The Vista issue 6 * 2017-18

The Vista NOTRE DAME ACADEMY*3535 W. SYLVANIA AVE.* TOLEDO, OH 43623*VOL 68 Issue 6*May 14, 2018

Eagles to Serve Others over Break Chloe Kozal The NDA Summer Discovery Camps will be offered from Monday-Thursday during the weeks of June 11 and June 18.

The morning sessions run from 9-11; lunch is from 11-11:30; and the afternoon sessions meet from 11:30-1:30.

“Counselors-in-training meet and greet the campers every day, check them in, accompany them to their camps, attend to individual camper needs, provide lunch supervision and generally ensure the safety and well-being of each girl while she is with us,” Mrs. Lauren BoylesBrewitt said.

“I would definitely recommend working at the summer academy this summer” junior Kaitie Tolson said. “It’s so much fun to help kids with the fun workshops Notre Dame offers!”

Mrs. Boyles-Brewitt recommends seeing her to become a camp counsellor and notes all counsellors in training receive service hours for their time.

Another NDA service opportunity is the annual service trip to the Dominican Republic; it is from June 15-22 in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.

Located in the northern part of the island, Cabarete has many beaches, often used for professional kitesurfing competitions for the World Cup. Volunteers will be working at the Mariposa Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that works with girls in need to further their education. The foundation’s other goal is to empower girls, which will help lead them to create solutions to end generational poverty.

The volunteers will help the foundation work on Phase Three, constructing a visitors’ center and marketplace to help the girls to earn an income.

“Our students will be leading activities and working around the complex” Mrs. Faye Smith, Campus Ministry CoDirector, said.

Summer Means Festivals Kendall Rejent As long school days turn into short summer days, make sure to fill those fleeting days of summer with memorable events.

Teens are always complaining about getting out of town, but why ignore the many fun and cultural events happening right here in the Toledo area?

There are many possible ideas of fun events to attend with your family and friends this summer break.

The events kick off right away with the Old West End festival in the neighborhood of Toledo that shares the event’s name. The festival starts June 1 and lasts until June 3, celebrating each day with music, yard sales, food, house tours, and even a parade.

The Maple and Main Art Fair starts the same week, taking place June 2-3 in downtown Sylvania. The streets of Syl-

vania will be filled with artist’s booths including a variety of art, jewelry, pottery and more. There will also be musicians and many local food vendors.

A newer but popular event, the TMA Block Party, will be held on July 7 from 6-10 p.m. at the Toledo Museum of Art for the fifth year in a row. Those who attend can enjoy music, food, and a huge outdoor crowd.

When August comes around, the festivals start to become all about the food with events such as Taste of Maumee August 10-11 and the RibOff August 16-19.

Many area Catholic churches also have festivals throughout the summer.

Check the websites of the individual churches or check the website: toledodiocese.org/page/festivals

Teens Work to Find Jobs Aniah Bell-Langster This summer, many of the students at NDA are furthering their resumes and applying for summer jobs.

Some girls are hoping to get their first jobs in the summer months while school is on break.

“I’m hoping I’ll be accepted for a position at Wendy’s; I’ve never had a full time job,” junior Hannah Rattigan said.

Food service jobs are a very popular job for teenagers. According to the Bureau of Labor, teens aged 16 through 19 make up most of the food preparation and serving industry.

Junior Cassidy Owens has worked at Pa Jolly’s for one summer already and plans to return for another year.

“[I enjoy] the free ice cream and the people,” she said.

Forbes.com lists the 10 best summer jobs for teens: *Camp Counselor *Golf Caddy *Retail Sales *Food Service *Internships *Life Guard *Nanny *Housekeeping *Landscaping *Tutoring The article advises teens to plan ahead. “You should examine the opportunities that are available to you and consider what you hope to get out of the position.”

