The Penguin Post - January 2023

The Penguin Post

Academy of Our Lady Parent Newsletter

January 2023, VOL. 13 | ISSUE 6

A Message from Sr. Michelle

Dear Family,

January is a special month for our Salesian family. Almost every month of the year, the church celebrates one of our Salesian saints, but in January, the church recognizes six Salesians! It is a testimony that the simple Salesian way of holiness truly works.

Many of these saints we already know, but some we may be unfamiliar with.

Blessed Titus Zeman– a priest sentenced to death by Communist court in Czechoslovakia - January 8th

Blessed Louis Variara – missionary to Colombia and worked with lepers and children - January 15

Blessed Laura Vicuna – youth and pupil of FMA school – January 22

St. Francis de Sales – Patron of our Salesian Family who inspired St. John Bosco with his emphasis on gentleness – January 24 Blessed Bronislaus Markiewicz – Salesian priest who began schools for poor orphan boys in Poland – January 30

St. John Bosco - Founder of the Salesian priests and brothers and co-Founder of the Salesian sisters – January 31

At least once a week the students pray The Salesian Way of Holiness prayer. It lays out the simple, yet proven way for each of us to glorify God with out lives and find happiness and holiness. I share it with you for your reflection.

God, my Father,

I want to be the best person I can be. I want to be a saint. I offer myself totally to you and I ask for the help of the Holy Spirit. I pledge and devote myself to the following plan of holiness and to keep it faithfully.

1. I will be cheerful

2. I will do my duties well

3. I will stay close to Jesus in the Eucharist

4. I will honor and love Mary as my Mother and Helper

5. I choose to be kind

6. I want to serve rather than be served.

Father, may your grace, the intercession of Mary Help of Christians and of St. John Bosco, together with the assistance of my fellow Christians keep me faithful to this plan day by day. Amen

Thank you for entrusting us to walk with your daughter during such an important time in her life. Together we can help her find discover the love of God and her personal call from Him to live a life of happiness and holiness.

God bless,

Sr Michelle

Reminder: PTO meeting February 7 at 7 p.m.

Catholic Schools Week - Academy of Our Lady

By Makenzie Wood

Having the opportunity to attend a Catholic School was one of the greatest opportunities my mother could have given me. In my lifetime I have only ever attended Catholic Schools. I spent my elementary years at Immaculate Conception School, and I attend high school at the Academy of Our Lady. Since both of these are Salesian schools, I have formed a deep connection within the Salesian movement. I truly resonate with the charism and attitude of the Salesians. I believe it is something so beautiful that everyone needs to encounter. Attending Catholic Schools has given me more opportunities than I could have imagined. It allows me to interact with people who have the same values and beliefs as me, while also meeting people who are not so much like me. It teaches us that no matter our differences, we are one family who cares and loves for each other. At Academy of Our Lady, I have met friends who will last a lifetime. Academy of Our Lady has also given me the opportunity to meet people all over the country. I had the opportunity to attend the Salesian Leadership Retreat twice. I met so many juniors and seniors from around the country who had the same beliefs and love for God as me. It was such a surreal experience to see that the Salesians are nationwide, and not just in my community. Attending Catholic Schools has also given me the opportunity to get involved in my community through service. AOL exposes you to so many service organizations, and even gets you involved through service week. To me, Catholic Schools are the building blocks to a strong foundation in faith. They expose you to so many like-minded people and opportunities. Attending catholic schools has made me into the the person I am today. I would not change a thing.

By Isabella Nagy

Not only did Don Bosco influence many people, he influenced me as well. He inspired others through his kindness, and I try to follow in his footsteps. Through his start of the Salesian Order, he created the foundation of many schools across the globe, one of which is the home of many girls like myself. Last year, when I arrived at the Academy of Our Lady, I found myself lost and confused. I did not know much about the Salesian Order, but I saw the importance of Don Bosco’s teachings to the people around me. I was quickly welcomed by my teachers and peers and my fears eventually faded. Don Bosco preached reason, religion, and loving kindness. I have found every single one of those aspects in my surroundings during my time at Academy of Our Lady. Being immersed in a new environment that preached Don Bosco’s teachings was an experience that I am very fortunate to have had. I found a new love for God because of how welcoming he is. I was introduced to the annual Feast of Don Bosco, where Academy of Our Lady students collaborate with Shaw to have a celebratory mass. Through the various activities and love for music, I met many new people and felt like I was at home. Watching everybody join together to celebrate Don Bosco from an outside perspective was so exciting. I saw how one man could unite hundreds of people. Although I have only been able to attend AOL for two years, I have been beyond grateful for the friends and faces I have met along the way.

