Once again, Jesuit scholarshave led the way in Louisiana,earning nearly two dozen spotsamong the nation’s NationalMerit Semifinalists.

Each year, the NationalMerit Scholarship Corporationidentifies a select number of stu-dents from around the UnitedStates as National MeritSemifinalists.

The students gain this honorby achieving the highest scores intheir junior year on the PSATstandardized test, administeredby the College Board. The win-ning Blue Jays scored between214 and 226 on the test last year.(The cutoff varies by state fromyear-to-year.)

This honor is further used bymany colleges and universitiesfor recruitment and automaticscholarship considerations. Ofthe approximately 1.6 millionstudents who take the PSAT eachyear, only about 16,000 areselected at National MeritSemifinalists.

The following 22 Blue Jayseniors achieved this prestigioushonor:

Samy Amkieh, MaxfieldBell, Troy Broussard, GrahamBuck, Christopher Chimento,William Fine, Nikhil Gogineni,Christian Gonzalez, ChristianHebert, William Hillery, BrandonJackson, Ethan Legrand, NoahMartin, Dylan Meyer, JohnQuaglino, John Redfearn,Keegan Rooney, AndrewSouther, John Steib, JonathanVegh, Preston Warwick, and

Alexander Welsh.Six seniors also were named

as National Hispanic Scholars:Eric Espinal, Philip Hourguettes,Christian Marks, along with

Broussard, Gonzalez and Hebert.These elite Semifinalists are

further eligible to apply for final-ist status, narrowing the nationalnumber down to about 7,500,

who will receive more than $30milliion in scholarships.

Congratulations to theseBlue Jay scholars for theirtremendous accomplishments.

The

JBlueay

Volume 89, No. 3

A. M. D. G.

October 2016

HOMECOMING 2016

Jesuit High School’s 2016-17 Homecoming Court was presented during the halftime festivities at Tad Gormley Stadium on Oct. 7 during the homecoming game againstthe John Curtis Patriots. Reigning on the court were, from left: fr eshman/sophomore couple Jila Azimi and Chance McGee; seniorcouples Alli Periloux and JacobMarshall, Aleia St. Germain and Mack Miller, Ivana Thompson (Queen) and Liam Crane, Madisson Brayton and Christian Crout, and Peyton Miller and Karl Hoefer(standing in for Patrick Spiers); and junior couple Laurel Mixon and David Gravolet.

National Merit Semifinalists namedJesuit’s 22 scholars amonghighest ranked in Louisiana

By Philip Hourguettes Features Editor

Jesuit produced 22 National Merit Semifinalists this year, nearly 20 percent of the total acrossLouisiana. They are among the 1 percent of high school seniors across the country to earn the title.

The National Honor Societyis one of the most prestigiousacademic associations in theUnited States and at Jesuit HighSchool.

Each year, it inducts thosestudents who both excel academ-ically and embody the phrase“men for others.”

On Sept. 22, 44 seniors and105 juniors were inducted intothe society.

Founded in 1921, theNational Honor Society is thenation’s premier organizationestablished to recognize out-standing students.

This year, these inductees

will work dozens of projectsincluding tutoring kids atEsperanza, the grade school nextdoor to Jesuit, as well as offeringtutoring sessions to their fellowBlue Jays at lunchtime.

Other projects includeorganizing the two annual blooddrives, making up a huge part ofthe Walk Against ALS, and evenacting as student guides duringsuch events as the Parent’sSchedule Night and Open House.

This year’s induction cere-mony began with Presentation ofColors from the MCJROTC anda touching opening prayer fromFr. Anthony McGinn, S.J., presi-dent of Jesuit High School.

It went on to welcome theinductees and, with senior mem-bers at the head, describe the cri-

teria for membership.Scholarship, leadership,

service, and character were alldefined in depth by seniors LukeLingle, Ean Neyrey, NikhilGogeneni and Andrew Souther.

Afterward, Fr. McGinn pre-sented membership certificates toeach of the proud inductees.

To conclude the ceremony,Lingle lead the new members inthe NHS Pledge, and with a fewmore notes from Principal PeterKernion and Amy Tassin, thesociety’s co-moderator, theinductees made their way to theCommons for the reception.

Congratulations to the 149new National Honor students,and good luck in the good workthey will perform.

