the Mediterranean in Spain, proved fruitless, a similar endeavor in Messina on the Italian island of Sicily, at the time under Spanish rule, was, indeed, successful and provided a blueprint for future Jesuit schools.

When the doors of the Messina school opened on April 18, 1548, the Jesuits offered classes in Latin grammar, Greek, rhetoric, logic, and Hebrew.

The curriculum’s success paved the way for the Ratio Studiorum of 1599, the Society’s way of proceeding in their schools, and greatly influenced future Jesuit education. That future would include Jesuit High School of New Orleans, founded as the College of the Immaculate Conception 175 years ago. Much has happened at the school during those 175 years, some profound, some mundane, some iconic, all important. Here is a look at just a few of those millions of moments. 

175 MOMENT S

1847 In 1831, the Diocese of New Orleans

1849 The Jesuits’ as yet unnamed college

had a problem: 24 priests for 26 churches.

In 1835 Bishop Antoine Blanc looked to Europe, and in particular the Jesuits, for help.

The Jesuit Father General, John Roothaan, agreed to help and sent seven Jesuits to establish a college in Louisiana. After the Jesuits opened St. Charles College in Grand Coteau, LA, in 1838, Fr. Roothaan assigned Fr. Jean Baptiste Maisounabe, S.J. from Lyon, France, to establish a college in New Orleans. Fr. Maisounabe arrived in New Orleans in 1847, chartered the Jesuit college as La Société Catholique d’Éducation Religieuse et Littéraire, and with borrowed money from the Ursuline sisters purchased a parcel of land at Baronne and Common streets for his school.

The beginning had begun.

in New Orleans opens on February 1, 1849. Ten and eleven year old boys matriculate in a six year program leading to an A.B. degree. Their day consists of classes in Latin, Greek, English, math, history, philosophy, and a modern foreign language.

1848 Writing in French in his daily diary, Fr. Maisonnabe chronicles his financial efforts to establish a church and a college in New Orleans. Entries include: “Residence in N.O. still projected. For lack of money I had to turn away excellent opportunities. . .A college in N.O. is very much desired . . .

Everything promises a very good future, if we have money and numerous personnel . . . Means or revenue: about 40 pews of the provisional chapel rented out at the mean price of $15, or annually $600 . . . Purchase of a plot at $20,000; everything is concluded . . . Project of immediate construction”

1848 No sooner had Fr. Maisonnabe begun his work creating a church and a college in New Orleans, when tragedy struck. When the yellow fever engulfed the city, the Jesuit fathers, led by their superior, Fr. Maisonnabe, abandoned the foundational work at hand to administer to the sick and dying.

Fr. Maisonnabe went so far as to have his cot placed at the rectory entrance to facilitate his ministerial care. He himself fell victim to the disease and died on September 12, 1848, slightly more than a year since arriving in New Orleans. The seeds he planted would have to be cultivated by another Jesuit.

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1849 Another Jesuit did arrive to continue the founder’s work.

Fr. John Cambiaso, S.J. came to New Orleans as Fr. Visitor, the Superior General’s official representative to be sure the Jesuits were meeting their mission. Now as the college’s leader, he would secure the remaining needed property, open the school’s doors to the city’s Catholic youth, and oversee the building of the Baronne St. church. A true Renaissance man, Fr. Cambiaso was a scholar, philosopher, chemist, and astronomer with his own observatory on the roof of his new church. He is responsible for the church’s Moorish architecture, which he admired while serving in Spain.

1854 On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX defines the Immaculate

Conception as church dogma.

In his papal bull Ineffabilis Deus, the pope confirms the belief that the Virgin Mary was free of original sin from the moment of her conception. The proclamation gives the new school and church its name and feast day.

1856 The College awards its first Bachelor of Arts degrees.

The graduates are Auguste Capdeville and James Freret.

1856 In the school catalog, Joseph George D’Aquin, without

an “S.J.” behind his name, is listed among the faculty. He is the school’s first lay teacher.

1861 Fr. Darius Hubert, S.J. leaves the classroom to 1856 Before the Blue Jay Bazaar, there was the Fair of 1856 to fund the building of the newly named Immaculate Conception Church. Though unsuccessful, the fair did draw one future benefactor, Mrs. Thomas J. Semmes, who some 44 years later would fund a new student chapel to honor her deceased husband.

serve as a chaplain to civil war soldiers. He is wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg in June of 1863.

1861 During the Civil War,

1857 The Church of the Immaculate Conception opens with Fr. James Duffo, S.J., offering the first Mass in the

church on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.

enrollment at the College remains stable, perhaps as a result of a visit by Fr. Francis Gautrelet, president of Spring Hill College, to Jefferson Davis requesting that Confederate recruiters stay away from Jesuit campuses.

1862 Paul Capdeville,

future mayor of New Orleans (1900-1904) receives his B.A. degree.

1865 An early college catalog

lists the following as students reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of New Orleans: Ringold Brousseau, Raphael DeCastro, Fridolin Dinkel, Martin Kennedy, Robert Lobercintzgy, and Manuel Miangolarra.

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175 MOMENT S

1867 The school day schedule: 8:30–Mass; 9–Classes begin; 10:30–recess; 10:45–Classes resume; noon–recess; 1– Classes resume; 4–dismissal

1870 A debate team is mentioned in the comm. program, thus beginning the history of one of the school’s several distinguished programs.

1874 The curriculum includes vocal and instrumental music.

1878 Summer school becomes part

of the school’s program when it begins on August 5.

1875 Through the years rumors have persisted that the Jesuits have never paid the debt to the Ursuline Convent. However, an 1875 journal entry proves otherwise. Financial journal entry of The House of New Orleans in Account with the Ursuline Convent, New Orleans:

“Money due to the Ursuline Convent for which they have a Mortgage on the Church = $13,000, due in gold. Paid to Ursuline Convent: $3000 in gold; $4,150 in currency; $5,850 in currency; total = $13,000. The Ladies of Ursuline Convent sent back $2,120.32 which were to excess of currency over gold.

I consider it as a gift on their part. Ergo total debt cleared 1875.”

1880 Penance Hall or

“PH” becomes part of the institution.

1881 Commencement

exercises are held in the French Opera House in the French Quarter, the cultural center of the city.

1882 Governance of the college shifts from the Lyon Province to the New Orleans Mission itself.

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1887 In March of 1887, the students produce of their own accord a journal entitled The Student. Its purpose is to be an outlet for the students’ literary expression, to be a record of their college experience, and to form a connection with the school’s alumni.

1888 The school catalog states,

“The attention of students is specially directed to the important duty of home study.

Since recitations in the various branches fill up almost all the school hours, it is very difficult to advance... the work laid out for each year, unless the student devotes at least three hours daily to class study at home. Parents are exhorted to insist on this indispensable duty, and inform the faculty, should their sons neglect it.”

1893 To enhance

“literary festivals and to give its members an opportunity of improving themselves in the practice of instrumental music,” the “Jesuits’ College Orchestra” is formed.

Fourteen members play violin, cornet, clarinet, snare and bass drums, and piano.

1897 On September 17, Dr. S.R. Olliphant, president of the State Board of Health, closes all schools in the city due to an outbreak of the yellow fever.

Schools reopened on November 29 with the College having 256 students return.

1889 The Jesuits purchase property on St. Charles Avenue opposite Audubon Park for $26,400. The college division of the College would eventually move to this location and become Loyola University.

1891 Elocution is introduced in the high

1892 Bookkeeping is included

school department. To this day, speech remains a part of the school’s curriculum.

in the curriculum but is dropped after three years.

1892 As organized sports begin to take shape in the city, the College

forms the “Jesuits’ College Athletic Club.” The school catalog notes the purpose of the club is “to promote the love of manly sports among the students . . . and to furnish them with a systematic training in all that belongs to physical culture and to give games.”

1894 The school’s first ever football game

is played on Friday, December 21, 1894.

The Jesuits’ College eleven were Gelpi, Eddy, Murray, Cleary, Hanalin, Muller, Roy, Benth, Fontaine, and brothers E. Friedrichs and C. Friedrichs. The team lost 8-0 to the High School (which would become Warren Easton), which earned four points for each of its two touchdowns. The game was played at the field of the Southern Athletic Club. No admission was charged.

1895 On Valentine’s Day eight inches of snow blankets the city causing many students to miss classes. They are forgiven.

1898 Archbishop Placide-Louis

1898 On February 7, Dr. William Scheppegrell

Chapelle begins his duties in New Orleans on February 9.

Classes are dismissed at noon so that teachers can meet with the new archbishop.

of New Orleans delivers a lecture at the College on the new X-ray discovery by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1885. A pioneer in early ontology, rhinology, and laryngology, Dr. Scheppegrell was among the first doctors to explore the use of X-rays in examining teeth.

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175 MOMENT S

Students Ring in the 175th Year with Blue Jay Spirit

J

esuit celebrated the opening of its dodransbicentennial year with a student assembly on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in the Gayle & Tom Benson Arena. The

order of the assembly started with a guided tour through Jesuit’s history narrated by student leaders, including the recognition of faculty members who have been teaching

for at least 25 years and were present during the last major anniversary celebration, the sesquicentennial year. Jesuit’s president, Fr. John Brown, S.J., addressed the student body, placing this school year in the context of the larger picture of Jesuit’s history. The Blue Jay Band, along with several alumni bandsmen, performed a special piece of music, The Blue Jay March. Jesuit’s fight song is taken from this piece. It was the first known live playing of the entire composition for the student body in recent memory.

The penultimate speech came from wrestling coach Jon Orillion ’01 who hyped the crowd to get them ready for the football game against Slidell that night. Orillion spoke of the quality of excellence as integral to Jesuit tradition. Finally, student body president Roland Waguespack reintroduced the Gizzard Gong to the frenzied crowd. The gong resounded, filling the Benson Arena with the sound of Blue Jay Spirit. The student body did not leave empty handed, however. Each student was handed a commemorative dodransbicenntial poster on their way out of the assembly as a way for them to visibly mark the celebration.

The whole event proved to be a fine way to kick off this year of celebrating Jesuit’s 175th anniversary of the school’s founding. 

175 MOMENTS

1900 The College adds a military department due to the efforts of Fr. D. P. Lawton. The students wear the official West Point uniform and have military instruction two hours a week. Known as the Jesuit College Corps, the unit becomes a popular presence at civic and military events in the city.

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S T U DE N T 17 5 T H CE LE B R AT I O N

175 MOMENTS



1900 Responding to increased demand, New Orleans Mission Superior, Fr. William Power, and College President, Fr. John Breslin, initiate a massive rebuilding of the entire campus. A new classroom building along the Common Street side and a new student chapel would be hallmark features of the new campus. Fifty years of success would ensure generous donors to support the project, namely the McCloskey Brothers, who would endow the classroom building and Mrs. Thomas J. Semmes, who would build the student chapel in memory of her late husband.

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175 MOMENT S

1900 The school year begins on October 1, a month

1901 On June 24, commencement is held

beyond the normal opening, because of the substantial alterations to the campus. Enrollment is 293. School life is rough as classes are hampered by incomplete buildings.

at the Tulane Theater. For the first time graduates of the college division wear caps and gowns with the insignia of their degree.