Feast Day of St. John Bosco

By Kyra Poree Dear Lord,

How can people live in a world of poverty, while others are sitting happily in wealth? How is it that the poor of the world are the ones to give up their possessions to help another? How is it that the rich are okay with sitting in excess wealth, yet let the poor sit in poverty and hunger?

How can people live comfortably in a world where others don’t receive basic necessities and their natural rights aren’t upheld?

How can we open our close-minded eyes to make a change in the world?

How can we be more like St. John Bosco and dedicate our lives to enriching those in poverty with fair access to all of the blessings of the world?

Help us by bestowing your eternal love and justness into the hearts of all people, especially those who do not see the poor as human beings. Bless the poor with the hope to see a better day, but let them continue to hold meekness and remain poor in spirit. Give us the heart of St. John Bosco, so that we may put the needs of others before our own. Bless us with the reason, religion, and loving kindness we need to demand justice and equality for all. Let us fill the youth with these values, so that their hearts are filled with empathy and care for the common good of their community and the world.

Let us live our lives in perpetual love for one another, especially for the youth. For if we do not hold love in our hearts, then we will cease to find charity and kindness to pass onto others. St. John Bosco stated, “The power of evil men lives on the cowardice of the good.” Therefore if we cower to injustice and poverty, they will both continue to thrive over the world. Let your love and dedication to humanity shine through the hearts of the good, and let them be the prime example of your will.

Plague our minds with images of the unjust and cruel world we live in. Bless our dreams with images of a just world, and let it fill our hearts with the desire to achieve it. Lord, let us hold humility against pride, kindness against envy, patience against anger, liberality against greed, and diligence against sloth.

Finally, St. John Bosco said, “Do not try to excuse your faults; try to correct them”, for if we excuse them, we will never be able to progress past the point of an unjust and poverty-stricken world. Amen.

Feast Day of St. John Bosco

By Asiah Richards

As a student who has gone to Salesian schools since the age of three, the name Saint John Bosco is a very familiar one. We were taught how he helps the young as well as the poor and that he is the founder of the schools that many of us called home. I always knew of his importance, however, as I aged, my admiration for him grew. Don Bosco was born in Turin, Italy on August 16, 1815. Don Bosco had always had a deep love for Christ and desired to be a priest. However, due to him not being a part of a wealthy family, this would not be an easy task. The schooling that Don Bosco would need to attend to fulfill this dream was very costly. Despite this, Don Bosco was persistent, patient, continued to work hard, and most importantly kept his faith in the Lord. With this mentality, Don Bosco received many blessings. He met many mentors and was blessed enough to meet a kind priest who paid for the cost of Don Bosco’s schooling. With this, Don Bosco was able to fulfill his dream vocation. He then continued his life making a difference in the world. Some of these differences include but are not limited to: helping the poor, the youth, and changing the mindsets of many in a way that reflects God’s desires for us all. Now, the question many wonder is “what does this information have to do with me?” It is commonly thought that the reason the ways of Don Bosco are taught to us is because we are Salesians and we need to be educated on how we came to be. I too had this belief and although that statement is true, it is incorrect. Over time I have realized the true reason why the ways of Don Bosco have been embedded into our minds is to provide us with a role model. To begin, Don Bosco was not in a position to financially support his dream; however, he stayed patient and kept his trust in God’s plan. Through this, he was blessed to be put in a position that enabled him to fulfill his dream of entering priesthood. In addition to this, Don Bosco was always persistent and worked hard. He never expected anything to be handed to him and he worked hard for the things he wanted. Even when he received the thing he desired most, he had a mindset that caused him to continue living his life with these same characteristics. For these reasons and many more, I will forever admire Saint John Bosco and I now truly understand why he is so important.

