Regina Report- December 2022

The Regina Report

TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: MS. LEKKI

By Athena Rosati '25

Q: What was your graduation year from Regina?

A: “I was the Class of 1973.”

Q: How long have you been working at Regina, and what classes do you teach?

A: “I have been working here for 43 years and teach Health and Physical Education.”

Q: What Regina sports do you coach?

A: “Currently, I coach Varsity and JV Field Hockey, along with Varsity Softball. In the past, I have coached JV Basketball and Varsity Volleyball.”

Q: Why did you choose to be a teacher at Regina?

A: “After graduating college, I ran into Ms. Laffey, and she informed me about a job opportunity here at Regina. Ms. Laffey suggested I apply, and so I did, and the rest was history.”

Q: Why do you choose to teach Health and Physical Education?

A: “I love physical activity and believe it's essential to living a happy life. I also like teaching crucial things like first aid and CPR. It is my favorite thing to teach others the benefits of eating healthy and maintaining good mental health.”

Q: What is your teaching philosophy?

A: “I believe you can never stop learning, no matter how young or old. It's exciting to learn.”

Q: How would you describe your teaching style?

A: “It is a combination of old and new educational practices. A little bit of lecture, projects, and tests, hopeful of sparking students to want to learn independently.”

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ZOE BAMFORD

By Sofia Switalski '25

Zoe Bamford is a senior at Regina, and her being here for four years means she has experienced the highs and lows of high school. This month, Zoe was chosen as our Student Spotlight and was thrilled to be interviewed and have this opportunity.

She hopes to attend Michigan State to pursue her love of accounting next fall. We started with simple questions such as, “What’s the movie you’ll never get tired of?” Her response was The Wolf of Wall Street, her favorite book is The Great Gatsby, and her favorite pass time is playing the piano, which she has done for fourteen years! She also likes to stay active by going to the gym. The two things that irk her more than anything else are sticky hands and non-stop talking.

Zoe is most grateful to her parents for providing her the opportunity to attend private school for her whole life. Something that not many people know about Zoe is that she is bilingual in English and Polish! Her favorite part about being fluent in Polish is being able to talk to her family without having anyone understand what they’re saying.

To end the interview, I asked Zoe what’s the best advice you’ve ever received. She simply said, “Tackle hardships head-on.” This is the motto that she has lived by for years, and has gotten her through the bumpy roads of life.

A TRIP TO GREECE: THE REGINA

PLAYERS’ PERFORM MAMMA MIA!

By Mia Gentry ‘24

After months of hard work and dedication, the Regina Players’ rendition of Mamma Mia! debuted on Friday, November 18th, at Clintondale High School. Over that weekend, the Regina Players performed three shows consecutively from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. To make this production possible, the directors, cast, chorus, and crew worked tirelessly to memorize lines, learn the music, choreograph dances, build sets, create props, block scenes, arrange lighting, program the soundboard, and many other details that are essential for a successful show.

When asked about her experience as Stage Manager, Katie Krass said the following about Mamma Mia!, “Being a senior and having this as my last show, I am grateful to the cast and chorus for their time and efforts to make this show memorable.” According to fellow senior Melissa Kolpasky, who was present in the audience, the show was indeed memorable, stating that she “was quite impressed by the production and enjoyed seeing [her] friends perform.” Even more so, the cast and chorus had a phenomenal experience. Chorus member, Sara Tomas, expressed that she “had so much fun and was glad to become friends with people whom [she] may not have had the opportunity to meet outside Mamma Mia!” Furthermore, Audrey Schena, who played Lisa, stated that her favorite part of the show was being able to have fun and bond with her castmates backstage, “especially doing the macarena in the wings with the rest of the cast and crew during multiple songs.”

As a crew member myself, I found it so gratifying to see the behind-the-scenes action needed to produce a show and be able to help the performers shine on stage! Overall, Mamma Mia was a tremendous hit as all parties involved had a delightful and meaningful experience. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that the Regina community looks forward to Steel Magnolias, coming this winter, and the musical that is to be determined for the spring!