In This Issue: Page 2 Ms. Cousino

Page 3 Love our plays at NDA

Pages 5-8 Senior Pages

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Feature We will miss them all

The Cousinator, The Cous, Ms. Cousino Ada Ogbonna Nervous chills race up and down her back and she makes her way down the flight of stairs. Left hand trembling, she clenches the green slip in her sweaty palms dreading the inevitable meeting about to take place. Dragging her feet across the desolate hallways, she is suddenly overcome with an erratic heartbeat and a fierce cold sweat as she opens the door to the main office to face Ms. Cousino. Who knew Nike socks would lead to her impending doom?

A powerful force since 1982, Dean of Students, Ms. Judy Cousino, has been gracing Notre Dame Academy hallways assisting and helping out students in every way she possibly can. Starting out as a teacher, she taught health, physical education, and theology for ten years.

Soon after she split the responsibilities with then assistant principal, Sr. Carol Gregory, and ever since then has been watching and caring over the students that roam the hallways.

Not a day passes by when girls don't feel the watchful eyes of Ms. Cousino, always reminding them to be “smarter than the squirrels” or feel her presence manifest when someone takes a bite of food in the academic wing. Despite all the ways girls may seem to disappoint

Ms. Cousino is retiring this year.

Photo From WNDA her, she is still always there, making sure that girls are never lacking anything. Ms. Cousino is the helping hand you never knew you needed and the shining light at the end of the dark Sr. Carol Hall tunnel.

Theology teacher, Ms. Denos said, “She's always tried to be fair and consistent and is always out for the best interest of the students.”

Never one to back down away from a challenge or in her case, stressed out NDA girls, Ms. Cousino has made sure that no matter what the problems may be, they're never too big for her to handle. From making sure students have time for eating (or catching up on all the neglected homework) through SFT or

just stopping girls in the hallways for a quick chat to check in with everyone.

“Take every opportunity to turn a negative into a positive,” she says, but it's Ms. Cousino’s unwavering belief in the girls of NDA that allows us to have these opportunities.

Ms. Cousino, I think most girls would agree you have truly been a guiding figure for us all, helping us through tough times, praising us through happy times, and comforting us through sad times.

You are truly the perfect Eagle, Ms. Cousino, and the whole NDA community would like to say thank you and let you know that we will miss you terribly but wish you all the best in your next adventure.

Braving herself for the worst and preparing her tissue for the tears, she opens the door to face….. a smiling face. There sits Ms. Cousino in all her glory, smiling at her as she explained her sock predicament and finally laughing with her as she tried but failed to come up with excuses as to how the mysterious swoosh appeared on the sock. After the talk, she received a pat on the back and a smile and she left with a warning, but she couldn't help feeling that she also left with something more: a new friend.

Mrs. Beaverson To Become Dean of Students Kendall rejent Girls are not only about to say a bittersweet goodbye to another year, but also to Ms. Judy Cousino, who is retiring. Though things will never be quite the same without her, girls are ready to welcome Mrs. Jessica Beaverson as the new Dean of Students.

If you have not already heard, outside her classroom duties, Mrs. Beaverson has been preparing all year to take on her new position. A little over a year ago, she was approached by Mrs. Grilliot and Ms. Cousino about the position, both confident that Mrs. Beaverson was the best fit for the job.

This year has been a year of learning

and asking questions for Mrs. Beaverson, something she already has passion for, holding meetings with Ms. Cousino at least once a week since the beginning of the school year to learn what the dean’s job entails.

She has even a journal of notes from the meetings entitled WWJD (What Would Judy Do) with hints ands tips she has picked up throughout the year that can be used as a reference tool come next year.

In response to the job’s big questions such as, “what is important?” and “why is it important?” Mrs. Beaverson feels that as people and learners, girls must know why we do what we do, not just that we are doing what we are told.

There is always room for improvement, and Mrs. Beaverson sees communication as an important improvement for relationships between students, faculty and staff.

As she steps away from teaching, she will, of course, miss the level of contact she shares with her students and the routine of her classes, but is an advocate for change, and for this reason is very excited to reach students on a whole new level and take on the demands of the dean’s busy day-to-day, which from her experience this past year is different everyday.

