Kaleb Harris receives his Blue Jay pin from his Big Brother.

The first day of school for any new student can bring with it emotions ranging all over the spectrum from excitement to nervousness. One thing was certain, though, as new members of the Classes of 2021 and 2022 spent their first day in khaki on Carrollton and Banks – life as a Blue Jay is a great thing.

New Students’ Orientation day marked a memorable start for the 2017 school year and the 280-plus new Blue Jays who experienced the annual Investiture ceremony held in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs. New students and their Big Brothers started the day by meeting their homeroom teachers before heading to the chapel for the ceremony.

View the Photo Gallery of the Investiture Ceremony

View the Photo Gallery of Orientation and Pep Rally

The Investiture ceremony provides the opportunity to welcome new students into the Jesuit family. It also allows Big Brothers and faculty to reflect upon the role these young men will play in maintaining Jesuit’s long-standing traditions.

Student Council president Paul Treuting welcomed the new Jays to Jesuit and introduced members of the administration and guidance staff. The students heard from Jesuit president Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., who communicated his excitement that he was able to experience his first full year at Jesuit alongside the new students.

New Blue Jays, Big Brothers, and faculty members listen to the words of Investiture speaker, Kyle Crabtree ’12.

Also speaking to the assembly were alumnus Kyle Crabtree ’12 and senior Andrew Hemelt. Crabtree, whose Class of 2012 recently broke the all-time attendance record at their class reunion, encouraged those students beginning their journey never to wish their time at Jesuit away.

“There will be a day that you are sitting in a class that may not be your favorite,” he said,” and you will find yourself wishing that the school day would end. Or there may be a day when you are exhausted and you wish that Christmas break would hurry up and get here. And one wish that is quite common is you wish you could just be a senior already. I am standing here today urging you not to wish it away. Your time here at Jesuit is short, but it is precious.”
Watch the Investiture Address by Kyle Crabtree ’12

After some words of encouragement from senior Andrew Hemelt, upperclassmen gave their Little Brothers their Blue “J” pin, a symbol that Blue Jay spirit is being handed on to the newest members of the Jesuit brotherhood. The “J” symbolizes the spirit, the vigor, and the faith required of each Blue Jay who has walked the halls. The pin is worn on the shirt’s left lapel.

Following the Investiture ceremony, the 8th and 9th graders went to each of their classes with the assistance of their Big Brothers so they could find their way, for a 10-minute introduction to their teachers and classes.

Mr. Peter Kernion ’90, Jesuit’s principal, also addressed the students during a 20-minute assembly in the middle of the class schedule. Kernion discussed matters of academics, student life, and discipline with students, encouraging them to get involved early and make the most of their time as Blue Jays.

New students then checked off three more periods of 10-minute classes before meeting in homeroom for the day’s grand finale. From 11:30 to 12:30, they caught more than a glimpse of Blue Jay Spirit in the auditorium for the new school year’s first pep rally. Student leaders, along with the Blue Jay Band and Cheerleading team, put on a show for the entire crowd.

In the blink of an eye, the pep rally and New Students’ Orientation day was complete. In under five hours the new members of the Jesuit High community were oriented to their classes, further acquainted with their peers and Big Brothers, and Jesuit-“pinned” at Investiture Ceremony. The first full day of school tomorrow should be a breeze for everyone.