Jesuit Patrons Celebrate Like Champions at Club XLIV

Posted November 4, 2014 / Last updated November 18, 2014

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Nathan '97 and Sarah Junius with Vonda and Charles Rice at Celebration.

Nathan ’97 and Sarah Junius with Vonda and Charles Rice at Celebration. Photo courtesy of Jeff Strout.

A super-sized and spirit-infused crowd of approximately 800 attended Celebration 2014 to support Jesuit High School. This year’s gala-auction — themed “Play Like a Champion” — was held at the spacious Club XLIV, adjacent to Champions Square next to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Celebration was presented by Entergy and Carbo Insurance.

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Michelle Lorusso and Shannon Daigle served as co-chairs of the event. Committee chairs were Missy Duhon (auction), Beth Vargas (food), Patti Mahoney (libations), Michelle Russo (decorations), and Terri Stuckey (reservations).

“I am so grateful for our volunteers who give so generously of their time and talent to bring our community together in such a meaningful way,” said Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66. “And I’m very pleased that so many alumni and parents of alumni are returning to join today’s parents.”

Proceeds from Celebration and the Blue Jay Bazaar are used to offset operational expenses, allowing Jesuit to remain accessible and affordable to as many families as possible. 

This is the second consecutive year Celebration has been staged off-campus. In 2013, when the event was successfully moved from the spring to the fall, Celebration was at the National WWII Museum.

The 2014 extravaganza featured a six-item speed auction during the patron party, four silent auction boards, and a live auction hosted by Mr. Jeremy Reuther ’01, who is Jesuit’s director of campus ministry. Auction items included vacation condos in Florida and Colorado, fishing excursions, getaway weekends at local hotels, jewelry, and dining at some of the city’s finest restaurants. Dinner for 26 with Borgne executive chef Brian Landry ’94 in the winning bidder’s home went for $3,200. 

Additions for 2014 were complimentary parking in Champions Garage, additional seating, an expanded venue, and a Jesuit-themed photo booth.

Members of the MCJROTC joined with members of Jesuit’s National Honor Society to assist with operations.

The Bench Warmers, which included three Blue Jays, provided music throughout the evening.

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