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. 

The Jesuit Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) commemorate the 246th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. The event on Nov. 16, 2021, included a performance by the MCJROTC Band (the oldest of its kind in the nation); a traditional cake cutting ceremony with special recognition of the program’s youngest and oldest cadets; recognition of the guest-of-honor; and a reception in the Student Commons. 

Screenwriting Essentials teacher Mike Begg leads a table read on November 11, 2021. During the course of the semester, Begg brings his students through the whole journey of screenwriting from the basics of scriptwriting to organizing a story board. 

Seniors Joseph Liberto and linebacker Dennis Dougherty lead a lunch time pep rally before the last district game of the season tonight against the Rummel Raiders. Jesuit has already guaranteed itself a share of the Catholic League district title, but a win tonight would obtain the first outright title since 2011. After the rally, the student body left the courtyard full of enthusiasm and excitement that will be used to cheer the Blue and White onto victory. 

Jesuit president Fr. John Brown, S.J., re-paints a statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Brown carefully painted the hands and face before moving onto the rest of the old statue that will find its new home in the Banks Street Addition as the former art teacher puts one of his numerous talents to good use. 

Jesuit doesn’t horse around for Halloween. At the second half of lunch students were treated to candy and a show. Blue Jays were decked out in an array of costumes for the annual student council Halloween costume contest. James Cangelosi was crowned the victor with his horse costume and received a whole bag of candy as his reward.