Commencement Ceremony Sends Out Class of 2018 in Spirit of Exploration

Posted May 25, 2018 / Last updated June 1, 2018

Diplomas were awarded to 275 members of Jesuit High School’s Class of 2018 by school president Fr. Christopher S. Fronk, S.J., at Commencement Exercises on Thursday evening, May 24, at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner.

View full 2018 Commencement Gallery

View the Valedictory Address by Garrett T. Crumb

View the Commencement Address by Fr. Christopher S. Fronk, S.J.

Winners of the three major awards at graduation: Chris Ross received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award, John Howell received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, and Ben Finicle received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award.

Christopher M. Ross received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award, which is presented to the senior who has exerted the greatest spiritual influence on others by living a life exemplifying his Catholic faith.

John W. Howell received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, Donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914, an award established to honor one graduating senior who has a good scholastic record, actively participated in co-curricular activities, and possesses those qualities which symbolize “the most representative student of Jesuit High School.”

Benjamin T. Finicle was the recipient of the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award, which recognizes the senior who has exemplified the spirit of being a man for others by his participation and excellence in service.

The Blue Jay Parents’ Club Award for excellence in scholarship was awarded to the seniors who graduated with the highest grade point average for four years at Jesuit High School. They were also named co-valedictorians of their class.

This year the award was merited by five seniors: Garrett T. Crumb (who delivered the valedictory address); Robert R. Christmann; Samuel O. Guillory; Graeme S. Mjehovich; and William C. Rogers.

The valedictorians for the Class of 2018: Robert Christmann, Graeme S. Mjehovich, Garrett Crumb, Samuel Guillory, and Caleb Rogers

Garrett T. Crumb, the son of Jason and Kerri Crumb of Metairie, will attend Vanderbilt University.

Robert R. Christmann, the son of Paul and Noel Christmann of New Orleans, will attend the University of Notre Dame.

Samuel O. Guillory, the son of Timothy Guillory and Lori Lorentz of Metairie, will attend the University of Miami (Honors Program).

Graeme S. Mjehovich, the son of Vlaho and Robin Mjehovich of Metairie, will attend Georgetown University.

William C. Rogers, the son of Paul and Perry Rogers of New Orleans, will attend Lipscomb University (Honors Program).

Garrett Crumb delivers the valedictory address.

Garrett Crumb prepares to deliver the valedictory address.

Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of summa cum laude were Matt J. Alexander, Nathan M. Alvarez, Robert S. Argote, Leo John Arnett, Jonathan M. Arnold, Cutshall T. Ashley, Kenneth J. Aucoin III, Donald A. Barrett, Mitchell M. Berry, Gregory J. Buisson, Jr.,

Andrew P. Burnside, Jr., James A. Busenlener, Jackson N. Butterbaugh, Peter C. Carr, Robert F. Cerise, Brandon M. DeRojas, Max J. Drury, Emory T. Ducote, Andrew M. Dufour, Stephen M. Ecuyer,

Ethan B. Erhardt, Michael C. Farrugia, Benjamin T. Finicle, Matthew J. Frischhertz, David B. Gravolet, Ryan A. Guillot, Colin J. Haag, David J. Hart, Davis J. Hatrel, Andrew A. Hemelt,

John Thomas Holmes, Robert O. Homes IV, Michael S. Ingram, Paul R. James, Kaden J. Knecht, Nathan C. Koenig, Andrew L. Kuebel, John F. Kuebel, Reese T. Leonhard,

Nicholas P. Leonik, Larson S. McAlpine, Tucker P. McGuinness, Patrick R. McManus, Clayton M. Merwin, Christopher W. Meyer, Juan M. Molina, Jr., Patrick D. Murray, John N. Nuttli, Luke A. Pertuit,

Michael J. Plessala, Dean W. Poche, Brenner A. Rauch, David E. Redmann III, Matthew K. Richards, Aidan T. Roberts, Christopher M. Ross, Andrew S. Ryan, Thomas R. Sagona, Seth M. Schmitt, Patrick J. Schwing,

Luke P. Sisung, Timothy J. Stahel, Richard R. Stedman III, Malcolm G. Sundell, Norris C. Talbot, Jake T. Theriot, Austin D. Tran, Ryan M. Tucker, Matthew D. Ward, Samuel M. Whitsell, and Patrick J. Young.

Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of magna cum laude were Evan P. Alphonso, Cooper J. Arnold, Alexander L. Barron, Eric C. Boos, Jr., Braden J. Brignac, Anthony C. Ceasar, Anthony C. Cibilich, William T. Costanzo, Matthew A. Cruz, Thomas A. Delsa, Gavin C. Detillier,

Donald G. Ellis III, Kevin P. Fox, Scott P. Gibson, John W. Hite IV, Nicholas E. Ho, John W. Howell, William K. Kitziger, Christian H. Lacoste, Adam R. Larriviere, Hunter L. Maher, Dylan P. McKeough,

Peter D. Michiels, Collin M. Miller, Benton R. Moore, William W. Nance, Luke O. Parks, Jeremy P. Poissenot, Ryan A. Smith, Jordan E. Tufts, Colin M. Wood, and Spencer C. Zaheri.

