December 2021 Unison

Unison

ISSUE 2

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DECEMBER 2021

Christmas Music BY: BRIGID BYRNES ‘24 In our last issue, we polled TUS students’ favorite music to listen to during the fall, and many of the responses indicated that TUS students couldn’t wait any longer for the holiday season and started listening to Christmas music in the fall! Now that Christmas is right around the corner, what better way to get in the spirit, than by having a playlist of all your favorite Christmas carols and songs! Here are some ideas to get you started on the perfect Christmas playlist!

Christmas Traditions BY: NOELLE NEVIN ’23 Everyone has their own special ways to make the holidays a little more meaningful and personal. When asked “What are your Christmas traditions?” this is what members of our TUS community shared!

One tradition was to drive to Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to see the over-the-top Christmas lights and to drive around with family to see any Christmas lights in general. Several people also responded with the Italian tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes which consists of cooking 7 to 13 different fish recipes on Christmas Eve with family.

Another tradition that was shared was a traditional Irish breakfast with homemade

Vanocka, a Czech sweet bread, on Christmas morning to combine the two different cultures of their family into one special custom. Many people also share the traditions of setting up their Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, baking holiday cookies, spending Christmas day in their pajamas, going to see Santa in the mall, etc.

Finally, one unique response was making special food (oatmeal and glitter) to sprinkle outside for the reindeers, and another was receiving gifts from all of Santa’s reindeers. After the challenging past two years, I hope your holiday season and whatever ways you choose to celebrate are filled with health and happiness!

“All I Want for Christmas Is You” Mariah Carey “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” - Brenda Lee “Jingle Bells” - Frank Sinatra “Wonderful Christmastime” - John Lennon & Yoko Ono “Silver Bells” - Michael Buble “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” - Andy Williams “Frosty the Snowman” - Bing Crosby “Sleigh Ride” - The Ronettes “Winter Wonderland” - Tony Bennett “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” -Gene Autry “Feliz Navidad” - Jose Feliciano “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” - Bing Crosby

Two other holidays that people of other religions/cultures celebrate with different traditions

Kwanzaa

Hanukkah

BY: MORGAN ADAMSON ‘23

BY: GEORGINA GAMBLE ‘25

Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration of the African-American community beginning on December 26th and finishing on January 1st. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of California State University, in Long Beach after the Watts Riots in Los Angeles. The foundation of Kwanzaa are the Seven Principles of Nguzo Saba based on the “first fruit” or harvest festivals that were celebrated throughout Africa.

During the Kwanzaa celebration each day is devoted to one of those principles. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are translated as unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. There are also seven symbols of the holiday which include fruits, vegetables, nuts, a straw mat, a candleholder, ears of corn, gifts, and a communal cup all signifying unity and lighting of the candles.

Kwanzaa is a special celebration and each family celebrates in their own way, but it often includes songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. It is truly a time for African-Americans to reconnect with their African roots and heritage and everyone has a great time celebrating! Happy Kwanzaa!

Hanukkah is celebrated each holiday season and commemorates the rededication of the Temple after the Jews conquered the Greeks to regain their land. Legend states that while rebuilding the Temple, a menorah was lit. Yet, there was only enough oil to keep the light going for one night. The Jews prayed, and the one night’s worth of oil ended up lasting 8 full nights. This story began the Festival of Lights, and it is now celebrated around the world by people of Jewish faith!

Jews around the world celebrate Hanukkah each year with many traditions. Food is always important. Hanukkah foods are generally fried in remembrance of the precious oil.

One example of this fried food would be potato pancakes, known as latkes, which are sometimes enjoyed with applesauce. On Hanukkah, it is customary to play with a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top bearing the Hebrew letters: nun, gimmel, he, and shin, an acronym for nes gadol hayah sham (“a great miracle happened there”). So, spin a dreidel, and enjoy some latkes; it’s Hanukkah!

Gratitude, What We’re Grateful for This Holiday Season KAYLA-ANN JOHNSON ‘22 This year of 2021 is finally coming to an end. This has been a rough year for everyone, from the seniors who have to write 650 word college essays to the freshmen who just started their transition into high school and to the sixth graders who just started middle school. Along this journey, there has been a sun shining on the other side to help guide everyone to the end, and for that we should be grateful. There are a lot of things to be grateful for, so I asked the Ursuline community about what they were grateful for.

“I’m grateful for the Ursuline community as a whole because they constantly remind me how grateful I am to be in this community with supportive friends and caring teachers.”

