Jesuit bids a heartfelt farewell to Peter Kernion ’90, whose 28year journey of leadership and innovation has left an indelible mark on the school, fostering a supportive and forward-thinking educational environment.
Students in Amy Tassin's biology class share a moment of laughter mid-morning, enjoying a light-hearted joke from their teacher.
2 A Legacy of Leadership & Dedication Peter Kernion ’90 Bids Farewell 6 Academic Results 19 National Merit Semifinalists, Four Perfect ACTs, & One Perfect SAT 7 Men for Others from Across the Country Jesuit's National Advisory Board
Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. David Prados ’75
’73
Peter Kernion ’90, commemorates his tenure and lasting contributions to Jesuit's community.
As Peter Kernion ’90 steps down from his role as principal of Jesuit High School, the community looks back on his 28-year tenure with profound gratitude. His leadership, characterized by dedication and marked by substantial institutional growth for Jesuit, has left an indelible impact on the school, its faculty, and its students.
Kernion’s professional journey at Jesuit began with challenges balanced by strong mentorship that would shape his approach to leadership. A stand-out distance runner during his student years, Kernion coached cross country while teaching English and serving as the school’s assistant principal before becoming principal in 2013. “I was fortunate to work with strong educational leaders and to learn a lot from them as a young educator. Not everyone gets that experience. I’ve been fortunate, and I will miss working and growing here.”
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP & DEDICATION
Peter Kernion ’90 bids farewell after 28 years of nurturing growth, embracing innovation, and fostering a student-focused community at Jesuit.
“I’m going to miss morning assembly,” he added. “I enjoy Mondays and Friday mornings being out there in the courtyard—I usually try to go out there a little early and hang around and see what the feel is.”
Reflecting on his early days, he acknowledged the initial struggle of managing an overwhelming number of meetings, but this challenge became an opportunity for him to streamline processes and maintain focus. “One skill set I think I’ve developed is running effective meetings. I always try to hold them to an hour or less,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to using time wisely. Over the years, he mastered the art of conducting meetings that were efficient and to the point, which became a hallmark of his tenure.
Early in his principalship, Kernion realized that what might initially seem like interruptions were, in fact, the core of his daily responsibilities. This insight guided his leadership style, which prioritizes immediate needs while adapting to the unexpected.
He spoke of the unpredictable nature of his role, noting, “You walk in, you have no idea what’s coming that day.”
Under Kernion’s stewardship, Jesuit saw significant advancements, particularly in the integration of technology. The introduction of an online learning management system called Canvas proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. His forward-thinking approach ensured that Jesuit maintained its signature classically grounded education program while equipping students and teachers with modern educational tools. Similarly, the establishment of the robotics lab, made possible through collaboration with the Taylor Foundation, reflected his commitment to keeping pace with technological advancements while maintaining Jesuit’s core educational values.
“Hurricane Katrina would be the other memory that stands out as a pretty tough time,” Kernion reflected. “But for those two situations— Katrina and COVID—I do think that when we look back on them, there
were some good moments that came out of them—some positive things. And so I look back on Katrina and I’m very proud of the work that we did at Strake Jesuit and at St. Martin’s with night school. We became the first flooded school to return to campus. I have very fond memories of the work that we did to make it through those challenges.”
Kernion’s philosophy of leadership emphasizes identifying strong team members and providing them with the necessary support and resources. He believes in empowering teachers by fostering a collaborative environment in which they feel valued and enabled to excel. “I’m a big believer in finding the right people, giving them the support and the resources that they need, and then getting out of their way and letting them do their jobs,” he shared, underscoring his trust in his team.
“Peter has been an amazing leader,” said Kathy Juhas, Jesuit’s longtime academic assistant principal. “He is very insightful, and he both
knows what people need and cares enough to see them through their needs, which enables them to grow and better themselves. He has always asked, ‘What is best for our students and our school?’ rather than putting himself first. He will be greatly missed.”
Through the challenges and successes of school leadership, Kernion considers interactions with students and parents to be some of his fondest memories of the job.
“I’ve had some amazing stories of students who’ve faced serious obstacles but have made their way through Jesuit and done some great things. Many stories along the way have been impressive, and they’ve made a real impact on me.”
Among the memorable moments of his tenure, one that stood out was the announcement by then-president Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76 , of his ALS diagnosis. “His reaction to that situation was not the normal everyday reaction from a human being. He was a special person,”
Kernion reflected, highlighting the strength and grace that Fr. Fitzgerald displayed.
Looking ahead, Kernion envisions a future for Jesuit characterized by thoughtful, intentional growth. He advocated for careful consideration in advancing the school’s mission, counseling deliberate progress over rapid, unplanned changes.
“It’s not about checking boxes,” he said. “It’s about the people. Whether they are faculty, parents, or students, they are who you’re here for, and I know that we will always maintain a focus on the people who make Jesuit special.”
As Kernion transitions to Stuart Hall, an all-boys Catholic school serving elementary and middleschool students, he embraces his new head of school role with enthusiasm. He expressed confidence in the alignment of Stuart Hall’s mission with the values he developed as a student, alumnus, teacher, coach, and administrator at Jesuit. “I know that this next adventure will be enriching in a new way for me,” he said.
In his farewell to Jesuit, Kernion expressed the bittersweet reality of leaving a place he has called home for nearly three decades. The decision, made in October, became more
poignant as May approached and he faced the final moments of his tenure. Despite the difficulty, he remains grateful for the opportunity to work with inspiring leaders and dedicated faculty.
Kernion’s legacy at Jesuit is one of transformative leadership, unwavering commitment, and genuine care for his administration, faculty, and student body. As he embarks on this new journey, the Jesuit community extends its heartfelt thanks and gratitude.
“This is not an easy place to leave, but I feel honored that I’ve been able to be a part of it for so long.”
Celebrating the Class of 2024
Placing before all other things the pursuit of God’s greater glory, Jesuit’s emphasis on academic rigor enables students to aim high, thereby becoming the men they were meant to be. The accolades Jesuit students accrue in this relentless pursuit underscore the success of Jesuit’s mission. In this spirit, Jesuit celebrates the outstanding National Merit recognitions earned by the Class of 2024: 19 National Merit Semifinalist awards, 10 National Merit commendations, and three additional National Merit recognitions. This impressive achievement includes eight perfect ACT® scores, four of which were recently earned by Max Bartlett , Brady Luminais, Tucker Schibler, and Charlie Varisco, and a perfect 1600 on the SAT by Mason Becker.
“The accolades that Jesuit students earn are not themselves the goal,” said Fr. John Brown, S.J., Jesuit’s president. “They signify that something more fundamental is at work. I couldn’t be prouder of these Blue Jays’ academic accomplishments, but my greatest pride comes from seeing them respond fully to God’s call.”
Jesuit High School’s faculty, administration, and staff extend their heartfelt congratulations to these awardees for their remarkable academic achievements
Second
Third
Fourth
Bottom
Attended
Access the complete 2023 Academic Accomplishments brochure via the QR code.
Son of Nicole & Tad Bartlett
Attended
St. Philip Neri Catholic School
Top row (from left): Parker Alig, Max Bartlett, Mason Becker
row: William Bellott, John Calhoun, Charles Garitty, Preston Kuehne
row: Peter Le, Joshua Matessino, David Paul, Raahil Rab, William Reinhardt
row: John Rose, Quinn Rosenstein, Tucker Schibler, Tyler Sisk
row: Michael Stackpole, James Sundell, Charles Varisco
THE 19 NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS
MAX BARTLETT
Son of Brad & Brandy Luminas
Attended Christian Brothers School & St. Catherine of Sienna School
Son of Julie and Vinnie Varisco ’91
Attended Stuart Hall School for Boys
CHARLIE VARISCO
Son of Kelly and Justin Becker
Stuart Hall School for Boys MASON BECKER
Son of Beth & Chuck Schibler
Attended Stuart Hall School for Boys
BRADY LUMINAIS TUCKER SCHIBLER
Men for Others from Across the Country
Jesuit's National Advisory Board
In conjunction with Alumni Homecoming Weekend, the National Advisory Board (NAB) met at Carrollton & Banks to discuss several of the board’s top priorities including ensuring increased accessibility to a Jesuit education, integrating cutting edge technology to enhance the student experience, and
GUIDING JESUIT FORWARD
The National Advisory Board (NAB), which consists of 11 dedicated alumni from across the country, seeks to advance the mission of Jesuit High School, offering strategic guidance to Jesuit’s leadership and playing a vital role in the school’s advancement efforts.
leveraging the NAB to strengthen national alumni networks.
Chick Schoen ’63 , the chair of the NAB, brings a wealth of transferrable experience to this role including over forty years of consulting experience and several years of nonprofit board service including a leadership role in a faith-based nonprofit that supports Christians in the Middle East. Schoen, the son of the late Garic Schoen ’38 (Alumnus of the Year in 1994), noted that “our NAB team has been gifted with the opportunity to support and enhance, at least a bit, the education, growth, contributions, and achievements of thousands of future Blue Jays who will graduate between now and Jesuit’s 200th anniversary…. Together, we seek to
enhance Jesuit’s reach and
impact in and beyond New Orleans.”
In addition to the fall board meeting, the NAB met virtually with Fr. William Leahy, S.J., the president of Boston College, to discuss a range of topics, from the ideal qualities in college students to maintaining Jesuit missions in education—all underscored by Boston College’s shared commitment to Jesuit’s relentless pursuit of God’s greater glory.
The NAB is set to meet in person in the fall of 2024, marking a continued commitment to shaping Jesuit’s trajectory and reinforcing its position as a beacon of academic excellence and accessibility.
NAB members Chick Schoen '63 and Jeff Laborde '91 show off their new Jesuit socks.
An NAB Zoom meeting led by Boston College president Fr. William Leahy, S.J.
Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J.
BY DAVID M. PRADOS ’75
GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS, S.J.
Few Jesuit students graduate without having studied the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. Each may well recall working his way through the complexities of “The Windhover” or “God’s Grandeur.” I specifically recall an evening after school at my classmate Shelby Hampton’s home as he and I struggled through making sense of the highly poetic and stylized language of “The Windhover”:
No wonder of it: shéer plód makes plough down sillion Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermilion. 1
Hopkins appears in almost every anthology of modern English poetry. Yet I believe he would reject that notoriety in favor of being remembered for his true vocation as a Jesuit priest.
