Jesuit High School of New Orleans

Class of 2014 Has 259 Graduates, Including Nine Valedictorians

Posted May 24, 2014 / Last updated June 5, 2014

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The Class of 2014 yielded nine valedictorians, from left, Stanley H. Dai, Reuben A. Hogan, Zhen P. Huang, Christopher M. Mire, Thomas J. Nimmo, Patrick B. Ryan, Sean E. Stephens, Cullen M. Walsh, and Kevin E. Yokum, who delivered the valedictory address.

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Diplomas were awarded to 259 members of Jesuit High School’s Class of 2014 by school president Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. at Commencement Exercises on Thursday evening, May 22 at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner.

The Blue Jay Parents’ Club Award for excellence in scholarship was awarded to nine seniors who are the co-valedictorians of their class, having graduated with the highest grade point average for four years at Jesuit: Stanley H. Dai, Reuben A. Hogan, Zhen P. Huang, Christopher M. Mire, Thomas J. Nimmo, Patrick B. Ryan, Sean E. Stephens, Cullen M. Walsh, and Kevin E. Yokum (who delivered the valedictory address).

Three Additional Prestigious Awards Presented

The recipients of three major awards voted on by the faculty of Jesuit were, from left, John A. Guerra, who received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award; Quentin E. Marks, who received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, Donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914; and Brandon D. Myers, who received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award,

The recipients of three major awards voted on by the faculty of Jesuit were, from left, John A. Guerra, who received the Reverend Father President’’s Spiritual Leadership Award; Quentin E. Marks, who received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, Donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914; and Brandon D. Myers, who received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award.

John A. Guerra 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.

Quentin E. Marks received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, Donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914, an award established 100 years ago 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.”

Brandon D. Myers 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.

Nine Valedictorians in the Class of 2014

Stanley H. Dai, the son of Jing Hu and Guixiang Dai of Metairie, will attend Georgetown University and major in economics.

Reuben A. Hogan, the son of Marie and Kavin Hogan of Harvey, will attend Washington University in St. Louis and major in biology.

Zhen P. Huang, the son of Bing Li and Zhuo Huang of Harvey, will attend Yale University and major in philosophy and biology.

Christopher M. Mire, the son of Margaret and Joseph Mire of Mandeville, will attend the University of Notre Dame and major in finance.

Thomas J. Nimmo, the son of Julie and Philip Nimmo of Metairie, will attend the United States Military Academy and major in mechanical engineering.

Patrick B. Ryan, the son of Lori and Kent Ryan of Metairie, will attend Tulane University (Honors Program) and major in biology.

Sean E. Stephens, the son of Tangie and Robert Stephens of Metairie, will attend the University of Alabama and major in electrical engineering.

Cullen M. Walsh, the son of Stacey and Michael Walsh ’82 of Mandeville, will attend Louisiana State University and major in mechanical engineering.

Kevin E. Yokum, the son of Susan and Brian Yokum of New Orleans, will attend the University of Notre Dame and major in electrical engineering.

Yokum had the privilege of delivering the valedictory address in which he said the ceremony marks a significant milestone for graduating Blue Jays. “Tonight marks the end of our time at Jesuit High School, a time full of great accomplishments, friendships, and memories,” he said. “Yet it is also the beginning of a bright future for us, a time full of great freedoms, responsibilities, and opportunities. Our years at Jesuit and the people who have guided us have surely prepared us for whatever awaits us in that future.”

In the other Commencement address, his final one before relinquishing the president’s office due to illness, Fr. Fitzgerald told graduates: “My beloved brothers, my prayer for you, for each of you, is that every deed whereby you change others for the good likewise change you by bringing you closer to God. You leave Jesuit to write new pages in the books of your lives. May these also be new pages of the epic of God’s sharing His love and life with you, a saga wherein, in the words of C.S. Lewis, ‘every chapter is better than the one before.'”

259 Graduates in Jesuit’s Class of 2014

Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of Summa Cum Laude: Zachary J. Adams, Mark R. Alvarez, Joseph A. Anderson, Austin J. Aucoin, Joshua S. Baldassaro, Brendan J. Besh, Grady M. Burnett, Ian A. Calamari, August J. Cannon, Keith A. Collins, Jr., Stanley H. Dai, Sean M. Dobies, Arthur H. Dunlap, Christopher J. Dupré, Charles P. Farley.

