Hey everyone - Sorry it’s been awhile since my last blog, but I’ve been really busy trying to balance my crazy schedule. Between play practice, forensics, schoolwork, homework, dance classes and my social life, my calendar is pretty full! But as stressful as the times may be, I have so much fun participating in all that I do here at UC. Let me fill you in on a few things --- First of all, our Forensics Team competed in our first regional competition on October 27. UC hosted it, so it was great to start the year off in our own school. A lot of new students joined the team this year and that helped boost our chances of “breaking” into finals. Two of our seniors, James Trollo and Keith Zukowski who competed in Public Forum Debate, placed 2nd; Allie D’Alusio, sophomore, placed 3rd in Declamation, and all three of our Duo Interpretation teams made it into final rounds with Alex Cortés and Steve Berger placing 6th, Angelo Cerimele and Arielle Gonzalez placing 4th, and my partner Chris Brown and I placing 2nd!!!!!! It was a great way to start off the year, but we’re all determined to improve as we go along. Our next meet is this Saturday – wish us luck!
A few days later, of course, it was Halloween, and the traditional Halloween Costume Contest was held at UC. We started the day off in the cafeteria where we were treated to donuts and juice. Then we paraded through the hallways before having to go to class. Prizes are awarded for the best costumes for individuals and groups. My friends and I dressed as “The Calendar Girls” and we were one of the groups to win the contest. The other group was “Noah’s Ark” – what a cool idea! Individual contest winners were Catwoman and Charlie Brown. It was a really fun day. Even some of the teachers dressed up and brought their children into school to join in on the fun.
Play practice has been taking up a lot of my spare time. Opening night is this Friday, November 9th at 8:00 p.m!! I hope you’ll come to see the show, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. It plays again on Saturday, November 10th at 8:00 p.m. I guarantee that you’ll be entertained! Everyone involved in the show has worked SO hard – the actors, the tech crew members, and especially Mr. and Mrs. Addison, the directors.
Auditions were held the other day for our spring musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Auditions are sooo nerve racking, for anyone! (even if you are a senior and doing this for 4th time). For auditions, you are required to sing and perform a monologue. It’s always a challenge deciding on what song to sing and what monologue to do. The callback list was posted (I got a callback!) and they will take place as soon as the fall play is over. No rest for the weary!!!
Let’s see… what else…. Oh, of course! Wednesday night was the Junior Ring Ceremony – and what a nice night it was. The junior class and their families gathered at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church across the street to celebrate in a mass. At the end, we each received our rings. I was ecstatic. Both the priest and Sister Percy Lee spoke of the significance of our ring, and of this milestone not only in our high school life, but our entire life as well. It was such a special ceremony. Afterwards, we all headed over to the UC cafeteria for refreshments, pictures, and ring-turning!! I’m not quite sure if I’ll get 2009 people to turn my ring… so I’ll aim for either 209 or 109. (haha).
One last event: the Junior Day of Recollection. The theme was “Reach for the Stars.” The days of recollection are run by the Peer Ministry Program. They are days in which each class gathers together, to build their relationships with one another, and to build their relationships with God. The peer ministers make it fun, with a lot of different games and activities. There are also speakers and group discussions. We are broken up into a number of groups, with 1 or 2 leaders to each group. In the groups, we discuss things about our faith and about the speeches we have heard from fellow students or teachers. Since it’s partly a religious event, many kids may think that it is boring, and some kids don’t even come to school on these days. But I love them – I think it’s a great way to get away from the stress of school and classes and to just be with your friends and focus your thoughts on God.
So, I see on the school calendar that this Friday is the date for the COOP test. For all of you 8th graders who may be reading this blog, I wish you luck! Don’t stress over it - it’s not as hard as you may think.
I know that this was a long blog, but SO MUCH has been going on here! I’ll try to keep you as updated as I can. Keep reading, and I’ll talk to you soon!