Though “science is life” as Mrs. Beaverson so enthusiastically puts it, she will find a way incorporate her passion for science and teaching into her role as Dean of Students.

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Opinion & Editorial

Care Enough to Learn, Then Do It seems as if every day, there is another bombing, massacre, or war that plagues the Middle East. The tweets and photos tug at our hearts, but we simply retweet and feel it is enough.

We are witnessing a modern day dictatorship and what we need to do is recognize, learn and understand that the events occurring in Syria are not just a Syrian crisis but a global crisis.

When a government uses deadly forces to crush the dissent of protesters who are demanding the president's resignation, we know something must be done. When the documented number of deaths of innocent citizens reaches 353,900 people by March 2018, we know change must occur.

When children are foaming at the mouth from breathing poisons from chemical weapons used against them, we must be heard. When 6.1 million Syrians are internally displaced, while another 5.6 million have fled abroad, we know we must stand with our fellow brothers and sisters to help them.

We must use our power now for good, and right now all of our efforts should be directed towards Syria. It is hard to help such a vast country with even bigger problems, but it's the little things that we sometimes fail to do

that impact others the most.

We must become educated with what is happening in Syria to move in the right direction. A photo has a backstory, and trailing behind every word is a writer, who is always looking for an audience to share their experiences. Once we realize we have to learn, we will start making a change that will not only impact us but also those around us.

Numerous people tweet and retweet photos of dying Syrian children and bombed down buildings, and although this creates awareness towards the situation, it is lacking fact and has very little context. Most of the time the person retweeting or tweeting has no idea of the true struggle, oppression, and terror that haunts the everyday lives of the Syrians.

Alongside these photos must be discussion, open mindedness and a willingness to learn and understand from others more involved and educated than us. What started as a peaceful uprising for the Syrians against their president, has turned into a fullscale civil war leaving more than 350,000 people dead.

We have the capability to help, just as long as we keep asking “How?”

The Vista Staff Volume 68 Issue 6 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 Adviser: Mrs. Julie Sells Second Year Reporters: Ada Ogbonna First Year Reporters: Aniah Bell-Langster Chloe Kozal

Eagle Arts Soar to New Heights Chloe Kozal Notre Dame Academy’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream was a blend of Shakespeare’s original script and the modern world; mythical fairy dresses alongside contemporary clothing, Elizabethan language and balloons, making it a production to remember.

The cast was able to show the viewers what Shakespeare’s language meant through dramatic facial expressions and movements.

One scene, however, proved the crowd and cast favorite. When both Demetrius and Lysander fall in love with Helena, the visual of Lysander physically dropping Hermia to be with Helena drew a gasp from the audience, and the interaction between Hermia and Helena was hilarious. Overall, A Midsummer Night’s Dream was sure to please any viewer, During the same week, the Art Show/ Arts Assembly showcased 517 works of art. It was fantastic to see all the artworks ranging from Junior Academy Art to IB Art. The growth of all the students was truly inspiring.

NDA’s Art was juried by Jacqueline Nathan, Gallery Director for the School of Art at BGSU. The winner of Best of Show and People’s Choice was Raven Begell Long for her artworks Raven on a Pale Horse.

Editor’s Corner Hello!

This year has gone by so fast and though I am sad to see the seniors graduate, I am already excited for next year! I will have the honor of being the editor of the Vista and as I try my hand at it in this last issue of the school year, I introduce a whole new class of seniors with me.

Every class is unique and special and I hope to spend my last year here committed to all of the readers, getting the best articles and important news out there that show just what types of class levels make up the student body of the 2018/2019 school year.

-Kendall

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Backtalk

Everyday Eagle

Roving Reporter

Kendall Rejent

What Is the Very Best Part of Summer?

Anaiah Bell-Langster and Chloe Kozal “Not having homework and getting a normal sleep schedule.” ~Erin Burke, freshman “Being able to hang out with family without having to stress much about school.” ~Jasmine Burkes, sophomore

Students look at the 13 empty desks that represent the 13 deaths at Columbine High School as part of the national walkout on April 20.

