On April 23, the athletic department unveiled a plaque at Cronin Field containing soil from Joan of Arc’s birthplace in France. The artwork by sophomore Victoria Bailey along with the soil will be featured in the varsity women’s locker room this coming fall. Father Krause, Officer Haugen, and Mrs. White collaborated to bring to life this new tradition for athletes to touch before taking the field, court, or track .
Officer Haugen played a role in helping with this ceremony. As the chaplain for the women’s varsity lacrosse team, he originally wanted to create something meaningful for the team. Eventually, he expanded the idea meant to inspire the entire women’s athletic department.
The artwork shows Saint Joan of Arc as a stylized drawing holding a sword in a prayer-like pose, with a glowing halo radiating behind her. This emphasizes her gentle strength. This artwork represents the faith, courage, and determination of this admired saint.
Years prior, these types of traditions were more commonly found in the men’s locker room. The school faculty wanted to give the women athletes in Jesuit a ritual of their own. What began as an idea soon grew into a real and meaningful change for the community.
“In our tradition, we have a relic to remind us of a holy person, of a saint. Someone that we can look to for their prayers, for their support and their encouragement, and the model of their life,” Father Krause said. “By having an image created by one of our students of St. Joan of Arc, of having this relic from the place where she was born, it’s a chance, especially for our athletes as they take to the field, they take to the turf, the court, to ask for Joan’s inspiration, to feel supported by the example she gives of strong leadership and rooted in her faith.”
“I am not afraid. I was born to do this,” Joan of Arc once said, a quote Father Krause shared.
Now as athletes take the field, they can pass by and touch the plaque in the women’s varsity locker room, signaling the start of new traditions at Jesuit High School. As they do this, they are reminded they, too, are capable of greatness.
