Jesuit Hosts Historic Night of Celebration at National WWII Museum
There was plenty to celebrate at Jesuit’s Celebration gala/auction on Saturday, Nov. 2, at The National WWII Museum. More than 800 parents, alumni, faculty, and friends packed the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion to support their school. The theme of the event, which featured projected images of military veterans, was “Jesuit Salutes Those Who Have Served.” Members of the school’s MCJROTC, student council, and National Honor Society assisted with operations and helped welcome guests, some of whom wore their military uniforms.
The sold-out party included entertainment from the Jesuit Jazz Band; Victory Belles; and Yat Pack, specialty libations, and delicious delicacies from more than 30 of the city’s finest restaurants.
Guests bid generously at two silent auction tables and in a spirited live auction hosted by Mr. Jeremy Reuther, who serves as Jesuit’s director of campus ministry. Among the most popular items up for auction were condo stays in Florida and Colorado, dinners, fishing trips, and the first two official state-approved license plates; 0001 and 1847, the year the Jesuits opened their school on Baronne Street.
“I offer my profound thanks to all of our volunteers, especially co-chairs Nancy Plough and Michelle Lorusso, who worked so hard to make our event so memorable,” said Jesuit president Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. who also extended his personal thanks to attendees.
Photos courtesy of Loupe Photography.
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Nola.com – Jesuit High School of New Orleans salutes the U.S. Armed Forces at its annual gala
Galleries
Celebration, Nov. 2, 2013
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Jerry '80 and Nancy Plough with Michelle and Nick Lorusso '85 with Jesuit president Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76. Nancy and Michelle served as co-chairs of the Celebration gala/auction.
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Terri Stuckey, Sandee Krizan, Corinne Nettleton, Jim Stuckey, and Les Nettleton welcomed guests at the registration table.
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A Higgins Boat, built in New Orleans and credited with helping win World War II, served as a fitting backdrop for one of the watering holes stationed throughout the Louisiana Pavilion.
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Patti Mahoney and Sharon Davis, who co-chaired the beverages committee, with Michelle Russo, who helped lead the decorations committee
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In keeping with the patriotic color scheme of the event, patron party guests were treated to red, white, and blue specialty libations.
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The Jesuit Jazz Band, conducted by Mr. Jason Giaccone, thrilled the crowd with a mixture of period pieces and contemporary hits.
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They All Saxed For You: seniors Quinn Stiller, Gui Kirsch, Matthew Lauto, and sophomore Tristan Killgore
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Senior Patrick Doell and junior Patrick Fine added their talents to the musical "blast" from the past.
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Jeanne and Ken Boe '84, who serves as co-president of the Blue Jay Band
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Eileen Hofrichter and husband Col. Frank Arnemann, Jr. USAF (Ret)
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Julie and Philip Nimmo visit with Mary Beth and Paul Fine
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Janet Ryan with her mother Margaret Gray and husband John Ryan '70
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Rachel and Granville Morse '89
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Alan '81 and Dana Ganucheau
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Young Buisson, Deborah and Tony Richards, and Greg Buisson
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William and Paulette Wilson share a moment with Amy and Peter Kernion '90, who is in his first year as principal
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Bridget and Walt Bond '85
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Mark Cousins '75, the chairman of this year's Parents Annual Giving drive, with Rocky Daigle '85, who is currently serving as chairman of the President's Advisory Council (PAC)
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Nicole and David Waguespack with Mark Beebe
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Joy and Mark Spansel '73, Georges and Andrea Legrand (reservations), and Michelle Russo (decorations)
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Charles Diermann, Jazz Band director Jason Giaccone, his wife Jamie Giaccone, and Steve LoCoco
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Lisa Comeaux, Bridget Bond, Shannon Daigle, Ann Freibert, Catherine Groos, and Cathy Flynn volunteered their time at two silent auction tables positioned in front of the museums newest exhibit, a Pullman train car.
