The Magazine of Jesuit High School of New Orleans
SPRING/SUMMER 2018
Committed to Justice Off They Go! | Alumni as Men for Others | While I Breathe, I Hope | Soccer & Rugby Win State
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Spring/Summer 2018 Vol. 44, No. 2
FEATURES
Jaynotes is published twice a year by the Jesuit High School Office of Institutional Advancement, 4133 Banks Street, New Orleans, LA 70119.
6 Off They Go!
Opinions expressed in Jaynotes are those of the individual authors.
13 State of the Blue Jay
Articles, photographs, and Where Y’ats may be submitted online at jesuitnola.org/where-yat. Contact information and address changes should be emailed to alumni@jesuitnola.org, or call Jesuit’s alumni office at (504) 483-3838.
President Rev. Christopher S. Fronk, S.J. fronkcs@jesuitnola.org Director of Institutional Advancement Thomas V. Bagwill II bagwill@jesuitnola.org Director of Alumni Mat Grau ’68 grau@jesuitnola.org Director of Communications Jeremy Reuther ’01 reuther@jesuitnola.org Director of Special Projects Br. William Dardis, S.J. ’58 dardis@jesuitnola.org Executive Development/ PAG & POA Coordinator Krista Roeling roeling@jesuitnola.org LEF/Events Coordinator Logan Diano diano@jesuitnola.org Creative Coordinator Brittany Donnes donnes@jesuitnola.org Alumni Events/Communications Coordinator Jack Culotta, Jr. ’13 culotta@jesuitnola.org
Class of 2018 graduates 276
Address of Student Council president, Paul Treuting ’18
15 Commencement Luncheon
Guest speaker Peter Finney, Jr. ’74
16 Alumni in Service
Being Men for Others Even After Graduation
18 Medallion Story
Roberto di Nobili: “Going Native” to Save Souls
20 Alumni Feature
Conrad Williams ’01 “While I Breathe, I Hope”
24 Three Perfect ACT Scores
Bradley Fugetta, William Wells, and Jack Zvonek
46 Class Reunions
Alumni from Honolulu to Harahan Celebrate Blue Jay Spirit
51 Soccer & Rugby Win State
IN EVERY ISSUE 2 23 37 42 43 49 51
President’s Message Principal’s Corner Where Y’at Bib List In Memoriam Annus Mirabilis Flying with the Jays
Volunteer & Events Coordinator Maura Owers owers@jesuitnola.org
ON THE COVER During the winter clothing drive, the Class of ’84 teamed up with the Freshmen Sodality to provide shoes for the needy. Pictured (left to right) are Ben Hunn, Jacob Merritt, Pat Huete ’84, Carter DiMaggio, Ken Boe ’84, and Ward Rice ’84. Read all about Alumni doing service on p. 16.
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS | 1
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
LEAVING SAFE HARBOR
D
uring my active duty career in the Navy, I had the honor to serve on three different ships: a guided missile cruiser, an amphibious assault ship, and an aircraft carrier. Each was designed and built for a particular mission. Each went through a series of inspections, improvements were made, shakedown cruises tested each ship, and then they were commissioned. Then each ship and the crew were given the responsibility and the duty to carry out the role that it was created for, the defense of the United States of America. For all three of my shipboard assignments, the ships were homeported at Norfolk Naval Station. It is the largest naval station in the world, having 11 miles of pier space that support about 75 ships. Driving across the base in the direction of the piers, I would be met with the magnificent sight of the many ships, marvels of engineering and design, that were in port at any given time. Each time I drove past those piers I was reminded of a quote that I have had hanging over my desk for many years. It is by the author John A. Shedd. “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” Ships are built to leave the safety of ports to go out and serve where they are most needed, as challenging as that might be. To the Jesuit High School Class of 2018, you were not made for the safety of the harbor. Each of you was created by our God to serve Him in a unique way. You were formed for a particular mission given only to you. During your years here at Jesuit, you were instructed, challenged, encouraged, and you experienced tough love. In your own ways, you all went through a series of inspections, improvements, and then shakedown cruises to make sure that you were prepared for your individual missions. Now we send you out into our world. As exciting as this new adventure appears, there will be challenges on the seas of life. While there is much goodness, it is a broken world, marked by a great deal of sadness. Sometimes you will be a part of that sadness. Outside of your own circle of family and friends, many people won’t care who you are or where you live. You will be reminded on a regular basis that you are not entitled to anything. So that begs the question, why leave the safety and comfort of your home, your safe harbor? The answer to that question is the good news that I have for you this evening. And that good news is this: because this broken world needs you. We need the gifts and talents that each of you have been graced with to make the world a much better place. And the joy of this evening is that you have already begun to do just that. You have already 2 | J AY N OT E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
Commencement address of Fr. Christopher S. Fronk, S.J., to the Class of 2018 on May 24 at the Pontchartrain Center (Photos by Brittany Donnes)
embraced your call from God to be of service to your brothers and sisters in need. This class combined has provided more than 30,000 hours of service. When hurricanes devastated areas of Houston and Puerto Rico, more than 20 of the men on this stage spent a school holiday preparing for the school wide collection of more than $9,000, school supplies, and food items for victims. Nearly 50 of the men seated here collectively labored over 200 hours through the Hams for Fams organization to provide a meal for families who otherwise would have gone without for Christmas. When middle-school students looking to get ahead academically through the Operation Upgrade Program ended their day, many of these men went the extra mile. They held running sessions after regular program hours and even accompanied the students at multiple races sponsored by the New Orleans Track Club throughout the year. On this stage is a man who, with a number of friends, brought a program to New Orleans to produce the charity musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown for the residents at six local retirement facilities. Another man organized a donation drive to the Free Indeed home, a non-profit organization that assists teenage victims of human trafficking. There is also a special group on stage who recorded and sold the first-ever Christmas CD, A Very Terry Christmas, which raised hundreds of dollars for the poor in the Jesuit mission of Santa Rosa in Paraguay. This class offered many hours of tutoring, met the needs of the hungry, brought joy to the physically handicapped, visited the infirmed and elderly, and prayed for the protection of the unborn. They also traveled internationally to Nicaragua and Panama to build multi-purpose sports courts for kids in rural communities. Gentlemen, your efforts thus far are just the beginning of the goodness that you can bring to those in need. Continue to accept your call from God as you move onto the next chapter of your lives. And do not be afraid if your call takes you far away. Go and embrace the world. As you look to the future, keep these words of H. Jackson Brown, Jr. in mind: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Congratulations, Class of 2018. I am proud of you, and I can’t wait to see your impact as you sail away from safe harbor. May God bless you in your endeavors.
COMMENCEMENT 2018
Exploring the World All Over Again Five members of the Class of 2018 earned the honor of being valedictorians based on their grade point average. The Valedictory Address is delivered by the senior with the highest total numerical semester grades in the core curriculum for his senior year. This year’s address was delivered by Garrett Crumb.
F
ather Fronk, Mr. Kernion, faculty, family, friends, and fellow members of the Class of 2018: Five years ago, we stepped into the unknown world of Jesuit High School. It has been a journey full of exploration, marked by the expansion of our minds and the animation of our hearts. T.S. Eliot said, “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” We come tonight to the end of our years of searching and exploring at Jesuit, but the sense of adventure continues in the excitement we hold for our futures, and in a real way we arrive where we started, with the familiar feeling of an unknown world before us, but this time carrying with us an appreciation of our peers and the sense of home and belonging we found at Jesuit. So we return to our starting point, and seek to know the place for the first time. Sitting with the same people at lunch for five years, I have come to form meaningful friendships. At times, we have faced hardships on our path in challenging and unknown subjects, but our teachers taught us not to fear failing and even to embrace it as a means of growth. Take Mr. David Wright, for example. Mr. Wright, we will never forget that the greatest lessons are learned not when we relish in the things we already know, but when we, in your words, “eat dirt,” when we venture into the unknown and reach our limits. On behalf of the nearly 6,000 Blue Jays you have taught, we say “thank you” as you leave Jesuit the second longest tenured classroom teacher in the school’s history. While confronting failure is a hallmark of exploration, so, too, is the opportunity to meet new friends. My friends include more than just my lunch group and classroom peers. I am a member of the track team, where I have forged friendships with people who share my love for the sport. We came together as a team to give our best effort and represent ourselves and our school proudly. We suffered injuries and defeat, but grew as individuals and friends in the process, making the failure well worth the experience. My favorite memories, though, were the times when my friends took part in events purely for the joy of the experience and not out of necessity, especially when they formed a cabbage ball team in the intramural league. While I was watching my friends play, I noticed something: I saw other teams playing and experiencing their own sense of group fraternity just as my
friends were. I recognized and took joy in the fact that we all share the same feeling of being at home within our respective groups. I have come to respect other groups and empathize with them by experiencing their likes and dislikes through events such as our, at times unique, pep rallies – I mean, how many schools have pep rallies for the PSAT and a production of Fiddler on the Roof ? I noticed this empathy even more when our classmate Chris Morel was skyped in for the senior superlatives because he and our whole class felt at home having him present. Chris, we are so happy you are here with us tonight. It took me five years, but the term “man for others” finally made sense to me. It’s more than making kind gestures or offering oneself for the benefit of others; it’s being able to identify with someone; it’s different kids in different groups having different experiences but with the same result: a feeling of being valued, loved, and at home. Although we feel at home in our respective groups, that begins to change today. These past five years, Jesuit has given us the opportunity to meet and grow close to people that are like us and people that we want to be like; this is how our smaller groups formed in the first place. But it has also given us the opportunity to befriend people who are not like us, people we wouldn’t have been able to meet otherwise. As we leave here, our groups will grow to include not only our friends from Jesuit, but also our friends after Jesuit. But we will always return to the ideals instilled in us by Jesuit, our home. We take to the world to explore and feed our imaginations to the fullest. We will encounter hardships, and we will encounter joys. And for all this, our explorations will never end. We will journey on with the lessons of our home at Carrollton and Banks, embracing failure as an opportunity for growth, enjoying the shelter of our valued friendships, and appreciating everyone’s uniqueness. We move on to a broader world, and at the end of our journey in life, we will remember well the words of Eliot,
shall not cease from exploration, and “theWeend of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.
”
Garrett Crumb ’18 Valedictorian Speaker JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS | 3
COMMENCEMENT 2018
SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS PRESENTED AT THE 2018 AWARDS CEREMONY Each year Jesuit High School recognizes seniors and underclassmen who have achieved significant academic and athletic honors. Among the awards presented to members of the Class of 2018 on May 24 in the Jesuit Auditorium were the following:
Academic Awards THE BLUE JAY PARENTS’ CLUB AWARD for excellence in scholarship is awarded to the seniors who are graduating with the highest grade point average for four years at Jesuit High School. They are also named co-valedictorians of their class. This year, the award was merited by five seniors: Robert R. Christmann, Garrett T. Crumb, Samuel O. Guillory, Graeme S. Mjehovich, and William C. Rogers. THE FRANK T. HOWARD MEMORIAL AWARD | Excellence in English | Robert F. Cerise THE JESUIT 500 CLUB AWARD| Excellence in Latin | David B. Gravolet THE WILLIAM HELIS MEMORIAL AWARD| Excellence in Greek | Garrett T. Crumb THE LOYOLA UNIVERSITY AWARD FOR MATHEMATICS | Highest overall average in mathematics | Garrett T. Crumb THE REVEREND WILLIAM J. RYAN MEMORIAL AWARD | Excellence in social studies | William C. Rogers (donated by the late Dr. J. Joseph Ryan in memory of his brother, Rev. William J. Ryan) THE FRANK T. HOWARD MEMORIAL AWARD | Excellence in physics | Garrett T. Crumb THE PAQUETTE FAMILY AWARD | Overall excellence in French | Jackson N. Butterbaugh THE L’UNION FRANÇAIS AWARD | Excellence in French conversation | Michael A. D’Arcangelo THE UBALDO TRELLES MEMORIAL AWARD | Excellence in Spanish | Kevin P. Fox THE SUSAN & GARIC SCHOEN AWARD | Excellence in computer studies | Alexander J. Petty THE EXCELLENCE IN THEOLOGY AWARD | Jake T. Theriot THE PHILELECTIC SOCIETY AWARD | Outstanding achievement in dramatics | Garrin E. Mesa THE CULTURE OF LIFE AWARD | Exemplary leadership as a member of the JHS Pro-Life Club | Benjamin T. Finicle THE QUIZ BOWL AWARD | Outstanding achievement in Quiz Bowl | William C. Rogers THE JOSÉ LUIS BAÑOS AWARD | Excellence in Spanish, given by Sociedad Española | Jonathan M. Arnold THE PROFESSOR MICHAEL CUPERO MEMORIAL AWARD | Overall musical excellence | Kyle M. Selle & Christopher P. Vasquez. (donated by Cupero’s grandson, Col. Hamil M. Cupero ’56)
Athletic Awards
The Class of 2018 co-valedictorians and Blue Jay Parents' Club Award recipients: (Left to right) Robert R. Christmann, Graeme S. Mjehovich, Garrett T. Crumb, Samuel O. Guillory, and William C. Rogers.
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LOUPE PHOTOGRAPHY
THE COACH EDWIN E. TORIBIO MEMORIAL AWARD | Best combined scholarship and athletics | Matt J. Alexander THE ROBERT T. CASEY MEMORIAL AWARD | Varsity athlete with exemplary sportsmanship and spirit | Christian A. de Gracia THE LARRY GILBERT FAMILY MEMORIAL AWARD | Best all-around senior athlete on the varsity teams | Michael S. Hull
AWARDS PRESENTED AT 2018 COMMENCEMENT
Christopher M. Ross 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.
John W. Howell received the Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, an award established to honor one graduating senior who possesses those qualities which symbolize “the most representative student of Jesuit High School.”
Benjamin T. Finicle received 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.
THE DANIEL “RUSTY” STAUB MEMORIAL AWARD | Baseball letterman with exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit | Christian M. Hess THE WILLIAM D. & MAYBELLE POSTELL AWARD | Basketball player with exemplary leadership, scholarship, and spirit | William K. Landrieu (donated by their son, John Blake Postell ’59) THE MORRIS B. REDMANN, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD | Outstanding football letterman with best combined scholarship and athletics | Matthew J. Frischhertz THE EDWIN F. STACY, JR. WRESTLING AWARD | Outstanding wrestler who excelled in academics and exhibited exemplary leadership | Adam R. Larriviere & Eli J. Larriviere THE MICHAEL D. CONWAY AWARD | Most valuable player on the varsity soccer team | Shane D. Lanson THE RODRIGUEZ FAMILY AWARD | Most valuable varisty swimmer | Mitchell R. Lulich & Jack O. Baudouin THE CHESTER M. RIETH AWARD | Track letterman with exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit | Garrett T. Crumb THE MOST VALUABLE GOLFER AWARD | Golfer with exemplary leadership and performed in an outstanding manner in tournament play | Grayson M. Glorioso THE MOST VALUABLE TENNIS PLAYER AWARD | Tennis athlete who exhibited exemplary leadership and performed in an outstanding manner in tournament play | Christian H. Lacoste THE CHRISTOPHER MORGAN MEMORIAL AWARD | Cross-country letterman who exhibited exemplary courage, leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit | Jordan E. Tufts THE JOSEPH MICHAEL WORLEY MEMORIAL AWARD | Senior who, by his unselfishness, sportsmanship, and spirit, enhanced the athletic program either as a player, manager, trainer, or student | John M. McMahon, Jr. THE AWARD FOR ALL-AROUND ATHLETIC ABILITY | Most outstanding ability found in a student-athlete in an individual sport | Nathan C. Koenig & Shane D. Lanson THE STANLEY RAY AWARD | Most improved track letterman | Benton R. Moore THE MOST VALUABLE BOWLER AWARD | Bowler who has exhibited sportsmanship, leadership, and determination while also demonstrating a high quality of excellence as a student-athlete | Trent S. Greco
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS | 5
BRITTANY DONNES
OFF THEY GO! Graduates in Jesuit High School’s Class of 2018 are moving on to more than 60 different universities. Universities or colleges listed in bold under the names of graduates are the institutions they are attending. (H) indicates the graduate was accepted to that school’s Honors program. The scholarships listed pertain only to that university or college which the graduate has indicated he will attend. Areas of intended study are included in a graph on page 12. Congratulations to Jesuit’s Class of 2018! (The information in “Off They Go” was compiled by Jesuit’s guidance department college counselors from data submitted online by seniors and their parents.)
Jackson R. Abadie Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship Matt J. Alexander Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Laith H. Alkahby Xavier University of Louisiana Melvin D. Allen III Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship Evan P. Alphonso Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Resident Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship Nathan M. Alvarez National Merit Semifinalist Tulane University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Deans' Honor Scholarship, Distinguished Scholars' Award, National Merit Tulane University Scholarship, The American Legion Samsung Scholarship Robert S. Argote University of Mississippi (H) Academic Excellence Non-Resident Award, Holmes Scholarship, Accounting Scholarship, Nonresident Alumni Scholarship 2 Leo John Arnett Georgetown University Cooper J. Arnold Southern Methodist University (H) Distinguished Scholarship
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Jonathan M. Arnold University of Alabama (H) Presidential Scholarship
Andrew P. Bechtel Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Thomas I. Arseneaux Baton Rouge Community College TOPS Opportunity Award
Zachary P. Beckmann University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Cutshall T. Ashley University of Richmond Kenneth J. Aucoin III Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Resident Award Hunter W. Babineaux Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award Steven R. Baldwin Louisiana Tech University TOPS Opportunity Award Chase A. Baril Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award, Legacy Scholarship
Hunter J. Bell Northwestern State University of Louisiana TOPS Opportunity Award, Meritorius Dance Scholarship Mitchell M. Berry National Merit Semifinalist Southern Methodist University (H) Provost Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship, Distinguished BBA Scholar Scholarship, Mustang Scholar Scholarship Paul A. Bienvenu V University of Mississippi Andrew C. Black III Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award
Donald A. Barrett Wake Forest University
David L. Blosser, Jr. Louisiana State University Academic Scholars Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship, Chevron U.S. REACH Scholarship
Logan D. Barrois Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Ethan A. Bodin University of South Alabama Faculty Scholarship
Alexander L. Barron University of Alabama Scholar Scholarship, Engineering Leadership Scholarship
Blaise D. Bonura University of New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, President's Scholarship Award
Jack O. Baudouin Henderson State University Red and Gray Scholarship, Swimming Athletic Scholarship
Eric C. Boos, Jr. Louisiana Tech University TOPS Honors Award, Outstanding Student
COMMENCEMENT 2018 Gabriel R. Bopp Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award Jacob M. Bordelon Delgado Community College Chandler J. Boudreaux Loyola University New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, Dean Scholarship James F. Bradford Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Superior Scholarship
Anthony C. Ceasar Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Transformation Merit Award Robert F. Cerise National Merit Semifinalist Boston College Gabelli Presidential Scholarship Robert R. Christmann National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame Entergy Community Power Scholarship
Braden J. Brignac Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award
Anthony C. Cibilich National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) Presidential Scholarship
Benjamin G. Brodnax Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Talon M. Comeaux Delgado Community College TOPS Opportunity Award
William T. Brown Tulane University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Dean's Honor Scholarship, Founders Award Addison C. Bui Xavier University of Louisiana TOPS Honors Award, Presidential Scholarship Gregory J. Buisson, Jr. Boston College BC Scholarship Andrew P. Burnside, Jr. Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Award, President's Student Aid Program James A. Busenlener National Merit Semifinalist Florida State University (H) Presidential Scholar Scholarship, Benacquisto National Merit Scholarship, College of Music Scholarship, University Freshman Scholarship Out of State Tuition Waiver Jackson N. Butterbaugh National Merit Semifinalist Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Patrick Calhoun, Jr. Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Hampton D. Callais University of Louisiana Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award Samuel J. Caluda Southeastern Louisiana University TOPS Opportunity Award Wyatt J. Candies Texas Christian University Peter C. Carr National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame Austin T. Carter Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship Andrew E. Cashman Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Noah A. Cormier Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award William T. Costanzo University of Alabama Collegiate Scholarship Garrett T. Crumb National Merit Semifinalist Vanderbilt University National Merit Finalist Scholarship Matthew A. Cruz National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) National Merit Finalist Scholarship Thomas L. Curry Loyola University New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, Institutional Merit-Based Scholarship Michael A. D'Arcangelo University of New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, Presidential Scholarship
Max J. Drury National Merit Semifinalist Bates College Emory T. Ducote University of Virginia Andrew M. Dufour Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Award, Academic Excellence Fee Exemption Joseph R. Dupepe Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Innovation Award Gabriel G. Dupuy University of New Orleans TOPS Opportunity Award, Academic Scholars Award Stephen M. Ecuyer Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship Parker G. Edwards Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award William C. Edwards Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award Jack A. Ehrhardt University of New Orleans William W. Ellinghausen Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award Donald G. Ellis III University of Alabama (H) Engineering Scholarship, Academic Scholars Award Maximillian D. Elvir Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Preston S. Dantin Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award
Ethan B. Erhardt National Merit Semifinalist University of Colorado Boulder (H) Presidential Scholarship
Christian A. de Gracia Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Michael C. Farrugia National Merit Semifinalist Boston University National Merit Finalist Scholarship
Brandon M. DeRojas Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Award Thomas A. Delsa Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Gavin C. Detillier University of Alabama Presidential Scholarship Cameron J. DiMaggio Hendrix College Hendrix College Award, Early Filer Grant, Hendrix Academic Scholarship, Hays Participation Award, Hendrix Visit Award, Louisiana American Italian Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship, New Orleans Elks Lodge #30 Second Place Male Winner - Americanism Essay Contest John G. Drake Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Hunter P. Faust Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award Benjamin T. Finicle Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Kevin P. Fox Loyola University New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, Men's Swimming Scholarship Mason N. French Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Matthew J. Frischhertz Mississippi State University (H) Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, Colvard Future Leader Scholarship, Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship, The Great American Rivalry Student Athlete Award JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS | 7
COMMENCEMENT 2018 John W. Hite IV Connecticut College 1911 Scholarship Nicholas E. Ho University of Louisiana at Monroe TOPS Honors Award Academic Excellence Award John Thomas Holmes National Merit Semifinalist University of Virginia Fore!Kids Foundation Board Chairman Scholarship
JACK CULOTTA
Robert O. Homes IV University of Alabama (H) Presidential Scholarship
Chris Morel, who is recovering from a serious injury in the spring, is greeted with a hero's welcome by his classmates, who were excited to see him for graduation.
