Welcome Week kicks off with plenty of energy, friendly competition, and a familiar cast of characters from the Mushroom Kingdom. Designed to welcome new students to campus and build community across the student body, the week features lunchtime competitions among the four houses, led by the Student Council Executive Board.

The festivities began at morning assembly when Student Council members staged Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach. The performance officially launched a Mario-themed Welcome Week and set the stage for a week of games, house competition, and a little chaos along the way.

Seniors Calvin Magee (Mario), Blake Couvillon (Luigi), Chase Cooper, Bryson Morse (Yoshi), Gareth Berner (Donkey Kong) hosted a lunchtime trivia competition featuring questions about Jesuit history and the world of Super Mario Bros. Students who answered correctly earned the opportunity to launch a water balloon or take aim with a water squirter at the house prefect of their choice.

Brebeuf House edged out Xavier in overtime, emerging from the first competition with the week’s opening points. With more games and even Mario Kart still ahead, there is plenty of time for the other houses to make their move. Welcome Week is just getting started, so stay tuned to see which house will race its way to the top of the leaderboard.