It takes about 12 seconds for 290 students to exit the building on the last day of senior classes. Thoughts of summer afternoons by the pool, a rest from school assignments, and a broader world of possibility all put a smile on many a senior face at 3:00 PM. When students return for Senior Day activities on Friday, the bitter-sweet emotions set in as members of the Class of 2017 consider the many ways in which Jesuit has been the school that truly has changed their lives.

Members of the swim team become adept at their respective swimming strokes if they’re going to compete at the highest levels of high school athletics. On Wednesday at the Senior Week activity on Will Clark Field, there were many different strokes on display as seniors launched themselves down the Slip ‘N Slide to the amazement of of their classmates. Seniors Noah Wilkins and Justin Leveque even put on swim caps and mimicked swimming strokes as they slid down the plastic sheeting.

Although the last week of classes for seniors brings with it the last tests and projects of the quarter, by this time most seniors have it made in the shade. College decisions and applications are a thing of the past, the nostalgia of four or five years having passed way too quickly begins to set in, and the last days of enjoying friendships at Carrollton and Banks makes the school days pass well. On Tuesday, seniors watched the senior intramural cabbage ball game and enjoyed a bowl of jambalaya on Will Clark Field as part of Senior Week activities.

High above the sanctuary at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception, juniors David Jackson and Jordan Merritt take in the view normally enjoyed only by the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the annual art field trip, members of the junior class were invited to visit the historic Jesuit Church to learn more about the religious art used to glorify God and even get a close up view of the Mary niche. In addition to the church, juniors also visited the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden in City Park and the YAYA Glass Studio on LaSalle St. uptown.

As a final lunchtime event for the whole school before senior week activities ramp up, the student council hosted a homeroom arm wrestling competition in Traditions Courtyard. Each homeroom sent their champion to the yard on Thursday to lock in with other competitors until there was one man left standing. In the final bout, freshman Sonny Hazard upset senior Jordan Verhoeven to claim the honors of being the strongest student on campus.

The senior countdown until the end of classes is well into the single digits, and many teachers are using the last days as an opportunity to prepare students for life after Jesuit. To broaden students’ perspective on future career paths, Mr. Kyle White invited Jesuit alumnus Dale Hunn ’68 to speak to White’s pre-engineering class. Hunn told stories from his 42-year career as a civil, structural, and environmental engineer, admitting in one anecdote that he chose to study engineering in college simply because the line to register for engineering was the shortest! Hunn was licensed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Iowa before retiring several years ago. He now volunteers in Jesuit’s advancement office.

Just how good is Jesuit alumnus and breakout NFL rookie Deion Jones ’12? Well, if you ask freshmen Marco Lagos and Zach Haydel pictured here, he’s as good as gold. Displayed outside the Resource Center in the Hall of Honors is the commemorative Golden Football Jesuit has received for Jones’ Super Bowl LI appearance with the Atlanta Falcons. This is Jesuit’s second football received from the Super Bowl High School Honor Roll, a program started last year to honor the communities which shaped every NFL player ever to compete in the Super Bowl. Steve Foley ’71  returned to Jesuit in January 2016 to speak at morning assembly and bring to Carrollton and Banks the golden football for his two Super Bowl appearances with the Denver Broncos.

What do you get when you combine one part refreshments, one part decorations, one part pinata, and one part party hats? A formula for birthday party fun! On Wednesday, April 12, students in Mr. Peter Muller’s Honors Chemistry I class threw him a fantastic birthday celebration, including all the elements necessary for this festive equation. Pictured here, Muller ’81 poses with his thoughtful class as they enjoy the bash.

March Madness might be over, but Blue Jays still have basketball on their minds. And what better way to support a worthy cause than with some friendly competition? During lunch today, Campus Ministry sponsored the Mission Drive Gotcha Tournament, proceeds from which will benefit the Santa Rosa Missions in Paraguay and its programs to provide food and drink to the community, distribute medical services, and much more. Players took turns at the line, knocking each other out of the game in a frenzy of shots. Pictured here, freshman Ethan Pipitone and junior Benton Moore face off in a battle to make their shots the first through the hoop.

