Sister Pat's Kids Camp

Hey everyone! Hope you all are having a safe and relaxing summer. Only about three weeks left, but it’s not over yet!

So, this summer, I went to my first sleep-away camp. The only thing is, this was not a normal sleep-away camp. The camp was called Sister Pat’s Kids Camp, meant for kids with cancer or various blood disorders. I applied over a year prior, and was accepted as a counselor for the camp’s 25th year running. In June, all of the counselors attended an orientation that explained camp and where we would find and make our place in it. All of the first year counselors, except lifeguards, were not only counselors of specific groups, but were on kitchen crew as well. At orientation, we were given basic training and explanations of the kids we would be dealing with: basically, between the ages of 6 and 14, with some type of cancer or blood disorder, most commonly sickle cell anemia, and which campers would be receiving treatment while at camp. I honestly didn’t know to expect going into the camp, but I can say that it was the greatest week of my life. I was assigned to a group of 14 girls between the ages of 10 and 12, and they were the most amazing group of kids I have ever met. Along with my regular group, I was a part of the kitchen crew, meaning that we would set up, serve and clean up all meals, spending an average of 8 hours together each day. After being in the kitchen, I would have to run and find my group to play with them during their activities. Although they were sick, they didn’t show it while making the most out of the week they had. At our orientation, the woman in charge continued to tell her fellow counselors that this week was all about the kids, which was proved to be completely true. Each day was divided up into 6 periods spent on a variety of activities with a special night activity. The day activities included biking, swimming, fishing and boating, weaving, arts and crafts, gym activities, music, tie die, and cooking, and the night activities included a carnival, roller skating, a campfire, a Disney theme night, and a dance. The kids loved every minute of every day, and it is proved when some campers return as counselors at the appropriate age. Not only did camp change their lives, but the kids and this camp changed the lives of every single counselor. The kids are such an inspiration, and the other counselors and I all agree that we cannot wait until camp next year!

Seniors’11 and Summer

Me and three of my best friends on our Rite of Passage day in the courtyard

Hey everyone! Welcome to summer! :] A few weeks ago, during the last week of school, the juniors had their Rite of Passage Ceremony. At this time, the juniors are inducted officially as seniors of Union Catholic. We had a prayer service, were given breakfast, and got to go out into the courtyard for the first time. For those of you who don’t know about our courtyard, there is a big grassy area enclosed by the school walls. Only seniors and teachers are allowed to be in it and walk through it during the school day. There are benches for the seniors to eat on during lunch and some play football or just relax in the sun. When my friends and I went into the courtyard, it really hit us that we are officially seniors! As shocked as we all are to be seniors when freshmen year doesn’t feel too far in the past, we are all so excited.

Now that it’s summer, everyone is going to the beach and relaxing. A lot of my friends have left to go on vacation already, and I leave tomorrow to go down the shore with my family for a week. My two best friends, Jenna and Brian, are anxiously waiting to go to Spain for three weeks, and all the other fun things summer has for us. I know some other people are lifeguarding at pools for a summer job. This summer, I’m going to be working as a camp counselor at Hyatt Hills Golf course for the kid’s camp every day, which I’m very excited for.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe summer! :]

End of the Spring Season and Sen10rs

Hey everyone! The past few weeks of school have been busy, even with school winding down. Two weeks ago, we had the spring sports banquet, the upper classmen academic awards, and the senior prom. The spring sports banquet was held at the Westwood in Garwood as usual, but there was something different to this year than any other. At the spring athlete’s breakfast earlier that day, the athletic director told us that our season was special because we were the first to ever have a full season on our new turf field. As a result, there were very few cancelled games and practices. Everyone was very excited about this. Since I’m on the golf team, I didn’t get a chance to play on the turf but I know everyone from the lacrosse teams and baseball teams loves it. The banquet marks the end of another successful sports season. For our golf team, this was the best season we have had in a while and I’m sad to see it come to an end. We have two seniors leaving, and I know it will be hard to fill their shoes!

This Tuesday is the annual trip to Six Flags that the school takes. Normally, the freshmen, sophomores and juniors go on one day, and the seniors go on another, but this year everyone is going together. I’m really excited about this because our seniors have already had their last day of school last Thursday, and they graduate this Saturday. This was a great senior class, and I know they will be missed. I personally am very good friends with some of the seniors ,one being one of my best friend, and it’s going to be strange not having them walking the halls next year, just as they have been for three years.

Good luck to all the seniors! You will be missed! :]

Students really can make a difference.

On May 18th, I was selected to represent Union Catholic at the Youth Leadership and Government Day held at town hall in Woodbridge. What a great opportunity this day turned out to be. When I first arrived to town hall, I was joined by eleven other high school Juniors focused on improving their town. The first couple of hours, I watched a council meeting take place, and then went to sit in on a court, there were a lot of speeding cases. (If you get a ticket for speeding, it is so much money!) Next it was our turn to become the council members and all 12 of us Juniors got to voice our opinions on what we think is important. My main issue was recreation sports, especially since in Woodbridge the freshman sports are being cut. The recreation director thought that I had a great idea and offered to send out e-mails and post more links so that teenagers can get involved in recreational sports. I was so excited when he took up my idea, I felt that I could really make a difference. Aside from my idea, the other eleven Juniors had such great ideas, my favorite was making student more aware of what drugs and violence can do to you. I had such a great day, but the best part had to be when I took a chance and talked to the council member who was in charge of communications. I told him that I was very interested in majoring in communications, right there he offered me an internship at Woodbridge's local television station. I was so excited, this day really turned out to be great.

