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Notice:

Free admission to the performance. You are asked to enter through Date Door and avoid entering the school through Coke Lobby or The Lion’s Den. There will be an award ceremony following the performance. Mr. Gabriel has announced that any student in attendance will be granted a late-arrival on February 4th. To obtain the late-arrival, students will sign in at the conclusion of the award ceremony.

Ursuline Academy Brings Back A Student Favorite; One Act Play Competition Returns to the Stage

The Merry Macs of 2012 - "Hood, of Sherwood"

I can recall my first year at Ursuline Academy as if it occurred yesterday. True, if it was my first year, it is hard for it to have occurred in a single day, but please let me continue. In 2002, as a new member of the school, I was absolutely unaware of the many “traditions” that make Ursuline Academy the special place that it has been for over 280 years. Okay, once again, I am aware that the present location of the academy has not been in existence for 280 years, but if you let me finish, i promise I am going somewhere with this comment.

During that first year, the sophomore class approached me and said, “Are you coming to One Acts?” I, in an honest response, replied, “What is One Acts?” With intense emotion in their voices, they yelled, “Only the best night of the year…okay maybe Rally is but this is a very close second“. I agreed to attend these “One Acts” not knowing what to expect. Within moments of arriving in the auditorium, I knew I was about to witness something that “Is Ursuline”. Everyone was admiring costumes, laughing with their friends, and placing their bets on which class would win. I was naive enough to say, “It doesn’t matter who wins, its just for fun“. As if I had made an inappropriate comment during the homily at a local church service, the sophomore class turned and looked at me and those “daggers in the eyes” were focused directly at my soul. One member of the class said, “No, we are here to win. You are here to watch us win. Sit here, watch… and we will win. You have a lot to learn about Ursuline“.

As the evening progressed, and one class after another, performed hilarious skit after hilarious skit, I found myself truly enjoying my time in the audience. I leaned over to the person sitting next to me and said, “This is not bad…. not bad at all“. As the evening came to an end, Mrs. Nolan walked to the center of the stage and announced the winners of the multiple categories. Then, the auditorium became silent. Members of each class’ play sat closely together…some cast members held hands and were ready to leap from their seats. However, they had to wait for the official announcement from Mrs. Nolan. After a brief pause, Mrs. Nolan announced, “And the best play of the evening ….. the sophomores“. I remember seeing the sophomores jump up and down, and a few jump over the top of seats and into a new row.  For whatever reason, I leaped to my feet, extended my arms in the air, and yelled “YES“. I then wondered how many people just saw that and are now commenting on “that one strange person”. While still standing, one member of the sophomore class, on her way to the stage to collect the award, looked in my direction, pointed at me and mouthed the words, “I told you. We won“. When the evening concluded, the sophomores walked over, and we celebrated their win as a class. It was one of the earliest memories that I have of Ursuline Academy. On that night, I thought to myself, “So this is Ursuline“.

On Saturday, January 30, 2010, the 55thAnnual One-Act Play Competition was held in the newly refurbished Ursuline Academy Performing Arts Center. With cold weather outside, the auditorium was filled with warm well-wishes and a number of individuals who had waited over two years to see the return of the One Acts. As Mrs. Dody Nolan (Fine Arts Department Chairperson) said at the beginning of the evening, it had been a long road back to the stage for the One Acts. Conflicts with other drama performances and a small weather disturbance known as Katrina had sidelined the class competition. However, regardless of the length of the journey, each of us made it to the final destination…. One Acts on State St.

The Class of 2014, the Eighth Grade Leps, opened the competition. Under the direction of Sarah Stuckey ‘11, the Leps performed “The Boy Book”.It was clear that the “new ones” to the stage had learned well from one of Ursuline Academy’s favorite stars. Stuckey ‘11 passed along her knowledge to Avery Davis ‘14, Kayla Motin ‘14, and Alexis Robin ‘14 as the three actresses reminded the audience of the complicated series of processes known as adolescent dating. The three girls located a book that would inform them about boys and how to go about having a perfect relationship. Davis ‘14, Motin ‘14, and Robin ‘14 acted out scenarios from the book accompanied with the well-known lines “I like you as a friend…” and ” We have to feel guilty for saying no?“

When the Leps left the stage, the freshman First Mates left their docked ship at the harbor and raced to the stage for “Serial Killer Barbie”.Autum Scharwarth ‘13, Sarah Tyson’13, Dani Edwards ‘13, and Farrah Veal ‘13 were under the direction of Queen’s Payers President Maddie Skinner ‘11. In this play, Scharwarth ‘13 attempted to break into the cool girls club known as the Charlie Angels Club. As the play progressed, one by one the cool girls died by an act of Barbie.

