Jaynotes | Vol. 40 No. 2 | Spring/Summer 2014

The Magazine of Jesuit High School of New Orleans

VOL. 40 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

The Whizzes of Quizzes Jesuit's Quiz Bowl Team Buzzes to a National Title

INSIDE

Class of 2014 — Off They Go! • Class Reunions • Teacher Testimonial • Blue Jays Trump Kidney Disease

Jaynotes, the magazine about Jesuit High School of New Orleans, is published twice a year by the Office of Institutional Advancement. Opinions expressed in Jaynotes are those of the individual authors.

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President Anthony McGinn, S.J. ‘66 mcginn@jesuitnola.org Assistant to the President Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ‘76 fitzgerald@jesuitnola.org Director of Institutional Advancement Thomas V. Bagwill II bagwill@jesuitnola.org Director of Communications Pierre DeGruy ’69 Jaynotes Editor degruy@jesuitnola.org

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Director of Alumni Mat Grau ’68 grau@jesuitnola.org Director of Special Projects Br. William Dardis, S.J. ’58 dardis@jesuitnola.org Creative Director Meghan Weaver weaver@jesuitnola.org Executive Development/ PAG Coordinator Krista Roeling roeling@jesuitnola.org

WHAT’S INSIDE

28 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Off They Go! 6 State of the School Address 17 Commencement Luncheon 18 Quiz Bowl Team Champions 40 Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo 44

Career Day 45 Medallion Stories 46 Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Award 54 Full Education Fund Established 56 Teacher Testimonial 57

IN EVERY ISSUE President’s Message 2 The Next Chapter Where Y’at 20 Blue Jays here, there, & everywhere Bib List 25 Baby Jays In Memoriam 26 Remembering our loved ones Annus Mirabilis 32 Mining the depths of Jesuit’s archives Principal’s Corner 43 Observations of Peter Kernion '90 Flying with the Jays 48 The latest achievements in sports

LEF/Events Coordinator Logan Diano diano@jesuitnola.org Alumni Events & Social Media Coordinator Wendy Schneider schneider@jesuitnola.org Volunteer Coordinator Marilyn Beauford beauford@jesuitnola.org Articles, photographs, and Where Y'ats may be submitted to degruy@jesuitnola.org, or online at www.jesuitnola.org/alumni-updates Contact info and address changes should be emailed to alumni@jesuitnola.org, or call Jesuit’s alumni office at (504) 483-3838.

ON THE COVER Two weeks after their graduation with the Class of 2014, (from left) Ian Calamari, Jack Caliva, Stanley Dai, and Kevin Yokum “buzzed” their way to a National Academic Championship, the first for a Jesuit Quiz Bowl team.

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Dear Blue Jays: The genesis of the kidney disease stories that begin on page 34 goes back to 2012 when Jason LaHatte of the Class of 2015 was nearing the end of his freshman year here at Jesuit High School. That’s when doctors gave him and his parents, Jonnie and Joseph LaHatte, the medical news they had been dreading. The kidney that a family friend so generously donated when Jason was initially diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at the tender age of 6 was now, some 10 years later, failing fast.

Jason’s name was added to the list of about 1,500 CKD patients in Louisiana who were waiting for kidney transplants. The list is maintained by the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency and syncs with a national computer registry. The phone call for the patient to go to the hospital can come at any time.

Unfortunately, some patients never receive the call. The demand for a new kidney far exceeds the available supply.

For six months Jason was hooked up nightly to a dialysis machine that washed his blood. His one working kidney was barely functioning at 2% when that phone call finally came.

The story of Jason and his medical ordeal occupied an editorial back burner. Then last fall I had lunch with John Meunier, my friend and fellow Blue Jay from the Class of ’69. We go way back to second grade at Our Lady of the Rosary School. John and I were altar boys, we played CYO sports, we hung out under the Magnolia Bridge over Bayou St. John, and we both had eyes for the same girl, not that she had hers on either one of us. I hadn’t seen John in awhile and we had some catching up to do. Over lunch John casually mentioned that he was diagnosed with kidney disease and six years ago received a kidney donated by his older brother Jerry Meunier ’66.

Against a backdrop of staggering statistics — 26 million Americans

William “Billy” Dwyer '94

A Jesuit alumnus (Class of 1994) whose diminutive frame belied that of a talented athlete, Mr. Dwyer played soccer with unbridled passion making him a star among his classmates. While soccer was his choice sport, Mr. Dwyer was also a member of the Blue Jay tennis team.

Jason LaHatte and the Meunier brothers tell their inspiring stories in the first person. Perhaps other alums will be inspired to write their own stories for Jaynotes.

Pierre DeGruy ’69 Editor

(August 26, 1975 - July 9, 2014) As a senior, Mr. Dwyer was offered scholarships to play soccer at the College of Charleston and the University of Kentucky.

At the time, he was only the second Blue Jay soccer player to receive scholarship offers. Mr. Dwyer held a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, where he played on the Wildcats’ soccer team, making the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 1998. He later earned a master’s degree from UNO. Mr. Dwyer returned to his alma mater in 2003 as a guidance counselor. He accepted a two-year assignment in 2008 to teach at-risk youth at the Good Shepherd School, which is one of the educational ministries of the Jesuit’s Southern Province.

Mr. Dwyer returned to Jesuit’s guidance department at the start of the 2010 school year.

“Billy was a very dedicated guidance counselor who loved working at Jesuit and counseling students,” said Mary Favalora, director of guidance. “The students highly respected him and he was our beloved and revered colleague. We mourn his loss and will miss him tremendously.”

FROM THE EDITOR

William Patrick “Billy” Dwyer, who mentored hundreds of students as a guidance counselor and coach for nine years at Jesuit High School, died unexpectedly on July 9, 2014. He was 38-years-old. Mr. Dwyer was an assistant coach of the varsity tennis team, and he also spent six weeks at the beginning of the summer break tutoring future students in Operation Upgrade, an academic program for economically disadvantaged boys in elementary grades.

have kidney disease and an additional 76 million are at high risk to develop it — I wondered how many other Jesuit alumni are dealing with their own CKD? How many, like John, have experienced the ultimate gift of generosity and are alive today because others donated their kidneys? How many other Jerry Meunier’s are among our alumni? How many alumni have already made provisions to have their organs donated at the time of death? How many alumni know that an abnormal amount of protein in urine is a sign that something is wrong with the kidneys?

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The Next Chapter Delivered to the Class of 2014 at the Commencement Exercises held May 22 at the Pontchartrain Center.

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’m going to ask you to brace yourselves for an ambiguous sentence.

“No class leaves Jesuit High School unchanged.”

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

This evening may well have been an occasion for each of you to reflect on how you have been changed over the last four or five years. However, you have also changed Jesuit.

Had I several days to wax eloquent on this point, I could speak of the many ways in which Jesuit is now a better place than it was four or five years ago.

Lacking that luxury, I leave you with this image. Your senior gift has made possible the restoration of the station of the cross in the small chapel that depicts Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus to carry His cross.

You made this choice, thinking of Simon as a man for others, a quality that makes this a most fitting commemoration of your class.

Therefore, I wish to point out two features of Simon’s action that I offer as counsels for you as you move from Jesuit to a wider world.

When he helped a battered man carrying a heavy crossbeam, Simon did not know the full import of his act. Placed into a position of helping a person in need, he simply did so without the realization that he was in fact helping the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

Each of you has been and will be placed in positions of helping others. In giving that help, you — like Simon — encounter Jesus, Who has said that what we do for the least of His brethren, we do for Him.

When, as men for others, you aid your neighbors, may your formation as men of faith enable you to see Jesus in them and through them.

Moreover, Simon himself was not unchanged by his act. St. Mark’s Gospel speaks of him as the father of two disciples, suggesting that Simon did not walk away from this encounter with Jesus unaffected, but that he and his family joined the new community centered around this same Jesus.

Just so, my beloved brothers, my prayer for you — for each of you — is that every deed whereby you change others for the good likewise change you by bringing you closer to God. You leave Jesuit to write new pages in the books of your lives. May these also be new pages of the epic of God’s sharing His love and life with you, a saga wherein, in the words of C.S. Lewis, “every chapter is better than the one before.”

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BUILDING A

By Kevin Yokum ’14

Nine members of the Class of 2014 earned the honor of being valedictorians based on their grade point average.

The one graduating senior with the highest total numerical semester grades in the prescribed core curriculum for his senior year is selected to be the speaker at the Commencement Exercises. Kevin Yokum had the honor of delivering the Class of 2014 valedictory address.

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everend Father Fitzgerald, Mr. Kernion, faculty, family, friends, and fellow members of the Class of 2014:

Tonight we celebrate Commencement in the 167th year of Jesuit High School.

During these years, more than a few traditions have been established; and a legacy has been built. It is the responsibility of every class to embrace this legacy, to enhance it, and to entrust it to future classes. In our short time at Jesuit, the Class of 2014 has done just that.

This class has been a part of a pivotal time in the evolution of Jesuit’s legacy. We have

New programs have also blossomed during our time at Jesuit. We have seen the rise of the student sodality and a revival of the intramural program. New clubs and organizations that cater to interests ranging from robotics to urban farming have sprung up during our time.

We have seen a series of personnel transitions over the years. Mr. Jeremy Reuther, Mr. Matt Orillion, and Ms. Helen Swan have stepped into new leadership positions. The legendary PSAT “dragon slayer” Mr. Charlie McGannon retired. The office of principal has transitioned from Mr. Michael Giambelluca to Mr. Peter Kernion. Fr. Anthony McGinn moved on after 19 years of service at Jesuit, and we have been blessed with Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald as president for the past 3 years.

I believe that all these developments can serve as a reminder that tonight, this ceremony, marks a significant development for us. Of course, tonight marks the end of our time at Jesuit High School – a time full of great accomplishments, friendships, and memories. Yet it is also the beginning of a bright future for us – a time full of great

freedoms, responsibilities, and opportunities. Our years at Jesuit and the people who have guided us have surely prepared us for whatever awaits us in that future.

That is not to say that it has always been easy. There are “growing pains” involved with any development. We have experienced loss, defeat, and hardship. But we kept our heads held high, we came together, and we persevered through these times of adversity. And we have been blessed with an outstanding model of this perseverance through adversity. Fr. Fitzgerald, if you will permit me to use your own words to us at one morning assembly, “harbor no doubts about what a source of encouragement, joy, and consolation you are” to us, the Class of 2014, and to the entire Jesuit High School community.

Now we go on. We move forward. We continue to strive for excellence, accepting our successes with grace and humility and our failures as opportunities for growth.

And perhaps that is the greatest lesson we have learned here at Jesuit. Perhaps that is the true Jesuit legacy, a legacy that we now carry forward as we leave, a legacy that reminds us to always work for the greater glory of God. Thank you.

Watch the videos of Kevin Yokum’s and Fr. Fitzgerald’s addresses at the Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2014 on the Commencement Page: jesuitnola.org/commencement.

GRADUATION 2014

We have worked tirelessly to build upon Jesuit’s tradition of excellence. Our effort, our determination, and our support of one another have allowed us to accomplish much. As a class, we have captured state titles in tennis, lacrosse, quiz bowl, mock trial, and debate. We have produced 35 National Merit Semifinalists. We have served others through the Thanksgiving Drive, the Mission Drive, and our Junior Service Projects. We have grown spiritually through retreats, Pro-Life trips, and World Youth Day pilgrimages. And we have contributed to Blue Jay Spirit by creating the largest banner in the history of Jesuit High School, starting the “Blue Jay Shift” at basketball games, and packing the student section on numerous occasions.

The Class of 2014 has indeed left its mark on Jesuit High School.

witnessed the completion of a new baseball stadium and a new student parking lot. The Roussel Building has been renovated, and a restoration of the 2nd floor chapel is just beginning. The Commons was closed so many times this year that I believe that it, too, must be undergoing renovations.

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Graduates Honored with Special Awards

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t the end of each school year, the faculty of Jesuit High School nominate deserving seniors who will, following a second and final round of voting by the faculty, become the newest recipients of three special awards that are presented at the start of the graduation ceremony. Traditionally the identities of the honorees are shrouded in secrecy up until the very moment of the announcement by the principal, who serves as master of ceremonies at Jesuit’s commencement.

GRADUATION 2014

In Jesuit High School’s 167th year, Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2014 were held on May 22 at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. At the beginning of the ceremony, Jesuit’s principal, Peter S. Kernion '90, announced the names of the honorees: (right photo, from left) John A. Guerra received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award, which is presented to the senior who has exerted the greatest spiritual influence on others by living a life exemplifying his Catholic faith.

Quentin E. Marks received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny

Memorial Trophy, Donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914, an award established 100 years ago to honor one graduating senior who has a good scholastic record, actively participated in co-curricular activities, and possesses those qualities which symbolize “the most representative student of Jesuit High School.”

Brandon D. Myers was the recipient of the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award, which recognizes the senior who has exemplified the spirit of being a man for others by his participation and excellence in service.

Additionally, The Blue Jay Parents’ Club Award for excellence in scholarship was awarded to nine seniors who are the co-valedictorians of their class, having graduated with the highest grade point average for four years at Jesuit: (left photo, from left) Stanley H. Dai, Reuben A. Hogan, Zhen P. Huang, Christopher M. Mire, Thomas J. Nimmo, Patrick B. Ryan, Sean E. Stephens, Cullen M. Walsh, and Kevin E. Yokum (who delivered the valedictory address).

Special Commendations Presented at 2014 Awards Ceremony Each year, Jesuit High School recognizes seniors and underclassmen who have achieved significant academic and athletic honors. Unless designated otherwise, recipients were members of the Class of 2014. Among the awards presented on May 8, 2014 in the Jesuit Auditorium were the following: The Frank T. Howard Memorial Award — for excellence in English — was merited by Kevin E. Yokum.

The Jesuit 500 Club Award — for excellence in Latin — was merited by Kevin E. Yokum.

The William Helis Memorial Award — for excellence in Greek — was merited by Quinn G. Stiller.

The Loyola University Award for Mathematics — for the senior with the highest overall average in mathematics — was merited by Sean E. Stephens.

The Reverend William J. Ryan Memorial Award — for excellence in social studies — was merited by Kevin E. Yokum. (Donated by the late Dr. J. Joseph Ryan in memory of his brother, Rev. William J. Ryan.)

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The Frank T. Howard Memorial Award — for excellence in physics — was merited by Kevin E. Yokum.

The Jimmy Kuck Award — for excellence in chemistry — was merited by Steven H. Stradley ’15.

The Award for Excellence in Biology was merited by Troy A. Broussard, Jr. ’17.

The Paquette Family Award — for overall excellence in French — was merited by John C. Landry.

The L’Union Français Award — for excellence in French conversation — was merited by Abel A. Lopez III. The Ubaldo Trelles Memorial Award — for excellence in Spanish — was merited by Herbert Spurlock III. The Susan & Garic Schoen Award — for excellence in computer studies — was merited by Ian A. Calamari.

The Philelectic Society Award — for outstanding achievement in dramatics — was merited by Eric J. Hartupee.

The Culture of Life Award — for the student who has shown exemplary leadership as a member of the Pro-Life Club at Jesuit High School — was merited by Brendan J. Besh.

The Giunio Socola Memorial Award — for excellence in public debate in the Lincoln-Douglas senior division — was merited by Reuben A. Hogan. (Donated by Mrs. Anita Socola Specht.)

The Lea Naquin Hebert Memorial Award — for excellence in debate in the Public Forum senior division — was merited by Mako C. Giordano ’15. (Donated by her late sons, the Honorable F. Edward Hebert ’20 and Mr. Gordon Ray Hebert ’23.)

The Felix J. Hebert Memorial Award — for excellence in debate in the Public Forum junior division — was merited by Andrew J. Cerise ’16. (Donated by his late sons, the Honorable F. Edward Hebert ’20 and Mr. Gordon Ray Hebert ’23.)

The Coach Gernon Brown Memorial Award — for the best all-around athlete on the junior varsity teams during the 2013-14 school year — was merited by Mark R. Beebe, Jr. ’16.

The Rusty Staub Award — for the senior baseball letterman who exhibited exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit — was merited by Spencer A. Miller.

The Donald R. Ford Award — for the outstanding lineman on Jesuit’s varsity football team — was merited by Michael T. McCombs.

The William D. & Maybelle Postell Award — for the senior basketball player who exhibited exemplary leadership, scholarship, and spirit — was merited by Grant N. Nichols.

(Donated by their son, Mr. John Blake Postell ’59.)

The “Fighting Jaylet” Award — for the junior varsity basketball player who demonstrated the highest quality of excellence as a student athlete — was merited by Mark R. Beebe, Jr. ’16.

(Donated by Mr. Charles W. Heim, Jr. ’59 in honor of the undefeated 1968 Fighting Jaylets.)

The Morris B. Redmann, Jr. Memorial Award — for the outstanding senior football letterman who best combined scholarship and athletics — was merited by James J. Mickler.

The Edwin F. Stacy, Jr. Wrestling Award — for the outstanding wrestler who made a major contribution to the varsity team, excelled in academics, and exhibited exemplary leadership — was merited by Nicholas A. Charles.

The Michael D. Conway Award — for the most valuable player on the varsity soccer team — was merited by Nicholas D. Tadros.

The Rodriguez Family Award — for the most valuable swimmer on the varsity swimming team — was merited by Brett J. Dipuma.

The Aloysius J. Cahill Memorial Award — for proficiency in oratory — was merited by Rishab M. Chimmanamada ’15.

The Chester M. Rieth Award — for the senior track letterman who exhibited exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit — was merited by Anthony J. Genova.

The John D. Schilleci Memorial Award — for excellence in elocution in the senior division — was merited by Mayank Mardia ’16.

The Stanley Ray Award ­— for the most improved letterman on the varsity track team during the 2013-14 school year — was merited by Patrick G. LaCour.

The Professor Michael Cupero Memorial Award — for overall musical excellence — was merited by Quinn G. Stiller.

(Donated by his grandson, Col. Hamil M. Cupero ’56.)

The Most Valuable Golfer Award — for the golfer who made a significant contribution to the varsity team, exhibited exemplary leadership, and performed in an outstanding manner in tournament play — was merited by Charles G. Glorioso ’16.

The Reverend Francis A. Fox, S.J. Memorial Award — for proficiency in instrumental music — was merited by Richard A. Williams, Jr. (Donated by Mr. Harry Morel, Jr. ’61 in memory of his late father, Mr. Harry J. Morel.)

The Coach Edwin E. Toribio Memorial Award — for the senior who best combined scholarship and athletics — was merited by Joseph D. Hebert IV. The Robert T. Casey Memorial Award — for the varsity athlete who displayed exemplary sportsmanship and spirit — was merited by Evan M. Kramer.

The Larry Gilbert Family Memorial Award — for the best all-around athlete on the varsity teams during the 2013-14 school year — was merited by Joseph D. Hebert IV.

The Most Valuable Tennis Player Award — for the senior player who made a significant contribution to the varsity team, exhibited exemplary leadership, and performed in an outstanding manner in tournament play — was merited by Andrew J. Tufts.

The Christopher Morgan Memorial Award — for the cross-country letterman who exhibited exemplary courage, leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit — was merited by Jonathan C. Blanchard.

The Joseph Michael Worley Memorial Award — for the senior who, by his unselfishness, sportsmanship, and spirit during his career at Jesuit, enhanced the athletic program either as a player, manager, trainer, or student — was merited by Joseph D. Hebert IV.

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The 260 graduates who comprise Jesuit High School’s Class of 2014 move on to 55 different universities, from California to New York, but mostly they remain here in Louisiana.

GRADUATION 2014

The information in the “Off They Go” section was provided by the guidance department’s college counselors who compiled data submitted online by the seniors and their parents.

Universities or colleges listed in bold under the names of graduates are the institutions they are attending. (H) indicates the graduate was accepted to that school’s Honors College. Majors or courses of study are listed for the majority of graduates, although a few are “undeclared.”

The various scholarships listed pertain ONLY to the university or college which the graduate has indicated he will attend. Other universities and colleges that accepted the graduates for admission are also listed.

Congratulations to Jesuit’s Class of 2014! Now, OFF THEY GO! Daniel Gerard Abadie, Jr.

LSU Construction Management TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Jorge Miguel Abadin

LSU English & Political Science TOPS Opportunity Award, Balanced Man Scholarship

Zachary Joseph Adams

LSU (H) Biology TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, Great American Rivalry Series Student Athlete Award Loyola University New Orleans (H), Tulane University (H)

Matthew Sam Alikhani

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Business Southeastern Louisiana University, Loyola University New Orleans

Arman Lee Alizadeh

LSU TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award

Accounting

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Opposite page: The Class of 2014 chose to have the traditional senior class photo taken on the front steps facing Carrollton Avenue.

Left: When the 3 p.m. bell rang on their last day of class, seniors gathered to celebrate on Will Clark Field.

Mark Raoul Alvarez

Christopher John Babin

National Merit Finalist; National Hispanic Scholar University of Alabama (H) Pre-Medicine & Business Presidential Scholarship, Achievement Scholarship Stipend, Presidential National Housing Scholarship, Study Abroad Stipend, National Merit Scholarship LSU (H), Vanderbilt University, Fordham University, University of Notre Dame

Blake Matthew Baker

Pablo Vidal Amador

Loyola University New Orleans Social Justice Scholarship

Business

Joseph Alexander Anderson

Iona College (H) Mathematics Iona College Presidential Scholarship, The Zurich Classic Tournament Chairman Scholarship Davidson College, Furman University, Loyola University New Orleans (H), Fordham University (H), LSU (H), Wofford College

Adam Anthony Aucoin LSU TOPS Opportunity Award

Psychology

Austin Joseph Aucoin

LSU (H) Business Finance &

Business Accounting TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, LSU Alumni Association’s Global Leaders Award, St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Youth Leadership Award Rhodes College (H), University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Austin (H), University of Georgia (H), Saint Louis University (H), Tulane University (H), Spring Hill College (H), Loyola University New Orleans (H)

Corey Edward Avrard, Jr.

Delgado Community College Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Athletic Scholarship LSU, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, UNO

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Mississippi UNO Pre-Medicine TOPS Performance Award, Athletic Scholarship LSU

Brendan Joseph Besh

University of Notre Dame Program of

Liberal Studies University of Dallas, College of William & Mary, Fordham University (H), Boston College, LSU (H)

Colton Johari Blagrove

LSU (H) Petroleum Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Spring Hill College

National Achievement Finalist Spring Hill College (H) Biopsychology & Pre-Medicine Spring Hill College Service Award, Portier Leader Award, Athletic Scholarship, The Mackel Foundation Junior Golf Scholarship Award, Proctor & Gamble Scholarship Award, Tau Iota Omega Chapter Scholarship, Robert J. Taylor Scholarship Emory University, Baylor University (H), University of San Francisco, Loyola University New Orleans, Millsaps College, Samford University, Fordham University, Tulane University

Christopher Conway Bellone, Jr.

Jonathan Charles Blanchard

Joshua Stephen Baldassaro

LSU (H) Chemical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Spring Hill College

Peter Alexander Belleau

LSU TOPS Opportunity Award University of Mississippi

Geology

Matthew Randal Bennett

LSU Biological Engineering & Pre-Medicine TOPS Performance Award University of Mississippi, Spring Hill College

Collin Mark Bergeron

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award

Ryan Edward Bergeron

Baton Rouge Community College (LSU Tiger Bridge Program) Business & Finance University of Louisiana at Lafayette

University of Alabama Aerospace Engineering Engineering Scholarship, Foundation in Excellence Scholarship, Academic Common Market Award

Matthew Joseph Blasini

LSU Geology TOPS Performance Award, Geology Field Camp Scholarship Southeastern Louisiana University

Stephen Milford Blum

University of Southern Mississippi Psychology Regional Scholarship University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Adam Jonathan Boe

UNO Computer Science LSU, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

OFF THEY GO! Harrison Samuel Cates

LSU (H) Digital Advertising TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award, Louisiana Independent Tire Dealers Association Scholarship University of Dallas, Texas Christian University

Nicholas Anthony Charles

LSU Computer Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Ian Gerard Brown Cogswell

Baton Rouge Community College (LSU Tiger Bridge Program) Psychology TOPS Opportunity Award At their final assembly, seniors Quentin Marks and Jack Hebert (right) present Fr. Fitzgerald with a gift on behalf of the Class of 2014 — a generous donation to the Holy Name of Jesus Chapel Renovation Fund.

Vincent Joseph Bonadona

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Criminal Justice Southeastern Louisiana University

Daniel Joseph Boudreau LSU TOPS Performance Award

Business

Presidential Endowment Scholarship, National Merit Finalist Scholarship, In-State Tuition Waiver Scholarship LSU (H), Purdue University, University of Texas at Austin, Fordham University, Spring Hill College (H), Millsaps College

Brian John Burvant

Clayton Nicholas Colombo

Texas A&M University at Galveston Marine Transportation Freshman Global Scholarship, Non-Resident Competitive Scholarship Tuition Waiver

Keith Andrew Collins, Jr. National Merit Finalist University of Oklahoma (H) Dramaturgy Oklahoma Academic Scholars Program, National Merit Finalist Scholarship Fordham University, University of Alabama (H), LSU (H)

Mitchell Joseph Bourgeois

Christian Brothers University Engineering University Scholarship LSU, Huntingdon College

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Mississippi

Riley Harrell Conroy

Alexander Charles Boustany

Ian Alfred Calamari

UNO TOPS Performance Award LSU

UNO

Matthew Leonhard Brandt LSU TOPS Performance Award

Psychology Business

Nathan Quinn Braquet

LSU Political Science TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Fordham University, University of Alabama, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, Spring Hill College

Alexander Joseph Brewster LSU TOPS Performance Award

Christian Taylor Bruno University of Colorado University of Denver, LSU

Engineering

Philosophy

Grady Murphy Burnett

John Francis Caliva

Psychology

National Merit Finalist Texas A&M University Biomedical Engineering

Cameron Shedrick Coulon

Brian Chappell Crosby

Kennesaw State University Dance University of Alabama at Birmingham

Ryan McCarthy Cambias

Tristan Ray Culotta

LSU (H) General Business TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award

Tyler Duy Khan Cao Saint Louis University Spring Hill College, LSU

Theology

Psychology

Fordham University Political Science Fordham Scholarship Fairfield University, Trinity University, Creighton University, LSU (H), Saint Louis University

Jason Thor Crumb, Jr.

Delgado Community College General Studies

Business

Weldon Paul Cousins

College of the Holy Cross English Holy Cross Scholarship Sewanee: The University of the South, College of Charleston, Fordham University, Rhodes College, Emerson College, Wofford College

August Joseph Cannon

Colin Jarrett Burgess University of Louisiana at Lafayette

National Merit Finalist; National Hispanic Scholar University of Mississippi (H) Computer Science Academic Excellence National Merit Finalist, Academic Excellence Non-Resident National Merit Finalist, Academic Excellence Housing Award, Barnard Scholarship, National Merit General Dynamics Scholarship

Tulane University TOPS Performance Award

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Mississippi LSU Pre-Medicine TOPS Opportunity Award Southeastern Louisiana University

Stanley Hu Dai Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist Georgetown University Economics Fordham University (H), Bowdoin College, Northwestern University (IL)

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Justin Michael Daigle

LSU Petroleum Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Jon Marc Daniels

LSU Spanish TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Phillip Alexander d’Aquin

LSU Petroleum Engineering TOPS Performance Award, The Snyder Family Education Assistance Program

Nicholas Patrick David LSU TOPS Performance Award

Accounting

Bradley Edward Davis

Colorado School of Mines Petroleum Engineering Freshman Merit Scholarship

Ian Joseph DeBautte

UNO TOPS Opportunity Award University of North Florida, Loyola University New Orleans

Film

Clayton David Deron LSU (H) TOPS Honors Award Tulane University

Electrical Engineering

Christopher James Dupré

Brett Joseph Dipuma

Wheeling Jesuit University (H) Theology & Literature Dean’s Award, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Scholarship Canisius College, Franciscan University at Steubenville, Fordham University, Spring Hill College

Sean Michael Dobies

LSU (H) General Business TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award University at Albany (State University of New York), Clemson University, University of Delaware, Spring Hill College

Patrick Kenneth Doell National Merit Semifinalist LSU TOPS Opportunity Award

Economics

Will Primo Dufour

LSU General Business TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars UNO Award, Alvarez & Marsal Junior Golf Business Management Scholarship Award, Tommy Moore New TOPS Opportunity Award Orleans Golf Association Junior Golf Scholarship Award Evan Cornelius DeHoog LSU of Alexandria Business Arthur Harrison Dunlap

Administration/ Finance National Merit Semifinalist Merit Award Scholarship University of Alabama (H) International

Zachary Michael DeChristopher

Chase Alexander DeMonte

LSU (H) Undeclared TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award Loyola University New Orleans

The Class of 2014 is formally dismissed from their final Morning Assembly.

Fordham University, American University, Dickinson College

Studies Presidential Scholarship, Achievement Scholarship Stipend, Presidential National Housing Scholarship, Study Abroad Stipend, National Merit Scholarship

LSU TOPS Honors Award

Michael Sean Dwyer UNO

Biology

Biological Science

Efosa Sylvester Eboigbe Wartburg College

Criminal Justice

Jake Lawrence Eccles

University of Nebraska Psychology & Pre-Medicine Ruth Leverton Scholarship Wartburg College, LSU, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, King’s College, Luther College

Chase Joseph Eckholdt

Loyola University New Orleans Undeclared Loyola University Recognition Award Spring Hill College, University of Dallas, Millsaps College

Ryan Poché Ellinghausen LSU TOPS Opportunity Award Spring Hill College

Dominic Michael Engolia UNO TOPS Opportunity Award

Kinesiology

Nursing

Joseph Lykes Eustis

National Merit Semifinalist Southern Methodist University Engineering Discovery Scholarship

Charles John Everhardt IV

LSU (H) Geology TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award, Halliburton Field Camp Scholarship University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

OFF THEY GO! Gaston Thomas Eymard

Delgado Community College King’s College

Business

Charles Patrick Farley

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award University of Arkansas, University of Alabama

Christopher Blake Fasone National Merit Finalist University of Alabama (H) General Communications Presidential Scholarship, Achievement Scholarship Stipend, Presidential National Housing Scholarship, Study Abroad Stipend, National Merit Scholarship LSU (H), Fordham University, Loyola Marymount University (H), Boston College (H), University of North Carolina, Loyola University New Orleans (H)

Taylor Samuel Ferris

University of Mississippi (H) Biology & Pre-Medicine Academic Excellence Scholarship, Academic Excellence Non-Resident Scholarship, Holmes Scholarship, STEM Major Non-Resident Scholarship University of Alabama, Spring Hill College, LSU (H)

Liam Baudouin Fitzgerald

National Merit Finalist Washington University in St. Louis

American Culture Studies Danforth Scholars Program Scholarship Loyola University New Orleans (H), Fordham University (H)

Jorge Alejandro Galdamez LSU

Architecture

Austin Joseph Galy II

LSU International Business TOPS Opportunity Award Spring Hill College

Stephen Lee Ganucheau

Mississippi State University Mechanical Engineering Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, Freshman Academic Scholarship

Grant Flores Garrison

LSU TOPS Opportunity Award

Undeclared

Anthony James Genova

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Michael Paul Frank

LSU TOPS Performance Award

Political Science

Glenn George Fraychineaud

John Carroll University Business University Scholarship, Boys Hope Girls Hope National Fund University of Scranton, Saint Louis University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Biology

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award

Michael Deane Hanley, Jr. LSU TOPS Opportunity Award

Finance

LSU TOPS Honors Award Fordham University

Fernando Fidel Gonzales

Louisiana Tech University (H) Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Presidential Scholarship University of Dayton (H), Saint Louis University, Marquette University

Loyola University New Orleans Physical Therapy

Akshay Sandeep Gopal

Boston University Undeclared University of Colorado (H), LSU (H), University of Denver (H)

Charles Matthew Graham

Kyle Thomas Gresham

LSU Petroleum Engineering TOPS Performance Award Indiana University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe

LSU TOPS Opportunity Award

Tulane University Business TOPS Honors Award Spring Hill College, Loyola University New Orleans

Patrick Daniels France

Dominick Michael Frank

Luke Ellis Hahn

Kory Joseph Hannan

Connor Gregory Gillen

Rhodes College Pre-Dental University of Mississippi, Spring Hill College Texas A&M University at Galveston

Marine Transportation Freshman Global Scholarship LSU

Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award University of Dallas Theology & Philosophy Dean’s Scholarship Spring Hill College, Franciscan University at Steubenville, Loyola University New Orleans, LSU

Charles Henry Hamilton

High Point University Biology Presidential Fellowship College of Charleston (H), Fordham University, LSU (H), Saint Edward’s University (H), Southern Methodist University (H), Texas Christian University (H), Tulane University, Washington and Lee University

Evan John Fitzpatrick

John Altazan Guerra

LSU TOPS Opportunity Award

Engineering

Joshua Michael Griener-Hickey

Spring Hill College (H) Undeclared Portier Leader Award, Spring Hill College Service Award Hampden-Sydney College, Loyola University New Orleans, LSU, Tulane University

Connor Paul Gruntz

Louisiana Tech University (H) Physics/ AstroPhysics TOPS Honors Award, (LTU) Outstanding Student Scholarship, Entergy Community Power Scholarship Seattle University

Computer Science

Eric Joseph Hartupee

Joseph Louis Hauth

LSU Computer Science TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award

William George Healy, Jr.

LSU Kinesiology TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award UNO

Caldwell Stinson Hebert

University of South Carolina Sport &

Entertainment Management Sims Scholars Award LSU

Joseph Duas Hebert IV

LSU (H) Biology TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, Allstate Sugar Bowl National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Rhodes College, University of Georgia (H)

Robert Patrick Henry

LSU Mass Communication TOPS Opportunity Award Auburn University

Gian-Carlo Hernandez-San Martin

Tulane University Architecture TOPS Performance Award, Tulane Scholarship

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Left: At the Senior Showcase on the auditorium stage, Mark Veals belts out “Classic� by MKTO, eliciting thunderous applause from his foot-stomping classmates.

Ivan Joseph Hidrovo

LSU Physics Tiger Excellence Non-Resident Award

Henry Daniel-Pierre Hingle

LSU TV/Film Production TOPS Opportunity Award

Reuben Aaron Hogan Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist; National Achievement Finalist Washington University in St. Louis Biology Danforth Scholars Program Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship, McLeod Scholars Program Scholarship, National Achievement Scholarship Award, Junior Knights of Peter Claver Award, St. Timothy Award LSU (H), Harvard University, Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, University of North Carolina, Johns Hopkins University, Emory University, Case Western Reserve University, Howard University, Tulane University

Kyle Scott Holzman

LSU Petroleum Engineering TOPS Performance Award

Allan Thomas Hornbrook

LSU Computer Science TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Zhen Peng Huang Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist Yale University Philosophy PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship LSU (H), Harvard University, Princeton University, Georgetown University, Fordham University

Tristan Joseph Humphrey

LSU Finance TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award

Glynn Gerard Hyer, Jr.

LSU Pre-Veterinary TOPS Opportunity Award Auburn University, Mississippi State University, University of Mississippi, Spring Hill College, University of Kentucky, UNO, Loyola University New Orleans, Oglethorpe University

Ross James Hymel

LSU International Studies TOPS Opportunity Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette, UNO

William Coleman Johnson

University of Alabama Business University of Alabama Alumni Scholarship, Allstate Sugar Bowl Scholarship University of Mississippi, Texas Christian University

University of Oklahoma, Virginia Military Institute

Jonathan Hyuk Kwon

LSU Computer Science TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award

Jordan Todd Lacoste

National Merit Finalist University of Notre Dame Engineering Tulane University, University of Texas at Austin (H), University of Alabama (H), LSU (H)

National Merit Finalist Fordham University (H) Business Fordham University Scholarship, Coach Frank D.B. DiCocco Memorial Scholarship, National Merit State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship Boston College (H), Saint Louis University (H), Tulane University (H)

Damian Cletus Junius

John Christopher Landry

Zachary George Jones III

Baton Rouge Community College (LSU Tiger Bridge Program) Business TOPS Opportunity Award

Devin Patrick Keister

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Marine Transportation United States Merchant Marine Academy Appointment Birmingham Southern College, Maritime College (State University of New York), UNO, California Maritime College

Eugene Dong Kim National Merit Finalist Fordham University (H) Business National Merit Finalist Scholarship Ohio State University (H), LSU (H), Tulane University, Southern Methodist University (H)

Guillaume Soniat Kirsch

Illinois Wesleyan University Music Composition Alumni Fine Arts Scholarship Loyola University New Orleans, Samford University, Ouachita Baptist University

Evan Matthew Kramer

UNO English TOPS Honors Award, UNO Blue Scholarship Award Loyola University New Orleans

John Charles Kurtz

LSU Petroleum Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Fordham University Philosophy Fordham Tuition Award, Fordham Jogues Scholarship University of Dallas, Saint Louis University (H), Spring Hill College (H)

Austin Wilson Lanier

LSU Pre-Pharmacy TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award University of Mississippi, University of Louisiana at Monroe

Joshua Allen Larcena LSU (H) TOPS Honors Award

Biological Sciences

Jacob Roland Larriviere

LSU (H) Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award University of Alabama (H), Mississippi State University (H)

Christian Joseph Latino

Delgado Community College Biology TOPS Opportunity Award, Athletic Scholarship, American Italian Renaissance Foundation Scholarship University of Southern Mississippi, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Mississippi, LSU, Nicholls State University, UNO, McNeese State University

OFF THEY GO!

Seniors applaud following the “State of the School” address by student council president Christopher Dupré.

Matthew Paul Lauto

LSU Biological Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award

Stephen Connevey Lazar

LSU Marketing TOPS Opportunity Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Mississippi

Taylor Douglas Lee

National Merit Finalist Washington and Lee University Political Science Francis P. Gaines Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship

Philip Georges Legrand

University of Alabama (H) Engineering Presidential Scholarship, Engineering Scholarship LSU (H), University of Mississippi

Cooper Matthew Lemoine

LSU Pre-Pharmacy TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award LSU (H) Chemistry/ Pre-Medicine TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

James Joseph Licciardi IV

Delgado Community College Business TOPS Opportunity Award, Athletic Scholarship Loyola University New Orleans, UNO Tulane University TOPS Honors Award LSU

Abel Augusto Lopez III

LSU TOPS Performance Award

Biochemistry

Patrick Donald Mansour University of Mississippi LSU

Real Estate

Quentin Evan Marks

The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, Donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914 University of Mississippi Business Academic Excellence Scholarship, Academic Excellence Non-Resident Scholarship, Holmes Scholarship Rhodes College, Sewanee: The University of the South, LSU

Andrew Glenn Martin

Mississippi State University Political Science Freshman Academic Scholarship, NonResident Tuition Scholarship, Eagle Scout Scholarship University of Mississippi, LSU, University of Southern Mississippi, Spring Hill College

Cameron Perry Martinez

Alex Leon Letulle

Brock David Lingle

Nicholas Michael Maggio

Pre-Medicine

National Merit Finalist; National Hispanic Scholar LSU (H) Electrical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Rice University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Fordham University, Louisiana Tech University

National Merit Finalist University of Chicago English Literature University Scholarship, National Merit Northrop Grumman Scholarship Northwestern University (IL), University of California (Los Angeles), University of California (San Diego), University of Virginia, Wake Forest University

Christopher George Maurice

National Merit Finalist Auburn University (H) Business/

Actuarial Science National Scholars Presidential Scholarship, Edward and Catherine K. Lowder Endowed Scholarship University of Alabama (H)

Joseph Cooney McAloon Texas Christian University LSU, University of Mississippi

Business

Michael Thomas McCombs LSU TOPS Performance Award

Biology

Ryan Scott McKeough

University of Southern Mississippi (H)

Biological Sciences Regional Scholarship, Academic Excellence Scholarship LSU, University of Mississippi, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama, Baylor University

Ryan Preston McMahon LSU TOPS Honors Award

William Chase McQueen LSU TOPS Honors Award Tulane University

Pre-Pharmacy

Finance

Jack Henry Meehan

LSU Business TOPS Opportunity Award Spring Hill College, University of Mississippi

Roy Paul Messina

Louisiana Tech University (H) Biomedical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, (LTU) Outstanding Student Scholarship Saint Louis University, University of Alabama at Birmingham (H), Texas A&M University, Tulane University, LSU (H)

Robert Francis Michalik LSU TOPS Honors Award

Psychology

Kevin Michael Mickan

University of Notre Dame Business The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Georgetown University, Boston College, Wake Forest University, LSU (H)

James Joseph Mickler

LSU (H) Microbiology TOPS Honors Award, Chancellor’s Alumni Scholars Award Tulane University

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Pierre Valcour Miller III

Creighton University Pre-Medicine Founders Award, Jesuit Recognition Award Spring Hill College, University of Dallas, LSU

Spencer Adam Miller

Delgado Community College Kinesiology TOPS Opportunity Award, Athletic Scholarship LSU

Christopher Merrigan Mire

William Harper Myers

LSU (H) Finance TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, Global Leaders Award University of Georgia (H), University of Texas at Austin (H)

Gabriel James Navar

LSU (H) Biochemistry TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award

Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist University of Notre Dame Finance Russ Giammanco Scholarship Boston College, Fordham University, Saint Louis University, LSU (H), Harvard University

Matthew Joseph Neagle

Rahul Sanjiv Mirpuri

National Merit Finalist University of Alabama (H) Finance Presidential Scholarship, Achievement Scholarship Stipend, Presidential National Housing Scholarship, Study Abroad Stipend, National Merit Scholarship LSU (H), Spring Hill College (H), Millsaps College

Boston College Business Administration University of Miami, Baylor University (H), Texas A&M University, Fordham University (H), University of San Francisco (H), LSU (H)

John William Mitton

Saint Louis University Computer Science (SLU) Vice Presidents’ Scholarship, (SLU) Jesuit High School Award Saint Joseph’s University, Marquette University, Fordham University, Loyola University New Orleans (H), LSU (H), Samford University (H), Northwestern State University of Louisiana (H), Spring Hill College (H), University of Mary Washington (H)

Kyle Stephen Moise

LSU (H) Computer Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award, Pegues Scholarship, Motiva Scholarship Fordham University

Matthew John Monju

National Merit Semifinalist LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Robert R. Beauchamp Montenegro

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Biology University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi

Michael Jude Murray

LSU TOPS Performance Award

Undeclared

Riccardo Salvatore Muzzetto

Loyola University New Orleans Graphic Design TOPS Performance Award, Loyola University New Orleans Scholar, Spring Hill College

Brandon Da’Jon Myers

Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award Spring Hill College Mass Communication Gautrelet Award, Citizenship Award, Historic Second Baptist Church Scholarship Xavier University of Louisiana

UNO Pre-Medical Technology TOPS Performance Award, UNO Silver Scholarship Award

Benjamin Michael Nettleton

Andrew Ngoc Nguyen

Tulane University TOPS Performance Award

Physics

Jeremy Trung-Hau Nguyen

Xavier University of Louisiana Biology TOPS Performance Award, Xavier University Scholarship Loyola University New Orleans

Grant Nelson Nichols

University of Southern Mississippi (H)

Accounting Academic Excellence Scholarship, Regional Scholarship LSU

Thomas Joseph Nimmo

Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist United States Military Academy

Engineering United States Military Appointment Georgia Institute of Technology (H), Saint Louis University (H), University of Alabama (H), LSU (H), Fordham University (H)

Hayden Gregory Pels

LSU Biological Sciences TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award

Andre Gordon Perez-Chaumont

LSU Biology TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Auburn University, University of Mississippi

Max Chandler Perret

National Merit Finalist University of Southern California Business Presidential Scholarship University of California (Los Angeles), University of Texas at Austin, University of California (San Diego), University of California (Berkeley)

Gavin Paul Pertuit

LSU Chemical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Peyton Taylor Pertuit

National Merit Finalist LSU (H) Petroleum Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award, LSU Distinguished Freshman Award Tulane University

Matthew Joseph Pettus

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Business TOPS Opportunity Award, Jordan Bonne Memorial Scholarship (USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling Scholarship) Baton Rouge Community College (LSU Tiger Bridge Program)

Collin Daniel Phillips

Florida State University Musical Theatre College of Music Scholarship, Tuition Reduction Scholarship University of Alabama, Wright State University, Montclair State University, LSU, Roosevelt University, Ithaca College, University of Oklahoma, Ball State University

Whitcomb Welch Porter

Loyola University New Orleans

Biochemistry Spring Hill College

University of Georgia Finance Classic Scholars Award Tulane University, University of Southern California, Sewanee: The University of the South, Boston College

Ross MacGregor Palmer

Andrew John Prejean

Christopher Vincent Padilla

National Merit Semifinalist LSU Social Sciences TOPS Opportunity Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award

Patrick Bernard Parent

LSU Biology TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Tulane University Psychology TOPS Honors Award, Academic Achievement Award, Curwen-Guidry-Blackburn Scholarship (Southern Bowling Congress) LSU

Hunter Vincent Protti

LSU Pre-Medicine TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award, West Bank Optimist Club Scholarship, Rotary Club of the Westbank Community Service Scholarship

OFF THEY GO! Leron Earl Prout

Louisiana Tech University

Computer Science

University of Virginia, University of Georgia (H), University of Miami (H), Southern Methodist University (H), LSU (H), Tulane University (H)

Luke Baumann St. Germain

Ashton Cabel Queyrouze

Alexander Joseph Scalco

David Bernard Stahl, Jr.

Louisiana State University General Business TOPS Honors Award

Preston Douglas Raffray

LSU Accounting TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award University of Alabama

Douglas Andrew Regan

University of Georgia Finance University of South Carolina, University of Arizona, LSU, University of Mississippi

Carson Joseph Rigol

LSU Civil Engineering TOPS Performance Award

Luke Michael Robbins

University of Mississippi

Integrated Marketing Communications University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Baton Rouge Community College (LSU Tiger Bridge Program)

Blake Louis RobĂŠrt

University of Louisiana at Lafayette (H)

Computer Science TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholarship, Distinguished Freshman Housing Scholarship, Meal Plan and Computer Usage Scholarship, Academic Job Scholarship

Willard Everett Robertson, Jr.

Tulane University Business TOPS Honors Award, Founders’ Scholars Award LSU (H), Loyola University New Orleans

Alex Michael Rooney

Spring Hill College Theology Spring Hill Scholars Award Tulane University (H), University of Dallas, Fordham University, Loyola University New Orleans

James Noble Schwabe

Southeastern Louisiana University Arts/ Animation

Brandon Jay Sequeira

Tulane University Finance TOPS Opportunity Award, Athletic Scholarship

Brian Eugene Sevin, Jr.

