The Great American Rivalry Series continues this Friday, Sept. 30, when the Jesuit and Holy Cross football teams play it out for the 97th time, this one at Tad Gormley Stadium. Game day t-shirts are on sale in the Commons before school and at lunch this week. Shirts are $10 each for regular sizes and $15 for 2XL and larger. Seniors William King and Mahlon Ruegge got into the rivalry spirit and encouraged fellow Blue Jays to purchase their official game wear.

During a recent visit to his alma mater, Phil Brooks ’54 took the time to talk football in the Student Commons with senior Connor Prouet, a running back on the 2016 squad. Brooks, who is highlighted in this team photo, played offensive end and defensive back. He started in the 1953 state championship game, subbing for injured starter Bob Menard. In the season finale and in the rain, Jesuit defeated Byrd High School of Shreveport, 7-6, at Tad Gormley Stadium.

Though today marks the first day of fall, students are still seeking the chill they can’t yet find in the air. Each day after school Br. Dardis sells ice cream in support of groups, such as the Jesuit Cheerleaders, and various service efforts, including the annual Thanksgiving Drive. One happy customer included junior Jack Chaney, pictured here.

On Wednesday, juniors and seniors took to heart Jesuit’s mission to develop compassion in its students, proving themselves to be Men for Others during a blood drive in the Commons. The National Honor Society sponsored the event, which was facilitated by The Blood Center’s mobile blood drive program. The Blood Center is the primary supplier of blood to hospitals along the South Louisiana and Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast. Donors included juniors Clayton Merwin and David Hart, pictured here.

Master Gunnery Sergeant J.R. Piseno bravely led a group of 55 paintballers in their first outing last Saturday in Belle Chasse. The Paintball Club is but one of many organizations through which Jesuit students are encouraged to get involved in school activities.

The Creative Writing Club waxed poetic over lunch as moderator Gary Wyss facilitated discussion of a member-composed poem. Students considered their classmate’s style and use of literary devices, as well as analyzed the poem’s overall tone, theme, and mood. Participation in Jesuit’s many co-curricular clubs, teams, and organizations, such as the Creative Writing Club, helps Blue Jays explore passions and discover new interests.

Members of Jesuit’s MCJROTC program offered their service at the re-dedication ceremony of a 73-year-old memorial uptown. In Dec. of 1943 civilians in the neighborhood surrounding the memorial on Leontine and Laurel streets pulled their resources together to honor heroes serving in World War II. After years of disrepair, the memorial has recently come back to life and is a sign of patriotism for the community. In the same spirit of remembering those who defend the country, the re-dedication ceremony took place on the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Pictured from left are senior Travis Kieff, senior Jared Tonglet, and junior Alec Maraldo. (Photo by Chris Granger | The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com)

Adding to Jesuit’s efforts to assist victims of the Baton Rouge flooding were 35 freshmen and a dozen parents who traveled to Baton Rouge to gut flooded homes on Saturday. The Blue Jay volunteers spread out to cover six houses, but the to-do list at each was the same: remove damaged furniture, pull down molded dry wall, and pull up damaged floors. It was grueling work, but the youngsters worked tirelessly and had a great time doing it. Pictured from left are Andrew Farnsworth, Colin Farnsworth, Wes Melito, Matthew Perschall, John Duncan, Marlene Domingue (parishioner of Immaculate Conception Parish in Baton Rouge), Andrew Whitehead, Myles Gordon, Aidan Gauthe, and Alex Heusel.

Students packed the polls to cast their votes for Homecoming Court couples during lunch on Friday. The Student Council will present the winning court of freshmen, juniors, and seniors, as well as crown the king and queen, at the Jesuit vs. John Curtis football game on Oct. 7.

No other group was as “in tune” as the Barbershop Blue Jays, an a cappella group represented at this week’s Rush Days. Jesuit offers students over 80 co-curricular clubs, teams, and organizations, involvement in which deepens friendships, hones leadership skills, and encourages self-exploration. Members of the Barbershop Blue Jays include junior Thomas Sagona, junior Tommy Curry, freshman Ben Schaubhut, senior Seth Reed, and junior Bo Bell.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees received protection from a set of guards different than the ones on his offensive line at the annual Meet the Saints Luncheon. The Jesuit MCJROTC color guard presented the flags at the event hosted by The Touchdown Club of New Orleans at the Sheraton Hotel downtown on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Color Guard members include (from left) junior Matthew Richards, senior Noah Griffin, senior John Crowson, and junior Melvin Allen. Drew Brees took time out during the luncheon to take a photo with these Blue Jays.

Members of the sophomore Sodality of our Lady hosted a rosary during the second half of lunch. Upon hearing tragic news about a friend of many Blue Jays at Mt. Carmel, the Sodality decided to band together around prayer as a way of trusting in God. The Holy Name Chapel was recently renovated and is a quiet reprieve for many Blue Jays who need to spend time with the Lord throughout the day.

There are many perks of being an upperclassman. One of them is the privilege of throwing the water balloons during Welcome Week activities instead of getting hit by them. Aaron Baker, Bryce Duffy, and Davis Friend enjoy their role of launching water balloons at unsuspecting racers in Wednesday’s lunchtime activity.

Senior Andrew Stahl reaches to steady himself while sliding to the finish of Tuesday’s Welcome Week activity. Students are in the midst of enjoying a Pokémon Go themed welcome back to campus which will conclude with the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Friday.

LtCol Tim Huete plays the part of a job interviewer for senior Cameron Lobell to get good practice applying for work. Students in Mrs. Kate Arthurs-Goldberg’s senior Speech class spent last week putting their best foot forward and learning the tricks of the trade in the interview process. This practice helps foster in Jesuit students the ideal of eloquentia perfecta or “perfect speaking,” which means that graduating students should have the capacity to think and speak well on a variety of topics.

The common lunch period gives students from all grade levels a chance to interact with students of different ages. On Friday, students used blue tape to mark off Four Square courts in the Traditions Courtyard for some spontaneous lunchtime competition. Here freshman Chris Charles prepares to make the slam as other Blue Jays wait their turn to enter the game. Next week during the common lunch period, students will enjoy Welcome Week activities hosted by the student council.