Savannah Grace Llyod ‘12 led her collection of misfits onto the stage of Sherwood Forest for the play, “Hood, of Sherwood”under the direction of Hannah Gudan’12. In what turned out to be the funniest version of the classic story since the Mel Brooks version of Robin Hood: Men in Tights, the audience was treated to the mistake-filled, comical attempts of Robin and his merry men trying to get rich. With the largest cast and longest production of the evening, the Macs sent to the stage: Llyod ‘12, Maria Fe Rimach ‘12, Eugenie Brignac ‘12, Bailee Stewart ‘12, Ashley Lee ‘12, Grace Lamy ‘12,Kelly Antrum ‘12, Erika Montelaro, Alexis Andal ‘12, Taylor Hux ‘12, Hannah Gudan ‘12, Grace Lamy ‘12, and Jo Ripoll ‘12 fresh off of her starring role in Mother Superiorearlier this school year. In this play, Lloyd ‘12 did her best to help raise funds for the poor. Unfortunately, Llyod’s Robin Hood character could not remember if he was to steal from the rich and give to the poor, or steal from the poor and give to the rich. This play included the rich outsmarting Robin in his own hood, a sneaky plan to force the payment of ransom, a showdown between Robin and Prince John (Ripoll ‘12) and a view of Robin Hood we had never seen before: The dumbbell of Sherwood Forest.

By this point, we had seen a lot of talent…enough talent to call it a night and walk out of the auditorium having received our money’s worth. However, who could leave the auditorium knowing that the next performance included arguably one of the best talents to come out of UA’s drama department in decades. Sarah Stuckey ‘11 returned to the stage and teamed up with fellow classmates Anna Landry ‘11 (Dorothy from last season’s Wizard of Oz) and Sarah Mobley ‘11. Majority of the play centered on a conversation between Landry ‘11 and Mobley ‘11. In Cindy and Julie, directed by Erin Hildebrand ‘11 and Kaitlyn Barker ‘11, the audience learned what would happen if Cinderella and Juliet (from Romeo and Juliet) were to meet face to face. Set in a doctor’s office, Cinderella (Mobley ‘11) and Juliet (Landry ‘11) bicker and complain about the many ways Romeo and Prince Charming have failed to be the ideal mate. Stuckey ‘11 made her appearance in the play when she ran onto the stage, while portraying a young girl, and screamed and professed her love for none other than The Jonas Brothers. Stuckey ‘11 could be heard in the lobby of the auditorium!

In the final performance of the evening, the senior Skips had the audience falling out of their seats. Under the direction of Chelsea Bragg ‘10 and Kristina Jack ‘10, senior Nialah Braithwaite ‘10 delivered a top-notch performance. Working side by side with Taylor Jackson ‘10 (who could forget her as the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz), the two made the audience laugh nonstop throughout a large portion of the play. In “The Plot to Assassinate the Chase Manhattan Bank”, Jackson ‘10 attempted to obtain a loan from the bank and brought with her a bomb just in case the bank was not willing to offer her the loan. After speaking to two bankers (Kiersten Leflore ‘10 and Ariel Gaines ‘10), Jackson ‘10 was directed to speak to Braithwaite ‘10 in the loan department. It was at this moment, that the greatness of the One Acts tradition went on display. Braithwaite ‘10 led Jackson ‘10 through the long application process resulting in Jackson ‘10 making numerous, hilarious references to the bomb she had in her bag. Braithwaite ‘10 never seemed to grasp that Jackson ‘10 had a bomb regardless of how many times Jackson ‘10 informed her of this fact. Finally, after receiving her loan, Jackson ‘10 handed her bag to Leflore ‘10 and the curtain closed with the sound of ..BOOOOOOOOOM!

AWARDS

• Best Set – The Boy Book
• Best Costume - Ashley Lee ’12
• Best Actress 8th – Alexis Robin ‘14
• Best Actress 9th – Farrah Veal ‘13
• Best Actress 10th – Grace Lamy ‘12
• Best Actress 12th – Nialah Braithwaite ‘10
• Best Actress of the Evening - Sarah Mobley ‘11
• Best Play of the Evening – The Plot to Assassinate the Chase Manhattan Bank

It was a very successful evening for the Drama Department. The One Acts returned and each of the five classes made it a memorable evening. Each actress brought her talent to the stage and a smile to the face of each member of the audience. Earlier, the statement, “This is Ursuline” was referenced. Occasionally, when someone is not in agreement with something that happens on campus, the person responds, “This is not Ursuline”. To anyone who has ever stepped foot on State St, you know what is meant when someone uses that phrase. This school is rich in tradition. This school is unique. This school is loved by so many. As we laughed, and laughed some more tonight, we sat there grateful that the One Acts had returned home and we all thought, “This is Ursuline”.