By Jennifer Tran

Born on August 16, 1815, St. John Bosco was called to be a saint. As a young boy, he dreamed that he was in a field with boys and Mary appeared to him to tell him that he would win them over with gentleness and charity. Inspired by his dream, he started to draw out a plan. He wanted to become a priest. But first, he needed to find a way to receive education; to do this, he worked various jobs including farmhand. Later, he came across Father Joseph Cafasso, who furthered his education and taught him about St. Francis de Sales. He became Don Bosco’s inspiration because of how he saw God in everything and how he spread the understanding of Catholicism. Keeping this in mind, he would later name his future order after his last name, “Salesian” to emphasize his values. When he became ordained, he started to aid the poor and neglected boys who sought employment. He began by working in borrowed premises, where he provided the boys with education, religious instruction, and recreation. He later founded an oratory, which was composed of a grammar school, a technical school, and a church. During this time, he was known as an eloquent and well-loved preacher who performed magic tricks to gain attention from the young boys. His knowledge and interests in tricks has helped transform the lives of many boys. For example, Bartholomew Garelli’s (sixteen year old and orphan) life changed when he met Don Bosco. On a winter’s day, Bartholomew went into a local church for warmth. However, a sacristan tried to make him leave; as this happens Don Bosco told the sacristan to stop because Bartholomew was his friend. After the sacristan walked away, Don Bosco asked him for his age and about his mother and father. After asking about him, Don Bosco asked if he could serve mass or recite prayers, to which he said no to. After, he asked if he could whistle—to which he replied yes. They sang and whistled together, and then afterwards, Don Bosco taught him basic prayer; after their lesson together, he asked Bartholomew to return next week. He did come back—and this time—with his friends. Don Bosco was able to impact the lives of countless young people with gentleness and charity and—like St. Francis de Sales—has made the study of Catholicism accessible to many, especially to those who were in need.

Honor Societies Inductions

By: Angelina Verberne, Jordan Lee, Carlie Laurent

On January 12, 2023, Academy of Our Lady held its annual Honor Society Induction. Each inductee pledged their loyalty, responsibility, accountability, and leadership to each of the societies to which they were being inducted. Honor societies instill a sense of Christian character building in those inducted into the different societies. This ceremony focuses on the image of light and Jesus’ presence in our lives, as well as rewarding the students’ dedication to their studies. All of the honor societies represent what it means to be a leader. Academy of Our Lady sponsors eight different Honor societies: Mu Alpha Theta, National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Rho Kappa Honor Society, Tri-M, National Science Honor Society and National French Honor Society. Each of these societies recognized their members by acknowledging high achievements in their studies, seeing the demonstration of outstanding abilities, and promoting intellectual thought. Art Honor Society works to promote the arts through art scholarship, character, and service. Mu Alpha Theta hopes to assist and inspire others in understanding the value of mathematics. Spanish Honor Society works to promote Hispanic studies and show more people about the language, culture, and civilization. The English Honor Society encourages the interest in language arts and serves society by fostering literacy. The French Honor Society strives for a better understanding of French culture. The Tri-M Honor Society promotes the study of music and wants everyone to appreciate music. The Science Honor Society encourages the study of scientific and intellectual thought to all. Lastly, Rho Kappa hopes for people to develop a deeper understanding in social studies and be more mindful of history. During this memorable event, the president of each society expressed how each of the members have been recognized and gave an explanation of what has been done by the organization, after which they lit the Ceremonial Candle. The candle symbolizes light, to show that the inductees are being guided through all of their dark times by Jesus. Once this candle is lit their initiation is finalized. Congratulations to those who were inducted into the Honor Societies for the 2022-2023 school year. We hope that you will live up to the commitment and standards to each Honor society.