Baton Rouge Community College (LSU Tiger Bridge Program)

Petroleum Engineering

Stephen Daniel Sigle

LSU Pre-Physical Therapy TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Colby Allen Simoneaux

Marymount University Nutrition MU Freshman Scholarship, Catholic School Scholarship, Selected State Scholarship Becker College, Millsaps College, LSU, University of Mississippi

Brett Gerard Spansel

Collin Andrew Roy

Eduard Alex Spinu

LSU Construction Management TOPS Honors Award

Tulane University (H) Molecular Biology TOPS Honors Award, New Orleans Mayoral Scholarship LSU (H), Fordham University, Florida State University (H), University of Miami (H)

Patrick Stephen Russo

Herbert Spurlock III

National Merit Semifinalist LSU Finance TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award

Fordham University English & Spanish Ron Brown Scholarship, Joseph Adams National Spanish Honor Society Scholarship

Patrick Berchman Ryan

Reshubh Srinivas

Christian Phillip Ruppert V

Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist Vanderbilt University Biology Vanderbilt National Merit Scholarship

Undeclared

Jacob Thomas Stansberry

Rhodes College Undeclared Fordham University, Tulane University

Baron Alexander Steckler UNO

Psychology

Patrick Bertram Steen

Spring Hill College Business Presidential Scholarship, Service Scholarship Texas Christian University, LSU (H), Loyola University New Orleans (H)

Sean Edward Stephens

Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist University of Alabama (H) Engineering Presidential Scholarship, Achievement Scholarship Stipend, Presidential National Housing Scholarship, Study Abroad Stipend, Elks Lodge 30 Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship Rice University, Vanderbilt University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Saint Louis University (H), LSU (H)

John Dalton Stieffel

Loyola University New Orleans Music

Industry Studies LSU Petroleum Engineering Quinn Gabriel Stiller TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence LSU (H) Petroleum Engineering Scholars Award TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars University of Alabama Award, Elks National Foundation Most

LSU Petroleum Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Spring Hill College Engineering

LSU TOPS Opportunity Award University of Mississippi

Accounting

Spencer Matthew Smith

Tulane University Business TOPS Honors Award Loyola University New Orleans, LSU, Saint Louis University, Spring Hill College, Texas Christian University

LSU TOPS Performance Award

LSU TOPS Honors Award

Loyola University New Orleans Undeclared TOPS Opportunity Award, Loyola University New Orleans Recognition Award UNO

Valuable Student, Catholic Youth Leadership Award Tulane University

Tyler Andrew Story

National Merit Semifinalist LSU Computer Science TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Christopher Anthony Sylvain, Jr.

Morehouse College Chemistry Oprah Winfrey Academic Scholarship Xavier University of Louisiana, LSU, Tulane University, Baylor University, Fordham University

James Edward Szeszycki, Jr.

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award

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Puttin’ on the Ritz: Adam Boe shows his classmates the art of the dance during the Senior Showcase on the auditorium stage.

By the end of his riveting performance, Boe had classmates on their own dancing feet chanting, “Encore, encore!”

Blue Jay Athletes Moving On...

Congratulations to 13 seniors of the Class of 2014 who have committed to continue their athletic — and academic — careers at various collegiate levels.

Six Blue Jay baseball players are staying in New Orleans: C.J. Avrard, Christian Latino, James Licciardi, and Spencer Miller will play at Delgado Community College, Blake Baker will be at UNO, and Brandon Sequeira is heading to Tulane University.

C.J. Blagrove will play golf at Spring Hill College.

Evan Fitzpatrick and Colby Simoneaux will play lacrosse at, respectively, Rhodes College (Memphis) and Marymount University (Washington, D.C.).

Mitchell Bourgeois, Evan DeHoog, and Nicholas Tadros will play soccer at, respectively, Christian Brothers University (Memphis), LSU (Alexandria), and Roanoke College (Salem, Virginia).

Brett Dipuma will swim at Wheeling Jesuit University (Wheeling, West Virginia).

During Senior Week, there is one activity that requires more courage than “Teacher Impersonations” and demands a sense of balance and agility that puts “Shirt Signing” in the laundry. The physical activity, more fun than munching on jambalaya, is, of course, Slip ’n Slide. Here, Luke Hahn manages to stay on his feet.

OFF THEY GO! Seniors meet on Will Clark Field for a fairly new year-end tradition — autographing each other’s khaki shirts.

Nicholas Daniel Tadros

Roanoke College Presidential Scholarship University of South Carolina, LSU

Biology

Christopher Joseph Taliancich

LSU Environmental Engineering TOPS Performance Award

William Stevenson Tebbe

LSU Biomedical Engineering TOPS Performance Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette (H)

John Frederick Tufts

Tulane University Architecture Fordham University, LSU, Savannah College of Art and Design

Mark Allen Veals, Jr.

Xavier University of Louisiana Computer

Information Systems

Adam Theodore Waguespack

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Opportunity Award

Malik Michael Walker

LSU Biology TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Life University Business Administration Bowling Green State University, Arkansas State University, Lindenwood University, Loyola University New Orleans

William Elliott Thompson

Cullen Michael Walsh

Brayden James Thompson

National Merit Finalist LSU (H) Computer Science TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award

Nicola Cosimo Tomba

Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist LSU (H) Mechanical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Texas A&M University (H), University of Tennessee (H)

LSU Electrical Engineering TOPS Honors Award, LSU Academic Scholars Award University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Corey David Webb

Christopher Paul Totaro

UNO

LSU TOPS Opportunity Award

Nursing

James Burk Whitlow III

Daron Davone Wilford

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Computer Science

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Communications Southeastern Louisiana University, Nicholls State University

David Conner Treen III

Richard Antoine Williams, Jr.

LSU (H) Biology TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award

Garrett Wayne Wolff

National Merit Finalist Texas A&M University Biomedical Science President’s Endowed Scholarship, National Merit Recognition Award, Non-Resident Competitive Scholarship Tuition Waiver

Nicholas Paul Wolff LSU TOPS Honors Award Auburn University

Economics

Mark Wayne Woods, Jr.

Kevin Edward Yokum

Naval Architecture

LSU Pre-Veterinary TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award University of Mississippi, Auburn University

Andrew Joseph Tufts

LSU (H) Biological Sciences/ Pre-medicine TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Baylor University, Tulane University

Bailey Joseph Weber

Toussaint Harold Trahan

University of Mississippi Finance Baton Rouge Community College (LSU Tiger Bridge Program)

Evan Thomas Wolff

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Accounting TOPS Opportunity Award

Sean Russell Wheat

Richard Charles Trahant, Jr.

United States Military Academy

International Relations &

Defense and Strategic Studies United States Military Appointment LSU, United States Coast Guard Academy

LSU Mechanical Engineering TOPS Performance Award

LSU Environmental Engineering TOPS Performance Award Spring Hill College, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Morehouse College Biology Howard University (H), Tuskegee University, Loyola University New Orleans, Baton Rouge Community College (LSU Tiger Bridge Program)

Christopher Louis Wilson

National Merit Semifinalist; National Achievement Finalist Dartmouth College Biology Dartmouth General Scholarship Fordham University (H), Spring Hill College, Saint Louis University, Tulane University (H), LSU (H)

Valedictorian; National Merit Finalist University of Notre Dame (H) Electrical Engineering Stamps Notre Dame Scholarship, Catholic Youth Leadership Award, National Merit Finalist Scholarship, NHS Scholarship State Winner Duke University

Christopher Douglas Young UNO

Mechanical Engineering

Nicholas Michael Youngblood

LSU Agriculture TOPS Honors Award University of Mississippi, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Sang Hyun Yun

Xavier University of Louisiana Chemistry/ Pre-Pharmacy Spring Hill College, Loyola University New Orleans, University of Mississippi

Nathan Mayer Zimmer LSU TOPS Performance Award

Kinesiology

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Over the past 20 years, the final morning assembly at Jesuit High School has marked a special occasion for graduating seniors. Since 1994, the president of the student council has the responsibility and privilege of delivering the “State of the School” address to fellow Blue Jays.The speech typically assesses the unique imprint made by the seniors during their years at Carrollton and Banks. At this year’s final assembly on May 2, student council president Christopher Dupré recited a condensed litany of impressive accomplishments by the Class of 2014, while also challenging all Blue Jays to…

Lead Humbly as Men for Others

G

ood morning, Blue Jays. At our first assembly of the school year a little more than nine months ago, we gathered with excitement and anticipation in what lay ahead. The student council challenged each student to go beyond himself, beyond his comfort zone, and to buy into the lifestyle that is Men for Others.

Now this mantra is more than a nice catch phrase, often printed next to “The school that will change your life.” Men for Others is the bedrock of Jesuit. It is the cornerstone in all that we do here. It is the mark that Jesuit leaves on us once we all walk out the doors one last time. This motto is a call to arms; to constantly give of one’s self; to look at our brother standing next to us and be more concerned about his well being than our own. This year, the student body embodied a unique dedication to this call to arms. We were more unified, more zealous, and more motivated to lead the school to new heights. As a student body, this principle was clearly the driving force behind our Blue Jay Spirit.

Whether “Lebron Jamesing” at Tad Gormley Stadium, defending our homeland in the Carrollton Clash, or packing the house for Damn Yankees, we took pride in our school and lived out the Men for Others motto in every area. We had 41 seniors whose academic accomplishments garnered well-deserved recognition, including 35 National Merit Scholars and two Blue Jays with perfect ACTs. Athletically, we fought bravely on the fields of battle. We embodied the Winter Soldier this year more than ever, and defended our mother, our Alma

Mater, clinching three athletic and four academic state titles. Spiritually, we grew enormously in maturity and faith under the direction of Fr. Fitzgerald and the other religious and faculty who taught with compassion and inspired us to carry out the Men for Others mantra.

Men, this year has been one that has been more fulfilling than ever. But I lay a challenge before you now: Lead. Lead now. Lead and hold fast to the ideals that Jesuit has instilled. Hold fast to the first principle and foundation — that man was created to praise, reverence, and serve God and by this means save his soul.

All other things on the Earth are merely tools to enable him for this task. It is not simply the senior’s job to lead. It is not the executive board’s job to lead. It is our collective calling from Christ. Lead.

How do we lead? The same way we’ve done it all year. Leading is humbling yourself in order to let others shine.

Leading is standing for core principles in a time when morals are disregarded.

Leading is sacrificing for the greater good.

Leadership is not a title, men. It is a frame of mind. Leadership is a lifestyle. As Teddy Roosevelt once said:

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Now is the time for leaders to step forward in every grade level and organization on campus and take hold of this school, the opportunities that await in the coming years, and capitalize on them. Let the opportunities be catalysts for growth. Let them be memorable experiences. But more importantly, let them be times that you lived out the Men for Others mantra. Because four or five years pass quickly, and in an instant you will be leaving the place that you entered a boy and left a man.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president. Brothers, you have made my five years here some of the best of my life. I hope that your years here are as fulfilling and formative as they have been for me. May God bless all of us in our respective paths as we leave Jesuit, the school that has changed our lives.

— Christopher Dupré ’14 Student Council President

18 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Class of 2014

GRADUATION 2014

Commencement Luncheon

In His Inimitable Style, Gordy Rush ’86 Addresses Newest Alumni

B

lue Jay Spirit abounded at the 13th annual Commencement Luncheon held on May 2 in the Bienville Club Room of the MercedesBenz Superdome. A record-setting number of alumni, 255, joined the 260 graduating seniors to enjoy a midday gathering that included inspirational addresses, a delicious meal, and the passionate interaction of Blue Jays from classes ranging from 1939 to 2014.

Gordy Rush '86

Glenn Gillen ’85, who serves as president of Jesuit’s Alumni Association, formally welcomed the Class of 2014 into the Association.

So impressed with the setting and the

size of the audience, Gillen could not help but turn his back to the audience, hold up his cell phone, smile, and snap a “selfie” from his position behind the podium. Once his awe subsided, Gillen advised the seniors, “Stay connected, take pride in being a Jesuit grad, and make the Jesuit community proud of you through your success.”

This year’s alumnus speaker — Gordy Rush, who was a football standout at Jesuit and LSU — has done all three.

Rush, a 1986 alumnus and father of three, manages a group of radio stations in Baton Rouge and serves as a member of the LSU football announcing team.

From the perspective of 28 years since walking the halls of Jesuit, Rush told the almost-alumni of the life lesson of the school uniform. “Jesuit took students from all walks of life,” he said. “I was a middle class kid from

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Collin Phillips leads the singing of the Alma Mater after being introduced by student council president Christopher Dupré (far left).

Alex Anderson, Christopher Mire, Patrick Ryan, and Max Perret in the Bienville Club Room of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Adam Waguespack and his grandfather Dooty Patron ’51

the West Bank sitting next to a wealthy guy from New Orleans on one side and on the other side a kid busting his behind at recess to make ends meet to help pay for his scholarship. But all wore the same uniform. Everyone is equal. That’s life.”

Generational Jays: Senior Ryan Cambias with his father Ron Cambias, Jr. ’81 and grandfather Ron Cambias, Sr. ’53.

Rush also encouraged the seniors to embrace the spiritual lessons afforded at Jesuit.

“Coming from a private school, I had not discussed openly a spiritual relationship with God,” he said. “Jesuit gave me that opportunity. Here you talked with your peers and the Jesuits about that relationship and did not just memorize verses and history. That led to my personal relationship with God that has been so important to me throughout my life, especially in getting through adversity.”

View the photo gallery of the Class of 2014 Commencement Luncheon at jesuitnola.org/commencementluncheon.

Scott Delatte ’06, who teaches theology and is co-moderator of the student council, with seniors Brendan Besh and Adam Waguespack.

Senior Mark Alvarez with his father Rene Alvarez ’83 and grandfather A.J. Capritto ’48.

Senior Vincent Bonadona with his uncle, Richard Kuntz ’83, and grandfather Dick Kuntz ’46

20 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

WHERE Y’AT 1950s

Eugene “Elk” Kirsch ’56 is a management consultant and works full time as does his wife Dianne. The couple make their home in Humble, TX and keep busy with their five children and 13 grandchildren.

Rudy Ehrensing ’57 was the recipient of The Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Ochsner Health System.

As president of the Medical Staff of Ochsner Foundation Hospital, Rudy has held many administrative roles over the years, but never stopped practicing psychiatry. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognized Rudy’s outstanding accomplishments at Ochsner as a clinician, educator, research scientist, and medical administrator.

T. Noel Osborn ’58 has forged a career that combines two loves: economics and the Spanish language. In a recent Economics Department’s newsletter of the University of Colorado, Noel explains how his decision to join several other economics graduate students in a Fulbrightsupported exchange program many years ago changed the direction of his life.

The program brought the students to the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico, where an interest and a hobby blossomed into a career. Eventually Noel became director of the U.S.

International University Campus in Mexico City and formed Tecnología Administrativa Moderna (now TEAM International).

He continues to lead TEAM International, which is credited with interventions in some 600 companies with over 10,000 participants, nearly 75% of whom are from Spanish-speaking organizations in Latin America. While Noel’s principal residence is in San Antonio, an important operating office remains in Mexico City, where he travels regularly. Noel holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Mexico.

Jack Saux ’59 has published his third novel, The Lamp, as an e-book with the action, of course, taking place in New Orleans.

1960s

Billy Fitzgerald ’65 has retired from the Newman School in New Orleans. Billy and his wife Peggy are moving to Greensboro, NC to be closer to their children and eight grandchildren. What started as a part-time offseason job coaching Newman’s 8th grade baseball team turned into a teaching, coaching, and administrating career spanning 41 years at the uptown school. Through the years Billy served as the Greenies’ head basketball coach (five state titles), head baseball coach (two state titles), and athletic director. Billy was

a standout basketball and baseball player at Jesuit and Tulane University. He was the prep state MVP in basketball in 1965 and was inducted into Tulane’s Sports Hall of Fame.

At a March event honoring Billy, his former players agreed on their favorite Fitzgerald quote: “Don’t be good. Be great.”

Jack Laborde ’67 reigned as Rex on Fat Tuesday, March 4.

For the past 10 years he has served as the organization’s parade chairman. Jack sports a long list of community involvement endeavors and has long been a major player in the local oil and gas industry. He currently is chairman of the board of Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc., which builds offshore oil and gas production platforms in Houma. Jack serves on the board of the LSU Health Sciences Center Foundation

and the Board of Advisors of the Tulane University Science & Engineering School. When not attending to business, His Majesty can usually be found on the golf course.

Jack and his wife Peggy have two children and three grandchildren. Their son Eric is a Blue Jay, Class of 1996.

1970s

Scott Mathews ’70 completed a year-long international public health fellowship, part of which was spent in South Africa working on public health challenges such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Scott is a public health advisor with Atlanta’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Scott and his wife Dey were based in Pretoria and traveled extensively during the fellowship. He joined the CDC in 2010 after a 28-year career with BellSouth. The couple reside in Atlanta and have two sons.

Jay Brooks ’72 was named 2013 Physician Leader of the Year for the Ochsner Health System. He and his wife Vicki have lived in Baton Rouge for the past 25 years and have three children: Megan, B.J., and Josh.

John Laiche ’74 is a senior system architect assigned to the U.S. Navy Joint Information Environment initiative in San Diego, where he recently purchased a new home.

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Dennis Muller ’74 is president of Eyedox, an eye and vision service provider in Chalmette.

to reuniting with my fellow Blue Jays in the future,” writes Jeff. “Best wishes from the Hawaiian Islands.”

Edwin Condoll ’78 is catering supervisor at Offshore Staffing Services of Acadiana.

Claude Kelly ’79 was appointed to the top post of federal public defender for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which encompasses 13 parishes, including Orleans and Jefferson. Claude has practiced in state and federal court for more than 20 years, both in private practice and the public sector. Reflecting on his appointment, Claude said, “I think in all of law, there’s nothing more honorable than criminal public defense work.”

Brett Giroir ’78 is a physician who was recently named executive vice president and CEO of the Texas A&M University Health Science Center whose 2,700 faculty members and staff educate 2,400 students annually, while serving patients and their families from Dallas to McAllen, and internationally in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Brett and his wife, Jill, have spent almost six years in AggieLand.

Jeff Hartlage ’79 is still flying around the Pacific islands, work, which prevented him from attending his 35th year class reunion. “I look forward

1980s

Greg Bensel ’80 (read the item about Brian Foret ’01) Tim Parenton ’80 is manager of the Hudson Valley

Renegades, the Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays in Fishkill, NY. Tim was Jesuit’s head baseball coach from 2007 to 2010.

Kevin Cruice ’81 and his family have called Great Britain “home” since January, thanks to a work assignment for MWH Global, Inc., where he is a project manager. MWH provides planning, design and construction management services for a wide range of water resources projects around the world. Kevin writes: “My assignment is for at least two years, and we expect to have a series of great adventures before we head back.”

Jorge Bravo ’82 is an assistant professor of classics at the University of Maryland.

Kevin Armantrout ’84 is president of the Indianapolisbased Hoosier Hospitality

SAVE THE DATE LEF FALL PHONE & EMAIL CAMPAIGN OCTOBER 14-16 Group, which owns and operates franchise locations with Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Another Broken Egg Cafe.

Thomas Fonseca ’84 was selected by the East Jefferson General Hospital Auxiliary as a 2014 Great Lady/ Great Gentleman honoree for his involvement in several civic, community, and charitable organizations. As vicepresident of corporate relations at Greater New Orleans, Inc., Tommy was one of eight honorees recognized for his work with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation,

Kevin Trower ’52 Honored for Decades of Service Kevin Trower ’52, the legendary New Orleans prep coach, was celebrated and honored at a dinner in Jesuit’s Student Commons this past January for his many years of devoted service to the students and athletes at Jesuit as well as several other local schools.

More than 250 of Trower’s former players and students, colleagues, family, and friends were on hand to hear testimonials delivered by representatives from Holy Cross, St. John Prep, De La Salle, Chapelle, Ecole Classique, Archbishop Rummel, and of course, Jesuit — all schools at which Trower coached or taught. The event was organized by former Blue Jay baseball player Howard Maestri ’64, who played for Trower all those years ago.

Former Jesuit basketball and baseball standout Billy Fitzgerald ’65 described Trower as a phenomenal coach, a one of a kind. “Kevin taught fundamentals, technique, strategy and preparation,” said Fitzgerald, who recently retired as athletic director at Isidore Newman School. “He knew what the other team was going to do. We were always prepared.”

Each guest was given a copy of Teacher, Coach and Mentor, a

collection of Trower’s coaching strategies, recollections from former players and students, and a plethora of photographs.

Coach Trower also left with something special — a Howard Maestri ’64 and Kevin Trower ’52 surprise gift of round trip tickets for he and his wife Dixie to Cooperstown, N.Y., the home of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, which he has never visited.

Trower will finally have the opportunity to see the photo of his Jesuit-based 1960 American Legion World Championship team and the award given to the World Series MVP, Dick Roniger ’60, who attended the tribute.

“I am truly blessed to have been a teacher,” said Trower. “And I coached because I loved it.”

WHERE Y’AT SAVE THE DATE HOMECOMING VS. EAST JEFFERSON OCTOBER 3 at 7 PM HOMECOMING ALUMNI MASS & RECEPTION OCTOBER 4 at 5 PM the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of New Orleans, Preservation Resource Center, Sean Peyton’s Play it Forward Foundation (sponsorship chairman), Young Entrepreneurs Succeeding, Banker’s Care Board, and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Bret Hanemann ’85 was presented the Distinguished Faculty Award at Tulane University School of Continuing Studies where he has taught “Persuasive Public Speaking” for many years.

In recognizing Bret, who is director of admissions at Jesuit High School, associate dean Terry Fitzmorris ’68 cited his exemplary teaching.

“Among Bret’s finest qualities is his ability to calm students’ anxiety about speaking in public,” said Fitzmorris. “He has a knack for constructive criticism and for organizing students’ thoughts. It is a rare gift.”

Vidal Martinez ’86 is chief warrant officer currently serving onboard the USS Roosevelt. He and his wife Jenifer live in Jacksonville, FL with their daughter Olivia.

Vidal has served in the U.S Navy for 21 years and will

be reporting to the USS Gettysburg in September.

deal negotiations, investments, mergers, and acquisitions.

Charles Ballay ’88 relocated back to the New Orleans area and is on the staff of West Jefferson Medical Center where he practices otolaryngology/ head and neck surgery.

Brian Villavaso ’94 was recently promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He currently works on Capitol Hill as a legislative liaison, representing the director of the national reconnaissance office to Congress. Brian has served more than 15 years on active duty in the Air Force. He and his wife Michelle, and their children, Morgan and Luke, live in Fairfax Station, VA.

1990s

Maurice A. Brungardt ’90 is assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, Zambia where he and his family are also living.

John Finnan ’91 has fulfilled a dream by recently opening his own pharmacy and drug store — Finnan’s Family Pharmacy — on Gausse Boulevard in the heart of Slidell.

Scott Bellina ’93, over the past 17 years, has compiled an extensive portfolio of awardwinning creative design. As owner and creative director of Bellina Creative Design in New York City, Scott has brought his passion for visual design to a host of projects for clients while working collaboratively with boutique design firms, corporations, ad agencies, magazine publications, and in-house creative teams. Additionally, Scott is an ASCAP-published songwriter and performer and volunteers as an assistant life coach with Landmark Education.

Arthur O’Keefe ’93 is the CFO of Movile, a private company which describes itself as “Latin America’s biggest mobile content platform.”

Movile has 300 employees and nine offices, including its headquarters in Brazil, where Art oversees corporate finance,

Mike Yenni ’94 was recognized as the 2013 Chairman’s Champion by the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission.

Mike was recently re-elected to a second term as mayor of Kenner. He has made business development a priority for the city, especially the revitalization of Rivertown and drawing businesses to the Coconut Beach volleyball complex in Laketown.

Stephen Hanemann ’95 donned his chef ’s hat to lead the Kean Miller law firm in the New Orleans Bar and Grill charity-cooking competition, which attracted 18 teams. The attorney and gourmet chef cooked up a trio of appealing dishes that were judged to be top notch. Stephen’s “Best Dessert” was a traditional sweet beignet with café au

lait ice cream, powdered sugar, and cocoa drizzle. His “Best Local Favorite” was oyster Rockefeller beignets — fresh Louisiana Gulf oysters infused with his own secret seasoning and topped with Rockefeller sauce, crottin poivre cheese, sea salt, and hot sauce. Stephen also captured “Best Overall” for the highest combined score of food entries along with showcasing the best booth.