John W. Howell Rhodes College Diehl Scholarship Brandon A. Huggett Auburn University Reed H. Huguet Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Quinn J. Fuentes Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Samuel O. Guillory National Merit Semifinalist University of Miami (H) Singer Scholarship
Michael S. Hull Ohio State University Army ROTC Scholarship
Andrew P. Fugetta University of Notre Dame
Dennis J. Guillot University of New Orleans TOPS Opportunity Award
Michael S. Ingram United State Marine Corps
Franco J. Funes Loyola University New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, Dean's Scholarship Kevin M. Gallagher Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Patrick W. Gallagher Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award Joshua Gaspard University of Alabama Scott P. Gibson Tulane University TOPS Honors Award Michael J. Gieseler Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Award Grayson M. Glorioso Spring Hill College Gautrelet Award, Men's Golf Scholarship Colin J. Gordon Delgado Community College David B. Gravolet National Merit Semifinalist Tulane University (H) TOPS Honors Award, STAMPS Scholarship Trent S. Greco Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award Evan J. Green Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Andrew L. Gruntz Louisiana Tech University (H) TOPS Opportunity Award, LA Tech Merit-Based Scholarship
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Ryan A. Guillot University of Louisiana Lafayette (H) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Resident Award
David R. Jackson II Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award William P. Jackson, Jr. Delgado Community College
Colin J. Haag University Of Alabama (H) UA Scholar Housing Award, UA Scholar Scholarship
Paul R. James National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) National Merit Finalist Award
Robert G. Haik II Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Resident Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Logan R. Javier Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award, Transformation Merit Resident Award
Ryan J. Hamilton Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Brennan J. Jeffrey University of New Orleans TOPS Opportunity Award, UNO Academic Scholarship Award
David J. Hart Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Resident Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Anthony D. Kelly University of New Orleans TOPS Opportunity Award, UNO Dean Scholarship Award
Davis J. Hatrel National Merit Semifinalist Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Distinguished Freshman Award, Flagship Scholars Resident Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
William K. Kitziger Loyola University New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, Dean's Scholarship
Andrew A. Hemelt Dartmouth College Christian M. Hess Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship Cornelius R. Heusel III Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Alexander R. Klein Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Transformation Merit Resident Award Kaden J. Knecht Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Resident Award, Make a Wish Foundation Scholarship Jacob A. Knoll Baton Rouge Community College Nathan C. Koenig Texas Christian University (H) Dean's Scholarship
Andrew L. Kuebel University of Georgia (H) Classic Scholars Award
Hunter L. Maher Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Resident Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Clayton M. Merwin Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Resident Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Chase M. LaRocca Tulane School of Professional Advancement
Alec C. Maraldo Loyola University New Orleans TOPS Performance Award, Loyola Scholarship
Christian H. Lacoste Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Resident Award
James H. Mason University of New Orleans Academic Scholarship
Garrin E. Mesa Loyola University New Orleans TOPS Honors Award, Loyola Scholarship, Drama Scholarship
John F. Kuebel University of Florida
Gregory C. Landrieu Mississippi State University
Gabriel A. Massey Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award
William K. Landrieu Arizona State University Arizona Excellence Tuition Scholarship
Oscar R. Maumus University of Louisiana Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award
Bryan H. Landry Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Resident Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Henry B. McAloon Auburn University
Shane D. Lanson Southern Methodist University University Scholar Award, SMU Opportunity Scholarship Adam R. Larriviere Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Eli J. Larriviere Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Matthew J. Latham National Merit Semifinalist Loyola University Chicago Trustee Scholarship, Jesuit Heritage Award Brock M. Leonard Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Resident Award Reese T. Leonhard University of Miami Presidential Scholarship Nicholas P. Leonik Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award Academic Scholars Resident Award Charles A. Lobrano University of Louisiana Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award Blair L. Loupe Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Hunter J. Ludwig University of Mississippi Mitchell R. Lulich Centenary College TOPS Performance Award, President's Scholarship Carson D. MacKenzie University Of British Columbia Wilder N. Maguire Loyola Marymount University William H. Hannon Foundation Scholarship
Larson S. McAlpine Texas Christian University Dean's Scholar
Christopher W. Meyer University of Southern California (H) Peter D. Michiels Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Transformation Merit Award Collin M. Miller Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Award David G. Miller II Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Christian P. McClure Tulane School of Professional Advancement TOPS Opportunity Award
Andre L. Mire Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Chance C. McConduit St. Edwards University (H) President's Excellence Scholarship, Edwardian Scholarship
Blake R. Mire Baylor University Dean’s Scholarship
Evan M. McElveen Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Resident Award
Tyler J. Mire Arizona State University Academic Achievement Scholar, Sun Devil Standard Award, Living and Learning Award
Tucker P. McGuinness University of Georgia (H) Classic Scholarship
Graeme S. Mjehovich National Merit Semifinalist Georgetown University
Dylan P. McKeough Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Opportunity Award, Academic Scholars Resident Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Juan M. Molina, Jr. National Merit Semifinalist Harvard University
Christopher D. McMahon University of Southern Mississippi John M. McMahon, Jr. University of Mississippi Academic Excellence Award, Non-Resident Alumni Award Patrick R. McManus National Merit Semifinalist Southern Methodist University (H) Provost Scholarship, Distinguished BBA Scholar Scholarship, National Merit Finalist Scholarship Cameron P. McNulty Southeastern Louisiana University TOPS Opportunity Award Lawrence J. Melito III Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award Jordan R. Merritt Louisiana Tech University TOPS Opportunity Award, Academic Scholarship
Benton R. Moore University of Mississippi Holmes Scholarship, Academic Excellence Scholarship Brady C. Moran Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award Christopher M. Morel Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Patrick D. Murray National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) National Merit Finalist Package, National Merit Scholarship Paul H. Myers Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award William W. Nance Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship Nicholas A. Natal Southeastern Louisiana University (H) TOPS Honors Award, University Scholarship
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | NEW ORLEANS | 9
COMMENCEMENT 2018 John N. Nuttli Tulane University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Distinguished Scholars Award Austin R. Oliva Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award Jarrett P. Orr University of Louisiana Lafayette TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholarship, Partial Housing Scholarship
Peyton A. Queyrouze Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award
Eric Michael Schorr II Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award
Andrew K. Quirk Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award
Patrick J. Schwing Boston College
Brenner A. Rauch Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award
Frank J. Sclafani University of Louisiana Lafayette Noah J. Scott Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Collin R. Oubre Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Logan C. Raymond National Merit Semifinalist Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Nathan A. Pajares University of New Orleans TOPS Opportunity Award
David E. Redmann III Louisiana Tech University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Dean's Scholarship
Matthew E. Palmer Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Superior Scholarship
Matthew K. Richards Georgia Institute of Technology TOPS Honors Award
Kyle M. Selle Loyola University New Orleans TOPS Opportunity Award, Academic Scholarship, Band Scholarship
Aidan T. Roberts National Merit Semifinalist University of Georgia (H) Classic Scholars Award
Daniel J. Sentilles Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Harrison P. Robichaux University of Louisiana Lafayette (H) TOPS Opportunity Award, Academic Scholarship, Partial Housing Scholarship
Gavin T. Sheng Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Luke O. Parks Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award RenĂŠ S. Paysse III Tulane University TOPS Opportunity Award Luke A. Pertuit Tulane University TOPS Honors Award, Legislative Scholarship Alexander J. Petty Louisiana Tech University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Presidential Scholarship Tuan A. Pham Tulane University TOPS Performance Award Alvin J. Philips III Louisiana State University Michael J. Plessala Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Flagship Scholars Award Dean W. Poche Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Award Ian K. Poche Gap Year Jeremy P. Poissenot Tulane University TOPS Honors Award Gage M. Polkey Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award, Innovation Award, West Jefferson Medical Center Junior Volunteer Scholarship Brett L. Power Southeastern Louisiana University Patrick L. Prosper, Jr. Howard University Leadership Scholarship Evan M. Queyrouze University Louisiana Lafayette TOPS Opportunity Award
10 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
Seth A. Rocha Louisiana Tech University TOPS Opportunity Award Bryce V. Rodriguez Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award William C. Rogers National Merit Semifinalist Lipscomb University (H) Trustee Scholarship Christopher M. Ross National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame University Scholarship, Entergy Community Power Scholarship Andrew S. Ryan Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Sean M. Seghers University of New Orleans TOPS Performance Award, Dean's Scholarship
William Shiell VI Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Will K. Shropshire Louisiana Tech University TOPS Opportunity Award Seth C. Silva Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award, The Republican Women's Club of Jefferson Parish Scholarship William E. Simon Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award Luke P. Sisung University of Notre Dame University Scholarship Ryan A. Smith Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award
Thomas R. Sagona National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) National Merit Finalist Package, National Merit Scholarship
Timothy J. Stahel National Merit Semifinalist University of Kentucky Patterson Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship
Ryan E. Santos Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Richard H. Starr Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Grant S. Saunders Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Transformation Merit Award
Richard R. Stedman III National Merit Semifinalist University of Georgia (H) Classic Scholar's Waiver
John H. Schmidt, Jr. University of New Orleans (H) TOPS Honors Award, Provost Scholarship
Harrison J. Steudlein Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Seth M. Schmitt University of Alabama (H) UA Scholar Scholarship
Malcolm G. Sundell National Merit Semifinalist Vanderbilt University National Merit Scholarship
Brian B. Taylor University of New Orleans Jake T. Theriot National Merit Semifinalist University of Notre Dame University Scholarship, National Merit Scholarship Alex S. Thomas Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Innovation Award Louisiana Tiger Legacy Superior Scholarship Noah J. Tobin University of Louisiana Lafayette Michael R. Torry, Jr. University of Southern Mississippi Austin D. Tran National Merit Semifinalist Tulane University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Tulane Merit Award, National Merit Scholarship Paul S. Treuting Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award Tanner J. Tripoli National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) National Merit Finalist Package, National Merit Scholarship Erick J. Trotter, Jr. Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award Ryan M. Tucker National Merit Semifinalist University of Alabama (H) National Merit Finalist Package, National Merit Scholarship
Matthew D. Ward Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, President's Scholarship Alexander G. Watermeier Louisiana State University TOPS Performance Award Gabriel C. Wax University of New Orleans TOPS Opportunity Award Samuel M. Whitsell Louisiana Tech University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Presidential Scholarship, Thomas A. & Lucinda Ritchie Walker Scholarship Johnny L. Williams III Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award Michael L. Williams III University of Tampa (H) Dean's Scholarship Thaddeus G. Wilson University of Louisiana Lafayette TOPS Performance Award, Academic Excellence Scholarship John C. Womble Louisiana Tech University TOPS Performance Award, Outsanding Student Award Colin M. Wood University of Alabama (H) Presidential Scholar Award Patrick J. Young Louisiana State University TOPS Honors Award, Academic Scholars Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship
Jordan E. Tufts Texas Christian University Faculty Scholarship
Michael Z. Younis Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Innovation Award
Clay J. Valentino Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Merit Scholarship
Spencer C. Zaheri Louisiana State University Academic Scholars Award
Noel E. Vargas II Lynn University Lynn Merit Scholarship, Lynn Merit Housing Scholarship
BRITTANY DONNES
Norris C. Talbot University of Notre Dame (H)
Kelly P. Zeringue Nicholls State University TOPS Opportunity Award
Christopher P. Vasquez Louisiana State University (H) TOPS Honors Award, Tiger Excellence Scholars Award Timothy P. Verlander Elon University Elon Engagement Scholarship Jack C. Vollenweider Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award, Innovation Award Van H. Vu Xavier University of Louisiana TOPS Performance Award, Xavier Academic Scholarship Aubert F. Waguespack Louisiana State University TOPS Opportunity Award J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 11
COMMENCEMENT 2018
WHERE THEY'RE GOING Listed below are the 151 colleges and universities to which the graduates of the Class of 2018 were accepted. Schools listed in bold are the institutions they are attending with the number of attendees in parentheses. Abilene Christian University Appalachian State University Arizona State University (2) Auburn University (2) Ball State University Bates College (1) Baton Rouge Community College (2) Baylor University (1) Belmont Abbey College Belmont University Birmingham Southern College Boston College (3) Boston University (1) California State Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo Case Western Reserve University Catholic University of America Centenary College (1) Centre College Clemson University College of Charleston College of the Holy Cross Connecticut College (1) Cornell University Dartmouth College (1) Delgado Community College (4) Delta State University DePaul University Drew University Elon University (1) Florida International University Florida State University (1) Fordham University Franklin and Marshall College Furman University George Washington University Georgetown University (2) Georgia Institute of Technology (1) Gonzaga University
Grinnell College Harvard University (1) Henderson State University (1) Hendrix College (1) Hofstra University Howard University (1) Jacksonville University James Madison University Lipscomb University (1) Louisiana State University (114) Louisiana Tech University (10) Loyola Marymount University (1) Loyola University Chicago (1) Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans (8) Lynn University (1) McDaniel College Michigan State University Millsaps College Mississippi College Mississippi State University (2) Morehouse College New York University Nicholls State University (1) North Carolina State University Northwestern State University of Louisiana (1) Nova Southeastern University Oglethorpe University Ohio Dominican University Ohio State University (1) Oklahoma City University Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University Providence College Purdue University Rhodes College (1) Rochester Institute of Technology Saint Edward’s University
Saint Joseph’s University Saint Louis University Sam Houston State University Samford University San Diego State University Santa Clara University Sewanee: The University of the South Southeastern Louisiana University (4) Southern Methodist University (4) Spring Hill College (1) St. Edwards University (1) State Univ. of New York at Purchase Stephen F. Austin University Stetson University Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University College Station Texas A&M University Galveston Texas Christian University (4) Trinity University Tulane School of Professional Advancement (2) Tulane University (10) United State Marine Corps (1) U.S. Merchant Marine Academy University of Alabama (17) University of Alabama Huntsville University of Arizona University of Arkansas University Of British Columbia (1) University of California Los Angeles University of California Riverside University of California San Diego University of California Santa Barbara University of Colorado Boulder (1) University of Dallas University of Dayton University of Florida (1) University of Georgia (4)
University of Holy Cross University of Houston University of Kentucky (1) University of Louisiana Monroe (1) University of Louisiana Lafayette (11) University of Maryland University of Miami (2) University of Michigan University of Mississippi (5) University of New Orleans (13) Univ. of North Carolina Chapel Hill University of Notre Dame (7) University of Oklahoma University of Oregon University of Redlands University of Richmond (1) University of San Francisco University of South Alabama (1) University of South Carolina University of Southern California (1) University of Southern Mississippi (2) University of Tampa (1) University of Tennessee Knoxville University of Texas Austin University of Virginia (2) University of Washington University of West Florida Vanderbilt University (2) Villanova University Virginia Tech University Wake Forest University (1) Washington State University Washington University in Saint Louis West Virginia University William Carey College Xavier University Cincinnati Xavier University of Louisiana (3)
WHAT THEY'RE STUDYING NUMBER OUT OF 276 GRADUATES: 62 | Business/Finance 38 | Engineering 29 | Biology Pre-Med
22.5%
business/finance
25 | Undeclared 23 | Computer Science 19 | Health & Medicine 19 | Humanties and Social Sciences
Blue Jays have accepted $7,081,512 in scholarship dollars (amount earned per year for four years).
The largest contingent, 114 Blue Jays, is destined for Louisiana State University.
14 | Other 11 | Policital Science 10 | Sciences
28.2 19.5
21.0
10 | Law & Criminology 8 | Construction Management
7 | Music & Dramatic Arts 12 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
act composite averages Louisiana National 19.5 21.0
Jesuit 28.2
This year’s “long distance award” goes to Carson D. MacKenzie who is traveling more than 2,184 miles to attend University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
S TAT E O F T H E B L U E J AY
BRITTANY DONNES
On the morning of May 4, all members of student body for 2018 stood together at assembly for the last time. In the traditional State of the Blue Jay address, student council president Paul Treuting had one message for fellow Blue Jays . . .
N
BE EXTRAORDINARY!
o one looks back on life and says, “Wasn’t it so much fun when we were ordinary all the time?” This sentiment rings true for Jesuit High School. As we make our way through these halls, and through our years here, we need to ask ourselves, “Why am I here? What am I looking to get out of this investment, this opportunity?” This year, many Blue Jays have answered that question. As a school, we have replaced the notion of being ordinary with something greater. So, what is the state of this school? Athletically, we embraced the mantle of the underdog, clawing our way to state championships in swimming, soccer, and rugby, as well as runners-up spots in wrestling, golf, and tennis. I have rushed the field at a sporting event twice in my life, and both times were at games this year. Academically, we produced 35 National Merit Semifinalists, four perfect ACTs, and won state titles in both Mock Trial and Quiz Bowl. We have revitalized school spirit, whether we were celebrating Once de Mayo, bringing back the Carrollton Clash, or introducing the first PSAT and Phils pep rallies. We have faced adversity through every turn, from week-long blizzards, to three separate school bells, but nothing has stopped us. This is all well and good. We should be proud of these achievements. However, I cannot leave this podium without addressing both sides of the coin. In the last five years, I have witnessed an attitude that has begun to cultivate among our students. It is a privileged attitude, full of unearned expectations, in which we think that we deserve what we are not willing to work for. It is an attitude of guiltlessness. Too often do we put the blame on our circumstances, and too little do we own up to the fact that our actions dictate the outcome of our situations. It is an attitude of unwarranted superiority and arrogance. Why? Ten years from now, no one will care what our ACT scores were, or what academic programs we were in. What people will care about is the type of people we are ten years from now. And that sentiment, I think, is the purpose of our time here: growth. Although Jesuit puts an emphasis on our academics, it should never be our identity. Continue to grow not only mentally, but physically and spiritually. Foster individuality and creativity in yourselves and in this school. Practice patience, tolerance, and compassion. Never give up in your pursuit of perfection. We all know that Jesuit is far from perfect, but if you leave this place
a better man than when you entered, the school will be better for it as well. A year ago to this day, I almost lost my presidency two weeks after I was elected because of stupidity and a false sense of leadership. I still had a year to go and no room for error. To fulfill my commitment to my executive board, and to you, the student body, it was necessary for me to redefine my notion of what being a good leader is. As students of Jesuit High School, we are called to aspire to new challenges every single day. We are called to make the tough decisions, not necessarily the easy ones. We are called to do what is right, not necessarily what is fun. Answer that call. We have plenty of semifinalists; what we need is more leaders. It is this attribute of leadership that we must cultivate to succeed in our schooling, in our community, and beyond. It is this attribute that will dispel that mindset which has begun to manifest itself in our school. To the new executive board, I wish you luck in the upcoming school year. You have a difficult job ahead of you. You will often face the criticism of those who believe they can do your job better than you can; but the fact of the matter is that you are putting in the work; you are the movers and shakers of this school; you are the men toiling in the arena, while they are just the spectators. You, along with the rest of your class, are tasked with the demanding and often thankless challenge of stimulating school spirit and permeating that spirit throughout the student body. However, I am confident that you will face these challenges head-on, you will succeed, and you will become better men because of it. After this assembly is over, the sound of “2019!” should echo throughout this courtyard. To my E-board and to fellow seniors, thank you. You are the part of this job that I have loved, and your unwavering support has been the reason I have continued to do it. I am proud of the legacy that we will leave behind, and for our future to come. You have my sincerest gratitude. And to all, thank you for allowing me to be your student body president. As I descend this podium for the last time, I want you all to know that you have made my time here at Jesuit High School more fulfilling and more worthwhile than I could ever have hoped. Make your time here extraordinary. Thank You. Paul Treuting ’18 Student Body President J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 13
Dave Wright
PRO FI LE AWARDS
JEREMY REUTHER
Retires After 45 Years of Service
Two Jesuit Teachers Recognized for Excellence in the Classroom At the end of each school year, Jesuit recognizes excellence in teaching by presenting the Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Award. The school’s 2018 awardees are Bob Roso and Kevin Murphy ’00. Bob Roso’s 16 years as an English teacher at Jesuit have been distinguished by his passion for his subject matter, his desire to grow in the classroom, and his determination to see his students become the best they can be. Roso sets high standards. But if he is demanding on his students, he is doubly demanding on himself, for he knows that anything less would be shortchanging his students. So his challenging lessons are complemented with an abundance of time for student assistance. Roso brings the same passion and energy from the classroom to his involvement with the sophomore service days and service trips to Nicaragua and Peru. Also, his influence extends to his involvement in co-curricular activities, primarily with the Phils and the Movie Critics Club. Perhaps a graduating senior says it best: “Similar to Holden Caulfield’s wish to preserve his childhood, I wish I could take my time in your class and have it placed inside a big glass case and visit it over and over and over again.”
In his five years at Jesuit, Kevin Murphy ’00 has settled in as a triple threat: teacher of geography and Louisiana history, coach of the 8th grade basketball team, and service projects director. In the classroom Murphy keeps his students engaged by incorporating creative activities and relating course material to relevant topics in his students' lives. "Fair," "kind," and "intelligent" are among the many adjectives students have used to describe Murphy. Combine these traits with a warm, honest rapport, and his classroom becomes a welcoming environment for Jesuit’s newest Blue Jays. As Jesuit’s service project director, Murphy works tirelessly to ensure students benefit from the opportunity God has given them to show compassion for those less fortunate. He visits many and participates in several summer service camps to be sure first-hand that our students’ experience reflects the school’s mission. 14 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
As the 2017-2018 school year drew to a close, so did the 45-year teaching tenure of beloved math teacher Dave Wright. In 1973, Wright came to Jesuit to fill a geometry position teaching freshmen and sophomores, but when Jesuit introduced AP Calculus for seniors in 1975, Wright knew he had found his calling. He has taught the course ever since, also intermittently teaching Algebra II, pre-calculus, and finite math. When asked to describe his most memorable experience as a teacher, Wright reflected, “I always enjoy students’ reactions when I tell them that, as a math teacher, I hate correct answers because that means the learning stops. As mathematicians, we are interested in the methods needed and the validity of the solutions obtained using these methods, rather than the actual answer itself.” Giving students just enough information to get started in problem solving, Wright looks for his students to screw-up, described in class as “eating dirt,” so that they can learn from mistakes. For Wright, teaching in a Catholic school has truly been a ministry. He came to Jesuit to be involved in the formation of the complete human person, saying “I love being there when students are awakening and becoming self-aware, wanting to make a difference in the world.” After 45 years in the classroom, Wright has profoundly influenced nearly 6,000 Jesuit students and now retires as the second longesttenured classroom teacher in the school’s history. 1987
2010
COMMENCEMENT LUNCHEON
Alumni Pack the Superdome to Welcome the Class of 2018 into the Alumni Association
BRITTANY DONNES & JEREMY REUTHER
In early May, beaucoup Blue Jays packed the Mercedes-Benz Superdome – well, the famous building’s Bienville Ballroom, at least – to welcome the Class of 2018 into the school’s Alumni Association. For the first time in the luncheon’s 17-year history, the event was sold-out with an almost perfect ratio of 274 alumni to 276 graduating seniors. The mid-day program featured a welcome from Ian Blanchard ’03, president of the Alumni Association, and an inspirational talk by Peter Finney, Jr. ’74, executive editor of the Clarion-Herald. Finney, whose father, Peter Finney, Sr. ’45, spoke at the 2005 Commencement Luncheon, was the master storyteller as he drew lessons of compassion, empathy, and sacrifice from the lives of other distinguished alumni such as Fr. Harry Tompson ’54, his classmate Stephen McKenna ’74, Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald ’76, and, of course, his father. Finney concluded his address by reminding the assembled Jays, “The Church is not just rules and regulations. It’s stories of love and redemption and overcoming obstacles in life through our faith.” Indeed, Peter Finney’s stories reminded the Class of 2018 not only to witness the examples of the Church around them, but to create their own stories that will serve as positive examples for others.