1901 On May 1, school ends at lunch because of the arrival of President William McKinley, the first U.S. president to visit the city.

The Jesuit Cadet Corps serves as Guard of Honor in the parade up Chartres St. and occupy a position of honor at the Cabildo.

1901 On November 16, students are dismissed at 2:45 p.m. to be able to attend the Tulane - LSU football game at 3:30 p.m.

1901 On Sunday, February 10, the

1901 The school’s first baseball team is mentioned in

the school catalog as the “College Base Ball Club.” Nine players for nine positions are listed.

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students are entertained in the college hall by cinematograph and phonograph.

Invented just six years earlier by brothers Auguste and Louis Lumiere in Lyon, France, the cinematograph is considered one of the very first motion picture devices.

1902 On January 3, the State

1902 On February

Armory supplies the Cadet Corps with 300 rifles and requires that they be kept under lock and key. Pictured below is cadet Benard Kuhlman.

10, Lundi Gras, 300 cadets march in the Arrival of Rex Parade.

1903 On October 29, the

football team wins the first football game in the school’s history defeating the Dyers School 3-0. Douglas Kinberger, a player on the Tulane football team, coaches the team. On November 19, they lose to Boys High (Warren Easton) 12-0. The school diary notes, “Our team behaved badly, claiming our signals were given away.”

1907 The military program ends due to increased demands by the U.S. military.

1909 On October 30, 1909, the President of the United States, William Howard

Taft, visits the school on Baronne Street. The President addressed the students, faculty, alumni, and guests who had gathered in the courtyard, telling the, “My boys, I am glad to be with you. I congratulate you on being where you are.” The President was in New Orleans at the end of a river trip from St. Louis to speak at a convention promoting the deepening of the Mississippi River.

1910 The first

mention of basketball appears in the Principal’s Diary on February 4: “Our students made up a basketball team and played Chenet Institute at 4 p.m.

We won 14-7.”

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175 MOMENT S

1910 After serving more than 60 years as the porter greeting visitors to the college, Brother Ignatius retires to Grand Coteau. Arriving in New Orleans in 1848 even before the college opened, Br. Ignatius would witness the growth of the school from its infancy as a European college into an established institution on the verge of changes that would propel it into the 20th Century as a great American high school.

1911 For the first time, lunch is served at the school, a hot meal from a lunch stand. School life is rough as classes are hampered by incomplete buildings.

1911 The “college department” of the traditional six-year European system moves to the fledgling Loyola College, begun in 1904, while the preparatory department continues on the Baronne Street campus as the College of the Immaculate Conception. One year is added to the high school department creating a now-traditional four-year high school program.

1911 The weekly holiday moves from Thursday to Saturday joining Sunday to form a weekend away from school.

1912 Closing exercises are held at the school on June 24. No

certificates are conferred because no student has completed four years of high school as newly required.

1914 The baseball team

brings the school its first athletic championship when it defeats Warren Easton for the City Championship.

The win is the school’s first victory over this then-archrival in any sport. Pictured to the right is the 1918 Jesuit baseball team.

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1915 At 5:15 p.m. on September 29, a category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds hits the city. The students are dismissed at 10:20 a.m. The city experiences much damage, but the school incurs only a few broken windows.

1915 On November 19, the students are given a full holiday to greet the Liberty Bell at the train station. More than 10,000 people showed up for the event. However, the train arrived six hours late and spent only a few hours at the station. There is no record of the number of students who got to see the great Bell.

1915 On January 17, the school receives word of the death of popular student Frank Prevost (son of Henry Prevost). He died from poisoning from a gunshot wound he received over the Christmas holidays while on a hunting trip.

1916 School begins on September 5, and students have to brave a terrific rain to make their way to the Baronne Street campus. Two of those students, new to the school, are F. Edward Hebert and G. Gernon Brown, who in their four years at the school would shape student life as few students, if any, have. Their leadership and success are immediate. Their names are heard by other students as the winners in debate, elocution, theater, oratory, and other contests. Brown is the athlete, leading the J’s to championships. Hebert is the student body leader, creating spontaneous pep rallies on the back steps of the church.

1916 As more school teams are formed and gain exposure with the letter “J” on uniforms, the players of the college gradually are being referred to as “the J’s.”

At the February 7 football banquet, lettermen receive a sweater and a “J.”

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175 MOMENT S sacred music that characterized the organization’s growth under the direction of scholastic Jeff Miraflor, S.J.

Alumnus of the Year Dennis Lauscha ’87 was presented the F.

Homecoming Marks 175 Years of Blue Jay Camaraderie

H

Dennis Lauscha ’87 Honored as Alumnus of the Year

omecoming 2022 was not only an occasion for alumni to return to campus but also an opportunity to celebrate Jesuit’s 175th anniversary with members of the entire school community. On Saturday, October 8, alumni, parents, and friends from across the years converged for Mass

in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs and a magnificent reception in the courtyard and commons.

Commemorating Jesuit’s dodransbicentennial, Archbishop Gregory Aymond celebrated the Mass with a host of Jesuit priests.

The student choir elevated the solemnity of the occasion with

Edward Hebert Award by Jesuit president Fr. John Brown, S.J., at the conclusion of Mass. Lauscha then addressed the congregation, expressing his gratitude for the honor but focusing more on his gratitude for those who have inspired him. Mass concluded with the alumni band playing the alma mater and then escorting the crowd out of the chapel to the fight song.

The silver and golden anniversary classes of 1997 and 1972 were recognized in a ceremony in the auditorium before Mass. The Class of ’72 received their 50-year diplomas, and the Class of ’97 were presented with 25-year pins (pictured opposite bottom row, respectively). The two classes then led the procession into the chapel for Mass. Each class had its own stag reunion on Friday night and then celebrated couples’ night at the complementary party on Saturday.

As usual, a New Orleans feast was provided by Acme Oyster House and Drago’s, but this time with the addition of Pigéon Catering.

With options such as chicken and andouille gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, seafood pasta, and grilled alligator, revelers were able to enjoy a sumptuous banquet accompanied by a wide range of choices for washing down their meals. A variety of tasty

175 MOMENTS

1917 On March 5, Cardinal James Gibbons, archbishop of Baltimore

and senior prelate in the country, visits the college and gives the students, not one, but two holidays. As a young man, Cardinal Gibbons had lived in New Orleans.

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A LU M N I H O M ECO M I N G & 17 5 CE LE B R AT I O N

deserts topped off the dinner for those with a sweet tooth.

Most importantly, the large and diverse crowd filled the commons and courtyard on a beautiful fall evening for conversation and

conviviality. Whether it was catching up with classmates, visiting with former teachers, or telling stories of their Jesuit experience, attendees enjoyed the annual invitation to come home to Carrollton & Banks. 

Watch Dennis Lauscha's Alumnus of the Year speech via the QR code.

175 MOMENTS



1918 John C. Paquette enters the college as a 6th grader. Later he would write

in the Principal’s Diary (which he would take over as registrar), “Turned wrong way on Baronne Street after school and walked away from Canal Street about 6 or 8 blocks before realizing that it must be the other way.” He would graduate in 1925 from the temporary school on Howard Avenue and then become the school’s registrar, a position he would hold for 70 years.

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175 MOMENT S

1918 Like the rest of the

1921 On January 19, discipline

country, New Orleans is being ravaged by the Spanish Flu. School closes on October 18 and reopens on November 18.

is enhanced when it is announced that “playing in the yard with any kind of stick is strictly forbidden.” However, one type of stick is exempt: indoor baseball bats. Indoor baseball had developed in Chicago in 1887 and soon made its way to New Orleans. To this day, the only two cities in the country to play indoor ball are Chicago and New Orleans.

1920 In June the Class of 1920, led by F. Edward Hebert, publishes the school’s first yearbook and titles it The Blue J. The cover features the tile in the top left corner and an image of the blue jay bird in the bottom right corner.

And with that the school had its mascot.

The blue J’s were now the Blue Jays.

1920 On December 3, Brother Fuber has a

serious attack of the flu, and a commotion is created in the courtyard when an ambulance enters to transport him to Touro Hospital.

Student John Paquette gets too close to the action and is smacked in the face by Fr. McKervey “who was swinging wildly.”

1921 On April 20, all U.S.

1921 Representing Fr. General in Rome,

Fr. Norbert de Boynes arrives in the New Orleans Province as Visitor to evaluate the slow pace of change of the educational system. Based on his report, his superiors declare that the province schools join the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and that the province close all colleges except Loyola and Spring Hill.

provincials meet at Fordham College in New York to identify a new American Jesuit education system that would ensure accreditation, align with the American educational system, and be true to the mission of the Society of Jesus. The provincials make sweeping decisions including that all high school and college curricula be divided and reestablished on separate campuses and that the term “college” only be used to refer to schools of higher education that did not offer high school or preparatory courses. The College of the Immaculate Conception was now Jesuit High School.

1921 The school year opens on

September 6 but now without grammar school grades, except 8th. The move toward a true high school continues.

1922 An indication of problems with the

school’s location occurs on May 4 when several classes had to be moved because of a new Hennen Building going up on Common and Carondelet Streets, a connecting wall had to be torn down.

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1923 On May 2, the Jesuits

purchase land at Carrollton and Banks as a possible site for a relocated high school.

1922 On Thursday, October 26, the Blue Jays, as they are now

1925 On October 2, twenty-six

being called, of “Jesuits,” as in Jesuits College, play Holy Cross in a football game at Heineman Park. The Jesuits College had been fielding football teams in some fashion since the 1890s, but this was the first season for Holy Cross. The Jesuits team wins 32-0 in this first game of an unbroken rivalry that continues today as one of our country’s longest continuously played prep rivalries.

students form the Junior Traffic Squad to manage traffic on Baronne and Howard before and after school. The New Orleans Traffic Police sanctions and helps organize the endeavor.

1925 On October 17, Fr. Wagner

is appointed student counselor, the school’s first guidance counselor.

1926 On December 28, senior Percy Hereford dies as a result of an injury

1925 On September 2, demolition

of the Baronne Street school begins. The Jesuits rent the old U.S. Tire & Rubber building on Baronne Street and Howard Ave. to house a temporary school until the completion of the new school on Carrollton Ave. The Class of 1926 has the distinction of being the only class to graduate from the Howard Avenue school.

1926 The dedication of the new school is held on Sunday, September

26 at 3 p.m. Four thousand people attend with Archbishop Shaw blessing the building and LA Supreme Court Justice John St. Paul delivering an address. School President John McCreary announces that Henry Prevost of the Class of 1873 has established the Francis J. Prevost Scholarship Fund in memory of his son. The $500,000 donation is valued at $8.4 million in today’s dollars and remains the primary source for keeping tuition affordable.

occurred during a game with the U.S. Naval Station on November 20. The 1927 yearbook is dedicated to him.

1927 From January 3-16 a contest

is held to encourage students to donate books to the school library. An incredible 6,500 books are donated.

1927 On June 6 at the alumni banquet, William McEnerny establishes the

McEnerny Trophy to be awarded to the student who is the most representative member of the student body, excelling in spirit, studies, and extracurricular activities. The leadership award remains one of the most prestigious awards presented at graduation each year.