Joseph Authement ’97 is vice president of Intuitive Surgical, a global technology leader in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Intuitive designs and builds the da Vinci® Surgical System, which enables surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a few small incisions.

Maury LeBlanc ’97 teaches at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, GA. Maury earned his Ph.D. in mathematics in May 2013 from the University of Georgia. “My wife Sara and I, along with our four cats, recently moved from Athens to Marietta and are excited about our new home,” said Maury, “Although we will always remain New Orleanians at heart.”

Warren Surcouf III ’97 recently started his own consulting business, WMS, Inc., and is also a project manager for Fat City Friends, a group which supports the revitalization of Metairie’s entertainment district.

Matthew Taylor ’97 is an insurance fraud analyst in the special investigations unit of GEICO where he has worked 13 years. He and his wife Alyssa have a 7-year-old son

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Mason and the family resides in Dallas.

Francisco Ochoa ’98 is clinic director/ partner at Physiofit Physical Therapy and Wellness located on West Harrison Avenue in Lakeview.

Bryan Bertucci ’99 completed his eighth year as choral director at St. Amant High School in Gonzales. He recently earned his master’s degree in education from Southeastern Louisiana University.

Jonathan Hemelt ’99 serves as assistant pastor at St. Pius X Church and Parish on the Lakefront. In February, he experienced an unforgettable vacation to Rome and Assisi.

He celebrated Mass in three major basilicas, visited the Sistine Chapel, and prayed at the tombs of St. Francis and St. Clare in Assisi. The most treasured moment was his encounter with Pope Francis

(pictured above). “Before the Wednesday audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis stopped the ‘pope-mobile’ very close to us to enjoy a taste of his favorite drink, mate — an Argentinian tea — which had been offered to him by some of his fellow countrymen,” reports Jonathan. “After he greeted some of the people near me, I was able to reach just far enough to get his attention and briefly shake his hand. It was a moment of great excitement, not only because he is the Pope, but

also, because he is a man of obvious love, humility, and holiness.”

Jeffrey Hufft ’99 is an assistant district attorney in Orleans Parish. “The fact that I possess the ability to give back to our city and bring closure to victims that live among us makes me love my job,” writes Jeff. “I hope to encourage others to explore the possibility of becoming career prosecutors.”

2000s

Blake Babcock ’00 and his wife Jessica are both fourth year surgical residents at Drexel University in Philadelphia. They have been married for four years and recently welcomed their first child (read the Bib List).

Keith LeBlanc, Jr. ’00 is a dermatologist who last September opened The Skin Surgery Centre on Metairie Road. Keith specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction. He and his wife Ashley are expecting their third child in December to join Ian (age 4) and Grace (age 2).

Brian Foret ’01 and Greg Bensel ’80 finished as runners-up in the 2014 Zurich Classic Golf Tournament’s Pro-Am event at the TPC on

the West Bank.

Arturo Santos ’01 is executive director at GUTI, the Premier Beauty & Wellness Academy in Sarasota, FL. He recently published his first book, All Out for Love, which is based on true events in his own life.

Santos

Harry Cradic ’02 is a law clerk at the Baton Rouge law firm of Robert H. Schmolke.

Scuddy Fontenelle ’02 earned his Ph.D. in school psychology from Oklahoma State University. He recently completed a predoctoral internship at the Monroe-Meyer Institute, Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Scuddy accepted a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical psychology at the May Institute, National Autism Center in Boston, MA. Scuddy recently served as a groomsman/ usher in the weddings of fellow Blue Jays Michael Mule ’02, Millard Mule ’02, and Justin Ritter ’02.

Kevin Kavanaugh ’02 is an accountant and office manager at Decro Development, LLC.

Foret (left) and Bensel

disease). Blair became Gleason’s caretaker in 2012 and is also the general manager of Gleason’s foundation, Team Gleason.

Blair Casey ’03 is the full-time caretaker for Steve Gleason, the former New Orleans Saint who has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s

Blair Casey is pictured with Steve Gleason and his wife, Michel Varisco Gleason, and the couple’s son Rivers.

Tucker Couvillon ’04 is a project manager at Surface Systems, a commercial construction company. He married Christine Marie Goletz in November 2013 and the couple reside in the French Quarter.

Jeremy Chenier ’05 is a chemical account manager for Baker Hughes where for the past two years he has worked offshore to solve fluid separation problems on Chevron’s oil and gas production platforms.

Michael Mims ’05 married Michelle Mullin in February at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Michael and Michelle live in New Orleans, where he practices law at the Poydras Street firm of Bradley Murchison Kelly & Shea LLC. Leland Smith ’05 designs video games in the New Orleans studio of Gamelofts, which he joined two years ago.

Gamelofts is an international

WHERE Y’AT company and the secondranked game publisher in the world in terms of game downloads on smartphones and tablets in 2013.

Joseph Testa ’05 is pursuing his master’s degree in mechanical engineering after being selected for the Engineering Duty Officer program. He is currently aboard the USS Truxtun for a nine month deployment.

Neal Ajubita ’06 played in his first PGA event — the 2014 Zurich Classic held at the TPC in Avondale. He qualified for the event by winning a Gulf State Section championship last fall. At Jesuit, Neal was a member of the golf team, but did not play at Clemson University, where he graduated.

Patrick Cragin ’06 appeared in a February 2014 episode of the television crime drama Law and Order. Patrick, who has a bachelor of music degree in music theater from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., lives in New York City. “I'm just continuing to pursue the acting career in big ways,” he writes, “and figuring out how to fit into this crazy world.”

Eric Cusimano ’06 won the “Stella” part of the “Stanley & Stella Shouting Contest,” an event that traditionally closes the annual Tennessee Williams Festival in the French Quarter. Eric bested 24 other contestants this year in replicating not just the sound but also the passion and emotion of Stanley Kowalski’s iconic scream to Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire. Eric resides in Austin.

David Helman ’07 lives in the Dallas area where he is a full-time writer for the Dallas Cowboys’ website. Prior to joining the Cowboys, David covered LSU athletics for espn. com. He graduated from LSU in communications with an emphasis on print journalism.

Jansen Petagna ’07 married Georgia Dodge on May 24.

Jansen and Georgia reside in New York City.

Matt Artigues ’08 is a lighting technician with Koozå, one of Cirque du Soleil’s Touring Big Top shows which is currently in Europe. He began his career with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas in March 2013. As the LED costume technician on the Michael Jackson ONE show at Mandalay Bay, Matt ran the show track and was charged with handling and maintaining some 40 costume

items containing sophisticated electronics. He graduated magna cum laude from Elon University in theatrical design and production with a focus in lighting design and stage electrics.

Thomas Drewes ’08 is an engineer at Bartlett Engineering of Metairie.

2010s

Edward Wu ’10 was one of 12 finalists for “Audi’s Future of Mobility Practicum” and participated in a six-week workshop this summer in Germany. At Audi’s headquarters, the students explored innovative concepts of how cars will be used in the more densely packed and chaotic urban cities expected to arise a generation from now.

The goal of the program is to investigate future automotive opportunities in topics as wide ranging as sensors, electric vehicles, safety engineering, and urban planning. Edward is a student at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Brian Credo ’11 was featured in the February newsletter of Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters, where he carries a 4.0 GPA as a junior majoring in classics. According to Greek teacher Dr. Isabelle Torrance, Brian “is a student of astonishing ability. In my 14 years of teaching Greek language and literature in three different countries, Mr. Credo easily falls within the top 1% of students I have taught.”

Brian, a member of the Glynn Family Honors Program, hopes eventually to earn a Ph.D. in classics and become an educator of the classics. In the article Brian explains why

he returns to New Orleans each summer to work at Jesuit’s Operation Upgrade.

“Since I have been given such a good education throughout my life, I want to use my gifts and talents to give to those who haven’t been afforded such great opportunities.

Operation Upgrade is really just a starting point for what I want to spend my life doing as an educator — passing on to others the knowledge that I have gained and inspiring them to succeed themselves.”

Jonathan Prindle ’11 was recently elected as the Interfraternal Council’s vice-president of recruitment at LSU and is in charge of rush for all the fraternities.

Jonathan is entering his senior year this August and majors in political science. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, Gamma Iota chapter.

Clay Tufts ’11 was elected president of the Student Government Association at LSU. A political science major, Clay is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

SAVE THE DATE THE GREAT AMERICAN RIVALRY GAME OCTOBER 10 TAD GORMLEY STADIUM

TAILGATING PARTY starts at 5 PM JESUIT VS. HOLY CROSS kickoff at 7:15 PM

BIB LIST Patsy & Ralph Pausina ’55 on the birth of their great-grandson, Grey Rado Panzini, February 1, 2014. Grey is the grandson of Ralph Pausina ’77. He is the great-nephew of Greg Eckholdt ’79 and Randy Pausina ’84.

Lori & Charles Nehlig ’70 on the birth of their first grandchild, Noah Michael Walker, October 10, 2013. Noah is the nephew of Mark Nehlig ’07.

Jaime & Jude Trahant ’80 on the birth of their son, Daniel Arthur Trahant, February 24, 2014. Daniel is the brother of Christopher Trahant ’09.

He is the great-grandson of the late Amedee Richard, Jr. ’35. Daniel is also the nephew of Kevin Trahant ’73 and Richard Trahant ’85, and the greatnephew of Michael Geerken ’67 and Steve LeBlanc ’67.

Heather & Lawrence Matthews, Jr. ’90 on the birth of their son, Lawrence Matthews III, January 18, 2014.

Charlotte & John Alden Meade ’94 on the birth of their twin daughters, Allison and Rogan Meade, February 24, 2014. Allison and Rogan are the step-grandaughters of Louis Koerner, Jr. ’58 and the step-great granddaughters of the late Louis Koerner, Sr. ’34. They are the nieces of Louis Koerner III ’83, Charles Meade ’91, and Daniel Meade ’96.

Michelle & Michael Yenni ’94 on the birth of their daughter, Reagan Swanner Yenni, August 12, 2013.

Stephanie & Scott Hogan ’95 on the birth of their son, Connor Hogan, January 31, 2013.

Jessica & Bryan Hansen ’96 on the birth of their first child, Ellie Catherine Hansen, April 17, 2014.

Jennifer & Cooper Jumonville ’97 on the birth of their first child, Josephine Jumonville, April 1, 2013. Josephine is the niece of Robert Jumonville ’94.

Ashleigh & Nick Mauer ’97 on the birth of their son, Ashton Mauer, June 24, 2013.

Melanie & Christopher Spring ’97 on the birth of their son, Knox Joseph Spring, December 31, 2013. Knox is the grandson of the late R. Armand Spring ’57. He is the great-nephew of Stephen Gauthreaux ’51 and Michael Graham ’77.

Cherie & Chad Stouder ’97 on the birth of their son, Connor Stouder, March 21, 2014. Connor is the nephew of William Stouder, Jr. ’88.

Jennifer & Greg Mouras ’98 on the birth of their son, Michael Raymond Mouras, May 9, 2014. Michael is the grandson of Thomas Mouras ’64. He is the nephew of Matthew Mouras ’01.

Katie & Pete DeSalvo, Jr. ’99 on the birth of their daughter, Etta Cecile DeSalvo, February 14, 2013.

Etta is the granddaughter of Peter DeSalvo, Sr. ’64.

Gia & Joey Fenasci ’99 on the birth of their son, Joseph Philip Fenasci, December 10, 2013.

Kreslyn & Kevin Hanlon ’99 on the birth of their son, Thomas Hanlon, December 17, 2013.

Jessica & Blake Babcock ’00 on the birth of their daughter, Mackenzie Babcock, March 17, 2013. Mackenzie is the niece of Rob Konrad ’87, Shawn Konrad ’92, and Ian Konrad ’12.

Maria & Johnny Franck ’00 on the birth of their son, Maurice Charles Franck, February 5, 2014. He is the grandson of Johnny Franck, Jr. ’65.

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Valerie & David Gernhauser, Jr. ’00 on the birth of their daughter, Veronica Gernhauser, January 1, 2014.

Laurie & Tim Moran ’00 on the birth of their son, Timothy Moran, February 13, 2014. Timothy is the nephew of Michael Moran III ’98.

Amanda & Kevin Dietz ’01 on the birth of their first child, Charles Nicholas Dietz, March 23, 2014.

Charles is the grandson of Tommy Dietz IV ’66 and the nephew of Michael Dietz ’97.

Anne & Austin Swift ’01 on the birth of their daughter, Kate Swift, June 5, 2013. Kate is the niece of James Swift ’08.

Dana & Tim Guidry ’02 on the birth of their son, Beau Paul Guidry, April 14, 2014.

Shannon & Michael Denton ’04 on the birth of their son, Peter Denton, April 3, 2014. He is the grandson of the late Roger Denton ’64.

Lauren & Timothy Brinks ’05 on the birth of their son, George Brinks, September 5, 2013. George is the nephew of Adam Avin ’01 and Ben Avin ’04.

Elizabeth & Kyle Sanderson ’05 on the birth of their son, Graham Sanderson, February 18, 2014.

Graham is the nephew of Joseph Rodrigue, Jr. ’72, Keith Rodrigue ’79, and Josh Sanderson ’03.

Info for the Bib List may be sent to Krista Roeling via the website: jesuitnola.org/bib-list, or email: roeling@jesuitnola.org. Parents will receive a pink or blue Jayson bib for their new arrival(s).

IN MEMORIAM The list of deceased members of the Jesuit High School Community represents information received from January 1 – May 31, 2014.

For current announcements, check the “In Memoriam” page on Jesuit’s web site. The symbol † indicates the individual is deceased.

The symbol * indicates the individual is either a current or a former member of the faculty or staff of Jesuit High School.

ALUMNI… (By Class Year) George J. Digby, Sr. ’36 Lloyd W. Seither ’36 Alvin C. Bertucci ’39 Earl B. Philips ’39 Harold M. Clement ’41 Daniel L. Levy, Jr. ’41 George Peter III ’41 Gerard H. Hilbert ’42 Rene P. Meric, Jr. ’42 Joseph T. Ruli ’42 Edward H. Arnold, Jr. ’43 Joseph M. Rault, Jr. ’43 Walter E. Hobson ’44 Joseph S. Cangelosi ’45 George J. Montgomery III ’45 Otto A. Rees ’45 Nicholas R. Krieger ’46 Stanley McDermott, Jr. ’46 Gerald A. Hynes ’47 Jacob C. Fritz ’48 William A. Glennon, Jr. ’48 Richard E. Ruckstuhl ’48 Peter J. Talluto ’48 Ernest M. Conzelmann, Jr. ’49 Cyril J. Millet ’50 John M. Schrewe ’51 Lloyd H. Smith, Jr. ’51 John P. Reilly ’52 Bertrand W. Gowland ’53 Bernard L. Ruckstuhl ’53 Albert J. Luke, Jr. ’54 Richard J. Stoltz ’54 Jules N. Corwin ’55 Charles L. Gambel, Jr. ’55 Joseph L. Dover ’56 * (See Teacher Testimonial, page 54) Thomas B. Murtagh ’56 Robert L. Nosacka ’58 Ray G. Mock, Jr. ’59 John R. Ruckstuhl ’59 Lloyd E. Cripple ’60 Michael R. Cuccia ’60 Edward J. Welsch ’60 William J. Quinlan ’61 Harold J. Stephens, Jr. ’65 William L. Jerome III ’70 Christopher L. St. Romain ’73 Richard L. Waldron ’75 Nicholas J. Cimo ’04 WIFE OF … (By Last Name) Robert J. Armbruster ’52 Joseph J. Bindewald, Jr. ’58† William S. Brandner, Sr. ’37 William B. Canal, Jr. ’48† Blaise S. D’Antoni, Jr. ’40† Albert M. Daniel, Jr. ’50† Hugues de la Vergne II ’48 Joseph M. Drewes ’35† John W. Fanz, Jr. ’40† Roland L. Folse, Sr. ’33†

Thomas A. Fromherz ’41† John E. Garcia ’32† John M. Gehl III ’51† Larry W. Gilbert, Jr. ’32† Thomas A. Greve ’43 Albert M. Henricks ’37† Peter L. Hilbert ’44† Will T. Jourdan ’52 T. Hartley Kingsmill ’38† Robert J. Loup ’49† William J. McCue ’29† Frederick A. Pou ’38† John A. Prejean, Sr. ’38† Louis L. Robein, Sr. ’38† F. Winter Trapolin ’31† Frederick Weaver ’41† William C. Welp ’49 Julius A. Werling ’53† George E. White, Sr. ’43† H.L. Dufour Woolfley ’49 FATHER OF …

Christopher P. ’83, Mark V. ’84, & Gregory P. Bazin ’86 Harold E. ’83 & Kelly P. Burns ’90 (stepfather) Jack E. Chaney ’18 Glenn P. Collins ’81 E. Rusty Conzelmann ’73 Craig W. Corwin ’80 Clyde A. Daigrepont, Jr. ’87 Henry J. Daries ’64 Marcus L. DiLeo, Jr. ’10 Jack M. ’71 & V. William Farrington ’71 Gary J. ’82, Patrick M. ’83, & Steven S. Gambel ’88 Wayde A. Keiser ’78 Francis E., Jr. ’72 & Louis V. Lauricella ’73 D. Casey ’66, Michael L. ’70, & Timothy W. Levy ’78 Albert J. III ’80, Thomas J. ’82, & Robert J. Luke ’89 Gus A. Manthey, Jr. ’65 Stanley T. III ’71 & Kevin N. McDermott ’73 R. Pierre III ’79 & Philip J. Meric ’80 T. Garic Moran ’80 Gregory M. ’83, Brian C. ’84, & Granville A. Morse III ’89 L. Terrell Nesbitt ’89 Scott M. Phillips ’91 Leo M. Prange III ’85 William J., Jr. ’86 & Ryan J. Quinlan ’91 Timothy C. Reilly ’77 Joseph F. Rizzo III ’71 (stepfather) Joseph P. Ruli ’94 Russell K. ’03 & Michael P. Schafer ’05 Daniel W. Scullin ’07

Gavin L. Sheng ’18 Gary M. Silva, Jr. ’01 Hal J. Simeon ’66 Stephen G. Sklamba ’66 Clinton J. Smith ’01 Michael E. Soileau, Jr. ’89 (stepfather) Robert S. Speyrer ’07 Albert L. Stewart III ’87 Frank P. Talluto ’78 Mark C. Theriot ’82 Stephen D. ’67 & Wayne E. Villavaso ’69 Ryan L. Waldron ’01 MOTHER OF …

Ralph R. Alexis III ’67 Justin D. Arena ’18 Paul C. Armbruster ’82 Robert M. ’84 & Raymond Be ’87 William S., Jr. ’61, Patrick J. ’64, & Scot M. Brandner ’82† Robert T. Canal ’85 Westley S. ’96 & Joseph M. Cardwell ’00 Michael L. Cognevich ’68 Glenn P. Collins ’81 Michael J. Connolle ’92 John M. ’66, Edward J. ’70, & Blaise S. D’Antoni III ’75 Howard A. Davenport ’65 Thomas J. DiFulco ’67 Kevin S. ’75 & Mark R. Drewes ’78 Irvington J. Eppling ’58† Darryl C. Fletchinger ’68 Roland L., Jr. ’65, Arthur F. II ’70, & Gregory P. Folse ’71 Robert J. Funck ’75 Scott P. Gardiner ’85 Lloyd A. Gravois, Jr. ’78 Marvin G. Heebe ’61† John C., Jr. ’57 & James A. Heurtin ’60 Peter L., Jr. ’70 & Kevin D. Hilbert ’73 A. Baldwin ’66 & Bayne C. Keenan ’67 Louis R. LaBruyere III ’63 William J. McCue, Jr. ’65† B. Richard McGovern ’71 Patrick D. Nance ’09 Paul C. Newfield III ’60 Dennis P. Papadopoulos ’76 Marc D. ’93 & Dean A. Parenti ’99 F. Walker Pitts ’65 Frederick A., Jr. ’62† & Michael P. Pou ’79 John A. Prejean, Jr. ’64† Gregory L. Ray ’66† (stepmother) Louis L. Robein, Jr. ’69 William H. IV ’68 & J. Kevin Russ ’72

Edward K. Santos ’81 James J. Schexnayder ’66 C. Gregory Shaw ’73 Mark A. Tessier ’65† Gregory D. Tilton ’70 Timothy J. Trapolin ’63 Edward J. Welsch ’60 George E. White, Jr. ’66 BROTHER OF …

Emile A., Jr. ’37† & Gerald L. Bertucci ’44† Joseph D. Broussard, Jr. ’58† Richard M. Casse ’73 Christopher C. Cimo ’07 Harry F. Connick ’47 Deforest J. Corwin, Jr. ’52 Joseph F., Jr. ’73 & Timothy P. Craven ’78 John A. Crawford ’62 Michael C. Doussan ’98 James A. Duffy ’55† William C. ’59† & Raymond H. Gambel ’63 Patrick J. Glennon ’54† David J. Guglielmo ’60† Milton F., Jr. ’38, Rev. Duval, S.J. ’40†, & Peter L. Hilbert ’44† Paul J. Nosacka, Jr. ’55 F. Walker Pitts ’65 C. Gregg ’59† & M. Michael Quinlan ’69 Harry P. Reilly ’55 Ralph J. Romig ’35† Richard E. ’48†, Theodore J. ’50, Bernard L. Ruckstuhl ’53† & John R. Ruckstuhl ’59† Jack P. Ruli ’44† F. Evans, Jr. ’15 & Michael H. Schmidt ’19 Jeffrey S. ’72, J. Bradford ’76, & J. Lyle St. Romain ’79 Frank B. Stewart, Jr. ’53 Hugh C. Villavaso ’44† Robert P. Waldron ’72 SISTER OF …

Albert L. Bossier, Jr. ’50 Kyle S. Brue ’84 Francis D. Charbonnet ’38† Max J. Derbes, Jr. ’39† Irl J., Jr. ’37†, John R. ’42†, & Robert E. DeSilva ’57 Homer J. Dupuy, Jr. ’31† Thomas J., Jr. ’37† & Lawrence J. Flanagan ’44 Joseph I. Giarrusso III ’94 Kelly A. Griggs ’79 Edward N. Haas ’53 Elliotte M. Harold, Jr. ’56 Eric H. ’81 & Ross J. Heidingsfelder ’82

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Juan B. Ibieta III ’88 Philip P., Jr. ’25†, Rene E. ’29†, & Gerard F. LaBruyere ’36† Norbert E. Landry ’49 Rev. Marian L. Larmann, OSB ’39† Robert J. Liles, Jr. ’51 Daniel G. ’80 & David G. Lion ’82 John E. Maderson ’44 Michael M. ’52 & James F. McCune ’54 Steven O., Jr. ’63 & David J. Medo ’80 Gabriel J., Jr. ’33†, Warren E. ’39†, & George E. Mouledoux ’46 Raymond P. Richards ’52† Ronald J. Rittiner ’51 Joseph T. ’42 & Jack P. Ruli ’44† Robert W., Jr. ’36†, Thomas J. ’37†, & Howard J. Taylor ’40† James E. Webre III ’61† SON OF …

Robert H. Casse, Jr. ’47† Joseph F. Craven ’37† Aristide C. Gaulon (1918)† Francis B. Grosz ’31† Robert A. Long ’48† Warren J. Merrihew ’41† Ray G. Mock ’28 George J. Montgomery, Jr. (1919)† Paul J. Nosacka ’28† William L. Phillips ’68 Joseph M. Rault (1911)† F. Evans Schmidt ’84 Lawrence D. Wiedemann ’49 DAUGHTER OF …