-Annika Pitawala ‘25 “I am grateful to God for all that I have, especially my family, my health, my friends and the many blessings (too many to list) that God has bestowed upon me.”

-Mrs.Coletti “My family, friends, and my life are just a FEW things I am grateful for. I am grateful for everything I have: a roof to live under, food to eat, and an education. I am grateful for everything that has happened to me, the challenges I’ve been through, the happy moments, and the sad ones. I’m thankful for everything that has come across my path. It helped me grow as a person, and I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

-Margo Rockefeller ‘27 “After being in a pandemic,I can really emphasize that I’m grateful for life. Every year, I sit down and really appreciate the fact that my parents are able to provide me with necessities like food, shelter, education, clothing, and other wants. I’m really grateful for no health ailments, family, friends and so much more” -Solana Mahabeer It seems that the most common thing the whole Ursuline community shared is that they are grateful for family and friends. They both are an integral part in everyone’s growth and success and even help form the person you become. I hope everyone has a cozy and fun holiday and a great and joyful New Years!

Dr. Jean Twenge Presentation BY: MADELINE DONOVAN ‘23 AND JANNETT MARTIENA ‘22 On Thursday, December 9th, The Ursuline School was visited by Dr. Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University.

Dr. Twenge, who has written over 100 scientific publications and 6 books, focuses much of her studies on Generation Z, and the findings of her studies have been written about in Time, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post, among many other publications. She spoke to Ursuline’s student body about the mental health issues many of us experience and how, as a whole, our generation is extremely unprepared for adulthood.

She went into great detail, explaining how much research blames social media for much of the unhappiness faced by many teenagers. Ever since 2012, society has become so dependent on smartphones and social media, that our generation has not been able to develop the “soft skills” needed to be successful in the workplace. Dr. Twenge’s research has also found that our generation goes from “0 to 60” (as she put it) when we go to college, for we go from being nurtured to the point where we are not independent enough to live on our own.

Question: You did is being pushed onto not discuss this in students more and your presentation; more nowadays, and however, the subtitle whether this pressure of your most recently is coming from parents published book, and guardians or social iGen, mentions media creating this ability how members of to broadcast mistakes to our generation are a massive audience. Dr ‘more tolerant.’

Twenge had this to say: We were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to speak with Dr. Twenge to ask Could you expand “I believe it’s a mix her a few questions about her presentation and her work. on this? of both,” she said, “I used the word tolerant, but I think ‘abrasive diversity’ is more further elaborating on how parents sometimes create incredibly high accurate. iGen tends to be more comfortable with differences.” She expectations for their children, which is especially felt more when goes on to say that this has been a trend that began in the 1950s, but those children attend private institutions. However, social media also throughout the years it has continued to gain more recognition. plays a role because it now can be used as a catalyst to blast seemingly The type of culture also plays a big role in this. Dr. Twenge tells us mistakes (often made by children who need to make these mistakes in about Individualism vs Collectivism. “America’s society is definitely order to learn) across several massive platforms and into the hands and more individualistic which contributes to its abrasiveness. Asian thousands of people. societies often have a more collectivist culture. Both have their benefits Question: You mentioned in your talk how teenagers and downsides.” America’s individualistic culture allows for there (as a whole) lack many “soft skills” required for the to be more acceptance to differences, such as differences in race, workplace. What do you mean by this? gender, and sexuality. However, it also means that culture is extremely Dr. Twenge stated that “soft skills” are essentially just social intolerant of other things, such as differences in political views. skills. The term is frequently used in the workplace. This term is a compliment to “hard skills” which are the tools you need specifically Question: You mentioned in your presentation that to do your job (ie work ethic, knowledge in subject, etc). “iGen is there is an increased trend in seniors being less always applauded for having great work ethics and hard skills, they just prepared for life after high school. As a college-bound lack soft skills.” student who lacks a license and struggles to have their own independence, how do you suggest these students Question: How can schools do a more effective job of better prepare themselves for the independence that preparing students for life beyond high school? comes with college and adulthood?

Dr. Twenge suggests there should be classes devoted to bettering “Go out and get those experiences; get that license,” Dr. Twenge students’ social skills. She agrees that preventing phone usage during said. The high school years are meant for exploration and mistake school hours is a great idea but that it should be a branching off point making. Though students are often held to this standard of perfection for classes that build on student’s social skills and tools that will help as a highschooler, these years are the years in which students are meant them in a work environment. Jannett suggested a class preparing to make mistakes. That way, they learn from these experiences and are students for public speaking or mock interviews which Dr. Twenge better prepared to face these roadblocks when they occur later on in life. agreed with.

