It’s that time of year again, when eighth graders from schools around the metroplex roam the halls of Jesuit in search of what it has to offer them. Eighth graders enter through the double doors of Jesuit, bursting with excitement, usually trying to make a decision on where they want to attend high school next year or wanting a closer look at a school that they have always wanted to attend. Visits are always an exciting time for eighth graders, and Jesuit does not disappoint.
As soon as they get off the bus, several friendly ambassadors greet the eighth graders, as they make their way to the Terry Center, where they learn about Jesuit and meet principal Tom Garrison. After learning a little about Jesuit, the eighth graders are lead around the school, while ambassadors tell them all about the great things Jesuit has to offer. When asked about his experience giving tours, Executive Ambassador, Seth Sebastian’14, described it as being “cool to see kids from my old school, as well as being a great way to show people why Jesuit is so amazing.”
During the tours, ambassadors try to emphasize what makes Jesuit special- traditions, such as sitting on the Freshman Steps, and great resources, like the Information Commons. “I like to take them by places like the Math Lab, because these places show that Jesuit does all it can to help you succeed,” Sebastian explained.
Along with receiving a tour around campus, eighth graders experience a Jesuit class firsthand. Freshman counselors Tim Host and Corey Marr, with the help of physics teacher, Max Von Schlehenried, set up a forensics class to give eighth graders the feel of a Jesuit classroom.
Midway through the tour, the prospective students receive a traditional Jesuit lunch consisting of a hamburger and French-fries and then move on to the second half of the day. After lunch, they usually move on to meet with Coach Robert Molyet to receive information about the various sports at Jesuit. This typically excites the middle-schoolers most, because of the huge role that athletics play in high school decisions.
After they receive their fill of sports, they move on to the band room, where the visiting students get to make “creative” music with a series of percussion instruments. A few more closing remarks and the day comes to an end. The eighth graders hop back on the bus and return to their schools, hoping that on their next visit they will be outfitted with a tie and blue name tag.
Jesuit students always remember their first impressions of the school. “I had only heard about Jesuit and been to football games and stuff, so I didn’t know that much about the actual school. But once I was inside, I was amazed at how cool of a place it was,” reminisced Jack Kerr ’15. The memories made during the tours are a testament to their effectiveness and thoughtfulness.
However, these events are not possible without the tireless efforts of Host and Marr. They put in countless hours preparing, organizing, and selecting ambassadors. “We try to emphasize the history, tradition, and profile of a Jesuit grad, because that is what makes Jesuit so special,” commented Host. He went on to say that “eighth grade tours are very important because for many kids, it is their first time on campus and it can have a big effect in their decision process in regards to where they attend high school.”
Eighth grade tours can be very influential for prospective students, and they play a major role in the decision of where an eighth grader attends high school. Through these tours, Jesuit hopes to see students who will maintain the great community that has lasted since 1942 and continue on Jesuit’s legacy.