Christopher B. Fasone, Liam B. Fitzgerald, Charles M. Graham, Joseph D. Hebert IV, Reuben A. Hogan, Zhen P. Huang, Zachary G. Jones III, Eugene D. Kim, Evan M. Kramer, Jordan T. Lacoste, John C. Landry, Taylor D. Lee, Abel A. Lopez III, Cameron P. Martinez, Christopher G. Maurice, Roy P. Messina.

Kevin M. Mickan, James J. Mickler, Christopher M. Mire, John W. Mitton, William H. Myers, Gabriel J. Navar, Benjamin M. Nettleton, Thomas J. Nimmo, Max C. Perret, Whitcomb W. Porter, Patrick B. Ryan, Alexander J. Scalco, Eduard A. Spinu, Jacob T. Stansberry, Patrick B. Steen, Sean E. Stephens.

Quinn G. Stiller, William E. Thompson, Andrew J. Tufts, Cullen M. Walsh, Richard A. Williams, Jr., Evan T. Wolff, Garrett W. Wolff, Kevin E. Yokum

Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of Magna Cum Laude: Daniel G. Abadie, Jr., Arman L. Alizadeh, Peter A. Belleau, Alexander J. Brewster, Harrison S. Cates, Nicholas A. Charles, Weldon P. Cousins, Jon M. Daniels, Will P. Dufour, Connor P. Gruntz, Charles H. Hamilton, Kory J. Hannan, Eric J. Hartupee, Joseph L. Hauth, William C. Johnson, Austin W. Lanier.

Joshua A. Larcena, Jacob R. Larriviere, Matthew P. Lauto, Philip G. Legrand, Cooper M. Lemoine, Alex L. Letulle, Quentin E. Marks, Pierre V. Miller III, Kyle S. Moise, Matthew J. Monju, Michael J. Murray, Hayden G. Pels, Peyton T. Pertuit, Andrew J. Prejean, Hunter V. Protti, Patrick S. Russo, Stephen D. Sigle.

Luke B. St. Germain, William S. Tebbe, Brayden J. Thompson, Nicola C. Tomba, Christopher P. Totaro, John F. Tufts, Christopher L. Wilson, Nathan M. Zimmer.

Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of Cum Laude: Matthew R. Bennett, Nathan Q. Braquet, John F. Augustus Caliva, Tyler D. Khanh Cao, Clayton N. Colombo, Bradley E. Davis, Brett J. Dipuma, Patrick K. Doell, Joseph L. Eustis, John A. Guerra, Luke E. Hahn, Caldwell S. Hebert, Robert P. Henry, Tristan J. Humphrey, Ross J. Hymel, Guillaume S. Kirsch.

Jonathan H. Kwon, Joseph C. McAloon, Michael T. McCombs, Ryan S. McKeough, William C. McQueen, Christopher V. Padilla, Andre G. Perez-Chaumont, Ashton C. Queyrouze, Brandon J. Sequeira, Tyler A. Story, Adam T. Waguespack, Corey D. Webb, James B. Whitlow III, Nicholas P. Wolff.

The following have earned the Accelerated Program Diploma for having successfully completed a five-year program above and beyond the school’s ordinary requirements: Pablo V. Amador, Brian J. Burvant, Glynn G. Hyer, Jr., Luke M. Robbins, Collin A. Roy, Brian E. Sevin, Jr., Reshubh Srinivas.

The following have successfully completed the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of Summa Cum Laude: Blake M. Baker, Clayton D. Deron, Charles J. Everhardt IV, Ivan J. Hidrovo, Brock D. Lingle, Douglas A. Regan, Willard E. Robertson, Jr., Alex M. Rooney, Herbert Spurlock III.

The following have successfully completed the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of Magna Cum Laude: Corey E. Avrard, Jr., Christopher C. Bellone, Jr., Collin M. Bergeron, Colton J. Blagrove, Jonathan C. Blanchard, Daniel J. Boudreau, Riley H. Conroy, Phillip A. d’Aquin, Chase A. DeMonte, Taylor S. Ferris, Akshay S. Gopal, Joshua M. Griener-Hickey, Rahul S. Mirpuri, Riccardo S.H. Muzzetto, Andrew N. Nguyen.