1927 On September 13 the Jesuits

announce that scholastics are to be addressed as “Mister,” not “Father” as they had been addressed. 

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175 MOMENT S

Written on the Hearts of Every Blue Jay

A

midst the flurry of new additions to campus and renovations that bring new vibrance to student life, Jesuit High School’s traditions have held as strong as ever. Weeks begin and end with morning assembly in the courtyard. Students who neglect to wear their name tags or otherwise run afoul of the school’s lofty disciplinary expectations spend afternoons in Penance Hall. And at events ranging from school Masses to football games

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to class reunions, Blue Jays join their voices to sing the fight song and the alma mater, their words ringing with a spirit and reverence that captures the pride fully known only to the Jesuit’s students, faculty, alumni, and parents. As surely as the words of the alma mater—at once a time-honored school song and a prayer—are written on the heart of every Blue Jay, so too are its melodies and harmonies entrusted to the Blue Jay Band.

This year, the Blue Jay Band

has made its own mark on school history. In celebration of Jesuit High School’s 175th anniversary, the band has undertaken a series of performances and special events that have left a lasting impression on the school and its community.

The fight song itself is the socalled “dog-fight” section of a larger piece of music composed by lauded former band director Michael Cupero (pictured topright). In mid-September, current band director M. Joseph Caluda ’79 invited Blue Jay Band alumni

B LU E J AY B A N D

SENIOR HIGH HONOR BAND: Bradley Eschmann - French Horn Mark Johnson - Trumpet Colin Torrance - Trombone Alex Weeks - Tuba Frank Young - Clarinet

JUNIOR HIGH HONOR BAND: Carlos Gutierrez - Tenor Sax Kale Le - Flute Alex Rodriguez - Trombone

back to school to perform with the band, and the special combined ensemble played “The Blue Jay March” in its entirety for the first time ever for a school-wide assembly.

“The performance was a truly special moment in my career and in Jesuit’s history,” Caluda said. “It was part of what I can safely say was the most active and involved band semester in all my years here at Jesuit.”

Later that month, the band hosted 40 German students from the Clavius Gymnasium in Bamberg, Germany, for the second half of the two schools’ one-of-a-kind student exchange program. The visit came a few months after Jesuit students and families had embarked on a two-anda-half-week tour of Greece, Italy, and Germany with 140 band and Jayette family members to celebrate 22 years of the German Exchange Program. To date some 1,500 Jesuit family members have taken part in the exchange.

The exchange program, which began in 2000 and which has survived 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the COVID pandemic, is the only one of its kind in the entire state of Louisiana. In recognition of the history and importance of this student exchange, Secretary of State R. Kyle Ardoin declared October 7 Jesuit High School/Clavius Gymnasium Exchange Day in the State of Louisiana.

The band also performed at every Jesuit football game throughout the season and received a “sweepstakes” rating at the LMEA District VI Band Directors Association Marching Festival. This year’s marching show, titled “Looped,” involved complex drill and dance maneuvers along with a musical score that included standard woodwind, brass, and percussion, a full auxiliary percussion ensemble, electric guitar, bass, three electronic synthesizers, and computer samples.

“From the marching show to the 100th anniversary of the Rivalry Game to performances throughout the fall, this has been an exciting and busy fall for the entire band community,” said assistant director Jason Giaccone. “I’m really proud of what our students have accomplished.”

After marching season in early December, eight Blue Jay Bandsmen were selected to perform with the LMEA District VI Junior and Senior High Honor Bands, both of which performed in January.

Also in December, the Blue Jay Band held its annual Christmas Concert, “An Evening of Christmas Music and Magic,” featuring 13 Blue Jay Band alumni who played with the band for the concert. The program included contemporary and classic Christmas selections—from “Merry Christmas, Darling” to music from Disney’s Frozen and hits by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra— accompanied by a dazzling multimedia light show, projections, and even snow flurries in the auditorium, all of which were designed and produced by Jesuit’s facilities manager, D.J. Galiano ’07.

During the spring semester, pep bands will perform at the home district basketball games, the full marching band will take to the street in two Mardi Gras parades, and the Jazz Band will ride on its own float in the Krewe of Mid-City. On Monday, February 20th, the band will travel to Orlando to perform in the Magic Kingdom on Mardi Gras Day. This bi-annual performance trip began back in 1993 and has since then become a staple of the Blue Jay Band’s calendar. 

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175 MOMENT S

Latin:

A Jesuit Cornerstone A look back at Latin's impact on Jesuit Education

W

hile many similarities could be found among St. Augustine, Dante Alighieri, William Shakespeare, and C.S. Lewis, their common study of Latin forms a critically important connective tissue. The brilliance of their writing is due in no small part to the Latin education which they shared as part and parcel of the Western tradition.

That tradition endures at Jesuit High School, where Latin, though no longer required of all students, has nonetheless taught generations of Blue Jays not only to cherish the treasures of the classical world nor even simply to think and to write clearly but also to be united, in mind and in tongue, with a past whose wisdom continues to nourish our school.

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The article to the right about the importance of Latin was published more than 74 years ago, on Feb. 10, 1949, in the Blue Jay student newspaper and, undoubtedly, drew a few hoots from the students. The unsigned article may have been the work of the newspaper’s editor, Milton “Mickey” Toppino ’49, who died June 13, 2004. The excerpt above from the 1920’s was printed in

the school’s catalogues to underscore Latin’s importance to students and teachers of that era.  (left) Senior photo of Milton “Mickey” Toppino ’49, the Blue Jay Newspaper editor who most likely authored the article to the right.

There is no success for a man who does not believe in his work. A football player who does not believe in football will win few laurels on the gridiron. A musician who does not believe in music will win little acclaim in the world of melody and harmony. A painter who does not believe in painting will achieve little or nothing with brush and canvas. Belief in one’s work is the only force that will catapult man over the obstacles that stand in the way of achievement.

The semester marks tell us that there are a great number of Blue Jays who do not believe in their work.

Since Latin seems to be the general bugbear of the student body, the Blue Jay staff decided to perform for Latin the primary duty of a newspaper­to enlighten, and not to echo, public opinion.

Fi r s t to B e , T he n to D o

The aim of Jesuit education is not so much to teach us to do something; it is rather to make us be something.

Jesuit educators know that if we are men of keen intellects, we will do things that are keen and intelligent.

We see little Latin in the life of an engineer, or a chemist, or a lawyer, or an historian, or an artist. The trouble with most of us is that we pay too much attention to the bread that is to be sliced and not enough to the knife that is to do the cutting. We forget that before we can cut the bread of an engineer, of a lawyer, or what have you, we must have sharpened the dull blade that is to do the cutting.

Our Latin course looks to the blade. By its insistence on accuracy and precision as to declension, gender, number, and case for every noun, and to conjugation, voice, mood, tense, person, and number for every verb, by its insistence on fidelity in render­ing Latin idiom into corresponding English idiom, it develops habit of mental alertness and dispatch that help us to be men of acute intellectual power.

How P r a c t ic a l I s L at i n?

Our Latin course seeks to put teeth in the knives that will slice our bread in later life. For that reason, it is a mark of stupid­ity to claim that Latin is impractical. It is just as stupid as saying chat the development of muscles is impractical for fighting, or the growing of teeth impractical for chewing apples.

We realize, of course, that Latin is not the only subject that will sharpen the blade of our mind. Mathematics in all its forms is almost as keen a whetstone for the blade. Why, then, do we not increase the number of math courses and drop the Latin courses altogether?

Surely there are less complaints about math than about Latin. The reason we do not increase math at the expense of Latin is because we are men. We are not numbers or fractions or angles, but we are men of western civilization, men with imagi­ n ations, ideals, aspirations, and emotions.

L at i n’s Pa r t l n We s te r n Cu lt u r e

Latin literature, not math, will give us what we need as men of western civilization. For genuine western culture is an heir to the Hebrews and die Greeks, whose resources were pooled in Rome and hand­ed down to us through the Latin speaking authors of classical

Rome and the Latin speaking Fathers of the Church.

The English language, which we speak, is over 60% Latin, and the languages of other peoples of western civilization, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian, are Latin itself in dialect form.

To read Latin literature is to drink of the source of the noblest thoughts and aspirations that have gone into the molding of our western culture. The reading of Latin literature, by devel­ oping our imaginations and nourishing our thoughts, will keep us persons in a world which is about to disown our past and to pro­c laim us machines. The directed perusal of Latin literature will develop the genuine natural man upon which alone God deigns to bestow His super nature.

Gr a m m a r a nd B e l ie f

However, no one will ever read Latin literature with satisfac­t ion unless he first attacks Latin grammar with belief-belief in the work he is about to do. The obstacles are far too many to overcome without the impetus that belief alone can give us.

Believe in Latin, Blue Jays. It is your toughest job, but it is the bladesharpener without which there is but jagged bread-cutting, and it is the civilization-tongue without which there is but the mumbling and sputtering of machines.

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F LY I N G W I T H T H E J AY S

IN THE

SPOT LIGHT Cross Country Gains National Attention as No.1 Team in the Country hen the fifth and final scoring runner crossed the finish line on a cold and rainy afternoon at the Louisiana state meet, the Jays left no doubt that they had won the race. Jesuit had accomplished a feat never before seen at the highest division of LHSAA cross country— finishing all five runners in places 1 through 5—attaining a perfect score.

“Every runner matters,” said head coach Cullen Doody ’08, “In cross country your fifth man matters as much as your first man.”

The quest for perfection came on the heels of the most successful season in school history the previous year.

After having won the district and state titles in 2021 and having finished in the top 15 of a national championship race, there were some questions as to how much the team could improve.

The Jays; however, had no doubts about how fast they could run.

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“We all trust in the training we do,” said senior Robert Buission, “We know that every time we go out and compete that we’ll run well.”

In their first meet of the season at the prestigious Southern Showcase in Huntsville, AL., Jesuit defended its title and won the race in dominating fashion with 70 points compared to the runner up’s 150. The Jays were fast with all five scoring runners crossing the line under 15:35 for the 5K race. The meet solidified Jesuit’s status as the premier cross country team in the south, but soon they would gain national recognition.

Due to the threat of Hurricane Ian, the team was forced to cancel their next meet and at the last minute jumped into the Nike Town Twilight Invitational in Terre Haute, IN. The

CROSS COUNTRY

meet featured six of the top 25 ranked teams in the nation, including the number three ranked Carmel High School of Indiana. Led by sophomore Brady Mullen (15:06), the Jays placed first at the 5K meet. Seniors Jack Desroches (15:11), Patrick Dowd (15:25), and Buission (15:26) bolstered the Blue Jays score. However it was sophomore Leeland Crawford, the fifth runner and winner of the meet’s Anchor Award for most impressive race by a No. 5, crossed the line in 15:45 to secure the win for the team. After the meet, the Jays were ranked as the No. 1 team in the country by Milesplit.com.

Jesuit continued its dominance here in New Olreans by sweeping the district meet with their second straight perfect score. Desroches was the individual champion and set a

course record with a 14:26 for the 3-mile race. In addition to Desroches, Mullen, Buission, and Dowd, all broke the previous Jesuit personal records.

