Most freshmen in Mrs. Kate Arthurs-Goldberg’s Speech I class present their demonstration speeches from the front of the classroom, but sometimes the presentation needs a little more space. In this instance, the class took a walk to the courtyard where freshman Jack Battaglia demonstrated slacklining for his assignment. Much like tightrope walking, slacklining is the act of walking or balancing along a suspended length of flat webbing that is tensioned between two anchors. Thankfully, using the posts in the courtyard offered a short and safe distance to fall.

A group of Jesuit seniors and juniors took to the Birdcage to compete in the Carrollton Clash, a friendly competition against Dominican High School, on Saturday, April 2. The contest included a pop-culture trivia game, several agility relays, and a badminton game. In this third year of competition, the event and socializing ended with the Blue Jays victorious for the first time, securing the coveted Carrollton Clash Cup.

Jesuit High School is pleased to share a rendering for a new indoor sports and recreation complex to be built adjacent to John Ryan Stadium. The initial drawings were found in a time capsule that was discovered by students recently in the choir loft of the Chapel of the North American Martyrs. A planning committee used Jesuit’s network of over 13,500 alumni to consult with professional athletes, coaches, engineers, attorneys, meteorologists, pyrotechnic experts, dieticians, chefs, glass makers, and baristas to consider every detail. The plans were updated to feature an air-conditioned facility with two levels of athletic courts and practice areas, including an Olympic-sized pool, a 220-yard track, convertible tennis and racquetball courts, bowling lanes, and a conference hall complete with a wall of windows overlooking John Ryan Stadium. “We want to celebrate the opening of the complex during the 300th Anniversary of the founding of New Orleans, which will take place in 2018. That means we’ve got to move fast,” said one alumnus. Happy April Fools’ Day!

Sophomore Michael Gieseler and Mr. Charles Bourg ’10 work together building a piece of the set for the Philelectic Society’s upcoming spring production of “On the Town.” Performances are April 7-9 and April 15-16. The show features a cast, crew, and orchestra of more than 100 talented artists, and a featured performance by faculty member Prof. Nilda Rivera. The musical is the tale of three sailors on a 24-hour leave from their ship docked in New York City. Read more and buy tickets online.

Members of the newly-formed Culinary Arts Club met for lunch Tuesday. Club members make and bring homemade dishes to lunchtime meetings where they critique the fruits (or vegetables, grains, etc.) of their labor. The club is open to any member who heeds the advice of chef, author, and television personality Julia Child, “Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!” The Culinary Arts Club is moderated by Ms. Khanh T. Nguyen.

Jesuit’s Philelectic Society recently hosted a musical theater workshop for children with the Children’s Miracle League (CML). Members of the Phils volunteered their time to work with their new buddies, learning songs and choreography, and performing on the Jesuit stage. Read more about the Phil’s 2016 workshop and view additional photos. Photo by junior Alex Tran for the Media Club.

The Urban Farming Club is starting to prepare its spring garden. Seniors Max Murret, Kyle Westholz, Gray Cressy, and Evan Palmisano will be planting squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant in anticipation of a late spring harvest. Ben Bagwill ’12, who also assists with the JV lacrosse team, is moderating the club.

Pre-freshman Jake Mercer shows it’s not easy bein’ green as he puts his all into compacting recyclables during the Green Club‘s pick up Thursday afternoon. Mercer is joined by fellow club members (clockwise from left) senior Akin Pounds, junior Jandon Briscoe, pre-freshman Ryan Castellon, and senior Victor Castellon. The Green Club focuses on school-wide recycling as well as promoting awareness of a variety of environmental issues. The club is moderated by Ms. Lori Fasone.

… Bazaar Week! The Traditions Courtyard begins to take on a familiar look as work crews make progress setting up the stage, tents, and booths for the main event. The Blue Jay Bazaar will take place, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Bring your family, enjoy some great food, dance to live music, play games, enter into your favorite raffle, and take home prizes, desserts, and a frozen entrée. While you’re enjoying the day, snap a few pictures and post them on your favorite social media with #BlueJayBazaar to follow the fun.

Sophomore Robert Christmann hands over his envelope of tickets for the Blue Jay Bazaar Grand Raffle. Tickets and monies are being collected by parent volunteers this week outside Room 133. Expecting a large crowd of students trying to meet the deadline for salesman awards, the final collection will be held in St. Ignatius Hall on Friday, March 18 until 3 p.m. Tickets may continue to be turned in through the Bazaar day for the holiday incentive, but they will not count toward the salesman awards. The Grand Raffle drawing for $5,000 will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at the #BlueJayBazaar.

Student athletes filed through the first floor hallway today to sign mats that will frame photos of this year’s sports teams. After penning their own names, sophomores Nathan Alvarez (left) and Gregory Buisson took a look at the photo of their varsity track and field team. These one-of-a-kind signature-filled gifts will be auctioned off at the Blue Jay Bazaar on Saturday, March 19. Blue Jays who still need to sign their team mats may do so Tuesday and Wednesday during lunch.

Senior Justin Vlosich, senior Ben Incaprera, pre-freshman Sam Quinn, and senior Cody Nguyen check out a new Schwinn Signature Corvette Cruiser in cobalt blue that will be raffled at the Blue Jay Bazaar. Visit the Parade of Prizes booth early for a chance to win at the 2016 #BlueJayBazaar on Saturday, March 19. The festivities take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Members of the Blue Jay Robotics Team toured a Xenex facility in San Antonio while in town to compete in the FTC Super Regional. The group watched a robot being built, viewed various science experiments, and talked with Xenex engineers and scientists. The visit was organized by Jesuit alumnus Joseph Authement ’97, who also coordinated the donation of Morty, the Xenex Germ-Zapping robot. This was not the Robotics Club’s first interaction with Xenex. The club was responsible for naming the germ-busting robot in December. The group will remain in San Antonio until Friday when the FTC Super Regional competition wraps up.

Six Blue Jays find a shady spot in the Traditions Courtyard to work in a casual study session. Pictured clockwise from left are: sophomores Eric-Michael Schorr, Seth Silva, Hunter Babineaux, Joey Dupepe, Ian Poche, and Johnny Williams. With just one day of exams remaining, the 3rd quarter is quickly winding down. Click to view the exam schedule.

Parent volunteers treated the faculty and staff to a bountiful spread of lunch options on Tuesday during exam week. A delicious offering of homemade entrees, sides, soups, salads, and desserts filled the tables in the cafeteria. A group of Jesuit mothers, coordinated by Mrs. Kim Lee, helped to make this faculty and staff treat possible. Some of those volunteer moms are pictured here: (first row, from left) Kelly Giewat, Kim Lee, and Anna Hugel; (second row, from left) Alison James, Nancy Whitsell, Sammie Bohn, Eileen Baril, Salva Ledet, and Barbara Koenig. Teachers and staff extend all the volunteers a heartfelt “Thank you!”

Please note: No one was harmed in creating this photo. But, someone was awfully patient. This member of the Philelectic Society sat very still in a chair for about 45 minutes while a creative few wrapped his head with gauze and goop to create a mold of his entire head. The mold will be seen in Jesuit’s upcoming spring musical, “On The Town.” You will have to see the show to discover who the actor is and under what funny circumstances the mold is displayed. Performance dates for “On The Town” are April 7, 8, 9, 15, and 16, 2016, in the auditorium.