I haven't updated about softball lately. First off, our athletic banquet was on May 18Th and it was great to get together with the team outside from the turf field. We shared lots of memories watched a video of our sports teams, and got called up to get our awards. The digital film class did an amazing job with the videos. I got my small plaque this year for being a 3rd year varsity winner, I'm so excited for my 4th year plaque. But really, Senior year is next year? wow. Junior year has been great for softball. We are 15-6. We made it to quarter finals of Counties and in our first state game, I hit my first home run!!! I was so excited. Our next state game is Tuesday, I hope we advance to the semi-finals!!!

So busy!

Hi guys. Fourth marking period has been so busy with softball, prom, college preparation, and school work.

Prom was so much fun! Friday April 30th, was very busy. I woke up at 9am and started my day. It turned out to be a beautiful day so I got to tan a little before prom. I had to go to the nail salon, get some finishing touches on my dress, and get my hair done. At 6pm I was all ready and went to my friends house to take pictures. Prom was decorated so nicely and the pictures turned out perfect. If Junior Prom was this much fun, I can't wait to see what Senior prom will be like.

This season, by far, is the best Union Catholic Softball has experienced since I've been here. We are 11-5, and we've qualified for STATES!! This is the first time since I've been at UC that we've qualified for States. It's a huge accomplishment because to be able to be in the state tournament you must have a .500 record! We have well over a .500 record. Saturday we had our first county game against Westfield. They are ranked 10th and us, 7th. Last year we played Westfield in the first round of counties and lost 9-0. This year.......we WON on our turf! 4-3! It was such a nerve racking game. We were up by 2 going into the top of the 7th and that is when Westfield scored another run, making the score 4-3. Now there were 2 outs and a girl on second and third. It was so important for us to get that last out and our pitcher struck the girl out. Our next game is Friday night against Governor Livingston, number 2 seeded. GL has been a tough game for us both times this season. I know our whole team is ready to show GL how Union Catholic plays softball.

College preparation has started and I'm starting to get a taste of what Senior year will be like. I've been trying to contact softball coaches so I can meet them and find out what they like in their athletes. My dream school is Boston College, so I'm really interested in talking to the softball coach. I've handed in my college recommendations to my teachers, so that's a check off my college-to-do list! I need to do my activity sheet, brag sheet, and so much more I need to get on top of.

So much to do but so much to be excited for. Have a great week (:

The last few weeks have been busy for Union Catholic. In the past few weeks, we have had our Spring Open House, Mr. UC, Earth Day, Junior Prom, and the beginning of AP testing. Our Spring Open House was a great success. This open house is directed more towards the 6^th and 7^th graders and their families. A lot of families came and it was great to see everyone enjoying the school through tours and presentations by various teachers. For Earth Day, the school held an assembly to honor the day. All the students in science classes during 2^nd period came outside to participate. In honor of the day, there were two trees planted by the front doors. The first sisters and brothers who created Union Catholic came as well. The night before Earth Day was our annual Mr. UC contest, which is basically a male beauty pagent. The contestants, all seniors, compete in various rounds, such as the casual wear, talent, formal wear, and trivia. I have gone for three years, and it still remains my favorite thing that Union Catholic does. The talents were hilarious, and the guys all did a fantastic job.

Just last Friday was our Junior Prom. I had a great time. The music was great, and it was a lot of fun hanging out with all my friends. We booked a limo for 20 of us, and a few went to the beach the next day, taking advantage of the gorgeous weather! In a few weeks is Senior Prom, and I know all the seniors are excited!

This week has started the beginning of AP testing. All year, juniors, seniors, and some sophomores have worked very hard taking Advanced Placement classes in courses such as Biology, Government and Politics, US History, English, Spanish, and many others. Most juniors and I took our first AP test on Monday, which was the AP Government and Politics exam. Throughout this week and next, the tests will continue. It is just another sign that school is ending soon and the seniors are spending their last days at Union Catholic before going to college!

Spring fever

Hi guys, I don't know about you but spring fever sure has hit the halls of Union Catholic. Today has so much going on! I have a softball game and then right after that is Quarters for Cancer, where you get a scoop of food for 25 cents. - SMAC members run this event. Being a SMAC member I will be serving food tonight. After that will be Mr. UC! I am SO excited to attend this event. A few of my guy friends will be running for this special title so it makes the event even more funny. The contestants are Senior guys who have to go through various pageant events to win the title of Mr. UC 10'. The best part will be the talent section. I am so curious to see what all this guys have thought of. Good luck to all contestants!

Softball has been going great! We are 4-2. We lost 2 games to two great teams who will probably be ranked top in the county. We lost 3-1 to GL. We lost 7-0 to Cranford. Here is the crazy part though, GL beat Cranford 7-2. On paper it says we should have been creamed by GL, but we played our game and did great. Also we had a game Saturday and ended up winning 4-0! In the paper our freshman Pitcher and I made headlines! First time that has ever happened to me and I was so excited to see my name in bold print. I hope the season continues to go great!