Expectations for the state meet in Natchitoches, LA. were set high and the national spotlight was now all on the Jays. Unfortunately, there were no time records set that day.

Weather conditions, both cold and rain, created less than ideal conditions on the course. Nevertheless, the Jays were determined to run their best.

“I always tell the guys we’re not results based. We don’t care about results. We care about the process. If we take care of the process, the results will take care of themselves.”

The Jays did not disappoint.

Desroches took the lead just before the first mile and never looked back.

Desroches came through the line first to take the state individual title with a time of 14:46. Mullen, Buission, and Dowd followed soon after. Junior Michael Vocke completed the perfect score by out sprinting the sixth place runner by two seconds. But the team wasn’t finished making its mark on the meet. Crawford placed 7th and junior Lucas Sampredro finished 9th. All seven of the Blue Jay runners finished in the top ten.

Despite the historic season and unprecedented accomplishments, Doody remains grounded and focused on training for the future.

“All I expect of the guys is that they trust the process and that they work hard every day. That’s all that we can control. If we do that, good things will happen.” 

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F LY I N G W I T H T H E J AY S

DEFENDING TITLES & BREAKING RECORDS

Jesuit Swim Team Defends District, Metro, and State Titles While Breaking Three State Records

T

he Jesuit swim team ended another undefeated season with exceptional gusto and record-breaking performances. Coach Brett Hanemann ’85 praised the swimmers for their remarkable achievement, stating that “this was a special group of young men who took ownership of the swimming program, representing 28 | J A Y N NO O TTEESS || FFAALLLL // W WIINNTTEERR 22002222

us with class and dignity throughout the season.”

Despite facing challenges such as limited practice time and competing in slow pools at country clubs, the team persevered and won all of its dual meets, achieving qualifying state times. This success continued at the District 5A Championship and the Metro Championship, where the Blue

Jays claimed both first place titles for the 40th consecutive year. The season culminated at the LHSAA State Championship Meet in Sulphur, LA, where the swimmers defended their state title, broke three records, and compiled 365 points to finish ahead of Catholic High (302) and Baton Rouge High (249).

SWIMMING The championship preliminaries marked a defining moment in the meet. Hanemann reminded the team of the significance of the day, emphasizing that their performance would determine the outcome of the meet. The team swam exceptionally well during the preliminaries, setting the stage for a spirited final session.

The Blue Jays started the finals with a stellar performance, breaking their own five-year-old record in the 200-yard medley relay. Junior Jack Primeaux, seniors Ethan Bauer and Lee Reymond, and sophomore Enzo Solitario also swam an All-American Consideration time of 1:34.4 and set a new all-division state record as they took first place.

The first individual event was the

200-yard freestyle, in which Joseph Capo (1:41.7) and Truman Breihaupt (1:42.38), both seniors, placed 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Following this, Solitario came in second in the 200yard individual medley (1:53.54), Reymond won the 50-yard freestyle (21.47) and took 3rd place in the 100yard freestyle (47.03), and Primeaux won the 100-yard butterfly (50.32).

The 500-yard freestyle is always a robust event for Jesuit, and Capo was the state champion with a 4:35.91 and Breithaupt finishing in 3rd place with a 4:39.67. The 200-yard freestyle relay saw Primeaux, Luke Balhoff (sophomore), Capo, and Breithaupt place as state runners-up with a great time of 1:27.52, just 0.39 seconds behind Catholic’s time of 1:27.13.

In the 100-yard backstroke, Primeaux swam another All-American Consideration time of 49.46, breaking the Division I state record previously held by Charles Korndoffer ’19, making Primeaux the state champion for the second year in a row. In the final event of the day, the 400-yard freestyle relay consisting of Solitario, Breithaupt, Capo, and Reymond set yet another All-American consideration time of 3:07.46, established a new state record, and were crowned state champions.

Overall, the team demonstrated their perseverance and determination throughout the season, overcoming challenges and making history with their outstanding performances. 

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F LY I N G W I T H T H E J AY S

FOOTBALL

Turning Adversities Into Opportunities

T

he Jesuit football team had a strong start to its 2022 season, with a 27-0 Jamboree win over Hahnville. The team followed this up with a 1613 win over Slidell, the season’s Northshore league champs. However, the Jays then had a tough stretch of six games against Karr, St. Augustine, and four teams that played in the 2022 state championships. With a display of mid-season resilience, the team managed to bounce back, winning the rivalry game over Holy Cross and subsequently running over Rummel in week ten. The first round of the playoffs took the Jays up north once again, where they beat Huntington 45-9 before finishing the season against eventual 2022 state champion John Curtis.

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Reflecting on the season, head coach Ryan Manale had this to say: “This was a season that these young men will take with them for the rest of their lives and be able to convert to future success. It was one of belief in ourselves and our program that led to early season victories that ran up against a stretch of adverse situations in the mid-season. Our players converted these adversities into opportunities, finding ways to be resilient by winning our last four out of five games.”

Manale spoke highly of the team’s seniors, noting that during their time in the football program, they witnessed three different head coaches, won a district championship, and earned a state title.

“This senior class has been a part

of something special here at Jesuit,” he said. “They are filled with plenty lessons learned, and they are prepared for life.”

One senior, William Hudlow, has already committed to play at the college level at Tulane University. At his commitment ceremony, David Moreau, Jesuit’s athletic director, said, “What a guy. He can kick.”

Looking ahead to next year, Manale added, “Not a day goes by without looking forward and preparing for the development of 2023 football team. A core principle of our program is a sense of magis, or ‘doing more’ and going that extra mile when others may settle for the minimum.

We will start as early as January to develop the skills and abilities of every player to keep us a winning program. 

THE RIVALRY

Jesuit and Holy Cross Unite on Centennial Anniversary

O

n October 26, 1922, Jesuit defeated Holy Cross 32-0 in their first meeting on the gridiron. On October 28, 2022, exactly 100 years and two days later, the Blue Jays defeated the Tigers 16-12 for their 61st win in 103 meetings.

After months of planning by a committee of representatives of both schools, Rivalry Week showcased the best of cooperation and competition.

Gameday t-shirts, guest speakers, special recognitions, pep rallies, tailgating, a parade, and the Golden Football all played into the excitement of the historic event.

Jesuit’s Legend of the Game, Steve Foley ’71 , addressed the varsity football team at the end of practice on the day before the game.

He told today’s Jays that despite all the success that he had as a college and professional football player, his fondest memories are those from his high school days. Foley presented each senior on the team a commemorative Rivalry coin.

Another special visitor to the practice was Kurt Forshag ’70 , the Blue Jay quarterback whom Foley succeeded, and as Foley made clear, his role model and inspiration as a student at Jesuit.

At Friday’s afternoon pep rally in the Gayle and Tom Benson Arena, Foley was introduced to an enthusiastic student body, clad in blue and white, and was invited to strike the gong, thrilling the raucous crowd.

This year’s tailgate moved to the practice field behind Tad Gormley

Stadium in City Park with the Jesuit and Holy Cross fans celebrating across from each other in a festival-like atmosphere. Many alumni classes, student organizations, and parents set up tents along the sideline and gathered to share refreshments, memories, and anticipation for the big game. Jesuit’s advancement office provide hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks. Meanwhile, Pigéon Catering served up various delicacies from its food truck in one end zone, while the band Gradu, with graduates from both Jesuit and Holy Cross, entertained the crowd from a stage in the opposite end zone.

The Blue Jay and Tiger bands paraded across the field, playing their respective fight songs, before joining together to play God Bless the USA, followed by an Air National Guard fly-over that dazzled the crowd.

The bands then led the fans into the stadium for a game worthy of all the hype.

Prior to the national anthem, Jesuit’s 2022 Distinguished Military Alumnus CMDR Joseph Angelico ’63 was recognized for his many year of service in the United States Coast Guard. His assignments included Cuban refugee patrols and blockading the South Vietnamese coastline. He was wounded in action and earned a Purple Heart as well as a Bronze Star for his service.

Soon after being named the award recipient, Joe tragically passed away.

Accepting the award on his behalf from Jesuit president Fr. John Brown, S.J., was his brother Robert Angelico ’76 .

During halftime Foley was presented the Legend of the Game award by Fr. Brown. Holy Cross’s recipient of the same award was Harry Nunez, Jr., of the HC class of 1962. In addition to being a legendary studentathlete and coach at Holy Cross,

Nunez coached for a number of years at Jesuit.

Two current football players were also commended at the game. Roland Waguespack received the b1Bank Scholar-Athlete Award for the senior letterman with the highest GPA, and Jaron Duplessis was recognized as the Royal Honda Community Service Award recipient for his exemplary service to his community. Both will receive college scholarships from the award sponsors.

After falling behind 12-7 at halftime, the Jays rallied to defeat the Tigers 16-12 to the delight of a massive and rambunctious student section, affectionately dubbed the Gizzard, and thousands of other Blue Jay faithful.

The post-game ceremony included the presentation of the Most Outstanding Player awards to athletes from both schools. Jesuit’s recipient was junior quarterback Beau Perez , who accounted for 201 of Jesuit’s 258 yards of offense and both touchdowns with his passing and running.

The Golden Football was again presented to Jesuit athletic director Dave Moreau to reside at Carrollton & Banks for another year.

Finally both school bands performed their alma maters, first the visiting team, Holy Cross, followed by Jesuit, before a still-packed stadium of die-hard fans standing tall and proud.

The school spirit, energy, and emotion on both sides of the stadium was palpable throughout the contest.

The Blue Jays and Tigers are scheduled to begin their second century of respectful competition on Friday, October 27, 2023. Blue Jays of all ages should begin making plans to attend what is sure to be another memorable celebration of this great rivalry. 

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To Wait and Hope

BY DANNY FITZPATRICK ’09

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Brothers Vitalii and Oleksandr Stradomskyi in between classes on Jesuit’s campus.

S T U DE N T FE AT U R E

I

n March of 2022, Marianna Stradomska and her two sons, Oleksandr and Vitalii Stradomskyi, fled the city of Lviv

in Western Ukraine. On April 18, Lviv suffered its first Russian missile strike, bringing into dread focus the reality that nowhere in Ukraine remained safe. While the brunt of the fighting raged in the East, near the Donbas region, the residents of this distant city, where tens of thousands of refugees had passed into Poland, sifted the ruins, searching for the living and the dead. On June 1, International Children’s Day, Lviv held a special memorial for the 243 Ukrainian children who to that point had died in the course of the war.

Like many of the nearly 8 million Ukrainians who have fled their nation, Mrs. Stradomska and her sons must balance the exigencies of life in unfamiliar places with the anxiety of awaiting news from family and friends who remain in Ukraine, as for instance Mr. Stradomsky, who continues to volunteer in the Ukrainian Army.

For Mrs. Stradomska, these burdens have been eased slightly, not only by the generous welcome of her sister-in-law but also, she says, by the community her family has developed in New Orleans, especially through Hynes Charter School and Jesuit. As the boys completed their seventh grade year at Hynes and began to consider high schools, many people encouraged them to apply to Jesuit. When the Stradomskyi first visited Carrollton & Banks, they were impressed especially by the pride the Blue Jays took in their school, and before long, they themselves were able to claim a share in that pride.