Senior Mother Daughter Prayer Breakfast

By: Asiah Richards

The mother/ daughter breakfast was a monumental event that I am sure many will remember for years to come. This event took place on Friday, January 27 and it was an event that was exclusively for the class of 2023. The event provided the senior class with the opportunity to gather with their mothers and enjoy breakfast with one another. A prayer also took place during this event. Overall, the event had a beautiful outcome and the room was filled with dozens of smiles. To begin the morning seniors were dismissed from their first-period classes and were instructed to go to the gym. After arriving at the gym the students met with their mothers. Next, the mother-daughter duos were presented with the chance to bond in conversation. For many, this moment of conversation was much needed. As close as a mother-daughter may be, it can sometimes be hard to find time for an activity that may seem simple. The many responsibilities of life can be overwhelming and time-consuming for both mother and daughter and so this and many other reasons this time was valued. Following this moment together was the serving of food. The food was provided and served by fellow penguin family mothers. It was obvious that seeing familiar faces helping out with the event brought joy to the senior mothers. Once the meals had been served, everyone was able to begin their meals and resume their conversations. As the families enjoyed their meals, a special speaker was presented. This speaker was Dr. Dana LeBlanc, who is an Immaculata class of 1998 graduate. Since graduating high school, Dr. LeBlanc is a pediatric hematology and oncology doctor and mother of three. During her speech, Dr. LeBlanc wanted to ensure that the audience took away three key ideas, which she called her “pearls of wisdom”. These three pearls of wisdom were:

1. To know your cheerleaders. These are people in your life that cheer you on no matter what.

2. To give your parents grace. From the moment we are born our parents are given the responsibility to keep us safe. Dr. LeBlanc expressed from her perspective as a mother that it can be complicated to go from caring for a child’s every need to letting them go out to experience life on their own. Because of this difficulty, she asked the seniors to be patient and to give grace to their parents.

3. To have perspective. Throughout Dr. LeBlanc’s career, she has witnessed some truly upsetting things. This is why she asked all those who were present for her speech to keep their perspective on life. Although we may not be happy with the occurrences in our life, we must remember some people wish they had those struggles instead of their own.

After Dr. Dana LeBlanc’s touching speech, students got one last opportunity to hold a conversation before parting their ways with their mothers and returning to class. All in all, it is safe to say the event was truly amazing.

Mother/Daughter Reflections

By Lindsey Dixon

As we see ourselves growing into young adults, we begin to notice just how important parents are in our lives. My mom has done everything possible to create an amazing life for my brother and I. My mom, Susan, did not grow up with much. She moved around a lot as a child, until she met my dad in Louisiana. They both began a life together and were determined to raise children in love, religion, and kindness. My mom did not have the privilege of going to a Catholic school, so it was her duty to make sure I had that opportunity. Along with this, she has inspired me to grow by giving me opportunists and encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone. Without my mom, I would not have the example of what it means to be a mother with the traits of kindness and love. She always reminded me that I can be or do anything I desire, as long as my heart is in it. Her positive attitude towards everything teaches me that a positive perspective will lead to good things. This morning at breakfast, my eyes opened to see just how much my mom means to me. Leaving her next year for college will be so hard, because without her, my personality, my smile, and my kindness would not be. There is not a way to describe how thankful I am for everything she instilled in me and everything she has taught me. Thank you mom for loving me, inspiring me, and encouraging me. Without you, I would be lost in this big world. No matter how old I grow, or how far I live, I will always need my mom. If I grow up to be half the mom you are, my kids will be the luckiest kids in the world. Thank you.

By Sabrina Benoit

This event definitely holds a special place in my heart as I got to share breakfast with my mom and other senior moms as wellI. This allowed me to take time out of my school day to go and reflect on the special bond that we have as a mother and daughter. Ever since I was little I always remember cherishing the bond I had with my mom and I one day dreamed of being just like her. By watching my mom as I grew up I knew that I always wanted to be like her in the future, a wife and a mom that loves and cares for her family so much. While growing up, my mom has always been my number one cheerleader in life and is also the first one to back up my ideas. While supporting me, she also tells me when my ideas aren’t the best or if my plan may not work out the way I wanted it to. I love when I get to spend quality time with my mom and grow our bond even stronger than it already is. We spend quality time together by playing card games, watching our favorite tv shows/movies, going to dinner, getting our nails done, and so much more. This event also made me a little sad as I realized that I will actually be going off to college next year where I will be away from my mom and won’t be able to spend as much quality time together anymore. I feel that this transition is going to be very life changing for the both of us, as we do spend a lot of time together. We just have to focus and lean on the strong relationship that we already have to lead us through this difficult time as I will be moving out for college. I think the strong bond that I have created with my mom over the years will give me that extra confidence when I’m scared or doubting myself while I’m away at college. I am hopeful for the future bond that I will have with my mom as we go through this transition over the next year.

