The Vista

The Vista NOTRE DAME ACADEMY*3535 W. SYLVANIA AVE.* TOLEDO, OH 43623*VOL 68 ISSUE 1*Oct. 8, 2017

Service Trip Shows True Spirit of NDA Girls Kendall rejent There are two defining qualities that one recognizes in the young women of Notre Dame Academy. The first being the exceptional drive that comes from within each girl. It is this drive that pushes them to try new things, study hard for the grade they want, and go above and beyond what is expected of them. This shows a selfless and devoted side of the girls outside of a classroom setting; their want to serve.

The big trip of this summer was to the Dominican Republic. The girls spent their time helping out at the Mariposa Foundation; bonding with the girls and doing hard work making the foundation an even better space than when they had arrived.

“The Dominican Republic service trip was a great eye-opener, as well as an all-around great experience.

The time spent in the DR consisted of doing service such as painting a wall, creating artwork, making a tile border, and helping in the garden area of the Mariposa. In our free time we got to learn all about the culture of the DR, as well as bond with our fellow NDA sisters. I am so thankful to both my family and NDA for it” senior Jenna Reichert said.

An NDA alumnae and first year faculty member Ms. Marisa Napoli also joined the girls on this year’s summer service trip to chaperone. Ms. Napoli describes the spirit of the girls as “special for so many reasons. They sacrificed a week of their summer relaxation to give of their unique gifts to others. The love that they had for the little girls and the young women at the Mariposa Foundation was not only freely given, but reciprocated. It was beautiful to watch strong young ladies from dif-

ferent countries bond, despite the language barrier, over their womanhood” During the school year, around Christmas, upperclasswomen sign up to

go on the Appalachia service trip. Girls of all grade levels who are not even attending the trip help bring in gifts for the families of Harlan, Kentucky.

The students who were chosen for the trip bring the wrapped up gifts down with them that first week of Christmas break, and put on a Christmas party for the town, welcoming everybody and celebrating as a community.

“Service is an important part of life as a Christian Catholic. Christ calls us to love others and service to those in need is one way we can do this.

Through our public service trips, we as students and staff at NDA are given an opportunity to serve those brothers and sisters who are most in need.” Mrs. Faye Smith said.

Building Bridges Club Offers a Place to Sit with Us Aniah Bell-Langster Nothing is quite as lonely as entering the Dining Commons and not having a lunch table with friends waiting for you.

This year, one club is reaching out to change that. Guided by moderator Mrs. Kelly Wood, Building Bridges is using the ‘Sit With Us’ app to help girls find other students to sit with during lunch.

To get involved with the Sit With Us program, you should download the app and select Notre Dame Academy after you have created an account. You will then see all upcoming Sit With Us lunch events hosted by ambassadors. There is also an opportunity for Building Bridges members to become ambassadors themselves.

The Sit With Us program is an easy way for students to be connected with some of their welcoming peers that host events at lunch time, in which everyone is welcome to join in for snacks and fun.

Senior Kaitie Tolson is one of the students leading the initiative and plans to be an ambassador for many more lunch

Junior Aadya Davis shows an event being opened on the Sit with Us app. Photo by Aniah Bell-Langster

be a part of and want to,” Kaitie said.

“A few members of the class of 2018 and I got together and made this club as a way of finding ways to bridge gaps between us through honest conversation and listening,” Mrs. Wood said.

The Building Bridges members in charge of the program are aiming to keep doing Sit With Us lunches until December because they believe by that time girls will have a group that they can sit with.

However, there is a possibility for the use of the app and lunch meetings to continue throughout the rest of the school year if needed.

In This Issue:

time Sit With Us events.

“There are girls who want get outside of their friend group so they can go and meet new people, but there are also girls who don’t have a friend group to

Page 2 Birthday Dress Code Page 3 Urban Meyer Page 4 Musical Preview

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Opinion-Editorial

Birthday Wishes Crosstalk

Girls Want to Dress Up Chloe Kozal

Kendall Rejent

Our school’s birthday dress code was changed this year due to previous misuse of past dress up days. While it is understandable that students should uphold our school’s policies and that rules should be enforced, the people who did not follow the dress code were a minority of the students, and not everyone should be denied for their choices.

Most students followed the rules through their time spent at Notre Dame Academy, and that good behavior should not be punished.

A stringent and restrictive dress code for birthdays does not allow students to express their creativity and adequately celebrate their birthdays. While students have a great diversity of spirit wear with club shirts, sports shirts, and general Notre Dame spirit wear, it still limits creativity because it is related to the school and not about their own personal interests and unique tastes. Birthday Dress Up Day is the only day we can express ourselves and show our unique individuality.