Hopkins was born the eldest of nine children in Stratford, England, on July 28, 1844, during the Victorian age. He was an outstanding young student, winning prizes in Latin and poetry. He later studied Latin and Greek at Oxford University. While there, Hopkins wrote poems with religious themes. Although he had been raised in the Anglican Church, after a period of spiritual turmoil during his college years, he joined the Roman Catholic Church in 1866. After his graduation in 1867, he taught school before deciding to enter the priesthood. As a symbolic sacrifice, he burned copies of many of his poems. Those that have been preserved from this period were in the hands of others
with whom he had shared them.
In 1868 Hopkins entered the Jesuit novitiate at Manresa House in London. Beginning in 1874 he studied theology at St. Bueno’s College in Wales as part of his Jesuit training. He began writing poetry again in earnest in about 1875. His poetry had a fiercely original genius. Hopkins’s creation and expressive employment of “sprung rhythm” broke from prior conventions and focused on using words and their sounds to emphasize the feel of the poem in support of its meaning.
The most famous of his poems written in Wales is “The Windhover.” It demonstrates strong alliteration and sprung rhythm which engage and encompass the reader. His lines create a rhythm in tune with the flying bird’s wingbeats:
I caught this morning morning’s minion, kingdom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding High there …! 2
Hopkins was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1877. His assignments as a Jesuit included teaching and preaching as well as working as a parish priest in the poorer parts of Oxford and the Liverpool slums. In 1881 he began his tertianship during which he studied the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. He took his final vows in 1882. He later taught Latin and Greek and served as a professor of classics at University College in Dublin.
Throughout his life, Hopkins felt some tension between his religious and artistic callings. He also experienced periods of depression and spiritual questioning, which he often expressed in his verse. In the poem “Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord,” he gave voice to his inner struggles:
Thou are indeed just, Lord, if I contend
With thee; but, sir, so what I plead is just.
Why do sinners’ ways prosper? And why must
Disappointment all I endeavor end? 3
However, he had times of great awareness and pleasure arising from his appreciation of the natural world. He was a keen observer of nature, and he used its sounds, shapes, and colors to reveal God’s presence. With clear influence from biblical, liturgical, and devotional works, his writing and its imagery also reflect the Greek and Roman writers whom he studied and taught. Readers will find a harmonious reverence of nature as the finite representation of the infinite Being.
As he proclaims in another highly anthologized poem also taught to most Jesuit students, “God’s Grandeur”:
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs— Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings. 4
1 Gerard Manley Hopkins, “The Windhover,” The Norton Anthology of English Literature, 3rd edition, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, 1975, 2299.
2 Id.
3 Id. at 2304.
4 Id. at 2297.
“God’s Grandeur” celebrates God’s omnipresence in the world, and Hopkins expressed in the piece his dismay that people refuse to acknowledge God’s grandeur, separating themselves from this spiritual presence.
Indeed, his works are full of exuberant wordplay and ecstatic exhortations of the power of joining with God in his creation:
All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise Him.5
Hopkins’s own theology came through in his preaching as well as his poetry. In an 1880 sermon entitled “The Fall of God’s First Kingdom” delivered at St. Francis Xavier church in Liverpool, Hopkins teaches of God’s redeeming grace as he retells the story of the Fall. Adam, says Hopkins, failed first by leaving his most precious treasure, Eve, alone in the Garden. He then failed a second time by refusing to have faith that God would return the fallen Eve to him if he would have rejected Eve’s entreaty to share in the forbidden fruit.
Hopkins notes that Eve herself, who had been deceived by the serpent, would not have been beyond forgiveness if she had not brought Adam into her sin. Hopkins suggests that she could have rejected her mistake and turned back to God— saving them both. They fell together despite having been capable of stopping and embracing God’s saving
grace. God, Hopkins concludes, has given humanity a second chance to find His grace through Jesus Christ.
To today’s students of his poems and sermons, Hopkins teaches that the choice always remains to become more open to the voice of God.
Hopkins died on June 8, 1889, of typhoid fever. He was buried in Dublin. Only a few of his poems were published during his lifetime, in part because of his belief that seeking literary recognition was incompatible with his vocation as a priest but also because he believed that his own idiosyncratic poetic style would puzzle most readers.
As it turns out, that same unorthodox use of verbal and musical devices ultimately fueled his poetry’s religious and secular acclaim. To Blue Jays of today and tomorrow
who hang on each of his words in a classroom at Jesuit, Hopkins’s deeply personal expression of God’s presence in the world will continue to be a source of consolation and edification. Considered carefully, his poems can be read as prayers for God’s assistance in times of need—and as celebrations in times of good fortune.
This piece is the second in a series by David Prados ’75. Recently having retired from a career in family law and general civil litigation, Prados taught English at Jesuit in the early 1980s and is the father of Paul Prados ’07 and Myles Prados ’09.
5 “Pied Beauty,” Norton, at 2300.
DAVID PRADOS ’75 Former Jesuit Educator
Hopkins (far right) in his youth with fellow Oxford scholars Alfred Garrett and William MacFarlane, circa 1866.
MOMENTS
BY MATIAS GRAU ’ 68, FORMER ALUMNI DIRECTOR & JESUIT EDUCATOR
The following pages contain the final installment of the “175 Moments.”
1928 On November 26, the school receives notice that it has been accepted into the Louisiana State High School Athletic Association. Pictured below is the 1928 Blue Jay football versus Spring Hill High at Loyola Stadium.
1928 During the brick-by-brick dismantling of the church on Baronne Street, whose structure had been compromised by nearby development, the removal of the beloved statue of Our Lady, which had stood high above the altar, has a significant impact on the alumni who had attended so many services in the church. A diary of the dismantling notes, “The historic statue of Our Immaculate Mother…was taken down today, July 26, 1928…The scene was very sad and looked like a depressing funeral.” The statue would be reinstalled on February 6, 1930.
1929 On September 7, the school experiences what would become a perennial problem: flooding in the basement, this time caused by overnight rains. Priests and scholastics are awakened at 3:15 a.m. to try to save items in the school and the rectory.
1929 On June 7, Commencement is held at the nearby Tulane Theater. As was tradition, a play directed by Gernon Brown ’20 was part of the ceremony's agenda. Fr. Roy, S.J., has repeatedly requested that the play be separated from Commencement because of time and the embarrassment of having to charge admission for a graduation ceremony.
1930 A group of students is organized by Fr. Sampson, S.J., to schedule, referee, and generally manage intramural games. Based on the U.S. Presidential team of managers, the new organization is called The Cabinet and has positions such as the Secretary of Volleyball and the Secretary of Handball.
1931 On September 9, the “Jesuit Alma Mater,” written by Prof. Michael Cupero (pictured right), is introduced to the student body by the newly minted Jesuit High School Greater Band. Led by Cupero and John McHugh, S.J., the band impressed with precise maneuvers and vibrant blue and white uniforms. The band debuted at the Jesuit-Holy Cross game and performed at various civic and charity events. The 1931 yearbook notes, “As its ninety-four members swing smartly into parade, the crowd applauds, giving vent to admiration it is unable to restrain.”
1931 On September 9, a new school flag is introduced consisting of two blue cross stripes above and below a white cross stripe. The design features a blue jay in flight with the white star of the Immaculate Conception above it. Today the flag can be seen as the stage backdrop at the annual Commencement Luncheon and at Graduation.
1931 In a momentous occasion for the Catholic Church, the Pope’s message transcends the walls of the Vatican as his words are broadcast over the radio. On February 12, the world, and that includes the students of Jesuit High School, first hear from the inventor of the radio, Guglielmo Marconi, and then Pope Pius XI.
1931 Commencement is held on June 4 in the Concert Hall of Municipal Auditorium, the school’s graduation location for decades to come.
1932 To fund students to attend the state rally, a few parents organize a card and lotto party. The success of the event, with the entire second floor covered with tables, leads to the formation of the Blue Jay Parents Club.
1933 The Blue Jay baseball team wins state on April 29, the school’s first state championship in any sport.
1933 Students are deprived of their yearly George Washington Birthday holiday on February 22 when they attend classes because of their disorderly conduct at an assembly on February 7.
1933 In what must be the school’s first recruiting effort, 5,000 letters are mailed on September 16 to Catholic families asking them to take interest in sending their sons to Jesuit.
1937 The football team loses to Fortier 14-6 on November 21 before 30,000 fans in their first game ever at the brand new City Park Stadium. The day before, Holy Cross and St. Aloysius had played in the first prep game in the stadium.
1933 On December 23, the Blue football team gives the school an early Christmas present—the school’s first football state championship. The Jays defeat Byrd High on penetrations before 6,000 fans at Loyola Stadium. (Pictured right) Captain Eddie Toribio ’34
1938 A check of enrollment on January 20 shows 746 Catholic students, 16 non-Catholic students, 19 Society of Jesus teachers, and 12 Catholic lay teachers.
1938 Student lockers become part of student life with 790 of them at a cost of $1,500.
1935 The dedicated keeper of the Principal’s Diary, school registrar and Class of 1925 alumnus John C. Paquette, was not above including personal notes in his document. Note this gem from July 8, 1935: “Registrar sick with Scarlet Fever. Had to move his 6-month old son [that would be John Paquette ’52] to grandma’s for a month because of possible contagion.”
1935 On May 14, students and teachers board special streetcars at Canal and Carrollton and ride to the foot of Canal St. to march in a procession upon the arrival of new Archbishop Francis Rummel.
1939 Students frown on October 2 when they learn the price of milk has jumped from 5 cents to 6 cents.
1939 A group of seniors leave for Grand Coteau on February 23 for their retreat, the first time a student retreat is held at a regular retreat house.
1938 On October 20, students and teachers participate in a procession to end the three-day Eucharistic Congress in City Park Stadium. They are part of 120,00 people marching on Canal St. from Broad Ave. to the stadium with the Goodyear blimp above them leading the marchers in hymns and prayers. The procession starts at 2:30 p.m with the last group entering the stadium at 7:30 p.m.
