Jesuit alumnus Jerry Ward ’76 returned to his alma mater to host a photography workshop for the Media Club. Club members Nikhil Gogineni (left) and Alex Tran listen as Ward teaches them photography techniques and gives them easy tips to remember. Ward’s work has been published in Sports Illustrated, Bon Appétit, The New York Times, USA Today, Esquire, Newsweek, The Sporting News, and many others. His diverse body of work includes photos from multiple Super Bowls, Olympic Games, Saturday Night Live, and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. He specializes in food, architecture, and sports photography. Ward also worked for Tulane University for 15 years and Cannon USA for more than a decade. He currently lives in Dallas where he works as a photographer for the Dallas Museum of Art.

The Faculty and Staff members and seniors took to Alumni Field at John Ryan Stadium to engage in a friendly game of softball where the winners take home bragging rights for at least the remainder of the school year. The game was originally conceived as part of the stadium’s opening weekend festivities. Game organizers hope to make it an annual event. Today’s Senior Class lineup featured: William Brewster, Kyle DiMarco, David Discon, Evan Dudenhefer, Dillon Fuchs, Ro Harper, Peter Hontas, Scott Jenkins, John Kemmerly, Guy Patron, Jr., Zack Robert, Karson Schmitt, Roshan Sojitra, Nolan Stone, and Zack Young. The Faculty/Staff lineup consisted of: Tom Bagwill, Todd Bourgeois, Greg Ernst, Tim Falter, Gino Giambelluca, Jonathan Hernandez, Conner LeBon, Alex Nay, Jay Napolitano, Jeremy Reuther, and Gary Wyss. The game was umpired by Mark Kuss, the father of senior Myles Kuss.

Students and faculty were treated to a guest lecture by the accomplished conductor and opera director Robert Lyall, invited by the Quiz Bowl team. Quiz bowlers often encounter questions about fine arts, and Mr. Lyall was able to help by presenting a detailed overview of all things opera – its history, themes, popularity, and nomenclature. Mr. Lyall is widely known as a conductor of opera, symphony, and ballet and as a creative Artistic Director and producer of opera. He was named the General and Artistic Director of New Orleans Opera in 1998.

Seniors Chase Mascaro (left) and Victor Castellon donate to the blood drive during the morning break Thursday. The National Honor Society sponsored the drive, which was hosted by The Blood Center’s mobile blood drive program. The Blood Center says as many as three different patients may benefit from each Blue Jay’s individual donation.

A sure sign that the school year is coming to an end is the day of tuxedo fittings for seniors. Classmates wait their turn in St. Ignatius Hall as Ethan Camet gets measured for his tuxedo to be worn for the Class of 2016’s Commencement Exercises on the evening of Tuesday, May 24.

David Scotton ’12 returned to Jesuit today to share with current students a project he has been working on for nearly four years. David began a personal journey during his junior year at Jesuit of sharing his story of being adopted after his birth parents chose to go through with an unplanned pregnancy. After leaving Carrollton and Banks, David joined with Louisiana Right to Life to produce a documentary capturing his path to meet his birth parents, explore his identity, and offer thanks for the gift of his life and his family. The film “I Lived on Parker Avenue” is expected to be released at the end of the year.

Seniors took to Will Clark Field during lunch to begin play in the senior intramural cabbage ball league. The Intramural Sports Program provides an opportunity for students of all grade levels to participate in recreational sports. Under faculty supervision, grade-level leagues are formed for touch football, basketball, as well as other possibilities throughout the year. In each sport, homeroom teams compete against each other in games held during the lunch period. The cabbage ball league schedule is posted on the first floor bulletin board.

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.