After the Blue Jay Marching Band completed their halftime performance at Tad Gormely on Friday night, the drum line made its way to the student section to pump up the crowd for the second half of football against Warren Easton. Not only did the student section swell to the next level of excitement, but perhaps no greater air drum session has been seen in the gizzard in the recent past than the one on display by freshmen D.J. Bent and Garrett Derbes. These Blue Jays have learned early on the value of marching to the beat of their own drum.

What is a gizzard? The definition can be found on the back of the new student section shirts. Sporting his very own Gizzard shirt and what looks like a wolf snow cap (for a blizzard), student body president Paul Treuting explains the meaning of the word— “a muscular, thick-walled part of a bird’s stomach for grinding food, typically with grit.” Student body vice president Matt Frischhertz holds up the shirt to show the huge crowd at the first pep rally of the school year. This definition is one highly prized by loyal Blue Jay fans. The senior class of 2018 have now officially nicknamed the Blue Jay student section as “The Gizzard,” the place where any and all Blue Jay foes are ground up with that old-fashioned Blue Jay Spirit.

Those familiar with the podracing sequence featured in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace know podracing to be a popular sport in the less-developed regions of the galaxy. It’s also one of the most dangerous sports ever invented. Podracers, the custom-built, anti-gravity pods propelled by large turbine engines, were only as safe as the mechanic who made them and the pilots who operated them. The podracer used for today’s Star Wars-themed Welcome Week activity was also custom-built (using a rolling cart, cardboard, and rope), and it was only as safe as the two pilots (partners) who dragged it. Not to fear, though! Senior Drew Black took the necessary precautions, pictured here with his plastic helmet and armor before the big race!

Toward the end of the movie-themed Welcome Week skit at morning assembly today, senior Matthew Frischhertz screamed Woody’s famous line from Toy Story, “Andy’s coming!”, before dropping down to toy status. All the seniors followed suit to act like lifeless toys when Andy showed up. Andy actually did appear in person. Mr. “Andy” Dykema came up to the podium to conclude the morning’s assembly. This year’s Welcome Week is themed “Jesuit Goes to the Movies, Hosted By JMC Theaters.” Keep up with all the activity from Welcome Week 2017, and view the photos of the Student Council Induction, by clicking here.

The gizzard is “a muscular, thick-walled part of a bird’s stomach for grinding food, typically with grit.” This definition was one highly prized by loyal fans of the many Jesuit athletic teams. In the recent past, devoted Blue Jay fans came up with the idea to give the name to the Blue Jay student section, the place where any and all Blue Jay foes are ground up with that old-fashioned Blue Jay Spirit. While the students back then ran with the clever name, the “gizzard” title has faded from use over the years. However, 2017-2018 student leaders are bringing it back for good! On Thursday afternoon, these pictured Blue Jays traveled to watch the Hahnville Jamboree, which ended in a 14-14 tie, and to lay down the foundation for the gizzard. The precedent has been set.

Alumni director Mat Grau cheers on pre-freshman Blake Johnson and his Big Brother Andrew Kuebel while they bravely attempt to sing the Blue Jay Fight Song. Today at lunch, new Blue Jays and their Big Brothers had a blast at Jesuit’s annual Big Brothers and Little Brothers jambalaya lunch. Long-time parent volunteer Bill Poynot cooked pot after pot of rice and sausage over burners set up in Traditions Courtyard. A team of alumni from the Class of 1966 assisted with the preparation and helped serve 600 hungry students heaping bowls – and many seconds – in the Student Commons.

From left, pre-freshmen locker pals Jackson Junius, Andrew Dinwiddie, Matthew Joubert, and Jordan Johnson take a break in the midst of the 3 p.m. rush to smile for today’s Wild Photo. The fourth floor becomes the hallway of freedom at this time every day. As soon as the dismissal bell rings,the hallways are always loud and crowded yet fun and relaxing. Getting past the Wednesday hump means our newest Blue Jays have completed more than half of a full week at Jesuit High School. Ironically, these four 4th-floor locker pals and their classmates have just completed their fourth day in a khaki uniform. Finish the week strong, guys!

In their first official week of school, Student Council is already well underway preparing for what looks to be a banner year at Jesuit. With the Back to School Luau this Friday and Homecoming in just a few weeks, the excitement is palpable. Paul Treuting, Eli Larriviere, Matt Frischhertz, and Adam Larriviere keep any planning anxieties at bay with a little lunchtime tomfoolery. Nomination forms for homecoming court will be available for pickup in the Student Council Office, Room 113. Forms are due back in the office Wednesday, August 30. Elections for homecoming court will take place on Thursday, September 7.

