Senior Evan Queyrouze sports a comfortable wrestling singlet, while Carson McKenzie and Jack Ehrhardt dress as Forrest Gump and Lt. Dan from the movie Forrest Gump. Disco men pose in the background.

Students are usually waiting for the dismissal bell to ring during last period on Friday at Jesuit High School. That was not the case on Friday, Feb. 2.

Cheerleaders perform at the start of the pep rally as students take their seats.

View the Photo Gallery from the Pep Rally!

By 2:15 p.m., the sounds of the Blue Jay Band could be heard on Canal St. as the entire student body processed into the Birdcage for the first school-wide pep rally in the renovated gym. In half an hour, Jesuit’s student council ignited Blue Jay Spirit in the hearts of every student.

At 2:20 p.m., the lights dropped, the music played, and each student focused on the new video boards in the gym. The student council’s hype video featured clips of almost every ongoing winter activity in which Jesuit students participate, from in-season sports (like basketball, wrestling, and soccer) to newly-created clubs like the programming and pre-prandials clubs.

Seniors on the basketball team pose for a photo at half-court. (From left, standing) Patrick Schwing, Will Landrieu, and Drew Black. Kneeling is Michael Hull.

Jesuit’s student body president, senior Paul Treuting, emceed the pep rally alongside senior Paul James. They and other student council executive board members continued the excitement by introducing seniors on the basketball, wrestling, and soccer teams.

As devoted Blue Jay sports fans may know, this weekend could be declared “Jesuit sports central” with all three of the aforementioned sports competing in crucial events. The district championship soccer team plays in the opening round of the state playoffs, while the basketball and wrestling teams fight for district titles this weekend. Additionally, the Blue Jay Band kicks off Carnival season this weekend, beginning with the Krewe of Carrollton parade, set for Sunday, Feb. 4 at 12 p.m. along the Uptown parade route.

Tonight, Feb. 2: Soccer vs. Barbe at John Ryan Stadium (6:00 p.m.) 

Tonight, Feb. 2: Basketball vs. Rummel in Jesuit’s gym (7:00 p.m.)

Tomorrow, Feb. 3: Wrestling District Championships at Holy Cross (9 a.m.)

Wrestling seniors at half-court. (From left, bottom) Kelly Zeringue, Adam Larriviere, Jack Ehrhardt, (standing) Andrew Fugetta, Evan Queyrouze, Eli Larriviere, Nate Koenig, and Tom Arseneaux

NOTE: The wrestling district champion will be decided on Saturday, but the basketball district champ is still up for grabs in the coming weeks. 

The winter sports pep rally ended the traditional way with the senior scoot and huddle. Of course, during the one big pep rally of each school year, seniors are allowed to dress up in costumes in order to make a grand exit and re-entrance to the gym.

Seniors Paul Treuting (left) and Paul James lead the seniors out of the gym.

Jesuit’s Cheerleaders, Jayettes, and Blue Jay Band entertained the students, faculty, staff, and parents throughout the rally. With lots of Blue Jay Spirit and multiple sporting events ahead, the weekend of Feb. 2-4 should be one to remember.