Jeremy T. Nguyen, Gavin P. Pertuit, Collin D. Phillips, Preston D. Raffray, Blake L. Robért, Christopher A. Sylvain, Jr., James E. Szeszycki, Jr., Nicholas D. Tadros, Christopher J. Taliancich.

The following have successfully completed the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of Cum Laude: Jorge M. Abadin, Christopher J. Babin, Matthew J. Blasini, Mitchell J. Bourgeois, Matthew L. Brandt, Cameron S. Coulon, Justin M. Daigle, Nicholas P. David, Jake L. Eccles, Ryan P. Ellinghausen, Dominic M. Engolia, Patrick D. France, Dominick M. Frank, Michael P. Frank, Jorge A. Galdamez, Stephen L. Ganucheau.

Anthony J. Genova, Connor G. Gillen, William G. Healy, Jr., Gian-Carlo Hernandez-San Martin, Henry D. Hingle, Kyle S. Holzman, Allan T. Hornbrook, Devin P. Keister, John C. Kurtz, Nicholas M. Maggio, Andrew G. Martin, Ryan P. McMahon, Robert F. Michalik, Spencer A. Miller, Matthew J. Neagle, Ross M. Palmer.

Patrick B. Parent, Carson J. Rigol, Christian P. Ruppert V, Spencer M. Smith, Brett G. Spansel, Mark W. Woods, Jr., Nicholas M. Youngblood.

The following have successfully completed the College Preparatory Course: Matthew S. Alikhani, Adam A. Aucoin, Austin L. Becnel, Ryan E. Bergeron, Stephen M. Blum, Adam J. Boe, Vincent J. Bonadona, Alexander C. Boustany, Christian T. Bruno, Colin J. Burgess, Ryan M. Cambias, Ian G. Cogswell, Brian C. Crosby, Jason T. Crumb, Jr., Tristan R. Culotta, Ian J. DeBautte.

Zachary M. DeChristopher, Evan C. DeHoog, Michael S. Dwyer, Efosa S. Eboigbe, Chase J. Eckholdt, Gaston T. Eymard, Evan J. Fitzpatrick, Glenn G. Fraychineaud, Austin J. Galy II, Grant F. Garrison, Fernando F. Gonzales, Kyle T. Gresham, Michael D. Hanley, Jr., Damian C. Junius, Christian J. Latino.

Stephen C. Lazar, James J. Licciardi IV, Patrick D. Mansour, Jack H. Meehan, Robert R.B. Montenegro, Brandon D. Myers, Grant N. Nichols, Matthew J. Pettus, Leron E. Prout, James N. Schwabe, Colby A. Simoneaux, David B. Stahl, Jr., Baron A. Steckler, John D. Stieffel, Toussaint H. Trahan, Richard C. Trahant, Jr.

David C. Treen III, Mark A. Veals, Jr., Malik M. Walker, Bailey J. Weber, Daron D. Wilford, Christopher D. Young, Sang H. Yun.

Read More

Nola.com – Jesuit High in New Orleans awards more than 250 diplomas during graduation

Videos

Kevin Yokum '14

Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76

Galleries

Commencement Exercises, Class of 2014 - Pontchartrain Center, Thursday, May 22, 2014