STUCO Takes Home LASC Awards

Academy of Our Lady students attended the Louisiana Association of Student Councils Convention in January. With over 70 schools from the state represented, senior Jacy Moore placed 2nd in the current events contest and junior An Nguyen placed first in the speciality contest “Leadership…A Step in the Right Direction!”

Speech and Debate

Last semester was a big season for our Academy of Our Lady Speech and Debate students. Students participated in the National Speech and Debate Association’s Springboard December Capstone. Participating as one of the 107 schools over 33 states, Academy of Our Lady wants to congratulate prefreshman Amerie Stewart and freshman Samara Tasker for placing 1st and 2nd respectively in the Rising Stars Poetry Division. Students received medals and certificates displaying their achievements!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, students from Academy of Our Lady were able to honor Dr. King by attending a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Banquet with Mr. Knighten and having a service day with Ms. Thaibihn. During the banquet, our students were able to meet U. S. Congressman Troy Carter and Judge June Darensbourg. Ms. Thaibihn’s students were able to help package food and were even able to meet with the Archbishop during their service day. We are proud of our students and their service towards to others.

Martin Luther King Jr. Reflections

By Breanne Gill

Doctor Martin Luther King is one of the most famous civil rights activists of all time. He was a man moved by hope. Doctor King was motivated by hope for a brighter future for everyone, no matter who you are. A famous quote of his, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” shows his hope for justice. Justice is a necessity for any successful government and sometimes is absent in our society. To get justice, we must hope. Hope that justice will not only fall upon those who are in dire need of it and hope that justice will be fought, tooth and nail for. Hope that one day, justice will serve no purpose in our society. Because everyone of us will be treated equally. Hope is a very important word, to me it means to look for the good, even in hard times. Hope is a very important concept. It means that even when times are bad, you can look for the best to come. Hope is an important philosophy. It means to believe in the good in our world. I hope for justice for anyone who has been hurt, emotionally or physically, by the ones who are supposed to protect them. I hope for justice to be granted to anyone who has lost family or friends due to their race, personal identity or beliefs. I hope for justice for those who cannot speak up. I hope that justice is brought to those in need. Justice is constantly threatened, and everyday people like us, are called to protect it. Justice will not come easily. You have to fight for justice. Through thick and thin, the righteousness of justice must be sought. Everyday that we fight for justice, Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy continues to live on.

By Jadyn Kitchens

Hot classrooms with no air conditioning inside a poor school, separate bathrooms, separate water fountains, separate restaurants, and so much more. This was the reality that African Americans had to go through back in the day. After years of being captive, beaten, and being put through forced labor; African Americans were finally freed. Unfortunately, being freed did not mean the discrimination of African Americans, all because of their skin color, would stop. If a African American were to interact with the other race it could have serious consequences and have a small chance of landing them in jail or leading to their death. There was no unity in America. Everyone was against each other.

That was, until a man named Martin Luther King Jr decided enough was enough and things needed to change. Martin Luther, named after the man who went against the church, came from a long line of preachers and became one himself. He was a strong advocate for civil rights and was a member of the NAACP. He lead the first great nonviolent demonstration, the bus boycott. It lasted over a year and afterwards, the supreme court declared that segregated buses were unconstitutional. In the end the boycott ended segregation on buses, Martin went through a multitude of problems during it. He was arrested, his house was bombed, and was put through personal abuse. He did not let those things affect him. He continued to push his agenda no matter what happened. Throughout his years, Martin traveled over six million miles and spoke over twenty five hundred times and wrote five books. He led a massive protest in Birmingham which garnered the attention of the world. He helped African Americans in Birmingham register as voters; he led the march on Washington, D.C., where he gave his “I Have a Dream”, speech. At the age of 35 he received the Nobel peace prize, which he gave his prize money to further the civil rights movement. Unfortunately, on April 4, 1968 he was assassinated on the balcony of his motel. Though his time was cut short, Martin Luther did wonderful things for the African American community. His peaceful protests and his speeches carved a path for other civil rights activists to step up and further progress the civil rights movement.

