Homecoming at Jesuit

Jesuit High School capped off a remarkable Homecoming week on Friday (Oct. 2) with a slew of traditional festive Homecoming activities, from morning Convocation through the completion of the football team’s 49-19 District win over Middleton.

At halftime of the football game came two big announcements. First, Lee Pallardy III ’69 was recognized as Jesuit’s Alumnus of the Year. Part of three generations of Jesuit Tigers, Pallardy has distinguished himself through the years with the generous giving of his time, talent, and treasure to Jesuit High School. (See the script of Pallardy’s recognition below.)

Then came the Homecoming Court, and the announcement of Camille Yodzis of the Academy of the Holy Names as Homecoming Queen. She was crowned by Jesuit president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J.

Yodzis’ twin brother Jake is Jesuit senior, and her brother Max is a 2014 Jesuit graduate. The Homecoming Court included Jesuit seniors Alexander Becsey, Brian Benko, Jack Cerillo, Sean Wickett, and J.J. Zambito.

For the first part of the day, Jesuit students reveled in traditional Homecoming Fun Day activities such as dodge ball, ping pong, bocce, frisbee, cornhole, music in the campus commons, and video games, while decorating the campus in a “Game of Thrones” theme, and also re-learning the proper way to do the Tiger Clap.

Among the winners of the various Fun Day events were: Rocket League - Donte Phillips '17, Lazaro Alvelaez '18; Ping Pong - Jason Kohlhepp '16; Cinco Soccer - Drew Kamaris '17, Benny Ortiz '17, J.P. Collins '17, Royce Pope '17, Jeffrey Kujawa '17, Ethan Mykita '17; Dodge Ball - Price Sartor '17, John Casale '17, Stevie Darst '17, Brock Mondor '17, Ryan Cox '17, Matt Cohen '17.

At 5:00pm, hundreds of alumni and Jesuit families began to fill the cafeteria and campus commons for the Homecoming BBQ, featuring photos with the Tiger mascot, a great meal served up by the Jesuit Dads’ Club, and fellowship.

On the football field Friday night, unbeaten Jesuit took care of business with its fourth 30-plus point win in six games this season. The Tigers improved to 2-0 in District play as Malik Davis ’17 scored three rushing touchdowns, including an 80-yard scamper.

See a photo slideshow below from all of Friday’s Homecoming activities, and below that is the Alumnus of the Year halftime recognition script of Pallardy.

 

Alumnus of the Year 2015-16 – Lee Pallardy III ’69

Since graduating in 1969, Lee Pallardy has been a lifelong advocate of Jesuit, donating his time, talent, and treasure to supporting his alma mater and the Jesuit High School Alumni Association.

Stemming from a family-tree that represents three generations of Jesuit Tigers (his father, Lee, is a graduate of the Class of 1937, and his son, Matthew, is a graduate of the Class of 2002), Lee has always been personally connected to the activities of the school.

Throughout the years, he has served Jesuit in many capacities, including as a member of the Foundation, Facilities and Real Estate Committee, Executive Committee of the ‘Honoring Our Traditions’ capital campaign, and Board of Trustees (twice serving as the Chairman of the Board from 2002-2004 and 2008-2012). He most recently served as a member of the President’s Steering Committee, and is a current member of the President’s Cabinet in support of the ‘For Greater Glory’ capital campaign. He is also a member of the Jesuit Hall of Fame.

Lee is recognized as one of the most accomplished and sought after real-estate appraisers in the state of Florida. But his true calling is seen in his passion for helping others. He is an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and has served on the Parish Council. He was a member of the Board of Directors at Metropolitan Ministries and served on the Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School. Lee also coached youth soccer for the YMCA and youth baseball for Tampa Bay Little League.

For his many years of outstanding leadership and dedicated support to the school and our Tampa Bay community, Jesuit High School is proud to recognize Lee Pallardy as the 2015-16 Alumnus of the Year! The award will be formally conferred upon him at the annual Senior-Alumni Luncheon on April 29, 2016 at the Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club.