COLLEGE

The stress is building! I had to sacrifice some nights out over the weekend to really focus on my college applications. Thank goodness I took the time to do this, because if i didn't I could be really behind!! Many students already have all of their college applications done, while I'm still deciding what schools to apply to! But I know that some students are even farther behind than I am, too.I sent in 3 applications this weekend - Hofstra, Muhlenberg, and Rider. I applied to all of them online, which is the common way to do things now. The next step was handing in transcript order forms to Guidance. The Guidance Office is so helpful and organized with all of these things... I'm really thankful for my counselor, Mrs. Jakubik, and the guidance secretary, Mrs. McKenna. I met with Mrs. Jakubik last week so that she could really get me going on handing in my applications. We talked about the schools I want to apply to, using the Common Application online, and the whole process. After my meeting, it made me really decide to sacrifice a night with my friends for getting ready for my future!

I still have more colleges to apply to, but the fact that 3 applications are on their way really relieves some of my anxiety. Each night from now on my mom and I will work on a little more, and I'll be sure to be done by the end of the month!

Aside from college, practices for Into the Woods have gone underway, with the first big rehearsal including the full cast on Saturday. I was there from 12-3, learning the music for opening number.

I've also been practicing forensics for the St. Joseph's Villiger Tournament in Philly. The team is going to leave after school on Friday and come home on Sunday. The competition takes place on Saturday. I'll tell you all about it in my next blog!

Hope you all have a great week =)

UC Forensics Continues the Tradition of Excellence!!

On Saturday, I competed in my first forensics tournament of this year! It was the second meet of the Newark Catholic Forensics League. (Sadly I had to miss the first one due to a prior commitment). This means that there are 4 more competitions, once every month. After the results of all of the meets are combined, we know who has qualified for Nationals - which are always over Memorial Day Weekend, and will be in Albany this year. Anyway, down to the competition! It was held at Montville Township High School, so the team of about 16 traveled together in the UC Van, with some of the judges going in their cars. As always, the team met in one of the classrooms before the competition started to come together in pep and prayer! We all link hands in a circle and go around saying what we want to prayer for, and then together say the Our Father..... then we bang on the desks and chairs in a wild uproar, getting pumped to have fun and do our best!!!

And that is just what we did. We had many wins in many different categories. My partner and I got 2nd in Duo Interpretation, and our senior boy team got 4th in Duo. Then, our boys public forum debate team got 2nd, and a sophomore competing in Student Congress got 3rd. Two freshman girls won trophies also - one got 4th place in Declamation, and the other got 6th place in JV Oral Interpretation (Reading). Finally, a senior boy got 6th in Drama. Because our team received so many points, Union Catholic was ranked as 3rd at the competition! Everyone was so excited, and I could tell our coaches were really proud of us. The day before my partner and I spent 3 hours working on our piece, so it felt great to be rewarded for that. However, we're eager to practice some more and really perfect the little things. As you can tell, we're really serious about forensics, but we also have a bunch of fun too. There's often a lot of free time at competitions and at away tournaments, so everyone really bonds and shares a lot of laughs. Forensics has to be one of the funnest activities that I do! =)

I just came home from the first rehearsal for the Spring Musical, Into the Woods. We got a lot of paperwork from Mrs. Carolan, explaining the Company's policy and information. Then we started the "read through" of the script! Just by the first practice, everyone can tell that this show is going to be very challenging, but also really enjoyable at the same time.

I have to go do my homework now, so I'll talk to you all next week!

Dance Club, Halloween, & A 3-Day School Week!

Hey all! Hope everyone out there is doing well. Naturally, I've had a lot of things going on, so let me tell you all about them!!

Just a recap from my last blog - the Fall Pep Rally was awesome!! It was our first pep rally as seniors - and of course, we really showed our class pride. The night before my friends and I made our own shirts with "09" on the back so that we could arrive at the pep rally in style! Two members of the senior class acted as the MC's, and they got everyone's school spirit up. We had a dj and everything! We started by saluting the flag while listening to a sophomore sing the Star-Spangled Banner, then it was time to see the Varsity teams "walk." This means that they walk down the middle of the gym floor through two rows of the cheerleaders so that the spotlight is on them. After, the gymmastics team performed together, with two soloists doing their floor routines at the end. Then, there was a soccer kick-ups challenge for anyone who wanted to compete. After that there was the volleyball challenge between the classes - the winner (the seniors, of course) had to play against the teacher team!! The picture to the left is the senior boys coming together before they played the teachers.

This year, because I'm a senior and have been involved with it all 4 years, I am one of the leaders of the Dance Club. We had our first two practices last week, and they went really well!! I'm so excited to work with the girls and choreograph the dance for the Winter Pep Rally. Dance Club is open to anyone - there are no auditions and no experience needed! We welcome everyone who just wants to dance. So, now that's another thing that I'm adding to my schedule!!

Halloween at UC on Friday was fun too, as always! Everyone is so enthusiastic - even our principal dressed up! My friends and I were jungle animals - we called ourselves "Jungle Fever" and carried around a first aid kit, hot water bottle, and bottles of tylenol!! We were hoping to win the group contest, but sadly lost to the senior boys who dressed up as the Village People. My friends and I had a fun weekend together - I didn't have any homework because it was the end of the marking period so I could just enjoy myself!! It felt good =) I also visited Rider University on Saturday for an info session and tour. My visit proved to be a positive one, because it enforced my decision to apply there.

This week we have 3 days of school. Since tomorrow is election day, and Friday is the Co-op Test, there's no school for us! Our Fall Play, Incorruptible is also playing this weekend - just two days - Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m.! You should come and see it! Then on Saturday I have a Forensics competition. I'm competing in duo with a junior girl - we're really working hard tis week to get our piece as close to perfection as possible.

Good Luck to all of you who are taking the Co-op!!! If you're stressing out about it - don't. It's not that hard, and I know that whatever score you get, there will be a high school that will welcome you and be the right fit!

Talk to you soon =) Have a great week!