Although Jesuit alumninumber in the tens of thou-sands, and rank among themost successful membersof society, only a selectgroup have been namedAlumnus of the Year, serv-ing with special distinctionboth the school and theircommunity.

To those illustriousranks, we can now add Dr.Warren R. Bourgeois III,Class of 1974.

He was awarded the2016 honor at this year’sHomecoming Mass cele-brated in the Chapel of theNorth American Martyrs onOct. 1.

“Jesuit High School hasbeen one of the foundationsof my life’s work,” he saidafter being told of thehonor. “Jesuit gave me asolid educational back-ground, the mental disci-pline, and the organization-al skills that allowed me toexcel academically in col-lege and medical school.

“My experience as astudent with theThanksgiving drive andsenior service projecthelped form my compas-

sion for those in need of mymedical talents,” he added.

In the four decadessince his graduation fromJesuit, Bourgeois has hardlystopped. He received hisundergraduate degree inchemical engineering atTulane University, andwent on to enroll in thatprestigious School ofMedicine, earning his med-ical degree in 1982.

He saw it all workinghis internship at the oldCharity Hospital, and thenfocused his residency inorthopedic surgery, whichremains his specialty today.

Bourgeois is on the staffat Ochsner Baptist MedicalCenter, East JeffersonGeneral Hospital, and theJefferson AmbulatorySurgical Center. In additionto his practice at AudubonOrthopedics and SportsMedicine, he dedicatedhimself to Blue Jay athletesas Jesuit’s team physicianfor 21 years.

Bourgeois also servedthe nation as an officer ofthe U.S. Air Force and wasdeployed in support ofOperation Desert Storm.

Although he said that hedoes recognize the effect ofall of those experiences, hemaintains none have made

as great an impact on hislife as Jesuit High School.

Looking back, heexplained what his time atCarrollton and Banks waslike. Of course he started ondiscipline, the all-encom-passing feature in everyJesuit student’s mind. If onecan fathom it, discipline, hesaid, was harsher when heattended.

He also recalled tradi-tions that continue today –pep rallies, assembly, andsenior priority in the lunchline, to name just a few.Some traditions, however,have disappeared over theyears, including a senior-only lunch line, parades (orreally processions) to andfrom all football games, anda separate winter uniform.

Looking at the changedcampus itself today alsostirred memories. He notedthat the area once known as“the basement” is now theStudent Commons and

first-floor classrooms. Andwhat he once knew as alarge lot of asphalt is nowWill Clark Field.

Despite all thesechanges, however, he saidJesuit essentially has stayedthe same, with a focus onforming the student reli-giously and academically inpreparation for a moremeaningful life.

He believes so deeply inJesuit that he sent his son,Jason, here in 1999. Proudof his son’s academicachievements, he still seesthe impact Jesuit has on itsstudents.

After acting as the foot-ball team’s orthopedic doc-tor until 2012, Bourgeoisand his wife, Dr. UshaRamadhyani Bourgeois,decided to try somethingnew. They began going onregular medical missionarytrips to Central and SouthAmerica to bring care to theimpoverished.

Bourgeois also hasserved on the New OrleansMedical Mission Servicesadvisory board.

Bourgeois and his wifealso have been strong sup-porters of efforts to improvethe physical campus atJesuit. They became lead-ing benefactors in the cam-paign to renovate the HolyName Chapel, making asignificant donation for thebeautiful stained glassdome in the center of thechapel.

It is clear thatBourgeois’s life was heavi-ly influenced by Jesuit andcontinues to be.

His service of bothcountry and people wonhim this honor; and,although lunches are nolonger 25 cents and we nowhave first-floor classrooms,he still recognizes the sameessential Ignatian compo-nents that were instilled inhim during his time here.

Jesuit remainsmajor influencein surgeon’s life

Volume 89, No. 3 Page B-2NewsNews

NHS scholars committed to service

Lessons learned carry on,2016 Alumnus of Year says

By Dominic Salomone Staff Writer

For Dr. Warr en Bourgeois, Class of 1974, a life of service began with the lessons he learned at Jesuit.Seen here in the Holy Name Chapel, the 2016 Alumnus of the Year was a majorbenefactor for therenovation of the sacred space.