The transition to Jesuit has not been without its challenges. The many struggles of attending a new school have been amplified by the notorious difficulty of the English language.

Nonetheless, Oleksandr and Vitalii have enjoyed many aspects of life at Jesuit, from the school’s rich history to its manifold clubs and events to its varied curriculum. Some classes, like Christ in the Scriptures and Louisiana History, while completely novel,

have supplied something of the joy of diving into the unknown. Above all, the structure of the school day has given them confidence and motivation during a time of intense uncertainty.

As Mrs. Stradomska says, the Jesuit community is the “brightest thing in their lives now.”

If Jesuit has helped to supply the Stradomskyi family with some measure of stability, the city of New Orleans has managed to offer its own eclectic blend of comfort. From the goodness and hospitality of the people to the cultural diversity to the beauty of the city itself, New Orleans has provided a haven in which to wait and hope.

As the Jesuit community celebrates its dodransbicentennial, we recall the myriad opportunities providence sets before us for the exercise of charity and for growth in becoming men of faith and men for others. We give thanks for Mrs. Stradomska’s prayer that God bless Jesuit, and we share with her in praying that God save Ukraine. 

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S T U DE N T FE AT U R E

Becoming Men for Others

BY DANNY FITZPATRICK ’09

hile the first days of a school year are hectic for nearly everyone, Fernando Zuniga’s return to Carrollton & Banks for the start of his Junior year was especially busy.

Registration day fell on August 9th, just a day after Zuniga’s return from Warsaw, Poland, where he had spent the better part of two weeks working to supply relief to Ukrainian refugees.

The story begins in June and July,

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which found Zuniga teaching sailing lessons to young children. He not only donated his earnings, along with funds collected from various Jesuit alumni, including Dan Marshall ’87, to the relief effort, but also travelled to Poland himself to see how he might offer direct assistance to Ukrainians attempting to flee the country and those remaining within its borders.

Once in Poland, Zuniga worked with Davaj Ukraine, an aid group which helps to transport refugees to Poland

and delivers goods to those stranded in Ukraine, with a special eye to comforting children. In Warsaw, Zuniga helped to load Davaj Ukraine’s van, “Vanessa,” with everything from toys and coloring books to water and medical supplies to bulletproof vests and cat food. Far from simply loading the van with goods, though, Zuniga provided money to fuel the van for multiple trips across Ukraine.

Beyond providing such immediate physical aid, Zuniga also spent time

visiting refugees, hearing their stories and watching as they continued to celebrate the ordinary elements of life as much as possible. At an old hotel in the Polish countryside, for instance, he was able to join several Ukrainian families as they celebrated a birthday for one of their children.

Zuniga’s efforts were not over, though. Back in Warsaw, he met a young Ukrainian family from Novovolynsk. The mother was working as a teacher, while the

daughter was attending school during the day and English language classes by night. Zuniga was able to supply the family with funding to move out of a friends’ home and into their own flat.

Zuniga’s father, who made the trip to Poland as well, credits Jesuit with helping to instill in him a spirit of generosity toward those most in need and an eagerness to put that generosity into practice. Certainly, Zuniga’s efforts exemplify what it is

to be a man for others, far in excess of what can usually be asked of a high school student. They remind the entire Jesuit community, as we enter our 176th year, that love is known better by deeds than by words, and that the world offers innumerable opportunities to diffuse the good which God has shared with us.  (above) Pictures of Zuniga’s two week trip across Poland as he took a hands-on approach to aiding Ukrainian refugees.

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From Humble Beginnings to a Lasting Impact

OF GIVING

I

n 1927, not long after Jesuit’s move to the corner of Carrollton and Banks, Jesuit High School embarked upon what would become an institutional staple: the annual Thanksgiving Drive. The tradition started as a small service project for the Sodality of Our Lady, then quickly expanded to encompass the entire school community: students, faculty, parents, and alumni. Tens of thousands of Blue Jays have poured through Jesuit’s halls for the past 95 years. For many, the Thanksgiving Drive stands out as one of their more memorable and formative experiences as a Blue Jay. In 2022, Jesuit High School was able to provide Thanksgiving baskets to over 580 families throughout New Orleans.

For the last 25 years, another hallmark of the Thanksgiving Drive has been the annual donation of turkeys by the Class of 1983 —often dubbed “the turkey class.” Each year, the members of the Class of 1983, taking Jesuit’s motto of “Men for Others” to heart, generously donate funds to purchase the turkeys for every single basket, delivering 500+ turkeys in bulk to Jesuit on the Eve of the Drive. Because of their generosity, the Class of 1983 in many ways has become inextricably linked with the Thanksgiving Drive.

Their story really begins in 1981, the junior year of the Class of 1983.

In those days, the Thanksgiving Drive occurred on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving; the Thanksgiving Drive was a regular school day. It was incumbent upon the students to figure out a time and a means to deliver the baskets. Mat Grau ’68, English teacher at the time, had a junior homeroom with the Class of 1983.

Unsatisfied with merely collecting the various canned goods and other groceries for a basket, several ’83ers reasoned with Grau, citing the obvious rhetorical truth: “How can you have a Thanksgiving meal without a turkey?” The young men

THANKSGIVING DRIVE then collected more money in their homeroom to provide their families with a turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner.

Fourteen years later, in 1995, while established in their careers and lives, three members of the class decided upon themselves to donate turkeys once again. That year they donated 50 turkeys. In the next few years, other classmates were invited to take part. They began gathering annually a few weeks before Thanksgiving for “call nights,” as they refer to them. In doing so, they eventually came to raise enough every year to buy a turkey to put in every Thanksgiving Drive basket.

In the first several years, it was not always easy. One year, the store from which they had agreed to purchase the turkeys did not have adequate supply. When informed by the store manager that they were over 100 birds short, members of the class frantically went around to stores all over the city purchasing whatever turkeys they could: 2-3 turkeys here, 3-4 turkeys there, until they came up with an adequate supply.

Amidst the wake of Katrina in 2005, with 2/3 of the student body and much of the population of New Orleans displaced, then service director Helen Swan and then alumni director Mat Grau assumed the Thanksgiving Drive would be cancelled for that year.

But in early November, Grau got a call from members of the Class of ’83 insisting that the Drive go on: they had sufficient funds to provide for it. Swan enlisted the labor of 50 students who were taking night classes at St. Martin’s to assemble baskets of groceries during the day. Through the generosity of the Turkey Class, the Jesuit community was able to produce 100 baskets that year.

As time went on, they were able to get more and more members of their class involved. By the mid 2000’s, the class was taking in more money than they needed to buy the annual

500+ turkeys. Rather than slowing down their fund raising, the Class of ’83 began to save their surplus.

Having collected more than they have needed for over a decade now, the Class of ’83’s turkey endowment now has sufficient funding to finance the turkeys for the Thanksgiving Drive in perpetuity. The turkeys provided at Thanksgiving will be provided through this fund for the into the future long after they are gone.

This has led the Class of ’83 to discern what might be next.

Unsatisfied with their work, they chose to continue their work and fund raising. With these funds, they plan to continue 1) to give to those in need and 2) to provide the formation of Jesuit students.

This innovation they call “Project ’83,” a project in which they provide resources, financial and otherwise, to service-minded students who have an idea or an inclination to benefit their community in some innovative way. In doing so, they hope to inspire current and future generations of Blue Jays to become what they have: men who used their God-given talents and blessings for the enrichment of those less fortunate than themselves.  Project ’83, will focus on working with Jesuit High School students to support and foster growth in these young men through community service. Through our classmates’ continued generosity, we will fund, partially or wholly, projects that select students have proposed to help others in need. We hope to inspire students to design, plan, and accomplish service projects in our community that fulfill the mission of being men for others. We will work with the Jesuit Community Service Director to solicit proposals from students and evaluate and fund projects based on merit, creativity, and resources available each year, like any grant or scholarship program. Students interested should see Service Project Director, Mr. Scott Delatte.

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A LU M N I FE AT U R E

Going Beyond the Service Project

with developmental disabilities, Friends Helping Kids, Inc. was formed as a nonprofit organization comprised completely Jesuit instills a life-long love of service of volunteers and that results in decades of dedication run solely through generous, private, and

BY DANIEL SWEAR ’09 in-kind donations. The mission is to provide a traditional, overnight summer s a 15-year member of Friends camp experience to children with Helping Kids, Inc., I am developmental disabilities while also honored to detail the decades giving their parents and caretakers of service performed by a much-needed rest. We operate the students and alumni of Jesuit High camp without charging the campers School. This organization is the or their caretakers any fees so that longest-standing, Jesuit-run service the experience is available to families project and a true illustration that that are likely already struggling with “Men for Others” reaches beyond expensive long term care costs. one’s time at Carrollton and Banks.

Many summer camps exist for With a noticeable lack of a free kids, but few are geared to and can summer camp resource for children

A

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meet the needs of persons with developmental disabilities, and very few are free of charge. Through the years, the children have been given the joy of periodically changing the name of camp to both Camp Summer Tribe and Krewe de Camp. One of the most amazing features of Krewe de Camp is the fact that traditional summer camp activities such as arts and crafts, outdoor games, swimming, and a talent show are developed and utilized in a way that all campers can fully participate in each event. The attendants, current Jesuit students and female Catholic school students, support and encourage each of the campers in a way to ensure that a disability does not prohibit an individual from participating in any of the activities. One of the oldest campers, Chad, who has attended for more than 35 years has often been

KREWE DE CAMP

heard telling new attendants, “This is our week to be like you.”

While Friends Helping Kids, Inc. was formed following Hurricane Katrina, this project of service has roots at Jesuit High School dating back to the 1970s when the camp was run under United Cerebral Palsy of Louisiana, whose Jesuit leadership included both the Honorable Michael North ’82 and Michael Lavie ’80.

Successors in the Jesuit leadership role include Chris Mann ’90 and Stephen Green ’01.

These decades of service have noticeably affected both the lives of the children benefiting from the projects as well as the volunteers involved in providing the services.

Green, the current president of the organization, met his wife, Crissy, while they were volunteering. The Greens continue to share their focus

of service with their three children by including them in the many volunteer opportunities surrounding camp. Not only has service influenced Green’s personal life, it has also affected his professional life in that he forged a professional relationship (Green, Perez & Associates) with Preston Perez ’04, another volunteer with uninterrupted, post-graduation service.

As a first-year volunteer, I had the fortune of having a first-year camper, Philip Babin. We struggled together to navigate these new roles. For him, he was away from home, without his family, and was being tended to by a high school senior. For myself, an only child, it was my first time being tasked with caring for another person’s every need for a week. I forged a stronger relationship with the Watts family whose daughter, Sarah, has attended

(above, clockwise) Current Jesuit alumni who volunteer and dedicate their time to Krewe de Camp (from left to right) Zack Swan ’09, Trey Adams ’13, Russell Perez ’09, Dane Chalin ’13, Jackson Sevin ’22, Matthew Blasini ’14, Daniel Swear ’09, Drew Necaise ’05, Keith Murray ’00, Preston Perez ’04, and Stephen Green ’01; Daniel Swear ’09 and Sarah Watts at the 2017 Algiers Friendship Fest; The campers and counselors of the 2022 Krewe de Camp. (opposite, left to right) Watts and Swear, with his wife Shelby, after the birth of their son in Sept. 2017; Phillip Babin and Swear in 2008 and again in 2022

camp since 2004. A relationship founded on common Westbank roots and nurtured through years of attending events together as friends, my connection with Sarah even led to the Watts family coming over to hold my first-born son the day we brought him home from the hospital. 