March for Life Personal Experience

By Jacy Moore

The week of January 17 - 22 I was able to take part in a five day pilgrimage. I attended the March for Life in Washington D.C. and it was an amazing experience. It all started with the twenty-four hour bus ride. I had always been told the bus ride was long, tiring, and grueling, but those were misconceptions. The bus ride was filled with prayer, reflection, and bonding opportunities. The bus ride gave us the opportunity to come to know each other on a faith based level. After several stops, we finally made it to our hotel in Arlington, Virginia late Wednesday night. After we got situated, the real fun began. We had our first ministry night put together by the Vigil Project. These nights gave us the opportunity to pray and worship as a community. Thursday morning we took part in the Geaux Forth Rally that was put on my Louisiana Right to life. This was a great opportunity to learn new information about the pro-life movement. It was inspiring to see an Academy of Our Lady Alumni being the MC for the whole rally. We played games, prayed, and learned everything we needed to know about the actual march. After the rally, we went on our first sightseeing tour. My group and I were able to see the National Archives Museum and the Smithsonian Science and History Museums. Being able to learn about our nation’s history was a great opportunity. After our day of sightseeing, we made our way back to the hotel. After dinner we took part in our second ministry night. It was amazing. We were able to play “Eat that Bag!” It is a game the vigil project put on. That was fun, but the best part was the adoration and confession. The beautiful opportunity to attend adoration and worship as a community was very impactful. We were able to reflect on our day and worship the Lord. The next day was the whole reason we were there. We were ready for the March for Life. We loaded the buses and made our way to D.C. When we were about to begin the march, I was nervous for what was to come. As soon as we began to march, all the worries went away. I knew I was there for a reason and it was to stand up for life. The march was so powerful, especially seeing so many people stand up for something they believe in. We marched all the way to the Supreme Court building and ended in prayer for all those related to the pro-life issue. After the march, we had our last ministry night. During this night’s adoration, I was able to reflect on the march as a whole. I reflected on what it meant to me, how I made a difference, and what I can do from here. Many emotions came over me during this adoration, but I realized I was called to be here by God. I realized he has called me to advocate for the pro-life movement, which is what the March allowed me to do. The march is definitely something I will do again, as it means so much to me. The next day was filled with sightseeing as we prepared to return home. We were told that even though we were returning home, our pilgrimage was not yet over. We still had a twentyfour hour pilgrimage ahead of us. During the bus ride home, we had a deep reflection on our week. I learned several things about myself during our time in Washington D.C., especially about my faith. The March for Life is an experience I will never forget and I am extremely grateful I was able to attend. I hope to continue my advocacy for the pro-life movement as I have learned so much during my trip.

Winter Pep Rally

One thing Academy of Our Lady does not lack is school spirit. When you put hundreds of girls in a gym, give them bells and signs, and have them celebrate AOL and Penguin Spirit, you are sure to have a great experience and maybe some residual ear ringing due to the loud and inviting atmosphere. During this pep rally, we honored powerlifting, cheerleading, basketball, and soccer and celebrated their seasons. The school was surprised by a teacher dance to Supersonic and coach Ken danced during the student council skit. In the end, the seniors kept their undefeated streak alive by winning the coveted megaphone yet again.

