Open House Gives Prospective Students a Glimpse of Blue Jay Life

Posted November 6, 2013 / Last updated November 8, 2013

Sophomore William Waguespack leads his tour group through the Resource Center as part of Open House.

Like the saying “good things come to those who wait,” Jesuit’s Open House on Wednesday, Nov. 6 proved to be a huge success, as hundreds of families throughout the metro area came to tour the Mid-City campus.

Just before the start of the first tour — with several families already waiting in the Auditorium — a local power outage caused by inclement weather threatened to re-locate the opening presentation. After a brief delay, power returned to the building and Open House was underway without further interruption. For many, what started in a darkened auditorium turned into an eye-opening experience for young men and their families as they explored the campus led by Blue Jay tour guides.

As the prospective students and their families meandered through Jesuit’s halls and in and out of classrooms, they were able to interact with alumni, faculty, and staff who told them about Jesuit’s strong academic program, numerous co-curricular activities, spiritual and Christian formation, vibrant student life, strong guidance and college counseling departments, and much more. After touring the main campus building, attendees crossed Banks Street and entered the gymnasium and Louis J. Roussel Building, where they were able to visit the newly-renovated weight room and wrestling complex. The tour ended on the third floor of the Roussel Building with the co-curricular fair, giving prospective Blue Jays the chance to see some of the more than 60 clubs and organizations Jesuit offers.

To apply online to Jesuit or to view the list of important admissions deadlines, visit the Admissions section.

Galleries

Open House, Nov. 6, 2013

Prospective students and their families chose from three tour times. Tours began in the auditorium with a presentation by Jesuit students, faculty, and a parent speaker.
Alumni Ryan Thibodaux ’92 and Anthony Williams ’92 helped usher hundreds of prospective Blue Jays and their families into the auditorium.
Seniors Billy Healy and Reuben Hogan each spoke about their individual experiences at Jesuit ...
... and what make them choose to come to the school.
Jesuit President Fr. Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. '76 cleared up some common misconceptions about Jesuit.
Admissions Director Bret Hanemann '85 explained the admissions process to prospective families.
Blue Jay mother Liz Creel spoke to parents, describing the school community as hellpful and welcoming.
Admissions director Bret Hanemann '85, alumni director Mat Grau '68, and principal Peter Kernion '90 work together demonstrating how Open House is a school-wide effort that requires help from each and every department.
Theology faculty visited with the tour groups and spoke about various Theology courses.
Senior Christopher Mire leads his tour group through the Hall of Champions, answering questions and pointing out various things along the way.
Senior Sean Stephens guides his tour group through the Hall of Honors.
Mrs. Amy Tassin talks about the science program with a prospective family.
Jim Ryder, Jr. ’62, who also happens to be the 2013 Alumnus of the Year, greets families in the hallway.
Mrs. Kate Arthurs-Goldberg (far right) visits with a prospective Blue Jay and his family, while junior Hunt Robert serves as their Open House tour guide.
The Modern Foreign Language department visits with a prospective parent.
Junior Brad Gaudet answers a prospective parent's question as they make their way toward the English department's tables on the second floor.
Ms. Allie Timberlake talks to a prospective parent about the College Planning services offered by Jesuit.
Mr. Kevin Murphy '00, Jesuit's director of community service, talks to a tour group about service projects and Blue Jays' commitment to living AMDG and serving others.
Prefect of Discipline Top Abshire visits with a prospective family.
Ms. Nilda Rivera describes various Spanish courses to a tour group.
Principal Peter Kernion '90 talks to an auditorium filled with Open House visitors.
This group of Blue Jay tour guides wait patiently in the Cafeteria for the next group of visitors to arrive.
Senior Brendan Besh gives his tour group a brief history as they walk through the Chapel of the North American Martyrs.
Senior Akshay Gopal (right) points out a picture of his classmate and fellow tour guide, C.J. Blagrove, to their tour group in the Hall of Champions.
Dr. Jean-Marc Duplantier gives Open House visitors an overview of JAYSON, Jesuit's student network.
Sophomore William Waguespack leads his tour group through the Resource Center as part of Open House.
Mathematics instructors Rachel Sharp and Larry Dagate field inquiries about the math department.
Mr. Cyril Lagvanec presents Open House visitors with the series of social studies courses ranging from Louisiana History and Wesetern Civilization to electives like Presidential Consipracies.
Tour guides led visitors through the gym where the basketball team and cheerleading squad practiced.
Alumni volunteers Kenny Miller '02 and Andrew Waldron '04 usher visitors upstairs through weight room and wreslting room in the Rousell Building.
Tours lead up to the third floor of the Rousell Building, where Jesuit's co-curricular teams, clubs, and organizations are on display. Seniors Ricky Trahant and Cosimo Tomba talk to visitors about the ultimate frisbee golf club.
The bowling team incorporated a video bowling game into its display attracting many visitors to test their skills.
Parent volunteers enjoyed talking to Open House guests at their reception table full of drinks and treats in the Rousell Building.
Golf coach Owen Seiler talks about the school's golf team.
Senior Jon Marc Daniels describes the various honors organizations.
Freshman Julian Mahfouz demonstrates the robotics club's newest creation.
Senior Tommy Yun talks up the Asian club.
Sophomore Tyler Welsch plays foosball with a prospective Blue Jay.
Junior Matthew Vargas greets a family interested in learning about the cross country team. Cross country is one of Jesuit's 11 LHSAA athletic teams.
Sophomore Connor Martinez mans the paintball club exhibit.
Junior Matthew Suberville explains the MCJROTC program.
Senior Tyler Cao laughs as he tries to attract visitors to the anime club display as they walk to the media clubs section.
Juniors Steven Sibley holds his bearded dragon on his shoulder to promote the herpetology club, while juniors Josh Talbot and Cameron Guernsey show off an urban farming club project.
Alumni volunteers Carolos Calix '92 and Vincent Scelfo '06 help guide Open House visitors in the Rousell Building.