Senior Day - Class of 2018

Senior Day at Jesuit High School on Friday (May 4) featured a smorgasbord of events, including a heartfelt farewell address by Student Council president Tyler Peterson '18, the awarding of Senior Notables, and the 22nd annual Senior-Alumni Luncheon, at which the Class of 2018 officially joined the Jesuit High School Alumni Association.

More than 100 alumni, including several past winners of Jesuit's Alumnus of the Year Award, accompanied the seniors at the luncheon, which was held for the second straight year at the Tampa Airport Marriott. The event was highlighted by the honoring of 2017-18 Alumnus of the Year, Dr. Hector Vila '75, who delivered a very personal keynote address, as well as a special student presentation from Thierry Moliere '18. 

Dr. Vila has generously shared his time, talent, and treasure with Jesuit in many capacities through the years (see his biography below). He spoke Friday about the lasting connections with his 1975 classmates, and how their brotherhood has not waned but strengthened through the years, enriching his life. Previous Alumnus of the Year winners in attendance were Joe Capitano Sr. '56 (2012), Dr. Steven Krist '69 (2013), and Ernest "Cookie" Garcia '50 (2015).

The day began with Peterson's farewell address during Convocation in the gymnasium. Next, the seniors took a class picture in the outfield of Hyer Family Park. They positioned themselves in the shape of '18 while being photographed from above by the drone of Patrick Davis '18, Jesuit's Excellence in Media Production Award recipient this school year.

Then it was a class breakfast in the cafeteria before everyone headed into the MPR. There, the Senior Notables were announced (see the list of winners below), school president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J., spoke to the class about their four years at Jesuit, and they viewed a special senior video. The class then celebrated Mass together for the last time on campus before loading into several large buses and departing for the Senior-Alumni Luncheon at the airport. 

Moliere closed the day with his story of transforming from a reluctant, insecure freshman to confident, successful senior while coping with family adversity (see the video of Moliere's presentation below). The invaluable support of his classmates, and Jesuit the faculty and staff, helped guide Moliere on his journey.

See below a photo slideshow from Senior Day and the Senior-Alumni Luncheon; videos of the luncheon presentations by Dr. Vila and Moliere; the list of Senior Notables; and information about the Alumnus of the Year, Dr. Vila.

 

 

 

2018 SENIOR NOTABLES

Most Talented
Jordan Vivero

Best Dressed
Seth Ravenna

Most School Spirit
Tyler Peterson

Most Generous
Patrick Davis

Most Popular
Bradley Haines

Most Dependable
Sean Hughes

Best Athlete
Joel Brewer

Best Student
Matthew Tamashiro

Most Likely To Succeed
Christian Jung

Best All Around
Sam Sands

 

DR. HECTOR VILA '75 - 2017-18 ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR 

Since graduating in 1975, Dr. Hector Vila 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.

Throughout the years, he has served Jesuit in many capacities, including as a member of the Alumni Council and President's Steering Committee. He was also a team physician for the Tigers and is an annual supporter of the school's Pro-Life Club.

Professionally, Dr. Vila is an internationally recognized anesthesiologist. He is the founding partner of Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates, a group of 10 Pediatric Anesthesiologists, serving nearly 150 Pediatric Dental Offices in 6 states. He is past Chair of the American Society of Anesthesiologist's Subspecialties Section, Ambulatory Surgery Committee, and Board of Directors. And he has served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities and was Vice-President of Standards. In 2016, Dr. Vila was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the Florida Board of Medicine. He is also past president of the South Carolina Society of Anesthesiologists and Past Chairman of the South Carolina Medical Association Taskforce for Office Surgery Guidelines.

Dr. Vila is an active parishioner of Christ the King Church. In 2016, he was a recipient of the prestigious Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, the highest award a layperson can receive from the Papacy.

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 Dr. Hector Vila as the 2017-18 Alumnus of the Year!