The now emeritus director of alumni affairs, Matias J. Grau, Jr. ’68, closes the front door of the school building as he closes a 44-year chapter of life. That chapter has seen Mr. Grau always displaying the utmost in dedication and professionalism, and for tirelessly working to further the school’s mission in each of his past positions. Grau taught English to all grade levels, including the Advanced Placement course. In addition to teaching English, Grau also served as the English Department Chair, moderated the Student Council, and coached both the cross country team and the pre-freshman baseball team. Grau became the Student Activities Director in 1983, the Admissions Director in 1995, and the Alumni Director in 2002. Of special note were his work as director of the Visiting Authors Program, which brought notable authors like Pat Conroy, Dana Gioia, and Robert McCammon to Jesuit; his efforts to increase the diversity of the student body by increasing enrollment of African-American students as well as commemorating the 50th anniversary of the integration of Jesuit; and his work to enhance the engagement of alumni with their school by establishing the Visiting Alumni Program and building leadership teams for each alumni class. While July 31, fittingly the feast day of St. Ignatius, was Grau’s last day as a Jesuit employee, he knows it will not be his last time on campus. Remember, Mr. Grau: it’s not “goodbye”; it’s “see you soon.”

At Jesuit, there is a firm conviction that leaders are trained, not born. With that resolution in mind, students serving in leadership roles for the 2019-2020 school year are participating in the St. Francis Borgia Leadership Institute, a student leadership development program sponsored by Jesuit High School. The retreat is designed with the threefold purpose of identifying student leaders, offering formation in the virtues of leadership, and fostering collaboration among the different organizations, clubs, and teams within the school community. There were two workshops offered this summer, one at the end of May and one at the end of July (7/25-7/26), in order to accommodate as many student schedules as possible. The program seeks to integrate the role of service, school culture, and spiritual life of the students in formation. Most importantly, the workshop allows student leaders to become familiar with the various principles of leadership in practical situations. The Borgia Leadership Institute was started in 2014 by student activities director Matt Orillion ’98 , who continues to lead it today.

Like father, like son. Both wearing jersey #5, Retif Oil head baseball coach Kenny Goodlett shakes hands with Pedal Valves assistant coach Kenny Goodlett, his father. Their teams played against each other in the second round of the American Legion State Tournament, which continues until the winner is decided on Wednesday, July 24. See the past results on Jesuit’s Scoreboard, and follow the upcoming action on the Jesuit Baseball (Retif Oil) Twitter feed. To read the NOLA.com article on Retif vs. Pedal Valves, click here.

Boy Scouts of America Braden Bent, Zachary Charneco, Jason Dominique, and Justin Fortier—all recent graduates of the Class of 2019—eagerly wait to officially enter the Eagle Scout brotherhood at their Troop 230 Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony. These Blue Jays earned their Eagle Rank at the Sunday afternoon ceremony in the St. Catherine of Siena’s Barrett Auditorium. As a Life Scout, these men demonstrated Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. In their Eagle Scout Rank applications, they expressed their duty to God and how they will continue to live the Scout Oath and Scout Law in everyday life. As stated on the Boy Scouts of America Website, potential Eagle Scouts should earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than required for the Life rank), including these 13 merit badges: (a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communication, (f) Cooking, (g) Personal Fitness, (h) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (i) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (j) Personal Management, (k) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (l) Camping, and (m) Family Life. Jesuit congratulates these Blue Jay graduates for going above and beyond in their recent accomplishments. View the Court of Honor Program, which was led in prayer by Jesuit’s own Fr. John Brown, S.J.

Nathan Zimmer ’14, Fr. John Brown, S.J., and Adam Waguespack ’14 reminisce after Mass about their time together at Jesuit. Many of the Class of 2014 committee members and able classmates accepted the invitation for a pre-reunion Mass in the Holy Name of Jesus Chapel. The first reunion for the Class of ’14 marked the last event of the 2019 reunion season, and therefore the last event under alumni director Mat Grau ’68. “Like the 5-year classes before them, this group did a great job organizing their event and, particularly, the Mass beforehand,” Grau said. The leadership and Blue Jay Spirit on display at the reunion foreshadows a great future of alumni connection. Congratulations to the Class of 2014 for closing out the season. See all the photos and highlights from this reunion season by visiting the Alumni Archive page.

The newest members of Jesuit’s Parents’ Annual Giving Drive (PAG) leadership team – Eric Vocke ’93, Charles Seemann ’88, and Will Newman ’93 – meet with PAG coordinator Krista Roeling (far right) and 2019-20 drive chairman Jeremy Mancheski ’90 (far left) in St. Ignatius Hall to learn about the importance of the drive, how it helps bridge the “gap” between what the school charges in tuition and what it actually costs to educate a Blue Jay. The full leadership team consists of more than 300 volunteers who encourage fellow parents to embrace the effort that helps to keep Jesuit affordable and thriving. The PAG drive, which started in the early 1970s, launches in August.