Middle right: Executive editor of the Clarion-Herald Peter Finney, Jr. ’74 addressed the graduating seniors and alumni at the 2018 Commencement Luncheon.
Bottom left: David Rochon '93, Michael Hull '18, Miguel Hull '97, David Jackson II '18, Patrick Prosper, Jr. '18, Hunter Ludwig '18, Chris Cola '93, Jack Ehrhardt Bottom right: Tyler Hatrel '13, Evan Hatrel '17, Alex Brignac '10, Braden Brignac '18, Malachi Hull, Jr. '16, and Malachi Hull, Sr. '92 '18, Davis Hatrel '18, and Bryon Hartel '84 J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 15
ALUMNI IN SERVICE
Alumni in Action as Men of Faith and Men for Others by Mat Grau
A cursory look through the pages of this edition of Jaynotes reveals examples of Jesuit’s mission being acted out, examples of the love of God revealing itself in acts, and even a career, of service to and for others. Conrad Williams ’01 accompanies parents of critically ill children. Garrett Crumb ’18 sees God in the friendship of classmates for each other. The Class of 2018 invests 30,000 hours to make others’ lives better. David Scotton ’12 fights for the unborn. Brandon Briscoe ’98 serves other people of faith via his involvement in various church ministries. Rusty Staub ’61 eases the pain of the families of deceased New York police and firemen, all . . . Opposite Page (Left to Right): The Class of ’83 and the Freshmen Sodality deliver shoes at the Harry Tompson Center fo the winter clothing drive. The Class of ’92 and their families wear their blue Santa hats to gather needed items for the needy. Working to restore order after the flood waters recede, the Class ’95 lends a few helping hands in Puerto Rico.
The prom goers, decked out in glittering gowns and sharp tuxes, busted moves on a dance floor showered with flowers, balloons, and ribbons before heading to a table overflowing with framed pictures, teddy bears, ice cream, and a huge spread of catered food. Across town the strapping, bronzed forty-something, long blond locks flowing from beneath his logoed baseball cap and sporting a pair of classic Chuck Taylors, strode briskly past the church doors as he rushed to a nearby intersection. And the pungent aromas of passionately prepared dishes blended with a cool sea breeze to welcome the many islanders to the long table with the red-checkered table cloth. Life is good. Life certainly can be good, or at least better, because of the kindness of others. Special-needs youngsters can enjoy a prom with all the trimmings because a group of classmates insisted on it and funded the event to cover admission and dance enhancements. A homeless man can soothe his tired feet with a brand new pair of Converse tennis shoes because of the generosity of a group of men who attended school together decades ago. And after a day of dealing with the devastation of a hurricane, the islanders of Puerto Rico can look forward to a hearty, home-cooked meal because of the leadership of one man to marshal many to help others. These are the stories of only three of the many alumni classes, groups, and individuals who have acted on an impulse to look outside themselves to make life better for someone else. When Granville
Morse ’89 heard of the struggles of the Therapeutic Learning Center to provide a free and full Heart & Sole Prom for their special needs youth, he got to work letting his Class of 1989 know of the need. Before long, the important social event for the young people was being underwritten by a $4,700 gift of the class. For the past few years, the Class of 1984 has joined with Jesuit’s Freshman Sodality to provide winter clothing for the homeless men who are served by the Harry Tompson Center in the Central Business District. The class focused on new tennis shoes with sturdy soles for the men who spend much of each day walking the streets of New Orleans. And as soon as Ryan Fitzmorris ’95 heard of the devastation that Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria wreaked on Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, he knew he had to do something. That “something” turned out to be the recruitment of classmates, other alumni, alumni of other schools, parents of alumni, family, and others to alleviate the pain of those suffering. The group concentrated on the immediate need of food and sustenance. Ryan’s huge endeavor eventually included corporate sponsorships, but, mostly, the sweat and toil and compassion of people in service for others. Today his Relief Now organization is on call to assist those impacted by natural disasters. The call to service has been part of Jesuit education since the beginning. St. Ignatius Loyola called for us “to see God in all things.” It is easy, perhaps, to see God in the majestic beauty of the natural
world – the mighty river flowing past the city, the full oaks draped with moss lining the meditation path, the purple sky dappled with orange puffs of clouds at evening. But where is God in the ashes of homes destroyed by ferocious wildfires in Northern California? Where is God in the filth and stench of the domed building housing thousands of homeless following the levee breaks after the hurricane? Perhaps God is present in the one crying over the suffering before him. St. Teresa of Avila prayed, “Christ has no body but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.” Perhaps God is present in the eyes filled with tears, the hands ready to help, the feet eager to walk in another’s shoes. The alumni of Jesuit High School in New Orleans, indeed, the alumni of every Jesuit high school throughout the world, might quickly react, “Yes, we are called to be ‘Men for Others,’ who look outside ourselves to alleviate the pain of those suffering.” Since Fr. Pedro Arrupe (see Annus Mirabilis for bio) gave us the phrase in 1973, it has become an endeared label for all Jesuit alumni. We proudly wear the mantel of service and use it often to identify our actions to help others. Hopefully, though, it is more than a marketing tool to be used in a branding campaign. Like all good phrases, this one is concise and impactful. Say it and so much is conveyed. But what really is that “so much”?
Perhaps the answer lies in the full text surrounding Fr. Arrupe’s famous phrase. Even his audience says something about the power of the phrase. Fr. Arrupe used the words in his address to the Tenth International Congress of Jesuit Alumni of Europe in Valencia, Spain, on July 31, 1973. He was speaking to men who had a Jesuit education. But he was saying something to them that may not have been emphasized in their education. He was asking them to change. Today our prime educational objective must be to form men for others; men who will live not for themselves but for God and his Christ – for the Godman who lived and died for all the world; men who cannot even conceive of love of God which does not include love for the least of their neighbors; men completely convinced that love of God which does not issue in justice for others is a farce. Some might be surprised to know that Fr. Arrupe was not just calling for Jesuit’s alumni to do good acts to help others at a specific moment of need. He was asking them to lead a life of on-going love not just for others but specifically for the “least of their neighbors” that they might live in a world fair and just to them. Just as we are never sure that we love God unless we love others, so we are never sure that we have love at all unless our love issues in works of justice: a basic attitude of respect for all people which forbids us ever to use them as instruments for our own profit; a firm resolve never to profit
from positions of power deriving from privilege; an attitude not simply of refusal but of counterattack against injustice. But if today, 45 years after Fr. Arrupe coined it, the phrase “Men for Others” carries that depth of conversion he called for but also carries lessons more relevant to us, more doable, so much the better. Let it be a call to individual acts of incredible kindness to others. Let it be what impels the Class of 1992 to morph into the Blue Santas at Christmas to collect nearly $6,000 to purchase needed items for poor families in the city. Let it be what encourages the Class of 2007 to adopt at least 15 poor families to feed at Thanksgiving. Let it be the inspiration for Davis Martin ’17 and Alex Welsh ’17 to form Ham for Fams to continue to provide Christmas meals to 200 needy New Orleans families. Let it be what brought the Class of 1980 together on their reunion weekend to assist Youth Rebuilding New Orleans in the rebuilding of a post-Katrina home. Let it be the motivation of the Class of 1967 who, during their 50th reunion year, donated 50 pairs of tennis shoes to the Harry Tompson Center for homeless men in the city. Let it be the community of Strake Jesuit in Houston soothing our wounds, our suffering, following Katrina. Let it be a call to a way of life that is no less than the purpose of Jesuit High School: “to develop in its students the competence, conscience, and compassion to be men of faith and men for others.”
J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 17
THE FINAL M E DALLI O N S TO RY Ten years ago Jaynotes began telling the stories of the 26 Jesuits whose names are inscribed on the stone medallions overlooking Traditions Courtyard. With this edition Jaynotes presents the final Medallion Story. Jesuit’s alumni director, Mat Grau ’68, set out to tell the story of the Jesuit missionary Roberto di Nobili. When Grau happened to mention his project to his colleague Fr. John Brown, the superior of the Jesuit community, Fr. Brown’s eyes lit up. At that moment the endeavor became a collaboration with Grau providing the overview of di Nobili’s life and Fr. Brown revealing why Roberto di Nobili is one of his favorite Jesuits.
ROBERTO DI NOBILI: “GOING NATIVE” TO SAVE SOULS by Mat Grau
Roberto di Nobili was a 17th century Jesuit missionary. He specifically chose the Society of Jesus to work for conversions in Asia and, in the process, alienated his Italian family who believed the order provided scant possibility for church advancement and position. After all, he was related to two popes. Di Nobili persisted and was ordained a Jesuit in 1603. Quickly, he found himself in Madurai, a Portuguese colony of South India, whose indigenous people were descendants of Indians who had converted to Christianity to be saved by the Portuguese from the invading Muslims. These Parangis, as they were called, assumed the dress and culture of the Portuguese. Di Nobili would come to understand that the term did not mean “Portuguese” as he had thought, but actually referred to despicable foreigners who ate meat, drank alcohol, bathed irregularly, and wore leather shoes. In India’s all-important caste system, they were outcasts alienated from the Hindus. Di Nobili realized this was a huge block to Hindus ever considering listening to the gospel. He then made a clean break from the Parangi and adopted the habits and culture of the Hindus. This alienated him from his superiors who considered his way of proceeding an insult to prior missionaries. Di Nobili persisted, convinced this adaptation was the way to conversion. His method proved successful. An important early convert was a Brahmin Sanskrit scholar, Sivadarma, who granted di Nobili access to the Vedas and the Upanishads, making him the first European to study Sanskrit and see these sacred texts. Again, controversy ensued when this scholar was allowed to maintain the trappings of the Hindus. Di Nobili would experience years of conflict with his superiors, both Jesuit and episcopal. The conflict would be resolved in 1623 when Pope Gregory XV approved di Nobili’s method of assimilation. It is thought that before his death in 1656 di Nobili had converted 30,000 Indians. Clearly, Roberto di Nobili’s legacy lies not in the number of converts he was responsible for but in his determination to heed St. Ignatius’s call to meet people where they are and to adapt to save their souls. 18 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
ME DALLION S TORY
JEREMY REUTHER
with them to adapt to what’s new. They were willing to do that for the sake of the gospel.
A Conversation with Fr. John Brown, S.J. mat grau: why are you so interested in roberto di nobili?
Fr. John Brown, S.J.: I am very intrigued by the Jesuits who found themselves missionaries in cultures that were so alien to them. I am so impressed by their desire to learn about those cultures to get to the heart of the gospel and make it presentable to them. Roberto di Nobili wondered how to bring the message of the gospel to a people that sees the world in a rigid caste system. His life was the answer to that question. was he successful?
Well, India is still not a Christian country. In di Nobili’s time, countries converted all together. Germany becomes Protestant. Spain becomes Catholic. England converts to the Church of England. Entire countries would flip together. So his hope was to flip India. these guys were thinking that big?
Absolutely that big. In fact, the Jesuit Adam Schall von Bell thought that if he could convert the emperor of China, all of china would be Christian. Di Nobili was thinking of a big, massive conversion of the whole country.
what would di nobili think of today’s world?
I think he would be confused. But he would have brought with him a single minded, goal-oriented evangelization strategy. His #1 goal was to do what he had to do to let the gospel take root in India. So he went native. He adopted their symbols, their language, their dress. He stopped to understand the person he was talking to. He said, ok, there are things that separate us, but maybe we have to celebrate those differences to be able to see a reconciliation between people that the gospel needs in order to take root. so that was di nobili’s big thing, adapting himself to Indian customs, making accommodations to achieve his goal?
I challenge the word “accommodation” because the word usually suggests giving up something. I prefer “enculturation.” He takes on that culture which has its own beauty and its own good, as opposed to “accommodation” which suggests “I don’t really want to do it this way, but I’ll accommodate you.” Enculturation says “I won’t just meet you where you are. I will become one of you.” The Jesuits spent so much time trying to figure out a way to do this. They were so quick to give up whatever they brought with them to be able to do this. They show up in these places dressed like Portuguese, like Italians, like Spaniards, and very quickly they discard whatever it was they brought
was he using deception to get what he wanted?
Let me answer that with an analogy. In presenting the Nativity scene to the Native Americans, the North American Martyrs would tell stories. Jean de Brébeuf adapted a hymn in which he describes the three wise men bearing beaver pelts instead of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Is that deception? We know the bible says gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But these were symbols, and Brébeuf just changes the symbols to fit the culture. Nobody knew what myrrh was in North America in the 1600s. I don’t think it’s as much deception as a dynamic translation that will make sense to the person who is hearing it. i wonder why fr. anthony mcginn included di nobili.
I don’t know why, but I am so glad he did. Di Nobili shines as someone who was willing to sacrifice more than just leaving his home. He had to leave his culture and adopt something completely alien to him and say, I don’t think the gospel is going to be alien to these people’s hearts if I can just figure out the words I need to use to help them hear it. what does roberto di nobili’s story say to our students today?
It says that the world is a very big and interesting place, and there is not a single place in the world where Christ doesn’t belong. Di Nobili says there is nothing that will stop him from bringing this message, there is not a place in the world where it doesn’t belong.
J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 19
PHOTO BY GRACE BEAHM ALFORD THE POST AND COURIER, CHARLESTON
While I Breathe, I H3ope
by Jeremy Reuther
Conrad Williams ’01, A Vocation of Service Gus was a favorite of the nursing staff at Children’s Hospital. So much so that there would always be a few extra cookies on his tray as the staff made afternoon rounds. Conrad Williams ’01 found Gus equally engaging. As a junior at Jesuit volunteering at Children’s for his service project, Williams quickly became best pals with the 10-year-old suffering with liver failure. Since high school volunteers can provide little medical service, Williams would play board games with young patients, talk to them, and be there when parents and relatives had to work or lived far away. “That experience really helped me fall in love with the human side of medicine,” said Williams. “People kept telling me that their children were shy and struggled connecting with adults, but for me it was always easy to talk with them and take their mind off being in the hospital.” Gus and Conrad eventually found their favorite game – imaginary baseball. “I would always strike out, and he would always hit home runs,” Williams laughed. “Gus won more games than I could count.” But enduring imaginary defeat had its perks. Gus would save his extra 20 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
cookies for his special play pal, Conrad. “That’s one of the things that stuck with me the most,” Williams remembers. “Of all the people who deserved to be selfish, it was Gus, who, in those moments, was incredibly selfless. It was that example that showed me I had found something really meaningful.” Nowadays, Williams carries with him that selfless spirit he found in Gus at Children’s Hospital 18 years ago. Joe and Jessica McDevitt are incredibly thankful that he does. They met Williams in April of 2017 at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where he works as a palliative care physician. Jessica was pregnant with the McDevitts’ second child. The couple always knew they wanted multiple children, and they would have been happy with any baby, but deep down really hoped for another boy. Their first son, Miller, was born in 2015. So Jessica and Joe were thrilled when they found out at the 18-week anatomy scan that they were having another baby boy. They wanted to name the baby Hampton. They chose the name because Jessica grew up going to her grandparents’ farm in Hampton County, SC. The farm was the gathering place for her entire
extended family. “It really shaped my childhood,” Jessica said. “I liked the idea of incorporating ‘Hampton’ into his name because it evokes a sense of pure, simple childhood, growing up outdoors with family. That’s how we want to raise our kids.” But the excitement of the news at the anatomy scan lasted only a few minutes. The scan also revealed that something was not quite right with Hampton’s heart. After a series of referrals to specialists in maternal/fetal medicine, Jessica and Joe found themselves at MUSC, where they received Hampton’s official diagnosis, hypoplastic right heart. Single ventricle heart disease, as it is also called, is an incurable heart condition in which only one half of the heart forms in utero. The outcomes for the condition are highly variable, with some patients dying in the first few days of life while others live to mature adulthood with few signs of their condition. Many families go through a series of surgeries through the first few years of life to re-route the way blood flows through the heart and into the lungs to allow the child to live as long as possible. There are often high risks associated
A L U M N I F E AT U R E - C O N R A D W I L L I A M S ’ 0 1 with the surgeries, and many patients eventually need to have a heart transplant. The McDevitts braced themselves to overcome any obstacle. That first appointment at MUSC was a dark and scary one, leaving the couple feeling mentally and physically exhausted. They then went in for regular echocardiograms and would meet afterwards with the fetal care team, which included Dr. Conrad Williams. At first, Jessica and Joe wondered if the addition of a palliative care physician meant that Hampton’s condition had worsened. After meeting Conrad, their fears were relieved. “I specifically remember,” Jessica said, “that he got on a stool, sat right in front of us, and said he would be with us every step of the way. He asked about our other child, our family, our faith, and what our support system looked like. He definitely brought a warmth to our appointment, which had felt so stuffy and medical.” Palliative care is an approach to specialized medicine which includes nurses, social workers, chaplains, doctors, and volunteers who focus on alleviating suffering in all its forms – physical, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual. Often used in hospice situations, palliative care is also applicable in highrisk situations that are not terminal. Williams’s road to palliative care was marked by an internal struggle. “Medical school was not a very fulfilling time for me,” he recalls. “You spend your first two years in the classroom learning about the body and what can go wrong. The final two years are in a clinical setting, but you quickly learn that there isn’t much time to connect with patients.” As a resident, Williams reconnected with the emotional side of medicine. “I wasn’t interested in diseases. I was more interested in how humans were impacted by disease. When I learned about the specialty of palliative medicine, I was immediately hooked.” Through conversations with Williams and many others, Jessica and Joe decided to go through with three open-heart surgeries for Hampton, the first of which would occur just days after Hampton was delivered. Baby Hampton was born on
August 13, 2017, in the state whose motto is, “While I breathe, I hope.” Open-heart surgery for the four-day-old Hampton was worrisome, but a success. The extended hospital stay and follow-up visits were also trying, but Hampton was doing great. A few short months later, though, the family learned that something else was troubling Hampton’s heart. He had developed pulmonary vein stenosis, a complication in the blood flow that would require additional surgery. Another obstacle to overcome, another occasion for hope. The first additional surgery effectively cleared the vein blockage, but an appointment in April showed that the stenosis had returned and even progressed. Hampton would soon die. Further surgeries were no longer a reasonable option. The best thing for the eight-month-old Hampton and his parents was to go home and be together. “I try to help my patients’ families focus on making each moment with their child as meaningful as possible,” Williams said. “Knowing that Hampton will eventually die at home as his veins continue to close, I focus on keeping his quality of life high and maximizing the time the family has together. They also need to know what to expect. Hampton will struggle with shortness of breath, and there will be other signs and symptoms as his heart failure worsens over time.” The nightmare scenario has become a reality. Jessica and Joe are natural problem solvers, so a big struggle has been making tough medical decisions that are the best for Hampton without feeling like they are giving up on him. Add to that the difficulty of finding the right words to explain concepts like serious illness and death to their 3-year-old son, Miller, and the burden can be almost too heavy to bear at times. “It’s not only what he said. It’s also the fact that he was always there,” Joe said of Conrad’s support. “He was in our prenatal meetings; he was in the intensive care unit as Hampton recovered from surgeries; and now that Hampton has transitioned to hospice, Conrad is with us still.” The day the McDevitts found out Hampton’s condition was terminal, Joe was having a hard time wrapping his mind
around everything. He couldn’t talk. Jessica knew what to do. Soon Conrad was at their side. “He sat with us and was just there. He gave us his time and wasn’t rushed to get out of the room. That meant a lot to us. He helped us process the catastrophic news and helped us decide how to move forward.” Three days after Hampton’s terminal diagnosis, Conrad made a home visit. As he entered, he said, “Of course, I’m here to see Hampton, but I really came to check on Joe, too.” “That meant the world to Joe,” Jessica recalls. “Conrad asked us what ‘boxes we needed to check’ to help us make peace with Hampton’s death and the decision to stop treatment. It forced us to think ahead to ten years from now and focus on what will be important then. I told Conrad I think he’s equal parts medical doctor and therapist.” Williams takes his dual role seriously but often jokes that talking about his profession is an easy way to end a conversation. “But,” he says, “this work is not depressing to me. To be let into the lives of incredible children and families when faced with enormous challenges is such a blessing. I do feel called to this work and that calling helps give me the strength to get through each day, to support individuals in the face of immense suffering, to meet with hospital administrators to convince them for support, to meet with community partners for donations.” 22 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
To experience blessing in the face of challenges opens the door to living AMDG, for the greater glory of God. Williams remembers writing the four letters at the top of class work every day at Jesuit, but honestly not giving it a second thought. “It was only when I got into this work that I truly felt a personal connection to this idea that the work we do here on Earth should be in glory to God by serving other humans. I didn’t truly connect with those four letters— AMDG—until I entered this calling.” He also remembers Coach Rodney Louque helping him deal with adversity and defeat on the track and cross country teams. “Coach Louque could just make you laugh and build your confidence back up and strengthen you overall when you were feeling down. When you’re a teenager, you can think your world is crashing down when you lose a race. He had a true gift for providing perspective in a humorous way that would always raise my spirits. I can see now that I aspire to do the things that I respected so much in Coach Louque.” Joe noted how easy it has been to talk to Conrad in the midst of very dry medical conversations. The two banter about the Saints and Falcons rivalry, laughing and throwing jabs about the two teams. “Sure, he’s a doctor,” said Joe, “but he’s also a person with a family, with hobbies and interests that I can relate to. When I found out that Hampton's
vein repair had failed and the disease had spread to his other veins, my only thought was, ‘I am going to have to bury my son before Father’s Day.’ Well, we’re past Father’s Day, and Conrad recently told me that when the Falcons and Saints play on Thanksgiving night, he hopes to be there with all of us so we can watch it together. He’s more than a doctor to us, but I had to break it to him that Hampton would be decked out in Falcon’s gear.” A powerful bond between Conrad and the McDevitts is their shared faith in God. Jessica remembers being amazed that Conrad, even as a professional who is realistic about medical outcomes, encouraged them when they brought up praying for a miracle. His response, “I know you guys are people of faith. I am too.” “Our faith has carried us,” Jessica said. “To know that Hampton is destined for heaven, for a beautiful place where there is no more suffering and no more surgery gives me complete peace.” “While I breathe, I hope.” But hope needs no qualifier in the face of eternity with God. Young Hampton’s mother and father indeed hope well beyond his remaining breaths. Their journey will continue, one step at a time, trusting in the beautiful mystery of God’s plan unfolding, thankful through it all for the gift of each day and, especially, for the gift of Conrad Williams.