1939 Just three years after graduating from Jesuit, Oscar Rabensteiner, Jr. ’36 (pictured right) is commissioned by the school to paint “some phase in the life of St. Ignatius Loyola.” The result is the iconic painting of the founder of the Society of Jesus recuperating from his cannon ball injury. The painting now resides in Ignatius Hall.
1940 On the afternoon of Sunday, November 24, the Jesuit vs. Holy Cross football rivalry draws 34,345 fans to City Park Stadium with a capacity of 26,000. Spectators filled every seat in stadium, every seat in temporary bleachers behind the goal in the open end of the horseshoe stadium, and stood at least five-deep around the field behind the teams. All gates were closed with hundreds of fans still trying to get in, many of whom were offering $5 to $10 to be admitted. Jesuit won the game 25-7.
1940 Most students remember John C. Paquette, Class of 1925, as the recorder of grades, the staff person who would average grades, write reports, and mail them to parents. Though in the registrar position since 1926, he actually took on these duties on October 18, 1940.
1940 Before Jesuit had pre-freshmen, it had subfreshmen. During the Depression and WWII, Louisiana cut 8th grade to save money. On January 29, Jesuit forms a sub-freshman class for freshmen who failed and for students who finished 7th grade at their grammar school in February.
1943 In February, Jesuit’s iconic khaki student uniform, designed for military training, debuts. Supervised by two active-duty Marine sergeants, the transformation includes a khaki shirt, trousers, belt, brass buckle, and overseas cap. This uniform is worn until colder weather introduces a new marine green uniform. The complete uniform costs $7.50, reviving Jesuit’s 1907 tradition when Cadet uniforms resembled those at West Point. Two years later the Marine or “M” Patch was added to the uniform and was the precursor to the Jesuit “J” Patch worn today.
1941 In the month of May, anyone entering Jesuit High would witness a profound scene: the entire student body assembled before a shrine to the Blessed Mother, inaugurated by Fr. C. Benanti, S.J. Traditionally, the rosary was recited in classrooms, but Fr. Benanti enhanced this practice to honor the special patronage of Mary distinctly. Each morning, students gathered at the shrine at 3:30, summoned by a bugle call, to sing hymns and recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Pictured below) Sodalists assembled in City Park Stadium for the annual May crowning
1942 To help with the war effort to get students to school after defense workers use public transportation, school begins at 9:15 a.m. and ends at 3:35 p.m.
1943 In Room 211, thirty Blue Jays carved white pine into 150 aircraft models, using official blueprints. These models, painted black and scaled to mimic real aircraft, aided in training spotters, pilots, bombardiers, and gunners for national defense.
1946 “All the tricks in ’46” becomes the spirit yell after the Jays capture state in baseball, track, football, and basketball. Many people today do not realize the state titles came over one calendar year but two school years.
1951 The 8th grade program begins on September 5. Called pre-freshmen, 78 students begin a five-year accelerated high school program.
1949 On September 22, school president, Fr. Laurence O'Neill, S.J., Class of 1922, receives a letter from Fr. Harry Crane, S.J., provincial, informing him that Fr. General, Jean-Baptiste Janssens, S.J., has approved the plans for the addition to the school. Soon construction would begin that would add a library, cafeteria, auditorium, band room, and chapel to the campus.
1953 Archbishop Rummel blesses and dedicates the 1953 wing that nearly doubles the size of the school. The wing includes a chapel, auditorium, library, and cafeteria. The original plans called for a new gym, but a steel shortage nixed that plan.
1954 Jayson, the school’s spunky fighting blue jay mascot, is born in June with the publication of The Blue Jay magazine. Cartoonist Walt Kelly graciously draws the image that the editors then use in different poses throughout the magazine.
1955 Jesuit has a new auditorium, and the country is about to have a King, a King of Rock ’n Roll. On February 4, Biloxi promoter Yankie Barhanovich books the school auditorium for a show to include his Hillbilly-singing daughter, Anne Raye, and a young musician by the name of Elvis Presley. The two perform two shows, one in the afternoon and one at night. Later, Raye would say, “I liked to have died. He was dressed in a pink jacket with fringe on the arms and black pants that had a pink stripe down them, and gosh, he was very good looking.”
1956 At the popular Jesuit Talent Show, young Mac Rebennack thrills everyone in the audience but the Jesuit priests with his Elvis-like moves. His moves move him out of Jesuit and into a very successful career as Dr. John.
1957 After years without a home, the Blue Jay basketball team finally has one— the new Recreation Center. Archbishop Rummel blesses the building on February 21 during 4th period.
1958 On January 12, the heaviest snow since 1898 blankets the city. Classes are called off after lunch.
1963 The entrance test for new students is held on February 2. More than 600 students apply.
1955 After a contentious meeting of the Parents’ Club at which the issue of integration was hotly discussed, Principal Fr. Claude Stallworth, S.J., resolves to defy detractors before later pushing forward with a plan to integrate the school.
Fr. Stallworth opens the next meeting on January 9, 1956, by stating that any anti-integration resolutions or discussions were a violation of the Parents’ Club constitution. Local media coverage is extensive, and the incident makes Time Magazine.
1961 The 1961 yearbook ends with homeroom ads that, as usual, are quite clever— the freshman homeroom 1E, “Roy’s Boys” (as Fr. Roy Schilling, S.J. ’45, was their homeroom teacher), present themselves in caricature.
Homeroom ads had begun innocuously in 1953 when several homerooms took out ads simply listing their names. Over the next 20-plus years, the ads evolved into a homeroom project of great creativity.
1963 The Librarian Fiasco begins. A new librarian is hired on September 1 and then on September 9 reports that she has mumps. Out for three weeks, she claims she still is suffering from the mumps but does drop in on October 1 for her paycheck. On October 15, news reaches Jesuit that the “sick” librarian is actually teaching at a private grammar school. On October 21, a new librarian is hired. The library has been closed the entire time.
1963 The funeral for President John F. Kennedy is held on November 25 with future New Orleans Archbishop Philip Hannan officiating. Students attend Mass at 10 a.m. and then are dismissed. (Pictured) Jesuit Cadets salute President Kennedy only a year earlier.
1962 On September 4, Jesuit is officially integrated when eight African American students begin classes at Jesuit at the junior, sophomore, and freshman levels.
1964 Hundreds of Blue Jays gather in the Carrollton & Banks corner of the school yard to work up the Blue Jay Spirit in preparation for weekend’s football game. After hearing from a guest speaker and witnessing a funny skit, the Jays fervently sing the Alma Mater.
1965 A not-so-popular organization makes its appearance: student prefects. The prefect of discipline deputizes senior leaders who wear a “prefect” tag above their name tag indicating they are charged with keeping the peace and even have the power to write PHs.
1965 Perhaps the greatest prep basketball team in New Orleans history, the Jays capture the state title while scoring 101 and 100 points at the state tournament. In preparing for the tournament, the team plays St. Augustine in a “secret” scrimmage inside the locked Jesuit gym before administrators and a few parents. Two starters do not play. The “game” is instrumental in the desegregation of the LHSAA and years later would be the subject of a movie, Passing Glory
Thomas Fornerette Wesley Watkins Leon Adams James Berryhill ’64 ’64 ’65
Staffas Broussard Lawrence Haydel Anthony Rachal Willis Rey ’66
1965 The computer age arrives at Jesuit when on July 5 the school rents an IBM computer-printer to use for punching IBM cards for scheduling.
1965 A dynasty ends. After having won the state championship for its first seven years of existence, 19601966, the gymnastics team disbands following the 1968 season.
1968 “Son, where did you go to high school?” That’s what a recent graduate who ranked near the bottom of his class hears from his college English teacher as she returns his first graded essay.
1969 On the advice of his newly formed President’s Advisory Council, PresidentPrincipal Fr. E. A. Doyle, S.J., announces the first ever Living Endowment Fund. This alumni giving drive is the first time the school seeks to supplement tuition as the main source of school funding. The first drive brings in $15,000 from 715 alumni.
1966 On May 17, Jesuit becomes the first high school in the country to have a Junior ROTC program. On the viewing stand at the installation ceremony in the school yard is very proud Marine Corps Commandant, General Wallace Green. Also present, but outside the page fence along Solomon Street, were anti-war protestors carrying signs such as “Peace Corps, not Marine Corps.”
1969 In December the Philelectic Society stage the school’s first musical, Damn Yankees. In another first, members of the Jesuit band provide the music.
1970 For the first time in the school’s history, school opens with women as classroom teachers— Sandra Morere (math), Lois Terre (social studies), and Patricia Vigil (English).
1970 The Jayson replaces The Blue Jay as the main publication of student life. Through the years The Blue Jay had morphed into a multi-purpose magazine with both news articles and literary pieces. The Jayson is a return to a true school newspaper. It debuted on September 4 and would last for 13 years until it reverted back to The Blue Jay in 1983.
1967 Class 4F of 1968 creates the largest spirit banner in the history of the school. Twenty-seven sheets are sewn together to create a banner bearing the image of Jayson protruding from the state of Louisiana with “Jesuit” and “Blue Jays” inscribed above and below Jayson.
1970 Military training, or Junior ROTC, becomes optional for students.
1971 A typical Blue Jay senior sits on stage awaiting the calling of his name to receive his diploma. He was a member of the band, the wrestling team, and the bowling team. He was a hard worker inside and outside the classroom. He had to be, for he was anything but a typical student. This Blue Jay, Joe Poche ’71, is blind.
1971 Operation Upgrade has its inaugural session in June. Using Jesuit students and teachers as instructors, the program is designed to assist at-risk elementary school 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to reach their academic and social potential to be successful in high school. Many graduates of the program go on to leadership roles at Jesuit and other high schools.
1972 The first edition of the Jaynotes makes its appearance in the fall. The idea for a publication that would be for all members of the JHS community, not just alumni as Alumnews had catered to, came from Charlie Heim ’59, the school’s first public relations director. Many may not realize that, in addition to “news about the Jays,” the title also refers to “Jesuit New Orleans” as the early masthead suggests.