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Jesuit is such a special “ place. Live in the moment

and make the best of each experience while you are on your journey to become into a man for others.

– David Scotton ’12

A LU M N I FE AT U R E

LIFEMARK

BY DAVID SCOTTON ’12

I

n 2011 as a junior at Jesuit, I shared our family’s adoption story for the first time at a New Orleans pro-life oratory contest held on Carrollton & Banks. This was a story I had long been reluctant to share, but I ultimately did so due to Jesuit’s encouragement and involvement. In particular, the support of Matt-O (Matthew Orillion) and Mrs. D (Susan De Boisblanc) who helped show how this story could impact others–—especially those affiliated with adoption. I needed to take this step in telling my story to the world. It hard to imagine what life would have been like if Jesuit had never hosted that contest.

Exactly one month after I shared our story, we heard from my birth mother for the first time. She had bravely left an abortion clinic in

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1993 and chosen life for me and my family. This story was made into the short documentary, I Lived on Parker Avenue, which premiered in New Orleans at Jesuit in 2017. Many birth mothers, birth fathers, and adoptive parents around the world have found healing through I Lived on Parker Avenue, and many adoptees have found support, confidence, and courage to embrace their adoption after seeing it.

Since the release of the documentary, I have been fortunate to encounter countless other families with their own adoption stories. In 2019, I had the privilege of meeting a woman in this state who, like my birth mother, was in tough circumstances and originally planning to abort her child. After seeing I Lived on Parker Avenue, however, she chose life and chose adoption. More recently, I met

an individual in Canada who saw I Lived on Parker Avenue when she needed to see it most, which led to her decision to meet her biological mother. They now have a healthy and flourishing relationship.

We have heard so many stories of healing, redemption, and reconciliation from people across the globe. To say I Lived on Parker Avenue was a success would be an understatement: it has changed many hearts and minds on these complicated issues, saved lives, and built families, and that is in large part thanks to you, members of the Jesuit community.

I Lived on Parker Avenue went on to inspire Lifemark, a movie on our adoption story starring Kirk Cameron as my father, which released in theaters nationwide on September 9, 2022. Lifemark has continued I Lived

on Parker Avenue’s legacy in sharing the adoption option and in helping reclaim the beauty of adoption. Just last month, we heard a story of a young woman who, during an Uber ride to an abortion clinic, was asked whether she would see Lifemark before making her decision. After seeing it, she chose life and decided to place her biological child for adoption.

Lifemark finished its United States and Canadian theatrical release after soaring to #4 in the box office on opening night while maintaining a 97% score on popular movie rating website Rotten Tomatoes.

Approximately 500,000 tickets were sold in the United States to see Lifemark in 1,620 theaters. It is now in theaters in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, Argentina, Columbia, Brazil, Chile,

Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, and Peru. It is also now streaming online and released on DVD and Blu-ray in December 2022.

We hope to see it on other streaming platforms soon.

In addition to I Lived on Parker Avenue and Lifemark continuing to make an impact, our story will also continue to touch lives as my birth mother, and I actively speak on our story around the nation. I truly believe none of this would have been possible without Jesuit. As a result of Jesuit’s support, lives have been saved and families have been built—a true definition of success.

So to all of you in the Jesuit community: thank you. Thank you for your friendship and support over

the last 11 years. To the students and families at Jesuit reading this article: Jesuit is such a special place. Live in the moment and make the best of each experience while you are on your journey to become into a man for others.  (clockwise from top left) Jimmy Scotton with his on-screen counterpart and Lifemark director Kirk Cameron; David Scotton with his on-screen counterpart Raphael Ruggero; Susan Scotton with her on-screen counterpart Rebecca Rogers; The Lifemark cast & crew at the premiere; Jesuit faculty and staff at the New Orleans Lifemark premiere; Scotton with his grandparents, Gail and Roy Daigle ’51, as well as Pam and Dooty Patron ’51

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In Their Own Words...

Alumni Service Corps Members Share Snapshots of Their Experience

The Alumni Service Corps (ASC) is a volunteer opportunity available to Jesuit graduates to devote a year of their lives to their alma mater between completing college and moving on to graduate school or a career. The program is founded on the four components of service, community, simplicity, and spirituality. This year is unique in that the three ASC members are from three different alumni classes: John Kling ’17, Jake Kuebel ’18, and Ridge Retif ’19. Each member has provided opposite a snapshot of his experience as a slice of life in ASC.

JAKE KUEBEL ’18

JOHN KLING ’17

RIDGE RETIF ’19

“One weekend this semester as a golf coach, I headed to Beau Chene golf course to play a round with the team.

It was chilly for November in South Louisiana, and the boys did not play their best. After the round, I had the chance to chat with the players about what went wrong, what they could improve on, and what the next steps needed to be. When I finished talking, the conversations continued among themselves.

Golf, in many ways, is an individual game. The boys do not have the bonding time that other sports have, so fostering leadership and team culture is often difficult— especially on a squad that has lost four seniors. The conversations the guys were having were constructive but also lighthearted; the guys were enjoying them. For the first time, I was witnessing team bonding.

At the end of the day, I told the team, ‘I am starting to see a team here; I’m proud of you guys.’ It was a special moment for me, and I continue to be incredibly thankful for the experience.

I have been blessed to be a part of ASC for many reasons, but coaching golf has been particularly rewarding.”

“Something that strikes me particularly about my year is an idea that we have been talking about in one of our ASC community Bible study meetings: ‘The life of prayer is not static.

It develops in stages and make progress—progress that is not always in a straight line but sometimes even seems to fall back’ (Fr. Jacques Philippe).

This has resonated with my experience of ASC as the year has gone on. In the first month or so, my sphere of influence as a mentor was limited mostly to the 8th grade students in my English classroom.

Now that I have attended a Kairos retreat and subbed a few classes, upperclassmen are engaging me and asking if I am the “fist bump guy” in the lunch line every day. I am indeed that guy. I find that with patience, I am becoming a face around campus, which has been very fruitful for me.

I am growing in my belief that I am called to be a teacher of students, not just a teacher of my subject.

The satisfaction of the relationships I was building in the classroom is now blossoming out into other relationships, and the deep value of ASC for me is bonding with people I wouldn’t normally interact with.

Again, I teach students, not just a subject. This mantra fits in well with Jesuit pedagogy and coincides with my giving a year of myself to the ASC program and the students.”

“The other day I happened to be walking past Dan DiRosa’s class. His civics classroom is also the room for 8th-grade homeroom 804, so in the back of the room are large pictures of 804’s patron saints from the Society of Jesus. When I stopped in, DiRosa was explaining to a chuckling group of seniors how Robert Bellarmine and Peter Claver are his only real friends.

I remembered how DiRosa jokes hit me when I was his student four years ago. My oldest brother also had his class sixteen years before me. My ASC year has made me see and understand more fully what my former teachers do each day for their students and what they did for me.

Now that I have classes of my own to teach, I realize from my former teachers’ perspectives how much work and care they put into their craft.

Many of them are absolute wizards, being able not only to get the attention of students but also to serve as real role models, not just as experts in their field, but from a faith perspective as well. The amount of kindness and generosity they show, moving students’ hearts as well as their minds, has been the best part of interacting with past teachers from different perspectives as a member of ASC.”

“

”

Jesuit’s ASC program fosters the connection that young alumni have to the school they love. A partial list of responsibilities includes teaching two classes, tutoring, assisting with co-curricular activities and events, and participating in retreats and service days. Each participant meets regularly with a spiritual director from the Jesuit community, and participants gather weekly with the Jesuits in the Jesuit residence for prayer and dinner. During the program the school provides housing, a budget for living expenses, and a modest monthly stipend. The idea is to live the year “simply,” together with the other ASC volunteers, concentrating on service to the community of Jesuit High School.  JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS |

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StarSponsor Presenting

Diamond

THE AZBY FUND

KELLY & JUANITA PARENTON

Platinum gingerbread

Mr.BANNER & Mrs. Michael O. Babin,&Jr. CHEVROLET

BANNER FORD Capital One

The Cunningham & LaGraize CAPITAL ONE Families Hancock Whitney ALICE & TONY CIBILICH Mr. & Mrs. Dennis P. Lauscha ’87 HANCOCK WHITNEY 2022 Alumnus of the Year

THE SANNINO Mr. & Mrs. ThomasFAMILY A. Long

Loupe Photography & Video Ochsner Health Rosevally Electric

Silver

Jack Dardis & Mason Couvillon Dardis Couvillon & Associates Mrs. Jeanie Favret Joseph & Gina Piacun Frischhertz Electric Co., Inc.

Donald & Cherie Albro John B. Appel, Jr. & Jean Newman Audi New Orleans Kate & Etienne Balart Balfour New Orleans Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Beahm Greg & Jane Bensel Dr. Brian & Jeanne Bourgeois Capital One Alex & Zorayda Castillo Jason & Michelle Comboy Community Oxygen Ralph & Patricia Cox Dr. & Mrs. Degan J. Dansereau Sarah & Eric Ehrensing Drs. Luis & Andrea Espinoza Mr. Eugene Flores & Dr. Theresa Nuttli Roy & Mandi Frischhertz Mr. & Mrs. Marc Frischhertz Meredith & Todd Golemi Drs. Golda & Michael Hartman Jessica & Robbie Hughes John’s Tuxedos, Suits, & Menswear Hyundai of Metairie Mark & Paula Jeansonne Alicia & David Joint

Jesuit thanks its generous benefactors. *Benefactors as of deadline.*

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Bronze

Greg & Yvette LaCour Jay & Stacey LaCour Mary & Brian Larson Clifton & Elizabeth LeBlanc Robert & Vickie LeNormand Porter & Luke’s Restaurant Jeff & Michelle Lyon Missy & Tom Martin Drs. Stephen & Rebecca Metzinger Chad & Rachel Mollere Cherie & Ryan Moore Mr. & Mrs. Sean P. Mount Michael & Avra O’Dwyer Stephen & Katie Perrien David & Gisele Prados Kristen & Troy Rauch Lyn & David Scaffidi Mr. & Mrs. William Allen Schafer Dr. Chuck & Beth Schibler John & Yvonne Sudderth Gabby & Jason Thompson Drs. Ann & Greg Tilton Amy & Joseph Uddo Dr. & Mrs. Roland Waguespack III Dr. Leslie Sisco-Wise & Dr. M. Whitten Wise

CE LE B R AT I O N

CELEBRATING 175 YEARS IN NEW ORLEANS In step with the school’s dodransbicentennial year, Jesuit’s Celebration Gala & Auction guests enjoyed “Celebrating 175 Years in New Orleans,” on Jesuit’s campus. This year’s event was chaired by Tiffany Cazabon and Juanita Parenton, and the very successful auction was chaired by Robyn Dansereau and Amy Uddo. These volunteers, along with many committee members, worked tirelessly to plan an evening that was enjoyed by all while raising proceeds to keep Jesuit an affordable school of excellence. 