“The two most important days in
P R I N C I P A L' S C O R N E R
your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” -Mark Twain
We all appreciate the significance of the day on which we were born as we celebrate our birthdays each year. For many members of the Class of 2018, one of the most important days of their lives was May 24, the day they walked across the stage and received their Jesuit diplomas – the culmination of 4-5 years of hard work and, most importantly, of growth. Certainly the Class of 2018 has grown in many ways over the past several years. They have developed in terms of competence, conscience, and compassion that has helped them to become men of faith and men for others. Their intellectual competence is evident in their many academic achievements. This class produced 35 National Merit Semifinalists, 19 Commended scholars, and 5 National Hispanic Scholars. Several students achieved a perfect score on the ACT, and the class earned millions of dollars in college scholarships. There is no doubt that these young men have built an academic foundation that will help them excel in college and beyond. The Class of 2018 also knows what it means to serve others. In his commencement address, Fr. Fronk reminded these young men, “You have already embraced your call from God to be of service to your brothers and sisters in need.” Father then recounted many examples of how this class has been of service to others. From raising money and collecting essentials for the victims of storms to helping to feed the less fortunate at Thanksgiving and Christmas, these Blue Jays showed that they have grown as true men for others. Furthermore, these young men have developed into men of faith through their involvement and leadership with underclassmen retreats, student ministry, Sodality, and much more. They have used their God-given gifts to excel on the athletic field, in various co-curricular competitions such as mock trial, Quiz Bowl, robotics, and debate, and in the arts through their impressive Philelectic Society and band performances. But this class did not experience only success over the years. In his valedictory address, Garrett Crumb spoke of this class’s time here as “a journey full of exploration” that was not without challenges and failures. Crumb stated, “We have faced hardships on our path in challenging and unknown subjects, but our teachers taught us not to fear failing and even to embrace it as a means of growth.” I am confident that their failures will serve this class well as they continue to learn from their mistakes and grow into men of competence, conscience, and compassion. And although graduation was a very important day in the lives of these young men, it is but a marker along the way as they continue to grow and to discover what Twain was referring to as the second most important day in their lives. Fr. Fronk emphasized this in his commencement address by telling the Class of 2018, “Each of you were created by our God to serve him in a unique way. You were formed for a particular mission given only to you.” This mission certainly entails serving others for the greater glory of God, and we are confident that their time at Jesuit has helped to prepare these graduates for all their future explorations.
Peter Kernion ’90 Principal
IN THE NEWS
Trio of Jays Scores Perfect 36 on ACT® The high achievement of Jesuit students on the PSAT® test as National Merit Semifinalists is hardly a secret, but recent successes on the ACT® test indicate a new surge of accomplishment by hard-working and talented students at Carrollton and Banks. Bradley Fugetta, William Wells, and John “Jack” Zvonek, Jr. joined the group by earning the highest possible composite score of 36 when they took the test this spring. Two of the three ACT acers bring the number of students in the Class of
2019 with perfect scores to four, which is just as many as their predecessors from the Class of 2018. Wells is the first member of the Class of 2020 to attain a perfect score. The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, each scored on a scale of 1-36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. On average, fewer than one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score.
Bradley Fugetta attended Christian Brothers and St. Philip Neri before moving to Jesuit. He is the son of Margaret Diaz-Fugetta and Frank Fugetta ’82. At Jesuit, Fugetta is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Academic Games, Quiz Bowl, student council, mock trial, National Honor Society, the academic support program, and the varsity bowling team. This year, Fugetta earned the Yale Book Award at Jesuit Awards Night and is a finalist in “18 in ’18,” an arts and literary contest for high school juniors put on by the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation to celebrate the tricentennial of New Orleans. He also placed 10th in individual state math competition for analysis, having placed first in the competition in geometry as a freshman . Over the summer, Fugetta is tutoring underprivileged middle school students who show academic potential through Operation Upgrade.
William Wells, who attended Christian Brothers and St. Anthony of Padua before moving to Jesuit, is the son of Trisha and Michael Wells. Wells is the first member of the Class of 2020 to earn a perfect score on the ACT, after the Class of 2018 and the Class of 2019 each had four class members earn the top score. At Jesuit, Wells is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, placing 3rd this year in ciphering and 1st last year in geometry at the state convention. In his spare time, Wells is an accomplished pianist, having been selected to play for the junior philharmonic of New Orleans and placing 2nd at the Metairie Music Club competition. Over the summer, Wells will enjoy some time off from concentrated study by traveling to England and Ireland with his family.
Jack Zvonek, who attended Trinity Episcopal School before moving to Jesuit, is the son of John and Tricia Zvonek. He is the president of Mu Alpha Theta and is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Model United Nations club, the robotics team, and the biotechnology club. This year, Jack was an overall Division I winner in English IV at the Southeast Louisiana District Literary Rally. He is also an active member of the St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Youth Organization. Jack’s summer activities include volunteering at camps for children with spina bifida and Down Syndrome and taking courses in areas of study that interest him, including courses on nanomaterials, astronomy, physics, astrobiology, and Model UN.
CO-CURRICUL AR ACHIEVEMENTS
Mock Trial Jesuit’s mock trial team, consisting of six seniors with three seasoned attorneys, won the 2018 State Mock Trial Competition in March. The senior team outlasted regional champions Caddo Magnet and West Feliciana in order to reach the finals against another regional champ in Haynes Academy. Just two weeks before, Haynes had defeated Jesuit in the regional finals at the same courthouse, the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna. At regionals, Jesuit’s defense was its weaker case. So when the Jays lost the coin toss at the state finals, Haynes again chose prosecution. The Jays’ hard work and improvement in the two weeks before state definitely paid off, and the coaches considered the finals to be the team’s strongest case of the season. The six seniors who advanced to nationals were Nick Leonik, Christian Lacoste, Gabe Dupuy, Ethan Erhardt, Manuel Molina, and Nathan Alvarez. Molina won Best Attorney at state, and Leonik was named Best Witness. The National High School Mock Trial Tournament was held in Reno, NV, in May. In the team’s first nationals appearance since 2014, the Blue Jays finished in the nation’s Top 40.
Mu Alpha Theta The Jesuit Mu Alpha Theta team, consisting of 71 students, placed second overall in the 2018 Louisiana State Math Convention. The convention was held in
Baton Rouge in late March. The event hosted 700 students from 36 different Louisiana schools. The Blue Jays were led by senior officers Timmy Stahel, Luke Sisung, David Hart, and Austin Tran and junior officers Christopher Vuong and Jack Zvonek. The team earned second place in the Theta Interschool Test (geometry and Algebra II) and second in the Alpha Interschool Test (analysis). Accompanying the team were teachers Kate Brauner, Jo Ann Schexnayder, Leslie Merritt, Yvonne Leger, Khanh Nguyen, Paul Rogers, Jordan Holmer ’12, and Jesuit math department legend David Wright.
State Rally In April, 26 Jesuit students competed in the 110th Louisiana State Rally at LSU in Baton Rouge. Eleven Blue Jays placed in the top four in their events. Christopher Vuong, competing in Advanced Math: Functions & Statistics, finished first overall in the state. Finishing first in their division were Malcolm Sundell (Biology II) and Nicholas Nobile (Latin I). Also, Thomas Sagona earned a Superior rating for the voice event.
Quiz Bowl In December the Quiz Bowl team placed first in the Mount Carmel Invitational, which featured 20 teams from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida. In the varsity division, both Jesuit and St. Martin’s Episcopal entered the final match undefeated. Jesuit led 230-220
Jesuit’s state-winning mock trial team: Nick Leonik, Christian Lacoste, Gabe Dupuy, Ethan Erhardt, Manuel Molina, and Nathan Alvarez.
after 13 questions; down the stretch, Eddie Redmann helped clinch the game. In late January, both Quiz Bowl squads (A & B) advanced undefeated past 18 different Louisiana teams at the ESA Cade Cane Classic. The Blue Jays then faced off against each other in the championship match where Jesuit’s A team, led by Redmann, Caleb Rogers, Daniel Sartin, and captain Robert Cerise, walked away victorious over the B team, led by captain Dexter Webster and featuring strong performances from Michael Dowling, Bradley Fugetta, Michael Owers, and Donald Webster. In early April, the Blue Jays placed third in Louisiana Quiz Bowl Alliance State Championship, which qualified them for the national tournament in May.
Academic Games The Academic Games team traveled to Knoxville, TN, to compete in the national tournament put on by the Academic Games League of America. The annual, three-day tournament included more than 800 players from around the nation. The Senior Division Sweepstakes team of Caleb Rogers, David Gravolet, Jacob Schenck, Matthew Dowling, and Nicholas Cibilich placed 3rd overall, were national champions in Propaganda, and placed 2nd in Current Events. Sophomores Aqib Zakaria and Milan Mardia competed on a New Orleans conglomerate team which finished 4th in Sweepstakes, 3rd in On-Sets, and 2nd in Propaganda.
Pictured above are 25 seniors who made the 2017-18 LHSAA All-Academic Composite Team.
BRITTANY DONNES
IN THE NEWS
BLUE JAY BAND DEFIES GRAVITY speech to the graduating seniors as he sent them off with these words: “The greatest and most important thing we did together was to create music. Continue to make music a part of your life and never take it for granted. It is truly one of the greatest gifts that God has given each one of you. Continue to share it with the world.” Caluda and Giaconne then recognized the graduating seniors: Leo John Arnett, Samuel Caluda, Parker Edwards, Anthony Kelly, Jordan Merritt, Garrin Mesa, Graeme Mjehovich, Brady Moran, Paul Myers, Michael Plessala, Kyle Selle, and Christopher Vasquez. Seniors Leo John Arnett and Brady Moran received the Rev. Elwood P. Hecker Award. The award is given to the bandsmen who best show dedication to music, honesty, understanding, dependability, and Blue Jay Spirit.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK MASS The choirs from Jesuit and Ursuline Academy joined forces to sing at the 2018 Catholic Schools Week Mass in February at Divine Mercy Church in Kenner. The Mass, celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond, hosted representatives from every archdiocesan school. The coupling of the choirs was particularly meaningful for the event in 2018, the New Orleans Tricentennial, considering the role that the oldest male and female Catholic schools have played in the city. The connection 26 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
of the Ursuline nuns to the Jesuits goes all the way back to 1727, when Jesuit missionary Fr. Nicolas Ignace de Beaubois, S.J., arranged for the first band of Ursuline nuns to educate the female youth of the New Orleans colony. The Ursulines returned the favor in 1848 by loaning the Jesuits the money needed to purchase the site for the church and school on Baronne Street when they returned to the city after the suppression of the order in the 18th century.
KATE UHLE (URSULINE ACADEMY)
The excitement was palpable as the crowd filled the auditorium for the Blue Jay Band’s annual Spring Concert and Awards Ceremony in early May. Band director Joe Caluda ’79 led the concert band, and associate band director Jason Giaccone led the jazz band performances. The stage lights turned a deep shade of green as the band played “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked. Accompanying the band were Garrin Mesa’s vocal talents which also defied gravity as he rose above the stage, eliciting gasps and cheers from the audience. The band finished the performance with a medley from Fiddler on the Roof, “Amazing Grace,” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” It was an emotional moment when Caluda dedicated “Amazing Grace” to the seniors and their parents. A senior parent himself, this emotion carried through into his farewell
BILL ARTHURS & BRITTANY DONNES
RICH WITH HEART AND SPIRIT It is fitting that the Philelectic Society, the school’s oldest co-curricular organization, carried on Jesuit's tradition of achievement with this year’s spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof, a show that celebrates the traditions that bind a community together. Director Kate Arthurs-Goldberg brought a tight focus to the production, encapsulating within the little village of Anatevka that microcosmic view of the struggles for freedom and happiness amid a repressive regime, as well as the rapidly changing times that challenge long-honored traditions and tenets of faith. The show’s leading force was senior John Howell. His performance as Tevye displayed a remarkable maturity and depth of understanding in a role that can take even the most seasoned actors years to prepare to tackle. Often played broadly over the top, Howell gave Tevye a commanding presence, but also found the moments of nuanced grace that were subtle and gentle. Jennifer Hawkins played Golde, Tevye’s put-upon wife, with a no-nonsense appeal. She and Howell shared a pleasantly sparring relationship, beneath which they reveal a true chemistry. Lauren Haefele and Will Hite exuded the excitement of young love as Tzeitel and Motel the tailor. Garrin Mesa was the committed revolutionary Perchik, who sparks both political and romantic attraction in Kaitlin Lombard’s Hodel. And Katie Zimmerman and Talon Comeaux were
effective as the sad Chava, who leaves her family and faith for the love of Fyedka, the Russian Christian. Other pleasing supporting performances in the large cast included Cameron Mazoue as the gruff Lazar Wolf, Blaise Bonura as the Rabbi, and Andrew Busenlener as Mordcha. Theresa Myers and Nicole Lala were delightful in “Tevye’s Dream” as Grandma Tzeitel and Fruma-Sarah. That boldly staged sequence was a marvel of theatrical expressionism. Choreographer Kenneth Beck ’79 recreated many of the now-iconic moments first staged by Jerome Robbins, including the wedding scene’s rousing Bottle Dance, flawlessly executed by Bo Bell, Cole DiMaggio, Matthew Busenlener and Michael Daly. The orchestra under the direction of Jason Giaccone offered a vibrant rendition of Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock’s tuneful score. From the first show that I ever saw in the Jesuit Auditorium, “A Chorus Line” back in the 1990s, each successive year has continued to prove that the Philelectic Society is no mere high school drama club, but indeed a resident theater troupe providing top quality entertainment. That talent was on full display in April, showing why “Fiddler on the Roof” remains a beloved classic, more than 50 years after its Broadway premiere. Theodore P. Mahne Theology Teacher, Jesuit High School Chief Theater Critic, Times-Picayune/Nola.com J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 27
PHOTOS | BRITTANY DONNES
The entire student body watches the impressive presentation by the MCJROTC's battalion and band. Below: Mrs. Juhas is honored at the MCJROTC's annual parade and review.
Academic Assistant Principal Kathleen Juhas Honored at MCJROTC Parade and Review Academic assistant principal and mathematics teacher Kathleen Juhas was honored for her 30 years of selfless and dedicated service to Jesuit High School by the MCJROTC at the organization’s 31st Annual Parade and Review in April. This year’s Parade and Review was marked by a move from Will Clark Field to the freshly-renovated Jesuit gym. The ceremony enjoyed from the air-conditioned, multi-tiered seating allowed those who attended—Juhas’s colleagues and family, and the entire student body—a better vantage point for viewing the presentation. Framed by the flowing flags of the MCJROTC color guard, Juhas was celebrated as the embodiment of Jesuit’s motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam. In a proclamation signed by president Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., she was celebrated for embodying the ideal of being an Ignatian educator. Her professionalism, dedication, and exemplary leadership are an example for all to follow and are in keeping with the highest traditions of Jesuit. Juhas earned her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Dominican College and her Master of Science in teaching from Loyola University. In 1988, she came to Jesuit and joined the mathematics department where she taught Algebra I, Algebra II, and analysis. In 2001, Juhas became the 28 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
academic assistant principal, a position she holds to this day. In addition to her teaching and administrative duties, Juhas chairs the academic council and the curriculum committee, leads the Ignatian Identity Team, and runs the three-year staff development program. A woman of deep and abiding faith, Juhas has been very involved in Campus Ministry from her earliest days, assisting in running the ministry and serving as the campus minister for ten years. She was instrumental in implementing Kairos retreats which have grown to encompass the entire junior retreat program and provide a deeper, more meaningful experience to our students. As a teacher, she combines in-depth knowledge of her subject matter with effective teaching methods and a caring, patient spirit that ensure her students truly learn mathematics in a respectful, welcoming atmosphere. As an administrator, she approaches all tasks with a selfless, professional attitude that enables her to be an effective leader in supervising the academic aspects of Jesuit. Her leadership skills were on display as she served as the acting principal for over four hundred Jesuit students who attended Strake Jesuit in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Despite personal sacrifice and trying conditions, Juhas formed an effective “school within a school” that provided first-rate instruction and a sense of continuity to displaced students. After Juhas was recognized, the MCJROTC band gave a brief performance for the honoree and her audience. The parade is a time-honored ceremony of the Marine Corps. Present day parades in the Marine Corps and the MCJROTC are based on history and tradition.
IN THE NEWS
The foreign language department meets for the faculty curriculm institute.
Faculty Curriculum Institute Promotes Understanding by Design At Jesuit, excellence in the classroom can never be taken for granted. Yes, Jesuit has a large number of faculty with advanced degrees, and Jesuit indeed attracts some of the brightest students in the city. Nonetheless, Jesuit must constantly look to improve itself to meet the needs of today’s students. This takes dedicated planning and careful thought. For three days at the start of summer, faculty members met by department to participate in a curriculum institute which developed intentional learning strategies for greater student understanding. The program was based on a framework called Understanding by Design®, a standards-driven approach to learning which helps educators “start with the end in mind.” Faculty members spent their days formulating “enduring understandings” for each course, asking, “What do I want my students to carry with them five years from now, ten years from now?” This will help teachers to craft each lesson with broader learning goals in mind instead of getting bogged down in minute detail. Coming up with essential questions that guide a semester’s work also allows teachers to collaborate across departments
and build knowledge across grade levels with concepts that are transferable to other learning applications. At the end of it all, the program strengthened Jesuit’s emphasis on the dynamic between teacher and student as the center of learning, which is so important for developing life-long learners who can critically approach the world with wonder and confidence. “We are excited to make learning at Jesuit more integrated across courses by focusing on the big ideas,” said academic assistant principal Kathy Juhas, who spearheaded the project. “Not only are we making sure the curriculum meets state and national standards, but we are going far beyond so that we offer our students the very best we can give them.” The curriculum institute is part of a multi-phase project for mission-oriented education, which incorporates all three formational pillars of the Jesuit mission statement – competence, conscience, and compassion. Many other Jesuit schools across the country have had success with curriculum development using Understanding by Design and shared resources for the project at Jesuit of New Orleans.
SAVE THE DATE!
SATURDAY, OCT. 27 | THE CANNERY
501AUCTIONS.COM/JESUIT
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ANNUAL GIFTS
Annual Gifts Keep Jesuit Accessible & Thriving alumni parents parents of alumni
$1,452,037 1,196,315 106,749
53% 43% 4%
total fy ’18
$2,755,101
100%
$2,755,101 FY ’18 ANNUAL GIVING
Alumni, parents, and parents of alumni help keep Jesuit an affordable school of excellence by making contributions to Jesuit’s annual giving program: the Alumni Giving Drive (AGD), formerly known as LEF, the Parents’ Annual Giving Drive (PAG), and Parents of Alumni Drive (POA).
DRIVE
FY ’14
FY ’15
FY ’16
FY ’17
FY ’18
alumni (adg/lef)
$ 1,194,284
1,366,518
1,405,703
1,408,814
1,452,037
parents (pag)
$ 1,102,923
1,149,163
1,168,952
1,209,586
1,196,315
93,571
106,749
parents of alumni (poa)
$ 48,047 88,518
93,140
FIGURES LISTED HERE DO NOT INCLUDE DONATIONS TO JESUIT’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND, SPECIAL INITIATIVES, AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS. FY ’18 COVERS GIFTS RECEIVED BETWEEN JULY 1, 2017 – JUNE 30, 2018.
JEREMY REUTHER
Blue Jays return to Carrollton & Banks in the fall and spring to connect with classmates and invite their support of Jesuit’s Alumni Giving Drive, formerly known as LEF. Below are just some of the dedicated alumni who participated in the spring drive.
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Blue Jay Alums Offer College Advice to Graduating Seniors
JEREMY REUTHER
Jesuit alumni Gregory Schwing ’11 and Dillon Knight ’15 returned to campus in April to present to graduating seniors about the transition to college.
Parents Rick and Lisa Kuebel join parents of alumni Kirk and Nicole Buuck, Will and Jacqueline Scheffler, and Carol Caplan. Scott and Christine Zazulak fall into both categories.
Combined Event Draws Big Crowd for Evening of Lenten Reflection The spiritual formation received by today’s Blue Jays is second to none. The Society of Jesus has used education as a means of spreading the gospel for centuries, and evenings of reflection for parents, alumni, and parents of alumni are powerful ways to engage more members of the Jesuit community in spiritual growth. The reflection series continued this spring with a Lenten reflection given by Jesuit chaplain Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J. The complimentary event in March attracted more than 200 guests, who gathered in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for confession, Mass, and Fr. Dyer’s reflection, on gratitude. He reminded guests to be grateful for all of God’s gifts, especially for the people they love and see every day. Fr. Dyer then proposed three things for which to be grateful that can never be taken away—creation, redemption, and sanctification. After the reflection, guests moved to the Student Commons for a small reception. Attendance at the event has tripled from the inaugural Evening of Reflection in 2011 when 70 parents gathered in the Holy Name Chapel. The event this March combined formerly distinct evenings, one for alumni and another for current parents and parents of alumni. People who normally associate with Jesuit in different ways enjoyed the opportunity to meet other members of the Jesuit family and connect on a meaningful level.
SAVE THE DATE! FUTURE EVENTS: dec. 12 - advent reflection mar. 13 - lenten reflection
Schwing, who is beginning an MD-PhD program at Wayne State University, narrated his circuitous path to success. Having transferred colleges twice in his early years, he related how three factors – his desire for responsibility, the privilege of caring for his grandfather, and the strong resolve he found through the Spiritual Exercises – led him to pursue his dream to cure brain cancer. He hopes to complete his PhD in computer science and become an academic pathologist. Knight, a civil-engineering student at LSU, encouraged seniors to navigate their transition to college by managing their time wisely and getting involved. He also emphasized that staying true to Jesuit ideals and making everyday sacrifices will help them grow in happiness as college freshman: “By keeping faith in God at the center of your life, you become the best version of yourself.”