Peter E. Brue ’53 Gregory D. Espenan ’78 Sidney L. Griggs, Jr. ’34† Harold H. Heidingsfelder, Jr. ’56 Donald V. Higgins ’32† Raymond A. Richards (1919)† GRANDFATHER OF …

Edward H. IV ’11 & Cooper J. Arnold ’18 James M. Baker ’99 Blake A. Baudier ’02 Matthew R. Bennett ’14 Kyle R. Berner ’99 Brendan J. Besh ’14 Peter L. Cannizzaro IV ’94 Seth S. ’13 & Caleb D. Chauhan ’16 Sean W. ’07 & Ian M. Christie ’09 George A. Coiron IV ’10 (step-grandfather) James T., Jr. ’01, Brendan P. ’04, William P. ’04, Blasé P. ’07, Finnan P. ’07, Lorcan L. ’08, & Conor P. Connick ’10 Dennis R. Coughlin, Jr. ’98 Charles V. III ’96, Joshua M. ’04, Gabriel M. ’06, Michael R. ’13, & Nathan R. Cusimano ’15 Dustin W. Dantin ’06 (step-grandfather) Arthur D. ’04, Jonathan M. ’09, Matthew J. ’12, Christopher J. ’14, & Joseph P. Dupré ’16

Adam M. Duvernay ’06 William A. Farrington ’07 Brandon J. ’99 & Jeffrey M. Fick ’02 (step-grandfather) Robert K. ’10 & Charles P. Fink ’13 Mason N. French ’18 Kerth J. Gravener ’97 Brett L. ’06, Chad M. ’08, & Cory M. Guidry ’08 Ross O. Guidry ’17 (step-grandfather) Gerard A. Harris, Jr. ’03 Stuart R., Jr. ’06, Spencer J. ’10, & Evan M. Hart ’12 Matthew L. Hebert ’99 John V., Jr. ’92, Brian C. ’93, & Mark M. Hughes ’95 Glynn G. Hyer, Jr. ’14 Westley R. Keiser ’05 Michael F. Kelley, Jr. ’11 David C. Kreller ’99 Peter J. Krentel ’91 George M. Landrum ’07 Daniel J. Langteau ’15 Stephen C. Lazar ’14 Daniel C., Jr. ’91, Patrick R. ’92, Michael L., Jr. ’96, & Scott C. Levy ’97 Brock D. ’14 & Luke W. Lingle ’17 Kyle L. Lupo ’08 Gustave A. Manthey III ’99 Justin Z. Martin ’03 Jackson V. Melnyk ’17 Philip W. Meric ’16 James T. Molinario III ’01 Eric J. Moore ’94 Shane J. Naccari ’09 Patrick L. Naylon ’07 Jeremy J. ’07 & Jesse D. Owens ’10 Charles H. Perez ’02 Luke A. Pertuit ’18 Brady M. Pichon ’13 Tyler M. ’12 & Austin M. Prange ’15 Gregg A. Putnam, Jr. ’12 Colin P. Quinlan ’18 Eric S. ’90, Clinton J. III ’94, Bradley S. ’01, & Jeffrey K. Romig ’06 Louis M. Schaff II ’99 Scott M. ’03 & Andrew C. Schroth ’10 Richard D. Serio, Jr. ’01 Scott B. Simeon ’89 Lawrence E. IV ’10, Colin P. ’12, & Jacob T. Stansberry ’14 Duncan A. Stewart ’17 Quinn C. ’14 & Brady R. Stiller ’16 Fred M. Trowbridge III ’03 Stephen W. Villavaso ’99 Earl N. Walker IV ’03 Anthony M. ’92 & Alan M. Williams ’03 Peter T. Yeadon ’09 GRANDMOTHER OF …

Roy E. ’92 & Brian J. Alexander ’95 Ralph R. IV ’92 & Jay E. Alexis ’97 Christian P. ’90 & Timothy F. Amedee ’97 Adam M. ’00 & Alexander H. Barnes ’11

Christopher M. ’10 & Brandon D. Barnett ’13 Grant P. Becker ’13 G. Wogan Bernard II ’99 Andrew D. Beyer ’91 Joseph P. ’96, Luke T. ’99, & Samuel D. Bienvenu ’09 Wilson A. Blum ’08 Nathan M. ’00 & Matthew J. Bolton ’02 Christopher E. ’07, Ryan W. ’09, & Steven M. Cabos ’11 Michael G. Calabrese ’04 Leon A. III ’01 & Christopher M. Cannizzaro ’03 John E. Carr III ’07 Joseph P. Carrere ’02 Harvey M. Couch ’94 Dennis R. Coughlin, Jr. ’98 William H. Couret IV ’90 Brian V., Jr. ’11 & Kevin M. Credo ’16 Charles F. Dalferes III ’84 Randall A. Davenport ’94 Christopher M. ’06 & Thomas M. Drewes ’08 Andrew J. ’93 & Mark T. Duggan ’04 L. Reiss Eagan ’05 Patrick B. Eppling ’95 Ryan P. ’95, Wesley R. ’99, & Cameron H. Eustis ’05 Thomas J. Exnicios ’04 Brad D. Ferrand ’98 Arthur F. III ’91, Goeffrey E. ’98, & Randall P. Folse ’05 Jeffrey L. Foreman ’97 Robert A. Foret, Jr. ’82 Adam P. ’11 & Connor S. Fournier ’13 Derek W. ’84, Curtis B. ’86, & Kevin S. Franklin ’89 Kyle R. Funck ’03 Nicholas P. Garvey ’03 Dennis H. Groome V ’98 Wilfred A. Grusich III ’68 Evans M. ’08 & Brady M. Hadden ’10 Julius E. Hardouin ’01 Scott J. Haydel ’93 Marvin G. Heebe ’87 Albert M. Henricks ’03 Dennis G. ’98 & Keith G. Henry, Jr. ’11 James A. Heurtin, Jr. ’85 Duval H. Hilbert ’07 Arthur Hughes, Jr. ’82 John K. Jackson ’17 Anthony D. Kelly ’18 Matthew A. Kives ’17 Louis R. IV ’87 & Paul B. LaBruyere ’89 Andrew H. ’05 & Ross J. Lafont ’10 Anthony G. III ’97 & Nick S. Lama ’99 William M. Lancaster ’10 Joseph B. Landry, Jr. ’03 Daniel E. Lawless, Jr. ’92 Carlos J. ’79, Steven A. ’81, & Dean M. Marcello ’87 David S. McChesney ’05

Michael J. ’97 & Christopher M. Messonnier ’03 Gregory A. ’03 & Matthew W. Mondello ’06 Ross A. ’92, Ryan J. ’93, & Stephen L. Parrish ’97 William C. ’98 & Jean Paul Perrilliat ’03 Michael B. Pou ’16 John H. Powers ’89 David C. Raphael, Jr. ’86 Philip J. III ’04 & Benjamin E. Rau ’08 Daniel W. Riehm III ’00 Stanton A.J. Ripp ’98 John K., Jr. ’97, Christopher K. ’00, & William H. Russ ’03 Ryan E.K. Santos ’18 Jose A. Sardina ’05 Joseph F. Schrempp ’10 Kyle M. Selle ’18 Carl J. Servat III ’93 Kevin M. ’94 & Craig P. Stolzenthaler ’98 Christopher C. ’97, Gregory D. ’08, & Scott L. Tilton ’11 Jacob W. ’13 & Jared J. Tonglet ’17 Stephen K. ’83 & Scott K. Tonguis ’87 (step-grandmother) Daniel E., Jr. ’92 & David M. Tracy ’95 Clayton D. ’11, Andrew J. ’14, John F. ’14, & Jordan E. Tufts ’18 (step-grandmother) David C. ’92 & Kurt M. Weiser ’95 Edward J. IV ’85 & Gregory P. Welsch ’91 James B. III ’14 & Jacob L. Whitlow 17 Richard A. Williams, Jr. ’14 GRANDSON OF …

Cleary J. Doussan ’39† GREAT-GRANDFATHER OF …

Dominic R. Baker ’17 Connor M. Champion ’07 Tristan N. Marchand ’17 Matthew C. Moore ’19 GREAT-GRANDMOTHER OF …

Callender R. ’11, Zachary A. ’13, Henry H. ’15, & Benjamin C. Creel ’16 Benjamin T. Dalferes ’08 Luke E. Hahn ’14 (step-great grandmother) Salvatore S. Ovella IV ’17 Benjamin J. ’09 & Patrick J. Tullier ’13 Edward T. Welsch ’16 Kelly P. Zeringue ’18

Send information and corrections to Br. William J. Dardis, S.J. '58: dardis@jesuitnola.org or (504) 483-3814.

28 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Alumni Hold

Class Reunions 1949

1964

1944 The 2014 reunion season was dedicated to five-year celebrations of Blue Jays from grad years ending in “4” and “9.” Blue Jays from the Class of 1944 to the Class of 2009 came together to celebrate their bond as sons of Jesuit High School.

1944 celebrated their 70th year reunion by returning to

their alma mater on May 3 for a Saturday Mass, celebrated by the class’s very own Fr. Nick Schiro, S.J.; cocktail reception; and dinner. As they do each year, these spirited Blue Jays and their guests enjoyed reminiscing about their days at Carrollton and Banks.

ALUMNI

1949 chose to celebrate 65 years since graduation with

two events, a Friday night crawfish boil in the Student Commons, preceded by Mass in the Holy Name Chapel, and a Saturday evening couples’ dinner at the Chateau Country Club in Kenner.

1954 came back to campus on a Saturday in late May for a couples’ event in the Commons. Dan Bontempo and his committee created an evening of good food, good

fellowship, and good memories fueled by Ray Plauche’s engaging video of the 1954 yearbook.

1959 Ray Rizzo and his committee chose the beautiful

homes of two class members for their May celebration. On Friday night the guys gathered for a cocktail reception at the residence of Mark and Sharon Rodi, while on Saturday night the couples enjoyed partying at the abode of Eddie and Patty Rice.

1964 Taylor Heard and his committee made sure their

Golden Anniversary was celebrated in a big way. On Friday, May 30, these Jays gathered in the Commons for a seafood spread provided by Drago’s. The next evening the ladies joined the gents for a cocktail reception at Metairie Country Club.

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1974

1954

1979

1959 1969 kicked off the reunion season in typical fun style,

the result of intricate planning by Kevin Heigle and his committee of ten. On Friday afternoon, a golf outing at City Park was followed by a traditional stag crawfish boil at Jesuit.

Fr. Fitzgerald celebrated Mass for the class in the small chapel on Saturday afternoon, after which couples descended on classmate Michael Valentino’s Basin Street Station (with a gorgeous view of the Quarter) for a reception that knocked the socks off a lot of dancing feet.

1974 Bill Babin and his committee opted for a guys-only celebration for their 40th year reunion. On Friday, April 4 the class met at the Southern Yacht Club for an evening of Blue Jay Spirit.

1969 1979 Led by Greg Gillen, Pat Veters, and Jaime Neville,

the 1979 committee organized a Friday night stag party at the Red Eye Grill in the Warehouse District. Then on Saturday wives and guests joined the Blue Jays for dinner at Tujague’s in the French Quarter.

1984 As usual Nick Hazard put together a weekend of great events for the 1984 celebration. Acme Oyster House was the site of Friday’s stag seafood feast, while Saturday evening was devoted to a couples’ dinner at one of the city’s newest restaurants, Tableau on Jackson Square.

1989 ended the reunion season on the weekend of June 20-

21 with their Silver Anniversary celebration organized by Pat Donnelly and his committee. On Friday night the guys and

30 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

1984

2004

1989

1994 their wives or guests filled the upstairs rooms of Galatoire’s for a couples’ reception. On Saturday evening the Blue Jays met at Mother’s Next Door for a stag party.

1994 Kelly Burke and his leadership team chose to start their celebration with a Friday stag seafood extravaganza at the Acme Oyster House. Then on Saturday the ladies joined their Blue Jays for an evening of fun and games at Rock ‘n’ Bowl.

1999 Under the leadership of Collin Holmes, 1999 also

chose to go bowling as the guys and their wives or dates met at Kyle Brechtel’s Fulton Alley on March 22 for their celebration. The partying continued on Saturday afternoon when the guys met at the home of David Larue for boiled

2009

1999 1979

crawfish prepared by classmate Justin Leblanc.

2004 & 2009 filled the JAX Brewery Bistro Bar with

hundreds of Blue Jays on June 14 when they both held their stag events at the spacious French Quarter venue. Both classes had great turnouts due to the hard work of chairmen Andrew Waldron ’04 and Taylor Bacques ’09. The first reunion celebration for the Class of 2009 was especially gratifying as the strong attendance foreshadows great things to come from this enthusiastic group.

View the photo galleries of the 2014 class reunions, as well as archived reunions dating back to 2002, on Jesuit’s website: www.jesuitnola.org/alumni/reunions.

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Blue Jays Across the Country Central Florida Inspiring engagement continues in Tampa where the Central Florida Jays are on a mission to bring Blue Jays together on a regular Five alumni and their families gathered for an ALS basis.

Walk in May at the University of Florida. From left are alumni Christian Higgins ’00, John Sabatier ’86, On Cy Gannuch ’94, Daren Carriere ’79, and Saturday, Pat Huete ’84.

May 8, five Blue Jays and their families participated in the Greater Tampa Bay ALS Walk at the University of Florida. The group raised donations in honor of Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76, who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The commitment to service continued on April 26 when more than a dozen Florida Jays grabbed their brushes, scrapers, and gloves to paint a home as part of an event called “Paint Your Heart Out.” Earlier this year, the Florida leadership team made a decision to open future planning meetings to all Blue Jays in the area.

Contact: John Sabatier ’86, (727) 871-1408, jsabatier@verizon.net

Houston

Alumni in the Houston area gathered at Jackson’s Watering Hole in the Montrose area of Houston for an afternoon of food, drinks, and Blue Jay camaraderie. The 4th Annual Crawfish Reunion took place on Saturday, May 24.

Sixty-five folks, including a handful of newcomers, enjoyed about 50 pounds of jambalaya and 350 pounds of crawfish prepared by chef Jerry Eumont ’80. Children and guests preferring less spicy fare munched on hot dogs.

Organizer and Houston alumni captain Christopher Cola ’93 handed out an assortment of Blue Jaylogoed goodies, which were provided by Jesuit's office of institutional advancement.

Houston alumni leader Christopher Cola ’93 enjoys an afternoon of crawfish and Blue Jay camaraderie with Ted Pfister ’51.

The oldest alumnus to participate was Ted Pfister ’51. The largest turnout came from one of the younger classes — five guys from 2001. Joe

Nesser ’84 brought an unexpected guest — Ken Miller ’84, a classmate from California — who was in town to attend a First Communion. Miller is the godfather of Nesser’s son, James.

In the fall, the group hopes to hold a toy drive for needy children.

Contact: Christopher Cola ’93, (713) 301-8128, cwcola@gmail.com

Acadiana

Nine Blue Jays spanning six decades are leading the school’s newest alumni chapter in Acadiana.

In May at the Blue Dog Café in Lafayette, gents ranging from 1952 to 2007 agreed to keep Blue Jays living in the Lafayette/Lake Charles area connected to each other and to Jesuit.

Blue Jays gather at the Blue Dog Café to discuss forming an alumni chapter in Acadiana. Pictured from left are alumni director Mat Grau ’68, Danny Gillane ’83, Gerald Landry ’63, Bob Morgan ’52, Al “Boo” Trepagnier ’52, Gerald Hebert ’07, Corey Cloninger ’99, Bill Barrois ’64, and Tom Bagwill, Jesuit’s director of institutional advancement.

The inaugural Acadiana Chapter event will be a gathering to welcome graduates from the Class of 2014 who are attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the fall.

Contacts: Corey Cloninger ’99, (504) 812-5151,

corey.cloninger@yahoo.com

Al Trepagnier ’52, (337) 849-6537, trepagnieralbert@yahoo.com

Other Chapter Contacts Atlanta

Michael Paulhus ’96 (404) 326-3637 paulhus1@comcast.net

Baton Rouge

Daniel Shea ’86 (225) 344-0391 drshea@drdanielshea.com

Official efforts are underway to organize Jesuit alumni chapters in Austin and Denver. If you are interested in becoming a member of an existing alumni chapter leadership team or starting a new one, contact alumni director Mat Grau ’68 at grau@jesuitnola.org or (504) 483-3840.

32 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

In 2001, Blue Jays Were Best

I

t was a glorious year for Jesuit basketball and a glory

year for head coach Chris Jennings ’78 (who today still holds court in the Birdcage). The year was 2001 and prognosticators of the prep sports scene back then turned up their noses at Jesuit’s varsity basketball team, which was picked to go nowhere fast.

Under the direction of Coach Jennings, the 2001 Blue Jay squad compiled a respectable 30-7 record en route to winning a decisive, if not improbable, state championship.

ANNUS MIRABILIS

In the final game of the LHSAA tournament, the Jays blew out Archbishop Shaw, 53-41, and brought home Jesuit’s eighth state basketball championship. It marked the fourth close encounter between the two teams in the 2001 season with the Eagles sweeping the first three games. The Blue Jays, however, were determined not to go down a fourth time to the same team. And they didn’t.

The 2001 state championship ended a 35-year drought in addition to being Coach Jennings’s first title as head coach. It marked the first championship for Blue Jay basketball since the hat trick of the mid-1960s when Jesuit teams won three consecutive titles in 1964, 1965, and 1966. The previous state championships were netted by the Jesuit teams of 1939, 1944, 1946, and 1948.

Chad Barnes ’01 remembers well that 2001 season.

“After we broke the second round curse

(a tough road win against Acadiana), I really felt like we were going to win it all,” said Barnes, a forward who was named the tournament’s co-MVP. “I treasure that moment more than any other sports memory because it was a great team, from the coach on down.

There were no superstars. We played together and knew our roles. The result was that we played with a superstar level of confidence that helped us win it all.”

Barnes played two years of basketball at Loyola University New Orleans and one season at UNO. He’s played basketball professionally in Poland, the Czech Republic, and most recently in Cyprus, where his team won the 2014 Cypriot Cup Championship.

At morning assembly after the Blue Jays’ big win, Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. climbed the podium to address the student body.

Below is the President’s Message that was printed in the 2001 spring issue of Jaynotes…

When I spoke to the students at morning assembly on the Monday after the Jesuit basketball team won our first state basketball championship since 1966, I held up a copy of the front page of the sports section of the TimesPicayune. The headline read: JESUIT IS BEST. Although there are many ways in which this headline is true, we in the Jesuit community have to guard

against the mistaken notion that being the best comes automatically or descends upon us in virtue of our membership in the group. I constantly repeat that the three qualities that make Jesuit special are that we expect the best, that we support each other, and that a great sense of comradeship develops from these expectations and support. None of this comes without tireless effort, self-sacrifice, or self-discipline.

Our state championship basketball team is a special example of these principles. A championship is a means to an end. The determination to win brought out the best in the team and the coaches. It deepened their commitment to the selfsacrifice, the effort, and the self-discipline that ultimately brought the victory to us at Jesuit.

Each day the goal of being the best must be ratified in our basic daily decisions.

Will I expect the best of those around me?

Will I expect the best from myself? Will I support those who need my encouragement and assistance? Will I allow myself to receive the support I need?

Will I be a force that builds up the community spirit? Will I allow setbacks to discourage me or lead me to blame others?

These are questions that 1,400 students, 100 teachers, 2,500 parents, and 11,000 alumni must ask each day if we are going to live up to the standard that has been set for us.

Fr. McGinn’s message 13 years ago remains just as relevant today.

Blue Jays should not forget it.

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LEF in Rarified Air The generosity of Blue Jays across the nation, combined with outstanding class leadership, have taken the Living Endowment Fund drive to enviable heights.

More than 3,200 alumni have donated $1.169 million — a new record — to the LEF drive. As the alumni component of annual giving, LEF keeps Jesuit accessible and affordable to as many families as possible and ensures that the classrooms at Carrollton and Banks are filled with students from all walks of life.

Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76 offered his profound thanks to current LEF chairman Lyon “Snapper” Garrison ’81, 2013 chair Glenn Gillen ’85, and Mike Varisco ’83, who will lead the 2015 drive, as well as the hundreds of Blue Jays who returned to campus in October and March to connect with their classmates by phone.

“One of the hallmarks of our school for which I will always remain grateful is the support of its alumni,” Fitzgerald said. “Jesuit continues to be the envy of schools nationwide.”

1. This quartet of newbie LEF volunteers from the Class of ’08 sought the silence offered in Mr. Ron Rossi’s history classroom to re-connect with classmates while taking care of business during the spring calling event. From left, Troy Mathews, Craig Raymond, Mathew Irimpen, and Graham Williams transform Mr. Rossi’s history cave into their central command post where they busily worked cell phones while tracking the numerous pledges of classmates on the chalkboard.

2. Blue Jays conclude a successful fall drive with a “pool party” on Jesuit’s roof.

3. Jeff Serpas flies solo for the Class of 2000.

4. John Hamilton and C.W. Lartigue are stalwart volunteers from the Class of 1960.

5. Faithful participants from the Class of 1991: from left, Vinnie Varisco, Brad Hamilton, Ryan LeBlanc, Greg Nolan, and Ryan Gootee.

34 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

B l u e J ay s Tr u m p

Kidney Disease S

ome stories are worth waiting to tell. Almost three years ago, through the discourse of the school’s social media, the plight of Blue Jay freshman Jason LaHatte was widely circulated to virtually the entire Jesuit community.

What distinguished Jason from 1,425 other Blue Jays? He was, and still is, stalked by a dreaded silent killer: chronic kidney disease. CKD causes 90,000 deaths a year in the United States alone, more than those who succumbed to breast and prostate cancers combined. Some 26 million Americans have kidney disease and 76 million more are considered at “high risk” to develop it.

The statistics are about as loud as the disease is quiet. While genetics plays a role, kidney disease sneaks up on people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity issues. Lifestyle factors, including lack of exercise and a diet heavy with fast food, red meat, and soft drinks, are invitations for CKD. Kidney disease may go undetected for years, even though there is an inexpensive test that detects urinary protein, which is a red flag that something might be abnormal with the patient’s kidneys.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first successful kidney transplant in the United States. In an effort to raise awareness of kidney disease and the vital role of organ donors (living and deceased), Jaynotes presents the first-person stories of a trio of Blue Jays, two of whom were on the receiving end of a transplant, the third on the giving end.

John Meunier of the Class of 1969 is a musician with a wicked sense of humor. He received a “new old” kidney — he calls it “Geetle” — donated by his older brother, Jerry Meunier of the Class of 1966. Jason LaHatte, who will graduate with the Class of 2015, has experienced two kidney transplant surgeries, the first when he was a youngster, and the second in the summer of 2012.

A Blue J ay Battl es C KD Jason LaHatte looks, talks, and acts like a normal American teenager. A member of the Class of 2015, Jason studies diligently and makes good grades. He is a saxophonist in the Blue Jay Marching Band, a co-curricular activity he thoroughly enjoys. Jason is volunteering at Children’s Hospital this summer as part of his service project for Jesuit.

During his first 17 years, Jason twice spent about six months — an entire year — hooked up to a dialysis machine that filtered waste and excess water from his blood. The dialysis machine served as his kidneys. He’s on his second donated kidney and he knows eventually, his body will need another.

While Jason is realistic and optimistic about his medical prognosis, he never hesitates to talk about how important organ donors are to people with kidney disease. With astonishing frankness and in his own words, Jason discusses what no one, especially a young person, wants to hear from their doctor: “You are in renal failure.”

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By Jason LaHatte ’15

I

was born on November 18, 1996 with no major medical problems. I lived the first five years of my life with no medical worries. Then it all started in June 2001 after my family returned home from a vacation at the beach. I was only five when I got very sick and my parents ended up taking me to Children’s Hospital.

