The 100th Meeting of Jesuit vs. Holy Cross
Great American Rivalry
October 4, 2019

Presented by:

STUDENT HONOREES:

 Scholar-Athlete            

A traditional feature of the Great American Rivalry Series is the recognition of the senior letterman on each team for his academic achievement. Jesuit’s 2019 Scholar-Athlete is John Gunaldo with a 4.52 GPA. A two-sport letterman, John is the punter and holder for the varsity football team and a sprinter and pole-vaulter on the varsity track team. He serves on the student council executive board as the student body treasurer and is a member of the National Honor Society, Sodality of the Immaculate Conception, and Campus Ministry. John is also an altar server and Eucharistic minister. This past summer he volunteered as a counselor with MedCamps of Louisiana at a week-long camp for children with muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. He has also volunteered with HamsForFams, which provides Christmas meals for the needy in our community; the Harry Tompson Center winter clothing drive for the homeless; and BridgeMed, which provides medical supplies to those who can’t afford them. John hopes to attend Notre Dame or Boston College and eventually pursue a career in medicine. He is the son of Mike and Tina Gunaldo. John will receive a $500 scholarship from The Great American Rivalry Series and Home Bank. Gunaldo was recently honored by WGNO as the Scholar Athlete of Week 3. Click here to watch the story.

Royal Honda Community Service Award 

 The second student award is the Community Service Award, presented to a senior football player from each team for his exemplary service to his community. Offensive lineman Dalton Baglio is Jesuit’s 2019 recipient. Over his four-plus years at Jesuit, Dalton has actively served his community, both on and off campus. Last summer, Dalton volunteered as a counselor at Camp Rolling Thunder, a week-long overnight camp in northeast Louisiana for children with Spina Bifida. In addition, as both a sophomore and junior, he worked with Special Olympics, helping organize athletic competitions for young people with disabilities. As a member of Jesuit’s National Honor Society, Dalton has volunteered at the annual ALS Walk and delivered meals to the needy through Jesuit’s Thanksgiving Drive. In addition to his service to the broader community, Dalton has embodied Jesuit’s motto of being a Man for Others during the school day, as well. At Jesuit, he serves as Senior Class President, organizing activities and dances for his fellow students; is active in Campus Ministry, leading the 8th and 9th grade retreats; and acts as a Big Brother, showing new Blue Jays the ropes in their first days and weeks at school. He plans on studying mechanical engineering in college. Dalton is the son of Gina and Troy Baglio. Dalton will receive a $500 scholarship from Royal Honda.