By Dominic Salomone Staff Writer

A Blue Jay works on tying his tie before the formal inductionceremony for the Jesuit chapterof the National Honor Society,which was held last month. The Society welcomed 44 seniors and105 juniors into its ranks.

FeaturesFeatures

Cal Adams might be one ofthe best embodiments of Blue Jayspirit. A dedicated cheerleader forfour years, he is the team’s cap-tain. He also is a leader of theentire student body.

During football games andpep rallies, Cal involves thewhole student body by teachingcheers, starting the wave, orbeginning an impromptu BlueJay clap at assembly.

Adams, who is now a senior,came to Jesuit for its academicprestige and the influence it hadon his father, an alumnus. Uponarriving at Carrollton and Banks,Cal immediately found a nichewithin Jesuit’s many clubs andorganizations. In fact, he found“so many great things aboutJesuit” that he could not choose asingle favorite activity.

He has especially enjoyedbeing a cheerleader, an interestthat requires him to learn manydifficult routines. The hardestcheer routine to master, he said,was the “Liberty,” a stunt inwhich Cal must fully extend hisarms to hold up a female cheer-leader. The result resembles theStatue of Liberty, giving the rou-tine its name. Cal says thatalthough he has the necessarystrength for the Liberty, the tech-nique is difficult to master.

In addition to cheering,Adams is dedicated to helpingfellow students in as many waysas possible. He said his participa-tion with two groups – PeerSupport and Student to Student –have helped him do that.

Cal has a plan for theremainder of the school year. Hehopes to get underclassmen more

involved during games, lead thestudent section in the absence ofthe cheerleading team, and readthe morning announcements ongame day.

Adams plans to attend theUniversity of Louisiana atLafayette, where he will major inEducational Counseling so thathe can eventually pursue a careerin social work. Such a career, hehopes, could have him returningto Jesuit one day.

“It’ s possible that I couldcome back as a counselor or acoach (for cheerleading),” hesaid. He also hopes to have “theopportunity to give a speech asan alumnus” and attend footballand basketball games wheneverpossible.

Cal’s overarching messageto the Blue Jay community is to“stick with it.”

“Go to all of the games. Themore people that go to the games,the more likely the players are tosucceed.”

Among the new members ofthe faculty this year is PeterFlores, the new director ofCampus Ministry. Flores arrivesat Jesuit most recently fromMount Carmel High School, buthe’s no stranger to life atCarrollton and Banks.

A member of the Class of2009, he now works as a col-league with many faculty mem-bers who were previously histeachers. He spent some timespeaking with The Blue Jay,often with a tongue-in-cheeksense of humor, about his ownpersonal homecoming.

The Blue Jay: “So, how did itfeel to come back to Jesuit, aplace that has meant so much toyou?”PeterFlores:“I feel really excit-ed about coming back. It’s a truehonor to be back at the schoolwhich impacted my life in such apositive way and gave me somany great memories.”

TBJ: “How did Jesuit mold youinto a young man?”PF: “Oh gosh, Jesuit did so muchfor me and my growth. It laiddown a great spiritual foundationand philosophical framework tounderstand the world as a wholeand my place in it. And most ofthat growth was thanks to Fr.Fitzgerald, who taught me Latinwhen I was a student.”

TBJ: “How was the transitioncoming from Mount Carmel toJesuit?”PF: “In terms of teaching, noth-ing changed at all. It’s been morelighthearted because I get to

make fun of students in class ifthey are not behaving.”

TBJ: “How was the transitionfrom coaching girls to coachingboys?”PF: “It’ s always tough beingdemoted, or fired. I’m really dis-traught to be the assistant to theassistant coach after being thehead coach last year. I accept mylowly role. But seriously, I feelhonored to work with greatcoaches like Coach Horvath andCoach Bohn.”

TBJ: “Who was your favoriteteacher?”

PF: “Mr . Harry Clark, one of myscience teachers.”

TBJ: “What’s your favoritequote from a teacher?”PF: “It has to be, ‘We’re going togo at a medium pace,’fromCoach Kernion.”

TBJ: “How does organizingretreats affect you, having goneon Kairos and other retreats whenyou were a student?”PF: “I think it’ s great that I canbe involved with CampusMinistry and help others find thesame love of God which I foundon my retreats.”