Greg Schwing ’11
Dillon Knight ’15
GOT TO BE SOME SPECIAL LADIES Four Blue Jay mothers received Jesuit’s prestigious Alma Mater Award at the 2018 AMA Luncheon in January. Despite the event being postponed due to freezing temperatures, attendance was strong and hearts were warmed by the selfless qualities of the four honorees. Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., thanked Patti Mahoney, Linda Tufton, Breni Crabtree, and Marianne Call (pictured above) for their exemplary service to Jesuit and presented each of them with a beautiful Alma Mater Award pin. Darlene
Robért chaired the event held at Southern Yacht Club. This was the 18th year that Jesuit recognized its volunteer mothers whose extraordinary contributions of time and talent have greatly benefited Jesuit High School. Only mothers of alumni are eligible to receive the award but attendance is open to mothers of current Blue Jays and those of Jesuit alumni. This upcoming year, the Alma Mater Awards will be presented at an exciting new event for all Jesuit mothers. More details to come. Learn more about our 2018 honorees at jesuitnola.org/alma-mater-award.
RECOGNIZING DAD Jesuit Celebrates Fathers & Sons
Middle Left: Fathers & sons fill the Student Commons for a hearty feast. Middle Right: Gavin Sheng ’18 pays tribute to his late father, Stewart Sheng. Bottom: Cynthia Lee-Sheng, Gavin, Rob and Robert Haik ’18, and Bruce ’68 and Cutty Ashley ’18. (Photos by Jeremy Reuther) 32 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
It was the toughest Jesuit paper he ever wrote. He didn’t have to write it. He wanted to. That’s because the dad senior Gavin Sheng paid tribute to at Jesuit’s 2018 Father-Son Mass & Dinner wasn’t in the chapel to hear his son's warm words. Sheng, shared with hundreds of his classmates and their fathers that his father, Stewart Sheng, passed away during Gavin’s 8th grade year at Jesuit. After giving his father credit for starting the Jesuit beach volleyball program, Gavin described his father as “loving, supportive, and so much more.” The relationship between father and son is a treasured gift, and the Father-Son Mass & Dinner provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate that special bond. Sheng’s classmates Robert Haik and Cutty Ashley also said glowing things about their fathers, Rob and Bruce ’68. But it was Sheng’s remembrance that tugged strongest at the heart. Sheng said losing his father at such an early age has proven to be both a blessing and a curse. “It’s a curse in that I wish my father could see the young man that I’ve become – the young man that Jesuit has helped me to become.” He called the blessing a lesson. “Appreciate what you do have…and more importantly, appreciate who you have.”
TRACEY BELLINA-MELAZZO
A L M A M AT E R A W A R D S
C A R E E R D AY
Alumni Offer Career Advice to Today’s Blue Jays One of the meaningful ways alumni give back to their alma mater is through their participation in Career Day. This year 37 alumni offered insights on 26 different careers, covering such topics as college preparation, gaining experience, and career trends. Seniors and juniors chose two 30-minute sessions to attend while underclassmen gathered in the auditorium to hear from one alumnus about career paths in general. Chef Brian Landry ’94, co-owner and head chef of both Jack Rose and QED Hospitality (which operates the restaurants in the Pontchartrain and Thompson Nashville hotels) shared his story about the choices that led him to where he is today. Landry opened his address dramatically.
“Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Jamaica, two presidents, U2, Pearl Jam, Led Zeppelin, 300 employees, $22 million in sales, and the privilege to cook in one of the greatest food cities in the world . . . is where food has taken me. But, when I was sitting in your seat, I would have never envisioned it as a possibility. ” Eventually a career in medicine did become a possibility. But on the day he was to apply to medical school, Landry asked himself, “Do I want to go to medical school, or do I want to do something I have been doing for years, something I love doing?” Thankfully for New Orleans diners, he went with his passions and chose culinary school. On a day of important advice, perhaps it was Landry’s father who offered the best advice of all when his son told him of his decision. “That’s fine, son. Just pursue food as you would have pursued medical school.” Indeed, Career Day 2018 was a day of great advice.
Top: Chef Brian Landry ’94 shares his compelling story with the students in the auditorium. Second: The 2018 Career Day alumni speakers Third: Students interested in pursuing law careers listen to presentations by Bryan Pfleeger ’83. Bottom: LtCol Brandon Gregoire ’91 speaks to Blue Jays about careers in the armed services.
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MEET ME AT CARROLLTON & BANKS Banks
Car
Blue wasn’t the only featured color at the 2018 Blue Jay Bazaar. With the festival falling on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, there was also plenty of green on the scene. Rain dampened fair-goers but did little to dampen the spirit sported by students, parents, alumni, and parents of alumni who used the event to connect with each other in support of their school. Jesuit offers special thanks to Bazaar chairs Anne Black and Caroline Wegmann, who were assisted by chair-in-waiting Missy Martin, and all the sponsors and volunteers who helped bring in this year’s pot of gold that helps to keep Jesuit an affordable school of excellence.
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2 Above: M embers of the Blue Jay Barbershop Quartet, which included two alumni, entertain the crowd. 1| W orking the food ticket tent is Cheryl Denenea, Libby Tittle, Karen and Peter DeBlieux, Wendy Knight, and Stacy Helm 2| J ake Kuebel ’18 eludes the outstretched arms of faculty and staffers, who emerged from the game victorious.
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3| Br. Terry Todd, S.J. ’58 was one of the featured participants in the dunking booth. 4| B azaar co-chair Anne Black, John Howell ’18, Fr. Fronk, next year's chair Missy Martin, and co-chair Caroline Wegmann. 5| B eau Mire ’73 mans the grill and is joined by fellow BBQ volunteers Mike Varisco ’83, Eddie Perret, Jenny Varsico, and Judy and José Abadin.
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6| J ayson dances with The Benchwarmers on the main stage. Photos by Brittany Donnes, Jack Culotta, and Jeremy Reuther.
GOLF CLASSIC 2018
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5 1| S cott Lagarde, Roland Waguespack, Wiggins Edrington, & William Elliott receive the Class Cup trophy from Golf Classic chairman J.P. Escudier ’95. 2| T he morning round golfer's are off!
BRITTANY DONNES & JACK CULOTTA
3| Eddie Hayes ’90 & Rob Murphy are ready to start the afternoon round.
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4| Curtis Pursell ’03 takes a swing. 5| | R yan Peters ’06, Phil Kelly ’04, Mike Pizzitola ’02, & Sean Hardy ’02 receive their first place trophy for the afternoon round. 6| B lue Jay Golf Classic participants from the Class of 1995.
New Nest for Jesuit Golf Classic It was a warm and vibrant day for golfers at the 2018 Jesuit Golf Classic, presented by IBERIABANK. A total of 220 Blue Jays 6 Jesuit and play on the and4friends took to the links to support challenging Rees Jones-designed, par-72 championship course at Bayou Oaks at City Park in early April. The coveted Class Cup, which goes to the foursome made up of alumni from the same class with the lowest overall score, was awarded to the Class of 1992. The winning foursome includes William Elliott, Wiggins Edrington, Scott Lagarde, and Roland Waguespack. The morning round, consisting of more than 100 golfers, was won by two groups who tied for first – foursome Mark Gates ’66, Paul Bayer, Edwin Lee, and Steve Losavio and
SAVE THE DATE!
threesome Roberto Rocha, Walter Martin, and Mike Migliore. Both groups posted a score of -15. The afternoon round, made up of 120 golfers, was also won by two groups. The foursome of Mike Pizzitola ’02, Sean Hardy ’02, Ryan Peters ’06, and Philip Kelly ’04 tied with the ’92 Class Cup winners (see above photo for names). Both groups carded a 13-under 59. Jesuit thanks 2018 Golf Classic chairman J.P. Escudier ’95 and his committee: Beth Bares, Anne Barnes, Quinn Vorhaben ’96, Bill Hare ’90, Mike Rodrigue ’71, Cheri TurkAdler, John Faherty ’53, and Fred Gaupp ’73. Jesuit would also like to thank Bill Poynot, a parent of alumnus, who generously donated and prepared jambalaya for afternoon golfers.
JESUIT GOLF CLASSIC
APRIL 5, 2019
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JEREMY REUTHER
FISHING RODEO
Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo Features Spirited Newcomers The newly-formed Jesuit Fishing Club featured prominently at the 26th Annual Blue Jay Fishing Rodeo on June 16. The special guests brought a youthful spirit to Pontiff Pavilion at John Ryan Stadium and took home top awards in many categories. Celebrity chef David Whitmore ’90 wowed participants with his sautéed shrimp dish during the cooking demonstration. Whitmore is the chef de cuisine at Jack Rose, the restaurant in the Pontchartrain Hotel (formerly the Caribbean Room) revamped by restauranteur Brian Landry ’94. Anglers of all ages and abilities brought in their best catches from two days of fishing all over South Louisiana. During the awards ceremony, Fishing Rodeo chairman Mike McMahon ’85 and Bro. Billy Dardis ’58 recognized local sports writer Joe Macaluso ’65 with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to covering sports at the prep, collegiate, and professional levels, Macaluso has led the effort for outdoor sports coverage for The Advocate and co-hosted the weekly hunting and fishing TV show “Paradise Louisiana.” In 2014, he received the Distinguished Service Award by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, the
most prestigious honor offered to sports media in the state. Jesuit offers thanks to those assisting McMahon in organizing the rodeo – Billy Arnold, Ben Bagwill ’12, Carol Besselman, Art Brewster ’87, Gary Discon ’75, Andrew Fuller ’96, Ryan Gootee ’91, Michael Heier ’05, Rookie Leopold ’61, Amy McMahon, Chris Mills ’80, Pat Morris ’90, and Jude Trahant ’80. It was a true day for the family to ring in Father’s Day weekend, and next year’s rodeo promises to be even better. So don’t miss out on the summer fun in June 2019! Top: Fishing Rodeo chairman Mike McMahon '85 recognizes the Jesuit fishing club for their special appearance in this year's rodeo - (from left) Carter Morris, Hunter Bouchie, Dominic Gennaro, Stephen Peterman , and Joseph Finger. Bottom Left: The Kuebel family – Jake '18, Rick '82, and Andrew '18 – weighs in under the big tent. Bottom Middle: Alumni director Mat Grau ’68 invites Bro. Billy Dardis ’58 on stage to taste the shrimp dish prepared by chef David Whitmore ’90. Bottom Right: Rodeo chairman Mike McMahon presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to long-time outdoor sports writer Joe Macaluso '65.
ALUMNI: TELL US WHERE Y’AT! Email alumni director Mat Grau at grau@jesuitnola.org or submit online at jesuitnola.org/where-yat.
1940s George Meiman ’44 and his wife recently moved from their home on Long Island, NY, to a retirement community in Wallingford, CT. George writes, “It is much closer to family members who live nearby and will eliminate the long trip by bridge or by ferry to have them come and visit.” William Wicks ’47 is a Secular Franciscan who served as national minister from 1997- 2003. He recently completed his first novel, A Second Life, a romantic, historical novel set in France, then New Orleans. William has also published, The History of the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States, 1917-2007. After graduating from LSU with a Master of Science in electrical engineering, William and his late wife, Frances Ann, moved to Southern California where they raised five children. William presently lives in Sugar Land, TX.
1950s T. Noel Osborn ’58 was profiled in the April 25 edition of Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Noel holds a B.A., an M.A., and a Ph.D. from the university, all in economics. Along the way, his studies were interrupted by a return to New Orleans to work for SherwinWilliams Co. for a year and by a stint in the U.S. Navy. Today Noel is the
president and chief learning facilitator of San Antonio-based TEAM International which provides leadership and teamwork training for companies throughout the world. Noel offers this advice for today’s students: “You need to follow what really turns you on. Whatever you are really passionate about, go to school to deepen that, and look for a job in that field.”
James LeSaicherre ’68 has been living in Clear Lake, TX, since 1989. He retired from Shell Oil in Houston in 2012 after an 18-year career. Jim tells Jaynotes, “I am now thoroughly enjoying a relaxing life near the water with Carol, my wife of 46 years. Besides enjoying time with our grandchildren, we enjoy travelling, golfing, cooking, boating, and fishing.”
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J. Cooper Petagna ’68 is now counseling new business owners in Florida.
Dr. Dennis O'Callaghan ’61 retired in March after nearly 34 years as the chairman of microbiology and immunology at LSU Health Shreveport. He has taught approximately 10,000 students, postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents throughout his career. In 2002, he was named a Boyd Professor, the LSU system’s highestdesignated professorial rank. He is also the Willis-Knighton Endowed Chair of Microbiology, the first endowed chair at the LSU Health Shreveport campus. At LSU Health, Dennis developed the doctoral program in microbiology and immunology and established the Center for Molecular and Tumor Virology. He has secured more than $39 million in research funding, the most of any faculty member in the history of LSU Health Shreveport. He has served on many national panels and study sections for research agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Science Foundation, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society. Leo Lay ’67 retired from the Jefferson Parish Department of Engineering after 32+ years of public service. He now resides in Miami.
Michael Piper-Smyer ’68 has published a third edition of Aging and Mental Health. Mike says, “It may be of greater interest to all of us the older we get!” Lawrence Quartana ’69 is now living in Boston where he is a lecturer at Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School. Larry writes, “Would love to catch up with alums in New England!”
1970s Mike Power ’76 retired in June of 2017, finishing a 40-year career with Chevron with a last assignment in Bangkok. Now he assists his wife, Leslie, with her remodeling and interior design business. Mike and Leslie have three children and three grandchildren.
1980s Doug Robidoux ’82 and his wife, Leslie, currently reside in Southern California. They have two children, a son who is a junior at Texas Christian University and a daughter who is a freshman at Indiana
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University. Doug is a senior partner of Little, an international design firm, and the president of the Newport Beach office. Both Doug and his wife have bachelor's degrees in architecture from the University of Louisiana. Members of the Pro-Life Club Joseph Barnett, Ben Finicle, Austin Hamm, Jackson Wender, Sam Finicle, Mrs. Susan deBoisblanc, Chris Ross, Jake Theriot, and Carter DiMaggio visit with Scotton at the official New Orleans pre-release screening in the Jesuit auditorium on October 26.
David Scotton I Lived on Parker Avenue It has been a busy beginning to 2018 for Jesuit alumnus David Scotton ’12. At the heart of his campaign to share his pro-adoption message was the release of his documentary film, I Lived On Parker Avenue, on March 8. Leading up to the release, Scotton promoted the film at pre-release screenings for audiences in cities across Louisiana and in 10 other states. He was featured in an interview on Fox News and hosted by Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards for a red carpet premiere at the governor’s mansion days prior to the release. The movie was shown to Jesuit pre-freshmen and freshmen while upperclassmen, who had their own pre-release screening two years prior, participated in the Mock Car Crash on March 2.
Nick Lorusso ’85 has been appointed chief deputy of the Louisiana Department of Insurance by Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon ’62. Col J. Dale Kiser, Jr. ’87 recently recieved his promotion to full colonel in the United States Air Force. Currently he is serving his last tour of duty at Travis Air Base in Vacaville, CA, his favorite assignment so far. (It’s only 35 miles from Napa!) One deployment was to Kuwait. He will retire in June of 2020 after 21 years of service. Dale joined the Alabama National Guard while he was an LSU undergrad. After LSU Dental School he joined the Air Force and was assigned to San Antonio where he was trained in hospital dentistry followed by a master’s program in general dentistry. He is a fellow in several professional organizations. He and his wife, Jennifer, have one son and three daughters. Lawrence DeMarcay ’87 was the 2018 King of Hermes. Eight other Blue Jays, all members of the Class of 1987, were subjects of King DeMarcay in the Hermes organization; (l-r) Richard LeBlanc, Kent Fowler, Jody Morris, David Myers, 2018 Hermes King Larry
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1990s LtCol Justin Ansel ’91 was promoted to the rank of full colonel in the United States Marine Corps at an early June ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, VA. Justin recently completed studies at the National War College and continues as a commanding officer at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. John Butera ’91 was recently named director of midstream land at Antero Resources in Denver, CO. Antero Resources is an independent exploration and production company. John and his wife of ten years, Brea, have two children, John Parker and Madison.
DeMarcay, John McMahon, Ricky Bass, Ramon Rodriguez, and Kip Patron.
Jay Duplass ’91 and his brother Mark Duplass ’95 have a new work out. This time out it’s not a film, but, rather, a book. Like Brothers is the Duplass brothers’ story of their relationship in the movie business and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Matt Coman ’88 joined the Sher Garner law firm in 2015 after more than 14 years at the United States Attorney's
Stanton McNeely ’91 has been chosen
Scotton’s campaign will continue this summer at film festivals across the country. The documentary can be viewed in its entirety for free at: www.ILivedOnParkerAve.com.
Office in New Orleans. While with the Department of Justice, Matt prosecuted a number of high profile matters including his efforts as lead prosecutor in United States v. C. Ray Nagin. For those efforts, Matt received the Director's Award for Superior Performance in Litigation from the U.S. Attorney General. Also, Matt served as the deputy chief of the criminal division where he oversaw white collar prosecutions within the Eastern District of Louisiana. At Sher Garner, Matt concentrates on commercial litigation as well as white collar defense and corporate compliance. Matt and his wife, Kristin, have two teenage daughters, Elizabeth and Molly.
by the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities as its next president and CEO. Stanton began his duties last September. He has more than 22 years of experience in Louisiana higher education administration at both private and public institutions. He previously served as vice-chancellor for institutional advancement at Delgado Community College since 2013. Stanton earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Holy Cross, Master of Business Administration from Loyola University New Orleans, and Doctor of Education in higher education leadership from Northcentral University. John Smestad ’92, Archdiocese of New Orleans executive director of pastoral planning and ministries, was the recipient of the 2018 Proudly Pro-Life Award at the 19th Annual Proudly ProLife Dinner sponsored by Louisiana Right to Life. John was honored for his work in beginning the annual CYO March for Life pilgrimage to Washington, D.C. Since its inception in 2006, more than 4,000 young people have attended the CYO-sponsored March for Life. LtCol Eddie Gussman ’94, USAF, will be attending National War College, located on Fort McNair, Washington D.C., for the 2018-2019 academic year. Matt Estrade ’95 completed his master's degree in gerontology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in December 2017. Matt is the founder of Care Partner Mentoring, where he offers training and consulting to families and businesses impacted by Alzheimer's and other dementias. He presented at the
Southern Gerontological Society annual meeting in April 2018. Matt recently launched the Peace With Dementia podcast. Jonathan Russell ’95 and Preston Meche ’98 recently traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village home-building program. The construction teams consisted of 22 men and women from all corners of the globe coming together to build homes for two rural Khmer families.
2000s James Fein ’00 is the director of hotel sales at the New Orleans Marriott. Jim has a Bachelor of Science in service management with a major in hotel restaurant tourism from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. James Rolf ’00 is part of the Louisiana Recovery School District's capital team, endeavoring to rehabilitate New Orleans school buildings using both historic and new markets tax credits. Jason Brown ’02, after graduating in biology and political science at the University of Georgia in 2006, obtained his medical doctorate from Emory in 2010. After remaining at Emory to complete his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship, he is now an assistant professor on faculty at Emory School of Medicine. He has clinical and teaching responsibilities at Grady Memorial Hospital and is directly involved in medical student, resident, and fellow education. In 2015, he married Irma Navarro at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church. They recently purchased their first home and welcomed their first child in July. Jason says, "There's not a week that goes by that I do not fondly remember my time at Jesuit, and I'm thankful to the faculty and staff for creating a unique
Brandon Briscoe ’98 Named Archdiocesan Distinguished Alumnus for Jesuit In recognition of the positive impact that graduates of Catholic schools have on the church and community, the Archdiocese of New Orleans has created an initiative to celebrate a distinguished alumnus from each archdiocesan elementary and secondary school. The 2018 recipient from Jesuit High School is Brandon Briscoe ’98. Briscoe, accompanied by his wife, Sarah Jane McMahon Briscoe, received the award at a special recognition celebration hosted by Archbishop Gregory Aymond and Dr. RaeNell Houston in May. Briscoe is a successful litigation attorney with the firm of Flanagan Partners LLP, having litigated and resolved many high-stakes business disputes and having argued before the Louisiana Supreme Court. He takes his faith very seriously and seeks to enhance the spiritual life of others as president of the St. Louis Cathedral pastoral council, president of the board of directors of Dumb Ox Ministries, and an atlarge member of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Ninth General Synod. Briscoe also leads tours of the St. Louis Cathedral Church and provides a history of each of the churches to participants in the annual Good Friday Nine Churches Walk. Through his involvement in Jesuit’s annual 8th grade pilgrimage to the San Antonio Missions and the Pro-Life trip to Washington, D.C., he has a direct impact on the spiritual formation of today’s students. Briscoe has been an active alumnus, in service both to his alma mater and his Class of 1998.
W H E R E Y ' AT educational environment that prepared the whole student—mind, body, and soul—to live a life of service as a man for others." William Norton ’03 lives in Parker, CO, where he is “huntin', fishin', hikin', livin' the dream, and lovin' it.” William does find time for a career, too. His Norton Building and Remodel company builds custom homes and additions. A happy William writes, “I met my wife, Ashley, out here and started my beautiful family. Couldn't and wouldn't ask for more.” Sean Somers ’03 is now a petroleum engineer at Cantium, a new oil and gas exploration and production company in Covington. Sean writes, “It’s good to see new oil and gas companies in the Greater New Orleans area.” Christopher "Teddy" Bucher ’04 is one of two recipients of Rice University’s 2018 Builders Award. The award honors young alumni who have made outstanding contributions to Rice after graduation and enhanced the reputation of Rice through leadership in their careers or communities. Teddy is an active volunteer in the Houston Rice alumni community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Association
of Rice Alumni, as a volunteer for the Rice Annual Fund, reunion giving chair for his 5th and 10th reunion giving campaigns, and as a regional captain for Rice Alumni Volunteers for Admission. Currently he is pursuing his MBA at Rice. Teddy plans on pursuing a fulltime career in management consulting upon graduation. Andrew Legrand ’04 is the founder and owner of Spera Law Group, a cloud, remote, and paperless law firm in New Orleans. After graduating from law school in 2011, he decided quickly that he wanted to work in a non-traditional law office, one that was technology driven and one that exclusively helps small business owners create jobs and boost the Louisiana economy. As a very young lawyer, Andrew quickly gained notoriety by lobbying the City of New Orleans on behalf of the New Orleans Food Truck Coalition for modern, business-friendly regulations. Michael Bagot ’07 recently moved back to New Orleans with his family. Michael joined fellow Blue Jays Jack Dardis ’59 and Mason Couvillon ’92 at their financial planning firm, Dardis Couvillon & Associates.