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Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of cum laude were Melvin D. Allen III, Blaise D. Bonura, William T. Brown, Patrick Calhoun, Jr., Wyatt J. Candies, Austin T. Carter, Thomas L. Curry, Preston S. Dantin, Robert G. Haik II, Cornelius R. Heusel III,

Logan R. Javier, Bryan H. Landry, Matthew J. Latham, Wilder N. Maguire, Chance C. McConduit, Jordan R. Merritt, Garrin E. Mesa, Blake R. Mire, Christopher M. Morel,

René S. Paysse III, Alexander J. Petty, Peyton A. Queyrouze, Harrison P. Robichaux, Grant S. Saunders, Eric Michael Schorr II, Gavin T. Lee Sheng, William Shiell VI, and Timothy P. Verlander.

Earning the Accelerated Program Diploma for having successfully completed a five-year program above and beyond the school’s ordinary requirements were Steven R. Baldwin, Logan D. Barrois, Andrew P. Bechtel, Andrew L. Gruntz, Christian M. Hess, Blair L. Loupe, Carson D. MacKenzie, Logan C. Raymond, Seth A. Rocha, Ryan E. Santos,

Kyle M. Selle, Will K. Shropshire, Richard H. Starr, Harrison J. Steudlein, Jack C. Vollenweider, and Aubert F. Waguespack.

Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of summa cum laude were David L. Blosser, Jr., Benjamin G. Brodnax, Addison C. Bui, Andrew P. Fugetta, Franco J. Funes, Michael S. Hull, Evan M. McElveen, Jarrett P. Orr, Tanner J. Tripoli, Christopher P. Vasquez, and Van H. Vu.

Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of magna cum laude were Chase A. Baril, Chandler J. Boudreaux, Andrew E. Cashman, Cameron J. DiMaggio, William C. Edwards, William W. Ellinghausen, Mason N. French, Quinn J. Fuentes, Kevin M. Gallagher, Brandon A. Huggett,

Alexander R. Klein, Brock M. Leonard, Gabriel A. Massey, Cameron P. McNulty, Lawrence J. Melito III, Andre L. Mire, Brady C. Moran, Tuan A. Pham, Gage M. Polkey,

Patrick L. Prosper, Jr., John H. Schmidt, Jr., Noah J. Scott, Sean M. Seghers, Seth C. Silva, Erick J. Trotter, Jr., Alexander G. Watermeier, Thaddeus G. Wilson, and John C. Womble.

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Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of cum laude were Jackson R. Abadie, Jack O. Baudouin, Andrew C. Black III, Ethan A. Bodin, Noah A. Cormier, Michael A. D’Arcangelo, Joseph R. Dupepe, Hunter P. Faust, Patrick W. Gallagher, Michael J. Gieseler,

Grayson M. Glorioso, Trent S. Greco, Evan J. Green, Ryan J. Hamilton, William K. Landrieu, Shane D. Lanson, Eli J. Larriviere, Mitchell R. Lulich, Alec C. Maraldo, Henry B. McAloon,

John M. McMahon, Jr., Tyler J. Mire, Paul H. Myers, Nicholas A. Natal, Austin R. Oliva, Nathan A. Pajares, Matthew E. Palmer, Evan M. Queyrouze, Andrew K. Quirk, Bryce V. Rodriguez,

Daniel J. Sentilles, Alex S. Thomas, Paul S. Treuting, Johnny L. Williams III, Michael L. Williams III, and Michael Z. Younis.

Completing the College Preparatory Course were Laith H. Alkahby, Thomas I. Arseneaux, Hunter W. Babineaux, Zachary P. Beckmann, Hunter B. Bell, Paul A. Bienvenu V, Gabriel R. Bopp, Jacob M. Bordelon, James F. Bradford, Hampton D. Callais,

Samuel J. Caluda, Talon M. Comeaux, Christian A. de Gracia, John G. Drake, Gabriel G. Dupuy, Parker G. Edwards, Maximillian D. Elvir, Joshua D. Gaspard, Colin J. Gordon, Dennis J. Guillot,

Reed H. Huguet, David R. Jackson II, William P. Jackson, Jr., Brennan J. Jeffrey, Anthony D. Kelly, Jacob A. Knoll, Gregory C. Landrieu, Chase M. LaRocca, Charles A. Lobrano, Hunter J. Ludwig,

James H. Mason, Oscar R. Maumus, Christian P. McClure, Christopher D. McMahon, David G. Miller II, Collin R. Oubre, Alvin J. Philips III, Ian K. Poche, Brett L. Power,

Frank J. Sclafani, William E. Simon, Brian B. Taylor, Noah J. Tobin, Michael R. Torry, Jr., Clay J. Valentino, Noel E. Vargas II, Gabriel C. Wax, and Kelly P. Zeringue.

