Three alumni returned to Carrollton and Banks to lead an experiment in Mr. Alex Nay’s science class. Dillon Knight ’15 (foreground, at left), Dan Edmund ’15 (foreground, at right), and Andrew Amedee ’15 (background, center) help Blue Jays turn white craft glue and a mixture of borax and water into a slimy substance similar to putty. Following the experiment, the alums discussed with students how and why the chemical reaction took place. Knight, Edmund, and Amedee are freshmen at LSU.

On the eve of Veterans Day, Jesuit’s Marine Corps JROTC program celebrates the 240th birthday of the United States Marine Corps with a special lunchtime ceremony in the Traditions Courtyard. Senior Austin Blanchard cuts the birthday cake during the program, which is just one of many held across the country today. The ceremony included the reading of the Commandant’s message. Afterwards, Blue Jays were invited to have a piece of the birthday cake in the Student Commons.

David Schof, Jr. ’56 and David White ’83 (on the ladder) prepare to hang the last, at least for now, of eight iconic photos of Blue Jay Bands on the wall that is part of  the current band room, located on the third floor of the Palmyra Street side of the 1953 wing. White discovered the original photos of Blue Jay Bands from various years, including the very first Jesuit Band from 1930-31 (it’s on the far left). Other photos of the Jesuit bands included the years 1933-34, 1934-35, 1938, 1945, and 1980-81. White took it upon himself to have each original photo professionally cleaned and reframed. Schof and White were in their respective Blue Jay Bands as students and are still making music with other Jesuit band alumni. Schof, who volunteers in the advancement office once week, plays the alto sax; White plays clarinet. The alumni band, with about 28 members, give or take a few from year to year, usually convenes to play for the Jesuit-Holy Cross football game. White is talking with alumni director Mat Grau ’68 about a reunion of all Blue Jay Band members that would happen sometime this summer. Schof just happened to be at Jesuit on Monday in his volunteer role and agreed to help White who wanted to display the 1980-81 Blue Jay Band photo. If any alumni have their own treasured photos of the Blue Jay Band they would like to donate for display in the band room, contact David White by email: dpwhite504@cox.net. A root-a-toot-toot and a big Thanks to this pair of musical alums!

At lunchtime on Friday afternoon, groups of Blue Jays, plus a solo pigeon looking to land near the American flag, shared space on the third floor balcony overlooking the Traditions Courtyard. It was an unseasonably balmy day for November and Blue Jays were killing some time until their next class. They also were looking forward to hearing that 3 p.m. dismissal bell, still two and a half hours away when this photo was snapped from the roof of the school.

The next president of Jesuit High School, Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., took advantage of a few days leave from active military duty to spend time getting acquainted with Carrollton and Banks and the culture of Blue Jays. Fr. Fronk arrived Wednesday, just in time to experience Open House and tag along with a group of prospective Blue Jays and their parents. While students and faculty had the day off on Thursday to re-energize following a successful Open House, current Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. introduced Fr. Fronk to a few administrators and staff, as well as alumni and parents. At the monthly meeting of the President’s Advisory Council (PAC), Fr. Fronk (who is standing between Fr. McGinn and principal Peter Kernion) enjoyed a good dialog with members, answering their questions while posing some of his own. PAC members include alumni, parents of alumni, and parents of current students. Traditionally, Jesuit’s president has relied on the PAC as a sounding board for advice on a wide range of issues affecting the school, its students and faculty, and the neighborhood. Fr. Fronk will experience his first taste of Blue Jay football on Friday night when Jesuit plays Brother Martin at Tad Gormley Stadium. Then on Saturday, Fr. Fronk plans to Let the Blue Times Roll by joining the throng of Jesuit revelers at the annual Celebration. Fr. Fronk is about one year away from officially assuming his presidential responsibilities. As a chaplain in the U.S. Navy, Fr. Fronk holds the rank of commander. He will remain on active duty until November 2016.

Jesuit alumnus and major league baseball player Johnny Giavotella ’05 (second from right) reviews the game plan for Wednesday night’s Open House with a trio of teammates. Seniors Thomas Hellmers (left) and Tyrus Norcise flank admissions director Bret Hanemann ’85 and Giavotella, who plays second base for the Los Angeles Angels. Hellmers and Norcise will be the featured senior Blue Jay speakers for the Open House tours that begin at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. in Jesuit’s auditorium. Giavotella will also address guests from the perspective of an alumnus. This is Giavotella’s second trip back this year to his alma mater’s Mid-City campus. In January, he addressed Blue Jays at a Morning Assembly. 

Young Blue Jays — pre-freshman Kurt Werling, freshman Cameron Juhas, and freshman Willie Robinson — along with alumni director Mat Grau, observe longtime staff member Eddie Habisreitinger hang a framed photo of Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. in the gallery of presidential portraits on the third floor near St. Ignatius Hall.

