A Taste of the Outdoors

Kara R.     

Students enjoying the new picnic tables.

        Along with the transition from winter to spring came an exciting new addition for our campus: picnic tables for the patio outside the Arts and Humanities Building. These stylish new tables are the perfect addition to our campus with the weather warming up and the sun starting to shine more brightly. Like senior Christina C. said, “Now, we can enjoy the beauty of our campus every day during lunch.” Indeed, the natural beauty of our school, which we are so fortunate to be exposed to, is now truly showcased by the addition of the tables.
        Donated by the graduating classes of 2011, 2012, and our current seniors, the Class of 2013, as well as the Parent Guild and the Alumnae Association, the tables are not only a way to display the natural beauty of our campus, but are also a unifying aspect here at NDA. We are reminded of the generosity of our past classes and of the special connection that we all share as sisters at this school.
        The tables are a feature to be enjoyed by all future NDA girls, and will continue to connect the past, present, and future of our school. As our principal, Mrs. J. remarked, “These tables build a stronger alumnae association. Each class has left a bit of themselves behind here, as a legacy for the school.”

Finding Your Voice

By: Sarah C.

A collection of Justine's artwork

          Expression is essential to everyone. It allows one to be who she really is and vent when necessary. It can be difficult to find your voice with so many opinions pressing on you and the thought of people judging you at every moment. At Notre Dame Academy however, teachers allow for free thought and encourage students to express themselves, whether it‘s through writing or art, or just speaking and participating in class. Some students take it upon themselves and reach outside the classroom to a broader audience. So, where do you find your voice?  
          Junior Justine uses art as a way to express herself. “I love being able to work in the art studio every day. My art really expresses my personality and who I am.” The accessibility of the art studio and willingness of Mr. B and Mr. F to accommodate any student make expression easier for those who find their niche in artwork.
          Junior Katherine uses anonymous blogging on Tumblr to speak her mind. “If you want to know about my angst-filled teen years, look at my blog.” One can be expressive and vent her feelings without being judged.
          Junior Jacqueline participates in heated debates and discussions in theology classes. She not only informs classmates about world issues, but encourages others to challenge her and express their own opinions. “I find that I am able to express my opinion and have my voice heard without judgment in theology class where we explore important issues with an open mind. While engaging in passionate discussions about women‘s rights and issues, the classroom becomes a more exciting learning environment.

Aspiring Artist Shows Work at Snug Harbor

By: Alexandria W.




Forgotten Memories

 
            There are many talented students here at Notre Dame Academy. One member of the Class of 2016 was able to showcase her talents in art this past February and March to all of Staten Island. Alexandria P. submitted a painting she created to Snug Harbor's Art Lab as a part of a collection that showcased the artwork of kids and teens ages 6 to 16. Her submitted piece was entitled Forgotten Memories since she felt it symbolized forgetting something important and hardly being able to remember it. Her inspiration came from one of the endings of a RPG videogame known as Ib. The game tells the tale of a nine-year-old girl that finds herself trapped in a parallel version of an art gallery, and the only form of escape is by solving puzzles and avoiding enemies.
              Alexandria has been surrounded by the art world ever since she was a young girl. Her family has an artistic background. She explained, "Ever since I was little I've always wanted to be an artist." She has been taking art lessons from her former elementary school art teacher, Mrs. Garland, since the third grade.
              Art has also proven to be an escape for Alexandria.  "It's a way for me to relax and calm down," she explained, "especially if I'm having a bad day and need to forget about everything that's going on around me." There are many people who influenced her in the field of art, such as her mother and grandmother.
               Alexandria dreams of incorporating her love of making art into a future career in writing and  illustrating her own mystery and horror comics, walking in the footsteps of her artistic heroes. Her advice to other aspiring artists at Notre Dame Academy is, "Art isn't something people are born with. It takes time, practice, and patience in order to understand it and perfect it."

Why Steubenville Matters

By Jacqueline C. 

Outraged protesters gather outside during the trial. 

(Photo courtesy of ABC News)

               In August 2012, a 16-year-old girl was raped by members of Ohio‘s Steubenville High School football team and was forced to relive it as photos and videos of the assault spread rapidly on the internet. On March 17th of this year, the perpetrators, Trent Mays and Ma'lik Richmond, were convicted of a juvenile charge of rape. The minimum one year of prison pales in comparison to the lifetime of trauma ahead for the victim. An outpouring of Internet support helped popularize the case and put public pressure on law enforcement to pursue these young men. The group Anonymous petitioned and protested for the victim as well as Change.org that supported her with petitions throughout and after the trial. The Steubenville case brings to light deeper issues that our culture has created but neglects to find a solution to. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network), 97% of rapists will never see a day in jail, a startling fact that only confirms the growing dangers of America‘s "rape culture," a term coined to define society‘s normalization of sexual violence. Some unnerving media coverage of the event showed sympathy for the boys and their futures, and little consideration for the culture we‘ve created that condones sexual violence. CNN reporter Poppy Harlow stated: "These two young men who had such promising futures -- star football players, very good students -- literally watched as they believed their life fell apart," which outraged many as she seemed to apologize for the teens guilty of assaulting and humiliating an innocent girl. Two Steubenville students were arrested for threatening the victim over Twitter for igniting the trial.
              Colleen (‘14) was shocked by this and said, "I was surprised when I found that people actually supported the boys just because they were 'football heroes'.  The girl is made to feel ashamed, and that‘s absolutely not how she should feel. She was the victim, not the boys." Many see rape prevention as the responsibility of the victim, when it is in fact society‘s responsibility to admonish sexual violence, condemn the guilty, and support victims.

Eileen: National Merit Scholar Achieves Dream

By: Tian R. and Caitlin F.

Harvard Crest

           Earning the title of National Merit Scholar in early April, Eileen (‘13) has certainly demonstrated her exceptional academic talents and work ethic, which allowed her to be accepted into five Ivy League universities: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, and Dartmouth. Though this appears to be an impossible task to achieve, Eileen has proven how hard work and dedication are instrumental in achieving one's dreams. Ambitious and determined in all of her endeavors, Eileen is the embodiment of the school's graduate profile.

             Eileen applied to Ivy leagues in hopes of receiving "the best overall experience" as an undergraduate. "They just have more resources, more money, and more committed alumni in comparison to other schools," Eileen reasoned. She and her family were thrilled to learn that she had managed this out-standing feat. "It was unimaginable for me, and it has been an interesting experience,” Eileen remarked.  "It still doesn‘t feel real!”

             Though much has been accomplished, there is still much ahead for Eileen. She plans to major in biology or biological sciences, with a minor in humanities, and is considering a career as an oncologist. Nevertheless, Eileen, like most seniors, is still undecided. ”I have a lot of time and I‘m confident that I‘ll figure out what I want to be after exploring all of my opportunities in college,” she said.

             Eileen has chosen to attend Harvard University, since she believes it offers the most favorable academic, extracurricular, and social atmosphere. Along with these factors, Harvard‘s location in Boston was a critical factor in making her decision. 

             As a National Merit Scholar, Eileen  knows what it takes to achieve the impossible. Though the journey certainly hasn't been the easiest, hard work, dedication, determination, and academic talents have enabled Eileen to seize hold of her dream and will give her the tools she needs to achieve so much more.

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