We then asked if there was a reason that this standard of perfection

Ring Day

BY: JANNETT MARTIENA ‘22 AND EMILY MAYS ‘22

The Ring Day tradition is one that stretches generations upon generations of Ursuline girls. It’s a day every student remembers, whether you contributed to the construction and execution of the massive event, or you’re a senior who gets to simply enjoy the momentous occasion with friends. It is always a day to remember, one that goes down in the history books of your life. Last year, Ursuline held a relatively quiet Ring Day due to COVID-19 restrictions. But this year’s improvements allowed for Ring Day to roar thunderously as it did in years prior. As all seniors breathe a collective sigh of relief, credit must be attributed to the junior class and the Art Department for hitting it out the park this year with an incredible New York theme. From the Ursuline subway sign, to the playbills lining the cafeteria, to the pretzel machine in the

lobby, the decorations brought the bustling city to our campus. It’s truly poetic that the theme would be New York because it so perfectly mirrors the Ursuline School community. Our home county of Westchester and the city we took inspiration from have struggled because of the pandemic. But, as Dr. Melnyck aptly put it in her inaugural Ring Day speech, through it all, New Yorkers came together and pulled through.

Similar to our school community, the pandemic upended so many of the traditions we as a school community, and especially our senior class, holds dear. It was hard to maintain the sense of community and companionship that is such a signature of Ursuline.

And yet, despite all odds, we persevered and strengthened the deep bonds within our community, whilst creating new ones. Ring Day, and the immense success that it was, is a firm testament to that.

Mother-Daughter Communion Breakfast BY: CHRISTINA HUERTA-STYLIANOU ‘24 On October 24th, the Mother’s Auxiliary of The Ursuline School held an exciting event for the start of Ring Day Week: The MotherDaughter Communion Breakfast! This special event is an annual tradition of the Ursuline School, similar to the Father-Daughter Dance and other Ring Day Week events. The breakfast, held at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, was an opportunity for Ursuline students to gather as a community outside of school with their beloved mothers or important females in their lives and their friends.

The breakfast began with a Mass service in the hall where girls sat together at tables. It also marked the unveiling and blessing of the Senior Class Quilt, a single piece of artwork made with 163 squares. The quilt is a symbol of uniqueness and togetherness. The patchwork was done by each student of the Class of 2022 and displays their artwork and individuality. It also represents the journey and special bond the senior class has. There were also student ambassadors who entertained the guests with musical performances. The instrumentalists welcomed people by performing an array of pieces as girls registered. The quartet was comprised of musicians playing clarinet, trumpet, and violin. The choir performed for the audience during the breakfast event. The Mass and Mother-Daughter Breakfast are unique ways for our school to share and continue the spiritual life and traditions we have.

Father-Daughter Dance BY: ANNA AUSANIO ‘22 Ursuline’s annual Father-Daughter Dance was held on Friday, October 29th at the Westchester Marriott, and it was an incredible success. What better way to end off Ring Week than with dinner and dancing? Father-daughter couples crowded the dance floor, jamming out to timeless hits!

Being the last celebration of Ring Week, the Father-Daughter Dance was an especially meaningful night for our seniors. It started off with the introduction of each senior father-daughter pair, and soon after, the seniors had a blast participating in Ring Day chants and singing and dancing to their senior song, “22” by Taylor Swift. We then enjoyed our delicious three course meal. Ursuline girls filled the halls trying to find the best lighting for their Insta pictures, while Chris Pope and his team took professional photos for us. Father-daughter couples competed to win the dancing competition, but there could not only be one champion! From the sixth graders to the seniors, the night was one to remember. A special thank you to everyone who made this night possible, Maureen Corbett, Jim Jones, Chris Pope and his team, and last but certainly not least, all the mothers who helped behind the scenes! We cannot wait until next year’s dance!

Constitutional Law Elective BY: EMAN SHAKAIB ‘24 At Ursuline, students are encouraged to indulge in things that interest them. Girls can pick from courses in art, classics, English, world languages, mathematics, science, computer science, and/or social studies.

One of the electives that many students steer towards is U.S. Constitutional Law. Ms. Geller, the U.S. The Constitutional Law teacher, says that the focus of this class is “...critical thinking and analysis for sure! ...[The students] spend the first part of the course learning about what we will study (the Bill of Rights, the issues involved, etc) and then studying the current Supreme Court as its member composition is critical to the decisions they will make.” Melissa Suriel,

a senior who takes this class says she looks forward to “...going to class everyday because I know it will be engaging and not stressful.”

