Deciding where to go to college is a difficult decision. However, affording college is proving to be an even more challenging task.
Often when students are making their college decisions, several factors are considered. Those factors may include location, major, and, of course, affordability. Affording college isn’t easy, and often students will base their decision on the price of that college tuition. The big question is, how do students afford college?
The answer isn’t a simple statement, but students can take into consideration their academic history and how they perform in high school.
Scholarships are a major factor in students' college decisions because they make the price of college tuition lower, and, therefore, more affordable. However, not all student’s need to have an outstanding GPA of a 4.0 or above to be considered for scholarships. There are GPA requirements, but more often than not, the requirements aren’t incredibly high.
College Counselor Mrs. Erin Young says, “There is often a minimum GPA requirement for merit scholarships, and a GPA scale for different amounts of scholarships based on how high the GPA is.”
In other words, students can receive at least one scholarship based on the level of their GPA, whether that be in the higher or lower scale. As long as their GPA meets the scholarship requirement, that student will be eligible to earn tuition money.
There are also many websites that provide scholarship information. One of the most popular and helpful websites is Going Merry.
Senior Sara Stapleton said, “There are a lot of scholarships listed on the website, and students can fill in a survey to see which scholarships they are qualified for. Once the survey is complete, the website shows what you qualify for and you can pick which scholarships you want to apply to.”
It’s also important for senior students to check their emails for college information. Most might think they are spam and unimportant, but they can actually be quite helpful.
“Checking emails is very beneficial for applying for scholarships and college be-
cause colleges reach out a lot and provide useful information about their school,” senior Marcel Gammoh said.
Not only can scholarships be received academically, but other things such as family connections can be of help.
According to Mrs. Young, “There are some scholarships that might not be based on GPA, but they probably have other requirements, such as being a firstgeneration college student or having a sibling that attends the same college.”
Looking at colleges that siblings or family members have attended is a great idea. Not only is learning about a family member’s college experience entertaining, but it could help earn a student extra money when applying.
Location and religious aspects are also a major consideration when choosing a college that is affordable.
According to the article ‘How Much Does College Cost,’ for the 2021-2022 academic year, the average price of tuition and fees came to: $38,070 at private colleges. $10,740 at public colleges (instate residents) and $27,560 at public colleges (out-of-state residents).”
In recent years, student’s extracurricular activities have also shown to be influential in affording college.
According to the Sallie Mae/ Ipsos 2022 survey, 46% of students believe scholarships are only available for exceptional grades, but there are others.
*Source: usnews.com (February 2022)
- Students who give to their communities, such as helping at clean up efforts, local shelters, and nonprofits
- Students who are the first in their families to attend college
- Students from specific backgrounds
Senior Marcel Gammoh works on a scholarship application. Photo by Sammie Paristhey also have group gatherings with other convents.
The Sisters of Notre Dame Academy is a community of strong women who have lived and spread their Godly mission for decades.
While giving their devotion to God, the Sisters are also a community who enjoy spending time with each other and having fun. Although the Sisters may seem as if they are always working, they find joy in each other's company while participating in activities together.
“We have fun times together, playing games and cards, taking walks, watching TV, and all the normal things that adults do to have fun,” Sr. Colleen Cousino said.
The Sisters also find joy in quality time by celebrating God’s gifts through at least one joint meal every day.
“Most days we eat a meal together. This lets us find out what is going on in each others' lives and share in everyone's joys and sorrows,” Sr. Colleen said.
Not only do the Sisters share quality time through meals and activities, but
Sr. Vivette Baker said, “Community celebrations when the Sisters gather from the various convents are always special since we see friends we usually don't have a chance to be with.”
In addition to private community events, Notre Dame Academy also finds it important to celebrate the Sisters and their mission as a school.
Founder’s Day is a special day celebrating the Sisters of Notre Dame and the day they began their mission. The story of their foundation centers on Hilligonde and her friend Elisabeth. These women were friends who longed to help others.
“All of us -students, faculty, and staff - share this gift of charism that God gave to the first Sister of Notre Dame, Hillegonda Wohlbring. That sharing of charisma is why we feel like we ‘fit in’ at NDA,” Sr. Colleen said.
Furthermore, the story of the beginning of the Sisters of Notre Dame continues today. The message of Founder’s
Day reflects onto the students and allows them to accept and spread God’s love.