1971 Mike Power ’39 is appointed principal, the first lay principal in the school’s history.
1972 The “rotating schedule” begins, and the five-day Monday-Friday school week is dead. On September 12, classes begin to follow a six-day pattern. For the first time, students hear, “Today is Tuesday, September 12, Day 1.”
1973 On May 19, the senior prom is not held on the night of Commencement. In a somewhat strange tradition, for years the prom was held in the Coker Room of the Municipal Auditorium immediately following the graduation ceremony.
1972 On March 4, coach Sam Harnsongkram leads his Blue Jay wrestlers to the school’s first state championship since 1951. Thus begins the “Coach Sam Era” in which the Jays would win 18 state titles, including 11 in a row from 1988-1998. The wrestling team seen here sports the 125th Anniversary logo as the school celebrates its quasquicentennial that year.
1973 Fr. Paul Schott, S.J. ’40, takes over as school president on January 7. In the spring 1974 issue of Jaynotes, he states, “the Jesuit school community of New Orleans must become keenly aware of its educational objective—to form men for others.” Fr. Schott was quoting Fr. General Pedro Arrupe, S.J., who had recently coined the phrase, “We have not educated you to justice.”
1973 Girls attend Jesuit! In an exchange program with Dominican intended to have students take a subject not offered at their school, young women take physics with teacher Willie Brown
1975 The first Parents Annual Giving drive is held on October 15. Gerry Gillen ’54 is the first chairman of the PAG which is intended to offset a growing deficit since the mid-1960s while keeping tuition affordable. The drive realizes $132,619 in donations.
1974 In June, Fr. Harry Tompson, S.J. ’54 , takes over as principal. He and Fr. Schott, president, begin a program to revitalize the school by increasing enrollment, enhancing parent involvement, and invigorating the old Blue Jay Spirit.
1974 At a student assembly in the auditorium, Louie Prima entertains the Jays with colorful stories of his experiences at Jesuit and in his career. Prima did not quite make it at Jesuit, being dismissed three months before graduation in 1928 for disrespect to the principal. To Fr. President’s dismay, Prima ended his talk by telling the students, “Let me give you the secret to success at Jesuit...CHEAT! ”
1975 With the start of the football season, something —or someone—new is spotted on the sideline: girl cheerleaders.
1975 Fr. Tompson, stands outside the school entrance bearing the directive “All visitors must report to office.” The sign became necessary when a certain spirited alumnus would show up at the school on game day and start leading the students in cheers in the stairwell between classes.
1978 On December 15, the Jesuit vs. St. Augustine state championship football game is played in the Superdome before 42,000 fans. Though the Jays lose 13-7, the game marks the school’s return to football prominence. The game prompts the LHSAA to play its football state championships in all classes in the Dome beginning in 1981.
1979 As the students gather in the chapel for the Mass of the Holy Spirit, they notice a significant change. The altar has been moved forward from the sanctuary into the congregation area. Pews are now on either side of and facing toward the raised altar. It will remain there for 11 years until being restored to its original location in 1990.
1981 The April 1 edition of The Jayson causes quite a stir with its headline “Jesuit to Expand; Coed Slated for 1982-’83.” Adding to the hysteria is the accompanying photo of a young lady sporting the new ladies’ uniform, khaki, of course.
1978 On June 23 in Evanston, Illinois, seniors Moises Arriaga ’78 and Brett Giroir ’78 capture the national title at the National Forensic League tournament.
1980 Coach Frank Misuraca’s baseball Jays take the state title with a 3-2 win over district rival Rummel. The team is one of the school’s strongest ever with ten players going on to play at the college level and one going on to the Major Leagues, Will Clark ’82 .
1982 Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58 , is taking a break! After 19 years of taking care of the school’s mechanical and electrical network, “Mr. Fixit” begins a sabbatical in August. He returns a year later to serve at his alma mater until his death in July of 2019—a total of 53 years of service.
1983 Sophomore Harry Connick, Jr. ’85 sets up his keyboard under the Resource Center during lunch and entertains the students. Thus begins the Brown Bag Series in which groups such as student bands and touring college musical groups perform in the courtyard during lunch.
1991 The Blue Jay swim team wins state twice in the same school year. As a result of the LHSAA moving the state swim season from the spring to the fall, the Jays win state in both the spring and the fall of 1991. The school’s winningest team has captured the state title 38 times.
1997 Inspired by the opening scene of Dead Poets Society, the leaders of the Class of 1998 work with the Student Activities office to create Investiture, a ceremony to welcome the new Blue Jays. The central moment of the ceremony is the presentation of a blue “J” pin by an upperclassman to a new Blue Jay.
1996 John C. Paquette, Class of 1925, retires. After 70 years as the school’s only registrar, Paquette closes the door behind him for the last time with the end of the 1996 school year. The school names the administrative hall after him.
1999 The soccer Jays of 1999 bring home the state championship with a perfect 31-0-0 record. It is the first perfect soccer season for the school, but not the last.
2005 On May 14, the Blue Jay baseball team defeats Destrehan to capture the state championship. This completes a year in which the school, competing in 10 LHSAA sports, captures six state championships— cross country, swimming, soccer, wrestling, tennis, and baseball.
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS | 23
2005 In August 29, Hurricane Katrina hits the city causing the failure of the city’s levee system and putting six feet of water in the school’s Mid-City neighborhood. Students disperse throughout the country to attend school during the first semester, most notably with 400 students attending evening classes at Strake Jesuit in Houston. Incredibly, the school reopens in January due to the untiring efforts of its president, Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66
2006 On April 11, the Jesuit High School community celebrates Paul Frederick’s 50 years at Jesuit. As assistant principal and director of faculty, Frederick had a significant impact on the school’s academic structures.
2006 At the faculty in-service to begin the school year, the school’s Ignatian Identity Team presents document The Profile of the Jesuit High School Teacher. The booklet outlines the ideal characteristics of the Jesuit teacher and will be used in future years for faculty development, especially at new teacher orientation.
2006 In the 84th year of the Jesuit-Holy Cross football rivalry, the schools decide that the game is worthy of more spectacle. The impetus comes from Steve Donnes, a 1976 alum of Holy Cross whose father and three brothers attended Jesuit (all pictured below, Richie ’83, Bert ’45, Alan ’79, and Bert ’74), who suggests a traveling trophy, the Golden Football, that would reside at the winning school until the next game. Thus begins the Great American Rivalry, a spectacle featuring a pre-game tailgate party, recognition of past players, and the presentation of the Golden Football.
2012 John Ryan Stadium opens on the weekend of March 2-4 with ceremonies that include Blue Jay Major Leaguers on the field, including Rusty Staub ’61 and Will Clark ’82 . A memorable moment would come quickly when on April 13 senior pitcher Emerson Gibbs ’12 throws an incredible 193 pitches over 15 innings in a 2-1 win over Rummel.
2013 The last week of February is dedicated to a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the school’s integration. A highlight is a student assembly in which they hear from three Blue Jay mayors involved in the Civil Rights Movement— Moon Landrieu ’48 , Marc Morial ’76 , and Mitch Landrieu ’78
2020 With the start of the 2020-2021 school year, students now access the athletic facilities on Banks Street without touching terra firma. Called the “Jaywalk” and the “Skybridge” by the students, the Stuart Brothers Bridge provides a quick, safe way to the Benson Arena and Rousell Building.
2022 The Blue Jay cross country team is perfect in capturing the state championship…literally. On November 14, the Jays earn a perfect score of 15 as they place their first five runners in the first five slots, earning the greatest cross country accomplishment in Louisiana prep history.
2023 Renovations to the 1926 wing are completed as the final phase of the Minds & Hearts Enlightened capital campaign. Pictured are faculty enjoying the renovated faculty lounge.
A
Marlin Gusman ’73 Honored as Alumnus of the Year
On October 14, the Jesuit High School community buzzed with anticipation as alumni across generations converged on Carrollton & Banks for the much-celebrated annual Homecoming Mass and Reception. This memorable day was steeped in reflection, celebration, and an immense sense of pride in the shared legacy of Jesuit education, reconnecting the past with the present in a vibrant display of Blue Jay spirit.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Alumnus of the Year award to Marlin N. Gusman ’73 by Jesuit’s president, Fr. John Brown, S.J. Gusman, celebrated for his significant contributions to the City of New Orleans in various capacities, including chief administrative officer, city councilman, and sheriff, attributed his lifelong commitment to public service to the formative Jesuit education he received. In his heartfelt acceptance, he also extended gratitude to his family and classmates for fostering an environment of achievement and scholarship.
to David Moreau, Timothy Powers, Showalter “Joe” Knight, and Stephen Hayes.
Foundation board member Tom Kitchen ’60 enjoys a moment at Alumni Homecoming with Christopher Cola ’90, a member of Jesuit's National Advisory Board.
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
“Marlin’s life is a testament not only to the merits of a Jesuit education but also to the power of resilience, dedication, and service to one’s community. He embodies what we aspire for all our students to become: men of faith and men for others.”
The ceremony also honored the significant milestones of the Classes of 1998 and 1973 , marking their silver and golden anniversaries, respectively. These alumni groups were celebrated for their enduring connection and contributions to the Jesuit community, embodying the school’s mission of forming men for others.
A poignant moment of the evening was the presentation of the newly established John Paquette Award,
honoring faculty members who have dedicated over forty years of service to Jesuit. This year’s esteemed recipients were Stephen Hayes, Showalter “Joe” Knight , David Moreau, and Timothy Powers, each of whom shared reflections on his longstanding careers at Jesuit leading up to the event. Jesuit’s principal, Peter Kernion ’90, introduced the award, emphasizing, “At Jesuit, faculty members serve as mentors and role models for Blue Jays well beyond the scope of their instructional roles. For many teachers and coaches, this vocation to inspire and lead young men to pursue God’s greater glory lasts for years and decades.” This award, which will be conferred upon
faculty members after completing their 40th year at Jesuit, honors Class of 1925 alumnus John Paquette Having served for 70 years as Jesuit’s registrar, Paquette stands as the quintessential model of dedication and commitment to the school’s mission.
His son, John Paquette ’52 , was in attendance along with wife Mary Lou for the evening.