The Cast of the 2010 One-Acts

We will add more pictures shortly. Check back!

Ursu-online staff

Event is Loved by Student Body; After Recent Departure, One Acts Set to Return on January 30th

Get Ready for One Hilarious Evening!

For years, students within the High School Division waited months for the one night when the Macs, Sioux, Skips, and Leps battled on stage to be crowned the winner of the One Acts. Last year, when it was announced that the One Acts were not being held, the disappointment from students and fans could be heard throughout the school. With so much support behind this evening of talent, there was no way that the One Acts were not going to return to the stage. We are proud to announce THE ONE ACTS ARE BACK !

On Saturday, Jan 30, 2010, the One Acts will be held within our beautiful auditorium. The “One Acts” are a collection of short plays (typically 10-15 minutes in length). Each class is given the opportunity to impress the judges. Most plays are rooted in humor and leave the audience laughing from the first scene until the moment the curtain closes for the final time. A brief award show is held at the conclusion of the evening to honor the evening’s best performances.

• January 30, 2010
• 8:00pm
• Ursuline Academy Auditorium
• $5 Admission to Support the Fine Arts Department

What a joy it is to see the return of the One Acts. Please join us for a fun-filled evening!

Ursu-online staff

Breaking News:

We have received confirmation from the Dean of Students, Mrs. Mortillaro, that the Spirit Competition results will be announced during our next Activity Period. At this Activity Period, we will learn which class is in first place and whether any of the four additional classes has a chance at catching the front-runner.

Secret info: This race is close! super close! It will be a battle to the end. Therefore, get every point you can get.

Upcoming Spirit Competitions:

• UA SOCCER v. Cabrini
• One Acts Play Competition
• UBALL v. Cabrini (on State St.)

Are the Skips still in the lead? Or has a new class taken over?

Many more additional competitions to be announced!

Ursu-online staff

St. Angela Feast Day Service Projects a Huge Success

Ursuline Academy Pride on Display

On Wednesday, January 27th, Ursuline Academy honored the Feast Day of St. Angela in its traditional fashion. From 9:00am until Noon, students volunteered their time at many local community centers, schools, organizations, and parks and recreational sites. Ursuline Academy is rooted in the word SERVIAM: I Will Serve and never has that philosophy been more evident than on the Feast Day of St. Angela. Year after year, Ursuline Academy students prove to not only their community, but also themselves that service to others is the greatest gift one person can give to another.

Pictured below are a few pictures from one of the many sites visited by our students. In these pictures, students work hard helping the staff at City Park recover from the recent cold weather. The freezing temperatures have damage a considerable amount of trees and plants within the park. For three hours, these students removed the dead plants to make way for new plants that will flourish in the spring. While these students worked in Storyland, additional students were in the park removing thousands of lights from the Christmas in the Oaks displays. When it was time for the students to return to school, the students left after receiving a great compliment from the head member of the staff. The gentleman, after looking at the amount of work that had been completed, stated, “This is amazing. Great job, we thank you so much for doing this”.

Do not worry City Park, we will be back next year, and the next year, and the next year, etc.

We hope to add pictures from other sites one we receive copies from the students/teachers.

Ursu-online staff

With Ursuline Academy behind them, how can the Saints not win the Superbowl?

Breaking News:

It is no longer a rumor. The following has been confirmed from the Office of the President of Ursuline Academy:

In recognition of the New Orleans Saints’ first trip to the Super Bowl – and in recognition of the enthusiasm displayed by the team’s fans – both the Elementary School Division and the High School Divisions of Ursuline Academy will not have school on Monday, February 8, 2010. School will resume at the regular time on Tuesday, February 9th.

On behalf of the student body of Ursuline Academy, “Thank You, Ms. Kane…..and WHO DAT?   WE DAT ! “

Ursu-online staff

Student Body Embraces Community Prior to Joining Together for an Academy Mass to Honor St. Angela Merici

Feast Day Mass for St. Angela

On Wednesday, January 27, 2010, the students, teachers, and administrators of Ursuline Academy New Orleans joined together for a mass within the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. It was at this mass that the students thanked St. Angela for the many blessings she has given to our community and the many additional blessings still to come.