I was diagnosed with renal failure, but the doctors at Children’s Hospital did not know why my kidneys were failing. To keep me alive, I was put on dialysis.

I waited and waited. We started looking for a kidney, beginning with my family.

But we quickly learned that no one in my family had my exact blood type. I was six months into dialysis when Ms. Cindy Hudson, a friend of our family, saved my life. After extensive tests determined she was a match, Ms. Hudson donated one of her kidneys to me.

Her kidney functioned well inside of me and it lasted for about 10 years. In the middle of my freshman year at Jesuit, I had to go on dialysis again.

At the same time, my name was added to the waiting list of people needing kidneys.

Nearly 2,500 new patients are added to the kidney waiting list each month — that’s one every 20 minutes — and 14 people die each day while waiting for kidney transplants that would save their lives.

I have never let my medical problems keep me down.

When I was a freshman and on dialysis for the second

time in my life, I marched with the Jesuit Band in Bacchus, I did all my school work, and I carried on my life as if I had nothing wrong with me.

After six months of dialysis, waiting, and praying — and my kidney function down to 2% — the phone call came in June 2012. I was told that I would be the recipient of a kidney.

All I knew about the donor was that he was a boy from north Louisiana who had been dead just a few hours.

When I finally acquired the kidney, I was ready to leave Children’s Hospital within three days.

Of course, the doctors would not let me leave. But I had no complications, and soon I was back at Jesuit for the start of my sophomore year.

I just finished my junior year and look forward to being a senior and graduating with the Class of 2015.

My dad, Joe LaHatte, always says, “If you look at Jason, you can’t tell anything is wrong.”

Today, I am doing remarkably well. My blood levels are right, and I only need to see my doctor every three months for a checkup. One of my dreams is to become a transplant surgeon because I want to give back everything that was given to me.

Jason LaHatte with his parents, Joe and Jonnie.

Photo courtesy of the LaHatte family.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, as of May 21, 2014, there were 122,737 people in the United States waiting for organ transplants. Of these, 100,602 awaited kidney transplants. In Louisiana, 1,580 people are on the “waiting list” for a kidney, according to the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA). In 2013, there were only 14,029 kidney transplants in the U.S.; 9,314 involved deceased donors and 4,715 came from living donors.

I highly encourage everyone who is able, especially alumni of Jesuit High School, to sign up as organ donors. One of the easiest ways to do this is when obtaining or renewing your driver’s license.

We don’t have enough donors of healthy kidneys to satisfy

the need. Unfortunately, people die waiting for transplants — 3,381 died in 2013 before they were able to receive a kidney. I was one of the lucky ones on the transplant list that received a donated kidney.

Consider becoming a living donor like Ms. Hudson, who gave me one of her kidneys when I was five. Interestingly, the gender breakdown of living donors is 61% female and 39% male. After the transplantation took place, Ms. Hudson was discharged from the hospital with no complications and she returned to her teaching job within 30 days.

Everyone has two kidneys, but you can live with just one. You can help people who have no alternatives and are in desperate need of only one kidney.

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A M other Speaks Up Jonnie LaHatte is the mother of Jesuit senior Jason LaHatte. She remembers the day that the doctors told her and her husband Joseph that their son, who had been healthy from birth, had kidney disease. At the time, Jason was only five.

“I

was devastated,” said Jonnie LaHatte. “I was told I would have to learn to give him dialysis nightly at home and I remember saying, ‘I don't want to learn this.’

The nurse replied, ‘You have to.’ A tube was inserted in Jason’s stomach and he was given dialysis nightly for 8-10 hours up until his first transplant.

“His diet changed and he started taking numerous medications. In kindergarten,

he never complained.

Sometimes his teacher would call me to say he looked weak and to please come and get him from school. He always tried to do the same activities as others. He played baseball at the playground and was in the Cub Scouts.

“When Jason was a freshman at Jesuit and was told he needed another kidney transplant, he was put back on nightly dialysis and the whole process started again.

The massive deliveries of

the dialysis supplies started.

He was hooked up to the machine every night for almost six months. He would wake up at 5:30 a.m., unhook himself from the machine, and begin his daily routine of going to Jesuit.

The only time he was absent was when he had a doctor visit or lab work.

“He has been involved in many activities at Jesuit, not just the band. Jason has served as student council class representative and he joined the fencing club and the sodality. He’s involved in campus ministry and is a Big Brother to new Blue Jays. He has written articles for The Blue Jay, the student

newspaper. He has played saxophone in all the different Jesuit bands, including concert, jazz, Philelectic, and marching.

“He has been an inspiration to me and my husband, as well as his older brothers, Joey (Class of 1999) and Jonathan (Class of 2002).

Because of Jason’s positive attitude, we have all been uplifted in this ordeal. We are very thankful to the parents of the young boy who died in northern Louisiana to have been so thoughtful in their time of total grief to think about trying to help save someone else’s life: Jason’s.

We strongly urge everyone to be an organ donor.”

A G esture of Love John Meunier graduated from Jesuit High School in 1969, three years behind his older brother Jerry, who was in the Class of 1966. A free spirit and a talented musician who taught himself to play the guitar at an early age, John has been part of the New Orleans music fabric for decades. He currently plays bass guitar in a band called Tchoupazine and he gigs with Mo’Jelly.

If John depended on music to make his living, he would have starved a long time ago, along with hundreds of other New Orleans musicians. For many years, John’s day job has been as an outside sales agent for Louisiana Office Products.

John is one of 26 million Americans diagnosed with kidney disease. His brief essay about the kidney transplantation he and his brother Jerry underwent seven years ago resonates with brotherly love, compassion, and generosity.

By John Meunier ’69

I

n October 1998 I had a bad case of gout and my doctor ordered a series of

routine tests. He noticed an unusually high amount of protein in my urine and suggested that I consult a nephrologist. I made an

Jerry Meunier ’66 and John Meunier ’69

appointment with a fellow Blue Jay, Dr. Rick Harris, who graduated one year ahead of me in the Class of 1968.

Rick gave me the rather

sobering news that I was in the early stages of Focal Segmental Glomerulla Sclerosis (FSGS), a slowly developing kidney disease. At the time of the diagnosis, my

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kidney function was at 30% and would gradually regress to the point requiring either dialysis or a transplant.

Rick treated me for the next several years and in 2004 suggested that we begin the lengthy preparation process that culminates in a transplant. Rick said I would need a new kidney by the end of 2006, a prediction that turned out to be amazingly accurate.

All five of my siblings, as well as my oldest son, participated in a prescreening process where I was completely kept “out of the loop,” for understandable reasons.

Not long afterwards, my older brother Jerry (Class of 1966) called me on the phone and told me he had “a gift for me.” I will

never forget our beautiful conversation full of emotion.

Originally, the transplant was scheduled to take place at Oschner. But Hurricane Katrina scotched that plan. I was married at that time to Denise, who was from Pennsylvania, and the two of us evacuated to Philadelphia. This turned out to be a blessing because the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, as we quickly discovered, is one of the country’s leading transplant centers. I talked it over with Jerry and the decision was made, mutually, to have the “transplantation” in Philly.

The transplant took place on January 18, 2007. Jerry was taken to surgery first

and two hours later, it was my turn. When I woke up from the anesthesia, I had never felt more clear-headed and alert in years. Within a few hours I was able to take the short walk over to Jerry’s room where his wife, Kathy, tended to her patient who obviously was in severe pain and trying to get some much-needed rest.

I recall one of my doctors telling me: “You are going in sick and coming out well. Your brother, however, is going in healthy and coming out a bit more enfeebled.”

Over the next several weeks of recuperating, I could not help notice the change in my complexion — the acne on my back had begun to disappear. And my mind

was much sharper, finally rid of the cobwebs spun by under-performing kidneys.

Jerry’s recovery was somewhat slower, but he eventually regained his stamina and excellent health, two of his many attributes which had made him the prime candidate for this gesture of love. My greatest blessing was being fortunate enough to have a brother as compassionate and loving as Jerry.

We now share an unbreakable bond forged by love, faith, and generosity.

He is my older brother, my dear friend, and I owe my life to him.

John Meunier and his wife, Karen, live in Kenner. His email is jmeunier@laop. com.

D iary o f a Ki d ney Don or From 2004 – 2007, Jerry Meunier of the Class of 1966 kept a fairly extensive diary of events connected to a kidney transplant procedure in which he was the donor and his younger brother, John (Class of 1969) the recipient.

the body. Because the breakdown occurs focally and segmentally, it takes time; but it is relentless, and incurable.

Jerry is a partner in the New Orleans-based law firm Gainsburgh, Benjamin, et al and specializes in complex litigation, mass torts, and class actions. He and his wife Kathy celebrated 43 years of marriage.

They have two grown children, Claire and Justin (a Jesuit alumnus, Class of 1993).

A series of tests confirm that I am one of the matched, potential donors in the family. The potential donors have met to discuss where we stand, what our concerns and issues are.

Confidentiality is pledged, and not breached here.

Here are edited excerpts from Jerry Meunier’s diary.

By Jerry Meunier ’66 September 5, 2004

M

y brother John Meunier needs a kidney. His renal function is at 16% and falling. He’s already a candidate for dialysis.

The disease is Focal Segmental Glomerulla Sclerosis (FSGS). It attacks the glomerullar areas of both kidneys because the antibodies in John’s resistance system interpret these areas as foreign to

But I am a suitable donor, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So I begin to wonder: Why not me?

I don’t believe the dialysis alternative is suitable — I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, much less a brother. I spoke to one nephrologist during

my discernment process, and he summed it up graphically. “Dialysis,” he said, “is a dog’s life.”

Nor do I proceed with conditions, or even expectations, about John’s response. I assume he will take good care of himself if he gets a donated kidney, but my decision is not premised on that happening.

The fear I feel is not kneebuckling. More a whisper of mortality than a death yell. I do worry — about Kathy and our retirement plans should my health be compromised, about the risk of needing dialysis myself one day were my remaining kidney to fail.

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incredible gift. There will be a time later for the instinct of fear, as the reality draws closer still. For now, gratitude for what I’m given is the dominant energy.

Immediately after John Meunier (left) received his brother Jerry’s kidney, he felt great and was up and about in almost no time at all. While John walked the halls of the University of Pennsylvania hospital, Jerry, on the other hand, meandered down a slower road to recovery. It took a few extra days, but Jerry eventually regained his stamina. Today, Jerry is a picture of health.

Photo courtesy of John Meunier ’69.

But on a deep level this seems pretty simple to me.

My brother needs a kidney.

I love him. His quality of life matters to me. And I have two kidneys, neither of which I earned, and one of which is enough to support me. He would do this for me if the tables were turned.

I know, with the certainty of faith that our spiritual purpose is to give in support of others, to overcome our survival fears for love’s sake, to defeat our attachment to ego and self-interest. So...it all does sort of add up: I will give a kidney to John, who needs it.

August 2, 2006 I arrived at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia to be further evaluated and tested for donating a kidney to John. This trip is one of the changes wrought by Katrina,

which provoked a move from New Orleans to Philadelphia

by John and (at the time) his wife Denise, who’s from here.

The matching and evaluation records from Ochsner were transferred to U. Penn, where the surgery was scheduled for January 2007.

In the City of Brotherly Love. Don’t tell me God has no sense of humor.

I approach closer to the consequence of a decision made long ago, so it seems — before Katrina, in a different time, a different world. Now the reality of major surgery looms in a new way. I am to be cut open and put at risk; I am to live thereafter with just one kidney.

John and Denise are so expressive of their gratitude.

This is a gift. Again, I know John would do this for me if the situation were reversed.

My good health is such an

January 16, 2007 I write this on a plane to Philadelphia. Brother John awaits a new (well, used, but new for him) kidney. A kidney that has served me well for 58 years — may it continue in good service!

Nature yearns toward wholeness and healing. I know this organ of mine will rise to the occasion.

I am in a positive frame of mind, overwhelmed by the love and support expressed for me as surgery approaches. Kathy truly has been amazing in this, too.

She is so doggedly caring and well-organized, attending to every detail so that I’m supported on this journey.

I’m more than ever aware of how special her love is, how blessed I am to be her mate in this life. I pray she also will find love and support in whatever lies ahead, should something happen to me. I know she will; she is muchloved by so many.

How wonderful to know that our children Claire and Justin will be in Philadelphia.

Each brings a unique part, each brings me that much completion. Justin is the wisdom and warmth of the Healer; Claire the caring and compassion of the Light; he the Moon, she the Sun. Where on earth would I be without them?

January 17, 2007 John and I went to the hospital together this

morning, for a final, crossmatching blood test. I met with my surgeon, Dr. Yeh; she looked at my throat and listened to my chest, because I told her of my recent cold and continuing, though slight now, sniffles. She said we’re all set for tomorrow morning unless I'm worse.

But I know I’ll be better.

I am confirmed in my decision to have arthroscopic surgery, versus an open nephrectomy.

But this means donating the left kidney, which is dominant in my case. The doctors support this decision.

I think of a story should I get last-minute jitters, which feel like “butterflies” in the stomach — it’s really just the beating wings of my left kidney, eager to fly to John’s aid.

After labs at the hospital, John drove back along the Delaware River, through the historic district of Philadelphia. We got out of the car briefly at “Treaty Park,” which memorializes the place on the banks of the river where City founder William Penn made a famously kind and open treaty with the Indians who dwelled there. We didn’t dawdle in the park — it was extremely cold, though sunny; the icy breeze off the river stung my face and ears. But God bless you, Mr. Penn.

Tomorrow I do what I have come to do, what I truly believe we all are put here to do.

I look forward to solid food again. I look ahead to the other side of the surgeon’s

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knife.

Good-bye to the two-kidney world. Hello to the One. January 18 - 27, 2007 We travel in two cars and arrive at the hospital early in the morning. When we got out of the cars in the parking garage, John and I look at one another, and then just hugged and wept. The enormity of what we were about to experience had hit home.

After a brief wait in the preop area, I was called first.

Leaving John and family was a powerful moment — hugs and kisses all around.

I was taken to an area with several beds surrounded by curtains. Surgical patients in each area — I went to mine, undressed, and donned my cap, gown, and “footies.”

A nurse appeared and took my vital signs. Then came two (or maybe three) anesthetists/anesthesiology assistants. They asked me basic questions: Who are you? What surgery are you

having today? Do you have any allergies? I had the distinct impression they knew the answers, and really were there to rule out a lastminute breakdown on the part of the donor.

Then I was lying flat on my back and being rolled to the operating room, but not before a young woman on the “anesthetist team” tried repeatedly and unsuccessfully to start an IV line in one of the veins on the back of my left hand. She’d finally apologized profusely. “You have good veins,” she said.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.

We’ll try again in the O.R.” I remember her face glistened with sweat from her effort, while another team member (a young male) stood at the foot of the bed trying to engage me in polite conversation, all the while darting nervous glances at the sweaty stabbing taking place in my left hand area.

So, as we rolled into the

surgery suite, I remember thinking: not a very auspicious beginning.

By now, the IV line in the hand was in place and I was advised that I’d soon be feeling relaxed, and then going under. An oxygen mask was placed over my nose and mouth. I was told to breathe. And that’s the last pre-op memory I have…

I became conscious as I was being rolled to a hospital room. Once there, I lapsed in and out of sleep.

In the days that followed, I have scattered memories.

I was full of wonder and joy at seeing John right down the hall. He was his former self, loud at times, and full of restless energy, but very much alive and kicking, and very much not on dialysis.

So much support from many friends and family members.

Such a gift to have Kathy, Justin, and Claire with me.

What a difference family makes, being hospitalized and away from home.

January 28, 2007 Leaving Philadelphia tomorrow, a place with which I now have a special relationship. John and I took a farewell walk in a park near his apartment. An intimate time, real conversation about real matters. Tears of gratitude as I put my arm around him as we strolled shoulder to shoulder. Newly bonded. A time of Grace.

Now it’s back to New Orleans. The busy dogs of my routine await; they will be yapping their things to do.

I prepare myself and must try to remain as centered as I have felt being here, on this mission inspired by love.

Having tasted what is most valuable and nourishing in the banquet of existence, I mustn’t settle now for “fast food.”

Jerry Meunier and his wife Kathy live in uptown New Orleans. His email is membergem@gainsben. com.

About Becoming an Organ Donor…

Acceptable organ donors can range in age from newborn to 65 years or older. Donor organs are matched to waiting recipients by a national computer registry called the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). This computer registry is operated by an organization known as the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), which is located in Richmond, Virginia.

Signing a donor card, registry, or driver’s license is a good first step in declaring your intentions to be an organ donor, but letting your family and loved ones know about your decision is important. That’s because family members are often asked to give their consent for a loved one’s donation. If they are not aware of your wishes, it sometimes comes as a surprise. To avoid surprises and confusion, let your spouse and other loved ones in on your

plan ahead of time.

The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency can answer questions about organ transplants and how to become either an organ donor or recipient. Visit the agency’s website: www.lopa.org.

Several other donor options are available through an organization called Donate Life America: www.donatelife. net.

The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention, and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk.

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S U R V I V I N G Q U I Z B O W L’ S

C I R C L E O F D E AT H assumed the moderator’s role of this co-curricular in 1985, the year he started teaching history at Jesuit.

In mid-May, the hometown Jesuit team swept the National Academic Championship’s (NAC) regional event, which took place at a hotel on Convention Center Boulevard.

The regional event has been held in New Orleans for more than two decades by Questions Unlimited (also known as Qunlimited), one of several companies whose business is all about quiz bowls. Jesuit’s quiz bowl teams were always a presence at the NAC’s New Orleans regional tournament, but the Jays had never won. In 2012, Jesuit made it to the semifinals and lost to the champion. This year was different.

The team of Calamari, Caliva, Dai, & Yokum (CCDY) went undefeated, posting a 9-0 record. One of the final questions that lifted the Jays to a first place finish was this one: You can find Fort Craig and Fort Selden along this 1200-mile long trail whose northern terminus is also the terminus of the Santa Fe Trail. This road from Mexico City to Santa Fe was known by what Spanish name?

Answer: El Camino Real (de Tierra Adentro) After Jesuit won the New Orleans NAC, Qunlimited hosted equally large regional competitions in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. The winners of the three regional events converged in Chicago in early June to compete in the National Academic Championship, a pressure-packed double-elimination tournament. A national title was riding on the line.

Quiz Bowl Varsity A team members Ian Calamari, Jack Caliva, Stanley Dai, and Kevin Yokum with their coach, Mr. Ron Rossi.

T

he Quiz Bowl team at Jesuit High School experienced victory in the “Circle of Death.” And what a thrill it was for Mr. Ron Rossi, the guru of Jesuit quiz bowl, to witness.

Say what? Circle of death? Quiz bowl? Really?

Here’s the story. Jesuit’s 2013-14 quiz bowl team, known as Varsity A, consisted of four intrepid and courageous seniors — Ian Calamari, Jack Caliva, Stanley Dai, and Kevin Yokum. Extremely intelligent, even brilliant (Calamari, Dai, and Yokum were co-valedictorians of the Class of 2014), the four new alumni were crackerjack quiz bowlers. The team is arguably the best squad that Jesuit has fielded since Mr. Rossi

Welcome Jesuit, Horace Greeley High (Chappaqua, N.Y.), and Pingry High (Bernards, N.J.) to the infamous “Circle of Death.” Only one team would emerge the winner. The Blue Jays were relentless and impressive, powering in on tossup questions like this one: Tristan Tzara turned to abstraction as a founding member of which movement that disparaged traditional values and glorified chance, even in how its name is said to have been chosen at random from the dictionary?

Answer: Dada After four games in that death circle, it was finally over. The Jays survived and were declared winners of the National Academic Championship, the first Louisiana team to do so. The judges named Jesuit captain Kevin Yokum the tournament’s MVP. He was also accorded the rare honor of being inducted into the NAC Hall of Fame, a privilege bestowed on only a few of the thousands of players who

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participated in NAC tournaments over the past 30 years.

Extremely intelligent, and gifted, Yokum is well aware of his special academic talents without being full of himself. In fact, his teammates readily acknowledge that Yokum was the brains of the outfit. Yokum easily deflects the credit to his teammates and everyone is a little uncomfortable.

“Winning the NAC was good for Jesuit,” Yokum says in a voice barely audible. “Our sports teams do reasonably well and achieve great things. Quiz bowl is the flip side of athletics and it shows that Jesuit is a complete school.”

The rub, says Yokum and his teammates, is that some people don’t understand what quiz bowl is all about. Here are seniors (and several others) who actually enjoy practicing everyday to learn the obscure in Mr. Rossi’s quiz bowl incubator for half their lunch period. And what happens is they become a little self-conscious about drawing attention to themselves.

“They’re great kids, perfectly normal, all proud students,” says Mr. Rossi, who is quick to feel their discomfort. “Some people have misperceptions.”

It’s the nerd factor, the perceived scourge of excelling today at school in something that glorifies learning, expands horizons, and rewards teamwork. To compete in quiz bowl requires some knowledge about literature, science, fine arts, history, geography, mythology, social science, theology, philosophy, pop culture, and current events. And there are sub-categories to these topics, more than 30 alone just in history.

Yokum is the team’s “supergeneralist,” defined as a player who is extremely good at answering questions on all, or almost all, quiz bowl topics. His specialty is history, social studies, geography, government, and current events. Soon to be a freshman at the University of Notre Dame, where he plans to study electrical engineering, Yokum has been on the varsity quiz bowl team since he was a freshman and possesses the “uncanny ability” to guess answers correctly about 60% of the time in tournaments.

“His guessing and gut reactions are amazing,” says Mr. Rossi, who adds that the Blue Jays always displayed appropriate etiquette at tournaments. When facing a non-aggressive team, Yokum and the others were less likely to start “powering” in on questions, a tactic that nets the team extra points for correctly answering before the moderator is finished reading it.

The Chicago tournament did not lend itself to niceties and Yokum remembers a particularly difficult tossup question he powered: During the 1884 election campaign, it was reported that Grover Cleveland had fathered a child out of wedlock, so James G. Blaine’s supporters condemned Cleveland in the

strongest of terms, singing “Ma, Ma, Where’s my Pa?” After Cleveland’s victory, Cleveland supporters would respond to the taunt with what rejoinder?

Answer: “Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha.” His teammates also worked diligently and brought their own strengths to the competitions. Stanley Dai, who plans to study economics at Georgetown University, is considered the team’s “generalist,” someone who is capable of answering questions on a wide range of topics. In addition to mathematics and science topics, Dai fielded questions about sports, particularly the NBA, music, art, and the Oscars. He helped to propel his team past the New Jersey team in Chicago by correctly answering this particularly difficult question: The film adaptation of this novel was directed by Brian Percival and stars Geoffrey Rush and Sophie Nélisse. It received an Academy Award nomination for John Williams’ score. The novel itself was published in 2005 and spent 230 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. Liesel becomes the title character after learning to read and taking things from her former employer in what Markus Zusak novel?

Answer: The Book Thief “It feels good that all the hard work we put in over the years has paid off in a nice way,” says Dai about the team winning its first national championship. In the process, the team was awarded a first place cash prize of $4,000, the first time NAC provided monetary awards. Mr. Rossi put the winnings toward Quiz Bowl travel expenses, museum entrance fees for the players, and well-deserved team dinners.

The popularity of quiz bowl is directly proportional to the diversity of the content featured in some of the online forums.

The forums attract scrupulous attention by high school and college quiz bowlers who are devoted to discussing everything in their universe — everything — including topics that cover the latest tournament results, upcoming tournaments (there are always tournaments), the latest trends in topics, writing effective pyramid-style questions for competitions, even the cheating scandal last year that rocked Harvard University’s quiz bowl team and shocked the overwhelming majority who consider honor and the quest for true knowledge to be far more important than winning.

