Vic Eumont, who was Jesuit’s head coach of football from 2001-2005, spoke to Blue Jays at Friday’s Morning Assembly. It’s Rivalry Friday as Jesuit takes on Holy Cross at Tad Gormley Stadium this evening with kickoff at 7:15. This will be the 96th meeting between the Blue Jays and the Tigers. Eumont returned to Carrollton and Banks, coming all the way from California where he is now retired, to take part in the football game’s festivities. As a Holy Cross alumnus and a Jesuit coach whose record here was a respectable 33-15, Eumont isn’t supporting one team over the other. He can straddle the 50-yard line and still be a winner. But if Eumont thinks the Tigers will be “Vic-torious” for what would be the fourth time since 2005, the Blue Jays are hoping their former coach is California dreaming.

Senior Phillip Gerarve takes off in a shuttle run that was part of a Fitness Challenge in P.E. class today. The Fitness Challenge was hosted by the Great American Rivalry Series and conducted by the US Army for all P.E. classes throughout the day. Student groups competed with one another in five fitness events – sit-ups, push-ups, shuttle run, jumping jacks, and chin-ups — as well as in a quiz in general knowledge.

Senior Ryan Kramer (left) contemplates his next move in a game of chess against classmate Matthew Mount (right). Senior Ben Incaprera, who watched the after-school match unfold, and Mount laugh as they both realize Kramer has lost the match.

Seniors John Nimmo (left) and Nolan Stone show off the 2015 Jesuit vs. Holy Cross Rivalry T-Shirts. The shirts are on sale for $10 each in the Student Commons each day this week before school, during the 10-minute break, and at lunch. Jays are encouraged to wear them in The Gizzard when the football team takes on Holy Cross at Tad Gormley Stadium on Friday, Oct. 2. The rivalry series between the Jays and Tigers is the 5th oldest continuously-played prep rivalry in the country.

Profe Nilda Rivera’s Spanish IV AP students applied their classroom language skills in a real-life setting today. Following instructions to speak only in Spanish, the students took a short trip down the street, ordered lunch at Taqueria Guerrero, and engaged in mealtime conversation. Profe Rivera was pleased that the Blue Jays were able to experience Spanish in the real world during National Hispanic Heritage Month. Pictured are (front row, from left) junior Xavier Oberhelman, senior Joshua Lacoste, junior Christian Marks, Sra. Rivera, senior Aubrey Champlin, and senior Cole Retif; (back row, from left) junior Luke Lingle, junior Nate Beech, senior Andrew Cerise, senior John James, and sophomore Franco Funes.

Blue Jays in Fr. Kevin Dyer‘s theology class watched live coverage of Pope Francis’ historic address to Congress Thursday morning. Following the address, Fr. Dyer and his class discussed the Pope’s visit to the U.S. Fr. Dyer, along with Mr. Jeremy Reuther and six Blue Jays, are preparing for their visit to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis and attend the World Meeting of Families. The Jays are part of a Jesuit delegation of more than 40 Jesuit schools from the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. On Sunday the entire delegation will celebrate a Papal Mass said by Pope Francis to conclude the World Meeting of Families. Read more about the Jays’ pilgrimage to Philadelphia to see Pope Francis.

The Traditions Courtyard was an uncharacteristic scene of calm Tuesday afternoon as Blue Jays milled about, some completing school work, others relaxing in the cooler weather. It was a far cry from the fun and excitement of Homecoming Week activities earlier in the day. View a list of upcoming Homecoming Week lunchtime activities.

Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58 is all smiles sitting in the Jaybird’s seat of the Jaymobile, which happens to be surrounded by and covered with 19 Jesuit Cheerleaders. As moderator of the cheerleaders, Br. Dardis commandeered the eye-catching Grand Marquis on Friday afternoon from its owner, Jesuit alumnus Mike Waldo ’70 of Pensacola. After the Jesuit Cheerleaders were all snugly stuffed into the Jaymobile, Brother put the pedal to the metal and drove 90 m.p.h. from Carrollton and Banks all the way to Pensacola for the football game between the Jays and the Gators of Escambia High School. Brother is typically publicity shy, but since this incredible feat focused on his cheerleaders, he quickly contacted the editors of Ripley’s “Believe It or Not.” Proudly informing Ripley’s of this achievement, Brother let it slip that five cheerleaders had been crammed into the trunk of the Jaymobile. Unfortunately, this disqualified the accomplishment for consideration by the Ripley folks. Brother became extremely agitated and wailed over and over, “My cheerleaders are Blue and White for all the days of life.” Brother was in a deep reverie when the cheerleaders shouted, “Go Jays!” His eyes suddenly popped wide open. It took him only a second or two to realize he had nodded off while waiting for the Wild Photographer to set up and snap an impromptu photo in the parking lot of a Chile’s restaurant, located 10 minutes from the stadium. As soon as the picture was taken, Brother once again assumed command. “Ok, everybody, let’s go,” he shouted authoritatively. “All aboard the Spirit bus. Right now. C’mon, don’t waste time. Got to go. Move it. Got to get to the game.”

