Thursday: Climbing Mount Everest

View the Photo Gallery of Thursday’s Rock Wall

On Thursday, the survival activities of Welcome Week culminated in one final test of strength and skill – the rock wall. Students flocked to Traditions Courtyard to test their abilities and race one another up a 30+ foot climbing wall with three routes. Young and old students alike embraced the challenge and had a blast as Welcome Week 2018 drew to a close.

Wednesday: Super-Serious Game of “Simon Says”

Dowen Fife catches a player who did not listen to what Simon said.

“Simon says, ‘Visit @jesuitnola on Instagram to see photos of Wednesday’s event.’”

To survive outside, one must be able to listen and, in some cases, follow the leader. Blue Jays of all ages migrated to the front of the courtyard on Wednesday to test their listening skills through two games of “Simon Says.”

Tuesday, Aug. 28 – Bug-Eating

Senior Stephen Zazulak takes on the big bug challenge and takes a bite out of a giant water scorpion.

View the Photo Gallery of Tuesday’s Bug-Eating Event

“Pound for pound, insects like these [rhino beetle larva] contain more protein than beef or fish. They’re perfect survival food.” —Bear Grylls
Channeling their inner Bear Grylls students were challenged to eat grubs and bugs like roasted crickets, locusts, super worms, and mango-flavored silkworm chrysalises. If a student managed to slurp down one spoonful of each bug they were rewarded with their choice of a candy bar or a donut. Three brave souls, seniors Stephen Zazulak, Peter James, and Donovan Reynolds, took on the ultimate bug challenge of eating a whole giant water scorpion. They each received a box of donuts for crunching down on the biggest bug around.

Monday, Aug. 27 – Obstacle Course

Two survival contests battle for good positioning in the obstacle course.

View the Photo Gallery of Monday’s Obstacle Course Event

Jesuit student council members are serving as survival experts for Welcome Week 2018, teaching Blue Jays to survive outside after a summer of indoor activity. The highly-anticipated Welcome Week skit kicked off the week at Monday’s Morning Assembly in the courtyard. A classic song for the outdoors, “Welcome to the Jungle,” inspired students to get into the spirit of the fun-filled week, and a giant truck full of survival experts surprised the audience with this year’s theme—”Jays Survive Outside.”

Morning Assembly, Aug. 27 – Welcome Week Skit, Theme Reveal

Bear Grylls (Dowen Fife), a Boy Scout (Marc Dougherty), and Dora the Explorer (Neehar Desai) stand on the platform to invite the student body to a week of survival training.

View the Photo Gallery of the Morning Assembly Skit

Three survivor experts jumped out the car and ran up to the platform. Bear Grylls was first to talk, followed by Dora the Explorer and a well-trained Boy Scout. They explained the survival events for each day of Welcome Week.

Big Brother/Little Brother Jambalaya, Aug. 24, 2018

Junior James Gegenheimer grabs lunch with his Little Brothers Jack Lo and Patrick Dowd.

On Friday, Aug. 24, the Big Brother-Little Brother Jambalaya lunch served as a great precursor to Welcome Week. Enjoy the photo gallery!

View the Photo Gallery of the Big Brother/Little Brother Jambalaya Lunch