Volume 38, Number 2 The Magazine of Jesuit High School of New Orleans • Spring/Summer 2012 Volume 38, Number 2 SPRING/SUMMER 2012 Jaynotes, the magazine for and about alumni, parents, and students of Jesuit High School of New Orleans, is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement. Opinions expressed No Headline... No Story... No Announcement in Jaynotes are those of the individual authors. President It was simply a vastly understated phrase in overall experience like attending Jesuit? What Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’76 the school’s diary, an innocuous hand-written was the best and what was the worst? Were you [email protected] notation devoid of drama, expression, much less treated differently by your classmates or teachers? Director of Institutional Advancement excitement. Describe the seminal moment as an African- Thomas V. Bagwill II [email protected] American Blue Jay among the majority of white In fact, one could easily skim over the Director of Communications September 4, 1962 entry that documented the students. How were you treated by your African- Pierre DeGruy ’69 American friends who attended predominantly Jaynotes Editor moment when African-Americans integrated [email protected] black high schools? How did a Jesuit education Jesuit High School. The entry was made by Director of Alumni Affairs Jesuit’s longtime registrar, Mr. John C. Paquette benefit you in college, your career or the work Mat Grau ’68 ’27, who at the time had been working in that force, in marriage, and in parenthood? [email protected] Director of Special Projects capacity for 35 years. If you have an interesting story about Jesuit Br. William Dardis, S.J. ’58 The diary of sorts was actually a thickly and race, please consider sharing it with your [email protected] bound ledger called the Daily History of Jesuit fellow Blue Jay alumni as well as the current Creative Director parents and students who read Jaynotes. Essays Meghan Weaver High School. Mr. Paquette, who retired in 2002 [email protected] may be brief, as few as 50 words, with lengthier after serving as the school’s registrar for 75 Executive Development Coordinator years (he died in 2004), served as the guardian, submissions no more than 1,000 words. The Krista Roeling [email protected] keeper, and author of this Daily History. Nearly topics to be addressed are open and strictly up to the writer. Jaynotes reserves the right to edit LEF Coordinator every day, Mr. Paquette would jot something Logan Diano of interest — not every item was of paramount articles submitted for publication. Jaynotes may [email protected] importance — onto the pages of the ledger, withhold the name of the author if requested, Alumni Coordinator often times in precise phrases and concise half provided there are valid or extenuating reasons. Wendy Schneider [email protected] sentences. Today, the vast majority of his entries The deadline to submit “Essays on Race” is Volunteer Coordinator would satisfy the maximum 140-character October 31, 2012. Essays should be emailed as Marilyn Beauford Twitter requisite. Word attachments and contain the name and [email protected] The next issue of Jaynotes will examine the graduation year of the author-alumnus, along with a phone number in the event we need to Letters, photographs, and correspondence profound significance of this event — the are welcome and may be submitted to lead-up, the moment itself, and the impact on contact you for a photo or if we have a question. [email protected] or mailed to: Jaynotes the Jesuit community then and in the ensuing Email your “Essays on Race” to either alumni Jesuit High School decades. We hope not only to celebrate the director Mat Grau ’68 (grau@jesuitnola. 4133 Banks St. New Orleans, LA 70119 50th anniversary of Jesuit’s integration but also org; 504-483-3840) or Jaynotes’ editor Pierre Contact info and address changes should be to honor the moment itself and the virtues it DeGruy ’69 (that would be me). My direct emailed to [email protected], or call highlights. office line at Jesuit is 504-483-3813, or email: Jesuit’s alumni office at 504-483-3815. [email protected]. Questions about essays Parents: If you are receiving your son’s copy of To commemorate this historic time in Jaynotes and he no longer lives with you, please may be directed to either one of us. let us know so we can update our database and our school’s history, Jaynotes is seeking from send the magazine directly to him. If you enjoy its alumni “Essays on Race.” All alumni are Essays may also be submitted by mail, reading his copy of Jaynotes, we will be glad to send a copy to his new address and a copy to encouraged to submit essays dealing with addressed to Jaynotes; Essays