“The best thing about summer is the ability to enjoy nature more. It's the ability to have more freedom.” ~ Jayla Edwards, junior “Seeing my family and golfing.” ~Mr. Kay, faculty

What We Will Miss About Seniors Aniah Bell-Langster

have a similar nostalgic love for the seniors.

This month was bittersweet for

Sophomore Dakota Sutton said, “They’re the happiest class ever.”

many students at NDA. The seniors will be leaving for bigger and better things, but the rest of the community will undoubtedly miss their smiling faces in the halls next year.

The current junior academy students, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors have had the opportunity to work and laugh with the seniors for a year or longer, so many girls have become close with them to the point where they feel like sisters.

The junior class has always looked up to the class before them for advice and good times.

“Getting to see and talk to them every day has made my experience at school more enjoyable,” junior Kaitie Tolson said.

The underclassmen seemed to

Many seniors have certainly acted as positive role models in the lives of everyone at NDA. Most students and faculty agreed that they have a certain spark that starts as soon as they walk in the door.

“They have a spirit about them that will be hard to replace,” physical education and Link Crew teacher, Mrs. Edgell said.

The NDA community wishes all our big sisters luck on their journeys to college and beyond.

In the words of Henry David Thoreau, ““Go confidently in the

“I enjoy swimming in my backyard with my friends, staying up late, and having bonfires.” ~Kady Nicholson, freshman “Excited to practice figure skating, and I’m looking to get a job.” ~Lilly Westcarr, sophomore “Getting that fuzzy feeling of basking in the sun.” ~Laila Jarson, junior “Enjoying outdoors, kayak and hammock.” ~Mrs. Faye Smith, Staff “Swimming.” ~Jillian Cendol, freshman “Hanging out with friends.” ~Katelyn Imbrock, sophomore

“Summer Government with Mr. Feldy.” ~ Kylie Foetisch, junior “Vacation and family.” ~Renee Marting, freshman “Going camping with my ~Hannah Christ, sophomore

family.”

direction of your dreams! Live the

“I’m looking forward to spending time with my dogs.” ~Grace Bennett, junior

life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the uni-

“Travelling and softball!” ~Caitlin Kowalski, sophomore

verse will be simpler.”

Senior

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Valedictorian Q&A: Mary Gerhardinger Hannah Dailey How were you able to stay determined and focused throughout high school?

I take everything one day at a time, making sure to focus on the task at hand instead of becoming overwhelmed by the plethora of things to do on my checklist.

What will you miss most about NDA? I am going to miss the reliability of NDA the most. By that I mean, the consistent atmosphere of studious girls who bond through academic rigor to support and uplift each other, no matter the circumstances, and the caring teachers. And of course, the cookies!

What is the most important advice you would give your freshman year self?

I don't think I would tell my freshman year self anything because I think our decisions and experiences in life shape us into who we are now, and I don't want to change myself!

Do you have any advice for the current underclasswomen?

To the underclasswomen- be yourself because there are people here who love you just the way you are. Be unafraid to talk to someone new or to change lunch tables or to go to that club meeting. Also, stop caring about grades and start caring about learning because a love of education has the ability to change your life, an A most likely does not.

What are your plans for the next four years and beyond?

I will be attending Kenyon college in the fall with a hopeful major in math, physics, or philosophy. Or maybe art history. Or chemistry. Or enviro. Who knows? And then I aspire to go to graduate school or perhaps seminary.

The Class of 2018 finishes the year connected by the memories they created throughout their time at Notre Dame. Photo by Lifetouch

Congratulations,

Class of 2018 Elizabeth Pierson It is always a tradition that Notre Dame Academy seniors graduate at The Rosary Cathedral in downtown Toledo.

What makes this year special is that the graduates have a new school principal to join them onstage to congratulate the seniors on this milestone event.

“I cannot think of a more exciting time for our graduates and our school!