Blue Jay summer campers Jackson White and Thomas Cannatella take a break from the Water World action on Will Clark Field. Every Tuesday and Thursday, campers enjoy field play and activities before eating lunch. On Fridays, special events are scheduled on and off campus. The youngsters cannot wait for the next time they will have big, inflatable water slides on the back field, which is scheduled for Friday, July 12! Summer Day Camp activities include swimming, field play, sports, water play, movies, picnics, and all-day field trips. Jesuit offers its annual, fun-filled camp for boys ages 5-12. 

Every summer since 1971, Operation Upgrade has brought together disadvantaged but academically talented middle school students from all over the city for an intensive, five-week academic program. Fifty-five students from area middle schools are currently enrolled in this summer’s program, aiming to earn their certificates of completion at the closing ceremony in July. Among those students are Morris Carey and Elijah Causey (far right), who are currently solving logic problems with Upgrade teacher Jason Giaccone and senior mentor Caden Swain (far left).

These summer campers and counselors pause the action of their intense kickball game and use their 10-minute break time to take a Wild Photo! Campers enjoyed kickball, flag football, and other activities on Will Clark Field before returning to the air-conditioned Student Commons for lunch. The campers are also looking forward to swimming after their lunch break, which happens every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the Summer Camp 2019 season.

When golf TV announcers say that a pro is “flying under the radar,” it means that a player who may not get a lot of camera time or fan support is doing something special without other people noticing. These five behind-the-scene members of the Golf Classic committee—maintenance/disc jockey D.J. Galiano (who is pictured DJing as he looks at his phone), photographer Brittany Donnes, head of volunteers Anne Barnes, event coordinator Krista Roeling, and committee member Logan Diano—definitely flew under the radar to run the annual development event as smoothly as possible. A deserving shout-out goes to Ms. Roeling, who reacted quickly and decisively in early April when the Golf Classic needed to be postponed due to inclement weather. Thank you all!

For two days at the end of May, the Gayle & Tom Benson Arena becomes Jays Kids Camp, as kids from the ages of 5 to 7 improve their basketball skills and build their love of the game. The camp develops fundamentals, hosts team play and individual competition, and strengthens understanding of basketball through fun athletic activities. Pictured, campers post up right outside the newly renovated locker rooms with their Jesuit Basketball Camp t-shirts.

Summertime blues can be a good thing, especially when it means three different people are sporting three different shades of blue in one Jesuit classroom. On campus for the Class of 2021 interviews, rising junior Devin Knott and his mother, Nakisha Ervin-Knott (left), meet with social studies teacher Stephen Hayes (right) to draw up, or blueprint, a two-year plan. The summer between their sophomore and junior years, Blue Jays are asked to reflect on their time at Jesuit and to think forward about their goals for their final two years. Rising juniors and their parents participate in a guided interview designed to give each student the opportunity for reflection, and the opportunity to assess his progress toward fulfilling the “The Profile of a Jesuit Graduate at the Time of Graduation.” 

Ms. Mollie Roberts, pictured here with the guidance department at her retirement party, has competently and lovingly served Jesuit for 14 years as a member of the Guidance Department. She has served in several capacities – department head, overseer of the Peer Support Program, the Advanced Placement Program, College Night, and the Rising Junior Interview Program. While she has served mainly as a grade level counselor, she has also served as a College Placement Counselor. Ms. Roberts has been a member of the school’s Administrative Team, Academic Council, and Ignatian Identity Team and has directed the District Rally Program. A woman of prayer and deep faith, Ms. Roberts completed the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, has attended many Kairos retreats, and regularly participates in Friday adoration. In 2013, Jesuit presented her with its Profile of a Jesuit Teacher Award. Thank you, Ms. Roberts, for serving the students of Jesuit High School so lovingly for the past 14 years. All the best in your retirement.     

More than 200 Blue Jays joined the new student council for their first event, “Gotcha & Churros,” during lunch in Traditions Courtyard. With goals set up on both sides of the courtyard, students came out to enjoy the tasty treats and to see if they had what it takes to be crowned the 2019 Gotcha champion. Some Blue Jays even wore their favorite jersey. The new student council spread the word with enticing announcements like this one: Can you prove to the Pelicans that they should draft you first over Zion? Show Alvin Gentry you’ve got what it takes during lunch in the courtyard. 

Rising senior Seth Dardar checks out the information sheet for the St. Francis Borgia Leadership Institute, a student leadership development program sponsored by Jesuit High School. The retreat is designed with the threefold purpose of identifying student leaders, offering formation in the virtues of leadership, and fostering collaboration among the different organizations, clubs, and teams within the school community. The event is open to all current Jesuit 8^th – 11^th graders. There will be two workshops offered, one at the end of May (5/30-5/31) and one at the end of July (7/25-7/26), in order to accommodate as many student schedules as possible.  Each workshop will last 2 days. Both will cover the same content. Students can register now by completing this Leadership Forum Registration.

On May 3, Pope Francis tweeted, “In many countries May is the month of Mary. May the Mother of God accompany us and protect Christians in fighting against the forces of evil. Let us entrust ourselves to her and pray for the Church and for peace in the world.” Crowning the statue of the Blessed Mother in the courtyard during Morning Assembly are pre-freshman Christian Courtade and junior Joe Lombardi.