The celebration of Founder’s Day also brings feelings of joy to the Sisters because they can celebrate God’s calling and the happiness they hold for their community.
“Founders' Day is a day of deep gratitude that God has called me to be a member of our international community. After 60 years in Notre Dame, I must say there is no other way I would have loved to live my life... I would do it all over again,” Sr. Vivette said.
Notre Dame’s celebration of Founder’s Day encourages students to reflect within themselves. The Sisters hope the girls at NDA dig deeper into their lives and listen to God’s personal message for them.
“As you consider what you should be as an adult, the question to ask yourself is, ‘What does God want for me? Who did God create me to be?’ Pray about that question. If you hear God calling you to be a woman religious, don't be afraid--go for it! Being a Sister is a happy and fulfilling life,” Sr. Colleen said.
Gina Napoli Sammie Paris
NDA’s Spirit Store is always full of new and exciting items. A multitude of new selections are already filling the store.
“What don’t we have new in the store is the real question,” Spirit Store coordinator Mrs. Aimee Parks.
Some of these new items include a pura vida bracelet sporting the NDA colors, navy blue zip ups with the NDA emblem in the corner, the hooded gray blanket with the NDA logo in yellow, and the incredibly soft comfy blanket in navy blue with the NDA emblem in the corner. As exciting as these options are, there are also so many more fabulous items that are not listed.
“From short sleeves to hooded blankets, almost everything in the store has a new design,” Mrs. Parks said.
The pricing of these items all vary but are in the range of $8 for car decals and around $75 for the comfy blanket, with plenty in between. Mrs. Parks tries her best to keep price ranges at an amount that all students can afford.
The store is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am-2pm but
students and faculty can often find Mrs. Parks in the store before school as well.
If anyone is interested in ordering merchandise online, they can visit the NDA website, scroll to the bottom of the page, and then click the link for the spirit store. Another way to access the online store is through this URL: “www.tinyurl.com/spiritstorenda”
Around the halls, many girls are seen
sporting their fresh, new fits from the Spirit Store.
“We love the Spirit Store as it is super convenient and find it very exciting waiting for new apparel to come out,” juniors Lauren Heerdegen and Maya Johnson said.
If any club is interested in buying merchandise, the best way to go about that is talking to Mrs. Parks, either through email or in person. She will go over the process with you from design to color options to ordering and delivery. She knows all and is truly the expert, always looking to help and make girls feel comfortable and welcomed.
“I love to see girls stop by to show their Eagle spirit or even just to say hello; it really makes my day,” she said.
The Spirit Store is also always open to new ideas and suggestions from the student body. Mrs. Parks would love to see girls come up with new designs and share them with her, so she can make sure there is something for everyone in the store.
“If you have not been to the store yet, make sure you go so you don’t miss out on any new merchandise opportunities,” Mrs. Parks said.
It’s the argument that many people in the world are having right now amongst themselves, their neighbors and their families. Do we watch this new film at home or in a theater with the full experience?
The theater is a place where people can go to take a break from the outside world, to just sit back and relax. With the big screen and surround sound, it completely absorbs you into another world that is far better than staying in your living room with the mess of life distracting you.
Theaters make it easy as they have drinks, snacks and, of course, plenty of space to make it easy for large groups to go. You can go with a group of friends, your family, your significant other, or anyone you want, to better the experience and fully utilize the perks of a movie theater.
Many actors now are only allowing their movies to be seen in the theater or just seen in the theater for a period of time before being sent to streams.
Tom Cruise is one of these actors, as he requested that Top Gun: Maverick be shown in movie theaters for almost three months before being available on various streaming platforms so that it could be enjoyed on the big screen. Top Gun: Maverick went on to be one of the top five highest grossing films ever in North America.
This statistic proves that people like to watch movies in the theater and get the full experience, as even after Top Gun: Maverick was sent to streaming services, fans continued to watch the movie in theaters, making a total global gross of over $1.44 billion.
Grab your buttered popcorn and find your seat because the movie is about to start, and you won’t want to miss it.
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.
editorials represent a majority vote of the newspaper staff.
Watching an at home movie is a great way to relax and get comfortable in a private setting.
Picture this: You’re laying down in your comfiest pajamas, surrounded by an array of different snacks, and all you had to do was turn on the TV. Watching a movie in the comfort of your own home is easy and takes little to no effort.
