Blue Jay of the Month: Harris Treuting
From wrestling, E-Board, and service, there’s nothing Treuting can’t do.
The Blue Jay sits down with the 175-lb, 2024 State Finalist and Executive Aide as he seeks “to finish the job.”
Q: Before we talk about anything related to Jesuit, we have to go way back to the pre-pandemic days. What made you choose Jesuit as a middle schooler?
A: The people played the largest role in my decision. I looked at different schools, and the people at this school are the greatest people I have ever met. The rigorous academics also helped in my decision.
Q: Speaking of the pandemic, you arrived at Jesuit in the midst of COVID. How did that form you?
A: It was difficult to meet and connect with people because of the guidelines, so I had to work extra hard to put myself out there. Overall, our class collectively grew from that experience into a stronger, more cohesive group of guys.
Q: We most often recognize you as a wrestler here. Describe what it’s been like and what the sport means to you.
A: Wrestling is a big part of my Jesuit career. I joined because I wanted to showcase my competitive nature and skill. The sport is the epitome of discipline, greatly involving your mind, body, and spirit. While it is painful, the pain makes you want to keep doing it.
Q: Outside of wrestling, we’ve seen you promoting school spirit with the Executive Board. How is being on the E-Board, and what does that mean to you?
A: Student Council has been one of the most fun experiences I have had in my lifetime. I most cherish helping to forge the path and form the incoming students while building pride in my school. My goal is to help contribute to the greatest EBoard in Jesuit history, and I think we can achieve that. E-Board is about making school a community that you want to be a part of, not a boring system you have to be a part of.
“Whatever is best for me is in God’s hands. No matter where the Lord guides me, it will be hard for me to leave this community.”
Q: Wait! You just mentioned wrestling, E-Board, and all-time E-Boards. Your brother was a state-champion wrestler and also served as Student Council Presiden. Has he helped you in any way with these two domains, and how so?
A: He has helped me every step of the way: he coaches me in wrestling, helps with state, and mentors me about Student Council. Wrestling is in our blood.
Q: I know doing one of the activities is time-consuming enough, let alone both. How do the two go hand-in-hand for you?
A: They help open my eyes and do not interfere with each other. For example, I built hype for the Brother Martin dual meet, which is not something every athlete wants to do since it can elicit the wrong feelings for the competition. But to me, it is about doing the best for the school, and it reciprocates to all other sports. I want to give the same experience and support to my peers, and E-Board is the best way to do that.
Q: You certainly do a lot for this great school. Do you do anything else?
A: I am also a Big Brother. A funny story is the time a lot of fellow Big Brothers couldn’t make it one day, so I got to have eight Little Brothers for the day. I think it was a fun experience for me and the youngsters.
Q: It seems like you’re an embodiment of the motto “Men for Others.” What was your service project, and how was that?
A: I spent a week at Krewe de Camp. I will say it was an immense challenge. I am used to and love working and teaching young people, but I had to take a different approach with my kid because he does not walk or speak well. Finding the best way to care for and make an enjoyable experience for my guy was hard work, but it paid off. We all worked well and helped each other help the kids. If I could, I would totally do Krewe de Camp again.
Q: Always great to hear enthusiasm about service projects—a step on the path to graduating Jesuit. Speaking of graduation, what is your goal as we enter the homestretch of your Jesuit career?
A: My goal is to excel academically and athletically. I want to maintain my high GPA and win a state championship both individually and, most especially, as a team. In fact, if you ask anyone, they would gladly give up their individual title to win a team title instead, and that just shows our culture and chemistry here. After wrestling, I want to dedicate my time to EBoard, and I might look into rugby. I have friends who play it and love it. I also want to focus on getting my final college decision right.
Q: Ah, the age-old question people ask seniors: What about college and career?
A: There are a couple of places I have already been accepted to, and I am waiting for a couple more. Whatever is best for me is in God’s hands. No matter where the Lord guides me, it will be hard for me to leave this community. I want to help people and work in situations where I need to adapt. I am looking into psychiatry at the moment.
Q: Anything you want to mention before we have to publish this article?
A: It’s time to lock in for wrestling state and finish the job that we have started.