Graduation is a time to shine, reflect and dream of what is to come in the future. I am excited to be able to share my first high school graduation ceremony as principal with the Class of 2018!”

Principal Mrs. Sarah Cullum said.

Even though this is Mrs. Cullum’s first time as the principal in a high school graduation, NDA President Mrs. Kim Grilliot will still be there to shake the graduates’ hands as they receive their diplomas on May 16 at 7 o’clock.

After the ceremony has ended, there will be a reception for the graduates and their families in Bernard Smith Hall to pick up their diplomas.

Graduates will enjoy refreshments while snapping pictures with friends

and family members.

This will be the last time all of the NDA seniors will be in one room at the same time. This will also be the first time that the seniors will be introduced as alumnae.

“I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with the class of 2018. Over the last four years I have witnessed time and time again how the Class of 2018 has extended kindness to one another. All of you are bold, brilliant, beautiful and blessed, and I know for years to come I will hear how you have continued to support one another and serve your communities,” Mrs. Grilliot said.

As graduation approaches and school days are ending, it is a bittersweet time.

Everything that has led up to these last four years within the NDA walls must come to an end.

“These past four years have been great, but I am ready to start my journey into the real world!” senior Alexis Woodby said.

Senior

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Roving Reporter: Senior Edition What teacher will you friend first on Facebook?

Elizabeth Pierson

Hannah Dailey

Ashley Keane

“I will definitely be friend requesting Mrs. Gallagher first,” -Alexis Woodby

“What it’s like to not feel judged by ANYONE for the weird jokes you make!” -Jami Stout

“Senior year because we have a lot of extra privileges which is super nice to have,” -Hannah Booth

“Our musicals are the DEAL!” -Claire Kohler

“Junior year because I was in all the classes that I wanted. I also had a lot of fun with all of the extracurriculars I was in,” -Emily Manner

“I will be adding Mrs. Miller on Facebook,” -Kaitlynn Stumm “I want to be friends with Mrs. Sells on social media first,” -Meghan Miller “I want to add Madame,” -Ariel Cummings “I want to friend request Mr. Gerhardinger, of course,” -Amanda Ward “I want to friend Mrs. Sham on Facebook,” -Allyson Bennett “If I had a Facebook, I would friend request Mrs. G,” -Sadie Nadrasik “I want to be friends with Mrs. Holtz,” -Lauren Myers “I will be adding Mr. Gruenwald on Facebook after graduation,” -Abby Lumbrezer “I want to be friends will Mrs. G on Facebook,” -Jami Stout “I want to add Mrs. Walker on social media,” -Hannah Rubel “I want to add Mrs. G on Facebook,” Aislinn Bill “I will be adding Mrs. Miller on Facebook,” - Ahniya Jones

BIGGEST

“Having so many random/special days where everyone is taking pictures with each other just because we’re out of uniform.” -Annie Bartholomew “Caring about the successes of others that you hardly know.” -Emily Manner “‘Omigod, did you hear there’s a boy in the building!’” -Mary Kang “Being so excited to wave to Robert in the morning!” -Ellyn Jarrell “Random crying.” -Jill Shook “Nobody will ever understand the sisterhood here. When people hear you say that you went to an all girls school, they automatically think it would be full of gossip and girls being mean to each other. It is definitely the opposite of that. I will miss being able to count on each and every one of my classmates to lift me up.” -Kate Brown

“I want to add Mrs. Sells,” -Sophia Williams

“My college roommate will never understand how much confidence NDA gave me to take on all my dreams!” Sophia Williams

“I want to friend Mrs. Martis on social media,” -Isabelle Tucker

“Just how good our cookies actually are.” -Katherine Evans

“I want to be friends with Mr. Kay on Facebook,” - Holly Kevrn

“Being able to hug at least five friends in the hallway on your way to class.” Libby Stupica

“I want to friend request Mrs. G on Facebook” -Emily Manner “I want to be friends with Mrs. Roller on social media,” -Victoria Fullwood

What will your college roommate What was your favorite year at never understand about NDA? NDA and why?