For starters, having a movie night at home is much cheaper than going out to the theater. To watch a movie in theaters, you have to pay for a ticket and overpriced snacks and drinks. The tickets alone are around $6 to $10, and snacks are incredibly expensive. A single bottle of water costs about $4, and popcorn prices range from small to larger sizes.
On the other hand, movies at home allow for complete relaxation for no cost. Popcorn, candy, and water are at your reach. You also get a wider variety and unlimited amounts of snacks and drinks.
Watching movies at home also requires no outfit effort. You can wear your comfiest sweatpants and big hoodies without worrying about what others think. Relaxation is a major factor in enjoying a movie, so it's important to wear your comfiest clothes.
Movie theater seats also do not recline, and it's uncomforta ble to sit upright for so long. Watching a movie at home allows you to fully stretch in your bed or on the couch. Furthermore, you can be as comfortable as you’d like, and also have access to blankets and pillows.
Watching a movie in theaters can be fun, but screening at home is more simple. Watching an at home movie requires no cost, offers unlimited refreshments, and starts with a push of a button whenever you are ready.
We are your Vista editors, Sammie and Gina, and we just wanted to say how excited we are for the first edition of this school year’s newspaper to come out. We had a lot of fun writing these articles and hope you have just as much fun reading them.
Sammie and Gina
Serena William has been a role model for women across the world for many years now.
The world was stunned as she announced her retirement from tennis just as she was beginning her U.S. Open Tournament in 2022.
She grew up with her family in Compton, California, and early on got her love for tennis, while also showing a great talent for it. She grew up practicing, with her father coaching her and
different backgrounds all around the world.
Ms. Williams has been an inspiration to countless different people.
Women can look at her as someone who doesn’t care about men dominating and wants to be the best at her job, no matter who others believe should be the best. African American women can especially look at her as someone who is comfortable and confident in her own
An Eagle’s View
One of the best reasons to attend Notre Dame Academy is the sense of sisterhood and community the girls share with each other.
The sisterhood is strengthened with Student Council events, planned for our student body, which also provide a great way to get involved in school life.
In the past, Student Council events have included drive-in movies, various sports games, and different TCB activities, such as decorate a pumpkin or your door for holidays.
her sister, Venus, and attending a tennis academy. She became a professional tennis player at age 14.
The dynamic duo of the two William sisters took the tennis world by storm, and they were soon dominating women’s professional tennis.
Everyone watched in awe as this African American woman broke barriers and records in a white-dominated sport. She never let anyone get her down, and she became an inspiration to many different people with many
skin and doesn’t let others’ opinions get in her way or break her down at all.
Mothers can also look to Serena Williams as an inspiration as she found a way to balance her tennis life and her family life. She went back to tennis after having her daughter, Olympia.
We can all appreciate her talent, strength, intelligence, persistence, grace, and willingness to fight for what is right.
Student Council wants to get you excited about going to these events and becoming a more outgoing and involved student. These events are so much fun and make the sisterhood at Notre Dame Academy especially strong and caring.
The activities are easy, laid back and manageable for the busiest schedules. They are a great way to meet new people or hang out with friends you might not be able to see as much as you want. Some events even give you pep points for your class level.
Pep points are awarded to your class when you do something that beats out all other class levels, such as having the most people show up to a Student Council event. Pep points are a fun competition that make NDA Eagles excited to go to school events and get involved.
These activities also aren’t expensive. All money goes back to the Student Council to plan other events everyone will enjoy. Proceeds benefit everyone as they are meant to raise excitement for the school and each other.
We want to be proud of the school we attend, and the spirit we show for our school can be boosted at these events and activities.
The problem the Student Council and the student body are having is not being able to get enough people to go.
Jeers
season
retailers pushing to start the Christmas
If enough people don’t buy tickets and don’t go, the event has to be cancelled, and then everyone’s hard work and joy are wasted. We want everyone to go out to these events and have a great time.
We are the Eagles for a reason; we have pride in our school, and we need to start showing that. These Student Council events will only make that pride stronger, and that is exactly what this school and the student body needs.
“If you’re in a position where you can stand up and be a role model, then why not do it?” ~ Serena Williams
Twenty years ago, Coach Travis Galloway became NDA’s basketball coach. Later he added the title of Summer Academy Director and Acting Dean of Students. Now his title is Dean of Students. No matter the title, his devotion to NDA remains the same.
Mr. Galloway said he is having a great experience with his new position and loves being able to interact with students on many different levels.