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USAF SMSgt Rodney Schaubhut, Sr., Andree Schaubhut, with son Rodney Schaubhut, Jr.
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Nick Hazard '84 and State Rep. Nick Lorusso '85
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Students Patrick Steen, Austin Aucoin, and Mark Alvarez assisted with food service.
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Mike and Kathy Juhas, who serves as assistant principal for academic affairs, with theology teacher Fr. John Brown, S.J.
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The evening included performances from the Victory Belles and a slide show featuring photographs of military veterans with Jesuit connections, including one dating back to the Civil War.
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Red, white, and blue!
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A Victory Belle with Jean Cohen
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SMSgt Rodney Schaubhut , Sr., a member of the Louisiana Air National Guard, takes his turn on the dance floor
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Felix Rabito, Sr., with one of the Victory Belles
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A Douglas C-47 kept guests looking skyward.
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Lisa Comeaux (auction), Beth Vargas (restaurants), and Bridget Bond (auction)
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Fred '82 and Marie Tufts with Carlos and Jan Mickan
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Bill '68 and Kathleen Steen join Blair and Krista Roeling, who serves as Jesuit's executive development coordinator
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Mike Elvir '82, Sandy and McNeil Kemmerly, David Gaines '83, and Mary Elvir
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Juniors Evan Flynn and Andrew Liang, just two of the MCJROTC cadets who welcomed Celebration guests and assisted with the evenings operations
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Seniors Gus Cannon (left) and Christopher Dupre (right) with juniors Robert Zazulak, August Vanlangendonck, and Josh Hudak
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Junior food servers Josh Hudak, Steven Enright, and Nick Militello
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In the role of servant leader, student body president Christopher Dupre keeps the food coming
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MCJROTC cadets Garrett Wolff, Tyler Fox, and Chris Wilson
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Andree Schaubhut and her sophomore son, MCJROTC cadet Rodney Schaubhut, Jr.
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Tommy Sandoz '86 with Candace Arnett
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State Rep. Nick Lorusso with Cynthia Lee-Sheng and her husband Stewart Sheng
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Anne Queyrouze (restaurants), Lacey Glorioso (restaurants), and Beth Vargas
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Lisa and Rick Keubel '82 with Don '88 and Virginia Ellis
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Felix Rabito, Sr., Mary Francis Rabito, Felix Rabito, Jr., and Janice Rabito
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Trish Robbins, Anne Beebe, Julie and Mike Parks, Scott Sewell, and Laura Aguilar loved the location.
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Matt Orillion '98, who serves as Jesuit's director of student activities, with his wife Anne, visit with Victoria and Beau Baudie '98
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Steve Pettus, Beth Vargas, Yvette Pettus, and Michael Mentz '74
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Judy and José Abadin
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Skip McAloon, Lori Ryan, Sam McAloon, and Richard Aguilar
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Liz Creel, Sharon Davis, Michelle Russo, Michele Robert, and Nancy Plough
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English teacher Mr. Mike Prados '83, Eric Leefe '03, Sean Landry '01, and Mr. Jeremy Reuther '01, who serves as director of campus ministry
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Missy Duhon, Krystil Lawton, and Jodie Gallagher
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Shortly after the closing of the first silent auction board, Mr. Jeremy Reuther '01 takes the stage to serve as master of ceremonies for a spirited live auction.
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Bobby Comeaux '85 and his wife Lisa
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Veteran George Duffy, wearing a "Veteran" sticker identifying his military service to his country, and his wife Pat
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After the live auction, Anne Freibert, Catherine Groos, Shannon Daigle, Lacey Glorioso, and Bridget Bond closed out the second silent auction table
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The evening wraps up with live music from The Yat Pack
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Lisa and Rick Keubel dance the night away.
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Barry and Beth Bares with Charel and Chris Maheu
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Amy and John Hite '79 with Virginia and Don Ellis '88
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Jesuit thanks the Ploughs and Lorussos, and all those who helped to make this Celebration a historic one. We look forward to seeing you next year.