The Mass transitioned into a lively reception in the courtyard and commons, with open bars and food provided by Acme Oyster House and Drago’s. Everyone enjoyed a delightful evening of catching up, reminiscing, and celebrating.
2023 Alumnus of the Year
Marlin Gusman ’73 with his family in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs
Star
Silver Presenting Sponsor
Degan & Robyn Dansereau
Jack Dardis & Mason Couvillon
Dardis Couvillon & Associates
East Jefferson Emergency Physicians
Dr. Roland Waguespack III & Dr. Andre
Mouledoux, Jr.
Mrs. Jeanie Favret
Diamond
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis P. Lauscha ’87
THE AZBY FUND
gingerbread
BANNER CHEVROLET & BANNER FORD
Platinum
CAPITAL ONE
ALICE & TONY CIBILICH
HANCOCK WHITNEY
THE SANNINO FAMILY
Gold
Balcony Ballroom
BankPlus
Michael S. Brandner, Jr.
CIS Industries
Cunningham & LaGraize Families
Frischhertz Electric Co., Inc.
Hancock Whitney
Ochsner Health
Rosevally Electric
The Sannino Family
Bronze
Donald & Cherie Albro
Annunciation Contracting
Reynaud Aromi Law & Katie Aromi
Audi New Orleans
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Avin
Balfour New Orleans
The Bensel Family
Mr. & Mrs. Guy H. Bumpas IV
Jason & Michelle Comboy
Ralph & Patricia Cox
Mr. & Mrs. Dustin Davis
Dr. & Mrs. Eric Ehrensing
Roy & Mandi Frischhertz
Drs. Golda & Michael Hartman
Jessica & Robbie Hughes ’91
Renee & Mike Hulefeld
Hyundai of Metairie
Chris & Katye Irwin
Alicia & David Joint
Judge & Mrs. Christopher H. Juge
Kevin & Susie Kirchner
Dr. & Mrs. O. Jay LaCour III
Mary & Brian Larson
Robert & Vickie LeNormand
Jesuit thanks its generous benefactors.
* Benefactors as of deadline.*
Jeff & Michelle Lyon
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Maher
Missy & Tom Martin
Drs. Stephen & Rebecca Metzinger
Chad & Rachel Mollere
New Orleans Music Arts Center
Kelly & Juanita Parenton
Paul & Marie Pechon
Stephen & Katie Perrien
Laura & Bill Plunkett
Provance Chiropractic
Dr. James & Mrs. Jill Rizer
Roth HR Consulting
Katy & Dennis Roubion
Peggy & Jim Ryder
Lyn & David Scaffidi
Lindsey & Allen Schafer
Dr. Chuck & Beth Schibler
Drs. Ann & Greg Tilton
Joseph F. Uddo, Jr. MD & Amy Miller
Uddo
Kelly & Paul Uddo ’97
Alberto & Kathleen Zuniga
Sail Into the Night
Jesuit’s Nautical Auction & Gala
Jesuit’s annual Celebration Auction & Gala, presented by Omega Hospital, was held at The Cannery in Mid-City. The event was a success, with a large gathering of community supporters, including parents, faculty, alumni, and friends of Jesuit High School. The theme, “Sail Into The Night,” set the stage for an evening filled with music from the Mixed Nuts, memorable moments captured by the 360-photo booth, and a delectable variety of New Orleans cuisine, featuring favorites such as crawfish mac and cheese, shrimp and grits, and bananas foster.
The evening’s auctions, both live and silent, offered an array of items, with mobile bidding available. The live auction was led by Tommy Capella ’83. Dedicated event chairs, Robyn Dansereau and Amy Uddo, along with auction chairs Mary Larson, Michelle Lyon, and Mandy Romig , and numerous other committee chairs and members, made the event possible. Notable contributions include decorations, sponsorships, libations, raffles and sales, and culinary delights.
Blue Jay Mothers:
Pillars of the Jesuit Family
Jesuit warmly celebrates the invaluable role mothers play within its community, cherishing their unwavering support, guidance, and the nurturing spirit they embody, which is central to the school’s Catholic values. Jesuit honors their contributions through various engagements, such as the New Mothers’ Mass & Coffee, monthly Mothers’ Mass, weekly Mothers’ Rosary, and the Mother-Son Mass & Breakfast. These activities have allowed Blue Jay mothers, past and present, to deeply immerse themselves in Jesuit’s campus life, enriching its community with their loving presence and active participation.
To the right are highlights from all the events mentioned above.
Uniting Through Faith
Jesuit’s Inaugural Father-Son Retreat
On Monday, September 25, Jesuit hosted its inaugural Father-Son Retreat for seniors and their fathers. This meaningful two-day retreat included deep discussions, engaging activities, and reflective prayer sessions. It offered Blue Jays and their fathers a chance to reinforce their bonds, pray together, and contemplate the virtues of manhood and
fatherhood, exploring how Christian values deepen these relationships.
Participants enjoyed a selection of tasty meals and took part in spirited games, which created a convivial environment of friendly competition. The retreat’s setting at the Solomon Episcopal Center provided a picturesque environment that was perfect for thoughtful conversations and leisurely strolls.
Throughout the retreat, fathers and sons shared insights and reflections prompted by their experiences. The retreat culminated with a reflective discussion on the universal fatherhood of God, followed by a Mass. This allowed families to unite in prayer before they returned to their homes and school lives.
Members of Class of 2018, Deacon Jody Fortunato ’98, Matt Orillion ’98, and his family with Brenda Slater and her family
2023 THANKSGIVING DRIVE TIMELINE
A look into the innerworkings of the Thanksgivng Drive: NOVEMBER 3
7:50 a.m. Dickie Dupré ’83 , 2023 chairman of the Class of 1983 Turkey Drive, addressed Blue Jays at morning assembly to officially kick off the annual Thanksgiving Drive.
Alumni launch a class-level appeal dedicated to covering the expense of their portion of the Thanksgiving Drive, which costs roughly $10,000.
Individual classes also contribute thousands through their own efforts for individual families.
7-10
Two Weeks Before Students begin fundraising within their homerooms, clubs, teams, and organizations.
Some begin collecting non-perishable items to be added to baskets.
NOVEMBER 13-21
One Week Before The drive picks up speed as Thanksgiving Day nears. Some homerooms begin setting goals and tracking the number of non-perishable items they collect.
Nurturing Community Through Service:
THE THANKSGIVING DRIVE’S LEGACY
An almost century-old tradition, Jesuit’s Thanksgiving Drive stands as a testament to compassion, community, and service—core principles that illuminate the path of every Blue Jay. This enduring event not only reinforces Jesuit’s dedication to its rich traditions but also serves as a powerful reminder of the Christian duty to care for our neighbors in need, highlighting the struggles of our neighbors and the transformative impact of service rooted in love and faith.
The drive supports families in need while celebrating the rich tapestry of relationships it weaves within the community. Among those who have formed such relationships are Nathan Alvarez ’18 and his fellow 2018 classmates along with student
activities director Matt Orillion ’98 and Deacon Jody Fortunato ’98. For over a decade, this group has delivered baskets to the same families, forging bonds rooted in mutual love and respect.
Each year, they visit Brenda Slater, a beadwork artist known for her Mardi Gras Indian costumes. They are greeted by an environment filled with art, photographs, and educational materials, evidencing her commitment to tutoring neighborhood children since Covid-19. One memorable year, the drive coincided with her birthday, prompting them to bring her flowers and a cake and serenade her with “Happy Birthday” followed by an endearing rendition of “You Are My Sunshine.”
The group has also developed a close relationship with Sheila
NOVEMBER 21
11 a.m. Alumni arrive on campus with a moving truck filled with perishable and non-perishable items to make 200 baskets. Alumni volunteers unload and begin organizing the items into baskets.
3 p.m. Members of the Class of 1983 (above) deliver and unload a truckload of enough turkeys for both the student and alumni baskets.
Narcisse, who eagerly awaits their arrival each year. Greeting them with open arms, Narcisse, like Slater, often leads them in a prayer of thanksgiving. She generously transforms the food provided into hearty meals to share with the homeless.
Alvarez reflects,“We love delivering to our families, and they always teach us more about service and generosity. It’s always a blessing, and when we wish them a Happy Thanksgiving, we receive a ‘love y’all.’ The feeling is mutual; we truly love our families, and that’s the whole point. We engage in the Thanksgiving Drive purely out of love for our neighbors and friends in need for the greater glory of God.”
Orillion shared his personal experience with the drive, noting, “It’s always been a family affair; my wife, Anne, and my five children have been involved in shopping and delivering with us since they were babies. It’s been both fun and rewarding. They look forward to this as much as I do, especially visiting Ms. Brenda,
NOVEMBER 22
5 a.m. Shopping committees, with homeroom teachers in tow, flood Robért Fresh Market on Allain Tousaint to purchase perishable items for their baskets. While there, they enjoy a shopping discount and a hot breakfast courtesy of the Robért family.
who has watched my kids grow up. Last year, Isaac, my prefreshmen, delivered with his homeroom, missing our deliveries. Ms. Brenda inquired about him in his absence. This year he opted to make both his homeroom and Ms. Brenda’s delivery. Being part of this group of alums, many of whom started delivering as prefreshmen, has
been incredibly edifying. The ties that bind us are rooted in faith, service, and Jesuit. Watching them mature into the men they are today has been a joy.”
The unwavering spirit and commitment of Slater and Narcisse to their community capture the essence of the drive’s service and mutual
6:30 a.m. Back at Carrollton & Banks, Jays in their homerooms head to the cooler to receive a turkey for each family.
7:30 a.m. Homerooms put the final touches on their well-organized baskets.
support. Their generosity and spirit of service reflect the values Jesuit aims to instill in its students, making them integral to the drive’s legacy of love, community, and service
8 a.m. The Jesuit community gathers in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for a Thanksgiving Drive prayer service and adoration. Senior Charles Lemann shared his transformative experience working at Krewe de Camp linking it to
the drive's mission of service. Jeff Miraflor, S.J. , also spoke, reflecting on his service with Courts for Kids and focusing on the true essence of the Thanksgiving Drive—not the baskets themselves but the meaningful encounters they facilitate.
