On May 1 one of Jesuit’s own, Major William J. Walker, III ’03, could be seen flying high over New Orleans and Baton Rouge as part of a four-plane squadron with the Louisiana Air National Guard at Belle Chase. The squadron flew over the cities to honor health care workers that are in the fight against COVID-19. Piloting an F-15C on the left wing of the lead B-52, Walker said “It was an absolute honor to be a part of the event and have an opportunity to show how much our community appreciates the sacrifices that our first responders and frontline medical workers are making during these trying times.”

As New Orleanians embraced Jazz Festing in Place on the last weekend in April, junior Mason Wulff and his father, Steve, delighted neighborhood listeners with a socially distant pop-up Jazz Fest tribute concert. Held in Park Places Triangle in the Navarre neighborhood, the father-and-son-led group “Dos Lobos” (Two Wulffs) powered through a mix of cover songs and original material for an appreciative audience. Civics teacher Jay Combe ’83 was in attendance and captured a video that supplied this Wild Photo. 

Everyone in the Jesuit community is settling in to new environments for work and study. For no one is this more true than Morty, Jesuit’s germ-zapping robot. Instead of training areas and locker rooms, it is now bedsides and medical equipment that the robot is working hard to sanitize. At last report, Morty is certainly holding up to the challenge.

Jesuit’s interim president, Fr. John Brown, S.J., signs diplomas in his office as a sign of hope for a return to the school’s beloved traditions. Keep your eyes on the prize, Blue Jays!

Long-time maintenance member Kent Broussard puts the finishing paint touches on the “switchboard” entrance on Banks Street. The entrance to the school had been temporarily relocated during construction of the pedestrian walkway. Now that the project is in its final stages, the switchboard is open once again for visitors to check in to the school.

Mr. Wade Trosclair ’07 always brings a worldly perspective to class. But these days he’s calling on his own real-world experiences to connect with students during these challenging times. As he shared with his world history charges, Trosclair was a junior at Jesuit when Katrina shuttered the school for several months of 2005. Before returning to campus to complete the academic year, Trosclair studied at a high school in Thibodaux and a satellite Jesuit school on the campus of St. Martin’s. Trosclair is embracing today’s challenge as he did the one 15 years ago, and is doing everything he can to give his students the confidence they will need to succeed in a different “world.”

Mr. Darryl Roule is used to wearing headsets, just not in the classroom. Roule, who coaches linebackers for Jesuit football, is now using his headset to teach math through home learning. “Truth be told, I feel a lot more comfortable designing a blitz package than I do teaching online introductory algebra. The more I practice, though, the better I am working in this new format.” It’s the same lesson he’s been teaching in math class and on the football field since he started at Carrollton & Banks in 2012.

Jesuit students and alumni deliver Mardi Gras bead donations to St. Michael School for recycling.  The adult clients at the Joy Activity Center at St. Michael’s sort and resell the beads. Graduates of St. Michael Upper School continue to thrive in a safe, Catholic environment for as long as the needs of the participant can be met. Working with families, the Joy Center promotes choice for program participants in a variety of activities and classes on and off campus.  

Thursday’s exams are Science and Theology. View the 3rd Quarter Exam Schedule.

Other announcements: Students should not be in the hallways during the exam period or between exam periods. Once you complete your exam you should exit the hallways quietly.  You may remain in the Commons, Resource Center, or the yard during this time. Students participating in the Annual FIFA Tournament need to bring their money to the Campus Ministry Office by Thursday. If you have any questions, please see Carter Montalbano or Connor Quaglino.

…in Art class when it is used for a project reference! Of course, students at Jesuit are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day (see Bulletin), except the rare occasion that a teacher or club moderator gives permission to use a phone to take a photo of the board or when covering a student activity. In this case, interim president and art teacher Fr. John Brown, S.J., allows senior art class member Chase Winston to take a picture that will be used as a reference for their art project. The visual reference was portrayed by Christian Wild, who ironically earned a spot on today’s Wild Photo.

Preston Roark tosses the football with Jacob Tobler as a friend of theirs attempts to intercept the pass. Blue Jays relax and play football after school in Traditions Courtyard as they settle in to the last regular week of the third quarter. For upcoming student life events such as Carrollton Clash, see the Weekly Calendar of Events!

Blue Jay mothers and #Back2Banks Bazaar volunteers Nicole Ciaccio, Stacey Lacour, and Beth Schibler work together in St. Ignatius Hall to organize and stuff Bazaar raffle tickets. The trio of volunteers spent their early morning hours setting up as other volunteers flooded in to Ignatius Hall to complete the task at hand. On Tuesday, March 3, students will receive their Bazaar raffle tickets in an envelope that will also contain information on ticket-sale incentives. Alumni families and parents of current Blue Jays are encouraged to sponsor the Bazaar, sign up to volunteer, and/or pre-order their Bazaar T-shirts!

David Nguyen and Ken Nguyen dissect worms in Mrs. Smith’s Biology class. Student interaction with organisms is one of the most effective methods of achieving many of the goals outlined in the National Science Education Standards (NSES). In comparative anatomy, the dissection project also promotes observation and comparison skills that instill in students an appreciation for the value of life.

About a dozen students volunteered their time and talent this week to call hundreds of alumni across the country who are supporting Jesuit’s Minds & Hearts Enlightened capital campaign. The gratitude expressed by today’s Blue Jays to those who preceded them was well received and appreciated.

As Top Abshire looks on, student body president Effy Marks makes the following announcement at 3 p.m. dismissal: “This is Effy Marks. The last two times we have played Holy Cross in white jerseys, the Gizzard led the football and soccer teams to two important victories. Tonight, we play them again. We need your support in the Birdcage at 7 p.m. We need the Gizzard big. We need the Gizzard loud. And don’t forget…it’s a WHITE OUT! Go Jays.” 

The Senior Night wrestling dual meet in Benson Arena saw high fives, five-second near falls, and five-point leads. It also saw five Jesuits take time out of their evening schedules to show support for the place they call home. (Pictured here, from left) Theology teacher Fr. David Paternostro, S.J., Fr. Stephen Kramer, S.J., interim president Fr. John Brown, S.J., school chaplain Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., and alumni chaplain Fr. Paul Shaughnessy, S.J. stand along the visitors bleachers between matches to enjoy a great view of the wrestling meet and the large crowd of Jesuit students, parents, and friends. Go, Jesuits’!