Forensics Nationals in Wisconsin!

I'm sitting here in school on this hot and humid day back from our four day weekend! Even though I had a great time at Nationals, it's good to be back at UC, ready to finish up the year :-)

5 members of our Forensics Team (including myself), 3 of our 4 coaches, the mom of one of our coaches, and 2 of our Alumni (who won 7th in the nation last year), all headed to Appleton, Wisconsin on Friday for the Grand National Tournament of the National Catholic Forensics League! Myself and my partner, Chris, competed in Duo Interpretation with our piece "Wrong for Each Other," by Norm Foster. Arielle, sophomore competed in Declamation with the speech entited "A Whisper of AIDS," by Mary Fischer, and two senior boys, James and Keith, competed in Public Forum, a two on two debate about an important topic which they have had time to research and develop both affirmative and negative arguments.

We met at Union Catholic at 7:30am on Friday, and drove together in a van to the airport. After arriving at the Milwauki airport after a 2 hour plane ride, we drove another 2 hours into Appleton. We rode in this comfy and spacious mini-bus, it was cool! We stayed at the Comfort Suites... and boy, was it comforting! Arielle and I shared a room, with 2 TV's, a kitchen area, and a really nice bathroom with a whirlpool bathtub! We had the rest of the day to chill out and relax before dinner and practicing. The hotel had a big pool, hot tub, and sauna... it was heaven! When the time came we all walked over to the Golden Corral, a buffet styled dinner. That night we practiced with our coaches and went over the itinerary for the weekend.

I absolutely love the Forensics Team in general. The coaches are so great - they are always there for you, and they look out for you. The members of the team bond in many ways. I can honestly call these people my "forensics family!" Every one of them has helped me succeed in more ways than one. Not only have my coaches helped me with my speaking, acting, interpretations, and movements... they've helped me to come out of my shell. I was a really shy freshman, but being part of something like Forensics has helped me open up to people and express my feelings more clearly. I just love it!

Even though no one from our team advanced, we all had a great time together. It was definately an experience in and out itself to make it to Nationals. Now I already have to start thinking about what I will do for my senior year!

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So, there's only two more weeks of school, and then finals. If all goes well, I'll only have to take 2 finals - Algebra and Spanish (not my favorites...haha).

School is just about to end now - Have a great day!

PAC AWARDS & RELAY FOR LIFE!

Last Friday was an exciting night for me. The annual Performing Arts Company Awards were held at 7:00pm in the auditorium. It was a dress up occasion, attended by the members of PAC this year, their friends, and families. It was hosted by Mrs. Carolan, Mr. and Mrs. Addison, Mrs. Eger, and the 2008 Executive Board. Awards were given to members of the Fall Play and Spring Musical such as Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Featured Performance, Best Performance, Outstanding Chorus Member, Outstanding Ensemble Member, and Best New Member! It was very exciting. I got an Outstanding Ensemble Member award for my performance in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! I was really happy. Also, the International Thespian Society Awards were given out. UCPAC is Thespian Troup #3673. Thespians are inducted into the society each year based on a point system. If you take dance, singing, or acting lessons…if you see professional shows…if you perform in shows…if you do forensics…if you do tech crew… all of these things come into play and can induct you into the society. Stars and Honor Bars are awarded based on how many hours of service you have done. 1 Star is equivalent to 20 points, or 200 hours. 2 Stars is 300 hours, 3 Stars is 400 hours, and 4 Stars is 500 hours. One Honor Bar is equivalent to 600+ hours. However, with the dedication of many of today’s young actors and actresses, more awards had to be given. On Friday I received a Double Honor Bar Award!! I received one Honor Bar freshman year, but I wasn’t yet eligible for another one because I hadn’t racked up enough points. Besides all of that excitement…PAC Awards is always the time when the shows for next year are announced!! For the fall play we will be doing Incorruptible and for the Spring Musical we will be doing Into the Woods. Mrs. Carolan informed us that everyone has to start working very hard because Into the Woods is the most difficult show that she has ever attempted!! “OH GREAT,” I said to myself! Haha!