Galleries

Commencement Exercises, Class of 2018, May 24, 2018

The stage is quiet as it awaits the many graduates who will fill its seats.
MCJROTC cadets Joseph Ditta, Max Younger, Carson Keller, Joaquin Enamorado, and Evan younger prepare to watch over the reserved seats for faculty and help usher people to their seats.
Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., Robert Christmann, Leo John Arnett, and Peter Carr
René Paysse, Brett Power, Mrs. Kathryn Elliot, Jack Baudoin, Ethan Bodin, and Noah Cormier
Chris Morel was greeted with a hero's welcome by his classmates who were so excited to see him for graduation.
The valedictorians for the Class of 2018: Robert Christmann, Graeme Mjehovich, Garrett Crumb, Samuel Guillory, and Caleb Rogers
Ian Poche, Dennis Guillot, Johnny Williams, Evan Queyrouze, Austin Oliva, and Gage Polkey
Yvonne Leger, Timmy Stahel, Nathan Alvarez, Mr. David Wright, Ms. Jo Ann Schexnayder, and Patrick Young
Tuan Pham, David Jackson, Addison Bui, Patrick Prosper, Franco Funes, Evan McElveen, Austin Tran, and Van Vu
Mason French, Peter Michiels, Maximillian Elvir, Dr. Gerard Delahoussaye, Chase Baril, Christian Edwards, and Trent Greco
Donald Barrett, Bo Bell, and Andrew Gruntz—surrounded by fellow MCJROTC cadets—are getting excited to graduate.
MSgy Johnny Piseno and LtCol Timothy Huete '76 congratulate cadets who participated in the MCJROTC program.
Benjamin Brodnax, Davis Hatrel, Robert Argote, Ms. Jo Ann Schexnayder, John Kuebel, Benton Moore, and Br. Terry Todd, S.J.
John McMahon is a true team player and assists his classmate with his bow-tie.
The anticipation builds as Gavin Sheng, Will Hite, Kevin Fox, Emory Ducote, and Graeme Mjehovich walk down the hall towards the stage.
In the wing off stage left, Br. Billy Dardis, S.J. '58 has the diplomas all sorted and ready for distribution, a task he has been doing for more than 50 Jesuit graduations.
Backstage the soon-to-be graduates file one by one onto the stage.
The graduates take their places behind the curtain with two minutes to spare.
Ryan Smith and Jordan Tufts, along with their classmates, find their seats before the main event.
A few feet peep out from behind the curtains.
With Mr. Jason Giaccone leading the way, the Blue Jay Marching Band provides the music for Jesuit's graduations.
Family and friends eagerly fill the seats of the Pontchartrain Center.
Everyone's attention is on the curtain as the clock strikes 8:00.
At exactly 8:00 PM, the curtain opens and an audible gasp from the audience trickles through the room as the 2018 graduates are revealed.
The 275 graduates of the Class of 2018
Backstage peak at the graduates of 2018
The administrative leaders of the school take their seats on stage. From left, Mr. Top Abshire, prefect of discipline; Mrs. Helen Swan, director of student affairs; Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., president; and Kathy Juhas, academic assistant principal.
At the start of the ceremony, the National Anthem is played and sung.
At the start of the ceremony, the National Anthem is played and sung.
During the Invocation, Fr. Kevin Dyer, chaplain of Jesuit High School, asks God's blessings for the graduates and their families and friends.
Chris Ross receives The Reverend Father President's Spiritual Leadership Award.
John Howell recieves The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, donated by Will Gibbons McEnerny of the Class of 1914.
Ben Finicle recieves The Very Reverend Pedro Arrupe Award.
Cutty Ashley can't help but smile during graduation.
Garrett Crumb delivers the valedictory address.
Principal Peter Kernion, master of ceremonies, begins the conferring of diplomas.
Chris Morel receives his diploma.
Row by row the graduates receive their diplomas.
Michael Hull walks down the center aisle to receive his diploma.
Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., president of Jesuit High School, addresses the Class of 2018.
James Busenlener, along with his classmates in the front row, sing the Jesuit Alma Mater.
Winners of the three major awards at graduation: Chris Ross received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award, John Howell received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, and Ben Finicle received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award.
Winners of the three major awards at graduation: Chris Ross received the Reverend Father President’s Spiritual Leadership Award, John Howell received The Julia Ferguson McEnerny Memorial Trophy, and Ben Finicle received the Very Reverend Father Pedro Arrupe Award.
Cooper Arnold can't contain his excitement.
Will Hite celebrates with his fellow classmates.
Flock of Blue Jays exit the nest for life beyond Carrolton and Banks.
Kelly Zeringue is outta here!