Honor Roll Breakfast

Last week was the honor roll breakfast. Tuesday was for last names A-K and Wednesday L-Z. We came down to the cafeteria during homeroom and then sat down and waited for the function to begin. We started it off with a prayer and then the guidance counselors announced the names, freshman first honors all the way to seniors’ second honors. When my name was called, of course, the chair makes this big noise and everyone stares at me. I was a little embarrassed but decided to just smile and look for the next person standing. After all the names were called we got to hit a breakfast consisting of crumb cake, donuts, bagels, and lots of juices, oh and hot chocolate (my favorite)!!!

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

A life changing experience

Have you ever heard of CCD? Well it is religion class for Catholics who go to public school. This year for my service hours I thought I would volunteer as a teacher there. What I started became a life changing experience. On my first day the principle assigned me to a teacher who had the worst class, I was her assistant. I ended up knowing some of the kids in the class and got them to calm down a little. I honestly have to say this has to be the best experience of my life. The teacher and I became close; she called me an “angel from heaven” lol. She needed help so badly she was about to quit. I make tests and quizzes and I really connect with each of the students. On Monday though I received news that the women I work with (the teacher) was diagnosed with cancer. I don’t think I can describe how I feel. I came into this as a perky assistant teacher who never thought she would make such a connection with anyone, not even the teacher. I was about to cry when she told me this, she feels like a family member to me. But it’s not the end of the world, she was optimistic and said that she will make it through and we are going to teach together forever. CCD – I only did this for service hours but now I actually look forward to going. The teacher will not be there as much so I will become head teacher. I am a little excited but I wish she would be there with me. I can’t believe all that has happened; this was just for service hours. This was just for an A on a test grade. But I can say that even when I’m finished with my service hours, I will do this for a very long time.
This has changed my life.

Class Changes

This year, I made the transition to mostly accelerated classes from mostly honors classes. Some of the freshmen may be doing this next year, and some of the incoming freshmen could be doing this during the year. Kids from all grades change their class level during the year, and it is a big transition in most cases. This year, I am in all accelerated classes and one honors class. In the beginning of the year, I thought some of the classes were easy. It is around this time that they are really kicking into gear and becoming hard. I like this to a certain extent because I enjoy a challenge.

Making the change into accelerated this year was really big for me. My friends were different, and my schedule conflicted with the schedule of my friends from last year. I was worried about this at first and how I would be able to handle all the work that came with an accelerated class, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep up with them. Some of you may be thinking the same thing, but you should give yourself more credit. If you are put into the accelerated and honors program, you deserve to be there; this is a concept that I could not grasp until a few weeks ago. Some people are born naturally very smart and do not have to try too hard in school to succeed. On the other hand, some people have to work hard to do well in school. If you are one of those people, do not be discouraged. Classes are different for everyone, and you need to find what is the best level for you.

Report Cards

The time most students are so nervous for, report card day! We received our report cards Friday; a lot of kids like to beat their parents to the mailbox. I was nervous though because I've taken harder classes this year with so much more work such as accelerated U.S. History, honor chemistry and English but I keep it simple with regular geometry and Spanish. You can also put in gym and church. I ended up with three B+’s and the rest A’s. I was so happy, hard work really does pay off. It’s funny when I was in elementary school; I could careless about my grades. I did bad on tests (because I blank out) but for some reason it never hit me as being that terrible. But when I reached middle school something hit me, you have to do well in school; I guess it's a maturity thing. Doing well in high school especially, is so crucial. That’s the thing I like about Union Catholic is that being smart and doing your best helps you fit in with everyone. We all fight for valedictorian! A close friend of mine, Colleen is actually our class valedictorian. When I heard her name I was ready to stand up and start clapping, it must be the greatest feeling knowing your number one, but it was an even greater feeling to have a friend be number one. School is important so try hard and you’ll succeed at anything you do.

Union Catholic Volleyball State finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Vikings!

Science and Plays

On Friday morning, I went into New York City with my mom and sister to go to a science exhibit. It was called Bodies and was in the South Street Seaport. I love biology, and this was such a great experience for me. This exhibit was so successful due to by a bunch of Asian men who donated their bodies to science after they died. The parts of each body were preserved, and how some of them were set up was unbelievable. There was a room for each of the systems of the body, along with the muscles, bones, and certain diseases that could happen to someone. It really was very interesting and anyone who likes bio should definitely go.

This past weekend was filled with drama productions. On Friday night, I went to the fall play, Incorruptible, here at UC. It was a really good performance and the cast did a great job. It was funny and I could tell the audience really enjoyed it.

Then on Saturday, I went into New York City again with my friend Brian to see Young Frankenstein. It was by far the funniest show I have ever seen. The actors were completely hilarious, and had the audience laughing almost every minute. There were times that Brian and I were laughing so hard that we were unable breathe. The music was great, and the energy throughout the room was outstanding. My favorite characters were Igor and Foullooker. I strongly insist that anyone who likes to laugh very hard and enjoys musicals should most definitely go see this show.

Espanol!

No comprende espanol! I have a love/hate relationship with Spanish. My teacher is the best Spanish teacher I have ever had, but I don’t think Spanish and I understand each other. When I leave Union Catholic I hope to get into broadcasting so I’ll have to major in communication; which means I will be taking 4 years of Spanish. I love going to Spanish class but my accent is horrible, I can’t even roll my tongue! The one thing I love about Spanish class is being able to go to a Spanish speaking place and understand some of what the people are saying. Usually if I can get some words, it is common sense for the rest of the sentence. The other night I went for dinner and I had a conversation with the Spanish busboy! I thought it was the funniest thing. A language is so important for later in life, you never know when it may come in handy. So, yo comprendo espanol un copo. =) ( I understand Spanish a little)

Leadership

Hey everyone! There is so much going on at UC lately. Last week, our varsity volleyball team won their conference championship and their counties championship. I was at the county game, and it was so intense. They are now hoping to win states.
Last week at Ramapo College in Mahwah was the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Conference. 20 students were picked by lottery, five from each grade, to attend this conference. I was one of the students chosen from my grade, and I decided to go. After an hour and a half drive, we sat in the gym at the college eating breakfast and watching all the other students coming from their schools. Before we separated and went to our different classes, there were multiple people who spoke to us, including Secretary of State Wells. We were all given name tags, which had our name and the two lectures we would be attending. All of the UC kids were separated, and the point was to meet new people. The lecture topics were of a great variety, but all surrounded around the idea of leadership. My first lecture was about how to become a leader and what makes a good leader; my second lecture was about respect, and how to gain respect for yourself as a leader. I really liked both of these one hour lectures. They were informative and very interactive, between both students and students and students and instructor. It was a really good experience for all involved.
Going to this conference really made me think about being a leader. In the first lecture, the teacher asked who could be a leader and what made them one. I thought someone’s surroundings made them a leader, but also a born ability. Being a leader is very important, and if you are a leader, you know it by now. Certain people are followers, and others are leaders. If you are a leader, you have to be open to other people’s opinions. If you are a leader, don’t take advantage of it. Some leaders know they have the power, and use it in the wrong way. If you have a chance to step up and be a leader, do it. Don’t hesitate. There is always an opportunity for you to be a leader; it is just whether you choose stand up and take it is the hard part.