9 a.m. The school yard becomes a hub of activity as homerooms move their baskets to their vehicles for delivery.
9:30 a.m. Delivery committees, accompanied by teachers and perhaps a parent or two, make their way to the neighborhoods of the city to brighten the lives of a few hundred families.
Meet Jesuit's Director of Service Projects
Scott Delatte ’06 serves as Jesuit’s director of service projects with responsibilities of organizing and overseeing students’ participation in the annual Thanksgiving Drive. He also guides Blue Jays in their various volunteer activities and teaches Christ in Scripture to pre-freshmen. Delatte attended Belmont Abbey and holds a masters in Thoelogy from Notre Dame. He and his wife Rebecca, along with their three children, live in Kenner.
(opposite top, clockwise) Brenda Slater leads the group in a prayer ; A close up of Slater's artwork ; Slater smiling ; A flashback to the 2014 Thanksgivng Drive with Orillion, Fortunato, and Alverez carrying boxes ; Sheila Narcisse welcomes the group; Narcisse gives Isaac Orillion a warm hug ; Narcisse shares a laugh with the group
Midday The drive is complete and students head home to begin their holiday and reflect on their blessings.
Notes of Distinction: Band Accrues Accolades
In July, the Blue Jay Marching Band began preparing its show, “Enter The Matrix,” at Nicholls State University. After months of dedicated practice, the Jays earned top “superior” ratings at the LMEA District IV Festival in Chalmette. The band featured a youthful lineup with over half underclassmen, promising growth in the coming years. Unique instrumentation and solo performances enriched their presentation. Throughout the season,
the band also performed at numerous sporting events, with their spirited participation in the Rivalry game against Holy Cross being a highlight. The Christmas concert in December further showcased their talent, with alumni joining for a memorable performance.
BLUE JAY BAND
(bottom right) Band directors Joe Caluda ’79, far right, and Jason Giaconne, far left, with past and present Jesuit drum majors from left to right: Jacob Tobler ’23, William Mentz ’19, senior Mark Johnson, Tristan Diermann ’16, David Klibert ’03, Christian Bautista ’06, and Quinn Stiller ’14.
Renewed Traditions: USMC Birthday Ball Revival
On November 4, Jesuit’s MCJROTC and their families gathered in the Student Commons to mark the 248th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, reigniting the tradition of the MCJROTC ball, which was last celebrated in the early 1990s. The celebration featured the esteemed MCJROTC Band, a traditional cake-cutting ceremony to honor the youngest and oldest cadets, and dinner and dancing.
This tradition dates back to November 1, 1921, when thenCommandant Gen. John A. LeJeune
initiated the Marine Corps birthday celebration as a tribute to the Corps’ service and achievements. The Jesuit MCJROTC maintains this tradition, inviting cadets’ families and friends to celebrate the founding of the Corps together.
The highlights of the event were the senior cadets, introduced with their parents. The guest of honor, Jesuit’s chemistry teacher Monica Younger, mother to alumni Evan ’19 and Maxwell ’21, shared reflections on the MCJROTC program’s impact on Jesuit’s history and her sons’ lives. Younger, who recently completed
her 22nd year teaching high school chemistry with eight of those years at Jesuit, underscored the program’s significance to the community.
The ceremony’s centerpiece, the cake-cutting, followed tradition, with the guest of honor receiving the first piece. The second and third pieces were presented to the oldest and youngest cadets respectively—Cadet Second Lieutenant Harrison Harley, born in 2005, and Cadet Private First Class Alex Degenhart , born in 2010. The evening represents a renewed tradition that the MCJROTC hopes to continue for many years to come.
theBeyond Script:
Philelectic Society’s Ode to ’Men for Others‘
Throughout the two-week staging of The Cocoanuts, the Philelectic Society dedicated time to conduct its ninth musical workshop for the Children’s Miracle League. Affiliated with Children’s Hospital, this organization strives to ensure children with disabilities of any severity can engage in league sports and activities. Many participants in the Miracle League,
with moderate to severe disabilities, are supported by buddy volunteers. The tradition of these semiannual workshops originated with Connor Hill ’15, who was inspired to share his passion for theater with his sister, Emily. She had the chance to perform on stage with her brother during his senior year in The Music Man
Held in the Jesuit auditorium, the workshop matched each child with a member of the Phils to learn select show tunes and the Charleston, both featured in The Cocoanuts. Guided by the cast, crew, and director Kate Arthurs-Goldberg , the children mastered songs and choreography, culminating in a performance for their families and friends showcasing numbers from The Cocoanuts.
Additionally, each participant received a set of Groucho masks as a memento of the experience.
The Miracle League’s showcase was as captivating as the other performances by the Philelectic Society the following week. The ensemble was committed to faithfully recreating the Marx Brothers’ signature “musicomedy.”
Senior Albert Favalora, portraying Groucho, found the role uniquely challenging due to the character’s iconic status. Unlike typical roles that allow for interpretative freedom, Favalora had to embody Groucho’s distinct mannerisms.
Arthurs-Goldberg expressed her enthusiasm: “Introducing the Marx Brothers and Irving Berlin to the Philelectic Society has been a
delightful experience. These men were giants in 20th-century comedy and music. With the help of our talented team, we aim to honor their legacy with this production and inspire our audience to delve further into their work. We hope the wit and charm of this show will leave a lasting impression on all involved.”
behind Mullen was sophomore Brady Monahan, clinching second place with a swift 15:01. Seniors Lucas Sampedro and Michael Vocke also played pivotal roles in fortifying Jesuit’s lead, finishing 6th and 8th with times of 15:12 and 15:14, respectively. Sophomore Joe Accardo’s essential 10th-place finish in 15:25 highlighted the younger team members’ potential, signaling a
promising future for the program.
Coach Doody lauded the team’s performance, noting their mental and physical strength in a tight race. As the season concludes, the team’s achievements reflect not just athletic success but also the personal growth and team spirit cultivated by coaches Doody and Rudy Horvath ’86. Their focus on continuous improvement has led to significant achievements,
including the state win and personal bests.
Looking ahead, with recent triumphs and emerging talent within its ranks, Jesuit’s cross country team is well-positioned to sustain its legacy of excellence. The team’s performance at the state championship serves as a testament to the program’s strength and sets the stage for continued success.
SWIMMING
Jesuit Swimmers Clinch Runner-
Up and Break Records at State
Capping off an exceptional 2023 season, the Jesuit swim team made a splash at the LHSAA state swimming meet in Sulphur, earning the state runner-up title. Their early mornings and rigorous practices paid dividends, with the team breaking multiple records and clinching victories across five events. Junior Enzo Solitario led the charge, earning the accolade of swimmer of the meet, thanks to his record-setting times in the 100-yard freestyle (44.40 seconds) and the 50yard freestyle (20.31 seconds).
Senior Jack Primeaux, another
powerhouse in the pool, showcased his remarkable prowess by defending his first-place titles in the 100yard backstroke and butterfly, demonstrating the skill and consistency that have become his trademarks. Together, Solitario and Primeaux spearheaded a team effort that saw Jesuit rise to the top ranks.
The collective achievements at the state meet reflected the unwavering commitment of every swimmer and coach, with the competitive environment only serving to strengthen the team’s resolve. Head coach Bret Hanemann ’85
praised his athletes for their standout performances, describing the team’s effort as “swam lights out.”
Looking to the future, the Jesuit swim team’s balance of seasoned leadership and emerging young talent promises continued success. The achievements of this season have laid a robust foundation, setting an ambitious benchmark for the swimmers who will follow in their wake.
This fall, the golf team embarked on a season filled with both challenges and opportunities. Under the leadership of new head coach Bryan Bairnsfather, along with assistant coaches Nick Blair, S.J., and Marty Jaskiewicz , the team is striving for excellence on the golf course. Their goals extend beyond mere victories; they aim to honor God through their dedication as student-athletes, embodying the values of rigor, responsibility, and loyalty that Jesuit fosters.
In early competitions, golfers demonstrated their skill and commitment. They achieved a notable victory over Rummel with an impressive score of 153-184, thanks in part to the standout performances of sophomore William Boasberg and senior Collin Shay, who both posted the lowest scores of the match. Not content to rest on their achievements, the team continued their winning streak with a triumph over St. Augustine, finishing with a score of 163-199. Sophomore Nelson Bensel distinguished himself
in this match, delivering the day’s lowest round.
Reflecting on the season, Bairnsfather expressed optimism and pride in his team’s performance. “We’re off to a promising start, and it’s heartening to see our players, both underclassmen and seniors, stepping up and propelling us forward,” he remarked. “Our aim is not just to win matches but to reflect the high expectations and commitment to teamwork that Jesuit instills in its students. Every swing, every putt, is a testament to that commitment.”
Rivalry Game Lures Blue Jays to City Park
Alumni Classes Show Off Their New Tents
On October 27, proud Jesuit and Holy Cross fans tailgated on the practice field behind Tad Gormley Stadium in City Park in anticipation
of the 104th meeting of the two schools’ football teams. Jesuit’s Sodality grilled hamburgers, and the MCJROTC prepared a massive pot of jambalaya for hungry students, families, alumni, and friends. Many alumni classes and student organizations set up their imprinted tents along the sideline to identify themselves in the huge crowd.
Inside the stadium Jesuit and Holy Cross alumni and football players were honored for
their accomplishments. Wayne Francingues ’66 was recognized as Jesuit’s Legend of the Game, and Major Kevin Caliva, Jr. ’02 was named the Distinguished Military Alumnus. Seniors Tucker Schibler and Charles Lemann were this year’s ScholarAthlete and Community Service Award honorees.
Although the Tigers left the stadium with the Golden Football after defeating the Blue Jays on the gridiron, spirited Jesuit fans, including a raucous student section, enjoyed an evening of fellowship and fun.
Grit and Growth: A Challenging Season
The Jesuit football team embarked on its 2023 season with determination, opening with a decisive 10-0 victory against Slidell. This promising start was a harbinger of the team’s potential, despite facing a challenging schedule that included games against formidable opponents such as Ruston, Lafayette Christian, and John Curtis. The Blue Jays demonstrated commendable resilience amidst a series of tough losses, managing to secure victories in crucial games against St. Augustine, Booker T. Washington, and Rummel, which set a positive tone as the playoffs approached.