The school only allowing students to dress in a spirit shirt and nice pants makes absolutely no distinction from a school spirit day and a birthday. While some school spirit days only allow the student to wear a spirit shirt with their skirt, it still is very similar due to restrictions on pants that is limited to only two item options- jeans or khakis.

All students should respectfully ask that the birthday policy allows sweat shirts, t shirts, modest dresses, and sweaters on birthday dress up days. This would allow for creativity within the rules and allow students the freedom of expression on their birthdays.

The Vista Staff Volume 68 Issue 1 The Vista is a publication of Notre Dame Academy by the students of Journalism II and III. The office is located in room 113 of the school.

Unsigned editorials represent a majority vote of the newspaper staff.

Editor in Chief: Kendall Rejent Second-Year Reporter: Ada Ogbonna First-Year Reporters: Aniah Bell-Langster Reagan Bertke Chloe Kozal Adviser: Mrs. Julie Sells

Girls Should’ve Dressed Better

As students of an all girls catholic academy, everyday we lead a high school experience different than most. Not only do we not share our classrooms with boys, but we are also easily recognizable; out in public the plaid skirt can be a giveaway of an NDA girl.

Part of the celebration of girl’s birthdays was dressing up for the day. This year, the rule has changed and girls now only have the option to dress down.

The recent change in rules regarding dressing down on birthdays has made students feel as if their freedom to celebrate their birthday by dressing up has been taken away, and their chance to stand out for one day denied.

But at a school that offers young women so much, doesn't being upset over one day out of uniform seem a little unimportant?

There are so many ways to express your individuality at NDA: in clubs, class discussions, and extra curriculars.

Not to mention you aren't totally denied the right to dress out of uniform. While you may not be able to wear a skirt or dress, you can still wear spirit wear and be comfortable.

Comfortability. One thing I've always loved about NDA was how comfortable the uniform options are, and that we don't feel like we need to compete with each other over the clothes we wear.

Girls can still celebrate birthdays with friends at school regardless of what they wear; they could even bring a treat to lunch to make it more special. Besides, the school day is only until 3:05 leaving the whole night to celebrate with family and friends.

Editor’s Corner Hello! I am Kendall Rejent, and I am a senior and second year staff member of the Vista. This Issue is not only the first of the year, but it is also my first Issue as Editor!

I am very excited to see what we as a staff come up with this year, and how our new reporters find their voice through their assignments.

I hope to peak interest from our readers and draw in support for our small, but dedicated group of young journalists!

Opinion and editorial

Time to Rewrite the Playbook OSU coach Urban Meyer returned to the football field after serving a three-game suspension for matters involving an assistant coach, but did OSU officials make the right call with such a light consequence?

According to published reports, Coach Meyer repeatedly turned a blind eye to warning signs of assistant coach Zach Smith’s unprofessional behavior, even as it continued to escalate. Smith had outrageous expenses and tardiness to meetings and practices. Prior to Smith’s position at Ohio State, he was even accused of shoving his wife against a wall in 2009 during his time at the University of Florida where he worked with Meyer. Recent allegations regarding his relationship with his wife are very similar to those from 2009.

Meyer showed ignorance to his employee’s behavior on numerous occasions, granting him raise after raise despite his absences, and claimed to have little knowledge of his ongoing rocky relationship with his wife Courtney Smith.

Meyer’s reputation and large fan base help him maintain this immunity that seems to protect his position no matter the scandal. The fact that he did not seek out further information on Smith both before and after hiring him

shows his lack of care in regards to keeping a moral code, and instead his desire to win no matter the cost.

Meyer’s biggest defense is that he “never lied” or did not “deliberately lie” to the public and the reporters, but that he instead simply lacked knowledge of his employee’s behavior. But is being ignorant really an excuse when your job is to know who you hire and what life they lead outside the office, especially when it is your job to lead young men at school?

Taking a step back from Meyer’s behavior alone, a bigger focus must be placed on the review of all men in powerful positions. What does it say to young people, and more importantly to young women, when men’s actions are taken into account with the value of their jobs first in mind?

A three-game suspension at the beginning of the season that allows Meyer to attend practices is hardly a fair punishment. Urban Meyer should have been fired along with Zach Smith for not upholding his own supposed core values and not using his extensive resources to ignore a case of domestic violence involving people close to him.

By the Number...

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an in mate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.

1 in 3 women have been vic m of [some form of] physical violence by a partner within her life me.

On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domes c violence hotlines na onwide. *Sta s cs from Na onal Coali on Against Domes c Violence (NCADV) 33% of adolescents in America are vic m to sexual, physical, verbal, or emo onal dang abuse.