Exploring the Harvard cheating incident for Slate, Washington, D.C. free-lancer Alan Siegel wrote: “Quiz bowlers celebrate their pastime as the most academically rigorous head-to-head competition in existence. If it were easy, there’d be no point. As one high school coach says of elite players: ‘They would not enjoy quiz bowl if it weren’t for the extreme challenge.’”

For Ian Calamari, the rigorous advanced curriculum program prepared him well for quiz bowl, which he didn’t join until

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his sophomore year, later than the others. Calamari plans to study computer science at the University of Mississippi, so his contributions to the team covered that topic, making him the “specialist” bowler, one who mainly answers in a few categories. Also a military history buff, Calamari was great at answering odd-duck questions like this one: His education at West Point was briefly interrupted when he was placed on house arrest in 1826 for smuggling whiskey into the military academy, which led to an event called the Egg Nog riot, but he graduated anyway in 1828. He fought in the Battle of Monterrey during the Mexican-American War and was a U.S. Senator and Secretary of War between 1853 and 1857. He was born 8 months before Abraham Lincoln at a location about 100 miles from Lincoln’s birthplace. Who was he?

Answer: Jefferson Davis The fourth member of the championship team, Jack Caliva, could also be considered a specialist because of his strengths with topics such as music, paintings, literature, and the arts.

He plans to study English at the College of the Holy Cross, a liberal arts school in the Jesuit tradition. “The championship in Chicago was a culminating moment,” said Caliva, who clearly enjoyed the limelight, even if the pressure to win, and then achieving that goal, almost made him throw up in a plant that the hotel had placed near the Jesuit table. Caliva managed to keep it down for questions similar to this one: Marlene Dietrich is said to have given him the nickname “Papa.” Of him, F. Scott Fitzgerald said his “inclination is toward megalomania and mine toward melancholy.” Sports Illustrated once paid him $15 a word to write a bullfighting article. Name the author.

Answer: Ernest Hemingway

Ian Calamari, Jack Caliva, Stanley Dai, and Kevin Yokum in the Hall of Honors.

The other seniors on the 2013-14 quiz bowl team were Mark Alvarez, Alex Anderson, Andrew Collins, Reuben Hogan, Jim Huang, and Jordan Lacoste. All contributed at some point during the season to the team’s 72-10 face-to-face won-loss game record; factor in computer competition and the team owns a 403-23 record. Eight of those face-to-face losses occurred at the National Tournament for Academic Excellence (NTAE), an invitation-only event at Disney World that had not been held since 2009. The Jays had won the NAC the week before in Chicago and were a little out of their laser-focus element at the NTAE. Still, Jesuit reached the finals, as did four other teams (two of which were “select” teams whose members were from more than one school).

Kevin Yokum earned All-American at NTAE, again a special honor for a unique Blue Jay quiz bowler.

Notable Academic Achievements...

Mock Trial The Jesuit Mock Trial team of Mark Alvarez ’14, Patrick Fine ’15, and William Tittle ’15 (attorneys), and Charles Farley ’14, Jordan Lacoste ’14, and Matthew Stuckey ’15 (witnesses), won their three matches to place first at the state championship, held in March at federal court in Shreveport in March. The Mock Trial team is coached by Brett Wise ’82, Michael Mentz ’74, John Becknell, and Michael Mims ’05. The team is moderated

by Greg Ernst ’83.

Debate At the state tournament in Lafayette in March, captain Jim Huang ’14 capped off a stellar career with his third consecutive championship in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas

debate, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in more than 20 years.

Meanwhile, the Debate Team of Rishab Chimmanamada ’15 and Mayank Mardia ’16, paired with Andrew Cerise ’16 and Mako Giordano ’15 shared the Public Forum debate championship for the first time in modern Jesuit debate history. The team is coached by Ian Gunn ’07 and moderated by English teacher Travis Smith.

Mu Alpha Theta Jesuit was one of 31 schools that participated in the Mu Alpha Theta tournament at the Louisiana MAΘ State Math Convention in Baton Rouge. Sixtyfour Blue Jays competed and Jesuit took home top honors in three events: senior Andrew Nyguen finished first in Algebra II

and juniors Patrick Fine and Mark James were tops in Math Bowl (Analysis Gemini Team). Jesuit also scored the highest in the Algebra II Interschool Test. Math teacher Jo Ann Schexnayder moderates MAΘ.

State Rally Jesuit produced seven first place winners at the Louisiana State Literary Rally: senior Sean Stephens (calculus), juniors Mitchell Falcon (Spanish III), Jerry Spencer (fine arts survey), and Stephen Stradley (French III), and sophomores Andrew Cerise (U.S. History) and John James (algebra II).

Falcon, James, and Stradley were also overall division winners, which earned each of them a $400 scholarship to a Louisiana college or university. Rally competition is moderated

by Spanish teacher Andrew Dykema.

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The Luckiest Principal It’s official. The 2013 – 2014

school year has come to a close, and with it, so has my first year as principal.

When I addressed the student body at the first assembly of the school year, I spoke about the importance of using our God-given gifts to do our best.

And when Father Fitzgerald spoke at the final assembly just two months ago, he commented that Jesuit is constantly improving because we — the Jesuit community — are always striving to consistently give our best.

Evidence of this can be readily found in the multitude of activities that take place every day throughout the school year.

Rising seniors are diligently working this summer on their service projects.

You’ll find Blue Jays in the classrooms at Carrollton and Banks assisting with Operation Upgrade, as well as participating in international programs such as Courts for Kids in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic.

Student Ministry organizations such as the Sodality continue to grow, and a record number of our students have already signed-up to attend the Junior Kairos retreats during the coming school year.

We witnessed the rejuvenation of the intramural program with three distinctly popular seasonal sports — football,

The consistent support and spirit of the student body was especially conspicuous throughout the year at various events and included the uniquely-Jesuit “Blue Jay Shift” at basketball games, imaginative and exciting pep rallies, and arguably the largest Homecoming banner created since the Class of 1968’s memorably huge Fighting Jayson.

Academically, Blue Jays excelled in the classroom. Thirty-five students were honored as National Merit Scholars; three as National Achievement Finalists; and four as National Hispanic Scholars.

Our graduates in the Class of 2014 received scholarship offers totaling in the millions of dollars from universities all across the United States.

Our dedicated faculty continued to challenge their students and to seek better, innovative, and more effective ways to work with them. At the end of the school year, more than 40 faculty members attended a workshop where they learned new techniques for incorporating the iPad into classroom instruction.

I am thankful for the outstanding leadership that the 2014 seniors displayed in all aspects of student life.

These wonderful young men are moving on to new chapters in their lives, and they do so having left positive impacts on our community — and they do so on a high note, leaving us wanting more.

Their class gift was thoughtfully and lovingly chosen — the restoration of the stained glass in the small chapel of

the 5th Station of the Cross, depicting Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus to carry His cross. Fr. Fitzgerald observed in his graduation address that the seniors chose their gift “thinking of Simon as a man for others, a quality that makes this a most fitting commemoration of your class.”

I’m in awe of the numerous distinctive accomplishments and outstanding achievements of all of our students, and I consider myself fortunate to be part of such a remarkable experience.

You might have noticed that I referenced Fr. Fitzgerald a couple of times — and who can blame me? The Jesuit community will always remember that special assembly in January when Fr. Fitzgerald so eloquently and bravely shared with us the news of his illness. As we look back over the past three years of Fr. Fitzgerald’s abbreviated presidency, I am confident that we will consider ourselves fortunate to have been a part of this experience.

When Lou Gehrig gave his famous “tough break” speech 75 years ago, he said he considered himself to be “the luckiest man on the face of this earth.” Well, I feel as if I am the luckiest principal on the face of this earth because I have been privileged and blessed to work with Fr. Fitzgerald during the first year in my new position.

I look forward to working with Fr. Fitzgerald in a different capacity for years to come.

Peter Kernion ’90 Principal

PRINCIPAL'S CORNER

Our athletic teams and co-curricular organizations worked hard and achieved great successes. Jesuit’s mock trial, debate, quiz bowl, tennis, and lacrosse teams each won state championships.

Additionally, district titles were claimed by our cross country, swimming, and golf teams.

basketball, and cabbage ball. Members of the Class of 2014 even held an exciting cabbage ball championship game during their senior week.

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Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo Reel’s ’Em In

T

he 2014 Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo featured a post-Katrina record number of fishing fans (almost 300), a “king”-sized cooking demonstration, and a trophy trout. For the third consecutive year, the event was held under the Pontiff Pavilion at John Ryan Stadium. Chairman Mike McMahon ’85 and co-chair Br. William Dardis, S.J. ’58 boosted student participation by organizing a trip to the St. Tammany Fishing Pier. Fishing with Blue Jay parent Todd Dulcich, Lee Pierce entered a whopper of a speckled trout that tipped weighmaster Larry Canada’s scale at 8.1 pounds. Aaron Burgau ’92, executive chef at Patois, who took top prize at the 7th Annual Louisiana Seafood Cook-off in May, shared his recipe for black drum.

Mark your calendars for next year’s rodeo: Saturday, June 27. For a complete list of the winners, go to jesuitnola.org/fishing-rodeo.

1. Trevor Spinosa with his new Blue Jay son Tim, a member of the Class of 2019. 2. Never missing the weigh-in festivities are Jesuit Fathers Norman O’Neal (left) and Nick Schiro ’44 (right), who find themselves escorted by Patois Restaurant chef Aaron Burgau ’92 and alumni director Mat Grau ’68.

3. Rodeo chairman Michael McMahon ’85 with veteran volunteer Letty Clark, and chairman emeritus Jimmy Commagere, with his grandson Robert Commagere ’06. 4. Lee Pierce with his 8.1-pound whopper of a trout. 5. Chris Mills ’80 with a little monster croaker that tipped the scales in the opposite direction. 6. Blue Jays in the Class of 2018 check out the display of fish on ice; from left, John McMahon, Andrew Kuebel, Larson McAlpine, Albert Bienvenu, Ben Brodnax, Jay Kuebel, and Jake Theriot. 7. Trey Melito ’18 flashes a whale of a grin in between casts at the St. Tammany Fishing Pier. 8. A special thanks is tossed to Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58, who commandeered the Jesuit bus that brought about two dozen rodeo participants to the St. Tammany Fishing Pier in Slidell and back to John Ryan Stadium.

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Jesuit’s annual Career Day is designed to enlighten current Blue Jays about an important decision in their not-toodistant future. The event — actually consuming about two hours at the start of the school day — provides alumni an opportunity to return to Carrollton and Banks and engage students in meaningful ways.

Jim Martin ’94, a civil engineer with a Ph.D., is a veteran at Career Day. For several years, he has faithfully committed to speak to Blue Jays about a career that has, somewhat surprisingly, surpassed law and medicine in student interest: civil engineering. In this brief article, Martin lets us in on…

The Joy of Speaking at Career Day

By James Martin ’94

C

areer Day at Jesuit is an opportunity for alumni to share practical information about their jobs with current students. I have been honored to do just that for several years. Whenever Jesuit’s alumni director Mat Grau ’68 asks if I am available for the event, I immediately and enthusiastically accept his invitation.

I could write that I speak at Career Day to give something back and to pass on the gifts that others bestowed on to me many years ago in those same halls and classrooms. That would be a noble and selfless motivation. Actually, I participate in Career Day because of how it makes me feel before, during, and after the event.

Career Day starts in St. Ignatius Hall, where the alumni speakers gather as early as 7 in the morning for coffee and camaraderie. We discuss the details of the event, but more than that, we see people whom we may have not run into in years — classmates, former teachers, administrators, and the Jesuits themselves. It is comforting to know that the good people who helped to shape Jesuit decades before are still at work influencing young men today.

The time passes quickly and we soon fan out to our assigned rooms. I am fortunate to discuss a career that, especially in recent years, has attracted the curiosity of more and more Blue Jays: civil engineering. Typically, there are 35 – 50 young men in each of my two 50-minute sessions. They are eager, respectful, and inquisitive, and they ask

Clockwise, from upper left: Jim Martin '94 at the 2014 Career Day; Richard LeBlanc '87 and Roland Waguespack '92 discuss careers in medicine; Alumni and speakers gather in St. Ignatius Hall for a reception before fanning out to meet with Blue Jays.

intelligent questions. For almost two hours, I hang out with these young Blue Jays and tell them that all their hard work, hopefully, will someday result in appropriate reward.

At the conclusion of Career Day, I leave Jesuit feeling that I accomplished something grand. Even though I graduated 20 years ago from Jesuit High School, I am a proud alumnus who remains very much connected to this great institution and brotherhood.

Jim Martin, Ph.D. ’94 is president of Design Engineering, Inc., a 30-yearold civil and structural engineering company based in Metairie. He is

an active member of the 1994 class leadership team. Jim and his wife, Gina Occhipinti Martin, celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary in January. They have one son, Thomas Finn Martin, born September 13, 2013.

The family lives in Metairie.

Jim can be reached by email: jmartin@dei-engr.com.

Alumni interested in speaking at Career Day should email alumni director Mat Grau ’68 at grau@ jesuitnola.org.

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A Model Saint for Today’s Teens

St. Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591)

By Matt Orillion ’98

MEDALLION STORIES

or close to a decade the Pro-Life Club at Jesuit High School, during the group’s annual “March for Life” pilgrimage in our nation’s capital in January, has attended a special Mass celebrated at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church. In this 155-year-old church hangs a painting depicting Aloysius when he was 12-years-old receiving his first Holy Communion from Charles Borromeo, who at the time was an archbishop and cardinal, and himself a future saint.

child and suffered with kidney disease, which prohibited young Gonzaga from fully participating in this training. It was about this time that the future saint began an alternative training regimen of intense prayer and penance — one that would lead him to another, more heavenly, Royal Court.

Whenever it is time to visit St. Gonzaga Church, we are often weary from the long walks around the capital, although we eagerly anticipate the trek to the Mall where we will join 100,000 other young people witnessing to the dignity of human life in its earliest stages. In the meantime, St. Gonzaga Church provides all of us a welcome respite. Year after year, I find myself gazing up at the painting, wondering and contemplating…

Who is this young man? How did he respond to the grace that was offered to him? What can he teach us about the vocation of sanctity to which all are called by God? Luigi Gonzaga, one of the three so-called Jesuit “boy” saints (John Berchmans and Stanislaus Kostka being the other two), was born March 9, 1568 to a noble and powerful family in the Lombardy region of Italy. His father, the Marquis of Castiglione, desired that his eldest son follow his example and enter into courtly life as a soldier. On the command of his father, Aloysius (as he eventually was called), began at the tender age of four to learn the ways of princes. However, he was a sickly

Aloysius Gonzaga receiving Holy Communion from Archbishop Charles Borromeo.

The journey to sainthood is never an easy one, since the ones to whom God offers this grace (that is, all of us) must pass through the Way of the Cross in order to enter the Heavenly Kingdom.

Aloysius Gonzaga was certainly no exception, and the route he navigated holds for us important lessons for our own journey.

His biggest obstacle was his father.

Determined to see his eldest son inherit his title, along with land,

wealth, and power, the Marquis sent Aloysius and one of his brothers to the court of the powerful Medici family in Florence. Aloysius was quickly repelled by what he saw as a licentious lifestyle. He privately resolved never to offend God by sin.

When Aloysius was 12, the Gonzaga family was visited by Charles Borromeo, the Archbishop and Cardinal of Milan. Upon learning that the child had yet to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist, the distinguished cardinal set about instructing him.

On July 22, 1580, Aloysius Gonzaga received his first Holy Communion.

(In addition to the painting in St. Gonzaga’s Church, the scene is commemorated in one of the many beautiful stained glass windows that adorn the Holy Name of Jesus Chapel on the second floor of the administration and residence building at Jesuit High School. An extensive renovation of the small chapel is underway and includes the restoration of all the stained glass windows.)

Fortified with the graces of the Sacrament, Aloysius spent his adolescent years exploring his vocation, much to the dismay of his father who, in an effort to create distractions that might dissuade his son from pursuing such an austere life, sent him to live in some of the most notable courts of Italy.

Aloysius was only strengthened in his resolve to spurn an easy lifestyle. On the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) in 1583, he made the decision to enter religious life as a Jesuit.

However, his Jesuit confessor made him acquire his father’s permission before being allowed to enter the novitiate. The Marquis, of course,

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refused and the battle between two strong wills escalated in its intensity over the next year. Aloysius was relentless in pursuing his goal of becoming a Jesuit and his father finally surrendered. On November 25, 1585, the 17-year-old Aloysius renounced his inheritance and entered the Jesuit novitiate in Rome.

In 1591, while Aloysius was still in training as a Jesuit, a plague broke out in Rome. Initially repelled by the sight of its victims, Aloysius overcame his fear and earnestly tended to their physical and spiritual needs. When several young Jesuits became infected with the disease, the superiors issued orders for Aloysius and other novices to stay away from the main hospital where the plague’s contagious sick were brought.

Aloysius, perhaps encouraged by an

Aloysius, bedridden since March 1591, was near death on several occasions, but each time, he would rally. On June 21, 1591, at the age of 23, Aloysius Gonzaga eyed the crucifix he clutched in his hands and tried to pronounce the name Jesus when he passed joyfully into eternal life. As a testament to his holiness, his Jesuit spiritual director, St. Robert Bellarmine, requested that upon his own death he be buried at the feet of Aloysius Gonzaga. His wish was honored.

Aloysius’s short life was characterized by an ardent desire for purity, love for God in prayer, and the practice of charity. In a recent address to the school community, then-president Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76 warned that we cannot be preoccupied with the long term, but must concern ourselves with “becoming the person God calls us to be today.”

This, I think, rings true about the life of Aloysius Gonzaga. As the patron of Christian youth, he serves as a model for our students in learning to temper the rambunctiousness of adolescence in the cauldron of self-restraint and humility. Sin is no laughing matter.

Aloysius knew this and prepared himself accordingly. However, he was not — for all his mortifications — a curmudgeon. He radiated joy in a heroic manner — the hallmark of the saints.

In fact, it seems fitting that each year the contingent of Jesuit high schools and universities prepare themselves spiritually for the “March for Life” in a church dedicated to the memory

of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Here was a young Jesuit who took Jesus at his word that the greatest gift one can give is to lay down his life for his neighbor.

Here was a young man who, in spite of the gift of purity, sought to tame his concupiscence before it tamed him.

Here was a young noble who cast off the glories of the world and the flesh and, asking for a different crown, looked forward joyfully to serving in the Heavenly Court of Christ the King.

Aloysius Gonzaga provides a witness to us every January 22 that man was created for more than this life can offer and that the best way to give witness to that truth is to live one’s life in the joy of the Gospel. The smiles on the faces and the joy in the hearts of the throngs witnessing to the dignity of every human person testify that Aloysius was right.

Aloysius Gonzaga was beatified in 1605, 14 years after his death. He was canonized some 120 years later in 1726.

Matt Orillion ’98 teaches theology and is the director of student activities at Jesuit High School. The focus of his responsibilities has been student life and spirituality.

Before becoming the director of student activities in 2013, Matt moderated the Student Council for eight years and the Pro-Life Club for seven years. In 2012, he founded the St. Francis Borgia Student Leadership Institute. Matt was a 2013 recipient of the Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Award for excellence as an Ignatian educator at Jesuit.

He graduated from UNO with a bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology and education.

He earned a master’s in theology from Our Lady of Holy Cross College. Matt and his wife Anne have three children. His email is orillion@jesuitnola.org.

MEDALLION STORIES

From an early age, Aloysius did penance and he was known for radical mortifications of the flesh, including extreme fasting and flagellation. In the novitiate, the Jesuit’s required Aloysius to tone down his penance, to relax more, to eat appropriately, and obtain the proper amount of sleep.

For a young man so zealous to resist the attractions of the world through the harsh practice of self-discipline, a directive to lessen his penances might have seemed offensive to Aloysius.

Yet the practice of obedience to his superiors turned out to be the more satisfactory way to train himself in the virtues. Writing to his brother from the novitiate, Aloysius explained himself: “I am a piece of twisted iron; I entered religion to be untwisted straight.”

intuition that his earthly life would not last much longer, was persistent in seeking permission to continue his hospital work. The Jesuit superiors relented and allowed Aloysius to serve the sick in a different hospital where non-contagious patients were treated.

Not long afterwards, Aloysius tended to one of his patients. Unbeknownst to everyone, the patient was infected and Aloysius soon contracted the plague.

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Flying with the Jays By the end of the individual and doubles quarterfinals — when eight Blue Jays had bested their opponents in two sets — Team Jesuit had clinched the school’s seventh straight championship (and its 19th title since 1995). The tournament was played on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Jordan Lacoste ’14

Tennis Team Nets 7th Straight State Title Jesuit has won 19 LHSAA Division 1 state tennis titles in the past 20 years, a remarkable achievement by itself.

It’s even more awesome considering the Blue Jays wrapped up this year’s team championship one day before the tournament ended.

Senior Jordan Lacoste, the tournament’s top seed, and junior Alex Depascual (#28 seed) competed for the individual title. Lacoste was impressive in his string of victories leading up to the championship match showdown with the #2 seed, Mandeville’s Cody Orgeron, who in the quarterfinals had ousted Depascual. Orgeron upset Lacoste (6-0, 6-1), and in doing so, wrestled the individual state title away from Jesuit, where it had resided for the previous four years, courtesy of the Blue Jays’ phenomenal Hobie Hotard ’13.

A trio of Jesuit doubles teams certainly helped swing the title to the Blue Jays.

In fact, it was an all-Blue Jay doubles finale with the #5 seed team of junior Gregory Suhor and sophomore Brandon Beck defeating the #2 seed team of sophomore twins Jacob and Jonathan Niehaus (6-2, 6-2).

Travis Smith — a theology teacher at Jesuit who spent the previous seven seasons as an assistant before assuming the head coach duties last summer — said netting the 2014 championship as early as the team did was “fantastic,” and it made the players’ spirits soar.

Lacoste and the four Blue Jays who played in the doubles championship were named to the Nola.com/TimesPicayune All-Metro Boys’ Tennis Team.

Coach Smith was also recognized as “Metro Coach of the Year” by virtue of his team’s championship performance.

A Hat Trick for Lacrosse The Blue Jay lacrosse team accomplished the difficult feat of turning a hat trick by winning its third consecutive state championship. In defeating the Wolves of St. Paul’s, 11-4, Jesuit bested their Northshore opponent for the third time in as many years.

Jesuit senior Arman Alizadeh scored four goals in the title game and was named the tournament’s offensive MVP. U.S. Lacrosse, the sport’s national governing body, named Alizadeh an All-American. The four-year letterman and three-year starter finished the 2014 season with 65 goals. Junior Blue Jay goalie Eric Wright was named the tournament’s defensive MVP. Jesuit’s lacrosse team featured only six seniors, 12 fewer than the 2013 team. In addition to Alizadeh, senior players were Evan Fitzpatrick, Charley Hamilton, Robert Montenegro,

Arman Alizadeh ’14

Thomas Nimmo (who scored thrice in the big game), and Colby Simoneaux.

Wrestlers Emerge as Second Best Jesuit’s wrestling team is a strong force at the LHSAA state tournament. In 11 of the past 12 years, the Jays won four state titles and were runners-up seven times. Is it any wonder that the competition might regard Blue Jays as the proverbial beasts lurking and waiting to pounce?

Such was the scenario at the state meet at the Pontchartrain Center where 12 of Jesuit’s 14 grapplers placed sixth or better. The Jays had yet another runner-up finish, this time to Brother Martin, the eventual champions.

Two beastly Jays won individual state championships in their respective weight class: junior Ben D’Antonio (120) and senior co-captain Jake Eccles (172). Both were named to the Nola. com/Times-Picayune 1st All-Metro Team.

The 2014 team graduated only five seniors, leaving a sturdy crop of underclass Jays eager to become the newest beasts of the mat.

