The Class of 2012 boasts a record-setting crowd on a rainy night in front of the Rusty Nail in the New Orleans CBD.

From March to July, Blue Jays from nine decades gathered at venues throughout the city to reminisce about their days at Carrollton and Banks. The 2017 reunion season saw Jesuit alumni determined to reconnect with each other and with their alma mater. There were many highlights during the season of connection, but perhaps the most shining achievement was the Class of 2012 setting the all-time attendance record at its first 5-year reunion.

The Class of 1972 at the home of Lindhe and Martha Guarisco

The reunion season kicked off on March 10-11 as the Class of 1977 celebrated two events for their 40th anniversary. Many classes this reunion season followed in line with 2-event weekends in order to include their supportive wives and guests in the fun. The Class of 1972‘s committee, led by Lindhe Guarisco, was determined to increase their class’s reunion attendance. Mission accomplished! Thanks to Lindhe’s yearlong campaign, the weekend of March 31 and April 1 saw 80 Blue Jays gather to celebrate 45 years since graduation. Friday night’s stag event was hosted by Lindhe and his wife Martha at their Old Metairie home, and the Jays remained in the area for the Saturday couples’ reception at Metairie Country Club.

The Class of 1997 celebrated their 20-year reunion on the weekend of April 7-8. And what a celebration it was! The blowout began on Friday morning as the guys assisted with setup and fielded eight foursomes at the annual Jesuit Golf Classic at English Turn.  The ’97 Jays and their dates continued the celebration after an afternoon of rest. Then opting for a Saturday mid-day stag reception at Pier 424 Seafood Market on Bourbon Street, the guys took in the sights and sounds of the French Quarter Festival from the vantage point of the venue’s large balcony.

A particularly memorable moment was at an outstanding reunion weekend for the Class of 1962 that included a stag gathering at Acme Oyster House in Metairie and a couples’ reception at Southern Yacht Club. Tommy Todd, who is battling ALS, traveled all the way from Houston on a bus to be with his beloved classmates. The group waited for Tommy, who was assisted by his brother Br. Terry Todd ’58, to arrive before they sang the alma mater; the guys wanted Tommy to lead the song, a special moment that was captured at the event (Photo Gallery).

The Class of 1952 celebrated together on May 19 at Chateau Country Club. The couples’ lunch featured a 3-course, sit-down meal and the singing of the Alma Mater and Fight Song in the same manner as they sung it 65 years ago.

The first weekend in June was a golden weekend indeed. Fifty years since graduation deserves a big celebration, and that’s just what the Class of 1967 experienced at their Golden Anniversary. They began their Friday celebration with a crawfish boil in Jesuit’s Student Commons. On Saturday the guys and their dates dressed elegantly as they gathered at New Orleans Country Club for a buffet dinner. It was this same Saturday that the Class of 2012 earned a spot in the history books. Thanks to the determination of class leaders and committee members, 150 classmates filled the patio of the Rusty Nail for their first 5-year reunion. No Jesuit reunion has had more Jays in attendance. Such a great turnout and display of Blue Jay Spirit forecast great things to come from Jesuit’s young alumni.

The Class of 1992 celebrated their 25-year Silver Anniversary on June 9-10, while the Class of 1987 put together two events in the same weekend. The Class of 1947 reunited with Blue Jays from previous years going back to 1935 to celebrate 70-plus years since graduation. The senior Jays came back to Jesuit on June 24 for a Saturday afternoon Mass in the Holy Name Chapel followed by cocktails and dinner in the Student Commons.

The Class of 1982 and the Class of 2007 chose the final reunion weekend of July 14-15 to gather with classmates. The ’82ers surfed over to Lucy’s in the Warehouse District to rekindle the spirit they experienced at Carrollton and Banks. 2007 closed out the reunion season with two events designed to renew their Blue Jay Spirit.

Reunions allow alumni to celebrate their Jesuit bond. Anyone interested in helping bring their classmates back together is encouraged to join their class reunion committee or leadership team. Jays from the Class of 2012 all the way back to the Class of 1935 (spanning 77 years) enjoyed this past reunion season. The Blue Jay Spirit has been thriving for decades, and the 2017 reunion season stands out as a special indicator that the old spirit is still burning brightly.

To relive the reunion season: View the photo galleries of the 2017 class reunions