TBJ: “What activities did youparticipate in during your time atJesuit?”PF: “I was the president of thePro-Life Club, a member ofStudent Council executive board,and Sodality, a professional Mr.Rogers and Joker impersonator,and the captain of the cross coun-try team when we won two statetitles.”

TBJ: “Rumors have floatedaround of you releasing a rapalbum during your Jesuit career.Is this true, and if so, rate it on ascale of 1 to 10.PF: “It’ s true. The project was

really bad. I did those things, Isaid those things. I guess I canlive with that.”

TBJ: “What’s your rap name?”PF: “No comment.”

TBJ: “Who are some of yourbiggest influences for your rapcareer?”PF: “A Tribe Called Quest andLil Yachty.”

TBJ: “Who are you voting for inthis year’s presidential election?”PF: “Dan DiRosa/Ron Rossi

Rapping with new Campus MinisterVolume 89, No. 3 Page B-3

By John Kling Staff Writer

Blue Jayof the Month

TeacherFeature

Campus Minister PeterFlores addresses the freshmen class during its evening of reflection earlier this semester. It wasn’t that long ago,Flores remembers, when he was a student sitting in the auditorium orin the classrooms in which the 2009 graduate now teaches.

Staff photo by Richi Fernando

For cheerleading team captain Cal Adams, leadership in theJesuit community means getting Blue Jays fired up for big games.

Staff photo by Wesley Bennett Faust

By Hunter Tracey Staff Writer

Cal Adams takes a cheerfulapproach to leadership

See FLORES, Page B-4

The Environmental Clubmight not be considered a co-cur-ricular like Student CampusMinistry or the Sodality. Its mis-sion, however, is deeply rooted inour faith, and is even backed upby Pope Francis.

Created in the image andlikeness of God, we have beengiven the responsibility for car-ing for God’s green earth.Through the EnvironmentalClub, which has united the GreenClub and the Urban FarmingClub, we can actively work tofulfill that role. The group’s maingoal is to foster environmental-ism at Jesuit through both recy-cling and urban farming.

Environmental Scienceteacher Andrew Lade is theclub’s moderator. He said that theclub teaches that helping and pro-tecting the earth also can benefitpeople – economically, legally,scientifically, and socially.

Lade said the club’s philoso-phy goes beyond recycling pick-ups. The Environmental Clubhopes to change the way BlueJays view many aspects of theirlives.

We should be aware of con-sumer labels, what we eat, theutilization of certain productsand wasteful products, and inhu-mane methods of production.What we put into our body makesus who we are, and having anunhealthy lifestyle can affect usthrough current health issues likehigh blood pressure, food aller-gies, eating disorders, and evencancer.

Rather than purchasing plas-tic and disposable items, weshould instead use items that aredurable, helping the earth by notusing wasteful products thatharm it.

Finally, be aware of wherethe products you purchase comefrom. Are they from a sweatshopin some foreign country whoseworkers are underpaid?

If we look at the world froma scientific point of view, we arenot doing so well. Disasters likeoil spills, garbage patches, andair pollution, could be reduced oreven avoided if green alterna-tives are promoted. Wastelandswith toxic chemicals for instanceare hurting communities and pol-luting the world. These could beprevented but are not.

Stewardship of the earth is acore component of what makes agood Christian. In his encyclical,Laudato Si, Pope Francisexplains how we should wake upand see the dangers of destroyingthe environment, because we arepart of that environment.

Also now part of theEnvironmental Club, the UrbanFarming Club, under the leader-ship of senior Josh Harper, triesto implement the goodness ofgoing green on a specificallylocal scale.

The group cultivates a gar-den, which creates a renewableresource for the school commu-nity and inspires positive localaction about food access.

Through nurturing thegrounds just steps away fromWill Clark Field, the young farm-ers hope to produce enoughfruits, vegetables and herbs toeither donate to local charities orimprove the supply of organicproduce for the school cafeteria.

If you are passionate abouthelping the environment, or justwant to learn more about how torecycle or grow some plants,check out the EnvironmentalClub.

People do not think theunimaginable will happen tothem. But the inescapable truth isthat unimaginable things do hap-pen.

This summer, several Jesuitdancers and musicians experi-enced something more along thelines of a Jason Bourne thrillerthan a musical comedy – anattempted military coup in a for-eign country.

