Jesuit’s Class of 2019 Has 269 Graduates, 11 Valedictorians

Posted May 24, 2019 / Last updated June 6, 2019

Diplomas were awarded to 269 members of Jesuit High School’s Class of 2019 by school president Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., at Commencement Exercises on Thursday evening, May 23, at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner.

View the 2019 Commencement Gallery

View the Valedictory Address by Christopher A. Vuong

View the Commencement Address by Fr. Christopher S. Fronk, S.J.

Winners of the three major awards at graduation: Dowen Fife received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, William Bostick received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award, and Matthew LaCour received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award.

Matthew G. LaCour 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.

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

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

The Blue Jay Parents’ Club Award for excellence in scholarship was awarded to the seniors who graduated with the highest grade point average for four years at Jesuit High School. They were also named co-valedictorians of their class.

This year the award was merited by eleven seniors: Christopher A. Vuong (who delivered the valedictory address); Neehar N. Desai; Matthew J. Dowling; Josef G. Ernst; Peter V.H. James; Charles T. Korndorffer; Matthew G. LaCour; Tyler C. Lobitz; Jonathan A. Sanders; William R. Schott; and Matthew J. Vlosich.

The 11 co-valedictorians for the Class of 2019: (back row, from left to right) Matthew Vlosich, Neehar Desai, Jonathan Sanders, Josef Ernst, Peter James, Charles Korndoffer, (front row, from left to right) William Schott, Matthew LaCour, Christopher Vuong, Tyler Lobitz, and Matthew Dowling.

Christopher A. Vuong, the son of Vu and Van Vuong of River Ridge, will attend Tulane University.

Neehar N. Desai, the son of Nipun and Nipa Desai of Metairie, will attend Brown University.

Matthew J. Dowling, the son of Adam and Ann Dowling of New Orleans, will attend the University of Chicago.

Josef G. Ernst, the son of Gregory Ernst and Stacy Seicshnaydre of New Orleans, will attend the University of Notre Dame.

Peter V. H. James, the son of Mark and Alison James of Metairie, will attend Washington and Lee University.

Charles T. Korndorffer, the son of James and Melanie Korndorffer of New Orleans, will attend the University of Notre Dame.

Matthew G. LaCour, the son of Gregory and Yvette LaCour of Metairie, will attend the University of Dallas.

Tyler C. Lobitz, the son of Brice and Becky Lobitz of Destrehan, will attend Louisiana State University (Honors Program).

Jonathan A. Sanders, the son of Robert and Gwendolyn Sanders of New Orleans, will attend Louisiana State University (Honors Program).

William R. Schott, the son of Louis and Stephanie Schott of Metairie and Elizabeth Schott of New Orleans, will attend Georgetown University.

Matthew J. Vlosich, the son of Paul and Stephanie Vlosich of Harvey, will attend Louisiana State University (Honors Program).

Christopher Vuong delivers the valedictory address.

Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of summa cum laude were John G. Bendernagel, William T. Bostick Jr., James W. Bragg III, Andrew D. Burger-Chaisson, Jack M. Chapoton, Michael G. Charbonnet, Nicholas G. Cibilich, John W. Diliberto, Alexander D. Doll, Jason M. Dominique, Luke M. Eccles, Davis H. Edwards, Evan A. Ehrensing, Darren A. Ferrier Jr., William G. Freese, Bradley J. Fugetta, Samuel M. Gibson, Theodore M. B. Goldenberg, Jack N. Grady, Alexander M. Hentze, Owen A. Hite, Cameron D. Kosloski, Matthew V. LoCoco, Joseph J. Maniscalco, Bennett C. Mansour, Devin M. McCartney, Scott T. McKeough, William T. Mentz Jr., Colin R. Meyer, Maximilian E. Miller, Elijah P. Morgan, David C. Nimmo, Michael J. Owers, Daniel S. Paisant Jr., Cole J. Radetich, Ridge A. Retif, Henry J. Schenck, Michael H. Schmidt, Eduardo S. Seoane, Gabriel J. Sims, Sean P. Svihla, Jacob L. Torres, James P. Toups, Aidan S. Walker, Donald D. Webster, Herman D. Webster III, and John J. Zvonek, Jr.

Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of magna cum laude were Braden C. Bent, Maxwell J. Bond, Michael G. Buisson III, Ian A. Cruz-Schneider, Reed J. Darcey, Dylan J. Davidson, Reece F. de Boisblanc, Samuel E. Dreuil, Dylan W. Dupre, Liam R. Fielding, Justin J. Fortier, Adam C. Francis, Gabriel C. Green, Jacob K. Happel, Scott V. Hawkins, Heath H. Horridge Jr., Jack D. Juge, Forrest S. Kennedy, Andrew S. Laborde, Cole W. LaCour, Christopher M. Langley, Stephen M. Larzelere Jr., Sebastian M. Mac, Jacob H. V. McCaffery, Matthew P. Monjure, William J. Moran III, William B. Musser, Evan D. North, Jacob P. Randolph, Cameron R. Ray, Stephen P. Redfearn, Cole M. Roy, Duncan H. Royster, Matthew C. Sauviac, Max O. Scheurich, Eli M. Shaw, Bradley S. Shore Jr., Gavin R. Skipper, Alexander R. Stapp, Evan T. Tizzard, Benjamin S. Wessel, and Evan P. Wicker.

Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of cum laude were Brady M. Babin, Barton B. Barre, Mitchell J. Blount, Nicholas J. Brewster, John O. Cashen, Collin R. Catalano, Zachary A. Charneco, Jacob W. Chase, David M. Childs, Zachary A. DeBlieux, Pierce B. Doubleday, Matthew J. Fanguy, Richard M. Foley Jr., Kyle W. Fulton, Perry L. Ganci Jr., Brady P. Haag, Maxwell E. Juge, Ethan M. Kerrigan, Richard K. McCurley, Benjamin D. Mollere, Bennett A. Pels, Ashton M. Perkins, Cooper A. Ray, Jacob A. Reeder, Jonathan E. Rink, Trevor T. Spinosa, and Jake F. Stiegler.

Earning the Accelerated Program Diploma for having successfully completed a five-year program above and beyond the school’s ordinary requirements were Jake A. Borrello, Stephen H. Crocker, David L. Dillon, Nicholas K. Hays, Damose J. Ituah, Henri L. Jacobs, Harrison R. LeBlanc, Ian C. Recile, Noah M. Varnado, and Freddie P. Washington IV.

Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of summa cum laude were Blaine M. Calcagno, Lucas A. Deane, Brady D. Lee, Cameron M. Mazoué, Kaleb O. Terrell, and Brent J. Williams.

Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of magna cum laude were Matthew M. Basile-DeJean, Brenden J. Berggren, William S. Braham, Marseyas S. Fernandez Jr., Michael B. Fitzsimmons, Elliott J. Hattier, Donovan H. Huynh, Reese A. Johnson, Remy F. Lavie, Andrew A. Le, Evan J. Leonhard, Robert A. McMahon, Nikolas Milonas, Robert J. Murphy, Cooper J. Posecai, Donovan T. Reynolds, Arthur V. Ross, Jr., Adam M. Roussel, Andrew M. Schwartz, Connor M. Schwartz, Ashton C. Stevens, Joseph C. Tadros, Kel M. Villarrubia, and Benjamin C. Willis.

Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of cum laude were Nicholas A. Artigues, Roman A. Bankson, Connor C. Bendeck, John P. Besh Jr., Christopher J. Bowen, Connor B. Boylan, Jackson G. Brewster, Gabriel A. Buenano, Eugene T. Calongne, Nicholas R. Cantelli, Ross R. Champagne, Farrell J. Chatelain III, William A. Cronvich, Daniel E. Davillier Jr., Cole P. DiMaggio, Marc C. Dougherty Jr., Dowen W. Fife III, Erik O. Finney, Cyrus J. Fuxan, Thomas L. B. Goldenberg, Benjamin B. Haase, Cameron A. Helm, Matthew G. Hickey, Carson P. Keller, Britton K. Khalaf, Nicholas B. Lacour, Tevin Lashley Jr., Clyde P. LeBlanc, Reed P. Menszer, Benjamin D. Morrison, Matthew J. Nata, Gregory R. Nielsen, Christian F. Ordoyne, Chase A. Raterman, Stephen P. Rice, William M. Ruddy, Spencer T. Scandaliato, Dominic J. Schof, Michael D. Scott, Joshua L. Stedman, Brennen T. Walker, Evan M. Walsh, Brayton S. Whittington, Evan P. Younger, and Stephen E. Zazulak.

Completing the College Preparatory Course were Julius M. Anderson, Liam R. Andrews, Logan S. Andrews, Jack P. Battaglia, Samuel W. Bel, RayVan A. T. Bellazer, Jon T. Blatcher, Gus M. Bongiovanni, Preston D. Bordes, Maximo V. Cambias, Eli B. Cheramie, Carson R. Cvitanovich, Connor B. Daigle, James M. Davies, Salvatore P. DeMatteo, Nicholas T. Dupuy, Mason B. Edwards, Blane M. Giardina, Beau C. Gibbons, Colin J. Gilmore, Grant V. Greco, John F. Hamilton IV, Ardley S. Hanemann, Russell J. Heath, Neal B. Hebert, Payton E. Hedrick, August M. Huete, Jacob A. Kieff, Michael A. Kinler Jr., Delery P. Knoll, Kyle J. Lorio, Mason A. Martinez, Benjamin O. May, Cael R. Meilleur, Cyril G. Melville IV, Shawyan Mirzai, Matthew C. Moore, William P. Motes, Kameron W. Muller-Schneider, Zachary P. Neagle, William C. Newell Jr., Andres W. Oberhelman, Alex C. O’Neil, Colby M. Queyrouze, Matthew G. Richard Jr., Willie Robinson IV, Christopher D. Scamardo, Anthony J. Serio, Joshua W. Shanks, Travis P. Talamo, Nicholas R. Tanet, John S. Tindall, Ethan J. Varisco, Nathaniel J. Verhoeven, Andrew B. Ward, Byron Washington II, and John F. Wegmann.