Six young prospective Blue Jays and their parents arrived at Jesuit early Friday to experience a Morning Tour, conducted by admissions director Bret Hanemann ’85 (far left). The group had the opportunity to watch an Assembly, a longtime tradition at Jesuit which brings together the entire student body of almost 1,400 Blue Jays. Assemblies take place on Mondays and Fridays in the Traditions Courtyard and students listen to important announcements about upcoming co-curricular meetings, intramural activities, sports scores and academic accomplishments, and special events, including Jesuit’s Open House on Wednesday, Nov. 4 (tour times begin at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m.). Jesuit’s Assemblies often serve as the stage for distinguished alumni to address current students. The most recent Blue Jay alumnus to speak was Del Hall of the Class of 1953, who talked on Monday, Oct. 26, about his career as a photojournalist with CBS News. During the Morning Tours, which typically last about two hours, Mr. Hanemann answers questions about the admissions process while showing the young men and their parents virtually every nook and cranny Jesuit occupies at Carrollton and Banks.

Former CBS cameraman Del Hall ’53 spoke with Blue Jays after school Thursday afternoon. Mr. Hall shared stories about the iconic events of the 20th century he covered as a photojournalist, as well as how he got his start in the business. On Monday, Hall spoke to all Blue Jays at Morning Assembly. Hall is award-winning journalist from humble beginnings in downtown New Orleans. He is the subject of a new book by New Orleans historical geographer Richard Campanella, The Photojournalism of Del Hall: New Orleans and Beyond, 1950s – 2000s.

The Sodality of Our Lady hosted Archbishop Alfred Hughes as a guest speaker Tuesday in St. Ignatius Hall. Archbishop Hughes read from scripture and reflected upon its message with nearly 100 Blue Jays from all grade levels, faculty, and staff members. He encouraged Blue Jays to follow the way of Jesus and listen to God’s messages to them. Archbishop Hughes attended a Jesuit high school in Boston — Boston College High School. He served the Church in Massachusetts for several years before moving to the south. After serving as bishop of Baton Rouge, he was appointed as Archbishop of New Orleans for seven years until his retirement in 2009. The Sodality meets once per week and is a collaborative effort with Campus Ministry and the Jesuits in residence at Jesuit High School. The Sodality aims to foster brotherhood in the community of its members, form them spiritually, and promote charitable acts of service.

Sophomore Daniel Sentilles revels in a good play that helped he and his teammate, freshman Samy Amkieh, score against junior Mikey Elvir and freshman Trevor Spinosa in a lunchtime foosball game. The recreational Foosball Club meets twice a week for Blue Jays to play a quick game of table soccer. The club invites all students and staff to participate in the Foosball Turkey Tournament beginning in November. Teams of two should sign up with club moderator Mrs. Leslie Merritt Monday or Wednesday during the second half of lunch in Room 334.

Green Club member pre-freshman Nikolai Kozina helps empty a recycling bin into the large bin located in the Traditions Courtyard parking lot. The Green Club regularly handles school-wide recycling pick-ups. The large-scale collections require several Blue Jays and lots of elbow grease. The club also focuses on promoting awareness of a variety of environmental issues. The Green Club is moderated by Ms. Lori Fasone.

Blue Jays in the Experimental Literature Club meet every Wednesday during the first half of lunch to “read and discuss poems, short stories, and novel excerpts that make use of unusual literary techniques that fall outside of mainstream reading habits.” English teacher Mr. Gary Wyss (bottom of photo) leads a discussion of Ken Chen’s We Ennui. Chen is an American poet and lawyer, and the executive director of the Asian American Writers’ Workshop. Among those participating in the discussion are, clockwise from Mr. Wyss: Tristan Killgore, Cristian Orellana, Sterling Stafford, Kenneth Krizan, Phillip Gerarve, Anthony Stoner, Andrew Vuong, Logan Yokum, Luke Navarro, Jaime Colon, and Steven Sellers.

Members of the Role Playing Games Club meet after school for a game of Dungeons & Dragons. Commonly referred to as “D&D,” the game is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally created in 1974. Each player acts as a character in the game. Together, these characters embark upon imaginary adventures within a fantasy setting. A Dungeon Master serves as the game’s referee and storyteller. Together the character-players solve dilemmas, engage in battles, and gather treasure and knowledge. The RPG Club plays D&D, along with other role-playing games. The club is for those who wish to test their imagination, decision-making, and cooperating skills with friends, having fun while joining in the fray of a battle-game. The RPG Club is moderated by Dr. Cyril Lagvanec.

Seniors and the handful of juniors who are in Mr. Dan DiRosa’s advanced placement civics class discuss their brutally long first quarter exam, which was taken last week and featured 170 questions (multiple choice answers) about the U.S. Constitution, federalism, and for good measure, some interesting political issues. A Jesuit alumnus (Class of 1981), Mr. DiRosa has been teaching social studies, including history and civics courses, for some 24 years at Carrollton and Banks. He admits, somewhat facetiously, that he took his own exam – and flunked. Mr. DiRosa would have passed the test only if he had curved the grades. That certainly explains, from his students’ perspective, Mr. DiRosa’s right-leaning civics with a curve posture.

That’s the only way these Blue Jays see it while waiting for their rides on a beautiful Friday afternoon in the Traditions Courtyard. It’s the middle of October, a cool front is on the way, and today’s early dismissal — following a week of strenuous exams — affords the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep before Saturday night’s big football game at Tad Gormley Stadium. Best of all, Blue Jays are celebrating the completion of their first quarter exams. As in Over, Done, Finem respice. End of story. -30-.