“How the teachers are truly there for you and want to help you.” -Alycia Boutrand

“This year because it is a lot of fun but also very stressful. I have enjoyed it either way because I no longer care about stress,” -Morgan Cunningham “Senior year because I feel at this point we have grown together as a class and have spent a lot of time doing fun things together as seniors,” -Kara Cannon “This year because I made use of my time knowing each time I did something was my last,” -Caroline Gagne “Senior year of course because we got to do a lot more this year, and I got to be a leader of my school,” -Laura Mosler “Junior year because I had a lot of good times with my friends doing lots of fun activities. My sister was also still here, so that was nice. Overall, I experienced a lot of growth as a person that year,” -Abby Rose “Freshman year because the adjustment from middle school to high school was easy with all of NDA’s help and support. I also met everyone I care about and all my friends here that year,” -Jamie Lenart “Sophomore year because our class was brought together especially while on retreat. Those activities from that day helped me understand that everyone was on the same level,” -Tori Fullwood

SENIOR

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College Information as Compiled by the NDA Counseling Department Ball State University

Paige Wojcik Bowling Green State University

Mount St. Joseph University

(cont.)

Jamie Lenart

Caitlin Bell Mackenzie Bell Allyson Bennett Hannah Booth Alycia Boutrand Shaye Brewster Madison Bronder Ellie Buckholtz Olivia Bukowski Kara Cannon Katie Chryst Sarah Crescenzo Ariel Cummings Morgan Cunningham Gara Darias Gonzalez Katherine Evans Jasmine Frelin Emily Goodyear Rylee Harper Abbigail Hoste Alexandra Huffman Asya Jenkins Dana Kaminski Maliha Kamran Allyson Karalfa Caroline Kurtz Rachel LaBeau Alisse Lagger Semaj Lampton Abigail Lumbrezer Branigan Lyczkowski Alexa Marshall Renee Mortemore Sadie Nadrasik Saanie Naqvi Julia Nichols Madison Nieset Evangeline Ohene Obeng Katherine Ohns Giavanna Rudess Kyra Valentine Sarah Walz Yasmin Wassel Kennedy Williams Sophia Williams Alexis Woodby Morgan Zickes

Ohio Northern University

Abby Adler Aislinn Bill Philomena Fernandes Emily Manner Laura Mosler Gretchen Siek Kaitlynn Stumm Maria Wood

Hannah Rubel

Butler University

Justice Wingate

Madison Mitchell Case Western Reserve University

Isabella Yazji Cleveland State University

Victoria Lewandowski Coastal Carolina University

Ohio University

Josefina Martinez Ohio Wesleyan University

Morgan Krueger Owens Community College

Victoria Fullwood Elizabeth Pierson Rockhurst University Taylor University

Elisabeth Burchfield Terra State Community College

Teja Ether The Ohio State University

Hillsdale College

Rachel Bush (Newark Campus) Allison Clark Hannah Dailey Caroline Gagne Emily Gramza Madison Hamm Claire Hartlage Marion Hauser Zayneb Hussein Mattison Kasper Morgan Mick Olivia Shuff Madalyn Vesoulis Meghan Wertz Jyothika Yermal

Anna Kate Ragan

Trine University

John Carroll University

Taylor Dudley

Cassandra Calamunci Zoe Mazur Alycia Murphy Alana Okuley Emily Shroeder Abigail Snyder

Undecided

Carly Krulikowski Colorado State University

Olivia Kraus Concordia University—Ann Arbor

Jordan Diggins Eastern Michigan University

Ashley Keane Heidi Link Emerson College

Carlene McGoldrick Franciscan University of Steubenville

Haley Augustyniak Grand Valley State University

Annie Bartholomew

Kent State University

Barbre’Anna Crawford Samantha Grohowski Kenyon College

Mary Gerhardinger Elisabeth Stupica Lake Erie College

Alexis Begley Lourdes University

Anna Gerken Veronica Gonzales Sabra Szavuly (Air National Guard first) Loyola University, Chicago

