Alumni director Mat Grau cheers on pre-freshman Blake Johnson and his Big Brother Andrew Kuebel while they bravely attempt to sing the Blue Jay Fight Song. Today at lunch, new Blue Jays and their Big Brothers had a blast at Jesuit’s annual Big Brothers and Little Brothers jambalaya lunch. Long-time parent volunteer Bill Poynot cooked pot after pot of rice and sausage over burners set up in Traditions Courtyard. A team of alumni from the Class of 1966 assisted with the preparation and helped serve 600 hungry students heaping bowls – and many seconds – in the Student Commons.

From left, pre-freshmen locker pals Jackson Junius, Andrew Dinwiddie, Matthew Joubert, and Jordan Johnson take a break in the midst of the 3 p.m. rush to smile for today’s Wild Photo. The fourth floor becomes the hallway of freedom at this time every day. As soon as the dismissal bell rings,the hallways are always loud and crowded yet fun and relaxing. Getting past the Wednesday hump means our newest Blue Jays have completed more than half of a full week at Jesuit High School. Ironically, these four 4th-floor locker pals and their classmates have just completed their fourth day in a khaki uniform. Finish the week strong, guys!

In their first official week of school, Student Council is already well underway preparing for what looks to be a banner year at Jesuit. With the Back to School Luau this Friday and Homecoming in just a few weeks, the excitement is palpable. Paul Treuting, Eli Larriviere, Matt Frischhertz, and Adam Larriviere keep any planning anxieties at bay with a little lunchtime tomfoolery. Nomination forms for homecoming court will be available for pickup in the Student Council Office, Room 113. Forms are due back in the office Wednesday, August 30. Elections for homecoming court will take place on Thursday, September 7.

Principal Peter Kernion ’90 was not mincing words about the eclipse and its safety concerns when he warned students at Friday’s morning assembly. His message was loud and clear, even through his lighthearted way of expressing it. “Certainly, it is dangerous to look at an eclipse. You don’t want to look directly at it without the proper eye-wear. At the end of the movie ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ Indiana Jones tells his girlfriend, ‘don’t look at the ark when they open it.’ When all the Nazi soldiers who do, their faces melt and their heads blow up. Certainly, if you look at the eclipse, your face is not going to melt and your head will not blow up. But, it definitely will cause severe and irreparable eye damage. So, if you want to look at the eclipse, one of our physics teachers, Mr. Kyle White, will be in the courtyard at lunch with glasses. So, if interested, you’ll be able to look at the eclipse in a safe way.”

Pictured here during lunch, students practiced the appropriate safety measures and enjoyed the eclipse sighting. One student was so comfortable with his protective glasses that he snacked on some oranges while viewing the eclipse, which at one point looked strangely like a giant orange itself.

Nothing like a quick trim from one Jesuit to another! In the midst of Book Day excitement, activity, and noise, theology teacher Br. Larry Huck, S.J., gives school chaplain Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., a mid-August haircut in the Student Commons. Br. Huck gave those students who did not meet grooming standards a haircut or a suggestion to get one before their first day of school. Remember, all students must have a proper haircut and they must be clean-shaven. (See the Bulletin for full dress code details.)

In 1976, during the height of the martial arts boom, Jesuit established a karate club. By the 1980s, the team was so popular that it was participating in—and winning—various tournaments throughout New Orleans. At one point, the Blue Jays had one of the most prestigious teams in the Southern Region before finally disbanding years later. Pictured here is the 1983 Karate Club. (Front row) Mark Bazin, Jeff Carter, Austin Lin, Ricky Trahant, Instructor Mike Urpschot, (Back row) Asst. Instructor Chuck Madden, Robert Walksh, Mike Prados, Paul Comeaux, and Peter Crapanzano.

The 2015-2016 yearbooks have arrived! Sophomore Ryan Castellon (left) and senior Tanner Tripoli were two of the first students to flip through the pages of the new edition. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors will receive a copy of the yearbook at their respective Book Day. The Yearbook staff will mail copies to those students who have since graduated. Enjoy the read!

Last week, one of Jesuit’s current students spent the day with a veteran Blue Jay who served in World War II. The National WWII Museum volunteer department featured the photo in its Volunteer Weekly Newsletter. Ben Martinez ’35, who serves as a WWII Veteran volunteer, enjoyed the company of rising junior Duncan Royster, a High School Summer Service Hour volunteer. Martinez, a frequent attendee of the annual Commencement Luncheon, was honored at the luncheon in May, together with Dan Barret ’34, as “the oldest Blue Jays in the room.” In less than two weeks Martinez turns 98 years old, born on August 21, 1919. Eighty-four years apart, Martinez and Royster remain forever connected in the bond of service. Jesuit thanks Beth Kliebert for capturing this moment.

An undated, archival photo depicts the Blue Jay Marine Battalion Band playing under the direction of Prof. Michael Cupero. In the background is the old gym, which stood at the corner of S. Solomon and Palmyra until it was removed to make way for the Chapel of the North American Martyrs and school annex. The major force behind the construction of the chapel was Rev. Laurence O’Neill, S.J., president of Jesuit from 1946-1953. The chapel was dedicated September 13, 1953. You can read more about the chapel in the “Annus Mirabilis” section of the upcoming issue of Jaynotes, which should hit mailboxes in early August.