Many alumni classes meet regularly for lunch – some monthly, some quarterly, some yearly. While the Blue Jays catch up on current events in their lives, the important discussion usually focuses on stories of the old days at Carrollton and Banks. Today’s Jays are creating the stories that they will retell over and over through the years. And these seniors have already begun a tradition of lunch gatherings to talk about their current events and their life at Jesuit. Since their sophomore year, (clockwise, from left) Carlos Zervigon, James Stoddard, Peyton Ruppert, Justin Lorio, Brett Hocke, David Maheu, Corey Barberito, Ryan Redmann, and Connor Schexnayder have enjoyed their lunch together in the same spot near the steps of the Chapel of the North American Martyrs. No doubt when they soon leave Jesuit as alumni, they will find each other, likely over lunch, to reminisce about their casual lunch gatherings in the shade of the chapel and the stories they told. Perhaps the group of 1956ers, who now meet monthly, found their way as sophomores in 1953 to the steps of the brand new chapel to enjoy lunch and share stories of their morning classes, stories that have been told and retold…  of course, over lunch.

The newly formed Video Games Club proved to be a popular group attracting over 30 members eager to play in a Super Smash Bros. tournament after school on Wednesday. The club moderator, Mr. Greg Uddo ’00, may need to call in reinforcements for the next meeting with this kind of pixel-player overflow. Club meeting dates and times can be found in the daily announcements.

Pre-freshmen in Mr. Kevin Murphy‘s World Geography class work on a hypothetical budgetary exercise. Each group received a monthly budget that corresponded with what a typical family might have to live on in various countries around the world. The groups’ budgets varied from just a few dollars each month to several thousands. Members of each group had to work together to determine how much of their monthly budget they would spend on various items, such as food, utilities, housing, clothing, and transportation. Pictured are (from left) Christopher Wormuth, Matthew Duong, and Grant Jordan.

An energetic and feisty Scott Jenkins, a senior wide receiver (#9) on Jesuit’s football team, takes center stage to pump up fellow Blue Jays at Friday’s spirited lunchtime pep rally. Pep rallies are typically held in the Traditions Courtyard, but because of a steady rain that fell during school hours, today’s event began in the Student Commons and wound its way through the cafeteria before landing in the auditorium. Accompanied by the Blue Jay Marching Band’s drum corps, Jenkins and other seniors in the Spirit Club led cheers and exhorted students to be among the fans who will be supporting the Blue & White in their game tonight against St. Paul’s at Tad Gormley Stadium.

In rain, shine, heat, or cold, Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. ’58 is a regular fixture at a table set up just outside the Student Commons. At dismissal, Blue Jays arrive to satisfy their cravings for ice cream and other cool treats. The proceeds from their purchases benefit the annual mission drive. Buying Brother’s treats on Thursday are, from left, freshmen Russ Heath and Clyde LeBlanc, pre-freshman Carter Montalbano, and freshman Jacques Gaudet.

Seniors Justin Vlosich and Joseph Stagni review a C.S. Lewis class assignment during their lunch break. The senior-level theology class is taught by Mr. Matt Orillion and Mr. Jeremy Reuther.

There’s a new signal to watch at the corner of Carrollton and Banks. The familiar, green “walking man” signal will help Blue Jays cross the busy intersection safely. The pedestrian crossing signal is set on a timer in coordination with the automotive traffic lights, so now Blue Jays will “look both ways” and wait for the “walking man” to set the pace.

Members of the Preprandials Club sample an aged white cheddar at their club meeting Thursday during lunch. The Preprandials Club meets several times each quarter to sample fine cheeses and discuss cultural topics such as music, art, and literature. The club’s big cheese — president Cole Radetich — hand selects a different high quality cheese each meeting for members to savor and critique. The club is moderated by Mr. Wade J. Trosclair ’07. Blue Jays can get a taste of the Preprandials, as well as more than 60 other co-curriculars, next week during Rush Days.