Junior Peyton Lofton learns about Ochsner’s volunteer opportunities from a representative at Jesuit’s annual service fair. Representatives from a number of charitable organizations lined the second floor hallway to discuss service opportunities for students. Before graduation, each student is required to take part in a variety of community service activities. This includes a single day of service during his sophomore year, as well as a 100-hour service project beginning in his junior year. Student service opportunities are coordinated by Mr. Kevin Murphy, Jesuit’s director of community service.

The Singing Men of Ohio, Ohio University’s Men’s Choir, perform a Brown Bag Concert during lunch in the Traditions Courtyard. The ensemble features 80 undergraduate and graduate students drawn from all majors of the institution. Blue Jays have enjoyed the musical sounds of various groups since the early 1980s, when as a sophomore, Harry Connick, Jr. ’85 approached then-student activities director (current alumni director) Mat Grau ’68 with the idea of a Brown Bag Concert series. Over the years, traveling bands and groups, alumni, and current Blue Jays have all performed during the lunchtime concerts.

While senior André Nguyen takes a bite of powdered sugar donut, pre-freshman Eddie Perrin and sophomore Michael Torry wait to make their selections. The Senior Sodality tempted Blue Jays with a table displaying a variety of desserts and treats – from powdered sugar donuts and brownies, to homemade cookies and cupcakes – right in front of the closely-watched FIFA Tournament board in the Student Commons. The Sodality is using both the bake sale and the tournament to raise money for the school’s mission drive.

Senior Seth Pohlmann led a small but high-spirited pep rally to capture Blue Jays to support the varsity lacrosse team that will compete with its district rival, Brother Martin, on Saturday at Muss Bertolino Stadium in Kenner. The opening face-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. 

A trio of Blue Jays interested in joining Jesuit’s Cheerleading Squad and Team Jayson, Jesuit’s mascot team, attend an informational meeting during lunch Thursday. Pictured from left to right are sophomore Reese Leonhard, freshman Braden Bent, and pre-freshman Will Hellmers with cheerleader coach Mrs. Jenny Johnston and team Jayson assistant Mr. DJ Galiano ’07. Tryouts for next year’s Cheerleading Team are Saturday. Tryouts are open to anyone who will be attending an all-girls Catholic school in the 2016-17 school year and will be entering grades 9-12. The co-ed squad performs at basketball and football games, parades, school functions, and state cheering competitions. Read more about Jesuit’s Cheerleading Tryouts.

With dark clouds rolling in, Blue Jays make their way toward waiting cars after an unexpected early dismissal. In keeping with Jesuit’s policy of following the Archdiocese of New Orleans concerning school closings, students were dismissed just after noon in anticipation of severe weather. Classes will resume Wednesday, Feb. 24. Wednesday is a Faculty Meeting Order. The school day begins at 8:50 a.m.

Senior Evan Dudenhefer and junior Noah Wilkins take bids from students for their choice of teams in the Sodality of Our Lady’s annual FIFA Soccer Tournament to raise funds for the Mission Drive. The competition starts Monday, Feb. 22.

Mr. Jason Giaccone sells Krispy Kreme donuts to hungry Blue Jays during the 10 minute break Tuesday morning. All proceeds from the donut sales will go toward the Mission Drive. Blue Jays can also purchase slices of pizza during lunch on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during lent with those proceeds also benefiting the Mission Drive.

Mrs. Kathy Juhas holds a study session with seniors Jake Fasick and Thomas Hellmers who are reviewing lessons from their Dual-Enrollment Analysis senior elective. As a dual enrollment class, the students are receiving full college credit for the year-long course (6 credits). Mrs. Juhas is certified by LSU and teaches the class just as it is taught in college. Students submit all assignments and tests online and receive their grades from LSU.

The Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard from Barstow, California visit with members of Jesuit’s MCJROTC Friday morning. The Mounted Color Guard members are active-duty Marines who volunteer their time — evenings, weekends, and holidays — to participate in parades, rodeos, and other events and ceremonies. The unit is in New Orleans to march in several Mardi Gras parades. The horses in the unit are wild mustangs adopted from the Bureau of Land Management’s Adopt a Horse and Burro Program. The guard will appear in several parades this weekend. The group will finish up their Mardi Gras visit when they march in Rex on Fat Tuesday.

With Mardi Gras less than a week away, members of the French Club get into the carnival spirit with a sample of a French king cake, or galette des rois. The club enjoyed the delectable pastry treat and discussed the French traditions associated with the cake. Pictured, from left, are: club president  Thomas Hellmers, Ryan Nguyen, Tyrus Norcise, and Zach Gandy. The French Club — along with the entire student body — will nosh on traditional New Orleans king cakes tomorrow at the annual King Cake Party in the Traditions Courtyard. Since 2009 Blue Jays have celebrated the Friday before Mardi Gras with second lines and king cakes for the entire student body to enjoy.

Freshmen D.J. Ferrier and Willie Robinson compete in a battle of strength and technique in an arm wrestling competition sponsored by the Student Council. Winners of the homeroom contests represented their class in a competition for all to watch during lunch in the courtyard. To no one’s surprise, senior Guy Patron won the championship hands-down.

Juniors Luke Navarro, Nikil Gogenini, Christian Gonzalez, and Samy Amkieh participated in an experiment with the newly-founded Biotechnology Club that involved the transfer of genes, which are coded for a luminescent pigment found in some jellyfish, to E. coli bacteria. This produced bacterial colonies that glowed in the dark. The club, which plans to host monthly biotechnology-focused experiments, is moderated by biology teacher Mrs. Amy Tassin.

After morning assembly in Traditions Courtyard, freshman Nicholas Lacour found his way quickly to the alumnus who spoke and braved the question common of any fan: “Can I get your autograph?” Happy to oblige was 1971 alumnus Steve Foley who played for the Denver Broncos and played twice in the Super Bowl. Foley spoke to the assembly and presented the NFL’s special Golden Football to Jesuit. As part of the Golden Anniversary of the Super Bowl, the NFL is recognizing schools and communities that contributed to Super Bowl history and positively impacted the game of football.

It was serendipity that a group of pre-freshmen found alumnus Nick Rauber ’98 in the hallway after his Career Day presentation to grades 8-10. When Rauber discovered the Blue Jays were about to begin their world geography class taught by Mr. Kevin Murphy, he related stories of his international travels—many with the Outdoor Wish Foundation, which he founded—to their current studies.

A symphony of pings and pongs reverberates through the fourth floor hallway during the Table Tennis Team’s meeting Tuesday afternoon. Freshman David Nimmo (foreground) and pre-freshman Sid Trouard (background) are among a group of three tables playing during the after school practice. The team is moderated by Mr. Alex Nay.