“It allows me to come across students that I might not have had communication with if I didn’t have this specific title,” Mr. Galloway said.
He finds that it is different than when he had the position temporarily, as the beginning of the school year is incredibly busy and he wants to create the best environment for everyone involved.
Mr. Galloway has lived in the Toledo area his entire life, attending Whitmer High School and graduating from Lourdes University. He admits he did not know much about Notre Dame Academy when he was a high school student himself, but quickly grew to love it.
Even though he was used to a co-ed environment as a student, after being at NDA for 20 years, he has grown very used to the all-girls way of life.
Mr. Travis Galloway works in his office as Dean of Students. Photo by Sammie Paris
Mr. Galloway views his number one goal of the year to build a sense of community and take that community to an even better level. He is currently working on the community within the school and will then work on NDA’s community outside the school, within the rest of the Diocese.
Ms. Christiana Jefferson, the new Summer Academy Director, has known him for 11 years and feels confident in
his abilities for his new position.
“Mr. Galloway is a great person for this position because he really cares about the students and wants to see them succeed,” Ms. Jefferson said.
She enjoys working with him and feels his best traits are being a leader, knowing how to take charge, communicating and motivating others.
Students also see this as a good fit.
“Mr. Galloway is a good person to talk to because he is a good listener and will tell you the truth in the nicest way possible. Also, you can sometimes tell his answer to any question you ask by the face he makes,” senior Laila Varnell said.
Mr. Galloway also focuses on his mental health and makes sure to spend leisure time outside of school. He enjoys watching his sophomore son at St. Francis De Sales High School participate in sporting events and just being a dad.
Mr. Galloway loves this school, the people in it and the energy the students and staff carry throughout the day.
“The opportunity to meet so many different students and to come across students I wouldn’t normally come across has been tremendous. I am excited for this position because I understand how great the students are here and how great the NDA community is,” Mr. Galloway said.
The tradition of 8th grade visitation days continued September 28 and 29 this year. Students welcomed eighth graders with tours, fine arts presentation, and pep rallies.
Photos by Journalism II Yearbook Staff Members Erin Reed and Keira Spielvogel
Notre Dame Academy’s fall musical is back in full swing with the production of Curtains School-Edition coming up at the end of October.
This show is a musical mystery comedy, based on a book, and set in 1959 Massachusetts. The star actress is murdered right before curtain call and it is up to Detective Frank Cioffi to solve the case, find love, and not die in the process.
Although many people have not heard of this specific show, that was a reason for Mrs. Sanders picking it. She, along with Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Johns, were looking for something the other schools in the area have never done before, and also something that will give us all a much needed laugh after these past few years. This was the perfect pick as it is funny, new and lighthearted.
Even with not many people knowing about this specific musical that NDA is putting on, the cast, crew and production team all feel confident it will be a big hit. There is always support from the Notre Dame Academy community and many girls and staff members will go in support.
The community might be a rougher sell however, which is why NDA has upped their marketing and public outreach. Our director and choreographer will be on a local podcast called Stage Door Podcast to promote the musical.
Mrs. Trish Sanders has been director of the NDA musical for many years and has had to step down this year due to illness, and in her place will be Mr. Matt Krasula.
Mr. Krasula is a graduate of St. John’s Jesuit, and was in three of NDA’s musical productions when he was a high school student himself.
After college he went to Cardinal Stritch and has been directing and teaching there. He is currently teaching at Whitmer and now directing NDA’s fall musical production.
“When Mrs. Sanders calls, you say yes because she is truly that kind, that talented, and that great of a human being. I feel fortunate to get to work with the students of the NDA Musical,” said Director Mr. Matt Krasula.
The students of the NDA Musical are also feeling extremely excited about this production and cannot wait for everyone to see it.
“I love the community and the family we have created within the Notre Dame Musical. I am really excited for everyone
to see the show this year,” said sophomore Abbey Weaver.
“I would say my favorite thing about being in the stage crew is all of the sets I get to paint in detail and of course being backstage manager/student producer. Obviously, I love all of the friends I've made in my past four years of stage crew and I'm glad I stuck around,” said stage crew member Keira Spielvogel.
Keira and the rest of the stage crew have been working hard to make us feel immersed in the scene with the sets and can’t wait to see our reactions to every-
thing.
The musical will be premiering Saturday, October 22 at 7pm and Sunday, October 23 at 2pm.