This course plays a significant role in the lives of the girls who take it. Ms. Geller says, “I hear from them months, years later about a topic in the news, or their life or something and they just felt the need to reach out and share because it related back to a topic from this course. I have even had girls tell me they used this class for the SAT essay, their college essay or that they spoke about it at their college interview.” Like Ms. Geller said, the girls even use the concepts they speak about in class in their everyday lives. Sophia Frank, another senior who takes this course,

mentions that whenever she speaks to family about current events she gets to “prove them wrong.”

The pervasiveness of this dynamic class proves the value that the U.S. Constitution continues to have today as the foundation of our democracy. No wonder this engaging and relevant elective is such a popular course!

Saint Nicholas Day Comes to the Halls of Ursuline BY: SARAH BRANNIGAN ‘24 AND CAROLINE BRODY ‘22

At Ursuline, many teachers have brought their own holiday traditions into their classes over the years. One tradition that students at Ursuline look forward to is Saint Nicholas Day, which always includes shoes, fruit, treats, and lots of holiday joy. Mr. Bratt, a history teacher here at Ursuline has helped bring the spirit of Saint Nicholas Day to the halls.

Mr. Bratt, a teacher at Ursuline since 2008, has always found different ways to enrich learning within the classroom.

Throughout his tenure, he has developed the term “gustatory learning,” to demonstrate that the intertwining of cuisine and culture could be used as an exciting tool for the learning process. There are many customs

and traditions associated with Saint Nicholas Day, but one has always “stepped’’ out to Mr. Bratt. On the night before Saint Nicholas Day, children leave their shoes outside their front door in hopes that Saint Nicholas comes bearing fruits and candies, reminiscent of stockings on Christmas Day. Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated across the world on December 6th, the feast day of Saint Nicholas. Not only does Saint Nicholas visit Germany, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Croatia, but also makes a trip to the Ursuline School’s AP European History classes, thanks to Mr. Bratt. On December 6th, students leave their shoes outside the classroom, and when the period is over, they are met with chocolate and tangerines filling their soles. One unlucky girl might find a potato, which is what a “naughty” person would usually wake up to.

What would an Ursuline holiday tradition be without an engaging assignment attached?

After the treats are enjoyed, Mr. Bratt then explores and gives an assignment about how Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated to help further supplement learning of his AP Euro students. Mr. Bratt, you “Jingle Bell” rock!

Diversity Alliance Club Highlight BY: AGNES SHILLUE ‘24 AND BROOKLYN BENEDIKT ‘23 Every other Monday, in Room 28, politically involved students and those interested in learning more cultures gather for the Diversity Alliance Club. Students can come with either a presentation or an attentive ear to listen to discussions about current events concerning diversity. Topics can be shared in the form of a slideshow, video, or even just an idea that a student would like to share their opinion on and hear others’ views. The club is a safe space for students to bring new ideas, relevant topics, news stories, or diversity issues and is a place that welcomes all perspectives to be shared.

The club also holds a yearly diversity summit, open to all grades, that includes more student-run presentations that, in years past, have included topics such as

social media activism, ableism, and more.

Club members are encouraged to create engaging presentations for the summit which is a full-day activity. When the event was first instituted, it took place at an offcampus location. However, last year, due to extenuating circumstances, the summit took place in school. Still, everything came together, and all attendees felt the impact of these issues and left more socially aware than before.

Club meetings begin with a presentation by club leader Safiya Grant, a senior here at The Ursuline School. Some recent discussions at this year’s meetings have included colorism, menstrual equity, and racial imposter syndrome. Apart from the annual diversity summit, the club initiated the “Intent vs.

Impact” presentation that is given to the Freshman Class every year. The presentation discusses the power of your words both online and in person. Specifically, it focuses on how one’s words might impact yourself and others, even if the speaker is unaware of the meaning behind what they are saying or writing. The choice of words used to convey our message plays an important role in its effectiveness. This particular seminar highlights how before you speak, you should think about what you’re saying, and your words might affect your audience.

There is always room for more ideas and minds at the Diversity Alliance Club. If any student has any questions to ask or an opinion to share, consider coming to Room 28 and joining the club.

