I think that
something all
people have
realized with
the pandemic
is how much
we took
for granted
the very
basic and
fundamental
things like
being in a
classroom.”
JSB principal
Audrey Merck
JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • FALL 2020 15
Summer
Graduates
Jesuit Summer
Bridge completes its
10th impactful year
Jesuit Summer Bridge students pictured on Garcia Bridge
just before their graduation on July 24
I
blue Jesuit Summer Bridge T-shirts,
the JSB students sat in their chairs,
spread six feet apart across the basketball
court inside the Jesuit High School
gymnasium.
With their parents scattered in the
bleachers behind them, each JSB student
The commencement ceremony on July
middle school boys in an instructive and
nurturing environment.
JSB principal Audrey Merck handed
alumni counselor ,
The top JSB student honor is the Men
Jafet Rodriguez
Rogan McLaughlin
impactful presentation by keynote
speaker
a Jesuit High School theology teacher
and assistant disciplinarian, is a nationally
recognized Catholic retreat leader and
motivational speaker.
on the surface.
This year, JSB registered
three dozen boys
from 21 schools, mostly
Hillsborough County
public schools, to experience
the comprehensive
summer program.
Each morning begins
read Million-Dollar
before transitioning
into focused academic
instruction in three
thinking, and language
elective activities,
including sports such
as tennis-baseball and
dodgeball, and guest
speakers such as Ernest
Hooper of the American
Cancer Society.
Barlaan, Pedrero, Ruff,
and Morrison, Jesuit
admissions director
is the JSB coordinator, and Fr. Angel
is the chaplain.
-
and the excitement to make it even
Merck said.
Several Jesuit rising seniors served as
, and Nick
the challenging times.
all people have realized
the very basic and fundamental
things like being in
and sometimes asking for
-
fered at a steeply discounted
cost to the participants
due to the generosity of
Nancy
. The
a leadership commitment to
opportunities for local
youths to experience a Jesuit
education. Other bene-
Lilies, the club comprised
of mothers of Jesuit alumni,
events for the JSB students.
The JSB students are tested
at the beginning and end of the program,
demonstrating their improvement every
summer. The most improved test scores
graduation.