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EVENTS

New Faces Join the Blue Jay Flock

D

ecades ago, Jesuit legend has it that a school president told new parents that they could “drop their students off and pick them up in five years.”

While the school has doubtlessly retained this same certainty about its mission of forming young men, the early 1980’s marked a decisive turn towards engaging families more directly in the educational process.

Today, this engagement has led to a warm reception for new parents that includes, for instance, the opportunity to have Breakfast with the President.

This year, mothers and fathers were also treated to a New Mothers’ Coffee and a New Dads’ Social.

Mothers of our newest Blue Jays gathered at the Old Metairie home of Wanda and Ron Montalbano ’83.

Fr. John Brown, S.J., welcomed the mothers and encouraged them to get involved at Jesuit High School. In addition to meeting other new Blue Jay mothers, they also met chairs of the events held at Jesuit High School and learned about the many parent volunteer opportunities.

Fathers of the newest Jays enjoyed a delicious meal at Central City BBQ. The first annual New Dads’ Social provided an opportunity for new Blue Jay fathers to meet Fr. Brown, members of the staff and administration, including football coach Ryan Manale, along with fellow Jesuit dads.

Both events afforded new parents the opportunity to socialize and learn more about life at Jesuit High School. 

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M

Q

The Indispensable Role of Jesuit

Mothers�

EVENTS

uantifying a mother’s love for her children is unimaginable. It resides in both the tangible and intangible, and is given unconditionally. On the morning of October 15th, in Jesuit’s Chapel of the North American Martyrs, more than 600 Blue Jays and their mothers had the opportunity to reflect on the importance of this love they share at Jesuit’s Mother-Son Mass.

During his homily, Fr. John Polce, S.J., emphasized the impact of this love, saying, “The spiritual education your sons receive at Jesuit is nothing compared to the spiritual education you can offer him in the school of your home and the school of your heart.

You, your life, your love, are one of the best theology classes your son will ever take, and there’s no graduation from that.” He further elaborated on this point, stating that “your love will be a constant teacher throughout throughout his life. The love of a mother is one of the closest windows into God’s love that we have on Earth.

Your young man will continue to be taught about faith and sacrificial love through you.”

Fr. Polce encouraged the Blue Jays to embrace their vocations as sons, to live it, to learn it, and to love it every day.

After Mass, attendees heard from two Blue Jay seniors, Gates Barre and Dalton Haydel (pictured second row, respectively), who offered their perspectives on motherhood and their own relationships with their mothers.

Barre spoke of the uniqueness found in a mother’s unconditional love and the importance of not taking it for granted. Haydel fondly reflected on his mother’s endless patience with his questions when she read him bedtime stories, and her dedication to helping him understand every word and nuance of a story. Both students encouraged their classmates to thank their mothers and express how much they love them.  JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL

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CO - CURRICUL ARS

MCJROTC REGIONAL DRILL MEET The Blue Jays took third place overall honors in the 34th Annual Jesuit Drill Meet hosted by the MCJROTC program on Saturday, Jan. 28. About 600 cadets from 15 schools from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas competed.

Shown here is Jesuit’s armed drill team performing in the exhibition event which earned them a second-place finish.

COMMEMORATION OF THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS On January 8, the Jesuit MCJROTC band and color guard opened up the annual Commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans ceremony. It is a tradition that goes back 120-plus years and marks the 208th anniversary of New Orleans's victory in the War of 1812. 

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SAVE * THE DATE

1960

Jesuit High School

ALUMNI HOMECOMING

MASS & RECEPTION

1972

Reunions for the Classes of 1960, 1972, 1980, and 1997 didn’t make the last edition of Jaynotes due to fall scheduling.

All four classes are featured in the pictures above and below.

1980

October 14, 2023 Classes Celebrating Reunions: 25th Reunion Class: 1998 50th Reunion Class: 1973

View reunion pictures from the past reunion season at: jesuitnola.org/class-reunions

1997

JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS |

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Where

’56

Y’at?!

ALUMNI: TELL US WHERE Y’AT! Submit online at jesuitnola.org/where-yat.

1950s # Fr. Richard Buhler, S.J., ’56 was honored on Dec. 4 for 50 years as a Jesuit priest. Joining him for the celebration at Holy Name of Jesus Church were classmates Ronnie Gravois, Frank Courtenay, Tony Bonfanti, Frank Endom, Pat White, Jim Moore, Larry McNamara, and Barra Birrcher.

1960s August J. Berner, Jr. ’60 has been a real estate agent since 1986 and a broker associate with Keller Williams Realty in Metairie. He and his wife of 59 years, Evelyne, have three daughters, one son, twenty grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild.

Thomas Bonner, Jr. ’60 published the book of poems Bagatelles in the fall.

The poems touch on daily life, places and customs, troublesome issues, visual moments, and questions of self.

Bonner is professor emeritus at Xavier University of Louisiana.

1970s Robert Durand ’73 retired after 27 years at Tulane Medical School and moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama.

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BUHLER, GRAVOIS, COURTENAY, BONFANTI, ENDOM, WHITE, MOORE, MCNAMARA, & BIRRCHER

He is now playing music again as a singer/songwriter, guitarist, drummer/ percussionist and is currently working on his third album of original music.

Blake Krass ’74 retired from IBM Corporation after 41½ years, all based in Austin, Texas. He and his wife Shelly (also retired) are now looking forward to the birth of their first grandchild this spring.

Eric Zimmer ’79 recently returned

to New Orleans and joined Hancock Whitney Bank.

1980s Jude Trahant ’80 and Bill Wynne ’97

have started the law firm of Trahant Wynne, LLC, a litigation-centered firm focusing on casualty litigation, insurance coverage and defense, maritime litigation, FELA and Jones Act litigation, and commercial litigation. The firm handles litigation throughout the Gulf South with its primary office in Madisonville, Louisiana.

1990s Carlos Calix ’92 was recently promoted to Assistant Vice-President of School Partnerships at Ochsner Health. The primary focus of the work is K-12 STEM and clinical access for school communities. Carlos and his wife, Danielle, have a senior at Dominican and a sophomore at Jesuit.

Ed Gussman ’94 retired from the

United States Air Force in September after 24 years of active duty service and achieving the rank of colonel. With retirement comes a move to Winter Garden, Florida, and a new career opportunity with Northrop Grumman.

Brian Landry ’94 and QED

Hospitality co-owner Emery Whalen were named Restaurateurs of the Year by The Louisiana Restaurant Association for its 2022 Industry Awards.

Fred Goodrow ’97 purchased a

minority share of Mayer Building Company in January. Goodrow has been vice president of the company for the last ten years. He will not only continue in the same role but also operate alongside Ryan Mayer ’97 as owner. Mayer Building Company is a fourteen-year-old commercial construction firm in New Orleans specializing in build outs, historic commercial, and light industrial work.

Tim Lightell’s ’97 independent feature

MANBABY premiered last August at theaters in Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle, where he currently resides.

The movie is streaming on TubiTV and Amazon Prime.

Mark Wilde ’98 was elevated to fellow by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Board of Directors with the following citation: “For contributions to the relative-

W H E R E Y ’AT ’14

2010s

’20

# Chris Maurice ’14 was named to

MAURICE

PAYNE, LIRETTE, & MONTALBANO

entropy framework and theorems for quantum communications.” The mission of the IEEE is advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

Wilde is an associate professor at Cornell University.

Jimmy Courtenay ’99 joined together with Jeff Green ’98 to create a new law

firm, JJC Law LLC, which specializes in plaintiff business, insurance, and injury litigation.

Brett Grau ’99 has published Ripped

Sober, his personal story of using physical fitness to achieve sobriety.

Brett also created and oversees The Sober Revolution on Facebook, a support group for those struggling with addiction.

2000s Aaron Green ’03 recently began a new

role as a law clerk at the Louisiana Supreme Court in the Office of the Chief Justice. He previously worked at the New Orleans City Attorney’s Office as an Assistant City Attorney.

Thomas Krouse ’05 graduated from

the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with master’s in business administration and masters of health informatics. He joined Cigna’s HealthService Leadership Program which hones its members’ healthcare knowledge, business acumen, and leadership skills to assume executive roles. He resides in Nashville, TN.

Jarred Lang ’05 has opened a start-up

buying and selling used boats, offering brokerage and consignment options for people not wanting to handle the sale of their boats themselves.

Stephen Finney ’08 recently graduated

his residency in Family Medicine from LSUHSC-Alexandria and is practicing primary care in Massachusetts. He spent the summer backpacking Europe and is currently studying to become dual certified in Obesity Medicine.

Keller Fisher ’08 married Lauren

McCarty Stevens in December 2021 in New Orleans. Both are practicing attorneys in the Tampa area.

Jonathan Coote ’09 graduated with a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Tennessee in December 2022. He moved to Minneapolis to begin a postdoctoral at the University of Minnesota.

Will Helt ’09 has joined The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Delaware and Pennsylvania as Oceans and Coasts Director. He previously worked for the Rhode Island TNC chapter on coastal resiliency and marine science projects.

Helt leads a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and practitioners focused on implementing science-based strategies to improve the climate resilience of coastal habitats and natural communities along the Delaware Bayshore while incorporating natural infrastructure solutions that help human communities adapt to the impacts of sea-level rise.

Forbes 30 Under 30 along with Yellow Card cryptocurrency exchange cofounder Justin Poiroux. Yellow Card, which is used by one million Africans, was on track to generate $5 million in revenue in 2022, nearly doubling the previous year’s revenue. With $57 million from Jack Dorsey’s Block and others, Yellow Card has transacted $1.4 billion in Africa, collecting about 0.5% on the spread. Instead of expanding outside Africa, Maurice and Poiroux work with U.S. foreign exchange firms, food producers, and others doing business in Africa. The two met while volunteering at Camp Smile, where Maurice was performing his Jesuit senior service project.

David Keller, Jr. ’16 is an advisor with Stirling Properties, focusing primarily on retail and industrial properties in both the New Orleans and Baton Rouge markets. He was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Commercial Investment Division (CID) of the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors.

He also serves as a co-chairman for the Forecast Committee within CID, leading the production of a yearly symposium where industry experts weigh in on the New Orleans market, large developments, and the country’s real estate trends. He recently married Kiersten Jeanné.

Mel Allen ’18 received his bachelor’s

in mechanical engineering from LSU in May and is a mechanical engineer with Salas O’Brien in Baton Rouge. He recently married Alexa Gonzalez.

2020s # Ben Lirette ’20, Carter Montalbano ’20, and Scott Payne ’20 happened to cross each other in the 100,000+ tailgating crowd at College Station prior to the LSU vs. Texas A&M football game. 

BIB LIST J U N E 1, 202 2 – N OV EM B ER 3 0 , 202 2

JESUIT CONGR ATULATES: # Janet & Joseph Giorlando ’85 on the birth of their son August Levi Giorlando, July 10, 2022. 1

# Laurie & Craig Daste, Jr. ’05 on the birth of their son Sacha Ezekiel Daste, July 11, 2022. 6

Tara & August Berner III ’92 on the birth of their son Claude Alphonse Berner, Feb. 20, 2020. Claude is the grandson of August Berner, Jr. ’60.