St. Angela Merici, the future foundress of the Ursuline Order, was born in the late 15th Century. It did not take long for the world to see signs that St. Angela would become a giant among women. In her early twenties, St. Angela opened the doors of her home and welcomed children inside and embraced them and opened their eyes to the wonderful world of education. Through her decades of hard work, loyalty to God, and service to the community and young women, Angela Merici became one of the Catholic Church’s saints when she was canonized in 1807 by Pius VII.  

During today’s mass, which followed a morning highlighted by our students given hours of their time to local charitable organizations, senior citizen centers, school, and community parks, students brought symbols of their volunteer work and placed those symbols on the altar. It was a touching scene to see those items on the altar … and standing proudly above those items was the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Though there is never a day when Our Lady is not proud of our students, but on this day, the Feast of St. Angela Merici, we were all confident that Our Lady’s smile was even brighter tan the day before.

Today’s mass was presided over by Fr. Donald Hawkins and organized by Ursuline Academy’s Campus Minister, Ms. Kim Otto. In her first year as Campus Minister of the oldest Catholic, all girls school in America, Ms. Otto has brought her talents and wealth of knowledge to State St. resulting in exceptional masses, memorable retreats, and much more.

Ms. Otto arraigned for students to take a key role in today’s mass: something that St. Angela would have been very appreciative of. Students, from the lower school to the high school, participated in the mass as altar servers, readers, and more. A truly academy-wide approach to the mass.

The Opening song was Shout to the Lordand the Opening reading was delivered by senior Katie Becnel ‘10 from Hosea 2:16-17, 21-22. Today’s Gospel was a reading from Luke 1:26-38.  The Intercessions were offered by Danie Edwards ‘13 and Kalee Jo Banks ‘13. Presentation of the Gifts was offered by Lindsey Shankle and Natalie Richard.

Located below are pictures of our students presenting samples of the work their created / completed in our community during the morning hours of St. Angela’s Feast Day. The students went to senior retirement centers, interacted with children at local schools, offered their services at shelters created to address the needs of the homeless within our city, helped the beautification process occuring within City Park following the recent weeks of cold weather, and much, much more.

On behalf of everyone associated with Ursuline Academy, we would like to thank each of our students for spending a day living the words of St. Angela. Giving of one’s time and effort was and is never more gratifying than the first time a grown-up hears a student say, “That was not bad at all. I enjoyed this and I am proud of what I did today”. We too are proud of you, Ursuline.

Ursu-online staff

Before Setting Sail, Skips Are Honored by the Athletic Department

The Class of 2010 are joined by Coach Lewis and Coach Walters

Recently, the members of the Ursuline Academy Varsity Soccer team were honored for their years of service to the academy. On senior night, following another victory during what is becoming a very memorable year, the senior members of the soccer team were presented flowers from the administration. With parents and friends in attendance, the seniors took center stage. Though senior night is a touching moment, few graduating classes have produced as much talent as the Class of 2010 has produced. A quick glimpse at a photograph of the Class of 2010 would suggest that the Skips ‘10 will be forever remembered as one of the most athletic classes to grace the halls of Ursuline Academy.

On behalf of the academy, administration, faculty and staff, and students of U.A., thank you to Erin Romaine ‘10, Casey Brennan ‘10, Lindsey Tassin ‘10, Lily Mejia ‘10, Mary Grace Bernard ‘10, Maggie Tyson ‘10, Annie Krasnow ‘10, Nina Horne ‘10 and though not pictured, but always a key part of UA SOCCER’s success Gabby Lavelle ‘10.

Ursu-online staff

Show Your Support: Soccer and Basketball Having Great Seasons

UBALL Continues To Overpower the Competition in 2010

Have you been looking for an opportunity to support UA Athletics? If so, Friday is the perfect oppourtunity for you to come out and show your UA SPIRIT.

At 4:00pm, UBALL (Varsity Basketball) will continue its district play when the team plays host to Riverdale High School.

And in what is guaranteed to be a great match, UA SOCCER will battle Cabrini High School on the soccer field at Pan American Stadium. This is a rematch from the earlier Game of the Year when UA SOCCER and Cabrini fought to the final second. With a win, UA SOCCER will most likely secure the district championship; with a Cabrini victory, the two teams will be tied with one loss each. However, we are 100% confident that our Lions are bringing home the district title. Go Lions!

ALSO —- The Soccer game is a spirit competition!!!! Gain points for your favorite class!

A poem by seventh grader Annie Wright entitled “New Orleans” has been accepted for publication in A Celebration of Poets, an anthology of student poetry.  Her poem was submitted to a national poetry contest conducted by Creative Communication:  A Celebration of Today’s Writers.  Poems are selected on their literary merit, creativity, or social significance.