The Komenka Ethnic Danceand Music Ensemble, a NewOrleans-based troupe celebratingtraditional cultures from acrossthe globe, traveled to Turkey andeastern Europe this summer toperform in several major worldfolk festivals. The companyincludes Jesuit faculty membersKate Arthurs-Goldberg, CharlesBourg and Allie Timberlake, aswell as former students andPhilelectic Society membersDominic Lloyd and ColinPhillips.

The company was touringTurkey and on its way toBulgaria in July when theTurkish military attempted tooverthrow President RecepTayyip Erdogan.

These members from ourcommunity arrived in Istanbul onJuly 14, to perform withKomenka’s program of display-ing American dance and song,ranging from jazzy suites toAppalachian twang, but focusingheavily on Louisiana’s own spe-cial tunes.

The troupe had touredTurkey before and despite fearsof international terrorism,Arthurs-Goldberg, the speechteacher and director of the Phils,noted that the people they alwaysencountered have been friendlyand welcoming.

“I felt safe. These were kind

people, and it was all meticulous-ly clean,” she said of the city,which the group toured freely.

“We went to mosques, tomarkets, to all these touristplaces,” said Bourg, computerstudies teacher. He also noted ageneral safe feeling.

So after a day of sightseeing,they all retired to bed and set outthe next day, ready to cross theborder into Bulgaria.

Although normally, the driveinto Bulgaria, where Komenkawould perform at the first festi-val, is brief, the buses were soonhalted. As far as Bourg andArthurs-Goldberg could tell, noone seemed terribly concerned.The cars were merely delayed,and the people showed no greatsigns of worry. In fact, as theywaited, the performers and localseven danced and sang together.

But suddenly, the merrimentceased. The bus drivers rushedeveryone back on board. Thegridlock began clearing but therewas no longer a carefree mood.The drivers seemed tense, thoughno one was sure why, as the driv-ers spoke limited English.

Late in evening, perhaps

early the next morning, theKomenka group finally arrived inBulgaria. Cellphones went offwildly. Since first entering thebuses, Internet access was nowavailable. Floods of messages,calls, and emails poured ininquiring of their safety: “Areyou safe?” “What happened?”“Was anyone hurt?”

Much to everyone on thetour’s surprise, a coup d’état hadbegun while they were on theroad. Istanbul and all the rest ofTurkey were in a state of emer-gency. The New Orleanians hadcrossed the border in the nick oftime, or so it seemed.

Arthurs-Goldberg was cer-tain the drivers had struck somesort of deal with border patrol.But whether by luck or the slygoodness of the drivers, theywere safe, though there was someconcern as to the well-being ofthe driver’s family.

But as quickly as theattempted the coup began, it wasover just like that. And theKomenka group arrived at theirvenue, albeit late. They had

Dancers, musicians withJesuit links caught upin international intrigue

FeaturesFeatures Page B-4Volume 89, No. 3

2016 #change.”

TBJ: “What are you watching onNetflix right now?”PF: “Broadchurch and BlackBooks.”

TBJ: “Who’s your favorite char-acter on The Office?”PF: “Nate.”

TBJ: “Who’s your favoriteband?”PF: “Radiohead, and I saw themat Bonnaroo 2006, probably thebest concert I’ve ever been to.”

TBJ: “Who’s your favoritePope?”PF: “Pope Benedict XVI. Onsecond thought, it’s Peter.”

TBJ: “Who’s your favoriteJesuit?”PF: “St. John Berchmans.”

TBJ: “Since you also studied atthe University of Notre Dame, doyou prefer the north or thesouth?”PF: “South … Bend.”

TBJ: “Last question, one that’sbeen on everyone’s mind sinceyou became the new CampusMinister: Why do you aggres-sively try to be Mr. Reuther?”PF: “Who? Never heard of him.”

FloresContinued from Page B-3

Members of the Komenka Ethnic Dance and Music Ensemble, including computerscience teacherCharles Bourg, fourth fr om left, participated in a series of foklore festival in Bulgaria and Germanythis summer, narrowly escaping the attempted military coup in Istanbul, Turkey.

By John Howell Staff Writer

Kate Ar thurs-Goldberg, outside of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul,was one of the singers with the Komenka ensemble. Despite theattempted overthr ow of the government, she said she and theother members of the troupe felt safe on theirjourney.