Midterm Study Tips

BY BRIANA ROISENVIT ‘23, NIAMH KELLY ‘24, AND JULIETTE THOMAS ‘25 The holiday break is right around the corner, and although our heads are crowded by the idea of delicious treats, presents and fun, it is important to keep in mind that midterms are rapidly approaching. Koalas should always be aiming for their highest potential! In this article, we will give you what we consider useful advice and methods to make this tedious time somewhat enjoyable.

Start by creating a study schedule. A schedule can be an extremely effective tool to aid those who struggle with time management. Doing this early on will help you set aside enough time to study while also keeping up with other assignments. You may want to consider making a study guide for each subject. Condensing class notes into one concise study guide can turn what was once an overwhelming amount of notes into something more manageable. Moreover, if you find yourself procrastinating and having trouble focusing, it is essential to create a productive study environment for yourself that is free from distractions.

Utilizing extra help offered by teachers is a must when trying to prepare for midterms.

Reach out to them and ask to schedule a meeting at a time that works for both of you.

Extra help can be extremely useful if taken advantage of, but many students make the mistake of wasting time by being unprepared.

Avoid this dilemma by forming a list of questions before meeting with your teacher in order to maximize your productivity.

Typically, studying is seen as uninteresting, but there are countless ways to make it more enjoyable. One option is to play online games such as Kahoot and Blooket. These websites formulate quizzes on a given topic, and they are a great way to transform studying into a competition. Another way to test your understanding of material is to “tutor” a friend on a subject. As you explain the material, you will become more comfortable with the topic.

Through this process, remember that our brains are unique, so we should all personalize our study habits. So study hard and good luck! You got this!

Clue Play BY: KLARA SEVERANCE-SULIMMA ‘26 “Who? Where? When? And with what?” were the questions being asked all night long. The Ursuline High School Drama production Clue was filled with talent all throughout. The scene was set at Boddy Manor where six people with some buried secrets were invited to stay. The people were a diverse group but with something in common: they were all being blackmailed.

For anyone who missed it, they should feel sorry. From the moment the stage curtains opened, you could feel the energy coming from all of the performers. Their talent and enthusiasm filled the theater. Clue surely is a show you would not have wanted to miss. The play’s director, Edie Anne Reidy, did a fantastic job helping the entire cast portray this enticing mystery. One of the most entertaining moments of the evening was during intermission when students went around the theater asking questions such as “Have you ever been to Boddy Manor?” keeping the audience entertained all throughout the intermission. As the storyline progressed, the audience took in all the twists and turns, speculating on who could be the murderer. As the final moments fell upon the show, they clearly saved the best for last,

with the hilarious scene of describing who murdered who, where, and with what. It felt like a classic game of Clue but embodied into a live-action play. Everyone in the theater didn’t want the play to end. Mr. Antony Marinello, the director of tech, did an excellent job helping the tech crew with guiding the lights and making sure the mics worked perfectly. Everyone who worked on this show worked so hard, and it was evident in their performance. All of the actors played their parts spectacularly, from foreign accents to the embodiment of their characters and every little movement to the faintest of sounds. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to bring this show to life. The audience helped fill the theater with laughter to show their appreciation for all the hard work that the cast demonstrated. Bravo!

Campus Ministry

BY ANNA GAYER ‘23 Ursuline is truly blessed to have such a vibrant community, and we are especially blessed with a wonderful Campus Ministry program to keep us grounded in our Catholic faith. Campus Ministry is a multifaceted program that aims to bring spirituality into the daily lives of students, faculty, and staff here at Ursuline. It involves retreats, schoolwide liturgies, weekly Liturgy of the Word combined with Eucharist distribution in the chapel, and coordinating the daily prayer. Another essential part of Campus Ministry is the Peer Ministry program, where juniors and seniors meet to plan retreats and other school activities centered around our faith. From my experience attending retreats in my freshman and sophomore years and now running retreats in my junior year, I can guarantee that having students lead their peers on these retreats is so crucial. It allows for a quality of relatability in conversations and helps foster relationships with people in different classes.

Although Campus Ministry is separate from the Religious Studies department, it is run by Mrs. Crowley and Ms. Smyth, two of Ursuline’s favorite religion teachers! Know that the Campus Ministry office is on the third floor of the South (Old) Building, and its door is always open! I had a chance to speak with both Mrs. Crowley and Ms. Smyth about their work in Campus Ministry. Ms. Smyth beautifully explained the intent of the Campus Ministry program, saying it’s important to “create time and space for set experiences like prayer services and liturgies and retreats.”