The following week, showtimes will be Friday, October 28 at 7pm, Saturday, October 29 at 7pm, and Sunday, October 30 at 2pm.
“The whole cast, crew, and production team are excited to bring Curtains School-Edition to the Notre Dame Academy stage! We really hope you enjoy it,” said producer Mrs. Jean Walker.
According to the 2019 article, Teen Suicide, Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults in the United States.
Teenagers have a lot on their plates. The combination of stress, school work, sports and more can cause severe cases of depression and anxiety for teenagers. It’s vital for students to understand that there are people to help them, even when they feel isolated.
NDA counselors support all students and encourage students to ask for help.
Counselor Mrs. Abby Hankenhof says, “Talk to SOMEONE. Your counselors want to help you and are trained in strategies to support you. Email or use Google Classroom to make an appointment or just stop by. If your specific counselor is not available, one of the other counselors will see you.”
Since teenagers have to attend school, the counselors find it important to make the school environment the best fit for their students.
Counselor Mrs. Kristin Schank says, “Find something at school that brings you joy. Maybe it is a friend, a faculty/ staff member, a club, an activity. It will help you to get through the day if you can choose one thing that brings you joy, and that can make you smile.”
Even finding classes that students are interested in helps to create a more enjoyable school experience.
“Select classes that you are interested in. Connect with your teachers. Take the pressure off of yourself but still try your best. Go outside of your comfort zone to connect with others. You have to be in school; why not make the best of it?” Mrs. Hankenhof said.
Students will not always succeed in school, and that's often where stress and anxiety levels can increase.
According to Counselor Dr. Jane Hoffman, “School should be a safe place for students to grow, and learn, and make mistakes! Recognizing mistakes is okay and can relieve a lot of pressure students may be feeling.”
Students who struggle with anxiety and depression need to understand they are not alone. Struggling in life is normal and everyone goes through rough times. It’s important that students speak up about their stresses to friends, family or counselors.
“My favorite fall activity is watching horror movies and eating fall cookies.” – Ms. Abigail Meek
“Oh, that’s a good question, I have to say either carving pumpkins or watching football.”
— Mrs. Abby Hankenhoff
“My favorite part of fall is definitely watching all the football games.” – Mrs. Laura Firsdon
“Playing in the crunchy leaves and all the colors.” – Dr. Jane Hoffman
“There are so many to choose from! I absolutely love carving pumpkins with my kids, pumpkin picking, apple picking, and eating apple cider donuts.” – Mrs. Kristin Schank
“My favorite fall activity is apple picking.” – Mrs. LeAnn Schoenfelt
“It has to be bonfires; they are so cozy and fun.”
– Ms. Christie Steffen
“Drinking all the fall drinks is one of my favorite pastimes when the season comes.”
– Ms. Sabrina Brancatto
“My favorite fall activity has to be the pumpkin patch. I love to go with my family each year.”
– Mrs. Kim Williams
“I would say my favorite fall activity is apple picking.”
– Mrs. Kathy Drzewiecki
“My favorite high school sports game theme is a beach/luau out! It’s my favorite because it’s always fun to wear fun leis and sunglasses with those flower shirts. Plus, I get to break out all my old tank tops from the summer!”
- Samantha Burek Grade 9
“My favorite high school sports theme is jersey out because I love seeing all the different teams and sports everyone loves!”- Siona Naik Grade 11
“My favorite theme is pj out because it is a fun way to stay warm and wear a cute onesie!” - LillieKate Smith Grade 12
“My favorite high school game theme is neon out because I like wearing all the bright colors and I think it makes the student section look really vibrant.”
- Maddy Townley Grade 10
“My favorite high school sports game theme is black out. This is because everyone is wearing the same thing so you know exactly what team they are rooting for and it is easy to find things to wear!”
- Emersyn Rindler Grade 11
“I like when we do funny themes like Adam Sandler out.”- Grace Shern Grade 9
“I like pink outs because they are very vibrant and fun. In my opinion, they are the easiest to find clothes to wear for.”
- Ava Napoli Grade 10
“My favorite themes are USA out or Beach out because they are easy to dress for (already have clothes in your closet) and the outfits look super cute.”
- Milena Ingle Grade 12
“My favorite sports theme is neon out because I have accumulated many neon clothes over the years. The color reflects my personality.”
- Natalie Chryst Grade 11