Highlighting the season, senior
quarterback Beau Perez emerged as a pivotal figure, especially in the game against Rummel, leading the team to a 13-10 victory that underscored the team’s growth and tenacity. The defense also played a critical role, particularly in the second half of the season, holding strong against aggressive offenses.
Reflecting on the season, head coach Ryan Manale praised the team’s perseverance through highs and lows. “This season was a testament to our players’ grit and determination. Facing a mix of victories and defeats, they remained focused on improvement and unity by striving for excellence in every aspect,” Manale commented.
Senior Patrick Berrigan’s exceptional rushing performance, particularly noted during the playoff victory against C.E. Byrd, was a season highlight. His agility and speed were crucial in securing this win, showcasing the depth of talent within the team.
As Jesuit looks ahead, the focus remains on building upon the lessons learned in 2023. “Our journey this season has laid a solid foundation for the future. We are already preparing for next year, committed to honing our skills and deepening our resolve to uphold the legacy of Jesuit football,” added Manale, underscoring the team’s continuous pursuit of excellence and growth.
FROM THE BIG EASY TO THE BIG APPLE:
ALUMNI GATHER IN THE HEART OF NEW YORK
Carrying Jesuit’s mission across the globe, Blue Jay alumni reside throughout the world. To steward these Blue Jays’ lifelong loyalty and facilitate alumni networking in cities beyond the New Orleans area, Jesuit hosts events across the country, often through various alumni chapters.
Alumni spanning the Classes of 1953 through 2023 gathered at the New York Athletic Club on September 20 for an evening of conviviality and camaraderie. Bill Murray ’53 hosted the reception for all Blue Jays in New York and the tri-state area. Traveling
from New Orleans for the event were Jesuit President Fr. John Brown, S.J., Alumni Director Michael Prados ’83 , and Senior Development Officer Jean Paul Perrilliat ’03.
Fr. Brown welcomed the group in a reception room on the tenth floor of the Athletic Club at the southern edge of Central Park and provided an update on the state of the school. Murray also addressed the group, highlighting the impact that Jesuit had on him and encouraging area alumni to maintain their connection with their alma mater. Alumni from various decades enjoyed visiting
with one another and with school representatives from New Orleans. Particularly enthusiastic about meeting fellow Blue Jays in the Big Apple were several college students, some of whom had just arrived in New York for their first semester.
If you are interested in being part of a leadership team for your city’s chapter or in hosting an alumni event at your home, please contact the Alumni Office at (504) 483-3840.
ALUMNI CHAPTER
NEW YORK
Turner Buford ’95 & Ellis Henican ’76
Bill Murray ’53
Roy Alexander ’92 & Scott Bellina ’93
Fr. John Brown, S.J. & Brandon Gregoire ’91
Jack Quaglino ’17, Mike Prados ’83, Zachary Kron ’00, Turner Buford ‘95, Marc Normand ’90, and Peyton Toups ’19
The Classes of 1973 and 1998, celebrating their 50th and 25th reunions respectively, gathered during the fall for the Alumni Homecoming Weekend. These photos feature both these two milestone classes.
Donald Schlater ’61 received the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Legion of Honor award, which recognizes members with 50 years of service to the industry.
Jim Perrier ’67 was recognized in Biz, New Orleans 500 Influential, Involved & Inspiring Business Leaders, 2024. He founded Universal Data, Inc., and services IT projects and managed services with motto “do more with less.”
Glenn Gremillion ’69 recently retired in after 45 years with Keeneland Racing Association.
John Reine ’69 published “Armchair by the Window: Janet Goes on Retreat,” a narrative about a retired school teacher’s retreat at a nearby monastery, in October 2023.
1970s
Kerry Redmann ’72 is semi-retired but still dabbling in the petroleum industry after 46 years. He and his wife, Karen, recently returned from a trip across the Alps from Geneva to Venice, visiting some of the countryside, the golf courses, and especially the Catholic churches.
Gary Balsamo ’74 recently retired after twenty years of veterinary practice and twenty years as state public health veterinarian with the Louisiana Department of Health. He just published his book, Some Things Dull & Ugly, which chronicles his career in veterinary practice and the reasons for his transition to public health. Gary and his wife of 43 years, Rhonda, are both enjoying retirement at their new home in Durango, Colorado, and their condo on the Mississippi coast.
David Prados ’75 retired from practicing law after 33 years with Lowe, Stein, Hoffman, Allweiss & Hauver. He was a Louisiana Board Certified Family Law Specialist and a Board Certified Appellate Specialist. He was named numerous times to New Orleans Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Louisiana Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America in Family Law.
1980s
Clinton Gary ’87 has started CREDO Consulting LLC, serving as business development consultant and coach to law firms and lawyers across the country. For more than 20 years, Clinton served as chief marketing
and business development officer to prominent law firms and was recognized nationally for Best Law Firm Marketing by The American Lawyer. Based in Atlanta, he appreciates working with Jesuit alumni across the Southeast.
1990s
Kyle Ruckert ’92 was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Jeff Landry. Ruckert was the Director of the Governors transition and primary consultant on the 2023 gubernatorial campaign. Previously, he served as president of Bold Strategies, a full scale political consulting and government relations firm.
Dominic Massa ’94 was awarded a Suncoast Emmy Award in December 2023 for producing a WYES-TV interview special, Judy Woodruff: Woman of the Hour. Massa is Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of the New Orleans PBS affiliate.
2000s
Brian Buccola ’04 is an assistant professor of linguistics at Michigan State University. He and his wife, Thea Knowles, live in Lansing, Michigan.
view reunion pictures from the past reunion season at:
JESUITNOLA.ORG/CLASS-REUNIONS
Jeffrey Caliva ’04 recently moved with wife and son to Houston after 13 years in New York City.
Eric Johns ’04 has obtained the CFP designation and opened a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm, Equilibrium Financial Planning, LLC, aimed at serving generational, high net worth clients in the New Orleans area.
Pierre Mouledoux ’04 practices law with his father, Warren Mouledoux, Jr., ’67, as Of Counsel for litigation matters but primarily practices with the Law Office of Robert T. Garrity, Jr. He maintains a highly active real estate practice assisting purchasers and sellers with Mirambell Realty and Old Metairie Realty. He is active in Ducks Unlimited, a wetlands conservation organization, serving as the Jefferson Parish Chapter Chairman, the District Chairman for the New Orleans
Region, the State Publicity Chairman, and is the 2026 State Chairman elect for Louisiana Ducks Unlimited.
Blake Raggio ’06 has opened a new private practice, Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery, in Birmingham, AL. He and his wife, Kristin, live in Mountain Brook, AL, along with his four children.
2010s
Jacob Pazos ’12 designs custom jewelry through his company, Jacob Mark Jewelers, which produces highend jewelry for professional athletes and was featured on two athletes in the 2022 NFL draft.
# Chris Ross ’18 pronounced his first vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the Society of Jesus in Grand Coteau in August. In attendance for the Mass and reception
were his classmates Ben Finicle, John Nuttli, Jake Theriot , Peter Carr, and Clay Talbot as well as schoolmate Matthew LaCour ’19 and alumni director Michael Prados ’83 (their former English teacher).
2020s
Max McMahon ’20 and Luke Carlton ’21 of Berry College were selected to the 2023 Southern Athletic Association All-Conference football team. McMahon is a senior offensive lineman majoring in engineering, and Carlton is a junior defensive lineman majoring in business administration with a concentration in sports management and a minor in math. The NCAA Division III Berry College Vikings, located in Rome, Georgia, finished the season with a record of 9-1 and were ranked 23rd in the country.
JUNE 1, 2023 – NOVEMBER 30, 2023
JESUIT CONGRATULATES:
Ping Gong & Edward Langla, Jr. ’78 on the birth of their son
Edward Charles Langla III, Oct. 10, 2023.
Courtney & Jonathan Lartigue’92 on the birth of their daughter Elizabeth Margaret Lartigue, Sep. 17, 2023. Elizabeth is the granddaughter of C. W. Lartigue IV ’60
Margaret & Steve DeTrinis ’97 on the birth of their daughter Katharine Grace DeTrinis, Nov. 28, 2023.
Jennifer & Chip Stiebing ’97 on the birth of their son Hayes Anthony Stiebing, Jan. 1, 2023.
Lauren & Brian Carbo ’98 on the birth of their daughter Amelia Helene Carbo, Nov. 2, 2023.
Lauren & Gerard Conrad, Jr. ’98 on the birth of their son Luca Joseph Conrad, Dec. 1, 2023. Luca is the grandson of Gerard Conrad, Sr. ‘70
Marianne & Nathan Ohlsson ’98 on the birth of their daughter Mira Evelyn Ohlsson, Sep. 17, 2023.
KT & Barrett Stephens ’99 on the birth of their daughter Cecelia Magnolia Stephens, Dec. 23, 2022.
Jennifer & David Colomb ’00 on the birth of their daughter Vivienne Renee', March 5, 2023.
Melanie & Donald Quintana ’01 on the birth of their daughter Clara Marie Quintana, Sep. 7, 2023. Clara is the granddaughter of Robert Quintana ‘55
Lenette & Nathan Floyd ’03 on the birth of their son Jonathan Hamilton Floyd, Aug. 11, 2022.
Alison & Michel Asprodites ’04 on the birth of their son Francis Michel Asprodites, Sep. 19, 2023.
Sara & William Heim ’04 on the birth of their son William Moore Heim, Jr., July 22, 2023.
Sarah & Richard Jones ’04 on the birth of their daughter Sinclair Agnes Jones, June 18, 2023.
Layla Wojkowski & Andrew Legrand ’04 on the birth of their son Antonio Francis Legrand, Oct. 21, 2023.
Krista & Kevin Cowley ’05 on the birth of their son Eli Joseph Cowley, Nov. 14, 2023.
Anna & David Dietz ’05 on the birth of their daughter Mairin Elizabeth Dietz, Feb. 15, 2023. Mairin is the granddaughter of Paul Giorlando ’72
Alexandra & Johnny Giavotella ’05 on the birth of their son Vito John Giavotella, June 22, 2023.