After PAC Awards, me and a lot of the other kids headed over to Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Union Catholic SMAC helped students sign up for the event, and UC was one of the biggest groups there! Everyone who wanted to go had to raise $100. We all had matching T-shirts that said “UC Love” on them, and the name “Chris” with a heart around it. This was in remembrance of Chris O’Bara, a student of ours who died from cancer in the beginning of his junior year last year. I also drew hearts with the names of those close to me who have died from cancer. This was my first time attending the Relay, and I am so happy I did. In case you don’t know the whole point of the Relay for Life, there are a number of teams there, and someone from your team should be walking the entire time, from 7pm to 7am. It was really fun to spend time with kids from school and to meet other people, and it was also very emotional. At the luminaria ceremony, everyone who was there gathered in the gym. One of the women who was running it got up and said, “I want all those who have lost their children to cancer to please stand.” A few people stood up. Then she said, “those who have lost their mother or father….those who have lost their grandmother, or grandfather… a sister, or a brother….a dear friend.” More and more people stood up until the whole gym was standing. She then said, “Our goal is that one day, all of us can sit together.” Then, the presentation of the names of all of those who have survived cancer graced two big screens, and then the list of names of all of those who have died was shown. Songs like “Seasons of Love,” “Blackbird,” and “You’ll be in my Heart” played. I was crying hysterically… it was so sad. And yet, it was so powerful because everyone comforted one another. We were all there together for a purpose – to fight cancer and remember all those affected by it. Afterwards, everyone there took one lap around the school in silence together. I’ll never forget that night… and I hope that I will be able to go to it every year from now on.

My class’s academic awards are tonight, and I take my AP English Language & Composition Exam tomorrow. Wish me luck!! I’ll talk to you soon J

Junior Prom!

Well, here I am! I find myself back in school after an amazing night at my Junior Prom, a fun day with my friends on Saturday, and my first AP Exam out of the way!

It was great to have both Thursday and Friday off last week. It gave me time to relax and prepare for the prom! I got my nails done on Thursday and my hair done on Friday. When I woke up in the morning on Friday I was SOOO happy and excited. (for once I actually enjoyed getting out of bed and getting started on my day!) I was out and about... running from the tanning salon to the hair salon, and then picking up my date's boutonniere. It was fun to find out that three of my friends from school were getting their hair done at the same place and time as me! We were all excited and talked about where we were headed to next.

By the time I had finished all of my preparations and grabbed a quick bite to eat, it was time to get dressed and do my makeup! A few family members and friends came over the house to see me before I left for the pre-prom festivities :-)

My parents drove me to my friend Christina's house, where we took pictures with a few of our friends. Then we headed to Gina's, where the limo picked us up! It was so fun to take pictures and see everyone dressed up... ever since I was younger I dreamed of the day when I would be one of the older girls, all dressed up and with a boyfriend for a date!

When our limo arrived at the Berkely Plaza, we were greeted by Mr. Luciano, Mr. Reagan, Ms. Piasecki, and Mr. McCoid. Angelo and I got our pictures taken, and then I got to mingle and take pictures with more people! The room was decorated beautifully, and the food buffet was really good. When the night was over, no one wanted to leave!

Even though the weather was pretty bad, I went down the shore with my friends for a little while. It was great to celebrate our prom together and just enjoy each other's company. As I look back, I couldn't have asked for a better time.

Yesterday I took my AP Government and Politics Exam. It was from about 8 to 11. I'm just glad to get that over...phew! Afterwards some of my friends and I went out to Qdoba to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! :-)

I have some more things coming up... the PAC Awards are on Friday night, as well as the Relay for Life at Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School! The UC Smac (Student Movement Against Cancer) helps to organize students to sign up and go. I'll tell you more about it in my next blog! As for next week, the Juniors and Seniors have their Academic Awards Ceremony on Tuesday night. My last AP Exam (English Language) is on Wednesday, and the Senior Prom is next Thursday! It's never a dull moment here at UC.

Hope you're enjoying this beautiful weather as much as I am! I'll be talking to you soon.