Galleries

Commencement Exercises, Class of 2019, May 23, 2019

The first wave of Blue Jays enters the Pontchartrain Center lobby, looking sharp and ready for graduation.
Nicholas Cibilich, William Mentz, Jack Zvonek, Jo Ann Schexnayder, Henry Schneck, and Michael Owers
The 2019 graduates excitedly gather around Dr. Gerard Delahoussaye for a group photo.
The 11 co-valedictorians for the Class of 2019: (back row, from left to right) Matthew Vlosich, Neehar Desai, Jonathan Sanders, Josef Ernst, Peter James, Charles Korndoffer, (front row, from left to right) William Schott, Matthew LaCour, Christopher Vuong, Tyler Lobitz, and Matthew Dowling.
William Bostick, Sarah Brauner, and William Mentz
Connor Bendeck, Cameron Helm, Ethan Kerrigan, Owen Melville, Max Bond, Nick Artigues, Zach DeBlieux, and Nick Brewster
Julius Anderson, Coach Rudy Horvath ’86, and Alex Stapp
Father and son — Sam Hanemann and Brett Hanemann ’85
Samuel Gibbson, Eugene Calongne, Chris Tadros, Mr. Mitch Chapoton, Logan Andrews, Ethan Varisco, Jack Chapoton, Liam Andrews, and Robert Murphy.
Elijah Morgan Dylan Davidson, Jon Blatcher, Freddie Washington, Damose Ituah, Daniel Davillier, Tevin Lashley, and Willie Robinson
Braden Bent, D.J. Galiano ’07, and Gus Bongiovanni
The anticipation builds as the Class of 2019 walks down the hall towards the stage.
With curtains closed, the soon-to-be graduates file one by one onto the stage.
In the wing off stage left, Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. '58 has the diplomas all sorted and ready for distribution, a task he has been doing for more than 50 Jesuit graduations.
Family and friends eagerly fill the seats of the Pontchartrain Center.
The faculty line up and get ready to process in.
The sheet music for the 2019 Commencement.
With Band Director Joe Caluda leading the way, the Blue Jay Marching Band provides the music for Jesuit's graduations.
At exactly 8:00 PM, the curtain opens and an audible gasp from the audience trickles through the room as the 2019 graduates are revealed.
The 269 graduates of the Class of 2019
The administrative leaders of the school take their seats on stage. From left, Mr. Top Abshire, prefect of discipline; Mrs. Helen Swan, director of student affairs; Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., president; Kathy Juhas, academic assistant principal; and Peter Kernion, principal.
At the start of the ceremony, the National Anthem is played and sung.
Matthew LaCour receives The Reverend Father President's Spiritual Leadership Award.
Dowen Fife receives The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy.
William Bostick receives the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award.
It is now time for the graduates' diplomas to make the journey on to the stage. First Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. '58 reviews each stack of diplomas with care and precision.
Then he unwraps them and passes them to D.J. Galiano ’07...
...who hands them off to Fr. Donald Saunders, S.J.
Fr. Donald Saunders, S.J. squares them off and hands them off to...
...Top Abshire.
David Nimmo accepts his diploma and walks back to his seat.
Michael Buisson holds his diploma with a smile.
Collin Catalano is excited to receive his diploma.
The Class of 2019 listens as...
...Christopher Vuong delivers the valedictory address.
Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., president of Jesuit High School, addresses the Class of 2019.
The front row of co-valedictorians listen to Fr. Fronk's address
The Class of 2019 smile as they are officially declared graduates.
Michael Owers, along with his classmates, sing the Jesuit Alma Mater.
Luke Eccles sings the Jesuit Alma Mater.
The graduates are excited to be done...
...and file off stage...
...to join their families and friends.
Winners of the three major awards at graduation: Dowen Fife received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, William Bostick received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award and Matthew LaCour received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award.
Winners of the three major awards at graduation: Dowen Fife received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, William Bostick received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award, and Matthew LaCour received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award.
Principal Peter Kernion ’90 sits on the empty stage after a long night.