on Race; Jesuit you. Email changes to: Jesuit and race. Jaynotes especially encourages High School; 4133 Banks St.; New Orleans, LA [email protected]. African-American alumni to share stories and 70119. Sign-up online for class reunions and other events. Go to: www.jesuitnola.org. remembrances that describe their personal We look forward to publishing some It is easy to contribute online to Jesuit High experience as students at Carrollton and Banks. School. Go to Jesuit’s web site: interesting “Essays on Race” in the next Jaynotes. www.jesuitnola.org. Look for the Essays are particularly sought from African- Until then, please sit back and enjoy reading this “DONATE ONLINE TO JESUIT” link in American alumni who were students in the years 2012 Graduation issue of Jaynotes. the upper left corner. following the integration of Jesuit High School, although alumni from all years are invited to tell Sincerely, On the Cover Seniors of the Class of 2012 their story in which the central theme is race. Pierre DeGruy ’69 patiently wait to be awarded Some ideas to consider: What was your Director of Communications/Editor, Jaynotes their diplomas during the 165th Commencement Exercises on Friday (May 25) at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Amidst Apocalyptic Changes, Resolve to Be True to the Foundations of a Jesuit Education An apocalypse of any kind will get our attention. It doesn’t matter whether it involves aliens from outer space, unruly zombies, split-second climate changes, or rabid kangaroos. An apocalypse means that our lives are going to be different, and just about all apocalyptic books or films highlight this element of discontinuity. Gentlemen of the Class of 2012, you quite literally faced an judge the choices that will shape the men you become. apocalyptic moment when the curtain rose this evening, both to I urge you, even implore you, to maintain the habit of the reveal you to the audience and to signal the approaching end of examen of conscience in your daily life. Be grateful for the good your time as Jesuit students. After the curtain closes and you leave you have received and have done; acknowledge honestly and here, you will fill up a day differently from the way in which you courageously the wrong you have committed; be generous and have done so during the last four or five years. This discontinuity in great-hearted in anticipating future good you can perform. your lives rightly commands your attention. Such an examination requires God’s grace, His active guidance But I suggest that in the midst of these apocalyptic changes, you and presence in your life. This grace is available in abundance, the listen more intently for the note of continuity. Much will necessarily “daily bread” that God desires to give you. Ask for it and open and properly change, but there are other elements that can and must yourselves to receive it. remain the same. In another apocalyptic context, we hear the words: “Behold, I If what you do to fill up a day alters considerably, the way you am making all things new.” My good brothers, may the Word of evaluate what you do to fill up a day should remain constant. This God — who uttered these words and who reveals a divine love for evaluation must be true to the principles and standards that are you that is ever ancient and ever new — renew you all the days of the foundations of your Jesuit education: living Ad Majorem Dei life, taking up this evening’s change and all the changes in your lives, Gloriam, seeking the good of souls, being men of faith and men for and directing them toward the everlasting life for which God has others. These terms are more than Jesuit alumni’s verbal equivalent destined you. of a secret handshake. These are the criteria by which you are to –Raymond Fitzgerald, S.J. ’ 76 Fall/Winter 2011-12 1 AVALEDICTORY R T I C L E N A M E ADDRESS Forever Trumpet Your Blue Jay Spirit The Class of 2012 produced nine valedictorians. The graduating senior who has earned the highest total numerical semester grades in the prescribed core curriculum for his senior year is selected to be the speaker at commencement ceremonies. Thus, Benjamin T. Sketchler was given the honor of delivering the Class of 2012 commencement address. Reverend Father Fitzgerald, Mr. Giambelluca, So when I ask you to foster Blue Jay learned, by the examples your friends and faculty, family, friends, and fellow members of Spirit, I do not ask you only to hold self- teachers and family have set, by the ultimate the Class of 2012: indulgently onto that great feeling we were showing of sacrifice by Christ Himself. I am honored to bid you farewell on told to “catch” when a big football game Further, as we move on in our lives, we behalf of my class.