Happy 527th birthday to St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, who was born on October 23 (we think) in 1491! This information was provided by the official Twitter page of the Society of Jesus (@jesuitnews). Jesuit also celebrated the birthday of one its own, DJ Galiano ’07, the school’s events coordinator, who turned 30 years old on the same day (we know).

Traditions Courtyard was booming with the sound of fake canon fire as campus ministry seniors Ridge Retif, Gavin Skipper, Gabe Sims, and Braden Bent along with juniors Ben Nguyen and Ben Lirette, took aim and launched water balloons at the 2nd-floor balcony in preparation for the Pre-Freshman Retreat. Rehearsing their “Life of St. Ignatius” skit, the students brought to life the pinnacle moment of St. Ignatius’s injury. The creative parts of the mock performance are to be enjoyed by and explained to 8th graders at tomorrow’s retreat.

Pre-freshmen Lucas Rios, Kobe Hanemann, Tre’ King, Luke Kropog, and KJ Webster, took time during exams to show their appreciation for the thousands of alumni who come together for Alumni Giving Week. Jesuit is blessed with supportive alumni who are determined to keep Jesuit accessible to as many families as possible. Donations from alumni help keep Jesuit…Jesuit, the school that will have a positive influence in the lives of current and future students.

Hundreds of prospective students pile into John Ryan Stadium to see a slice of Blue Jay life at the 11th annual Blue & White Friday Night. The event at Jesuit’s premier multi-sport athletic facility took place on Friday, Oct. 12. Explore Jesuit at Open House on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018. Tours begin at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. In the meantime, families interested in attending a Morning Tour can schedule their visit online.

The Traditions Courtyard was boisterous with a chorus of students cheering, “I believe that we will merit!” Now in its second year, the PSAT Pep Rally officially became a Carrollton and Banks tradition. The occasion was also marked by the student council tossing No. 2 pencils, “Thinking Caps,” and Smarties to get the student’s minds right for the school-wide Wednesday testing day. Senior Bradley Fugetta ended the pep rally by karate chopping a stack of scantrons to the delight of the student body. The PSAT Warrior-hopefuls in the junior class aim to win the battle today against the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test.

Over 300 Blue Jay sophomores, juniors, and seniors visited with college representatives at Jesuit’s annual College Fair in the Student Commons. Students and parents were able to visit with 80 admissions representatives and learn information about specific campuses. In addition, a representative from Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) was on hand to answer questions about the TOPS program. The event is coordinated by Jesuit’s College Planning counselors. Seniors are reminded that counseling request forms are due by December 10.

Tunes like “Free Ride” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” reverberated through the Student Commons as the Clavius Gymnasium Big Band from Bamberg, Germany performed a brown bag concert during lunch. The Clavius Gymnasium exchange students are spending the week with members of the Blue Jay Band and their families as part of a biannual exchange program. In its 19th year, the program is a musical and cultural exchange between the two schools. To learn more about the various Jesuit bands, visit the Blue Jay Band page.

Seniors Stephen Redfearn and Benjamin Morrison used their free time during lunch and signed up to save lives. Next Tuesday, Oct. 9, Jesuit High School will be hosting a blood drive in the Student Commons from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Just one, 30-minute blood donation is all it takes to save up to three people’s lives. Throughout the week National Honor Society representatives will visit each homeroom with sign-up sheets for anyone who would like to donate blood. Parents can also donate. Please contact Mrs. Tassin at tassin@jesuitnola.org for more information. Donors will receive a choice of a free t-shirt, one year of unlimited blood coverage, or a chance to be part of the Blood Center’s Heart Club. Donors will also be gifted with a free VIP pass to the Mortuary Haunted House. Got Blood?

Billy Ladner ’56, Jesuit’s 2018 Legend of the Game, addressed the football team before the Great American Rivalry and presented a coin to each senior player after his speech. Billy played wide receiver and defensive back for the Jays his sophomore and junior years and quarterback his senior season. Billy was a three-sport letterman at Jesuit excelling in football, baseball, and track. Billy’s 88-yard TD reception from Richie Petitbon in the 1954 thriller with Holy Cross stands as the longest pass completion in Jesuit’s history and the longest completion in the rivalry game.

Will Clark field was transformed into a petting zoo for Thursday’s Rivalry Week event, “Jays on the Range.” Students like senior Kai McCurley befriended animals of all shapes and sizes, with his favorite being the affectionate pygmy goat. The pygmy goat was joined by other farm animals including a rooster, a hen, two miniature horses, a donkey, and an Angora rabbit.

On Monday morning, school spirit was abundant in Jesuit’s Traditions Courtyard with the arrival of new blue and white flags gracing its balustrades. To mark 25 years since graduation from Jesuit, the Class of 1993 gave to the school six hand-stitched flags with the traditional Blue Jay design that has appeared at graduation for decades. Class representatives Aaron LaGraize, Carl Servat, Jerry Bologna, Terry Ursin, David Joint, and Brad Leckert, presented the flags to the student body at morning assembly. The class gift includes six commercial-grade flag poles and rigging, substantial enough to last many years into the future. All six flags will be flown at special events such as Rivalry Week, Alumni Homecoming Weekend, the Thanksgiving Drive, and assemblies with guest speakers. Watch the YouTube Video | Alumni Director Mat Grau ’68 Launches Rivalry Week, Carl Servat ’93 Presents Class Gift

Senior Erik Finney, who created the idea and the design for the back of the Great American Rivalry Gameday T-shirt, shows off the front of the shirt. As Jesuit rotates its home colors each year for the rivalry game, this year’s main color is white with blue lettering. Check out Finney’s design on the back of the Rivalry Gameday T-shirt, and find out more details about purchasing the shirt by clicking here.

After the ringing of the afternoon dismissal bell, Jesuit’s campus is still bustling with the cadence of the Blue Jay Marching Band. With the football season in full swing, members of the Blue Jay Marching Band and the Jayettes practice their routines on Will Clark Field. The school’s official marching unit is probably best noted for its elaborate routines, unique shows, intricate maneuvers, and the “Blue Jay Sound.” Be on the lookout for their group performances at Jesuit Football halftime shows and at pep rallies, home basketball games, and Mardi Gras parades.

Pictured is the Jesuit Medical Society (JMS), a newly formed organization for students interested in any healthcare career. JMS held an informational meeting on Friday during the second half of lunch in Room 329 and also met after school in Room 329. The after-school meeting was for those interested in joining the HOSA Future Health Professionals organization. HOSA is an acronym for the Health Occupations Students of America.

This week, juniors and seniors of Mrs. Kate Arthurs-Goldberg’s public speaking class put their communications skills to the test during mock evaluative interviews. With a brief, formalized session of Q&A, Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J. played the role of a college admissions interviewer, assessing student body president Dowen Fife’s high school experiences and college goals as a candidate for Spring Hill College. After the interview, Fr. Fronk, as well as the rest of the class, gave feedback on Fife’s performance. These practice sessions better acquaint students with interviewing basics such as making eye contact, smiling, and shaking hands. It was a chance for them to learn about their strengths and ways to improve their interview process.

Of all the options at the after-school ice cream stand, freshman John Luke Arbour chose the ice cream sandwich to satiate his Monday afternoon sweet tooth. Brother Billy Dardis, S.J. sells a variety of frozen treats on Monday through Thursday from 3 to 3:15 p.m. Students can enjoy a drumstick (vanilla, fudge, or caramel), nutty buddy, fudge bar, Klondike bar, flavor icee, or an ice cream sandwich before going home from school.