Jesuit Celebrates 212 Graduates of the Class of 2026
On May 21, 2026, at the Pontchartrain Center, the Class of 2026 officially joined the ranks of Blue Jay alumni. Graduating seniors celebrated their achievements in the presence of faculty, staff, family, and friends.
The class was awarded 212 diplomas by Fr. John Brown, S.J. This year’s valedictorian, Connor A. Fanberg, reflected on the transformative experiences and lessons learned during his time at Jesuit, recalling his challenging first days as a pre-freshman and the growth that followed. He highlighted the importance of gratitude, perseverance and using one’s God-given talents to their fullest potential, reminding his classmates, “never forget ‘to give anything less than your best,’ and never forget to have hearts filled with gratitude.”
He encouraged his fellow graduates to remain grateful for their parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends, reminding them that their successes were never achieved alone. Concluding his remarks, he challenged the Class of 2026 to continue pursuing God’s greater glory as men of faith and men for others, carrying the spirit of Jesuit with them wherever life leads. He closed by urging his classmates to “go forth…and set the world on fire!”
The Principal’s Award
The Principal’s Award for excellence in scholarship was awarded to Program I seniors who have earned A’s in each course every semester throughout their high school career and have taken all honors and AP courses available. This year the award was merited by three seniors—James W. Denning, Connor A. Fanberg (valedictorian), and Andrew L. Frey.
Commencement Award Winners
James W. Denning
Denning 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.
Seth P. Neo
Neo 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.
Spence G. Waguespack
Waguespack received The Harry McEnerny, Jr. Memorial Plaque, honors the 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.”
Commencement in Pictures
Conferral of Diplomas
The Principal’s Award for excellence receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of summa cum laude were James W. Denning, Connor A. Fanberg (valedictorian), and Andrew L. Frey.
Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of summa cum laude were Kevin R. Avin, William H. Berry, Peyton M. Bouchon, Jonathan P. Brockhoff, Joseph C. Campo, Grant L. Carroll, Anderson D. Casebonne, Finnian J. Connolly, Nathaniel B. Costantini, James W. Denning, Christian M. Ehrensing, Benjamin M. Evans, Harrison M. Evans, Benjamin M. Farmer, Andrew L. Frey, Grayson D. Gibbons, Tucker C. Graham, Darrin A. Haase, James W. Holmes, Jack G. Hubbard, Austin P. Indest, Brennan J. Jeansonne, Everett P. Kramer, Zachary M. LaGraize, Noah R. LeNormand, Beau J. Luminais, Cody J. Martinez, Beau V. Matulewski, Brady J. Monahan, Derek E. Moore, Cullen J. Morris, Ethan C. Nguyen, Nathan V. Nguyen, Elijah T. Perrien, Coleman T. Puneky, Dominick A. Roberts, David Paul C. Rodriguez Prouet, Micah S. Sens, Paul J. Sparacello III, William M. Stackpole, Christopher A. Stricker, Joshua P. Volpe, Spencer G. Waguespack, and Connor E. Wilken.
Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of magna cum laude were Noah J. Alvendia, Michael J. Barnett, William J. Barnett, Kevin R. Cazalé, Jacob H.-H. Chan, Harrison R. Culotta, Jude A. V. de Gruy, Luke P. Doiron, Charles D. Dovie, Coleman M. Edwards, Wyatt A. Fontana, Grant D. Gehring, Sebastian T. B. Hewett, Amir Y. Isvandi, Christopher H. Juge II, Henry V. Lackey, Christopher G. Lawler, George M. Martin, Tyler C. Oufnac, Brock P. Prouet, James A. Robichaux, Pharaoh A. Saldana, Matthew D. Scalise, James M. Silva, Conrad B. Smith, Sean M. Timler, Alexander K.-N. Tran, James H. Turner, and Isaac J. Uhlich.
Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma with the special commendation of cum laude were Wyatt W. Beach, Benjamin T. Breithaupt, Drago J. Cvitanovich, Nicolas C. Dusang, Zachary T. Friloux, Stephen G. Ritter III, and Max R. Sutherlin.