See TURKEY, Page B-5

Envir onmentalClub sees carefor earth asspiritual work

Clubof the MonthBy Jonny Morse

Staff Writer

As Halloween weekendarrives, music-loving Blue Jaysstart asking, “Who are the bestartists to see at Voodoo Fest thisyear?” Well look no further, forthe The Blue Jay has rated thebest of this year’s lineup at theannual Voodoo Music + ArtsExperience in City Park.

A top contender for the No. 1performance in this year’s festi-val is predicted to be Cage theElephant, a band formed in 2006that plays songs ranging fromclassic rock, funk, punk rock, andblues.

With their most recent albumreleased in 2015, Cage theElephant is an up-and-comingband with popular songs such as“Ain’ t No Rest for the Wicked”and “In One Ear.” The group con-sistently performs electrifyingconcerts at many festivals. Thehigh energy levels of this bandshould create one of the best per-

formances at Voodoo.Another music group proven

to be particularly popular at festi-vals is the DJ duo, TheChainsmokers.

With various edits of qualitymusic made by other artists, theChainsmokers are guaranteed tohighlight a favorite song ofalmost any listener. Combined

with the extremely energetic paceof the beats in the edits, they areguaranteed to appeal to a large,lively audience. Their newestsong, “Closer,” has peaked at No.

1 on the U.S. Hot 100. The Weeknd, expected to

attract a significant crowd whenperforming Friday, is a must-seefor young audiences today. Withmany hit songs such as “TheHills” and “Can’t Feel My Face,”Weeknd is a current, popularartist that connects well withtoday’s society. For those wholike Kanye West, Drake, andFuture, Weeknd will be thefavorite performance of the festi-val.

The last must-see perform-ance is Arcade Fire, the indierock band from Canada. Thisband features guitar, drums, bassguitar, piano, violin, viola, cello,double bass, xylophone, glocken-spiel, keyboard, synthesizer,French horn, accordion, harp,mandolin, and the hurdy-gurdy!The artists are multi-instrumen-talists who switch instrumentsthroughout the performance.Each of their four albums hasbeen nominated for a Grammy,so the music should be well per-formed.

EntertainmentEntertainment Page B-5Volume 89, No. 3

Picking the best bands to see at Voodoo FestBy Palmer Montalbano

Staff Writer

ModeratorTheodore P. Mahne

The Blue JayEditorial Board

Managing EditorRichi Fernando ’17

Sports Editor

Ian Fogarty ’17

Layout EditorTommy Curry ’18

Chief Photo EditorMatthew O’Neill ’17

Assistant Photo

EditorWesley Bennett Faust ’17

News Editor

Jonathan LeBrun ’20

Features Editor

Philip Hourgettes ’17

Entertainment EditorPeyton Toups ’19

Opinions EditorJohn Howell ’18

Editor-in-ChiefDonald Barrett ’18

escaped narrowly, but followingtheir performances in they stillhad to return to Turkey to departback to New Orleans.

The tour was a rousing suc-cess as Komenka performed infestivals in Veliko Turnovo,Bulgaria, and in Ribnitz-Damgaarten, Germany. The festi-vals they joined in are part of theInternational Council ofOrganizations of FolkloreFestivals, a UNESCO partnerwhose mission is to foster peaceand human respect across nationsthrough such cultural exchanges.

Following the two-weektour, the group returned toIstanbul. It had changed. Theatmosphere of the vibrant hub – acity that for thousands of yearshas been a crossroads of theworld – had died down.

“There was a noticeablepolice presence that time

around,” Bourg recalled. Butwhat stuck out to many was theardent display of the Turkishflag. Every building displayed it,the red and white of the bannerdrenching the streets. The flagslined the sidewalks, dotted littlecrannies, and was ever present.

Arthurs-Goldberg recalledthe powerful sight as a display ofpride, though there was somequestion as to the motives of theflag-bearers.

“You could question whetheror not it was patriotism,” Bourgsaid. “Just the whole thing had aneerie feel to it.”

Their return stay in the citywas uneventful, and while theirexperience might turn someaway from wanting to return,most of the Komenka performerssaid they enjoyed their time inTurkey and never felt trulyendangered, and would readilyreturn.

Upon safely arriving homethis summer, the troupe has onenew bit of adventurous folkloreto add to its repertoire.