This week’s Throwback Thursday segment honors a dedicated Blue Jay graduate who recently passed away on June 30, 2017. The photo shows current English teacher Mal Villarrubia, Jr. ’66 and Glenn Gennaro ’66 at their 45-year reunion back in June of 2011. Being members of the Class of 1966 is not the only thing these two have in common, for they also share the fact that they have both worked as administrators at Jesuit High School. Mr. Villarrubia is Jesuit’s director of professional development (as well as an English teacher), while Gennaro was director of admissions and counseling for five of the six years he served here at Carrollton and Banks (1985-1991). Gennaro worked for seven other schools during his 43 years in education. Earlier this week, he was the subject of a featured article in the Clarion Herald titled “The Man Who Would Give You The Clothes Off His Back.” In loving memory of Glenn Gennaro, the Jesuit High School community adds this photo to our archives. Goodbye, old friend. Your memory will never be forgotten.

Under the supervision of math teacher and Blue Jay Shop manager Paul Rogers, students help prepare for the upcoming Book Days by organizing boxes. Pictured here (left to right), freshman Jeremy Howat works in Room 122 with sophomores Jonathan Howat and Richard Montoya. These Blue Jays spent time last week moving, sorting, and counting Jesuit PE shirts and shorts. The bookstore will be open prior to the first day of school during the following times: Aug. 7 – 11 (9 AM – 4 PM) with extended hours on Aug. 9 (7 AM – 5 PM) and Aug. 12 & 14 (hours TBA). Only transactions associated with Book Days will be accepted on Aug. 15 (seniors, juniors, and sophomores) and Aug. 16 (freshmen and pre-freshmen).

In 2007, graduating Blue Jays honored their alma mater by donating a statue of Saint Francis Xavier to the school. Led by senior class president Will Baay, the seniors raised $2,000 (primarily by selling chicken sandwiches at lunch) for the gift. Baay and other senior class leaders Jeff Schott, Philip Sampognaro, and Patrick Vocke—with the help of Whitney Keller ’81, Mike Varisco ’83, and Br. Dardis ’58—installed the statue in the garden near the Palmyra Street side of the entrance to the chapel. The statue stands as a tangible sign of the class’s appreciation for the education and formation they received during their years as Blue Jays. Jesuit would like to thank the Class of 2007 for their most generous gift and wish them well at their 10-year reunion this weekend. Have fun, guys!

Out with the old, and in with the new. Ms. Sharon Hewlett, Jesuit’s Director of Information Technology, needed a few extra hands last week in order to deliver these 125 boxes to the Resource Center. Happy to help were summer aide Ryan Berzas ’15, events coordinator DJ Galiano ’07, and new database administrator Jordan Holmer ’12. Each box contains a brand new Dell computer that will be set up and ready for the start of the new school year. The technology department refreshes the school’s computers every summer and replaces them every other summer. The aim is to provide students the opportunity to work on systems that have maximum power and take up minimum space.

Talk about a magical moment in Blue Jay history! Blue Jay magazine history, more specifically. In fact, this year marks the 90th year since the student-run publication existed.

This week’s Throwback Thursday photo shows three Blue Jay golfers meeting “The King” of golf. Arnold Palmer, often called “The King” or “Arnie” for short, had won six major championships by 1963. With this success he drew such a diverse following, known as Arnie’s Army. All seniors at the time, Chick Schoen ’63, Mike Guarisco ’63, and Mike Eagan ’63 got the chance of a lifetime when they shook hands with Arnie at Lakewood Country Club. Lakewood was the site of the New Orleans Invitational (now the Zurich Classic); and it was the late Garic Schoen ’38, Chick’s father, who brought in Palmer for the PGA tournament. Although Arnie died in September of last year, his name, his Army, and this picture will live on forever. Jesuit photographer Richard Cambre ’66 captured this unforgettable memory.

This information is just a summary of the “Annus Mirabilis” section from last semester’s issue of Jaynotes. Look out for stories like this in the Spring/Summer 2017 issue, hitting mailboxes in August!

“Complete body control, stamina, grace, balance, poise, and a certain artistic sense is what makes a good gymnast,” according to the 1961 Blue Jay Gymnastics Team. Mr. Fred Martinez put together Jesuit’s first gymnastics team in 1958. In the team’s second year of competition, the Jays would capture the LHSAA state championship. A dynasty was born. The Blue Jays won the state title seven times between 1958 and 1967. Gymnastics remains an LHSAA sport today, though Jesuit does not field a team. Pictured here, Gerard Louis Danos ’61 executes an “L-sit” on the still rings apparatus.

Two Fridays ago, the summer day campers had the time of their lives! Why? It was not only Friday, but it was also Water Day. Blue Jay Summer Camp director Troy Baglio and his team of moderators prepared four giant water slides on Will Clark Field. The two outside slides named “Big Kahuna,” along with the “Wipe Out!” and “Rockin’ Rapids” inflatables, left every camp member with the most fun-filled Water Day. Camp ends next Friday, July 7.