Hillary & Nicholas Steckler ’05 on the birth of their daughter Evelyn Angelina Steckler, Aug. 9, 2022.

# Kreslyn & Kevin Hanlon ’99 on the birth of their daughter Mary Kathryn Hanlon, June 22, 2022. 2 # Courtnie & Jeffrey Juhas ’00 on the birth of their daughter Collyns Michael Juhas, March 4, 2022. 3 Amberly & Charles Nunez, Jr. ’00 on the birth of their son Evan Alexander Nunez, Nov. 16, 2022. Evan is the grandson of Charles Nunez ’73.

# Lien & Doug Adams ’01 on the birth of their son David Joseph Adams, Oct. 6, 2022. 4 # Rebecca & Dave Krobert ’01 on the birth of their son Bennett Alexander Krobert, Aug. 22, 2022.

Bennett is the grandson of Ken Krobert ‘70. 5 Andrea & Jordan Ferrage ’03 on the birth of their daughter Cecilia Therese Ferrage, June 13, 2022.

Danielle & Adam Frutiger ’04 on the birth of their son Bennett Edmondson Frutiger, Aug. 7, 2022.

Eve & Carl Giffin III ’04 on the birth

of their daughter Thérèse Marie Giffin, Nov. 9, 2021. Thérèse is the granddaughter of Carl Giffin Jr. ’77.

Loren & Griffin Smith ’04 on the birth of their son Merritt Smith, July 1, 2022.

52 | J A Y N O T E S | F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 2

# Rozalyn & Max Gruenig ’06 on the birth of their daughter Caroline Rosemarie Gruenig, June 8, 2022. 7 # Tiffany & David Quatrocci, Jr. ’06 on the birth of their daughter Robyn Isabele Quatrocci, Aug. 16, 2022.

Robyn is the granddaughter of David Quatrocci, Sr. ’81. 8 Ginny & Patrick Caliva ’07 on the

birth of their daughter Mary Glynn Caliva, May 4, 2022. Mary is the granddaughter of Kevin Caliva, Sr. ’71.

Maggie & Blase Connick ’07 on the

birth of their son Jesse Friedrichs Connick, Oct. 1, 2022. Jesse is the grandson of Harry Bruns ’80. # Chelsea & Thomas Favret ’07 on the birth of their son Francis Edward Favret, Aug. 5, 2022. Francis is the grandson of Gregory Favret, Sr. ’68. 9

Kelsey & Alex Failla ’09 on the birth of their son Thomas Flannery Failla, May 18, 2022. Thomas is the grandson of Darryl Failla ’79.

# Madeline & Peter Flores ’09 on the birth of their daughter Bernadette Mary Flores, Nov. 23, 2022. 13 # Lindsay & Kyle Huber ’09 on the birth of their daughter Marie Frances Huber, May 19, 2022. 14 Jennifer & Kenneth Taylor, Jr. ’09 on

the birth of their son Kenneth James Taylor III, Dec. 2, 2021. # Katelyn & Ryan Ehrhardt ’10 on the birth of their son Eli Ryan Ehrhardt, Oct. 5, 2022. 15 # Cassidy & Brady Hadden ’10 on the birth of their son Harris McNeil Hadden, June 28, 2022. 16 Mary & Tony Barletta ’11 on the birth of their daughter Constance Catherine Barletta, July 28, 2022.

Rebeca & Jacob Campos ’13 on the birth of their son Mateo Nicolas Campos, May 20, 2022. 

# Ande & Jeffrey Schott ’07 on the birth of their son Luke Matthew Schott, Aug. 31, 2022. Luke is the grandson of Mark Schott ’78. 10 # Lindsay & Ryan Bautista ’08 on the birth of their daughter Reese Catherine Bautista, Nov. 11, 2022. 11 # Nicole & Zachary Saucier ’08 on the birth of their son Thomas Edward Saucier, June 21, 2022. 12

Info and images for the Bib List may be sent to www.jesuitnola.org/bib-list.

New parents receive a pink or blue Jayson bib for their new arrival.

BIB LIST

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS |

53

In Memoriam

Jesuit remembers deceased alumni and faculty in Jaynotes, which is published biannually.

The listing below includes notified passings from June 1, 2022 to Nov. 30, 2022.

We continue to memorialize deceased members of the school community—with links to their obituaries and other details—on a daily basis in the In Memoriam section of our website. To notify us of a death, please complete the online form at jesuitnola.org/in-memoriam or call Jesuit’s volunteer office at (504) 483-3947.

1940s

1940s-1950s

James C. Azcona ’44

Maurice E. “Moon” Landrieu ’48

Edmond J. Bendernagel, Jr. ’52

Patrick Flanagan ’54

Gustave J. Riordan ’46

Simon F. Savoie ’48

Louis J. Ferry, Jr. ’52

George H. Hogh, Jr. ’54

Charles W. Murret ’47

Allen C. Porter, Jr. ’49

Charles M. Jackson IV ’53

Valentine Reinhard ’54

Earl W. Simoneaux ’47

Albert L. Bossier, Jr. ’50

Peter J. Marrero ’53

Edgar J. Abry ’55

Anthony J. Capritto III ’48

Paul B. Radelat ’51

Gasper J. Schiro ’53

John T. “Jack” Murphy, Jr. ’55

54 | J A Y N O T E S | F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 2

IN MEMORIAM

1960s

1960s-1970s

1970s-1980s

George L. Sirgo, Jr. ’55

Gerard A. Ballanco ’60

Robert J. Musso ’66

Alan J. Pinner ’73

Omer F. Kuebel, Jr. ’56

Emile P. Lafourcade, Jr. ’60

O. Jeffrey Pettingill ’66

Patrick J. Butler, Jr. ’79

Michael D. Porter ’56

Daniel J. Trahant ’63

Richard E. Davis ’67

David G. Schellhaas ’79

Edward S. Williams ’56

Clarence “Bronson” Doyle ’64

Michael M. Duran, Sr. ’67

Patrick A. “Pat” Hyde ’83

Albert J. Derbes III ’58

Brock L. Bravo-Lacayo ’65

José L. García II ’71

Jessie J. Anthony, Jr. ’85

Thomas F. McCarthy III ’59

George A. Moisant III ’66

Wallace M. Nicaud III ’73

Michael M. Schenck ’87

JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS |

55

IN MEMORIAM

1980s-2000s

2010s

Michael J. Melville ’88

Steven M. Smith ’10 Moon Landrieu at the White House in 1975. He won the mayor’s office in New Orleans in 1970 with a rare coalition of white and Black supporters.

Seamus P. O'Donnell ’89

Michael A. Bordlee ’12

JESUIT REMEMBERS ALUMUS,

PHOTO UNAVAILABLE

Moon Landrieu ’48

1950s

FATHER, & LEADER

(1930-2022)

Salvadore J. Christiana ’52

Christopher P. St. Pierre ’96

FULL LISTINGS

Bradley M. Driscoll ’2003

Evan M. Schiavi ’2009

56 | J A Y N O T E S | F A L L / W I N T E R 2 0 2 2

A politician for 18 years and a judge for eight, Hon. Maurice “Moon” Edwin Landrieu, of New Orleans, Louisiana, died Sept. 5, 2022, at 92.

Of the four Jesuit graduates who have served as mayor of New Orleans, Moon Landrieu ’48 is the one who will be remembered as a bridge between the New Orleans that was and the New Orleans that is.

The first of these four alums who were elected to lead the city was Paul Capdevielle of the Class of 1861, who served as Mayor from 1900-1904. As a civil servant, Capdevielle helped

to modernize many municipal services and to develop City Park, but he also fought for the South during the Civil War and served at a time when City Hall was exclusively the domain of white men.

By the time Moon Landrieu, ran for mayor in 1969, New Orleans was a changed city, and Landrieu was at the forefront of the move toward a more inclusive society.

Landrieu grew up in an Uptown neighborhood where Black and white children easily associated with one another, and he was a pitcher on the Jesuit baseball team that won city, state, and the American Legion World Championship in 1946, the city and state championship in 1947, and the prep championship in 1948.

Landrieu graduated with honors, and as a result of his athletic prowess as a pitcher, he was awarded a baseball scholarship to Loyola University, where his views on racial equality began to evolve.

While studying at

IN MEMORIAM

Loyola, Landrieu was greatly influenced by two Jesuits—Fr. Joseph Fichter and Fr. Louis Twomey—whose views favoring equal rights for Black New Orleanians appealed to Landrieu, who said he “could never equate segregation with Christianity.”

In the fall of 1952 when Loyola Law School admitted its first Black student, Landrieu was one of only three white students who welcomed the new student and offered to provide assistance. That student was Norman C. Francis, who earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1955 and who later served as president of Xavier University in New Orleans for 47 years.

After serving in the Army and establishing a law practice, Landrieu was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1960 and quickly made a name for himself as an advocate for equality and justice.

Even though six years had passed since Brown

v. Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, the Louisiana Legislature passed bill after bill trying to keep New Orleans schools segregated, with a lone dissenting vote—that of Landrieu.

Landrieu was re-elected to the House and then was elected to the New Orleans City Council in 1966 where he continued to advocate for integration—sometimes on a very personal level. In the late 1960s Landrieu learned that two of Dr. Francis’s sons had been kicked off the Carrollton Boosters baseball field because they were Black. Landrieu was outraged and told the Boosters he would see to it that the playground would be closed unless they agreed to integrate.

During his campaign for mayor in 1969, Landrieu achieved something no previous candidate had even tried to do: he built a coalition of white and Black

voters and won the election with 54 percent of the vote. True to his promise to include Blacks in his administration, Landrieu hired Terry Duvernay, a Black man, as his chief administrative officer.

Landrieu’s first Black appointee, Robert Tucker, Jr., said that Landrieu was motivated in everything he did by a desire to make a city a better place and to improve the lot of those who had previously been locked out of the American dream.

When Landrieu took office in 1970, Blacks held fewer than 20 percent of the city’s civil service jobs; at the end of his second term that number had more than doubled.

By that time Landrieu had been instrumental in reshaping the physical landscape of the city as well. During Landrieu’s tenure, the Superdome opened, the French Market was renovated, and the Mississippi River promenade now known as the Moon Walk was constructed. In eulogizing Landrieu following his

death last September, Gov. John Bel Edwards said, “It’s because of [Moon’s] bold vision that we and millions of annual visitors are able to enjoy the iconic landscape of New Orleans as we know it today.”

Landrieu went on to serve as U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in President Jimmy Carter’s administration and later as judge for the Louisiana Court of Appeal. But he will be best remembered as the man who opened the door for people of all races to serve the city of New Orleans. In addition, he served as an inspiration the next generation of civic leaders, two of whom were Jesuit alums who later served as mayor— Marc Morial ’76, mayor from 1994 to 2002; and Landrieu’s own son Mitch Landrieu ’78, who was mayor from 2010 to 2018.  TIMOTHY POWERS Jesuit Educator

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