The start of high school can feel overwhelming—new faces, expectations, and a whole new experience. For the incoming Class of 2030, that experience officially began at the Freshman BBQ on Wednesday, April 22, where students and their families gathered on campus for their first real interaction with the Jesuit community.
Enter Rangers
Walking in, many students weren’t sure what to expect. Some stayed close to their parents, while others gathered with friends. However, it didn’t take long for that uncertainty to start fading. Counselors, teachers, and student ambassadors welcomed everyone in, setting the tone for a community of brotherhood.
As freshmen entered their new homerooms, they were greeted by their Big Brothers, rising seniors who are going to guide them through their freshman year.
“My big brothers in my homeroom definitely made me feel confident [not only] in the homeroom, but also just being at Jesuit. They made me feel like I belonged there.” -Tucker Pope ’30
At first, sitting in a room full of strangers felt intimidating. Conversations were slow to start, and students were hesitant to engage. All it took to break the ice was one prompt: “Hey, what’s your name?”
From there, things started to flow. Students came to realize that they had more in common than expected, whether it was sports, mutual friends, or similar interests, creating an immediate sense of connection that made an unfamiliar place start to feel like home.
It’s Getting Real
The energy started to bubble when students engaged in their first Big Brothers activity. Students worked together to build towers out of spaghetti, marshmallows, and tape. No matter if their structure stood tall or collapsed, students were brought together in laughter and excitement, enjoying this first moment of brotherhood.
Afterwards, everyone gathered in Hughes Hall for burgers, continuing conversations with their new friends in a more open setting. For those who wandered over to Walsh Gym, they were greeted by various clubs and activities. Students received their new Class of 2030 shirts and yard signs, eager to start the school year with Ranger pride.
The Freshman BBQ isn’t just about food and activities. It’s also a test run of school life, a social starting point and a low-pressure preview of the real thing. Welcome to Jesuit, Class of 2030!
“I enjoyed the homeroom CHALLENGES AND [had] a great time meet[ing] my future classmates and bond[ing] with them.” – Liam McGuire ’30
About The Pulse Check
The Roundup is proud to present a new series, The Pulse Check, created and managed by Editor-in-Chief Drew Shippey ’27. This series will capture the heartbeat of student life, highlighting what people are thinking, feeling, and experiencing.
Tune into The Roundup for the next episode of The Pulse Check!
Cover Image Credit: Mrs. Wilson & @jesuitdallas on Instagram