TurkeyContinued from Page B-4

Cage the Elephant, a band with styles ranging from classic rock to blues, is expected to be one of thetop acts at the annual Voodoo Music +Ar ts Experience held in City Park overHalloween weekend.

Dancing Back to School!

Mor e than a thousand Blue Jays and girls invited from area schools celebrated the start of the newacademic yearwith the annual Back to School Dance. Despite a raindrop or two, the weatherheldup nicely as the event, held Sept. 17, filled the Traditions Courtyard with music, fun and snowballs!

HalloweenMovie Night!

Celebrate this Halloween with acostume contest and “Toy Story of

Terror!” and “Light s Out”Admission is free!

Popcorn and beverages will be sold

Put togethera creative, spooky, funny,or imaginative costume

(Homemade orbought, keep it in good taste)

Jesuit AuditoriumOct. 31, 6- 9 p.m.

Volume 89, No. 3 Page B-6SportsSports

If the celebration ofHomecoming wasn’t enough, TadGormley Stadium was filled withan atmosphere of excitement inanticipation for the rematch ofthe 2014 State Championshipgame.

The Jesuit Blue Jays, ranked28th in the state, faced off againstthe second-ranked John CurtisPatriots.

While the Jays were going inas the underdog, hopes were highas the team entered the field com-ing off a 38-0 shutout of HolyCross.

“There’s definitely somenerves going into the game,” sen-ior tight end Marshall Lee said.“Curtis will be the best team weface this year. But, there’s evenmore excitement. We want toshow our fans that we can getbetter even after last week’sstrong performance.”

A powerful John Curtisteam, however, continued itsdominant unbeaten streak,defeating Jesuit 14-7 in a hard-fought game.

Under the bright lights inCity Park on Oct. 7, the“Gizzard” student section wasbuzzing with enthusiasm as thefirst quarter became a battle ofdefenses as neither team gave upmuch ground. It was clear that itwould be a low-scoring game.

By the second quarter, seniorquarterback Denny McGinnis leda commanding drive, ending witha six-yard touchdown pass toLee. A few drives later, the John

Curtis quarterback made the mis-take of throwing the ball in thedirection of ball-hawking safetyMatthew McMahon, resulting inan interception for the Jays.Jesuit was unable to score the restof the second half, but thedefense held strong, leaving theJays up 7-0 at the half.

The Jays carried theirmomentum from the first halfinto the second. Everythingseemed to be going Jesuit’s waywhen senior Bryce Musso caughta 73-yard touchdown pass.However, this was negated by aholding penalty. The offenseseemed deflated after this and didnot score the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, the Patriots dis-played their dominant runninggame, rushing for two touch-downs making their lead 14-7.

Unable to come back fromthis deficit, the game ended withthe Jays’record now at 3-3 for

the season.Despite this loss, fans have

many reasons to be hopeful forthe remainder of the season. Themain talking point of the seasonso far has been the vast improve-ment of defense. Last season, theJays gave up an average of 25points per game, but this year’steam is on track, limiting thatnumber to a mere 12 points pergame.

Leading the defense hasbeen defensive lineman NathanFarley, safety McMahon, andlinebacker Cameron Crozier, allof whom are seniors. Crozierattributes the strong defensiveplay to having “a lot more experi-ence this year compared to lastyear’s team.”

“Seniors have really steppedup this season, Crozier said. “Ithink we’re setting a good exam-ple for the rest of the team.”Crozier has been having a stand-

out season, totaling a team high80 tackles and five sacks.

Special teams play also hasbeen strong this year. Seniorkicker Jake Chanove has beensuccessful on nine out of 11 fieldgoals with a long of 42 yards.

Offensive play is a work inprogress but getting stronger.Strong performances againstHoly Cross and Escambia havedisplayed the full force of theJesuit offense, putting up 38 and34 points, respectively. At itsbest, Jesuit brings a dual threat toits opponents in the form of quar-terbacks McGinnis and AlexWatermeier hitting favoritereceivers Musso and AshtonLoria, along with the powerfuldownhill running of seniorConnor Prouet.

Musso, who leads the teamin receptions and receiving yards,said, “We perform our best offen-sively, as we did against Holy

Cross, playing at a loose and fasttempo. And starting out fastallows us to open up our entireplaybook, which is a plus for anyteam.”

