At the annual Commencement Luncheon held at the Ritz-Carlton, Jesuit High School formally welcomed the Class of 2026 into the Alumni Association, marking a cherished tradition that celebrates the enduring brotherhood among generations of Blue Jays. Seniors processed into the ballroom as alumni greeted them with warm applause, recognizing the graduates’ transition from students to lifelong members of the Jesuit community.

James Linn ’06, alumni director, opened the luncheon with remarks centered on gratitude, reflection, and the lifelong bonds formed at Jesuit. He encouraged graduates to remain connected to one another and to the school as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. Linn then presented each senior with a commemorative keychain, symbolizing their induction into the Alumni Association.

Fr. John Brown, S.J., offered a prayer for the Class of 2026, asking God’s blessing upon the graduates as they prepare to leave Carrollton & Banks. Principal Dr. Jeremy Reuther ’01 followed with reflections on the accomplishments of the senior class, highlighting achievements in academics, athletics, and leadership throughout their years at Jesuit.

Senior class president Michael Barnett introduced guest speaker John “Chick” Schoen ’63, chair of Jesuit’s National Advisory Board and a distinguished alumnus whose career and service embody the mission of Jesuit High School.

Schoen was active in intramural sports and a member of the golf team during his years at Jesuit. After graduating with honors from the University of Notre Dame, he earned degrees from the Tulane School of Law and the Tulane Graduate School of Business, where he finished first in his class. Schoen worked in his family’s business, Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, before beginning a forty-four-year career in technology consulting that culminated in leadership roles with Andersen Consulting and NetApp, where he directed teams serving clients across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

In his address, Schoen encouraged seniors to prepare themselves not only for college, but for lives of purpose, leadership, and service. Drawing from professional experiences and conversations with industry leaders, he spoke about the importance of developing qualities that distinguish people in an increasingly technology-driven world: curiosity, courage, communication, and compassion.

Schoen urged graduates to begin building meaningful stories through their experiences in college and beyond. Reflecting on the transition from Jesuit to a broader and less structured world, he reminded students that the values instilled at Jesuit would serve as their compass in navigating new environments.

Throughout his speech, Schoen returned to the Jesuit ideal of being “men for others.” He challenged the graduates to serve others responsibly and compassionately, encouraging them to “be a ladder, not a crutch”: to help others rise while empowering them toward independence as opposed to dependence. He shared personal anecdotes and historical reflections on the origins of Jesuit education, illustrating how service, mercy, and faith remain at the heart of the Jesuit mission.

Schoen also invited seniors to carry with them a set of guiding questions rooted in Ignatian spirituality: What are you good at? What brings you joy? What does the world need you to be? He encouraged graduates to continually reflect on how they can grow closer to God and neighbor through their actions and choices.

His thoughtful reflections and practical advice resonated with alumni and graduating seniors alike, reinforcing the timeless values that unite generations of Blue Jays. Schoen concluded by congratulating the Class of 2026 and encouraging them to live lives marked by integrity, service, and purpose.

As the luncheon came to a close, alumni and newly inducted graduates joined together in singing the Alma Mater, reaffirming their shared commitment to Jesuit’s mission and to one another as members of the Blue Jay brotherhood.