Every spring, the Jesuit Special Games brings hundreds of special athletes to the Jesuit campus for a day of field games and fun. As the culmination of four years of community service for the senior class, it is a milestone in the formation of Men for Others, embodying all six elements of the Profile of the Jesuit Graduate. This unique opportunity to assemble together as a class one more time before graduation is a truly wonderful experience that is remembered fondly by all who participate.
On Friday, May 9, the seniors united to host these games, setting up and preparing the campus for the 400+ special athletes that would be on the campus during the day. After the senior convocation, the games began and activities were held all around the athletic fields.
Combining a sense of unity and brotherhood, the games were a great way to put Jesuit values into action. As Mr. Patrick Triplett, a history teacher at Jesuit, said at the senior breakfast on Sunday, the Special Games were “the ultimate test of the six elements of the profile that these seniors have developed over their four years.”
After a bit of a rocky start with all of the preparations, the day smoothed out and was running well in no time. Cameron Kerl ’13, Nathan Krog ’13, Jacob Keeley ’13, and Erik Eppig ’13 lead the set-up that morning, checking students in and giving them their T-shirts as they arrived.
Erik Eppig ’13 said that when the athletes first arrived they were “a bit uncertain, maybe nervous,” but that changed before too long. Seeing such helpful and inviting young men greeting them, the athletes were soon “excited as they could be,” ready to start a fun-filled day.
Throughout the day, the athletes participated in everything from competitions to fun crafts. Accompanied by Jesuit seniors all around, the athletes always had a willing assistant there to help them and join them in the activities.
Basil Seif ’13, the student body president, commented that the Special Games were “a great service opportunity and it’s a lot of fun to spend time with your brothers and with a lot of the kids you do service with,” appreciating the community atmosphere formed in this event. He also added that “it represents the whole Jesuit experience in one day,” an application of all the skills learned through the four years.
As the day wound down and the special athletes left, these graduating seniors had the opportunity to reflect on the great day that they had experienced. Even after seeing and hearing about it for three years, actually participating in the games was even more fulfilling than they believed.
Seif ’13 said he enjoyed the closure that the games brought, adding that “it’s a great way to just be with all of your friends one last time 
outside of the classroom.”
Andrew Lanham ’13 said, “I was glad to see the brotherhood that we have built over four years help us to do something truly useful.” Working together as Men for Others, the Class of 2013 was able to pull together and make a genuinely positive impact on so many special athletes.
Mr. Mark Knize (@MKNIZE), assistant principle at Jesuit, shared similar sentiments about the way the Special Games went, tweeting, “Thank you for today Jesuit class 2013…you made me proud, very grateful.”
Although saying “goodbye” is never easy, these outgoing seniors were able to put the elements of the Jesuit Profile into action in an enriching event to end their Jesuit careers. Even though we recognize this class for its great athletes and its sharp minds, it is important to remember that they are also a loving and selfless class, something that they proved with their conduct at the Special Games.