Only 1/3 of the teens who were involved in an abusive rela onship confided in someone about the violence. *sta s cs from www.dosomething.org

Domes c Violence Helpline in Toledo: (419) 241-7386

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New Summer Book Options Make Good Reading for Girls Reagan Bertke As summer approached in May, only one concern remained for NDA students: summer homework. In recent years, NDA has assigned one particular book for the students to read and analyze for the upcoming school year. However, for the 2018-2019 school year, students chose from a wide list of novels. In addition, no further assignment was required.

I loved the change in the summer reading this year. I found the reading much more enjoyable because I had the freedom to pick my own book. The list made it possible for students to find a book that they thought they would enjoy, instead of being restricted to one option. Not everyone enjoys reading the same genre, so giving girls options based on their interests makes reading less of a chore for those who may not enjoy reading.

The different novels also brought back a variety of stories on the first day of English classes. I liked hearing about other girls’ books and how they interpreted them. Everyone in my class enjoyed their novels, and the discussions helped spark new interest in both books and reading in general.

I read The Glass Castle. The true story explores the life of Jeanette Walls, who lived in a world of poverty. Readers get a glimpse of what it was like as the family moved from house to house and experienced various hardships ranging from abuse to starvation. The story shifts from feelings of sympathy for the children to resentment towards the parents as the kids struggle to find food and provide for themselves. Although it seems as if Jeanette’s parents would do anything to hinder their successes, Jeanette and two of her siblings end up living prosperous lives in New York City.

Here are a few other thoughts: Jaelyn Braden: It’s Kind of a Funny Story; I liked my novel.

Hailey Kauffman: Out of My Mind; I enjoyed it.

Madi Bell: It’s Kind of a Funny Story; I liked the book. I liked I could choose whatever book interested me.

Julia Rothweiler: Man Called Ove; It was so good!

Maelyn Kizer: Out of My Mind; I loved the book. I thought it was interesting to see other people’s perspective that you couldn’t.

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Backtalk

New Teachers Have Their Say Kendall Rejent and Aniah Bell-Langster

New faculty and Staff members of NDA share inspiration to students with their favorite quotes.

Mr. Mark Richards: “Keep your face always towards the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you” - Walt Whitman

Roving Reporter

What has been your favorite change to NDA so far this year?

Kendall rejent

Mr. Travis Galloway: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people” - Eleanor Roosevelt

“My favorite change is the makeover of the Resource Center because it is more open and bright and it looks like PCA from Zoey 101. I like the booths and the new couches...they are very comfortable!” - Senior Maureen Connelly

Ms. Krista House: “Do all things with love” Mrs. Erin Young: “May the Force be with you”

“My favorite change is that now I always remember to bring a fork...and I really like the new pizza.” - Junior Kathryn Riddle

Girls Welcome ‘Dolly’ to Stage

“Mr. Coppens’ clone!” - Senior Bridget Bishop

Aniah Bell-Langster

“My favorite change to NDA is the new lunch procedure! It makes lunch time more efficient and organized. The pizza is also amazing!” - Junior Madelyn Miller

The annual fall musical at NDA is getting closer! This year, the theatre department has chosen the show Hello, Dolly! to perform with Notre Dame girls and boys from surrounding high schools.

Opening night will be on Friday, Oct. 19 with other show times on Oct. 20, 27, 28 and 29.

The story follows Dolly Levi as she travels to New York to find a match for an unmarried Horace Vandergelder. Junior Chloe Knapp plays the title character, Dolly.

“My favorite part has been all of the love and support! This part has really allowed me to meet all of the underclassmen and to explore my abilities,” Chloe said.

Rehearsals are in full swing as cast and crew try to make the musical the best it can be. The infamous Tech Week is right around the corner. However, even with all the long practices, the students involved enjoy the process of producing a wonderful show.

“My favorite thing about being a part of the musical is that it allows me to en-

“I love having a shorter TCB in the morning! - Sophomore Erica Sacoto

Some cast and crew members from ‘Hello, Dolly’ meet with Mrs. Trish Sanders, the show’s director. Photo by Aniah BellLangster

hance my leadership skills as I organize the sets and lead the crew,” senior Katie Jackson, the backstage manager for this years’ show and a four-year crew member, said.

“Hello, Dolly! is a classical favorite that we are excited to bring to Notre Dame,” Director Mrs. Trish Sanders said.

Tickets for the show are available at showtix4u.com beginning Oct. 8.

“I like the lanyards, I feel like I am part of a community when we all wear them.”

- Sophomore Gabriella Ravas “Mrs. Beaverson as (the wonderful) Dean of Students is my favorite new edition to NDA! She inspires me to lead with kindness and fairness. Her office door is always open to talk about the ups and downs in life...she is simply amazing!”

- Senior Ava George “Mrs. Young, who is a new teacher this year, really helps me to understand math and get a better grip on what we are learning.” - Sophomore Alex Simpson