  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_33
    John Fitzpatrick '86 applauds the Class of 2014, which includes his son Evan Fitzpatrick among the graduates.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_23
    Co-valedictorian Cullen Walsh
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_24
    Co-valedictorian Kevin Yokum
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_25
    Kevin Yokum delivers the valedictory address. "Tonight marks the end of our time at Jesuit High School – a time full of great accomplishments, friendships, and memories," he says. "Yet it is also the beginning of a bright future for us – a time full of great freedoms, responsibilities, and opportunities. Our years at Jesuit and the people who have guided us have surely prepared us for whatever awaits us in that future."
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_26
    Hands on the front row
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_27
    After receiving their diplomas, Cullen Walsh, Andrew Tufts, and William Thompson return to the second row, stage right.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_28
    Blue Jays on row six, stage left receive their diplomas.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_29
    Blue Jays in the ninth row, stage right receive their diplomas.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_30
    Dalton Stieffel is the second graduate on the last row to receive his diploma.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_31
    Sang Yun is the 259th graduate to receive his diploma.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_32
    The audience gives the graduates a prolonged standing ovation.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_22
    Co-valedictorian Sean Stephens
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_34
    Faculty on the front line: Holly Smith, Nilda Rivera, Mike Prados, Jeremy Reuther, and Tim McCaffery.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_35
    Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76, president of Jesuit High School, delivers his Commencement address, his final one before illness forces him to relinquish the position he has held for only three years. Fr. Fitzgerald told graduates: "My beloved brothers, my prayer for you, for each of you, is that every deed whereby you change others for the good likewise change you by bringing you closer to God. You leave Jesuit to write new pages in the books of your lives. May these also be new pages of the epic of God’s sharing His love and life with you, a saga wherein, in the words of C.S. Lewis, 'every chapter is better than the one before.'”
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_36
    Graduates sing the alma mater one last time as the Class of 2014.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_37
    As the curtain closes on the Class of 2014, the ceremony hits the 58th minute.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_38
    The second the curtain finishes closing, a mighty cheer is heard by the audience from the happy graduates, including Connor Gruntz (left) and Charles Hamilton.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_39
    The recipients of three major awards voted on by the faculty of Jesuit were, from left, John A. Guerra, who received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award; Quentin E. Marks, who received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, Donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914; and Brandon D. Myers, who received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award,
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_40
    Parents and grandparents hoist their cameras to capture the memories.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_41
    The Class of 2014 yielded nine valedictorians, from left, Stanley H. Dai, Reuben A. Hogan, Zhen P. Huang, Christopher M. Mire, Thomas J. Nimmo, Patrick B. Ryan, Sean E. Stephens, Cullen M. Walsh, and Kevin E. Yokum, who delivered the valedictory address.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_42
    Presiding over Commencement Exercises in the 167th year of Jesuit High School are Peter Kernion '90 (principal), Helen Swan (director of student affairs), Kathy Juhas (academic assistant principal), and Top Abshire (prefect of discipline).
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_11
    The curtain opens on the 259 graduates of the Class of 2014.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_02
    Backstage, waiting for diplomas: Matthew Pettus, Vincent Bonadona, Robert Montenegro, and Austin Becnel.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_03
    Daron Wilford, Riccardo Muzzetto, Chris Young, Jonathan Kwon, and Chris Sylvain
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_04
    Fr. Fitzgerald with Sean Stephens (left) and Mark Alvarez.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_05
    A few of the varsity baseball players with assistant coach Nick Nolfe: Brandon Sequeira, Blake Baker, C.J. Avrard, Spencer Miller, Colin Burgess, Coach Nolfe, and Christian Latino.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_06
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_07
    Reuben Hogan and alumni director Mat Grau '68
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_08
    Principal Peter Kernion gives the graduates a few last minute reminders.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_09
    Thumbs up: Mitch Bourgeois and the rest of the graduates move toward the stage.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_10
    Jesuit's faculty form a queue in the hallway as they prepare to process in for the ceremony.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_01
    Outside the Pontchartrain Center, family and friends of the graduates began arriving at 6 p.m. When the doors opened at 7 p.m., the line extended all the way out to the parking lot.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_13
    Fr. Fitzgerald presents John Guerra with the "Reverend Father President's Spiritual Leadership Award" for exerting "the greatest spiritual influence on others by living a life exemplifying his Catholic faith."
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_14
    Fr. Fitzgerald presents Quentin Marks with "The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, Donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914." The award was established 100 years ago 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.”
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_15
    Brandon Myers accepts the "Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award," which recognizes the senior who has exemplifies the spirit of being a man for others by his participation and excellence in service.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_16
    Fr. Fitzgerald presents Stanley Dai with "The Blue Jay Parents' Club Award." Dai is the first of nine co-valedictorians to receive the award, which recognizes excellence in scholarship and those graduates "with the highest grade point average for four years at Jesuit."
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_17
    Reuben Hogan receives the Parents' Club Award from Fr. Fitzgerald.
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_18
    Co-valedictorian Zhen Huang
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_19
    Co-valedictorian Christopher Mire
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_20
    Co-valedictorian Thomas Nimmo
  • commencement-exercises-167th-year_class-of-2014_05222014_21
    Co-valedictorian Patrick Ryan