A DAY IN THE LIFE

If you’re not currently in middle or high school, it’s challenging to understand what a day in the life of a Cascia student might be like. And within Cascia, the experience of a middle schooler is definitely different from someone who has started in the Upper School, or someone who finishes their Cascia education this May.

For a glimpse into a Day in the Life, read along. Meet Jackson, Ella, and Hayden. Three very different students. Three very different Cascia perspectives. All equally wonderful.

HAYDEN FERGUSON // 8 TH GRADE

Hayden Ferguson is an entrepreneur, a pianist, a tennis player, and a cricket rancher. He’s also an 8th grader at Cascia Hall. As part of our Day in the Life look at Cascia Hall from the inside, we sat down with Hayden and two other students to interview them for our podcast, Rita Rambler. You can listen to Hayden’s full episode to find out more about cricket ranching (that conversation begins at 12:31)—and why he chooses not to have a cell phone!

You’re an entrepreneur; your mom told us you started your first business at seven years old. Please tell us about that!

When I was in kindergarten, I learned to sew. I made headbands and pocket squares, selling them mostly at the local holiday markets.

Eventually, I asked for an embroidery machine, and was able to do custom designs. I made this really cool four-sector pocket square with the core Avengers on them, and sold it to a banker.

Last summer, you started a curb-painting business.

I started with $80 in spray paint and stencils. I went door to door to solicit business. My first month, I made $30 an hour, and did it for the whole summer and fall, growing to $100 an hour. I dragged my supplies around in a red wagon in my neighborhood, and then as I expanded my territory, I put a basket on my bike and went further out. I put all the money I’ve made so far into a savings account for now, and plan to put it in an index fund.

What else do you like to do?

I love to play board games—my favorite right now is called Eclipse—you build your own empire and have interstellar combat missions. I also like to read, and the book I’m reading right now is called Crooked Kingdom . I play tennis for Cascia Hall, and I’m on the Academic Bowl team.

We hear you like to climb.

It’s a very good way to get out a lot of energy—it’s challenging. I started out by climbing trees in my backyard and in parks. About a month ago, I learned about Climb Tulsa, and that has been pretty fun.

What is a school day like for you?

I get up about 6:45, get ready, don’t really eat breakfast. First class is Advanced Physical Science, then History, then Spanish II. Lunch—my favorite is a chicken sandwich—and then my elective, then Algebra I, Theology, and last is English. On Tuesday mornings, we go to Chapel and listen to one of the priests talk to start the day. went to the Green Country regional spelling bee in Owasso, with about 80 kids in competition—one or two from each district. Two kids went from there to represent Oklahoma in the National Spelling Bee in D.C. I studied, but hadn’t done this before, so I didn’t know about word lists for sale. I’m a reader, so that did help.

You came to Cascia in 6th grade from Riverfield Country Day School. What was the biggest surprise about Cascia?

The homework! I was expecting a challenge, but nothing that crazy. It’s been a good challenge. I feel like my teachers are pretty helpful, but I do wish we had a little less homework (laughs).

Ella’s Words

Monte Cassino: S-H-A-L-L-O-T

National Spelling Bee: G-Y-O-K-U-R-O

We hear you like all things French. Are you in French for your foreign language class?

Yes! I love French. I’ve been to France three or four times; when we lived in Germany, it was a few hours away.

What do you prefer: cooking or baking?

I like both! I prefer cooking; there’s a greater margin for error. If you put in the wrong spice it’s okay, or if you want to experiment, which is what I like to do. With baking, it’s more of an exact science.

Tell us about a typical day for you.

ELLA PETTYJOHN // 9 TH GRADE

Ella Pettyjohn is a Cascia freshman, a cheerleader, a tea lover, and a National Spelling Bee alumnus. One of the most interesting things about her: she was not born in the United States! Listen to the full podcast to learn how Ella thinks Cascia embodies its motto: Truth Unity Love (at 17:46 in the podcast).

Ella came to Cascia this year from Monte Cassino. Tell us about the National Spelling Bee. It was super fun—one of the best experiences I’ve had. The Scripps National Spelling Bee was not really a goal for me, so I was surprised I made it—I saw it as more of a new cool opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. We stayed in the hub of D.C., and since I got out in the first round, we had a lot of free time to see everything. It was the best of both worlds!

How did this all happen?

I won my school spelling bee at Monte Cassino, then I

First, we go to Chapel for announcements and prayer. It’s fun for all of us to come together and start our day together. Then to first hour, which is English; then Algebra II with Ms. Foster. Then, break; I usually go to the cafeteria for some break food or a club meeting. Then French III, which is a challenging class for me and it’s a lot harder than I expected it to be. I am planning to go through AP French. Then I’m in Art I, then lunch.