Ben D’Antonio ’15

Golfers Win Regional, District Titles

Jake Eccles ’14

Bowlers Pin Down a Strong Finish The 2014 bowling team reached the semifinals of the LHSAA state tourney in Baton Rouge for the very first time.

Junior Ben Ainsworth was on a roll with a 688 series and three individual wins before the 15-12 loss to Vandebilt Catholic of Houma, the eventual team champions, knocked Jesuit out of the tournament.

The Blue Jay golf team bagged the district championship by winning every dual match throughout the fall and spring seasons. The Jays were especially tenacious when competing at Lakewood Golf Club, their home course.

The Jays followed up their district win with a regional championship at the picturesque Carter Plantation course in Springfield. Sophomore Grant Glorioso led the way with a one-under-par 71.

Jesuit’s top four golfers shot 305, the lowest of seven other competing teams.

The Blue Jays posted a perfect district sheet, which included three wins over the defending state champions from Archbishop Rummel.

The season featured outstanding individual performances from seniors Andrew Prejean and Chris Totaro, juniors Chris Ainsworth and Brett Lorio, and sophomore Peyton Hidalgo.

Totaro and Chris Ainsworth rolled 700plus series. Totaro and Prejean were named to the Nola.com/Times-Picayune 1st All-District Team.

C.J. Blagrove ’14

Jesuit’s momentum, unfortunately, stayed south for the LHSAA state tournament at Shreveport’s East Ridge Country Club, where the Jays struggled to a sixth place finish. Byrd High’s golf team won the championship, which was played on their home course.

Blue Jays checked out early, leaving their hearts and a few tears on the diamond after a stunning 6-5 loss to the #10 seed Live Oak Eagles in a semifinal game.

This season, the LHSAA implemented a “best of 3” series to determine winners in the regional and quarterfinal rounds.

Previously, the winner of a single game advanced. Apparently it has happened that a very good team had a very bad game against a very bad team that played a very good game. A “best of 3” series ostensibly levels the field by thwarting a team from relying on their one and only ace pitcher after a few days rest.

The Jays beat Central High of Baton Rouge, 7-4, in the opening bi-district playoff game. Jesuit twice shut out the Rummel Raiders (6-0, 1-0) in the regional round, and in the quarterfinals, the visiting Trojans of Alexandria went home after losing two games (4-3, 8-0).

The Jays were heading west.

When Live Oak jumped out to a 4-0 lead, the magic of Jesuit’s season

Jesuit’s team at the regional and state tournaments consisted of Glorioso and four seniors: Alex Anderson, C.J. Blagrove, Will Dufour, and Cole Johnson. In 2014-15, Owen Seiler ’75 begins his third season as Jesuit’s head coach.

Andrew Prejean ’14

Baseball: Jays OUT! At the LHSAA state baseball tournament in Sulphur, LA, Jesuit arrived with high hopes of winning a 21st championship. Instead, the #3 seed

Blake Baker ’14

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ended Jesuit’s season, 42-39. The Jays posted an 18-12 overall record (5-5 in District 9-5A).

disappeared as fast as the arc of a speeding cutter. Senior Blue Jay ace C.J. Avrard — rock steady on the mound this season — barely lasted five innings. The strapping pitcher was nicked by the Eagles for eight hits and all six of their runs. Senior reliever Glynn Hyer finished the game, allowing only one hit. But five runs on a half dozen hits weren’t enough for the Jays, who —let the record reflect — never gave up and went down fighting to their final out in the bottom of the 7th.

The Jays finished 32-6, the first time that a Jesuit varsity baseball team racked up more than 30 wins in a season.

FLYING WITH THE JAYS

“This hurts but I’m glad we are hurting together…” said Coach Joey Latino, addressing his heartbroken players in an emotional gathering before they climbed aboard the bus for the long ride back east to Carrollton & Banks. “It’s ok to hurt, it’s ok…

I want you to go to your parents and thank them for giving you the opportunity to get a Jesuit education and for helping you build your character.”

They say that winning is easy, it builds confidence, sells tickets, and makes everyone happy. Everyone embraces a winner. How athletes and teams handle defeat is the real test of character, courage, and resilience. And that puts Jesuit’s 2014 baseball team in a league of its own.

Shut Down by Wolves It wasn’t meant to be, Jesuit’s soccer team winning a third consecutive state championship.

St. Paul’s, the team the Jays enjoyed whipping in the last two title matches, exacted a two-liter bottle of revenge by making sure Jesuit’s season ended prematurely. And end it did on the Wolves’ home field in Covington. For Blue Jays, the drive back home on that long bridge took forever.

The 2-0 semifinal loss to St. Paul’s

“We should have gone farther (in the playoffs) than we did, so yes, I’m somewhat disappointed,” said Jennings wistfully. “On the positive side, the support that the student body gave the team was really impressive and made a huge difference in several games. We — and I mean the coaches, players, and the fans — must never underestimate the value of the so-called ‘sixth Jay.’” Mitch Bourgeois ’14

was a bitter end to Jesuit’s season in which the team finished 174-4, an enviable record by most standards. In retrospect, the season proved disheartening for the Jays and Coach Hubie Collins, who has successfully and skillfully guided the soccer program at Jesuit since 2003.

Under Collins, the Jays have won an incredible seven state championships in the past 12 years.

Following the hurt St. Paul’s delivered, Jesuit co-captain and senior goalie Nick Tadros spoke bluntly to his teammates. “We are Blue Jays,” he said, “and we walk out of here with our heads high.”

The team graduated six seniors: starters Riley Conroy, Chase Eckholdt, and Grant Nichols, and reserves Connor Gillen, Jack Hebert, and Brett Spansel. Junior starters Trey LaForge and Foster Moreau will return as the team’s leaders next season.

Coach Jennings remains optimistic that juniors Evan Duhon and Paul Kohnke, and sophomores Mark Beebe and Robert Weiss will bring fresh talent to exhibit in the Birdcage.

And let us remember that every game will be a command performance for the “sixth Jay.”

And the Blue Jays did.

Jay ’Cagers Bounced from Playoffs Chris Jennings ’78, head coach of Blue Jay basketball, looked up at the ceiling and pondered the outcome of the 2014 season. His Blue Jays — the defending district champions — had secured the 21st seed in the LHSAA state playoffs, only to be bounced out in the first round, which happened to be a long road trip to Monroe to play 12th seed Ruston on the Friday evening of Mardi Gras weekend.

That all-important “sixth Blue Jay” was sorely missed as the Bearcats

Grant Nichols ’14

Jesuit Golf Classic chairman J.P. Escudier '95 (center) presents the Alumni Champions Cup to a foursome of his own classmates, from left, Mark Hughes, Ron Britsch, Michael Malinowski, and Ryan Fitzmorris.

Golf Classic Stars 200 Blue Jays on a Sun-Drenched Course Golfers of all stripes — primarily blue and white and starring alumni, parents, and friends — took over the beautiful sundrenched course at English Turn Golf & Country on Friday, April 11 for the annual Jesuit Golf Classic presented by Iberia Bank.

More than 200 golfers participated in this relaxing and fun-filled event, far more than last year when the tournament coincided with a vicious line of thunderstorms that inundated English Turn and made Noah’s ark the preferred means of transportation.

Clockwise from above: Fr. Fitzgerald with a threesome from 1999 — Danny Poolson, Ryan Chin, and Douglas Plaeger.

Representing the Class of 1986 were Faris Al-Tikriti, Eddy Carreras, Kyle Kershaw, and Jimmy Treigle. Volunteers Sheila Vocke and Betsy White helped the check-in process come off without a hitch.

This is the third year that the Alumni Champion’s Cup was up for grabs by the lowest scoring foursome of Blue Jays from the same graduating class. Mark Hughes, Ron Britsch, Michael Malinowski, and Ryan Fitzmorris from the Class of 1995, shot 59, and their names are already engraved on the coveted prize, which is displayed outside St. Ignatius Hall. A team from 1992 won the 2012 Cup. A 1987 foursome added their names in 2013.

The team of Mike Pizzitola ’02, Ryan Peters ’06, Phillip Kelly ’04, and Sean

Hardy ’02 — all past members of the Jesuit golf team — shot a blistering 18-under 54 to finish first in the morning round.

The foursome of Claude Cutitto ’60, Chris Cutitto ’83, Steven Riley ’80, and Ed Gardere shot 58 to win the afternoon competition.

This year’s tournament was chaired by J.P. Escudier ’95, who said all of the feedback from golfers was overwhelmingly positive.

“A lot of hard work went into organizing

this year’s Classic,” said Escudier.

“Thankfully the weather cooperated and everything went extremely well.”

View the photo gallery online at jesuitnola.org/jesuit-golfclassic.

52 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Blue Jays of All Ages Romp at the Spring Bazaar The recipe for a successful Blue Jay Bazaar goes something like this… Against a backdrop of blue skies, gentle breezes, and a temperature in the mid-70s, fuse the eclectic sounds of music — from the Jesuit Jazz Band to the funk of The Submarine Racers, to the new ageism of Neutral Snap, to the rock of The Medics, to the roll of the acoustic duo of Zebra’s Keith Jackson and Joe Caluda ’79, Jesuit’s own impresario.

Blend in large quantities of diverse cuisine, including fried oysters, shrimp, and chicken tenders, barbecued burgers and hot dogs, meatballs and spagoodles. Slowly add refreshments.

Mix in assorted desserts, especially ice cream, cupcakes, fudge,

and bagfuls of candy. Fold in a variety of exciting carnivallike games and a hodgepodge of fun booths. Add dollops of spiritual solitude with the celebration of Mass. Merge with a few thousand Blue Jays, young and young at heart, along with their families and friends.

At the 11th hour, raffle off the grand prize of $5,000 (won

by Jesuit mother Kim Brandt, whose winning ticket was sold by her senior son Matthew). Combine all of the above with an army of fantastic volunteers and a spunky leadership team headed by co-chairs Sam McAloon and Lori Ryan.

Voilà, another successful Blue Jay Bazaar!

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1. The frying crew of Meghan Malbrough, Garrett Malbrough ’07, Jenny Gillen, Gene Gillen ’91, Mary Glass, Allan Joseph, and Rhonda Laizer took charge of chicken strips and French fries. 2. The popular climbing tower attracted brave Blue Jays all day long. 3. Fr. Fitzgerald with Bazaar co-chairs Lori Ryan (left) and Sam McAloon. 4. Jacob Happel, a member of the Class of 2019, takes his turn with the sledge hammer at the Smash-a-Can Booth. 5. Joe Caluda ’79 and Zebra’s Keith Jackson gave a well-received performance with their acoustic guitars. 6. Pre-freshmen Clay Talbot, Emory Ducote, Peter Carr, and David Hart display their emotions at this “Game of Chance.” 7. Enjoying the afternoon are Jonathan Legier ’15, Emily Faschan, Mark Junot ’16, and Catherine Pellerin. Emily and Catherine are students at Mt. Carmel Academy.

More Photos Online!

Check out stories and photo galleries of the annual Blue Jay Bazaar at jesuitnola.org/bazaar.

54 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

Four Teachers Honored with Profile Award Four Jesuit High School teachers were honored at the end of the school year with the 2014 Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Award, an annual recognition of faculty excellence. Teachers are nominated by their colleagues against the standards of being Open to Growth, Religious, Loving, Intellectually Competent, Professionally Competent, and Committed to Justice. Each honoree receives a commemorative plaque and a $2,500 check. This year’s recipients are, from left: Gary Wyss, M.A., who teaches English, moderates the Frisbee Golf Club, and co-moderates the student literary magazine Calliope; Joe Caluda, B.A. ’79, chairman of the fine arts department, director of Jesuit’s bands, and admissions representative; Nilda Rivera, M.A., Spanish teacher, co-moderator of the Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, and National Honor Society, and moderator of the Jayettes; Andrew Dykema, M.M., Spanish teacher, chairman of the modern foreign languages department, and co-moderator of the Spanish Club and Spanish Honor Society.

An Evening of Lenten Reflection

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ttendance at an “Evening of Lenten Reflection” — an event created in 2012 specifically for parents of alumni — is growing faster than the azalea bushes that beautify the perimeter of the school along Banks Street. The most recent event, in April, attracted more than 120 parents of Blue Jay alumni, twice the number that attended the inaugural event two years ago.

The enthusiastic crowd listened intently as Blue Jay Peyton Markey ’15, along with Jesuit president Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76, reflected on their experiences at the World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrimage to South America last summer with 42 other Blue Jays.

Markey said the WYD trip was “life-changing” while Fr. Fitzgerald described the sojourn as “an experience of great companionship and a journey that brought all of us closer to God.”

Peyton Markey ’15 addresses parents of alumni at the Evening of Lenten Reflection.

Fr. Fitzgerald provided an insightful comparison of the “rules of a pilgrimage” juxtaposed within the larger framework of faith formation at Jesuit.

Five Rules of Pilgrimage

Translated into Faith Formation

1. Don’t complain.

1. Be grateful and focus on the good.

2. Don’t complain.

2. Be VERY grateful and focus on the good.

3. If you see a bathroom, use it.

3. Get rid of things that could harm you.

4. If you need something, ask.

4. Be humble.

5. If somebody asks you for something, give it to him.

5. Be generous.

The presentation was followed by Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs, and appreciative parents took the opportunity to stroll through the Hall of Honors where their sons’ class composites could be viewed in a somewhat different light.

The evening of reflection concluded with a reception in St. Ignatius Hall.

Read more about Jesuit’s involvement in the World Youth Day pilgrimage at jesuitnola.org/wyd.

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English Teacher Mr. Tim Powers Honored by MCJROTC Mr. Timothy Powers, who has taught various English courses to more than 3,000 Blue Jays, was saluted by the MCJROTC for his 33 years of selfless service to Jesuit High School. The recognition took place April 4 at the organization’s annual Parade and Review on Will Clark Field.

Mr. Powers began his teaching career at Jesuit in 1981 and is currently chairman of the English department.

He was commended for his commitment and dedication to not only teaching English, but also for having served in previous years as a moderator of the intramural athletics program and The Blue Jay student newspaper. Additionally, Mr. Powers was lauded for his deep devotion and love of God, and for being a model of faith to his young charges.

Following the pomp, circumstances dictated that the honoree — sporting his trademark fashionable bow tie — along with an audience of well-wishers, enjoy brief performances by the MCJROTC Drill Team and the MCJROTC Band. And they did.

Phils and Special Guests Take a Bow The Philelectic Society — the oldest co-curricular organization at Jesuit High School — hosted a workshop last February in the auditorium, introducing members of the Children’s Miracle League (CML) to the world of musical theater.

The CML provides children and teenagers with disabilities opportunities to experience being part of a team sport, or in this case, theater production. In addition to the sheer fun of it all, participants reap the emotional, psychological, and physical benefits. The event was coordinated

by Connor Hill ’15, (standing second from left) whose older sister, Emily, is a CML member.

The young would-be actors first learned songs and accompanying choreography, with assistance from about a dozen Phils and their director Kate Arthurs-Goldberg. Then it was showtime as they made their debut and performed

the selections on the brightlylit stage to the thunderous applause from appreciative family and friends.

Afterwards, the Phils and their special guests enjoyed king cake and refreshments.

View a photo gallery of the Philelectic Society’s spring musical Damn Yankees at jesuitnola.org/philsgalleries.

56 | SPRING/SUMMER 2014

The Pontiff Family Makes Jesuit’s 1st

Full Education Fund a Reality

A

few days before Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76 officially stepped aside as president of Jesuit High School, he set up a meeting with Terry and Wally Pontiff, Sr., the parents of Wally, Jr. ’99, whose untimely death in 2002 shook the entire Blue Jay community and baseball fans across the state to its core.

the fully endowed amount of $250,000 is reached. A fully endowed FEF will thus generate $12,500 annually, a sum that covers the actual cost of educating a Blue Jay for one year.

“A full education is possible only when tuition does not carry the message that Jesuit is really intended for a small, wealthy Earlier this year, the Pontiffs elite,” said Fitzgerald. “Full established Jesuit’s first Full education funds will enable Fr. Fitzgerald with the Pontiff Family, from left, Nick ’04, Jesuit to continue to enhance its Education Fund (FEF), a new Terry, Wally, Sr., and Haley. The Pontiffs endowed Jesuit vehicle to drive the growth of programs and facilities, to attract High School’s first Full Education Fund.

Jesuit’s endowment. At the time, and retain an excellent faculty the Pontiffs donated $75,000 via and staff, and to achieve these recognizes the need to fortify and The Wally Pontiff, Jr. Foundation. The goals without annual tuition increases increase the school’s endowment fund, cost to fully endow an FEF is $250,000. that would soon see the price of the the principal of which is currently Jesuit education beyond the reach of Father entered the conference room valued at approximately $25 million. ordinary families.” next to his office and welcomed the Investment income from the endowment Pontiff Family — Terry and Wally, their There is only one catch with the Pontiffs’ is the primary source of financial aid daughter Haley, and their other Blue gift — the family insisted that Jesuit’s — $750,000 this past school year — Jay son Nick ’04. Wally Pontiff handed currently benefitting the families of more first FEF carry a lengthy name — The Father an envelope, inside a beautiful gift than 150 students.

Wally Pontiff, Jr. ’99 & Fr. Raymond — a check for $175,000 — the amount Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76 Full Education Fund.

Looking to future needs, there remains that covers the balance and fully endows in all of private education strong pressure No argument from Fr. Fitzgerald, who Jesuit’s inaugural FEF. has fond memories of the young man to increase tuition, likely beyond the “Growing up in public housing, I had he taught in the classroom and watched point that most families would consider no idea my sons would be able to attend within the scope of their means. Jesuit play baseball for the Jays.

Jesuit High School,” said Wally Pontiff, already has one of the lowest tuitions “Wally was a true man of faith and man Sr. “It’s only fitting that our family gives among Catholic and private schools in for others who had grown into a man back and makes a difference in young the New Orleans area, and by far, the of excellence athletically, academically, people’s lives. It is exactly what Wally lowest among the nearly 50 traditional personally, and religiously,” said Fr. would have wanted us to do.”

Jesuit schools in the country.

Fitzgerald. “I am honored that his family “I consider it highly characteristic of has generously chosen to allow Jesuit to Jesuit began an initiative to take a Wally’s family that they would choose to proactive step in reducing the rate of the reach out to other young men with a honor his memory by setting up a fund annual tuition increase. For the 2014-15 message, ‘You are welcome here.’” that helps lead Jesuit forward to a greater school year, Jesuit’s tuition is $8,250, For information about establishing a good,” said Fr. Fitzgerald. “Jesuit will be which is a $270 increase over the 2013fully endowed scholarship or a able to do in the 21st century what it did 14 tuition of $7,980. However, that th th in the 20 and the 19 — to provide the $270 increase — the smallest in a decade Full Education Fund, contact Fr. Fitzgerald at fitzgerald@jesuitnola. best possible education and formation of — is $10 less than the previous year’s org, Fr. McGinn at mcginn@jesuitnola. young men from all walks of life.” tuition increase. org, or Tom Bagwill, director of Jesuit’s strategic plan, outlined in the Establishing an FEF comes with a institutional advancement, at President’s Message of the previous commitment to donate regularly until bagwill@jesuitnola.org.

Jaynotes (Fall/ Winter 2013-14),

THE JESUIT TEACHER TESTIMONIAL

“Mr. Dover” Quietly Personified Jesuit Excellence Robert E. Lee Prewitt.

Unless you are a classic movie buff, this name, in all likelihood, is a quaint moniker. But to the Joe Dover (’56) I knew and called friend, the character Prewitt in the movie From Here to Eternity embodied the grit and the grace to which Joe identified.

Prewitt, a talented boxer and an ordinary private in the Army, refuses to fight for his boxing-crazed captain and company stationed at Pearl Harbor a couple months prior to the December 7, 1941 attack. Because of his unwillingness to climb into the ring again, Prewitt suffers from unfair treatment; yet he remains true to his vow in the face of tremendous peer and institutional pressures.

Like his hero, Joe — along with his pugnacious dedication to his academic and ethical principles — stood tall in the ring that was his English classroom.

Those Blue Jays (and administrators) who sparred with “Mr. Dover” did not soon forget a round with him. He jabbed students with grammar and then worked over his charges with writing assignments that challenged their thoughts and tested their skills. And, of course, the literature.

The works of Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Keats provided Joe with rich venues to teach about life and so much more.

Joe Dover the teacher was a product of his environment — and this environment was permeated with Jesuits.

The Jesuits who entered his life played a role in his educational philosophy.

Although he never acknowledged it, his classroom demeanor and his attention to detail were directly influenced by the Jesuits who taught him as a young man and whom he had the privilege to work with when he returned to teach at his alma mater.

Many a time, Joe talked to me about Father Harry Heiter, S.J., who served as disciplinarian during Joe’s high school

By Jack Culicchia ’83

years, and Father Dan Barfield, S.J., an English department colleague whom Joe worked with in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In typical, understated Dover fashion, he simply referred to these Jesuits as “men” — men who were accomplished both in their discipline and, more importantly, in the ways of the heart. He saw them as tough and determined, but also recognized them for their compassion to do the right thing, even when it was not popular.

Drawing inspiration from these men, Joe gave back to Jesuit through his work.

His tenure at Jesuit lasted only a decade, but his English teaching career in New Orleans area Catholic schools spanned some 45 years.

Joe created a classroom where writing and literature served as a touchstone not only in communication but also in selfdiscovery. As the moderator and chief photographer of the student newspaper and the yearbook, Joe captured the Blue Jay Spirit in these publications during a challenging time in the school’s history. Even today, as students, alumni, and visitors walk in the Hall of Honors, they are able to look up and see Joe’s ingenuity in some of those class composites that provide ambiance and brighten an otherwise ordinary second floor hallway.

Joe was far from perfect. At times he could be obstinate and downright ornery.

But he also possessed and shared a biting wit and profound wisdom that endeared him to his students, colleagues, family, and friends.

For me, Joe embodied the quiet majority of the Jesuit graduates who, without fanfare or expectation, labor tirelessly and doggedly in their professional and personal pursuit of excellence and happiness.

Joe was 75-years-old when he died on March 13, 2014, three months after

Joe Dover was front and center in this 1974 Jesuit Yearbook photo which shows the majority of the English Department. Mr. Dover’s colleagues were, clockwise from left: Mr. Malcolm Villarubbia, S.J. ’66, Fr. Dan Barfield, S.J., Fr. Ed DeRussy, S.J. ’43, Mr. Sidney Menard ’49, and Mr. John Sharman.

learning his long battle with cancer had returned. I’m glad he had the opportunity to watch his grandson, Glynn Hyer of the Class of 2014, pitch for the Blue Jays. Not many people knew that Joe enjoyed Amtrak train trips and excursions to Civil War sites. He liked Mardi Gras, and few knew that outside the classroom, Joe owned paper routes in which he delivered local news publications.

Undoubtedly, Joe found contentment in the classroom exploring the power of language with his students. But especially, Joe liked being his own man who did what he thought best and right.

Just like his hero: that pesky, persistent pugilist from the silver screen — Robert E. Lee Prewitt.

Jack Culicchia ’83 has taught English at Jesuit High School since 2000.

His email is culicchia@ jesuitnola.org.

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UPCOMING EVENTS Friday, October 3 Homecoming: Jesuit vs. East Jefferson

Saturday, November 1 Celebration

Saturday, October 4 Alumni Mass & Reception

Wednesday, November 5 Open House Tours at 4:30, 5:30, & 6:30 pm

Wednesday, October 8 Mothers' Coffee

Thursday, November 27 Thanksgiving Day Family Mass

Friday, October 10 Rivalry Tailgate Party

Wednesday, December 24 Midnight Mass

Friday, October 10 Jesuit vs. Holy Cross Rivalry Game

Friday, January 16 Alma Mater Awards Luncheon