Elizabeth & Ryan O'Malley ’05 on the birth of their daughter Emma Elizabeth O'Malley, Aug. 21, 2023.
Storey & Douglas Smith ’05 on the birth of their son Henry Loren Smith, June 1, 2023.
Christin & Jay Trusheim, Jr. ’05 on the birth of their son Luke Joel Trusheim, Oct. 26, 2023. Luke is the great-grandson of Clark Colgan ‘60
Becky & Scott Delatte ’06 on the birth of their son Michael Ignatius Delatte, Sep. 7, 2023.
Sera Lee & Evan Harrington ’06 on the birth of their son Owen Harrington, July 15, 2023.
Madeline & Michael Schott ’06 on the birth of their son Charles Lawrence Schott, Nov. 17, 2023.
Stephanie & John Viviano ’06 on the birth of their son Anthony Joseph Viviano, Aug. 30, 2023. Anthony is the grandson of Nicholas Viviano ‘72
Lindsay Graab & Brian Adorno’07 on the birth of their daughter Charlotte Rose Adorno, March 14, 2023. Charlotte is the granddaughter of Brian Adorno, Sr. ‘77.
Courtney & William Farrington ’07 on the birth of their daughter Olivia Kay Farrington, April 24, 2023. Olivia is the granddaughter of Billy Farrington, Jr. ‘71
Stephanie & Ian Hoerner ’07 on the birth of their daughter Beckett Valle Morgan Hoerner, Sep. 22, 2023. Beckett is the granddaughter of David Hoerner ‘74
Kristen & Kevin White ’07 on the birth of their son Cameron Blair White, Sep. 14, 2023.
Lennamary & Michael Bordes, Jr. ’08 on the birth of their daughter Leonor Marie Bordes, Feb. 3, 2023. Leonor is the granddaughter of Mickey Bordes ’78
Caitlyn & Ben Chaplain ’08 on the birth of their daughter Blanche Lillian Chaplain, May 24, 2023.
Sydney & Thomas Faucheaux IV ’08 on the birth of their son Thomas Joseph Faucheaux V, Aug. 17, 2023.
Julia & Warren Fitzmorris ’08 on the birth of their daughter Amelia Kate Fitzmorris, March 18, 2023. Amelia is the granddaughter of Terrence Fitzmorris ‘68
Melanie & Ray Garofalo III ’08 on the birth of their daughter Betty Grace Garofalo, May 15, 2023.
Jennifer & Preston Hymel ’08 on the birth of their daughter Eleanor Mae Hymel, June 1, 2023.
Sarah & Adam Laurie ’08 on the birth of their son Clark Arthur Timken Laurie, July 26, 2023.
Claudia & Joseph d’Aquin ’09 on the birth of their daughter Catalina Sofia d‘Aquin, Nov. 3, 2023. Catalina is the great-granddaughter of Joseph d‘Aquin, Jr. ‘53
Tori & Collin Jones ’09 on the birth of their twins, son Jett Olson Jones and daughter Sutton Nora Jones, March 31, 2023.
Eileen & Christopher Reuter ’09 on the birth of their daughter Ruth Marie Reuter, Aug. 16, 2023. Ruth is the granddaughter of Bryan Reuter ‘81
Lucy & Alexander Burch ’11 on the birth of their son Joseph Elston Burch, Aug. 22, 2023.
Hannah & Clayton Tufts ’11 on the birth of their daughter Elizabeth Anne Tufts, Oct. 9, 2023. Elizabeth is the granddaughter of Fred Tufts ’82
Bree & Tray Ansardi ’12 on the birth of their daughter Elise Joan Ansardi, Oct. 15, 2023.
BIB LIST SUBMISSIONS
Information and images for the Bib List can be submitted by scanning the QR code provided below or at www.jesuitnola.org/bib-list. At this time, we feature only the newborns of our alumni.
Upon receiving the Bib List submission, Jesuit will send new parents a pink or blue Jayson bib to welcome their new arrival.
Sarah & Kyle Corvers ’12 on the birth of their son George Eric Corvers, Oct. 18, 2023.
Kelsey & Austin Delery ’12 on the birth of their daughter Charlotte Delery, May 15, 2023.
Taylor & Michael Gogreve ’12 on the birth of their son Cooper James Gogreve, July 24, 2023. Cooper is the grandson of Bart Gogreve ’81
Anna & Grant McClure ’12 on the birth of their son Thomas Grayson Mcclure, March 26, 2023.
Christie & Matthieu Robért ’12 on the birth of their son Matthieu Rowand Robért, July 5, 2023.
Hayden & Tyler Rooney ’12 on the birth of their son Henry Richard Rooney, Sep. 25, 2023. Henry is the grandson of J. Michael Rooney, Jr. ‘84 & the great-grandson of J. Michael Rooney, Sr. ‘59.
BAPTISMS AT JESUIT
We invite our alumni to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism in the intimate setting of the Holy Name of Jesus Chapel, affectionately known as the small chapel.
To begin arranging this joyous occasion, please complete our online usage request form by scanning the QR code provided below.
In Memoriam
Jesuit remembers deceased alumni and faculty in Jaynotes, which is published biannually. The listing below includes notified passings from June 1, 2023 to Nov. 30, 2023.
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 event and volunteer office at (504) 483-3947
1940s 1940s – 1950s
Carl M. Ducrow ’50
Joseph A. Barreca ’43
Alces J. Laiche, Jr. ’47
William M. Feaheny ’43
George T. Gernon, Jr. ’46
Gilbert F. Ganucheau, Sr. ’47
James E. Berrigan, Sr. ’52
Frans J. Labranche, Jr. ’52
John E. Fontenot, Jr. ’52
Stephen M. Ghergich, Jr. ’52
Leo C. Comeaux ’51
Irvine J. Vidacovich, Jr. ’51
Donald L. Lindemann ’51
Clifford W. Sanders, Jr. ’51
Donald P. Schellhaas ’51
Seymour J. Broussard ’48
Henry J. Bergeron, Jr. ’51
Robert L. Curry III ’48
Joseph C. Fuselier ’48
Thomas A. Rayer ’52
I. Ricardo Martinez, Jr. ’53
Ashton J. Charree, Jr. ’55
Matthew J. Schott, Sr. ’53
Ellis J. Torres ’53
Eugene J. Blanchard, Jr. ’54
James M. Robarts ’59
George J. Flick, Jr. ’58
Barry C. Escher, Sr. ’59
Ronald M. Hebert ’58
Stephen B. Rodi, Jr. ’58
Donald W. Doyle, Jr. ’59
John J. Ernst III ’58
Matthew C. McCarthy ’55
Wilbur A. Toups, Jr. ’57
George F. Smith, Jr. ’55
George P. Crane, Jr. ’57
Bennett E. Powell ’57
George J. Cook ’55
Wesley A. Favaloro ’61
Jean Paul de la Houssaye ’60
William K Carney ’61
Everett G. Collins, Jr. ’61
William T. Abbott, Jr. ’63
Thomas N. Tschirn ’64
Lyle J. Schilling ’99
Charles J. DiCorte ’81
Sean P. Deeney ’96
Philip C. Majoria ’98
Eric H. Sciara ’91
Eric P. Cifreo ’89
Charles T. deMahy III ’88
Robert L. Brothers ’72
Peter W. Bassil ’79
Timothy M. Parenton ’80
O'Neil J. Parenton, Jr. ’73
Warren L. Montgomery ’73
Robert N. Eddy ’73
Mordello V. Breckenridge ’65
Joseph E. Windmeyer ’64
Kenneth G. Schott ’65
Keith D. LaRose ’66
David S. Dietz, Sr. ’68
Wayne E. Garrett ’68
Marion A. LaNasa, Jr. ’71
Randolph G. Rivet ’71
J. Elliott Baker ’70
Sherman L. Andry ’70
James R. Martin ’68 1970s
LISTINGS
A Call for 2025 Alumni Nominations
Each year Jesuit High School presents awards to alumni. We invite alumni to submit nominations for the awards listed below. In writing a nomination, be as specific as possible, citing examples as to how the nominee meets the criteria of the award.
DISTINGUISHED MILITARY ALUMNUS AWARD
* Anyone may submit a nomination for this award. *
Each year as part of the Jesuit vs. Holy Cross Great American Rivalry Homecoming event, Jesuit and Holy Cross recognize an alumnus from each school for his distinguished military service. The award recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated the qualities outlined in the criteria listed on the nomination page on Jesuit’s website.
ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR AWARD
* Only alumni may submit a nomination for this award. * (One submission per alumnus)
At Homecoming each year, the Alumnus of the Year Award is presented to Jesuit High School’s Alumnus of the Year. The award recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated the qualities outlined in the criteria listed on the nomination page on Jesuit’s website.
Nomination Forms
For more information and to access and submit nomination forms visit the link or scan the QR code below: www.jesuitnola.org/alumni-award-nominations
Also, forms may be printed and mailed to: Alumni Director, Jesuit High School, 4133 Banks St., New Orleans, LA 70119
NOMINATION FORMS DUE: JULY 31, 2025
Alexander J. Roy ’12
Joseph C. Torregano, Jr. ’00
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL OF NEW ORLEANS 4133 Banks Street
New Orleans, LA 70119 jesuitnola.org
Parents of Alumni: If you are receiving your son’s copy of Jaynotes and he no longer lives with you, please let us know so we can update our database and send the magazine directly to him. Let us know if you enjoy reading Jaynotes. We will be glad to send a copy to his new address and a copy to you. Email changes to alumni@jesuitnola.org
THE BLUE JAY SHOP IS NOW ONLINE
The camaraderie and loyalty that characterize Jesuit’s pursuit of God’s greater glory are often called “Blue Jay Spirit.” From the “Blue J” that first appeared a century ago to Jesuit’s iconic mascot, Jayson, which was introduced in the 1950s, the symbols of Blue Jay Spirit are rallying points for generations of Blue Jay alumni, students, parents, family, and friends.
Today, Blue Jay Spirit enters a new era with the launch of The Blue Jay Shop online store at: www.thebluejayshop.com