However, when the passinggame struggles, Prouet has trou-ble finding gaps to run through.Performances against St. Paul’sand John Curtis are examples ofthe offensive difficulties thatJesuit experiences, just putting upa combined 17 points in the twogames.

Jesuit also fell to ArchbishopRummel at Joseph S. YenniStadium on Oct. 15 by a score of17-10.

The Jays bounced backstrongly against ArchbishopShaw Oct. 22, with a shutout winof 44-0.

For up-to-the minute reportson the most recent games, go towww.jesuitnola.org.

Hard fought homecominggame falls to John Curtis

SEASONSCOREBOARD

vs. Warr en Easton (Sept. 1)WIN 13-6

vs. St. Paul’s (Sept. 9)LOSS 13-10

vs. Escambia (Sept. 16)WIN 34-13

vs. St. Augustine (Sept. 23)LOSS 27-23

vs. Holy Cross (Sept. 30)WIN 38-0

vs. John Curtis (Oct. 7)LOSS 14-7

vs. Rummel (Oct. 15)LOSS 17-10

vs. Shaw (Oct. 22)WIN 44-0

vs. Franklinton (Oct. 28)Tad Gormley

vs. Bro. Martin (Nov. 4)Zephyr Field

By Matthew Valerio Staff Writer

“Play ball!”That cry is usually directed to the

boys of summer. But this fall at ZephyrField, the infield becomes a gridiron.

In addition to baseball games, since itsopening in 1997, the Shrine on Airline hasheld events ranging from concerts to polit-ical campaign stops. This fall season, theballpark expanded its reach and beganhosting high school football games.

When the minor league team that callsthe stadium home came under new man-agement, they set a goal of making ZephyrField a more vibrant fixture in the commu-nity. To that end, the team asked local high

schools to weigh in on the reconfigurationof the field to enhance the experience forboth the teams and the fans.

Jesuit’s Athletic Director DavidMoreau has been involved in the projectfor the past two years and is excited to seethe idea come to life.

“The new venue will allow moreFriday night games and give fans a closerseat to the action,” Moreau said. The ideaof bringing high school football to ZephyrField was inspired by the way schools inBirmingham, Ala., use HooverMetropolitan Stadium, which is the homeof the SEC baseball tournament.

Zephyr Field hosted its first highschool football game on Sept. 23, in whichJohn Curtis defeated Brother Martin, 26-9.That game was televised on ESPNU.

Jesuit took to the ballpark’s field forthe first time against Archbishop Shaw on

Oct. 22, and will return on Nov. 4 to faceBrother Martin.

The game played on a baseball fieldwas something of a throwback for the BlueJays. In the early 1900s, Jesuit footballwas occasionally played at the old PelicanStadium, which stood just down the streetat Carrollton and Tulane avenues until1957.

Before the Shaw game, Coach MarkSongy expressed excitement about playingat the new venue.

“I look forward to it,” he said, notingit will be a nice opportunity for both fansand players. “It will take time to adapt tothe grass field, and it is something for theguys to look forward to.”

To avoid what have been long lines atZephyr Field, you can purchase tickets forfriends and family during the school weekat the switchboard. Student IDs also will

be accepted for admission. Parking will not be an issue, with

three available ways to enter the stadium:From Airline Highway, you can enter infront of the Jefferson Performing ArtsCenter, or the entrance next to the Saintstraining facility. Coming from DavidDrive, you also can drive around the backof LaSalle Park. The parking fee on thegrounds is $5.

“There will be a drop off non-parkingarea for the parents giving rides to thegames,” Moreau said.

And what’s a ballpark without conces-sions? Hamburgers, chili dogs, hot freshpopcorn, barbeque nachos, New Orleansstyle snowballs, Dippin’Dots and the“most popular kid’s meal ever,” chickentenders, fries and a small drink, will all beavailable for fans’consumption at reason-able prices.

Are diamonds a football fan’s best friend?Zephyr Field welcomes high school games

By Jonathan LeBrun News Editor

During halftime ceremonies at the Jesuit-John Curtis football game, Jesuit’s president, Fr. AnthonyMcGinn, S.J., crowned Ivana Thompson as the queen of the Homecoming Court. Thompson is a sen-ior at Mount Carmel Academy and was escorted by seniorLiam Crane.

Record at 4-4as season

finale nears