Big Sister/Little Sister Social

By: Summer Dupont, Ashly Lagos, Amyia’ Howard

Big Sisters have been a tradition at AOL for many years. First, the seniors must meet the requirements necessary to become a Big Sister. Next, they welcomed the eighth graders, new freshmen, and transfer students into their new home. The seniors this year have done a great job taking on the responsibility of being a Big Sister. They serve as role models to their little sisters, guiding them through high school and sharing their experiences. Big Sisters and their Little Sisters truly become a family. They have opportunities to spend quality time together by participating in social events during lunch/study in the AOL gym or courtyard. These events were run by Ms. Haley and Mrs. Babcock. Big Sisters and Little Sisters socialized with each other to catch up on what has happened throughout the month. There were organized activities, games with prizes, music, food, and drinks. Little Sisters have a lot of fun bonding with their Big Sister while learning from them. The next Big Sis/Lil Sis event occured on January 27th.. Senior Amyia’ Howard spoke about her experience as a Big Sister. She explains, “As a Big Sister, it’s your responsibility to be a role model and lend a helping hand to your little sister. Coming into high school as a new student, it can be hard for an 8th grader or 9th grader to adjust to the new routine. It is our job as a Big Sister to make sure they feel welcomed and comfortable in their environment. I know coming into a school and not knowing many people can be very nerve racking. Having someone to talk to or just be there for you is so important.” Big Sisters truly represent how AOL is a home that welcomes.

COR Retreat Reflection

By Yelmary Aguilar-Ortiz

If I had the privilege to go back in time and I was asked where I would like to go, I would say to go back to the first night of COR. Not only did I find a family to share my faith with, but I also found a safe space and a home. Being able to connect with my faith again has been a privilege and a blessing that COR was able to give me. From the first night I was there, I knew that something special would occur. I didn’t know if it would happen to me or not, but I knew it would happen to someone. COR helped me find myself again. It helped me find God in the places you would least expect God to be. Not only did I find God in front of me and within me, but I also found him in the lives of everyone else who attended COR. I didn’t just fortify my relationship and my faith with God, I also fortified my friendship with so many people who I can now call my family. We were able to bond over our desires to have a better connection with God. This is an experience I wish everyone could experience at least once in their lifetime. It’s hard to talk about COR and not get sad because you know it’s over and you won’t be able to relive something so special. But I use what I have learned and try to help others find the light that I was able to receive. When people ask me about COR there is not one bad thing I can say about it, not to mention I can’t even say much about it as it is. What I can say is that if you have the opportunity to ever go, do not think twice about it. Say yes and have an open mind on what you want your outcome to be on the retreat. God works in mysterious ways, don’t be scared to find him.

St. Valentine Reflection

By Kyra Poree

St. Valentine was a Christian martyr that died during the persecution of Christians by Claudius II Gothicus. There are many stories about St. Valentine, but all hold the same belief, that he was a former Bishop of Terni, Narnia, and Amelia. Many accounts share that he would marry couples secretly, as the ceremonies went against Roman belief. Other accounts share that, in captivity, he healed the blindness of his captor’s daughter. This event caused the captor, and his household, to convert to Christianity, as the miracle happened right before their eyes. After this miracle, he was tortured and beheaded on February 14th, his feast day.

St. Valentine has always been seen as a romantic saint, but that is not necessarily the case. He was depicted as romantic by the author George Chaucer, and, because of the author’s popularity, the romantic tradition made its place. Also, his feast day, Valentine’s Day, may have been made romantic because it was meant to overpower the pagan holiday Lupercalia, a day of fertility for the flocks, people, and fields. Since then, he was named the patron saint of love, young people, and happy marriages. Another account of St. Valentine was that, after he healed the blind girl, he left the little girl a note signed “your Valentine ‘’ on his execution date.

All in all, St. Valentine is a model of devotion and love that people can learn from, through all of his accounts. Through even his most different times, he maintained his faith and spread it onto others, while risking his life. In order to remember his gifts, together we can pray:

Dear St. Valentine, thank you for your model of devotion, love, and faith you held in questionable times. Let us hold in our hearts the love that you held for God and others, and use these gifts to better ourselves and the world. For if we all hold love in our hearts, then we can put our differences aside and create the loving world that God intended, Amen.

Cheerleading Places at National Competition

By: Makayla Phelps, Jillian Monfra, Blair Chiquet

The National Cheer Association (NCA) organization holds cheer camps with the purpose of bringing cheerleaders together to learn new skills under qualified instructors. The camps help cheerleaders with dance, jumps, tumbling and stunting. The first NCA camp was held in 1951 at Sam Houston State University with only athletes in attendance. This was only the start of the mass outspan of NCA camps.