Keller Fisher ’08 co-founded Unimentors.com based in St. Louis. His company uses private video chatting for incoming college students to get unfiltered information from students currently at the colleges they are considering and studying the majors they are interested in. Unimentors was selected as a Top 20 Global startup in the New Orleans based PITCH competition in May. Warren Fitzmorris ’08 married Julia Berner last November at Julia’s alma mater, the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Warren recently became the performance health coach for Ochsner Sports Performance, utilizing his master’s degree in sport psychology and motor behavior.
2010s Randal Agee ’11 recently finished course work for his PhD in human capital development at the University of Southern Mississippi and will begin working on his dissertation this fall. Randal is the running backs coach at Mississippi Gulf Coach Community College in Perkinston, MS. This
GOING PRO Tanner Lee and Andrew Mitchell, both of the Class of 2013, were drafted recently by professional sports teams. Tanner Lee ’13 was drafted by the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars in the 6th round. Lee began his collegiate career at Tulane after a stellar career at Jesuit which earned him honorable mention all-state recognition. After redshirting in 2013, he set freshman passing records for the Green Wave after starting ten contests. The following year he started nine games. Lee transferred to Nebraska before the 2016 season. He then took the reins of the Nebraska offense in 2017. Tanner started all 12 games last fall. Andrew Mitchell ’13 was selected in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets in the 14th round. As a southpaw pitcher, Mitchell began his collegiate career at LSU before transferring to Delgado Community College. Then it was off to Auburn, where Mitchell settled in as a reliable reliever and starter. His Aubrun Tigers fell one win shy of qualifying for the 2018 College World Series.
W H E R E Y ' AT summer Randall married Susan Broadbridge.
scores tests that assess neuropsychological functioning.
Quintin Denman ’11 was recently married at the Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church in New Orleans with Fr. Anthony McGinn officiating. Quintin and his wife, Tracey, live in Washington, D.C.
Liam Fitzgerald ’14 is the assistant manager at the Harry Tompson Center in New Orleans. Liam very much enjoys his work and hopes to continue in a career of service.
Adam Fournier ’11 is the youth program coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. Since 2015, Adam has been involved in creating NFL scouting reports, specifically contributing to the 2017 Ourlads’ NFL Draft Guide. In 2015, he compiled a detailed analysis and review of every pick of every NFL team from 2010-2014. Charles de Boisblanc ’13 reports that at least nine members of his Class of 2013 are in medical school: Jimmy Brown, Josh Deblieux, Mike Fitz, Ryan Helm, Jacob Meariman, Elliot Ordoyne, James Sampognaro, and William Wall. Benjamin Alterman ’13 graduated with a Bachelor of Science in finance from LSU in 2017. He is currently pursuing another bachelor's degree in computer science at LSU. Luis Davadi ’13 recently earned a degree in chemistry with a focus in forensic science at the University of New Orleans. Bo Devenport ’13 is a waiter at Antoine's Restaurant in the French Quarter. Bo invites all Blue Jays to the historic restaurant and to request him as their server. Matthew Felger ’13 is a recent LSU finance graduate. He is now working as a consultant at CenterPoint Energy in Houston. Kalan Minnard ’13 graduated from Howard University as a member of the Class of 2017. He is now in private practice in New Orleans as a psychometrist, one who administers and
James Mickler ’14 was presented with the Sean O’Keefe Leadership Award, which recognizes the outstanding LSU undergraduate “who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the past and possesses the character, capability, vision and motivation to be a leader in the future.” Jimmy graduated summa cum laude with honors from LSU’s College of Science with a degree in microbiology. Jimmy served as student government speaker of the senate and secretary of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He was the lead researcher on a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation project aimed at preventing an impending global food shortage. Jimmy volunteered with Baton Rouge General’s Arts in Medicine program and participated in a medical mission trip to Costa Rica. In the fall, he plans on attending medical school at LSU Health New Orleans. Whit Porter ’14 graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in May with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Whit was a member of the Terry College of Business team from the Eta Chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity that captured first place in the National Real Estate Investment Contest. He will be working in Atlanta as a real estate analyst. Quinn Stiller ’14 recently earned a Bachelor of Science in petroleum engineering from LSU. At graduation Quinn received several honors, including the Edward McLaughlin Dean's Medal for Excellence, awarded to the engineering student graduating with the highest grade point average. Also, Quinn
was one of 124 students who received the University Medal for the highest undergraduate grade-point average in the overall graduating class. Quinn was a member of the LSU Tiger Band as a saxophonist and served as the secretary of Pi Epsilon Tau, the petroleum engineering honor society. He is now working for Schlumberger Oilfield Services as a field engineer in Midland, TX. Richard Williams ’14 recently completed his studies at Dartmouth College earning his Bachelor of Arts in history. Kevin Credo ’16 has been named to the Dean’s List for the second straight year at Tulane University, where he is double majoring in digital media production and film studies. His academic success enabled him to land an internship at Peak Time Entertainment in Beverly Hills, where he worked in script analysis on a number of different projects. Kevin is the featured movie reviewer for The Crescent, Tulane's online magazine of entertainment and culture, and has enjoyed being a part of many activities at the Tulane Catholic Center. William Matthews ’17 recently finished his first year as an English teacher at a Legionaries of Christ Catholic boarding school in France. Then it was off to Poland and Ireland before heading back to the United States for the first time since August 2017. Will is scheduled to be back in Europe in late August for another year of teaching.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS? Email alumni@jesuitnola.org or call Jesuit’s alumni office at (504) 483-3838. J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 41
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jesuit congratulates... Karl Zollinger ’67 on the birth of his grandson, Brooks David O’Brien, Sept. 27, 2017.
Monica & Daniel Long ’68 on the birth of their granddaughter, Rosalind James King, Dec. 30, 2018. Michael Piper-Smyer ’68 on the birth of his grandson, William Teddy Piper, Jan. 23, 2018. Janet & Joe Giorlando ’85 on the birth of their sons, Leo Matthan Giorlando, Jan. 15, 2016, and Noah Lael Giorlando, Oct. 6, 2017.
Kristin & Jeremy Broussard ’95 on the birth of their twin daughters, Olivia Pearl Broussard & Noelle Opal Broussard, Aug. 16, 2017. Sarah & Brandon Lee ’96 on the birth of their son, Cameron Crawford Lee, Jan. 12, 2018. Allison & Donald Maginnis ’96 on the birth of their son, Connor Ambrose Maginnis, Aug. 9, 2017. Jennifer & Gregory Wilde ’96 on the birth of their daughter, Juliette Grace Genuardi Wilde, Oct. 24, 2017.
Sarah & Denny North ’86 on the birth of their son, Mason Bienville North, Sept. 28, 2017.
Jennifer & Chip Stiebing ’97 on the birth of their son, Brooks Joseph Stiebing, Feb. 8, 2018.
Meaghan & Roy Alexander ’92 on the birth of their son, Patrick Christopher Alexander, March 28, 2018.
Shelley & Harris Zeringue ’97 on the birth of their daughter, Caroline Alyse Zeringue, Feb. 21, 2017.
Shelley & Sean Mount ’93 on the birth of their son, Quinn Carlin Mount, March 19, 2018. Quinn is the grandson of the late Matthew Mount, Sr. ’51.
Alysha & John Colfry ’98 on the birth of their daughter, Isabel Frances Colfry, Jan. 27, 2017. Isabel is the granddaughter of Alfred Colfry, Jr. ’63.
Kelly & Carl Servat ’93 on the birth of their daughter, Emily Jemison Servat, Feb. 7, 2018.
Melissa & Shaun Gueringer ’98 on the birth of their son, Alexander Emmett Gueringer, Dec. 21, 2017.
Charlotte & John Meade ’94 on the birth of their son, Hunter Crutcher Collins Meade, Dec. 21, 2015.
Kimberly & Keith Luminais, Jr. ’98 on the birth of their daughter, Ainsley Renee Luminais, Dec. 22, 2017. Ainsley is the granddaughter of Keith Luminais ’76.
Info for the Bib List may be sent to www.jesuitnola.org/bib-list. --------------------------------------Parents will receive a pink or blue Jayson bib for their new arrival(s). 42 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
Sarah & Kevin Block ’00 on the birth of their son, Harry Alec Block, Feb. 18, 2017. Harry is the grandson of Harry Block ’72. Ashley & Keith LeBlanc, Jr. ’00 on the birth of their daughter, Catherine Frances LeBlanc, July 27, 2017. Alison & Christopher Palermo ’00 on the birth of their daughter, Sarah Margaret Palermo, Jan. 30, 2018. Sarah is the granddaughter of the late Russell Nunez, Jr. ’71. Jessica & Eric Zollinger ’00 on the birth of their daughter, Lucy Elizabeth Zollinger, March 21, 2017. Lucy is the granddaughter of the late Philip Zollinger ’69. Carly & Christopher McArdle ’01 on the birth of their son, Payson Baratt McArdle, Oct. 1, 2017. Kate & Jeremy Reuther ’01 on the birth of their son, Charles Fitzgerald Reuther, Dec. 14, 2017. Charles is the grandson of John Reuther ’72. Bronwyn & Richard Romano, Jr. ’01 on the birth of their son, Michael Mark Romano, March 11, 2018. Michael is the grandson of Mark Gates ’66. Elizabeth & Jeffrey Fick ’02 on the birth of their son, Charles Christian Fick, Feb. 15, 2018. Selini & Adam Mellis ’02 on the birth of their son, Michael Mellis, Dec. 28, 2017. Mary & Andre Neal ’02 on the birth of their daughter, Katherine Renee Neal, April 27, 2018. Jeanne & Ryan Higgins ’03 on the birth of their daughter, Sarah Louise Higgins, Oct. 2, 2017. Kylee & Jason Alvarez ’04 on the birth of their daughter, Mila Claire Alvarez, Dec. 1, 2017.
Kasey & Paul Carriere ’04 on the birth of their son, Kix Paul Carriere, April 11, 2016, and daughter, Rosemary Kollins Carriere, Jan. 9, 2018. Naomi & Michael Coney ’04 on the birth of their son, Luke Emanuel Coney, Dec. 25, 2017. Luke is the grandson of Michael E. Coney ’63. Regan & Peter Dupuy ’04 on the birth of their son, Peter Hillyer Dupuy III, Jan. 15, 2018. Charmaine & Mark Hill ’04 on the birth of their son, Emeric Andrew Hill, Feb. 1, 2018. Catherine & Jerry Hollander III ’04 on the birth of their son, Hudson Michael Hollander, Nov. 9, 2017. Ashlee & Timothy Juhas ’04 on the birth of their son, Jaxson John Juhas, March 8, 2018. Jessica & Benjamin Triche ’04 on the birth of their son, Nathaniel Remy Triche, Sept. 18, 2017. Ashley & John Becknell III ’05 on the birth of their daughter, Ella Joy Becknell, Sept. 1, 2017. Krista & Kevin Cowley ’05 on the birth of their son, Jacob Warren Cowley, Dec. 16, 2017. Sarah & Michael Schafer ’05 on the birth of their son, Wesley Thomas Schafer, Oct. 2, 2017. Caroline & Clayton Richardson ’06 on the birth of their daughter, Anna Charlotte Richardson, Oct. 25, 2017. Anna is the granddaughter of Edward Richardson ’64. Emily & John Faciane, Jr. ’07 on the birth of their daughter, Mary Faciane, April 3, 2018. Mary is the granddaughter of John Faciane, Sr. ’80. Rebecca & Andrew Worrel ’07 on the birth of their daughter, Abigail Rose Worrel, Dec. 14, 2017. Abigail is the granddaughter of John Worrel ’76. Kaitlyn & Mark Tufts ’08 on the birth of their daughter, Sloane Marie Tufts, Sept. 2, 2017. Sloane is the granddaughter of Frederick Tufts ’82. Ashley & Nathaniel Judge ’09 on the birth of their son, Blake Robert Judge, Dec. 14, 2017. Shelby & Daniel Swear ’09 on the birth of their son, Archer Henry Swear, Sept. 7, 2017.
In Memoriam ALUMNI… (by class year) Robert A. Pascal ’33 William F. Grosch ’38 Rev. Charles A. Leininger, S.J. ’40 William H. Gallmann, Jr. ’41 R. Lee Carmedelle ’42 Mortimer F. Currier ’43 Thomas A. Greve ’43 Albert J. Lousteau, Jr. ’43 Jules E. Simoneaux, Jr. ’43 George C. Connolly, Jr. ’44 Malachi M. Mills ’44 William G. Jaquillard ’46 Elton F. Correa ’47 Donald R. Ford ’47 Louis P. Larue ’47 Thomas A. Casey ’48 Henry Lee Mason III ’48 Stephen E. Gauthreaux ’51 J. Patrick O’Shaughnessy ’51 N. Michael Landaiche ’52 Cassard L. Moret ’52 Harry C. Ray, Jr. ’52 Manship Smith, Jr. ’52 Michel E. Caswell ’53 Edgar A. Maresma ’53 George R. Pabst, Jr. ’55 Robert F. Talbot, Jr. ’55 Henry E. Landry III ’56 Charles L. Chassaignac III ’57 Kermit L. Roux, Jr. ’58 Edward A. Bosworth ’59 Ronald J. Sylvia, Sr. ’59 George R. Toups ’60 Dale E. Boudreaux ’61 Trudeau B. Livaudais III ’61 Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub ’61 R. Wayne Wagner ’61 Francis Mayer ’63 Ronald D. Riche ’64 Wesley J. Watkins III ’64 Harry J. McGaw ’67 Harold M. Wheelahan III ’68 Larry S. Aranda ’69 Albert J. Zahn, Jr. ’69 Richard C. Rougelot ’70 Gerald M. Frances ’71 Jacques S. Whitecloud ’88
WIFE OF… (by name) Robert I. Ballina ’47† William B. Barnett ’48† Richard P. Baumgartner ’68 Hewitt J. Beauvais, Jr. ’36† Louis D. Britsch, Jr. ’53 William K. Christovich ’44† Edward S. Crist ’41† Robert C. Crosby ’54† Stanley J. Daul, Jr. ’53 Raoul V. de Gruy III ’44† Richard A. Deas ’49† Rudolph H. Ehrensing ’57 Charles R. Ernst, Jr. ’48† William M. Feaheny ’43 Edward L. Fernandez, Sr. ’41† John B. Ferry ’54† George A. Frilot III ’52 James H. Groetsch, Jr. ’41† Ralph G. Hebert ’36† Arthur G. Kingsmill ’53 Robert J. Kinler ’60† Glendy J. Munson, Jr. ’41† James J. Murphy, Jr. ’46† John J. Murphy, Jr. ’67† Frank S. Oser, Jr. ’38† Andrew G. Pierce, Jr. ’54† John F. Prieur ’51 Vincent Provenza ’68 David C. Raphael, Sr. ’60 Ralph J. Romig ’35† James E. Ryder, Sr. ’38† Donald P. Schellhaas ’51 Bernard J. Schott ’37† Richard A. Spaulding ’65 M. Emmett Toppino ’27† John P. Vignes ’58 Paul S. Vogt, Sr. ’59
FATHER OF… Eugene A. Antoine III ’92 Blake D. Babcock ’00 (stepfather) Raoul J. Barrios, Jr. ’72 Charles K. Blancq ’83 Jandon J. Briscoe ’17 John F. Butera ’91 Bruce E. Carmedelle ’73 Thomas A., Jr. ’75 & John B. Casey ’85 David R. Castro ’89 Charles L. IV ’83 & Henry R. Chassaignac ’86
J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 43
IN MEMORIAM Seth J. Coman ’89 Matthew L. Cutrer ’03 Joseph A. Evola, Jr. ’76 Paul D. Falgoust ’92 Patrick M. Ford ’85 Tyrus L., Jr. ’86 & Vincent J. Guidroz ’86 David A. Haase Robert P. ’90 & Ryan A. Harper ’92 Lester J. Hartman ’76 William E. Jackson, Jr. ’71 Matthew L. Juge ’89 Gordon R. ’87, Shawn M. ’92, & Ian W. Konrad ’12 Terry P. Labat ’68 Mickey P. Landry ’80 Eugene P. Landry ’97 Matthew V. Landry ’88 (stepfather) Steven J. ’74, Paul L. ’79, & Christopher E. Larue ’82 Trudeau B. Livaudais ’90 William G. ’79 & Thomas G. Mason ’84 Eric R. ’71 & Frank S. Oser III ’70† Richard S. Pabst ’78 P. Craig Parker ’72 David H. Pavlovich ’23 Daniel M. ’98, Andrew M. ’00, & David J. Riche ’03 Matthew G. Rigby ’93 Thomas F. Riley, Jr. ’80† Timothy S. Ritchie ’82 David Rosinia ’86 Kermit L. Roux III ’87 Steven A. ’01 & Stuart M. Schneider ’05 Paul J. ’72 & Randall J. Schultz ’74 Mark J. ’73 & Paul J. Spansel ’77 (stepfather) Patrick W. Spruell ’10† Walter B. IV ’64, Robert K. ’66, D. Klein ’68†, Ronald S. ’69, & Scott M. Stuart ’77 Stephen F. Stumpf, Jr. ’97 Daniel W. Swear ’09 Robert E. ’80, Brent A. ’81, Shaun K. ’85, & Christopher P. Talbolt ’95 Brian A. Valigosky ’20 Richard R. Vallon, Jr. ’76 George W. Voelker ’21 R. Jude Voltz ’96 Emile H. ’94 & Richard W. Wagner ’96 Kolby D. Weber ’16 (stepfather) Franz J. ’81, Frederick B. ’84, & Garald P. Weller ’85
Allan B. Wester, Jr. ’65 Bryan R. Williams, Jr. ’20 Maurie L. Yager ’74 Gary H. ’73 & Gregory J. Zeringue ’74 MOTHER OF … Otis B. Alexander III ’83 James T. Bailey III ’72 Brett T. Beoubay ’83 Marc P. Bonis ’64 Thomas M. Brahney ’90 Cyril A. Buchert III ’64 Mitchell R. ’87 & Douglas M. Chapoton ’91 Randall C. ’74 & Stephen N. Chesnut ’79 Joseph L. Clesi III ’67† William B. ’67 & Michael A. Collins ’77 Kevin P. Connell ’78† Edward S., Jr. ’66 & Donald P. Crist ’69 Gerard G., Jr. ’76, Michael E. ’78, Kevin P. ’81, & Todd E. Cruice ’85 Paul A. ’81, John F. ’84, & Matthew G. Deas ’91 Stephen B. DiLorenzo ’67 Jean-Marc Duplantier (former English teacher) Eric R. ’86 & Craig A. Ehrensing ’89 Albert G. Elliot ’68 James M. Frilot ’78 Raymond B. ’62 & Richard J. Gonzalez ’65 Donald D., Jr. ’89 & Steven J. Hattier ’91 Stephen J. Hornyak ’84 Gregory M. ’75 & Douglas E. Johns ’77 Arthur G. Kingsmill, Jr. ’80 Douglas R. ’88 & Brian J. Kinler ’92 Dennis R. ’61 & Larry J. LeBlanc ’65 Andre D. Livaudais ’68 Andrew L. III ’76 & David J. Lukinovich ’77 (stepmother) Anthony, Jr. ’72 & Michael A. Morales ’75 George B. III ’62 & Patrick S. Morris ’83 Thomas G. ’99, Michael G. ’02, & Millard P. Mule ’02 Thomas A. Naquin ’63 Jason H. Navia ’86† Barry J. Neuberger (former Principal) Ricardo B. Ortega ’71
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Melvin L. Parnell ’68 Blair S. Parrott, Jr. ’74 Brady G. ’92 & Chad E. Perniciaro 95 Ryan D. Peters ’06 Clay A. Pfister ’75 David C. Raphael, Jr. ’86 Sean E. Rhoads ’06 John H. Roper ’87 James E., Jr. ’62 & Gerard F. Ryder ’68 Neal M. Sansovich ’78 David G. Schellhaas ’79 Daniel R. Silbernagel ’79 Roy J. Smith ’89 Lawrence E. IV ’10, Colin P. ’12, & Jacob T. Stansberry ’14 Mark J. Taliancich ’70† Timothy A. Taylor ’76 Kai D. White ’97 Errol K. Williams ’64† BROTHER OF… Bruce L. Bosworth ’61 Lee J. Boudreaux, Jr. ’51 Joseph S. ’32†, Robert T. ’34†, & John R. Casey ’36† Erwin A., Jr. ’52 & Robert M. Caswell ’60 Joseph M. Connolly ’51† Cornelius L. Ford ’43† Richard F. ’55, Robert K. ’51†, & Charles K. Gallmann ’52† Rev. Sidney J. Gilly, S.J. ’37† William E. Greve ’37† Harold H., Jr. ’56 & Charles E. Heidingsfelder ’58 Thomas J. ’66, Christopher P. ’78, & Bruce F. Jennings ’70† Hilaire D. ’45 & Louis A. Lanaux, Jr. ’47 Cullen P. ’60 & Gerald M. Landry ’63 Ferdinard L. ’33† & Rev. Charles J. Larue ’48† Rev. Joseph B. Leininger, S.J. ’40† Gordon J. Lousteau ’47 Wayne T. McGaw ’69 Vernon H. Moret ’43 Michael W. O’Shaughnessy ’59 Tim P. Peyton ’80 Wallace C. Pfister ’38† Richard T. Romano ’01 Robert E. Rougelot ’60 Raymond E. Staub ’60 Wilbur A. Toups, Jr. ’57 Todd P. Trosclair, Jr. ’98
Emile A. Wagner III ’60 Robert F. Wood ’72 Thomas E. Zahn ’71† SISTER OF… Frederick J. Baehr, Jr. ’47† John G. Bendernagel ’80 Henry L. Clesi, Jr. ’36† Charles E. DeGeorge ’37† Michael A. Ferrara ’61 Slaten L. ’74 & Kent J. Finger ’83 Donald R. ’47 & Cornelius L. Ford ’43† Joseph W. Groetsch ’44† Jacob J. Haney, Jr. ’34† Melvin J. Hoerner ’56† Walter A. Kreutz, Jr. ’37† Carl R. Kronlage ’52† Victor G. Lachin ’46† Brian P. McClure ’91 Wiley L., Jr. ’39 & Roy J. Mossy ’41† Lawrence D. Nicholls ’45† Leander H., Jr. ’37† & Chalin O. Perez ’40† John C. ’51 & G. Joseph Putnam ’46† Malcolm B. Robinson, Jr. ’58 Stanley J., Jr. ’59, Thomas J. ’70, & Robert J. Roux ’76 Thomas W. Schnadelbach, Jr. ’50† Steven J. Smith ’85 Albert M. Stall ’48† Maurice Stockton, Jr. ’45† William H. ’75 & Stephen G. Thurber ’87 Ralph A. ’57 & Robert J. Villars ’42† SON OF… Allen G. Becker, Jr. ’35† James G. Burke ’20† Mark E. Calamari ’86 Maumus F. Claverie, Sr. ’26† William T. Coogan ’38† Richard R. Dixon ’30† Aloysius M. Frechou ’38† George F. Gaudin ’39† Adrian Z. Johnson ’31† John J. Kent, Jr. ’34† Robert J. Morris, Jr. ’28† Cedric F. Riche ’39† Robert E. Rougelot ’26† Harry B. Silva, Jr. ’37† DAUGHTER OF … Edmond J. Bendernagel, Jr. ’52