Our school is a busy and thriving place, so Campus Ministry is very important, and it allows for a moment of peace and calm to bring our school community closer to each other and to God. Mrs. Crowley and Ms. Smyth continue to “weave it into people’s everyday lives, whether they are practicing the Catholic faith or not, creating moments where people can think about how they can utilize what we’re providing and have it help them on their journey of life.” I asked Ms. Smyth and Mrs. Crowley to describe Ursuline’s commitment to our Catholic faith and our Campus Ministry. Ms. Smyth said “supportive, optimistic, and universal” and Mrs. Crowley said “intentional, promising, and committed.” These hopeful and uplifting words are perfect reflections on how Campus Ministry works to incorporate our faith into our school.

Campus Ministry is going to be very busy during the second semester! We have many important liturgies, especially the Feast of St. Angela when we get back from Christmas break. It was a very successful first semester with the retreats for the seventh and eighth graders, and we are very excited for the sixth grade and high school retreats next semester! We are so blessed here at Ursuline with an energetic spiritual identity, and I encourage you all to find some way to get involved. Please be on the lookout for PMs in the AMs, a monthly Wednesday morning table to stop by for a spiritual and literal gift from the Peer Ministers! Whether a practicing Catholic or not, the love of God will lead us to many wonderful experiences, and Campus Ministry at TUS is a great place to start!

TUS Christmas Concert BY: KRISTEN VINCENT ’22 AND MARY WROTNIAK ‘22

On December 14th, the Ursuline community was in for a treat as the Performing Arts Department presented its annual Christmas Concert for the first time in two years. Joyous music filled the gym as the choruses and ensembles delighted listeners with holiday classics. The Middle

School Choir began, directed by Mrs. Clarizio, singing “Carol of the Elves” by Janet Gardner with Olivia Stella playing the woodblocks, Ariana Banks on bells, and Chloe Stella playing the vibrastrap.

They continued with “African Gloria” by Sonja Gloria with the sounds of congas and shekeres in the background, and “El Rorro, Mexican Lullaby” by Ruth Elaine Schram.

Finally, they performed “Mele Kalikimaka”

by Jay Althouse with the surprise of hula dancers, Elizabeth Riccio and Claire Caltabianco, shaking up some holiday cheer!

The Junior and Honors Choirs continued, both directed by Mrs. Harmer, joining together to sing “Breath of Heaven” by Chris Eaton and Amy Grant. Independently, the Junior Choir sang “Somewhere In My Memory” by John Williams, “The Star Carol” by Alfred Burt, and “Were You There on That Christmas Night?” by Natalie Sleeth, while the Honors Choir performed “Masters In This Hall” by Mark Hayes and “Silent Night” written by Franz Gruber and arranged

by Pinkzebra. These performances were a great way to spread Christmas cheer despite the gloom of the pandemic. Mrs. Harmer agrees, saying, “More than ever, we need the music and the magic of Christmas!” The concert also consisted of many outstanding

performances from Ursuline’s ensemble of student musicians. The Advanced Orchestra performed “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers”

by Leon Jesse Ralph Ford. This piece from the early 1900s has become a holiday classic; The Rockettes have performed it in the iconic Radio City Christmas Spectacular since 1933.

Ms. Gentry chose this piece for its “large and full sound.” Lola Milazzo ‘22 (violin) and Cameron Caie ‘25 (flute) played the snare and bass drum, respectively. Additionally, the ensemble performed “Feliz Navidad” by José Feliciano arranged by Victor López with Amanda Kirkpatrick ‘22 (clarinet) on the drums. When asked about this performance, Ms. Gentry commented, “This is a piece that was regularly played by the wind ensemble in the past, and I arranged parts for the string instruments so that the whole ensemble could participate in this fun song.” The orchestra concluded as they played “Thunder and Lightning Polka” by Johann Strauss and arranged by Richard Meyer. “We have had a lot of fun learning this piece and are excited to play it for our friends and families,” Ms. Gentry said prior to the show, “We’ll have a grand finale with all the choirs and Advanced Orchestra performing ‘Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.’ I am so glad that we are bringing back our Christmas Concert this year.”

Balling, Sprinting, and Flying!

BY: SAHARA BANGURA ‘24 AND AOIBHE CHARLES ‘24 Ursuline’s winter sports are in full swing, from basketball, track, cheerleading, to swimming!