Wet conditions from early morning rains postponed the annual MCJROTC Parade and Review scheduled for midday Monday. In an effort to boost the esprit de corps of the cadets, Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., was invited to give them a presentation about a life of ministerial service on the front lines to our nation’s finest. The presentation took place during the ROTC class period just before lunch in Room 329. The cadets will give the Parade and Review another shot on Thursday, April 6, which will now be an Assembly Order #2, weather permitting.

On Wednesday, March 29, students had several big choices to make for the upcoming 2017-18 school year — who would represent their interests on the Student Council. With fifteen students running for the positions of secretary, treasurer, vice president, and president, underclassmen carefully weighed their options before casting ballots. Pictured here, freshmen (from left) Ryan Castellon, Gabe Barfield, Ronnie Bergeron, and Carlo Barrera confer before finalizing their decisions.

The day before the Blue Jay Bazaar is always a busy one, and Friday was no exception. Throughout the day, a steady stream of students filed in-and-out of St. Ignatius Hall to drop off their Grand Raffle tickets by today’s 3 p.m. deadline. Students selling 50 tickets will receive the day off on Monday, March 27, and those selling upwards of 100 will receive even greater prizes, including a reserved parking spot for the 2017-18 school year awarded to the top salesman. And the grand prize? The winning ticket for $5000 will be drawn at the Bazaar tomorrow, March 25, at 6 p.m. Pictured here, prefect of discipline Mr. Top Abshire lends his back to pre-freshman Christopher Schmidt as he fills in some last minute raffle ticket information.

The 2017 Blue Jay Bazaar is this Saturday, March 25, and students are clamoring for a particularly hot item — the annual t-shirt. This year’s design features Jayson and “Carrollton” and “Banks” tiles on the back, which point wearers straight to Jesuit’s campus for the fun-filled family day. During lunch this week, t-shirts are being sold in the Commons for $10. Students who purchase the Bazaar shirt will be able to wear it to school in place of their uniform shirt on Friday, March 24. Pictured here, sophomore Peter (left) and junior Paul James (right) show off not only their very own t-shirts, but also the Searcher 4 Schwinn men’s bicycle that will be a featured raffle item at the Bazaar. See you at Carrollton and Banks!

The Philelectic Society bids a fond farewell to Luis, a fellow actor who starred as the Teddy Bear in the fall production of The Curious Savage. Even though he was not cast in the upcoming production of Les Misérables, Luis will do his best to promote the show at the Blue Jay Bazaar. You can adopt Luis at the Bazaar’s Spirit Booth this Saturday, March 25. Tickets for Les Mis are now on sale. The show runs March 30–April 1 and April 7–8. Clockwise from left to right are Stage Crew Chief Jamal Jordan ’17, Trey Melito ’18, Michael Gieseler ’18, Phils President Matt O’Neill ’17, Bailey Termine ’17, Blaise Bonura ’18, and Will Matthews ’17.

Public Speaking students began their “demo” speeches earlier this week and senior Parker Simoneaux brought his dog Dixie, an eleven year-old yellow lab, to illustrate the importance of good communication skills. Each student is required to teach the rest of the class how to do something by demonstrating steps in a process. Parker held treats in each hand and Dixie would select which treat was bigger or smaller. While Parker aced his demo, Dixie was the real winner, catching treats for her good behavior–vanilla Oreos being a favorite.

Monday begins a frenzied week to tie up all the loose ends before the annual Blue Jay Bazaar coming this Saturday, March 25. One of the hot new items for sale at the Bazaar will have Blue Jays tying up their wardrobes as well. Just in time for prom season, NOLA Couture has designed these ties that will definitely polish up the attire. Stop by the Blue Jay Shop on Saturday to get these newly-designed neck ties, bow ties, and pocket squares from NOLA Couture.