IN MEMORIAM Octave C. Cassegrain 1911 Millard J. Falcon 1918† Pierce E. Goertz, Sr. ’33† Donald F. McClure ’55 Clem H. Sehrt ’27† John W. Smith ’56 Jerome J. Zaeringer ’41† John A. Zimmermann 1917† GRANDFATHER OF… Robert S. Argote ’18 Albert J. III ’93 & Brandon B. Aucoin ’96 Fernando A. Avelar ’13 William B. Barnett ’09 (step-grandfather) Gary L., Jr. ’97 & Jonathan L. Beals ’02 Michael A. Bordlee ’12 Benjamin C. Capshaw ’96 David F.J. Celentano ’12 Bradley J. Chauvin, Jr. ’12 Anthony C. ’18, Nicholas G. ’19, & Jacob T. Cibilich ’22 Carson L. Cockrell ’23 Eric C. Cusimano ’06 Christian L. DeBuys ’12 Marc C. ’19 & Dennis H. Dougherty ’22 Myles M. Douglas ’21 Emory T. Ducote ’18 Rene R. Duplantier ’13 John O. III ’92 & Christopher F. Edmunds ’02 Richard S. Favor, Jr. ’22 Barry F. Jr. ’01 & Alexandre L. Faust ’07 Caleb H. Ferry ’17 Stephen G. ’12 & Jason C. Forcier ’15 Benjamin B. ’19 & Joseph A. Haase ’23 Andrew A. Hemelt ’18 R. Scott Hogan ’95 Brandon M. Jackson ’17 Michael C. Keller, Jr. ’20 Andrew L. ’18 & John F. Kuebel ’18 Cullen M. ’09 & Henry K. Landry ’21 Matthew P. Lauto ’14 Kalija K. Lipscomb ’16 Jonathan D. ’07 & Stephen A. Lucio ’10 Henry L. ’16 & Thomas G. Mason, Jr. ’16 Seth L. Mayeux ’11
Michael T. McCombs ’14 Peyton M. ’12 & Reece A. McGaha ’20 John E., Jr. ’82 & Michael J. McLachlan ’83 Pierre V. IV ’14 & Harper J. Miller ’17 Clifton S. ’04 & Steven A. Mixon ’09 Daniel A. Montenegro ’05 Hunter C. Oufnac ’23 Christopher A. Owens, Jr. ’99 Michael J. Palestina ’01 Blake A. ’17, Colin J. ’17, & Liam K. Parenton ’22 Eric C. Piazza ’96 Alexander J. Rabalais ’15 Ronnie A. Reeb III ’23 Kevin A. Rooney ’06 Daniel C. ’15 & Thomas R. Sagona ’18 Evan M. Schiavi ’09 John H., Jr. ’18 & Joshua M. Schmidt ’21 Luis S. ’13, Ethan E. ’16, & Julian A. Schneider ’20 Lawrence E. Schwall IV ’13 Jason T. Shields ’04 Nicholas P. ’97, Clint M. ’00, & Shane A. Simoneaux ’05 Erick M. ’01 & Brett G. Spansel ’14 Christopher L. Speed ’00 Peter C. ’02 & John B. Stanton ’05 Patrick B. Steen ’14 Carlos M. ’06 & Miguel M. Vera ’13 Francis G. Weller ’15 Colin C. Young ’02 GRANDMOTHER OF… Chase G. Adams ’03 Mitchell O. ’13 & Matt J. Alexander ’18 Kenneth H. Alfortish ’82 Adam J. ’01 & Evan J. Bailey ’13 Jeremy S. ’12 & Joshua S. Baldassaro ’14 Chase A. Baril ’18 Michael W. ’17 & Grant M. Barras ’20 Michael O. Barry, Jr. ’09 Mathew P. ’04, David A. ’09, & Benjamin T. Bienvenue ’11 Mark E. Bonis ’97 Jonathan C. Boraski ’08 Ronald W. Britsch, Jr. ’95 Jason P. ’12 &
Michael L. Britsch ’22 Mark J. Browning ’17 Alexander D. Buras ’06 Daniel M. Burgamy ’02 Jules A. Carville IV ’94 Ryan M. ’01 & Mark M. Casteix ’08 Ronald P. Ceruti, Jr. ’88 Jack M. Chapoton ’19 George A. Coman III ’10 Collin P. Constantin ’03 Robert L. Crist ’00 Sean M. ’05 & Scott J. Cronin ’08 Gerard F. Cruice ’11 Matthew C. Cuevas ’23 William H. Dudley ’95 Evan A. ’19 & William C. Ehrensing ’23 Todd J. Elliot ’04 John C. Emmons IV ’99 Jordan M. Farley ’01 Keller F. Fisher ’08 Louis H. Flores IV ’17 Charles J. Fontana III ’88 Brandon C. Ford ’06 Adam P. ’11 & Connor S. Fournier ’13 Justin M. Fox ’04 Glenn H. Gardner ’00 Robert T. Garrity III ’99 Joseph D. Giaimo ’07 Brian C. ’90 & Emerson R. Gibbs ’12 James B. ’00 & Ryan P. Griffin ’02 Michael F. Griffith ’97 David M. ’01 & Michael C. Grishman ’04 Michael J. Haas ’04 Kieran J. Hendricks ’22 Alex A. Jennings ’11 Eric M. ’04 & Robert A. Johns ’06 Jack E. Kinler ’20 Jonathan P. ’88, Ryan C. ’91, & Timothy J. Koenig ’94 Andrew P. Lambert ’06 Bradley D. ’08, Joshua C. ’13, & Matthew J. Latham ’18 Andrew C. ’89 & Ryan R. LeBlanc ’91 Ross M. Lehnhardt ’06 Anthony I. Lopez ’09 Stephen A. ’08 & David J. Lukinovich ’09 Marcel A. Marquette ’01 Nicholas C. Marzoni ’93 Henry L. Mason IV ’16 Michael T. McCombs ’14
George B. IV ’87, Garrett B. ’89, & Goeffrey B. Morris ’90 William P. Motes ’19 Sebastian J. Navia ’16 Thomas J. ’14, John M. ’16, & David C. Nimmo ’19 Daniel T. ’98 & William A. Norton ’03 Eric O’Neal, Jr. ’16 Judson T. ’96 & Sanders S. Offner ’96 Christopher A. Owens, Jr. ’99 Bruce M. Pendleton ’83 Perry R. Pfister ’01 Jon D. Picou, Jr. ’07 John F. III ’00, David W. ’05, Gregory S. ’08, & Christopher M. Prieur 12 James W. Raley ’05 Noah R. Relan ’21 Christopher M. Rinaldi ’07 Kai M. Rozas ’17 Jonathan D Russel ’95 Pierre R. ’88 & Etienne R. Sabate ’94 Brandon M. Schexnayder ’01 Martin R. Schott ’93 Steven M. Showalter, Jr. ’03 Brady J. ’08 & Philip W. Smith ’12 Zachary S. Snow ’15 (step-grandmother) Steven M. Swanson, Jr. ’06 Mark J. Taliancich, Jr. ’00 Jake T. ’18 & Trey T. Theriot ’22 Brayden J. Thompson ’14 Gregory D., Jr. ’08 & Scott L. Tilton ’11 Brett M. Topey ’03 Michael C. Touchy II ’02 Bradley P. Verrette ’01 Brandt M. Vicknair ’98 Andrew E. Warren ’10 Bailey J. Weber ’14 Kelly S. ’88 & Ryan P. Williams ’90† Ian R. ’08 & Thomas J. Wisecarver ’13 Alexander M. ’10 & Evan T. Wolff ’14 Send information and corrections to Br. William J. Dardis, S.J. ’58 at (504) 483-3814 or dardis@jesuitnola.org. Alumni who live outside the New Orleans metro region are especially encouraged to send information about deceased loved ones.
J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 45
REUNIONS
CLASS REUNIONS From April to June, Blue Jays from Honolulu to Harahan came back to their hometown to celebrate, well, being Blue Jays. The 2018 reunion season was marked by an abundance of Blue Jay Spirit.
1948 Alumni from 1934 to 1947 joined the honored 70-year
Class of 1948 to celebrate the bond of Blue Jay brotherhood on May 26. Braving a torrential downpour, the veteran alumni and their guests gathered in the Holy Name Chapel for a Mass celebrated by Jesuit’s president, Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J. Then the celebration shifted to the Student Commons for cocktails and a delicious dinner. Present was Dan Barrett ’34, who, at 101 years of age, may be Jesuit’s oldest living alumnus.
1953 closed out the 2018 reunion season with two events
organized by George Rojas, Tom Finney, Roland Spedale, and others. On Friday evening the Blue Jays met at the Southern Yacht Club to tell stories of their days at Carrollton and Banks. On Saturday the Blue Jays and their guests actually returned to campus for a couples’ Mass in the Holy Name Chapel celebrated by class member Fr. Cayet Mangiaracina. Dinner followed in the Student Commons.
1958 Sixty years since graduation deserves a big celebration
and that’s just what the Class of 1958 got thanks to the hard work of a very special class member – Br. Bill Dardis, S.J. On the first weekend in June, the Blue Jays came back to Carrollton and Banks for their stag party on Friday night as the classmates enjoyed a crawfish boil in the Student Commons. John Ernst’s beautiful St. Charles Avenue home was the setting for the couples’ reception on Saturday evening
1963 Thanks to the planning of Mike Nolan and his
committee, the setting for the Class of 1963 55-year gathering was the Southern Yacht Club, which presented the perfect backdrop for the celebration. With the beautiful scenery of a Lake Pontchartrain sunset in the background, Blue Jays and their dates enjoyed a buffet dinner and a boatload of Blue Jay Spirit. 46 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
2013
1968 celebrated its Golden Anniversary reunion on Mother’s Day weekend. The Friday night stag reception was a gift of class member Frank Maselli, who hosted the event at his beautiful St. Charles Avenue condo. On Saturday night Tom and Emily Ryan opened their Prytania Street doors to classmates and their guests for a reception that reached a peak when Merrilee Rush took to the mic and her husband, class member Billy McCarthy, settled in behind the piano to transport the Jays back to their senior year with an audienceparticipation rendition of her 1968 classic, “Angel of the Morning.” Before the couples’ reception, many of the Jays and their guests met on campus for a tour of the school and a Mass in the Holy Name Chapel. Reunion chairman Jay Baudier expressed the feeling of many of his classmates after the weekend’s events. “I have to say the Mass and homily by Eddie [Fr. Eddie Gros, S.J. ’68], music by Timmy Todd, and participation by others was my favorite part of the reunion weekend. What a great bonding experience!”
1973 In early June, the Class of 1973 enjoyed a weekend of
reunion events thanks to the hard work of John Combes and his committee. On Friday night the Blue Jays gathered in the Student Commons as they came back to Banks to celebrate 45 years since leaving the Mid-City campus. On Saturday the Jays and their dates enjoyed a buffet dinner at another Mid-City hotspot, Ralph’s on the Park.
1978
The Class of 1978 reunion committee of Gerry Gillen, Mickey Bordes, and Tim Levy organized April events that kicked off the 2018 reunion season. First, the guys met on Friday evening at Lakeside Country Club for a good old New Orleans crawfish boil. Then on Saturday evening the Jays and their dates enjoyed a cocktail reception at the beautiful home of Gerry and Heidi Cvitanovich. Before heading to the Cvitanovich abode, several couples attended a reunion Mass celebrated by Fr. John Brown, S.J., in the Holy Name Chapel.
REUNIONS 1948
1963
1953
1958
1968
1978
1973
1983
1988
1993
1998
PHOTOS BY JAYNOTES STAFF
J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 47
REUNIONS
1983 On the first weekend of June, the Class of 1983
celebrated 35 years since their graduation from Jesuit. Thanks to the hard work of René Alvarez, Greg Jordan, and their committee, the Blue Jays enjoyed two events of connection. The Blue Jays packed the Red Eye Grill in the Warehouse District on Friday night at their stag party and then were joined by their dates on Saturday evening for a buffet dinner at The Cannery in Mid-City.
1988 The Class of 1988 spent the weekend of June 8-9
celebrating their 30th year reunion. James Adams, Brian Kirn, Stephen Lundgren, and others chose Friday night for their couples’ event and Saturday for their stag. Class member Billy Burk and his wife, Gigi, graciously hosted the couples’ party at their beautiful Bancroft Drive home. On Saturday the Jays went “Whole Hog” at Central City BBQ.
1993 enjoyed a weekend of events in mid-June to celebrate
their Silver Anniversary. Thanks to the hard work of Carl Servat and his committee, a couples’ event on Friday night and a stag get-together on Saturday evening provided great opportunities for reminiscing about the old days at Carrollton and Banks. After the couples’ event at The Chicory in the Warehouse District, the classmates enjoyed a New Orleans seafood feast at Acme Oyster House. There they heard from Carl Servat about a class gift on the occasion of their 25th, a first for a Silver Anniversary Class. 2003
2008
1993
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2008
2013
1998 The reunion weekend of the Class of 1998 in mid-
April got off to a “rolling” start as the alums and their guests met on the lanes of Fulton Alley in the Warehouse District. The next day the Blue Jays went solo in the patio at the Rusty Nail. Claiborne Perrilliat and his committee put on a great 20th year show.
2003 Ian Blanchard and his committee chose the Warehouse
District for their June events celebrating 15 years since graduation. Manning’s was the site of Friday night’s couples’ party, while on Saturday evening the guys went solo just up the block at Lucy’s.
2008 Thanks to the work of class leader Graham Williams
and his committee, the Class of 2008 celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a stag party on June 23 at the Napoleon House in the French Quarter. More than 100 classmates attended.
2013 met at the sprawling Tchoup Yard on a breezy June
Saturday evening to celebrate their first 5-year reunion. The hard work of Zac Creel and Jack Culotta paid off as more than 130 Jays showed up to reconnect with each other. Additionally, several of the guys met at the school before the party for a reunion Mass in the Holy Name Chapel. The Blue Jay Spirit on display at the reunion foreshadows a great future of alumni connection.
ANNUS MIRABILIS
Fr. Pedro Arrupe Visits Jesuit High School by Mat Grau
The image of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, superior general of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983, has graced the covers of many publications, including at least one of global significance and one of personal significance to the community of Jesuit High School of New Orleans. The sketch of a smiling Arrupe on the cover of the April 23, 1973 edition of Time is accompanied by the headline “The Jesuits: Catholicism’s Troubled Front Line.” The period following Vatican II (1962-1965) needed a leader who could shepherd his order through the changes the council called for. Fr. Arrupe was that leader. His life experiences through hardship, turmoil, and pure pain had instilled in him a clear vision based on love and its social manifestation, justice. As a young seminarian from the Basque region of Spain, he and his fellow Jesuits, along with Catholics in general, suffered the oppressions of a socialist government. In fact, the Jesuits were expelled from Spain in 1931. After his ordination in 1936, Arrupe was sent as a missionary to Japan. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was arrested by the Japanese on suspicion of espionage and kept in solitary confinement. Sixteen
days into his confinement, on Christmas Eve, Arrupe heard a stirring of people outside his cell. He assumed the worst and prepared himself spiritually for his execution. The stirring, however, was a group of fellow Catholics who had come to sing Christmas carols to him, in spite of danger to themselves. Arrupe broke down in tears. Nineteen days later he was released. In 1945, Arrupe and his novices of the Japanese mission, were living just four miles from ground zero when the U.S. released its atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Spared from injury, though their novitiate house was damaged, Arrupe used his background in medicine – he had studied medicine before entering the seminary – to help the wounded and the dying. Arrupe knew the pain of others because he had suffered himself. An image of a real-life smiling Arrupe serves as the cover of the April 22, 1966 edition of The Blue Jay, Jesuit’s student monthly publication. The photo by Richard Cambre ’66 captures Arrupe under the oaks of Banks Street greeting the Jesuits of the New Orleans Province on April 7, 1966. Hosting Fr. General is Jesuit’s president, Fr. Donald Pearce, S.J., on Arrupe’s left in the photo. The day’s agenda included an auditorium address
by Arrupe to more than 400 Jesuits, a banquet in the cafeteria at which he would meet Archbishop Philip Hannan, and a Mass concelebrated by 13 priests. How significant was Fr. Arrupe’s visit? In his article covering the event, Gerald Meunier ’66 put it this way. “Fr. Milton Reisch [Jesuit’s athletic director and science teacher] was quick to call it ‘the greatest occasion in the history of this school.’ For the first time in history, the General of the Society of Jesus was visiting the United States. And Jesuit High School of New Orleans was one of his first stops.” Then Meunier gave a glimpse into the historical importance of the leader. “The Very Reverend Pedro Arrupe, S.J., at the age of 58, symbolizes more than ‘Father General’ to the 36,000 religious under him. He is the vigor and zealous spirit of the ‘new Church,’ the spirit fathered by Vatican II and evidenced in the missions and liturgy reforms of our time.” Fr. Pedro Arrupe’s significance can be judged by the many Jesuit works named in his memory: high schools, colleges, dormitories, institutes, university chairs, and awards, to name a few. At Jesuit, Arrupe’s memory and inspiration reside in one of the three major awards at graduation, the Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award, given for exemplary service. Little did Gerald Meunier know in covering Arrupe’s historic presence at Jesuit on that April day in 1966 that his future son, Justin Meunier ’98, would receive the not-yet established award some 32 years later for his dedicated work with Habitat for Humanity. The smiling portraits of Fr. Arrupe suggest kindness now as ever, prompting the belief that man must love his neighbor and, therefore, be of service to him. J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 49
In a rare mid-season move, head baseball coach Joey Latino announced his retirement from coaching. In a program with quite a pedigree, Latino’s name stands near the top of the list of successful head coaches. In his eight years as the program’s leader, he guided the Jays to a 197-68 prep record with three Catholic League titles and one state championship (2011). Also, his Retif Oil American Legion teams captured four district championships, three state championships, two regional championships, one World Series runner-up spot, and one American Legion World Series championship (2012). In announcing the decision, Jesuit’s athletic director Dave Moreau said, “Coach Latino’s high standards of commitment, dedication, and expertise are hallmarks of his coaching makeup. His heart has always been in what he believed, and that has been reflected in the competitive spirit, classy demeanor, and sound play of his teams.” Latino will continue as assistant athletic director and science teacher. Latino’s assistant of eight years, Kenny Goodlett, takes over the reins of the baseball program.
HOMECOMINGS
Basketball and Soccer Alumni Connect with Today’s Teams The spring semester saw alumni who played basketball or soccer return to Carrollton and Banks to reconnect with their programs. In each case the homecoming event was an occasion for today’s Jays to meet those who went before them and helped shape the program. A reception for the alums and current players provided such an opportunity. Just as important was the chance for the alumni to see how their program has evolved through the years by seeing the 2018 Jays in action. The two homecomings featured special opportunities – the chance to play soccer again in the inaugural alumni game and the viewing of a beautifully transformed sports arena. Both January events, jointly sponsored by the advancement office and the parents of the 2018 team members, featured the recognition of a past state championship team. At one end was the 2003 state championship soccer team on the occasion of their 15th year anniversary. At the other end was the 1948 state championship basketball team, which won the title 70 years ago. Three of the surviving six team members— Jules Mugnier ’48, Joe Shirer ’48, and George Groetsch ’50 —were all smiles as they were greeted by throngs of Blue Jays. The bond of a common athletic team experience at Carrollton and Banks is a deep one indeed, as evidenced each year by the attendance and the spirit at the various niche reunions.
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Top: The 2017 Soccer Alumni Homecoming Teams 1| Alumni from the Classes of 1948 to 2017 meet in the renovated coaches’ office for the exclusive talk preceding the historic matchup between Jesuit and Warren Easton. 2| Pre-freshmen Jordan Johnson, Matthew Knight, and Michael Britsch escorted the 1948 state championship honorees Jules Mugnier ’48, Joe Shirer ’48, and George Groetsch ’50. 3| O nly four years out of high school, Ben Guerra '13 still has stamina to outrun some of his opponents in the alumni game.