OPINION: MAMMA MIA -

I would see it again!

By

Sofia Switalski ‘25

The long-awaited weekend of November 18-20 finally arrived—the Regina Players performed their highly anticipated musical, Mamma Mia! After last year's incredible production of Legally Blonde, I doubted any show could even come close to topping it, but the Regina Players proved me wrong.

During the fifteen-minute intermission, I got a chance to chat with a few members of the Regina staff who came to the play’s opening night to support their students. Miss Lekki, Regina’s Health and P.E. teacher, had a hard time choosing which song was her favorite out of the array that had already been sung. However, in the end, the only answer she felt was right was “Mamma Mia.” Sitting to my right were Miss Boersen and Miss Ackerman, our theology teachers, who thoroughly enjoyed the show especially the wedding scene, which included a priest played by junior Giselle Bourbeau.

This show impressively had me on the edge of my seat despite the fact that I already knew what was going to happen. Something about seeing the girls you see every day at school in uniform dressed in full glam makeup, metallic suits, and floral dresses really makes the viewing experience special. Seeing all of the nerves from tech week disappear on the stage was a magical thing to witness. I rate Mamma Mia! a 10/10 and congratulate the Regina Players for yet another job well done!

A WINTER WONDERLAND AT WINTERFEST

Our third annual Winterfest celebration was a smashing success! There were smiles on every face as the Regina Choral Ensemble sang carols. Guests enjoyed hot cocoa, ate cookies, and met Santa and Elsa! The Student Council sponsored a live ice carving. Many attendees enjoyed the petting zoo and pony rides around the schoolyard. What a great way to start the Christmas season!

The Regina clubs decorated wreaths and attendees were asked to vote on their favorite. The winning club was...Tutoring Club! Second place was the Regina Players with Mock Trial in third.

IT'S A MARSHMALLOW WORLD!

By Greta Hellebuyck '24

What is a better time of year to give back to the community than during the Christmas season? This past month, on the 1st and 2nd of December, Connect4Cancer hosted its second annual Cocoa for Cancer fundraiser. Connect4Cancer offered Regina students cookies, donuts, popcorn, and most importantly, a hot chocolate bar, complete with candy canes, marshmallows, and whipped cream to top it off. Throughout the sale, Christmas spirit flooded Saddles Cafe during the lunch period as students lined up to get their hot chocolate and treats for $1.

However, the excitement did not end there, Connect4Cancer took the Cocoa for Cancer fundraiser to Winterfest, to provide more Christmas spirit and cancer awareness to the Regina community. At Winterfest, the hot chocolate sale had its own booth, with holiday lights and decorations to set the Christmas mood. Regina families generously donated to the cause by purchasing hot chocolate and other yummy treats to accompany them through the lively Winterfest activities. Connect4Cancer could not have been more pleased with the positive response from the Regina community and the ever-growing support the Cocoa for Cancer fundraiser receives. In total, Connect4Cancer was able to raise $233 from the fundraiser. Proceeds from Cocoa for Cancer will be donated to CancerCare. It is a non-profit organization that provides resource navigation, counseling, financial assistance, and support groups for all those affected by cancer, including, but not limited to, cancer patients, caregivers, loved ones, and the bereaved. Connect4Cancer is honored to serve its community in the fight against cancer and looks forward to years of Cocoa for Cancer to come.

SURPRISE... IT'S SECRET SANTA

By Athena Rosati '25

The Faculty-Student Secret Santa has been a beloved tradition of Student Council for years. Student Council members pick a staff member for whom they wish to buy gifts. After selecting the faculty member, they receive a list of things the staff member likes and turn in a list about themselves. The fun thing about this gift exchange is that the Student Council members know whom they have during the week, but the faculty do not. The faculty just has to use the list of things the Student Council member likes to buy for them. For the first four days of Secret Santa Week, they get smaller gifts for our faculty members, and on Friday, they have a Secret Santa Breakfast to meet the Santa on staff. At this breakfast, the final gifts are exchanged, and they get to know each other better!