The Ursuline track team is completely dominating this winter season, winning a range of places from 1st to 4th. In the Section 1 Track Kickoff Meet, Alexa Grassi took 1st place in the 1,000m, and in the Armory Kickoff Meet, the Koalas brought home the gold in five events and earned a total of 22 medals. Superstar, Prizila Negrete, received first in both shot put and the weight throw. The 4x400m relay placed first, along with the 4x800m relay which won only by .01 seconds! Daphne Banino, Stella Gassman, and Prizila Negrete have all been listed on the Lohud Sports Indoor Track and Field Athletes Watch List!

Although our Varsity B basketball season hasn’t started out as we hoped, we are definitely going to pull through and dominate the rest

of this season. Shoutout to Emily Destasio and Tatum Smith for leading the Koalas in their game against Bronxville with 11 points each! Senior Ciara Croker has officially become a Red Fox as she signed to play with the Marist Women’s Basketball team! Senior Meghan Casey has also committed to play with the BU Bearcats at Binghamton University!

Rory Sheridan and Charlotte Brawer, our swimming champions, won the 500 freestyle and 200 meters, making their way to the finals!

Congratulations! And last but not least, our cheerleaders are leading the way after winning the Fall Conference Championships in the Large School Small Team Division! Not only that, but several of them have been named All-League Cheerleaders!

As the winter sports season is just starting here at Ursuline, we are excited to see what our Koalas can accomplish!

We Love Our Seniors, Oh Yes We Do! BY: DANIELLE RESTAINO ‘22 On October 21st, our Varsity Volleyball team went head-to-head against Scarsdale High School in a tough match. However, this wasn’t any ordinary game for our volleyball team, it was Senior Day! The day celebrated the five seniors on the team: Captain Danielle Restaino (L), Captain Julia Pawlowicz (OH), Safiya Grant (M), Isabella Castellano (DS), and Michelle Restaino (OH/DS). The younger girls on the team, eight juniors and four girls pulled up from JV that year, worked together to create a special day for their seniors, creating posters and writing heartfelt speeches for them. The seniors also had their fun, decked out in tiaras, blue boas, and face paint! The game itself was a tough one. The Koalas were dominating within the first two sets (25-18, 25-23), but things took a turn for the worse in the last three sets with Scarsdale making a comeback and ultimately winning the game (2125, 18-25, 11-25) and with an injury in the fifth set, leaving Danielle Restaino with a concussion and out for the rest of the 2021 season. At the end of the game, Danielle Restaino had 27 digs and 4 assists, Julia Pawlowicz had 15 kills and 8 digs, and Michelle Restaino and Isabella Castellano both had a combined total of 16 digs! Even though the Koalas lost on Senior Day, the girls still shared a lot of laughs and made memories that will be cherished. The Varsity Volleyball team continued on to finish their season with a 4-13 record. While it was not the best season for our Koalas, the girls still had a great season all around!

Self-care Tips for the Holiday BY: ANNA BRODY ‘22 During the most wonderful time of the year, it’s important to step back from the hustle and bustle of the season and reflect on the importance of self-care. So, here are some tips for stress relief and self-care during the holiday season:

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Take time for yourself - It’s often easy to neglect the importance of self-care activities during Christmas time. We are so focused on giving the best gifts to our loved ones or having the most perfectly decorated Christmas time that we often lose sight of taking care of ourselves. So, step away from decking the halls and spreading the holiday cheer, and schedule time for exercising to some holiday tunes or reading a book.

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Put away the backpack - With midterm season approaching, we often feel that we must use Christmas break to get ahead of studying.

Although I applaud your diligence, the break is not a time for your head to be buried in a book. I’m not saying you should burn your homework in the fireplace but rather instructing you to set aside studying and homework days to maximize Christmas break.

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Sleep...A LOT - During the school year, it’s safe to say that some of us have encountered sleep deprivation. We often feel so much pressure to be successful in our classes that we sacrifice sleep for good grades. So, take the break as a time to rest. Whether it be sleeping until 12:00 pm or getting some shut-eye while watching Elf, remember the importance of resting your body during the holiday season.

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Spend time with family and friends - The holiday season is a time for gratitude as well! So, make sure you utilize this time to surround yourself with the people who make you believe in the magic of Christmas.

Treat yourself! - Whether it be buying yourself a Christmas gift or indulging in holiday treats, remember that it is ok to be a little selfish during the season of giving. If you see a candle at the mall that you like or you’re in need of a new Christmas sweater, treat yourself! You don’t need an excuse to put yourself first.

So, whether it be taking a peppermint infused bath, or watching Home Alone with a cup of hot cocoa, remember that the holiday season is not a time for stress but a time to be merry and bright.