TRACEY BELLINA-MILAZZO
Coach Joey Latino Retires from Coaching
PHOTOS | JACK CULOTTA
What an amazing ride for the 2018 Blue Jay soccer team! Although the team entered December with a gloomy 3-3-2 record that included road losses at St Paul’s and Catholic High (BR), the Jays buckled down and won their next six games before closing out December by falling for a second time to St. Paul’s. Ramping up even more in January, Jesuit went 10 straight games without a single loss. During their streak the Jays edged out Brother Martin, the 2017 district champions, in a 2-1 victory that improved their district record to 9-0-0. The final game of the regular season against Brother Martin saw both teams scoreless after two halves plus three minutes of additional time, but the tie was all the Jays needed to secure the district title. Despite the sweep of district opponents, early season struggles gave Jesuit a 15 seed headed into the postseason. The Jays were favored only in their first round game against Barbe (No. 18), whom they defeated at home, 2-0. In Round 2 at two-seeded Catholic High, Jesuit shined behind the hands – and even the feet – of goalkeeper Shane Lanson. Two extra periods, two sudden death periods, followed by eight rounds of penalty kicks (PK) finally separated these powerhouse rivals. When the dust settled, it was Lanson on both sides of the ball and final PK-scorer Gabe Gordon that carried Jesuit over the Bears. The Blue Jays were now road warriors. With shutout victories in the quarters and semis at No. 10 Denham Springs and No. 3 C.E. Byrd (Shreveport), Jesuit advanced to its 11th state final appearance since 2003. There was little surprise when Jesuit met top-seeded St. Paul’s for the teams’ sixth meeting in a Division I state final since 2007. Traveling to Lafayette for the final, the Blue Jays led by head coach Hubie Collins were now encountering their fourth straight away game in the playoffs. Anyone who follows Jesuit soccer knows the championship game was scoreless through 70 of the 80 minutes. And anyone who saw the video knows about the “shot heard around Lafayette.” Even before the 40-yard Chris Tadros goal (80')
State Champion Soccer Team Has Golden Finish during stoppage time, the 2018 state final was so physically intense that a 72' penalty called inside Jesuit’s box almost ruined the chance of an underdog victory. With just 8:41 remaining on the clock, fans watched in shock as the Wolves converted on the PK and broke the 0-0 stalemate. The Tadros equalizer made overtime a reality, but just as in Baton Rouge, two extra periods were not enough to find a winner. And thus came two golden goal (sudden death) periods. With under 1:00 in the second golden goal period, Gordon fought for a ball along the sideline where he drew a foul on the competing Wolves’ defender. This allowed Tadros to take a free kick. The rest is history, and Gordon knew it had to be done. “I ran front post and saw that ball coming my way,” Gordon said. “I knew I had to do something for my team, so I stuck my leg out in front of the last defender and watched the ball go in.” The final whistle blew literally as Gordon’s ball touched the back of the net. Tadros was named Most Outstanding Player after scoring the game-tying regulation goal and assisting the gamewinning golden goal. Earning All-State Defensive MVP honors was Shane Lanson, who allowed just one goal in the entire postseason. Lanson and Tadros were also named to the Division 1 All-State First Team along with Braden Brignac and Christian de Gracia. Trey Aucoin, Ashton Perkins, and Gabe Sims were named to the All-State Second Team. Although St. Paul’s defeated the Jays twice during the regular season, Jesuit (24-3-3) gave the Wolves (27-1) their first in-state loss of the season in the state final. The Blue Jays now hold a 4-2 record in the JHS-SPS championship series. “Every finals game in which I have coached has been a great event,” said coach Collins. “This one in particular had more drama, more up-and-down, and more complexity than most.” The game at ULL’s Cajun Field was the first Jesuit state finals match in which Jesuit scored a stoppage-time regulation goal, the first that would require overtime, and obviously, the first one to end on a golden goal. It was truly a golden finish to a Cinderella-storied playoff run. J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 51
T
he state champion rugby team had two objectives when crafting its 2018 schedule – find the toughest teams from around the nation and strengthen the Jesuithonored tradition of high school rugby. Winning a second consecutive state title proved the strategies highly effective. The Jays knew that strength cannot develop in conditions of comfort and ease. To grow resilient requires consistent pressure, challenge, and adversity. The team therefore scheduled games against national powerhouse teams, including two Jesuit brother schools – Jesuit-Dallas, Regis-Jesuit of Denver, LaSalle Brothers of Philadelphia, Rock Rugby of Austin, and the Katy (TX) Barbarians. In the process, the Jays also invested in the formation common to many Jesuit and Catholic schools. The Blue Jays hosted a first-of-its-kind rugby Mass with their Catholic brothers from Jesuit-Dallas and LaSalle Brother (Philadelphia). The three squads met for a Friday evening service in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs, ahead of a delicious catfish social held in the Student Commons. A trip to Denver rounded out the preseason, where the Blue Jays faced Regis-Jesuit, the defending Colorado state champs, at Infinity Park, the new stadium for professional rugby in the Mile-High City. By the time the regular league season kicked off, the Jays had been forged into a battle-tested squad. The Jays rolled through the league undefeated, beating opponents by an average of 30 points. The Jays even routed their opponent in last year’s finals match, the Bayou Hurricanes, 41-26. The ruggers then made easy work of St. Paul’s in the state semifinal before squaring off against Brother Martin in the final. Aggressive defense, led by senior Zac Beckmann and junior Langston Goldenberg, kept the Crusaders to just two tries in the match. Senior captain Matt Palmer put the first score on the board, to which Brother Martin responded in quick fashion. A stealthy long run by fellow senior captain Gabe Massey eventually found the Jays at the 15-meter line. A Crusader penalty prompted Palmer to quick-tap, attack, and
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offload back to Massey, who punched like a steam-hammer through the defense for Jesuit’s second try. Another Crusader riposte saw the teams even at the half. After the break, the Jays eliminated the penalty infractions that had kept Brother Martin in the match. A lively attack involving senior Brady Moran, Pat Gallagher, and Jack Diliberto, ended as one player emerged as the offensive hero. Senior Noah Tobin advanced a powerful leg drive across the try-line, and the final play of the drive became the final try of the match. With the outcome still uncertain, a penalty against Brother Martin gave the Jays the chance to kick for posts. As Tobin’s kick split the uprights to put Jesuit up 22-12, the crowd erupted into cheers, as the match was now all but sealed. The Sir blew the final whistle, and with it came the Jays’ state championship victory. For his late-game feats, Tobin was named state finals MVP. “Excellence in rugby is a Jesuit tradition, here, and around the country,” said head coach Adam Massey. “This squad took nothing for granted, but worked hard to earn the right to inscribe their own story onto that tradition. They challenged the best to become the best and did so with grace and class, on and off the pitch.” The Jays then hosted a much more distant set of Catholicbrothers from Oakhill College, a Catholic prep-school in Sydney, Australia. The Jays met their Aussie guests for Mass on the day after winning the state title. Having challenged the Aussies to a friendly match, the Jays quickly learned why Australia is a first-tier rugby nation, falling 40-10. But the Jays learned first-hand what the next level of rugby accomplishment looks like, and moreover, made great friends with their Aussie brothers-in-rugby and brothers-in-Christ. The 2018 rugby champions will always treasure their victorious season, but perhaps the lessons will serve them best, when they compete against the best in order to improve themselves and as they cherish future ties of brotherhood sustained by the love of rugby and the bonds of faith nourished by the Jesuit, Catholic tradition.
JEREMY REUTHER
Champions of Sport, Champions of Faith
JAY COMBE
F LY I N G W I T H T H E J AY S
WRESTLERS BULLFIGHT TO STATE RUNNER-UP
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ddressing the team after the state wrestling tournament, head coach Sheridan Moran summed up the season with a poem that president John F. Kennedy always kept in his pocket: Bullfight critics ranked in rows, Crowd the enormous Plaza full; But he’s the only one who knows—And he’s the man who fights the bull. The Jesuit wrestling team certainly fought the bull this season. They faced injuries, battled back, and returned from Bossier City with a LHSAA runner-up title. Four Blue Jays took home individual state championships. Senior Nathan Koenig (152) and junior Perry Ganci (220) joined the short list of back-toback state champions, while senior co-captains Adam Larriviere (138) and Paul Treuting (160) became first-time champions. Taking state runner-up was junior Luke Eccles (132), while senior Eli Larriviere (145) earned a medal with a 3rd place finish. Three teams danced around the top spots at the district and state tournaments – Jesuit, Brother Martin, and Holy Cross. Jesuit finished as state runner-up behind Brother Martin and slightly ahead of last year’s champ, Holy Cross. Holy Cross had scored enough consolation points in the last round of Day 1 matches to steal the runner-up position from Jesuit; and since Brother Martin advanced 12 of 14 wrestlers to the semifinals, the second day became a battle for the runner-up trophy. The six semifinal wrestlers performed at a premier level in the semis with only one loss, which was just enough to win the runner-up battle. Coach Moran emphasized the team effort in their success in Bossier City: “Every member of the varsity team won a match in the state tournament,” he said. “Without that, there’s no way that we would’ve brought this trophy home.” Their runner-up finish leaves no doubt that Jesuit continues to be a powerhouse in D-I. This was the fifth straight runner-up season for Jesuit and the third under Coach Moran. For any powerhouse program, though, second is never a point of satisfaction. Next year wrestlers will again enter the ring with critics ranked in rows, but hopefully after another round of fighting the bull, the Jays will stand tall at the top of the winners’ podium.
BLUE JAY GOLFERS SAVE SECOND AT STATE
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he golf team came off of last year’s state championship season firing on all cylinders. Going 12-0 through district, the Blue Jays secured the Catholic League title with ease. The team capped off their undefeated regular season by defeating Holy Cross by a comfortable 11 strokes, which was the closest any team could get to Jesuit in the spring season. They then switched focus to the regional qualifier, the state qualifier, and the two-day state tournament. The Jays could not quite equal last year’s success, though, taking the runnerup spot in all three tournaments. In the regional qualifier at Beau Chene Country Club, Jesuit’s second place finish was eight strokes behind host-team St. Paul’s. Then at the regional tournament hosted by Carter Plantation in Springfield, their runner-up finish was just four strokes behind Catholic High. The top four team scores from regionals advanced to state, and, after finishing Day 1 in third-place, the Jays came back to inch past Alexandria as the LHSAA state runner-up. Junior Britton Khalaf led the way in the comeback, shooting 149. He was joined seniors Grayson Glorioso (150), JT Holmes (153), and Jake Kuebel (159), all returning starters from last year’s championship team. The saving grace of the tournament for Jesuit was sophomore Andrew Barreca, who made up six shots from his first round 78 and carded an even-par final round of 72. Those six shots helped the Jays finish six ahead of Alexandria in their come-from-behind effort. But it was C.E. Byrd who took the state championship trophy at The Wetlands Golf Club in Lafayette. Simply put, Byrd played lights-out golf, comfortably winning the tournament 25 shots ahead of Jesuit. “Byrd played the best golf we’ve seen at the state tournament since I started coaching,” said Jesuit’s head golf coach, Owen Seiler ’75. “I’m just glad we came back from Day 1 to finish as runners-up. The team's leadership was second to none. Holmes, Kuebel, and Glorioso did a great job as senior captains.” It just was not Jesuit’s year to make a 17-stroke comeback at state. It was not any team’s year to take the title, besides Byrd’s. J E S U I T H I G H S C H O O L | N E W O R L E A N S | 53
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To earn their spot in the state’s Final Four, the Blue Jay lacrosse team (15-5) defended last year’s district title with two April victories against Holy Cross and Brother Martin. In the district finale, the Jays defeated the Crusaders, 9-6, with veteran and emerging leadership. Team scoring leaders were senior Will Simon and junior Elliott Hattier, who scored two goals each. Freshman Jack Unger and sophomore Clark Romig joined juniors Michael Schmidt, Ross Champagne, and Zach Charneco in adding one goal apiece. Romig, a sophomore, led the team with three assists. Senior James Bradford carried the squad with a whopping 12 ground balls in the game. Before beating the Crusaders, Jesuit had its way with Holy Cross, winning the district semifinal by a score of 21-2. The game saw 10 different Blue Jays score goals. On April 28, the Jesuit lacrosse team fell 11-5 to St Paul’s in the state semifinals at St. Thomas More in Lafayette. It was a heartbreaking end to a solid 2018 season. Saban Sellers, who just completed his first season as head coach, noted that senior leadership provided a necessary nucleus for a team filled with underclassmen. “I’m really proud of this group,” Sellers said. “We had a lot of underclassmen step up in a big way the whole season, and we had great leadership from our senior captains. We always have the goal of being state champs, so we will come back even stronger next year.” Seniors Aiden Roberts (midfield) and Peyton Queyrouze were selected as 1st team All-State. Romig and Champagne were chosen as 2nd team All-State. All four of these players also made the All-South District 1st team. On the All-South District 2nd team were the following: Bradford, Hattier, sophomore Luke Powers, and senior Ryan Hamilton.
The state quarterfinal best-of-three series against St. Paul’s featured 26 innings of baseball between two teams that could not have been more evenly matched. Game 3 lasted more than four hours, requiring 12 innings to break the stalemate. NOLA.com called it “one of the craziest games ever in high school baseball.” The heartbreaking 9-8 loss ended the season for the Jesuit baseball team. Perhaps the defining aspect of the Jays’ season (22-16) was the emergence of a stubborn pattern in which the Jays refused to lose a game on the road but were unable to win at home. The drought at John Ryan Stadium ended in the district series opener against Brother Martin. In the only scoring inning of the game, the Jays hit a season-high five doubles to score four runs, and the game ended 4-0 in Jesuit’s favor. Throwing all seven innings, senior Christian Hess recorded 10 strikeouts and allowed just one hit in his complete game shutout, the best Jesuit pitching performance of the district season. Jesuit dropped two close games in the district series against John Curtis, who went on to win the Catholic League and the 2018 state title. The Jays fell 1-0 at home in the 13-inning series opener, and they fought hard in Game 2 at Miley but were defeated, 12-8. While Curtis was the only district team to take two games from Jesuit, Shaw was the only team to fall twice to Jesuit. The Shaw series marked some important milestones for this year’s team. Not only did Jesuit snag its fifth straight win, but Kenny Goodlett, who took over after Joey Latino’s inseason coaching retirement, captured his first Catholic League victory at John Ryan Stadium as Jesuit’s head coach. With 12 years as Jesuit’s assistant coach and almost a full head-coaching season under his belt, Coach Goodlett continues to focus forward. And with plenty of young talent on the rise, hopes remain high for Big Blue Baseball.
54 | J A Y N O T E S | S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 8
ROB HESS
Baseball Caps Winning Season In Lengthy Quarterfinal
JACK CULOTTA
Lacrosse Defends District, Finishes in Final Four
JEREMY REUTHER
JAY COMBE
Tennis Defies Odds as State Runner-up
Basketball Shines in Sparkling Birdcage
Jesuit got at least one point from all three doubles teams and both singles players to claim the runner-up spot at the LHSAA Division 1 State Championships in April in Monroe. The second-place finish was a successful end to what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Jesuit tennis. The Jays lost three key seniors from last year’s state runner-up squad. With strong Brother Martin and St. Paul’s teams both looking to make a run at defending state champion Catholic High, most folks had Jesuit projected for a fourth-place finish. But senior Andrew Ryan and junior Colin Meyer had something else in mind. The Jays’ Line 2 doubles team upset a regional champion from Byrd in the first round, dispatched Dutchtown in the second round, and capped off their improbable run with a crucial quarterfinal victory over Brother Martin’s Line 2 doubles team, avenging a loss to that same team just two weeks earlier and garnering three points for the Jays in the process. Meyer and Ryan weren’t the only Blue Jays with breakthrough performances in Monroe. Dex Webster and Cole LaCour, Jesuit’s Line 3 doubles team, struggled at regionals. But the junior duo put it all together when it counted most, knocking off a regional runner-up from St. Paul’s in a first-round upset, and then cruising into the quarterfinals with a win over Byrd before bowing out to the eventual champions from Catholic. Jesuit’s Line 1 doubles team, seniors Christian Lacoste and Lee Blosser, faced Catholic’s Line 2 after a first round win over Destrehan. The Bears were a bit too strong in that one, coming away with a straight sets win. In singles play, sophomore standout and regional champion Jojo Sandoz won two matches to advance to the quarterfinals. Sophomore James Henican, meanwhile, won a first round match to reach the Round of 16. As a team, Jesuit finished with nine points, behind Catholic High and tied with Brother Martin for second place. “I’m proud of our guys,” said coach Travis Smith. “This is a team that truly reached its potential.”
The Blue Jay basketball team put together an impressive run in 2017-2018, one rivaling the impressively-renovated home surroundings in which the team played. The Jays saw their first state quarterfinal birth since 2010, having advanced past Evangel Christian in the regional playoff round. The Birdcage, meanwhile, saw its first complete restoration since its construction in 1957. Part of the team’s success can be attributed to having a true scorer in junior guard Elijah Morgan¸ who averaged 20 points per game through district and into the playoffs. Morgan was named to the Coaches’ All-District Team, the Clarion Herald Elite Basketball Team, and the Times Picayune/NOLA.com AllMetro Team. Morgan was surrounded by talented senior roll players, including long-range marksmen Will Landrieu and Patrick Schwing, defensive specialist and point guard Michael Hull, and big man Drew Black. Juniors Nick Artigues, Zach DeBlieux, Robert McMahon, and Noah Varnado also added vital minutes to the campaign and, along with Morgan, show real promise for next year. A high point in the 9-3 district season was the weekend in which Jesuit posted two 70+ point games to handily defeat Rummel and Brother Martin. The unconventional Saturday game against Brother Martin was a make-up from an earlier weather cancellation. In these two games, the Jays could do no wrong and showed a prowess that revealed just how special this team could be. But there were also inconsistent moments that beset the season. In the second district meeting with St. Augustine, the 7-5 halftime score more closely resembled the mid-way mark of a baseball game than a basketball game. Also, the district finale loss against Curtis was a missed opportunity to compete for the district title against the 9-2 Purple Knights, with whom the Jays had split district victories. Adversities aside, the many exciting wins in the 23-9 season earned the Jays a spot as district runnerup and indeed a spot in the hearts of Blue Jay basketball fans.
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Track & Field Places Seven at State
Bowlers Strike Up a Winning Season
The track and field season culminated with seven of its members participating in the 2018 LHSAA/Sugar Bowl Track & Field State Championships at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium in early May. All of these Blue Jays finished in the top 10 of their events after a season of steady progress. Senior Alex Klein finished his high school career in the Para-Ambulatory division by besting all of his personal records from last year. He out-threw his previous discus record by almost six feet by throwing a record 105'6" and sailed past his javelin record by almost seven feet with a 119'9" throw. In running events, Klein shaved seconds off of his 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, running 12.99 and 28.31 seconds, respectively. “Alex has had a great career at Jesuit on and off the track,” said coach Rudy Horvath. “His tremendous improvements in running and the throws speak for themselves. Many people don't realize that Alex was one of our leaders in track. His fun yet determined attitude drew respect and admiration from his teammates throughout the season. We wish him the best as he continues to compete in the future.” The 4 x 400-meter relay team of sophomore Kylan Steele and seniors Timmy Stahel, Michael Hull, and Garrett Crumb showed vast improvement throughout the season and led the way for Jesuit finishing with an impressive 4th place. The team ran a time of 3:23.89, shaving 2.09 seconds off of their third place finish at regionals. Junior Jacob Torres, with new found confidence in the hurdles, placed second in the 300-meter hurdles and third in the 110-meter hurdles at regionals, and finished fifth (40.36) in the 300m hurdles and ninth (15.91) in the 110m hurdles at state. Junior Jack Battaglia, who only began throwing javelin in February, placed third in regionals and then blew by his PR by three feet with a 156' throw at state. “What I loved most about this team was their competitive spirit,” Horvath said. “They were determined to be as good as they could be, no excuses.” With seven athletes pushing themselves to their best performances at state, that's just about all a coach can ask for.
Knocking down their opponents one pin at a time, the 20172018 Jesuit bowling team (10-5) saw a very successful year. The ten-man roster was made up of four seniors, five juniors, and one freshman, with the new addition of a practice team filled by two pre-freshmen. Blazing past their averages from last year, the whole team saw a vast improvement in their bowling game—setting the tone for this season. Showing the greatest amount of progress was newcomer Ben Hunn, who improved his average by a whopping 51 pins over the course of the season. Senior Alex Barron by far had the season’s most memorable moment when he left no pin standing during practice, and shot a perfect game, 12 strikes in a row. Junior Jake Stiegler, however, took both the season’s highest game and highest series of actual gameplay with stellar scores of 259 and 659, respectively. Each individual’s improvements added to the strength of the team. Going 8-4 in regular season play, the team won their regional match against Rummel, won their first bi-regional match against St. Paul, but lost their second bi-regional match against Holden. Four talented bowlers qualified for the state singles championship—Stiegler, Barron, junior Alex’ONeil, and senior Trent Greco. Barron, Greco, and Stielger also received All-District 2nd Team awards for their season averages—192, 190, and 195, respectively. Greco made history by becoming the first recipient of Jesuit's Varsity Bowling MVP Award. Next year will be a great opportunity for prospective bowlers to rise to the occasion as the team looks to replace the four graduating seniors. The plethora of individual honors will prove helpful for the 2018-2019 season, where bowlers hope to advance to state as a team, not just as singles. Keep a lookout for the bowling squad next year, who will not only be sporting fresh talent but newly designed jerseys as well.
Rusty Staub ’61 SO BELOVED and benevolent was Daniel Joseph Staub that he claimed three hometowns and three nicknames to go along with one gloriously large heart. That heart, and the Runyanesque life in full it begat, was stilled on March 29, three days before his 74th birthday, in a West Palm Beach, Fla., hospital after a lengthy illness. He was Rusty from the time he was born in New Orleans in 1944—as soon as one nurse saw the red fuzz on his head—and acquired one of the all-time great sports sobriquets when Montreal Gazette sportswriter Ted Blackman christened him Le Grand Orange after Staub helped snap a 20game losing streak with the expansion 1969 Expos, and to those closest to him he was affectionately "Orange." Two cities especially adopted him as their own: Montreal, where he played for four years, and New York, where he played nine for the Mets before becoming a club ambassador. The joke was that his title was simply Rusty, because the name itself was an honorific. Such a sweet hitter was Staub that Ted Williams, upon trying to coax him into signing with the Red Sox, inscribed in his high school yearbook, "To a future major leaguer if I ever saw one."
19 4 4 – 2 018 Twenty-three seasons, 2,716 hits, six AllStar Games and five franchises—all of them better for having Staub grace them with his spirit. His ability to play baseball paled in magnitude compared with his empathy. In 1985, Staub established the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund to raise money for the families of fallen first responders. After 9/11, his fund distributed more than $117 million. Staub later established the Rusty Staub Foundation, which provides food pantries and meals to New Yorkers in need. Over the past 14 years, while partnering with Catholic Charities, his foundation has delivered more than 12 million meals.
He epitomized how sports at their best are not an end but a platform for the better. The blaze of hair atop his head made him recognizable, the perpetual smile upon his face made him convivial, but the unselfishness in his heart made him unforgettable. - Tom Verducci The article above ran in the April 9 edition of Sports Illustrated. Tom Verducci, the 2015 National Sportswriter of the Year, has covered baseball for SI since 1993. The article is reprinted here with the permission of SI.
Rusty, who was a multi-sport star for the Blue Jays before moving to the Majors, returned to New Orleans on March 2, 2012 for the Grand Opening of Jesuit’s John Ryan Stadium.
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