Receiving the Accelerated Program Diploma were Nathaniel R. Baines, Cameron G. Cockrell, Salvadore A. M. Signorelli , and Ty D. Woolf.
Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of summa cum laude were Adam B. al Hariri, Deven J. Bawa, Matthew J. Bohnet, Michael J. Brothers, Dhilan K. Chava, Ryan P. Gourgeot, Jr., Luke S. Harell, Javier M. Mezquita, Jr., Seth P. Neo, Joseph V. Nguyen, Tyler J. Nguyen, Nathan B. Perniciaro, Nihar Pothineni, Edwin A. Siguenza, Patrick C. Talbot, and Joseph C. Wherritt.
Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of magna cum laude were Nick J. Accardo, Adam S. Ahmed, Max G. Belsome, William T. Boasberg, James A. Breaux, Ethan M. Cabos, Jude C. Cannon, Colt F. Carter, Joseph F. Cerruti, Carter T. Claus, Ryder N. Comboy, Robert M. Cunningham, Derek M. DeLatte II, Sebastian M. Fernandez, Jake C. Flores, Thomas N. Fouchi, Bradford N. Frischhertz, Jr., Brady M. Gilbert, Dominic M. Graff, Faiez I. Hamdan, Nathan J. Hamrick, Michael J. Hickham, Jr., Tanner C. Hughes, Bryce W. Johns, Nur M. Karim, Eli V. Liantonio, Gavin F. Liantonio, Brady R. Marino, Louis J. Matthews, Brock A. Mayer, Aidan P. McKoin, Patrick J. Newman, Taylor M. Norton II, Gavin J. Palmisano, Augusto N. Reichard, Dax A. Rizer, Thomas M. Screen, Jr., Marshal C. Serio, Owen G. Shields, Martin W. Shute, and Chadwick York, Jr.
Completing the College Preparatory Course with the special commendation of cum laude were Pierce E. Alberado, Brady J. Autin, Nelson C. Bensel, Joseph A. Bosco, Brennan C. Carriere, Chase D. Carter, Drew J. H. Causey, Kwaku Charles, John P. Costello, Gerard L. Danos III, Peyton C. Davis, Logan A. Dlugos, Christian B. Dowling, Charles W. Edrington, Jr., Tyler M. Farley, Collin K. Gravener, Dwight C. Hansen, Brandon C. Haynes II, Beau M. Hellmers, Nathan M. Isaac, Griffin D. Jeandron, Sven Jensen, David R. Karcher, Andrew P. Koloski, Roman C. Larré, Brian I. Manzanares, Jr., Clark P. Nolan, Gerard A. Peterman, Logan T. Phipps, Connor M. A. Pilié, Benjamin H. Salvaggio, Mason J. Shannon, Jude A. Spano, Julien P. Tullier, Aidan R. Villars, Vincent M. Welty, Carter J. Westerfield, Eric Xiang, Diego P. Zelaya-Ruiz, and Gabriel P. Zeringue.
Completing the College Preparatory Course were Quinn T. Anderson, Zen C. Bibbins, Andrew L. Bordelon, Matthew J. Brown, Grant G. Castillon, Charles O. Cook III, Scout N. Croce, Gavin G. Cummings, Dominic G. Forest, Thomas A. Gennusa IV, Elijah S. Gutierrez, Avery T. Hughes, Brady T. Hunter, Samuel J. Knoll, Jude P. Langlois, Nathan F. Livaudais, Cannon M. Mohr, Luke A. Nuccio, Johnny T. Nyein, Noah J. Pelicano, Brennan J. Pitts, Jonathan T. Ray, Zachary P. Raymond, Andrew M. Rousselle, Keshaun M. Tervalon, Connor A. Vargas, Pablo W. A. Villalobos, Taylor D. D. Vu, Ethan J. Williams, and Christian E. Wilson.