Audrey Chisholm Kaitlin Davis Saavaiz Durrani Lacey Schwind Leen Yassine

Arista Wayton University of Arizona

Jamison Stout University of Cincinnati

Grace Hittler Madison Humbles Ahniya Jones Holly Kevern Mia Laytart Allison Nafziger Sarah Sabol Danielle Schuster Isabelle Tucker Amanda Ward Ava Werner University of Dayton

Victoria Douglas Lauren Drzewiecki Mary Kang Grace Lewis Lauren Myers

University of Toronto

Catherine Orchard University of Vermont

Claire Kohler University of Washington, Seattle

Selena Wang University of Notre Dame

Ellyn Jarrell

University of Kentucky

Villanova University

Jacqueline Ray Jordan Sexton

Katherine Ingham

University of Minnesota— Twin Cities

Bridget Siebenaller

Kaelyn Denker

Wheeling Jesuit University

University of New Hampshire

Meghan Miller

Michigan State University

Cassidy Wilson

Xavier University

Grace Durfey Emily Kelly

University of San Diego

Moody Bible Institute

University of Toledo

Caroline Dziubek (Gap year first) Kiya Marshall (National Guard) Abigayle Rose

Sara Scazzero

Alexandria Bauer

Miami University

Katelyn Brown Mary Shannon Mack Jillian Shook

Marissa Dzotsi

Walsh University

Senior

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Hannah Dailey

Ashley Keane

Elizabeth Pierson

Most Likely to Be a Journalism Professor

Most Likely to Direct The Post as a Musical on Broadway

Most Likely to Be a Life-Trend Reporter

A Word from the Wise The Vista Senior Staff Members Offer Advice to Schoolmates Advice to Rising Sophomores

Advice to Rising Juniors

Advice to Rising Seniors

Hannah Dailey

Ashley Keane

Elizabeth Pierson Dear Juniors,

Dear Freshmen, Congratulations on making it through your first year of high school at Notre Dame Academy! This year, regardless of how great or terrible or awkward it was, will contain some of your fondest high school memories. As you start your second year of high school, I want you to keep a few things in mind.

1. Never take anything for granted.

It’s the little things you’ll miss the most.

2. Be open to making new friends.

Your class is full of amazing people you may not know yet.

3. Get those graduation requirements out of the way now. Trust me, you do not want to be completing Financial Literacy the week before graduation.

4. Don’t take things too seriously, but don’t slack off either. You only get to go through high school once. Make the most of it, but stay motivated.

5. Worry less. Stop stressing out about things that won’t matter in 5 years. It isn’t worth your time or energy!

Dear Sophomores, This year might have been difficult for you because it was for me. My advice is to never give up because you can do it!

If you struggled before with school, turn to those around you who can help you.

Your friends might be going through the same things, so they can be the ones to lift you up.

Next year will be different because you will become upperclasswomen.

That brings a lot of responsibility for you to become new leaders of the rest of the school. The freshman and sophomores will now be looking up to you.

How will you set an example?

Take this next year to focus more on what is really important. It will help you by the time you become seniors. Get close to friends that will be there for you when you need them most. Try new things to get yourself out there more.

Above all else, enjoy these next couple years before it all ends.

I know you’ve heard this a million times, but this last year is going to fly by. With so much going on, and so many “last” of things, make sure to stop and enjoy everything around you. That last Mr. Kay wave in the morning, that last bite of NDA’s famous cookie, that last walk up the stairs to third floor for math class is going to come sooner than expected. Therefore, enjoy every “last” or every milestone and memory there is left of high school.

At the same time, don’t be afraid to still try new things; go out and explore and join new clubs, try out for a new sport team you’ve always wanted to!

Don’t wish this last year away, for this is going to be the best and most bittersweet year of them all.

You are going to miss seeing all of your classmates everyday, just as we are going to miss all of your smiling faces next year!