WINTER SPORTS ARE IN FULL SWING

By Jamieson Dean '23

With tryouts on November 14th, basketball season is already well on its way. The Saddlelites have had their fair share of games, scrimmages, and practices.

Freshman (24-22) and Junior Varsity (52-22), with a win each over Henry Ford II. Unfortunately, Varsity lost against Henry Ford. Hockey is also skating into the season. They had their first game on November 17th, which unfortunately was a loss (2-8). On December 1st, they had a game as well, losing 1-5. They play again on, Saturday, December 10th against Troy United at 6:45 PM. Bowling hit the lanes last week and defeated Orchard Lake St. Mary'sVaristy 30-0 and JV 25-5.

Good luck to all teams throughout the rest of the season!

Any athletic information can be found on our new athletics website, reginaathletics.org

NEW FACES AT REGINA: INTRODUCING MRS. WILLOUGHBY

By Mia Gentry ‘24

For all of the students who do not have an art class this semester, you are truly missing out! New to Regina this year, Mrs. Willoughby has been teaching for 36 fabulous years, and she has experience teaching children of all ages, as she has previously taught at Roseville High School, L’anse Creuse elementary, middle, and high schools, and grades preschool to sixth grade in Grosse Pointe. Mrs. Willoughby has always enjoyed the arts, and as a child, she brought her sketchbook with her everywhere she went! In college, she began to volunteer at a school and felt called to combine her two greatest passions and become an art teacher! Mrs. Willoughby’s favorite topic to teach is three-dimensional arts, yet ceramics and jewelry creation are close runner-ups. For students who may be interested in pursuing careers in art, she encourages all students to “follow your passion because you need to love what you do in order to do it as a career.”

Outside of Regina, Mrs. Willoughby is very active in her Church, Living Hope, which is an Evangelical Presbyterian Church. She married her high school sweetheart whom she met in the marching band, and they have three grown sons together! Also, she has two dogs, Misty and Stormy; however, her 72-year-old turtle that she had inherited from her mother, Pokey, unfortunately, passed away recently. Mrs. Willoughby’s favorite artist is Mary Cassatt, an impressionist painter whose artwork often encompassed the bond between a mother and her children. She advises all of her students to remember that “It costs nothing to be kind, and we are called to extend kindness to our neighbors. So be kind!” Mrs. Willoughby is a kind and inviting presence and has provided her students with a warm and wonderful space to express their creativity. We are so excited to have her here at Regina!

REGINA GIVES THANKS

ByElleKortakis

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23

ThroughthemonthofNovember,StudentCouncil hostedtheannualThanksgivingFoodDrive.During thethreeweeksleadinguptotheholiday,Regina collectedfoodinanattemptto'fillthestage.'Ifthis goalwasreached,wewouldreceiveMonday, November28,2022,offfromschool.Wecollectedall sortsofnon-perishablecannedgoods,boxedgoods, andbabyitemsforsixdifferentcharities.These charitiesincludedOurLadyoftheRosaryParish,St. BlaseParish,St.IsidoreBabyPantry,St.Margaretof ScotlandParish,St.PatSeniorCenter,andCapuchin SoupKitchen.Theweeksstartedoffslow,but towardstheend,theSaddlelitesfilledthestage.All sixcharitiesreceivedmanydonateditemsfromus. St.Isidore'sBabyPantryreceivedallofourbaby donations.

Attheendofthefooddrive,ReginaHighSchoolheld awonderfulprayerservicewithallsixcharities. ReginahadalovelyperformancebySt.PatSenior Centerandenjoyedspeechesfromeachcharity.This traditionhasbeenonetoneverforget.Wereceive donationsfromparents,students,andstaffeach yeartohelpoutthesedifferentcharities.Thankyou totheReginacommunityagain,foryourwonderful donationstohelpoutduringtheholidayseason.