Meet one of our podcast co-hosts, Sanad Hamdan, ready to carry forward the legacy of the Ten-Minute Break, Jesuit’s student podcast, along with fellow seniors Jeremy Rink, co-host, and Ahmad Farrukh, podcast coordinator.  They’re all set to introduce you to the vibrant voices of our school community, kicking off with a bang and an insightful first episode featuring Jesuit’s student body president and vice-president, Luke Couret and Kyle Collins. 

In the upcoming episodes, our co-hosts will bring fresh perspectives, untold stories, and engaging discussions to the Blue Jay community. As they continue to explore the heartbeat of student life, you can expect an ever-expanding roster of guests from faculty members to athletes to students who will inspire, inform, and entertain. So, stay tuned for a series of episodes that promises to be both informative and entertaining.

Photo by senior Ahmad Farrukh.

Nolan Clark ’23 honed his skills at Jesuit by photographing numerous athletic contests and school events as part of the student communications initiative. Now a freshman at the University of Alabama, Clark continues to develop his talents as a student athletic photographer in Bryant–Denny Stadium. Below is a photograph of Clark on the field in action during the recent Alabama vs. Ole Miss game on September 23, 2023.

Jesuit’s MCJROTC cadet leadership conducted a platoon inspection on Wednesday during their class period. These weekly exercises serve as one of the methods through which cadets establish a foundation of military structure and tradition.

Blue Jays are immersing themselves in the fundamentals of photography in the new media class instructed by Mr. Peter Flores. The media class covers a wide range of skill sets that encompass various forms of media, including digital media, video production, photography, and editing, among others. As part of their coursework, students are currently focused on mastering the exposure triangle. In a recent lesson, they had the opportunity to refine their skills with the guidance of Jesuit’s Communications Specialist, Melissa Jurisich.

Photo Taken by Nate Sanders ’24

During the 8th grade retreat, students reenact the transformative cannonball moment in the life of St. Ignatius that ultimately guided him towards his path to sainthood.

LtCol Craig P. Himel ’91 USMC (Ret) pinning Cadet Private Haffner for his promotion to Cadet Private First Class this week.

Welcome week continues for the Blue Jays with Donatello’s ono axe throw. Students attempt to hit the target while others worked their throws to douse Shredder in the dunking booth.

The Student Council Executive Board kicked off Welcome Week with an exciting lunchtime event featuring ninja turtle races. Students enthusiastically competed by maneuvering through cones, navigating toddler-sized hamster tunnels, skillfully dodging water balloons, and racing to the finish line with their pizza boxes.

On Mondays and Fridays, students, faculty, and staff assemble in the Traditions Courtyard for morning assembly. Though the tradition dates back many decades, the content of each assembly can range from athletic updates to club meeting times to alumni speakers. The bustle after assembly is a quintessentially Jesuit moment for Blue Jays to greet their friends and catch up with their classmates as they head to class from the courtyard.

1930 – Original Blue Jay Band taken at Loyola field.

Here is a nostalgic glimpse of the editors of The Blue Jay Magazine back in 1956. Pictured in the “Blue Jay Room,” where the student newspaper was edited and published, these individuals played pivotal roles in bringing the magazine to life. The editors of The Blue Jay Magazine in 1956 were Harry Fleddermann ’58 (Page One), T. Noel Osborn ’58 (Features), Danny Matthews ’57 (Features), Joe Napoli ’58 (Editorial Page), Steve Rodi ’58 (Assistant Sports), and Bob Winn ’56 (Sports). It’s remarkable to look back and appreciate the hard work and dedication of these individuals who contributed to the success of The Blue Jay Magazine during that time.

This remarkable photo captures a moment in history, taken in 1965 on the flight deck of the USS Midway, an esteemed aircraft carrier stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI. On the left, we see Lieutenant Earl Higgins ’59, USN. Lieutenant Higgins served as the First Division Officer within the ship’s company. Standing next to him, holding a sextant, is Lieutenant Richard Vidacovich ’55, (MC) USNR, a dedicated medical officer and flight surgeon assigned to the ship’s air wing.

At the time this photo was taken, the USS Midway was en route to the Vietnam War, specifically Operation Rolling Thunder in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Tonkin. It is truly remarkable to reflect on the fact that both Lieutenant Higgins and Lieutenant Vidacovich were aboard the USS Midway during this historic military operation.

For the first time in over a decade, Jesuit High School sent a delegation of students to the heart of the Jesuit Province for a service trip. Eleven students, joined by Mr. Bacon and Fr. Kramer, S.J., traveled to Grand Coteau to engage in service to the poor. While staying on the grounds of the Jesuit Novitiate and Infirmary, in what many call the Holy Land of the South, the students not only enjoyed a trip that was full of direct service but was rich in spiritual fruit as well. Each day was bookended with prayer—starting with a morning prayer and ended with an evening Mass alongside the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo and their pastor Fr. Mark Kramer, S.J. (the brother of our own Fr. Kramer, S.J.).  

The rest of the days were divided between an array of service opportunities. A rotating team of students spent each day directly engaging the wonderful residents of Grand Coteau at either a day camp for underprivileged children or at a day center for retired and disabled adults. And, despite the considerable 100 degree heat, a team of students cheerfully went out to work outdoors around the community—painting houses, trimming bushes, and fixing fences.

Jesuit students have embarked on an impactful service trip alongside Courts for Kids, aiming to construct a much-needed court for the community of Las Cataratas, Guatemala. As part of their journey, the Blue Jays have had the opportunity to connect with the locals and students of the area’s school, practicing their Spanish and immersing themselves in the vibrant culture of Las Cataratas. Their first day was filled with Guatemalan cuisine and an exhilarating football match. In the coming week, the students will engage in manual labor and community outreach activities, all leading up to the significant task of building a functional court for the youth in Las Cataratas.

Rising seniors in the class of 2024 recently returned from their service trip to the Border Project of the Rio Grande Valley (located in Brownsville, TX). The Jesuit run mission serves food and provides clothing or other material items to migrants on the Texas and Mexico side of the border as well as spiritual care such as Masses, confessions, etc. The annual summer service project requires rising seniors to complete over 100 hours of service working directly with people in need. In addition to helping migrants along the border, the Jesuit group was excited to provide the mission with a check for $15,000. The funds were raised by the generous donations of the Blue Jay community, students, faculty, and staff during the annual Mission Drive held each Lent. Photo credit Fr. John Polce, S.J. 

Members of the class of 2027 found a new way to stay cool this summer by rolling down the river rapids ride at Six Flags Fiesta Texas theme park. Over 150 Blue Jays attended the annual pre-freshman pilgrimage to San Antonio, Texas, which makes stops at the historic Catholic missions as well as local attractions such as Schlitterbahn waterpark and Six Flags. The annual trip serves as a great way to unite the 8th grade class as they continue their journey at Carrollton and Banks. Photo by rising junior Aidan Wang.