Principal Peter Kernion ’90 was not mincing words about the eclipse and its safety concerns when he warned students at Friday’s morning assembly. His message was loud and clear, even through his lighthearted way of expressing it. “Certainly, it is dangerous to look at an eclipse. You don’t want to look directly at it without the proper eye-wear. At the end of the movie ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ Indiana Jones tells his girlfriend, ‘don’t look at the ark when they open it.’ When all the Nazi soldiers who do, their faces melt and their heads blow up. Certainly, if you look at the eclipse, your face is not going to melt and your head will not blow up. But, it definitely will cause severe and irreparable eye damage. So, if you want to look at the eclipse, one of our physics teachers, Mr. Kyle White, will be in the courtyard at lunch with glasses. So, if interested, you’ll be able to look at the eclipse in a safe way.”

Pictured here during lunch, students practiced the appropriate safety measures and enjoyed the eclipse sighting. One student was so comfortable with his protective glasses that he snacked on some oranges while viewing the eclipse, which at one point looked strangely like a giant orange itself.

Nothing like a quick trim from one Jesuit to another! In the midst of Book Day excitement, activity, and noise, theology teacher Br. Larry Huck, S.J., gives school chaplain Fr. Kevin Dyer, S.J., a mid-August haircut in the Student Commons. Br. Huck gave those students who did not meet grooming standards a haircut or a suggestion to get one before their first day of school. Remember, all students must have a proper haircut and they must be clean-shaven. (See the Bulletin for full dress code details.)

In 1976, during the height of the martial arts boom, Jesuit established a karate club. By the 1980s, the team was so popular that it was participating in—and winning—various tournaments throughout New Orleans. At one point, the Blue Jays had one of the most prestigious teams in the Southern Region before finally disbanding years later. Pictured here is the 1983 Karate Club. (Front row) Mark Bazin, Jeff Carter, Austin Lin, Ricky Trahant, Instructor Mike Urpschot, (Back row) Asst. Instructor Chuck Madden, Robert Walksh, Mike Prados, Paul Comeaux, and Peter Crapanzano.

The 2015-2016 yearbooks have arrived! Sophomore Ryan Castellon (left) and senior Tanner Tripoli were two of the first students to flip through the pages of the new edition. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors will receive a copy of the yearbook at their respective Book Day. The Yearbook staff will mail copies to those students who have since graduated. Enjoy the read!

Last week, one of Jesuit’s current students spent the day with a veteran Blue Jay who served in World War II. The National WWII Museum volunteer department featured the photo in its Volunteer Weekly Newsletter. Ben Martinez ’35, who serves as a WWII Veteran volunteer, enjoyed the company of rising junior Duncan Royster, a High School Summer Service Hour volunteer. Martinez, a frequent attendee of the annual Commencement Luncheon, was honored at the luncheon in May, together with Dan Barret ’34, as “the oldest Blue Jays in the room.” In less than two weeks Martinez turns 98 years old, born on August 21, 1919. Eighty-four years apart, Martinez and Royster remain forever connected in the bond of service. Jesuit thanks Beth Kliebert for capturing this moment.

An undated, archival photo depicts the Blue Jay Marine Battalion Band playing under the direction of Prof. Michael Cupero. In the background is the old gym, which stood at the corner of S. Solomon and Palmyra until it was removed to make way for the Chapel of the North American Martyrs and school annex. The major force behind the construction of the chapel was Rev. Laurence O’Neill, S.J., president of Jesuit from 1946-1953. The chapel was dedicated September 13, 1953. You can read more about the chapel in the “Annus Mirabilis” section of the upcoming issue of Jaynotes, which should hit mailboxes in early August.

This week’s Throwback Thursday segment honors a dedicated Blue Jay graduate who recently passed away on June 30, 2017. The photo shows current English teacher Mal Villarrubia, Jr. ’66 and Glenn Gennaro ’66 at their 45-year reunion back in June of 2011. Being members of the Class of 1966 is not the only thing these two have in common, for they also share the fact that they have both worked as administrators at Jesuit High School. Mr. Villarrubia is Jesuit’s director of professional development (as well as an English teacher), while Gennaro was director of admissions and counseling for five of the six years he served here at Carrollton and Banks (1985-1991). Gennaro worked for seven other schools during his 43 years in education. Earlier this week, he was the subject of a featured article in the Clarion Herald titled “The Man Who Would Give You The Clothes Off His Back.” In loving memory of Glenn Gennaro, the Jesuit High School community adds this photo to our archives. Goodbye, old friend. Your memory will never be forgotten.

Under the supervision of math teacher and Blue Jay Shop manager Paul Rogers, students help prepare for the upcoming Book Days by organizing boxes. Pictured here (left to right), freshman Jeremy Howat works in Room 122 with sophomores Jonathan Howat and Richard Montoya. These Blue Jays spent time last week moving, sorting, and counting Jesuit PE shirts and shorts. The bookstore will be open prior to the first day of school during the following times: Aug. 7 – 11 (9 AM – 4 PM) with extended hours on Aug. 9 (7 AM – 5 PM) and Aug. 12 & 14 (hours TBA). Only transactions associated with Book Days will be accepted on Aug. 15 (seniors, juniors, and sophomores) and Aug. 16 (freshmen and pre-freshmen).