From the bright blue sheen of new freshman name tags to the confident clomping of senior cowboy boots, the halls of Jesuit returned to their usual sights and sounds last week. For the Freshman class of 2020, last Friday marked the beginning of the Jesuit experience, while Juniors marked their “halfway point,” and Seniors entered into their final year. Regardless, all students, new and returning, were greeted with the smiling faces of the Jesuit faculty, welcoming each young man to the 28 acres for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.
One of these smiling faces, President Mr. Michael Earsing described the first week as “spectacular,” seeing a fantastic energy from not only returning students, but already witnessing a sense of community forming amongst the freshmen. After the first day, he recounted hearing members of the Class of 2020 calling Jesuit “a place supportive, nice and friendly” in which they are “glad to call home.” This initial formation of brotherhood makes him especially confident that the members of the Class of 2020 are already on their way to becoming “men of conscience, competence, compassion and commitment,” and to fitting the Profile of a Jesuit graduate.
Matthew Cox, one of the members of this promising Class of 2020, detailed his first day as a “great and fun experience,” in which he made ” a lot of new friends,” already setting goals for himself such as “getting all A’s and making the baseball team.” Matthew looks forward to “getting to know teachers better” and participating in the many traditions and “festivities of Ranger Day,” and adds that he will be sure to draw guidance from his Senior brother Bill Cox, whom he views “as a Jesuit role model and man for others.” Thursday’s opening activities fair also had an impact on Jesuit’s newest class, Matthew expressing interest to “join peer ministry,” as well as following in his older brother’s footsteps and taking a leadership role in the Medical Society.
Junior Liam Vlasimsky echoed this positive first week experience, stating “it’s good to be back, especially as an upper-classman.” Astutely describing the Junior role, Liam told of “new freedoms, yet with greater responsibilities and academic challenges.” He continued, “Teachers expect a lot more this year, requiring more focus and asking harder questions.” This year Liam is excited to “participate in PALS and other community service opportunities,” in addition to “growing closer together as a community, while gaining new perspectives and experiences as our class gets nearer to Senior year.” Like many other members of the class of 2018, he looks forward to “the Junior cross Mass and getting senior rings this Spring,” as well as the “special Junior convocation and awards in May.”
Always the jokester, Senior Mitchell Young, happy to be one of “the top dogs on campus now,” called his first week back “amazing,” describing the “senior experience” as one he has heavily anticipated: “senior courtyard, wearing boots, bow ties, it’s all a big deal and I’m really excited for the rest of the year.” Setting goals to “knock out all those service hours as well as doing well in all my courses and having a fun year,” Mitchell was especially motivated by the new Senior Service commissioning ceremony on Wednesday. Calling it “a really cool ceremony,” he sees this new tradition as a “really meaningful and a great way to start off this year of cheerful service we Seniors have ahead of us.” Listing off his involvement in a number of organizations from “Big Brothers” to “Medical Society,” Mitchell especially desires to complete his embodiment of the “6 aspects of the Jesuit Profile” before his “hopeful” graduation in May.
From a teacher and counselor perspective, Senior Counselor and AP English teacher Mr. Hanley weighed in, describing his first week as “just incredible.” Starting off with a “great senior class meeting at Vos Parates,” in which he described the Class of 2017 as “very attentive, very respectful, all seeming very eager to get the year started” while taking the time to “help new Freshman,” he feels an exciting new energy in the halls of Jesuit, “predicting big things for this Senior Class.” Regarding the Class of 2020, he recounted the immediate sense of unity he witnessed at the opening Mass during freshman orientation in which a number of boys assisted their peers “who may be unfamiliar with the Catholic liturgy,” to know “what to do, what to say, when to stand, and when to genuflect.” Drawing from his wisdom as Senior Counselor, he explained how “the freshmen are always judging what the senior class does, so if that’s any indication, these freshman are going to be in good hands,” seeing much promise in both Jesuit’s youngest and oldest classes. Hanley continued a common theme of setting goals for the beginning of the school year, encouraging all Jesuit students and faculty to “set goals and fight to achieve them.”
Mr. Hanley also commented on his all star student council lineup, which has brought “a lot of energy and great ideas” to the table. “They have lit a fire in me again” he announced, discussing his “passion to try and do some new things at Jesuit,” corresponding to one of his lifelong goals and corresponding point of the Jesuit Profile to “remain open to growth.” He promoted the first freshman mixer this Saturday and spoke of the rigorous planning behind his favorite event of the year, Junior-Senior Homecoming, which “promises to be exceptional.”
Academics aren’t the only things that resumed this week, many Jesuit sports teams started back up again with new practice schedules aimed for another winning year ahead. Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Doug Robinson expressed a great outlook for Jesuit Athletics, seeing great promise and potential State Championship runs for both the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Attributing recent success in Cross Country to “the great weather and large team of over 40 runners,” in addition to “the team’s great summer commitment,” he is optimistic for another fantastic year with hopes to outperform last year’s 5th place finish at the State Meet, “despite this year’s more intense competition.” On the Track and Field side, Jesuit is “coming off a great district championship and several strong performances at the area and regional level, with many returning Varsity leaders” in addition to a “fantastic JV squad excelling particularly in pole vault, relays, and hurdles.” Lastly, Robinson touched on the renowned Jesuit throwing team, counting on them “to come through for the team again, having been such strong events for us in the past.” Look out for another State championship bid from Cross country this fall and more Track and field success in the Spring.
From academics to clubs to athletics, the 2016-2017 Jesuit school year is back in full force. Here’s to a fantastic year for all, full of lifelong memories and impactful achievements!