Christmas Gift Guide: Ursuline Edition BY: ALANNA GALLO ‘22 AND LAUREN BARTON ‘23 With the holiday season approaching, we know it can be challenging to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. So, we have compiled a list of some inexpensive and thoughtful gifts for all the people in your lives.

Some great gifts for friends this holiday season would be fuzzy socks, hot cocoa mix, candy, or scrunchies. These gifts are easy to find at your local CVS and are relatively inexpensive, so they make great gifts for a Secret Santa exchange. Another simple but great gift idea is a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts gift card. Or, if your friend needs a new phone case, Casetify has a variety of cases that are super durable.

Finding gifts for our mothers or grandmothers can be especially challenging. Since the weather has been increasingly frigid, a new candle or a nice bottle of hand cream would make a wonderful gift. We also suggest gifting a cookbook, apron, slippers, festive throw pillows, a cozy blanket, or a new book. Handmade gifts are also a thoughtful option that they would enjoy because they are extremely heartfelt and a wonderful way to show someone how much you care about them. Consider either baking a family recipe, painting a picture, or making a photo-album.

Even though we know them so well, siblings are often difficult to shop for. Depending on your siblings’ ages, a great gift idea would be a new video game, clothes, or an activity you could do together like a board game.

For fathers or grandfathers, a framed photograph of your family is a special gift. Another great idea is getting them some apparel from their favorite sports team or favorite band.

Although it’s ultimately the thought that counts, it’s nice to give your loved ones gifts that they would genuinely enjoy. Merry Christmas!

Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipe BY: BRIGITTE RAPILLO ‘22 Necessities: ★ Sphere Mold = Any size may be purchased but larger than two inches is highly recommended, therefore it can be filled with scrumptious sweets like candy and marshmallows! ★ Baking Sheet = A simple requirement when in the kitchen is of course a baking sheet! This will be used when bringing the hot chocolate bombs from the refrigerator into the freezer.

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Ingredients: ★ Chocolate = The evident ingredient for hot chocolate bombs is chocolate, though any type can be used based on your preference and liking! Whether you desire white, milk, or dark chocolate, all will result beautifully with the hot chocolate bombs. You may also personally decide to choose the melting wafers or chocolate chips! ★ Marshmallows = The second best ingredient in the hot chocolate bombs are marshmallows of course. Depending on the size of the sphere mold you choose to purchase, mini marshmallows work out efficiently, though the bigger the mold, the bigger the marshmallows should be. ★ Hot Chocolate Mix = The mix is the base of this hot chocolate bomb and can be either purchased at the store or made at home. ★ Peppermint = It is strongly suggested to add peppermint since it adds the perfect amount of flavor into the hot chocolate bomb. Crushed peppermint is recommended as it is easier to place inside!

Simple Steps to Make the Hot Chocolate Bombs with Peppermint!

1. Chocolate Melting Process: Always use a microwavable safe bowl, melt in increments of fifteen seconds, and stir in between until smooth consistency is reached.

2. Filling Mold: Use a generous spoonful of melted chocolate in each mold. The mold itself should be fully covered by using the back of the spoon.

3. Remove Excessive Chocolate: Scrape off extra chocolate by moving the bombs to baking paper to shake off additional chocolate. After getting rid of the paper used, position the mold onto a baking sheet with the chocolate molds facing upwards.

4. Freezing Bombs: Each bomb should be set to freeze for around seven to ten minutes.

5. Warming Utensils & Dishes: A plate and spoon should be warmed up for the next step to finalize the hot chocolate bombs.

6. Moving Bombs: Each bomb will be taken out of the freezer. Then they should be flipped, gently pressed, and placed back onto the baking sheet.

7. Filling Time: The hot chocolate mix and marshmallows should be placed inside along with a spoonful of peppermint, preferably crushed.

8. Securing Bombs: Each hot chocolate bomb’s bottom should be placed onto the warmed plate for the chocolate to slowly dissolve. Then, seal by using the warm spoon to place the melted chocolate onto the sphere.

9. Design & Design: Whichever toppings and decorations of your choice should be placed onto the bomb. A piping bag is helpful during this step when placing crushed peppermint and any additional toppings.

10. Final Finishing Touches: Now the bombs are fully completed and placed into the refrigerator for approximately thirty minutes or frozen for only five minutes. After this, the bombs should sit at room temperature until ready to eat and be put to sweet use!

Xoxo, lo ‘22

Brigitte Rapil