After lunch, I have History with Mr. Thornburg, and then Advanced Biology, and last is Theology. It’s a heavy afternoon!

I don’t have a strong favorite—I like a lot of my classes!

What is one of your favorite things about Cascia?

I love that they allow you to pursue all your interests. It’s a small school, so you have the freedom to do that—you don’t have to confine yourself to one thing. I’m in Key Club, French Club, Art Club, and I’m on Green Team.

What’s been the biggest surprise about Cascia?

I went to Monte Cassino, and I always knew Monte and Cascia are brother-sister schools and are pretty interconnected, but I don’t think I realized how different the experience here would be. I love Monte, and the change to Cascia has been mostly positive changes, which could be mainly because it’s different—it’s high school!

Mountain. In addition to playing Varsity Baseball, I’m into Competitive Weightlifting. I want to get into Screenwriting and Business—I’m working with a coach to write sketches, short film ideas, and other random things. One day, if I want to produce them, they’re there.

Where are you going to college?

I’m still figuring it out. I applied to eleven schools— everywhere I wanted to apply. That was a lot of work and I’m glad it’s done. I’m very thankful to my English teacher (Ms. Sims) for helping; she looked over all my essays. My dream school is USC, and have not heard from them yet.

Tell us about a typical day for you.

JACKSON MCCORMICK // 12 TH GRADE

Our final Day-in-the-Life interview is with senior singing baseball player Jackson McCormick. Jackson is a busy young man; he sings, and plays baseball. He also participates in Academic Bowl, keeps a rigorous academic schedule, lifts weights, writes scripts, and performs with Cascia’s performance ensemble. At 20:44 into the podcast, Jackson details the next Cascia Ensemble performance, and at 30:20, Jackson dives into his senior Minimester experience.

You’re a busy senior.

Sunday fall play practices were 4-5 hours long, that was the big thing I did first semester. Two or three speech monologue and dramatic interpretation competitions, and I’m also working on humorous interpretation.

You must have a great memory.

Yes; there’s a lot of different things I have to memorize. We just did the fall play, which was “William and Judith,” and I’m involved in Speech at school. Outside of school, I’m going to register for a Shakespeare competition, which is in January*; then, there’s another monologue competition at Quartz

I usually get up at 5:00am, sometimes to do some schoolwork. I live in Owasso, so I have to drive about 30 minutes. First hour: Theology, which is World Religions right now. The main point of the class is to see how we are similar to other religions. I had Marriage & Relationships first quarter; now World Religions, and Introduction to Philosophy for the third quarter. Then, during fourth quarter, we write our senior thesis.

Second hour is AP Psychology. It’s a pretty fun class—I didn’t know I would like it as much as I do to learn about human interaction and how the human brain works. One extra credit opportunity we have right now is to do an experiment related to Pavlov’s Dog.

Break—some days I eat, some days I go to third hour, which is BC Calculus with Mrs. Benne. She is great about reaching out outside of class time, to help. One study session, we stayed until 10pm. She holds extra help sessions every Wednesday, FREE, and brings snacks like brownies. Peer tutoring is built into it. She does Academic Bowl, which I do too.

Fourth hour is AP Literature with Ms. Sims, which I like because it’s a little bit more interpretive than AP Language. Right now, I’m reading “Waiting for Godot,” an old Irish play. Fifth hour, I’m taking Ensemble. The next concert is going to be something the students make up, and pushes diversity in trying to express everybody’s beliefs.

Lunch, and then sixth hour, Study Hall or AP Biology lab. Then, seventh hour is AP Bio.

Can you tell us about Club Evolve?

It’s essentially a Diversity Club, where we talk about different social issues. We have Red Table Talks, which is a fun way to include everybody’s opinions on different subjects, and to introduce different subjects that are on others’ minds.

How does Cascia live its motto?

UNITY: You see it in football games and pep rallies, especially during the chanting!

TRUTH: Cascia is a big no-cheating school, students should help each other to find answers.

LOVE: When you’re with a group of people this long, classmates turn into friends, and that goes for our whole class. It’s pretty special.

*Editor’s note: Jackson took First Place at the Oklahoma ESU Shakespeare Festival, securing him an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to perform and compete at Lincoln Center. Students from all over Oklahoma memorized and performed a 20-line monologue and additional sonnet written by Shakespeare. Jackson won with King Richard’s monologue from the play Richard II. At the ESU National Shakespeare Competition (held in late April, near Shakespeare’s birthday on April 23), students will perform their pieces before a distinguished panel of judges as well as their fellow contestants from across the country. Finalists compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to attend a summer drama program. Cascia is so proud of Jackson!