At one point, The National Cheerleaders Association held camps in 430 different sites, with 1,500 instructors. During this time, there were up to 150,000 cheerleaders in attendance yearly. Today, NCA holds an annual nationwide competition for high school teams. The competition has several divisions to include all skill levels and ensure fairness.

Before leaving for the competition, we interviewed one of the Penguin Cheer Captains, Victoria Collins. When asked, “What have you and other captains done for the team to help the team prepare?” she responded with, “We have worked hand in hand with Coach Rachael to give the team the best year they could possibly have. We started the year off implementing things that have helped us as a team stay close.” When asked how the team felt overall about the upcoming competition, she stated, “The team is filled with excitement and anticipation about this competition. We have put a lot of work into this routine and truly think it’s our best yet!”

This year’s competition was held from January 21-22, 2023. The Penguin Cheerleaders traveled to Dallas, Texas to compete in the medium game day division and the intermediate non-tumbling small varsity crowd performance division for the 2023 competition. The team placed 3rd in the performance division, and 7th in the game day division. We are very proud of our Penguins for working hard and for doing their best at the competition!

Soccer and Bowling

Skylar Alexander, Thuy Pham, Reah Hunt

Let us take a look back at the soccer and bowling teams’ season and celebrate the seniors of the soccer team. The soccer team has currently won all of their district games and hope to gain a district title. Tristyn Landry reflects on her senior season. Senior Tristyn Landry stated, “her favorite memories come from events that gave her the opportunity to bond with the team like road trips, away games, and spending time with the other girls.” When asked for this season goals as a team and as a player, Tristyn stated that as a team they hope to gain a district title and to personally build more leadership skills but have improved greatly in their communication skills.

January was an exciting month to start up the 2023 Varsity Bowling season. This season is huge considering that the team had an undefeated season going 11-0 and were district champions for the 2022 season. Last year’s team had four seniors who had a huge impact on the season. This year, with the addition of 5 new team members, the young team wants to continue the goal of becoming district champs for the 2023 season. This season the varsity team is led by Captain Laney Sasso and Co-Captian Taylor Rotolo. CoCaptian Taylor Rotolo was recently interviewed about the 2023 Bowling Season:

Question #1: By having an undefeated season last year, what do you want to build on this year?

Answer: “I want to continue to build our teamwork, especially since we have a younger team.”

Question #2: What is the difference between having a mature team last year compared to this year’s younger team?

Answer: “The biggest difference is the simple fact that most of the team doesn’t understand how a match works or the terminology of bowling. However, I will say that the rookie members have done a wonderful job of learning and adapting and the veteran members have done an amazing job of teaching.”

January Penguins of the Month

Pre-Freshmen: Amerie Stewart

“Amerie participates great in class. She is always willing to help her classmates. She volunteers to lead the class in prayer. I can always count on Amerie to have a joyous attitude. She brightens the classroom with her smile and positivity.”

Freshmen: Ryliegh Hull

“Ryliegh always encourages her peers to do their best in class. She volunteers to read and participates often. She always asks me how I am doing and tells me to have a good day as she leaves my class.”

Sophomore: Summer Williams

“Summer Williams is deserving of Student of the Month in my class. She has made the biggest turn-around. One day, I needed assistance on something during class. Without hesitation or reservation, she stepped up to help me. That’s what the Salesian way of holiness is all about.”

Junior: Chloe Nguyen

“Chloe brightens my day every time I have her in class. She is an extremely hard worker, always pushing herself to try challenging problems and seeking help when she does not understand. She works through setbacks exceptionally, and is a silent leader in the class. She is always willing to help out a classmate in need and explain an idea in further detail. She always submits all of her assignments on time and is an overall well-rounded and successful student.”

Senior: Sierra Patterson

“Sierra is an amazing student in class. She not only makes it a priority to keep her grades up, but also makes it a priority to help others keep their grades up. I have watched her help so many students with both their education and their personal lives. She truly cares about everyone around her, and she does not realize how positively she impacts the world around her.”

Mardi Gras Break