On Wednesday, Feb. 9, members of the Jesuit Men of Color and the Philelectic Society travelled to the Jefferson Performing Arts Center for a matinee performance of “FLY.” The play was about WWII African American fighter pilots known as The Tuskegee Airmen, and the production featured Jesuit alumnus and former Phil, L.G. Williams ’12, as the tap dancing griot. In his role, L.G. portrayed a character influenced by the West African traditional griot: a storyteller, poet, and musician who passes on oral history.  L.G. is seen here with his former director, Mrs. Kate Arthurs-Goldberg, the Phils, and JMOC members who attended the show. JMOC Moderator Jay Combe ’83 was also in attendance, as was coach Rudy Horvath ’86 who served as the driver. 

Based in Memphis, John “JJ” Guinozzo has been an official scorekeeper for the National Basketball Association for more than two decades. From time to time, the NBA assigns him to work Pelicans games in New Orleans. During those visits, Guinozzo visits campus, attends Jesuit athletic events, and —on this day— stopped by the Blue Jay Shop. He planned to attend Jesuit before family circumstances relocated him to Memphis, just days before he would have been walking the halls at Carrollton & Banks.

Sophomore academic games member Christian Smith prepares his next move for the equations competition. For the first time in two years, the equations section of academic games has returned to Carrollton and Banks. Equations is a game of creative Mathematics, and it involves authentic learning experiences and problem solving at the highest levels. After round one, Smith is leading the team with a score of 11 out of a perfect score of 12. Round two will take place next week. 

On a beautiful New Orleans day, the Jesuit percussion section practices cadences for Carnival 2022. The time is almost upon us to dance along to the Blue and White marching band, and they are making sure that they are prepared to groove down the entire parade route.

Senior Mitchell Stevens gives a powerful fist lecture in the Four on Friday series on Lift Every Voice—The Church and the Movement. To celebrate Black History Month, the Jesuit Men of Color will present a series of mini-lectures entitled Four on Friday: The Music of the Movement. On each of the four Fridays in February, the JMOC will play and discuss the significance of four songs inextricably tied to the Civil Rights Movement, with each presentation tied together by a theme. Presentations are during first half of lunch in Room 210.

The soccer team go on a rollercoaster ride during the winter sports pep rally. With high spirits the student body gathered in the Gayle & Tom Benson Arena to cheer on the sports teams—basketball, rugby, bowling—that will be facing down Brother Martin this weekend. They also rooted for the wrestling team which will be competing in the district championship this weekend as well.

Jesuit sophomores listen to a member of Louisiana State Police explain the dangers of recklessly handling a vehicle. Sudden Impact is an interactive program that educates high school sophomores about the dangers of driving impaired, driving without a seat belt, and distracted driving. It is facilitated by the Injury Prevention Program for University Medical Center’s Level 1 Trauma Center and by the Louisiana State Police. Since the program’s inception 20 years ago, it has been expanded to16 additional hospital host sites in 9 regions of Louisiana and is in more than 120 schools.

Senior editor-in-chief Michael-Paul Fine and newspaper moderator Peter Flores ’09 make final adjustments to the highly anticipated issue of the Blue Jay Newspaper. If you are interested in contributing to the next issue, contact Mr. Flores as soon as possible.  

A student from Mrs. Merritt’s honors geometry class prepares to throw his intricately crafted paper airplane off the second floor balcony. The planes underwent various exercises that tested multiple attributes ranging from longest distance to the most accurate. 

Before school, junior James Nolan, senior Gabriel Sacasa, senior Morgan Hebert, junior Thomas Doan, and senior Nathan Vatter serve breakfast to the homeless on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2021. Grace at the Greenlight has been serving the poor and less fortunate in Central City since 2014 and has allowed Jesuit students to give back to the community in a variety of ways. Contact director of community service programs Kevin Murphy ’00 if you are interested in participating in this tremendous service opportunity. 

Congratulations to the three, possibly four, winners of the tacky sweater contest. As the time comes to celebrate the birth of Christ, Jesuit wishes all Jays calm minds during exam week and steadfast hearts during the holiday season. 

Homeroom 906 surrounds Mr. Trosclair as they get into the holiday spirit by wearing part of their Christmas gifts from Mrs. Arthurs-Goldberg. Merry Christmas to all!

Three days after competing for the LHSAA State Championship in football, seniors Caleb Tolbert, Keith Pittman, and Jody Barber joined fellow volunteers from the Jesuit Men of Color club to feed breakfast to the homeless at Living Witness Church in Central City. Joining them were Chase Haydel and Mitchell Stevens, along with club moderators Matthew Firmin ’10 and Jay Combe ’83. The Jesuit Men of Color, formerly known as the St. Peter Claver Club, is dedicated to promoting diversity and fostering the well-being of students of color on Jesuit High School’s campus. It is open to all students and faculty.  

During assembly on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, Jesuit honored the two newest state championship teams: swimming and cross country. Cross country head coach Rudy Horvath ’86 led the celebration with the top six Jesuit runners who placed in the top 10—Aeric Wender, Leland Crawford, Robert Buisson, Lucas Sampedro, Jack DesRoches, and Michael Vocke. After the speech, Vocke hit the glorious gong to crown the achievement in front of the student body. 

Soon to be located in the visitor entrance to the school, construction on the new home of the Blue Jay Shop in the Madonna Della Strada building is nearing completion. Make sure to carve out some time in your schedule to stop by soon to check out the new storefront, fresh apparel, and classic Jesuit items for sale.

Seniors Roland Waguespack, Jake Cannizzaro, and Joseph Barnett lead Blue Jays in a pep rally during the second half of lunch in the Traditions Courtyard. Another gameday calls for another enthusiastic gathering in a historic corner of Jesuit’s campus. Many generations of Jays have gathered during lunch on this hollowed ground to stoke the embers of cheer and excitement before sporting events, and this time was no different. The rally will surely light a fire in those gathered until the final whistle blows tonight when the Blue Jays of Jesuit battle against the Patriots of John Curtis with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium.