Archive for Academics

Newest High School Students Edge Defending Champions by a Half of a Percentage Point

Way to go LEPS! In their first competition since becoming the newest members of the High School Division, the Eighth Grade LEPS stepped up big and ensured that their parents participated in Mini Schedule Night. With three out of every four eighth grade students having at least one parent in attendance at the first spirit competition event, the Eighth Grade LEPS have taken an early lead in the 2010-11 Spirit Competition. Last year’s winner, the Merry Macs, finished in second place trailing by only .53% of the class…. that is one half of one percentage point. As we learned last year, when the Merry Macs defeated the Skips by .77% ..three quarters of one percentage point, every event counts and is extremely important. Can 2010-11 match the excitement of 2009-10? We said it could never be done…. or can it?

Spirit Competition # 1

• First Place:  LEPS
• Second Place:  MACS
• Third Place: SIOUX

Spirit Competition # 2 is less than 48 hours away. Which class will bring the largest number of guests to JAM DANCE 2010? Can the LEPS shock the school and make it back-to-back victories? Will the MERRY MACS regain possession of their throne? Is the Sioux Nation ready to lead and dominate at their final JAM DANCE? Will the Skips pull up anchor and race into first place? Are the Red Feathers going to quietly create a strategy to outsmart the other four classes?

We have a feeling that we are about to see one close race….. SPIRIT 2010-11 is officially underway!

Ursu-online staff  

Parents Receive Opportunity to Meet Daughter’s Teachers

Parents Listen to Brief Summaries of Their Daughter's Classes

On Wednesday evening, the parents of students within the High School Division gathered in the auditorium for Mini Schedule Night. Typically viewed as a “back to school” evening for parents, Mini Schedule Night offers parents the opportunity to meet each of their daughter’s teachers. At Ursuline Academy, we call ourselves a family and Mini Schedule Night embraces that family feel when parents sit in their daughter’s classroom, shake hands with their daughter’s teachers, and finally put a face with the person their daughter always refers to as, “She is the best teacher EVER..”.

The evening began with Campus Minister Ms. Kim Otto leading everyone in a prayer prior to introducing Academy President Ms. Gretchen Kane. Ms. Kane welcomed each member of the Ursuline Academy family to Mini Schedule Night and shared a few words of wisdom with the audience.

Prior to migrating toward the classrooms to meet their daughter’s teachers, parents listened to threespeeches. The first speech was delivered by The MacLaren Family. Mr. and Mrs. MacLaren are the proud parents of freshman star swimmer Emily MacLaren ‘14 and the Chairpersons of this year SAF Drive (Serviam Annual Fund). The MacLarens did a nice job of reminding parents of the need for participation in the SAF because it is the funds raised in SAF that helps cover the costs associated with the gap that exists between the cost of tuition and the actual cost of educating each of our young ladies on State St. Upon the completion of the MacLarens speech, representatives of the Parents’ Club and Dad’s Club spoke and urged participation in the two organizations that have always gone above and beyond what has been asked of them.

Below are pictures from Mini Schedule Night

Ursu-online staff

Mr. Causey wins Best Supporting Actor for His role as The Grinch Who Stole Mrs. Belt's Presents

Earlier this morning, Student Council President Maddie Skinner ‘11, along with the members of the 2010-11 High School Division Student Council released the theme for the school year. This year;’s theme will bring you back to the day hen Dr. Seuss was the Big Man in town.

Oh The Places You’ll Go in 2011

Here are some pictures from the student council’s intro video:

E-Board President Maddie Skinner ‘11 and the Student Council Greeted Our Newest Lions and Offered Tour of the School

The Lucky Ones -- The first picture of this year's LEPS

On behalf of the entire Ursuline Academy family, we would like to welcome the newest members of the High School Division and offer them our sincere hope that the next five years are nothing short of spectacular. Though a large majority of the new students are Eighth Grade LEPS, there are many first-year Freshmen Red Feathers, and we did spot two or three new Sophomore Skips and Junior Macs. We were unable to locate a new Senior Sioux. Regardless of their different classifications, they all have one thing in common: they are now State Street’s Best!

Friday morning began with two things. First, more rain fell on an already saturated State St. Hopefully this will stop sometime soon. Secondly, High School Principal John Gabriel welcomed the new students to High School prior to our Dean of Students (Mrs. Mortillaro)  informing each student what was expected of her today. The good news was that the Student Council was their bright and early eager to assist in Orientation. Members of the Student Council escorted small groups around campus introducing the students to teachers and showing the students where each classroom on their schedule is located. We would like to thank Student Council Moderator Mrs. Amy Calloway and E-Board President Maddie Skinner ‘11 for arranging to have the Student Council present and so helpful to our newest students.

Welcome to High School!

Ursu-online staff

Returning Students Greeted By Faculty; Yearbook Pictures Taken and Students Ready to Roll into New School Year

Red Feathers Pressley '13 and Landry '13

Okay, we know that you are aware of what happens on Orientation Day, therefore, we will not take up space by posting an article. We figure the one thing that you want to see more than anything else is PICTURES. Therefore, with that being said, here is a collection of photos that we took during the first Orientation Day. Remember, new students will have their Orientation Day tomorrow.

We would like to thank each student and her parents for their help with the last-minute change to Orientation Day. Due to the extreme weather conditions, the administration made the decision to postpone the start of the Orientation until Noon. The students’ safety was the overall deciding factor. We appreciate the parents making the necessary changes to have their daughters on campus today. We look forward to another successful school year.

Be sure to set www.ursulineneworleans.orgas your homepage so that you can read all of our articles and view the tons of pictures we will take this year. Ursu-online: Your Guide to the Ursuline Experience.

Ursu-online staff

Mr. Gabriel Thanks Parents for Attending; Urges Participation to Ensure A Successful Year

Mr. Gabriel Begins His Third Year as Principal of the High School Division

With students returning to campus in less than 24 hours, High School Principal John Gabriel greeted parents as they entered the auditorium for an evening informational meeting. Mr. Gabriel was joined by each member of the High School Division’s Administrative Team and Academy President Gretchen Kane.

The purpose of the meeting was simple: to thank each of the parents for granting their daughters the wonderful opportunity to attend Ursuline Academy as the historic institution of academic excellence begins its 284th year of continuing the teachings of St. Ursula started so long ago by St. Angela. 

Sitting in the first rows of the auditorium were the parents of students who are beginning their first year as a student of Ursuline Academy’ s High School Division. A large majority of those in attendance were eighth grade parents, however, there were also parents of the freshmen Red Feathers. Any new student in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade were asked to have a parent attend the meeting.

During his address to the parents, Mr. Gabriel stressed the importance of participation. He informed the parents that the High School Division offers numerous opportunities for students to participate in the Ursuline experience. He urged parents to support their daughters who are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to join a club or participate on an athletic team and to also encourage their daughters to become involved in as many activities as possible without sacrificing their success within the classroom nor  hindering study time at home.

Each member of the High School Administrative Team gave a brief explanation of the services they offer the students of Ursuline Academy. The 2010-11 High School Division Administrative Team includes:

• Alice Bairnsfather – Academic Assistant Principal
• Karen Mortillaro – Dean of Students
• Kim Otto – Campus Minister
• Rebekka Bonnaffee – Athletic Director
• Karen Palmer – Director of Counseling

We would like to thank all of the parents for attending tonight’s meeting. We are sure you will enjoy this school year just as much as your daughter will enjoy her time on State St.

Ursu-online staff

Student Body President and Club Presidents to Hold Workshop Prior to Start of the Year

2010-2011 High School E-Board of the Student Council

On August 12th, the members of the 2010-2011 High School Division Student Council will meet with the 2010-2011 Student Body President Madelyn “Maddie” Skinner ‘11 to finalize plans for the upcoming school year. The workshop will be held from 11:00am to 4:00pm under the direction of Skinner ‘12, the members of the E-Board, and High School Student Council Moderator Ms. Amy Calloway. As of now, we have no word on the theme for the 2010-2011 school year. The E-Board typically discloses the theme on the first Friday of the school year…also known as Community Day. Therefore, start taking your best guesses on what you believe the theme might be and on August 20th, you can see if your guess was accurate.

On behalf of the student body, good luck to President Skinner ‘12 and the E-Board during the 2010-2011 school year.

Ursu-online staff 

Gen (Ret.) Hunt Downer and Local Legion Hall Welcomes “Remember the Ladies” to Special Event

Gen. Downer, Bewers '11, deGravelle '11, Stuckey '11, and Mrs. Kass

On Saturday, July 10, 2010, Ursuline Academy received a great honor when three members of its senior class were asked to perform for veterans of our armed services. As they are taught in class and have come to accept with open arms, the students graciously accepted an invite to perform at  American Legion Hall in Metairie as a part of the “Summer Tea Fest and Educational Expo”.

In February of this year, Sarah Stuckey ‘11 joined with classmates Taylor Bewers ‘11 and Anna Landry ‘11 to honor the contributions made by the war-time legends The Andrews Sisters. It was during the 2nd Annual Remember the Ladiesevent, hosted by the High School Division’s History Department, that the three seniors first performed their routine. For an hour and a half, the trio delighted the audience and were the talk of the evening resulting in the trio collecting three separate honors at the concluding award show including the top award of the evening Overall Best Performance.

During the above mentioned evening, many guests commented, “The entire cast of Remember the Ladies should be taken on the road and performed around the city”. At first, the comment was seen as a nice compliment and not as a future event. However, within months, the trio would be performing within the metro area.

Mrs. Mary Kass, the acting President of the Greater New Orleans Tea Party, contacted Stuckey ‘11 and invited her, Landry ‘11, and Bewers ‘11 to perform at the July 10th meeting. The Legion Hall would be packed with American citizens and American war heroes. Also in attendance would be Senator David Vitter (R-LA) and former Speaker of the House (Louisiana) General Hunt Downer (retired). What a wonderful honor it was for our studens to perform for our war heroes.

Unfortunately, one member of the trio was unable to attend. Landry ‘11 is presently out of the state participating in a summer internship in veterinary medicine. Luckily for those in attendance, Bewers ‘11 and Stuckey’11 were able to finda perfect replacement. Elizabeth deGravelle ‘11 proudly stood-in for Landry ‘11 during the performance. Many of you will remember deGravelle’11 from her award-winning performance as Judy Garland during the 2010 Remember the Ladies. deGravelle’s performance, along withErin Hildebrand ‘11, was honored with the “Fan Favorite” award.

Stuckey ‘11, Bewers ‘11, and deGravelle ‘11 opened the Summer Tea Fest and Educational Expo with a top-notch performance of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy . Their performancewas so well received by the audience that the trio concluded the day’s festivities with the singing of God Bless America.

During the festivities, the trio mingled and interacted with the guests and war heroes. They presented American flag pins to those in attendance. General (ret.) Downer took the time to compliment the trio profusely for their effort and performance. In front of everyone in attendance, Downer thanked Ursuline Academy for teaching History so well to all of its students and producing an environment of understanding and appreciation of our country’s wartime past. 

On behalf of the entire Ursuline Academy family, we would like to thank Sarah, Taylor and Elizabeth for their willingness to represent Ursuline Academy so well.

You can review the 2nd Annual Remember the Ladies event by clicking on the link.

Ursu-online staff 

Click here for the summer reading for returning students (grades 9-12)

Click here for the summer reading for all 8th graders (8th Grade English and English I Honors) and/or any incoming student (9th Grade or above)

Click here for the summer reading for AP English (seniors only)

Caps and Gowns, Smiles and Tears, Memories and Excitement; Graduation Morning Begins in the National Shrine

Brelet '10 and Brennan '10 Enjoying Every Minute of their Graduation Day Experience

On the morning of graduation, the scene within St. Ursula’s Hall is one of organized chaos. The decision to use the word chaos was not one to imply that the senior class or the administration of the High School Division is or was unprepared. Instead, the organized chaos element of the hour leading up to the Baccalaureate Mass is a combination of excitement, laughter, and anticipation. Students running around looking for an extra safety-pin, a place close to the air conditioner, and the search for an electrical outlet to plug in the curling honor that every member of the class seems to want to use at the exact same time. It never fails, year after year we approach St. Ursula’s Hall to take pictures of the seniors in the final moments prior to “The Walk Down State St” and we are always told, “They are not yet ready….. gives us five more minutes”. In past year’s, senior classes could be heard laughing, singing, reminiscing, and much more as the hands on the clock quickly moved toward “its time”.

It was now time….

The Traditional Walk

The senior class of 2010 exited St. Ursula’s Hall and began the short walk down historic State St. Side by side, marching two by two, the seventy-eight members passed in front of the grand entrance to the oldest all-girls school in America. It was almost poetic …..as if it was the ideal ending and a symbol signifying the passing of the guard or the transformation from what was to what will soon be: from student to graduate… from carefree to optimistic wonder.

With parents, siblings, friends, and well-wishers seated inside, and the outside chapel of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor filled to capacity resulting in an overflow into the inside chapel, the first two members of the Skips of 2010 entered The Shrine and Baccalaureate 2010 was underway. A select number of Skips were asked to participate in the opening procession.

Becnel '10 leads teh way with Jackson '10 and Krasnow '10 behind her.

Taylor Jackson ’10 and Teresa “Annie” Krasnow ’10carried the Ursuline Academy and Serviam banners to the altar while Katie Becnel ’10 carried the cross. Also included in the opening ceremony was Emilie Clausing ’10.Clausing ’10 placed the Cor-Unum pins on the altar. During the upcoming mass, the pins will be blessed by Fr. Donald Hawkins, S.J. prior to the pins being presented to each member of the Class of 2010. Upon obtaining the pin, the Class of 2010 will officially have in their possession the one symbol that confers upon them the status of alumnae.

With her class situated within the National Shrine, Senior Class President Gabrielle “Gabby” Lavelle ’10 welcomed each of us to today’s Baccalaureate Mass. Upon completion of the Call to Worship, the Ursuline Academy award-winning choir, under the direction of Ms. Shannon delCorral and accompanist Ms. Karen Jakiela (a member of a previous Skip class) sang Send Down the Fire.

Moss '10 sings "Send Down the Fire"

• Send down the fire of your justice,
• Send down the rains of your love;
• Come send down the Spirit,
• Breathe life in your people,
• And we shall be people of God.

Chante Jones ’10 was selected to deliver the First Reading from the book of Sirach 6:14-17. Following the reading, Katharine Harris ’10performed the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 23) which states:Shepard me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.  Bridget Brelet ’10 delivered the Second Reading which was a selection from 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:16. Following the Gospel Acclamation, Fr. Donald Hawkins, S.J.  delivered the Holy Gospel according to John (15:1-8). Fr. Hawkins’ homily was centered on reminding the Skips of what has been and what was to come. Te homily centered around the theme of “closeness”. Fr. Hawkins instructed and urged the Skips ‘10 to think of the friends and friendships they have made through the closeness of Ursuline Academy and to think of the friendships that will continue as each of them move onward. The most important thing to remember is to remain close with God throughout your journey. Hawkens stated, “The friendships we make here are a reminder of the friendships we could have with God. What is valuable to us as humans are pictures of what is valuable to friendships with God”. Fr. Hawkins then walked to the table that held the previously mentioned Cor-Unum pins. Fr. Hawkins asked our Lord and Our Lady to bless the pins and the Skips of 2010. Fr. Hawkins said, “Draw near, we pray, to these your servants and, as they use these alumnae pins as symbols of their faith and devotion, grant that they may also strive to be transformed into the likeness of Christ, your Son.”General Intercessions were offered by Reigan Massey ‘10 and Caitlin “Cate” Gunnell ’10. The petitions signaled the last time that the Skips of 2010 would place their petitions upon the altar of Our Lady. However, as they have come to realize during their many years on State St., no matter how far they may travel, Our Lady is always willing to listen and answer our Skips’ petitions. 

Samantha “Sami” Urso ‘10 and Alexandra “Allie” Saizan’10 walked to the altar for the Presentation of the Gifts; the water and wine that would be transformed into the blood of Christ and the bread that would be the body of Our Lord and Savior. As the two seniors approached the altar to present the gifts to Fr. Hawkins S.J., the Ursuline Academy choir performed one of its most popular and requested songs: River of Judea.

• Often times I dream of music, of the river that freely flows.
• And it sings a song sweeter than honey, one everybody knows.
• Late at night I hear it singing, then again when I wake at dawn.
• And it fills me up with hope and goodwill, the will to go on, go on.

On a side note, did anyone see Fr. Hawkins tapping his fingers on the altar as the choir was singing? Now there is a sign that things are going well!

Parent '10 offers Holy Communion to Krasnow '10

As mass progressed, the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist joined Fr. Hawkins, S.J. on the altar for the upcoming Communion. Earlier in the school year, under the leadership of Campus Minister Ms. Kim Otto selected and trained Lauren Bourgeois ’10, Katharine Harris ’10, Sarah Parent ’10, Madelyn “Maddie” Rebstock ’10, and Caroline Smith ’10 to be the students who offer communion to those individuals attending mass on campus.

For those of you who have read our online commentaries over teh past five years, you know we tend to find that one special moment of each event. Whther it was a smile that went unnoticed, a high five from a coach to his/her player on the sideline, or a special award given to a student who has overcome so much in such a short period of time. While observing Holy Communion, the special moment of Baccalaureate 2010 occured.

Blanc '10 singing during Communion

For many in attendance, this special moment may have passed without any acknowledgement. However, it was one of those moments that we have to comment. Earlier this year, the Skips ‘10 opened its door and its heart to a new class member. Vanessa Blanc ‘10 and her family were forced to live a life devastated by the earthquake in Haiti. Luckily for Vanessa, through the grace of God, she was able to relocate to America in an attempt to bring the slimest amount of normalcy to her life. It did not take months, weeks, or days for Vanessa to become a Skip. Through the kindess and compassion of the Skips ‘10, a class known for extending its hand to help one another, Vanessa Blanc ‘10 became the newest Skip within hours. Today, we looked on the altar and thought, “Oh Vanessa is singing” and simply moved on. Then it hit us…”Vanessa Blanc ‘10 is at Ursuline Academy completing her high school career with her new sisters.” To see a young woman standing on the altar and singing to Lord during her Baccalaureate Mass when a few months earlier everything seemed wrong and scary, was pure magic. Then we remembered, it was not magic…It was Our Lady guiding another Ursuline Academy student to safety.  

When communion concluded, a Communion Meditation was sung by Katharine Harris ’10. The choice of meditation songs was Magnificat. The meditation was followed by a closing prayer and the traditional recessional song Hymn to Our Lady of Prompt Succor.   

• Hail Mary, Queen of Heaven!
• Hail Mary, Mother dear.
• In thee I find my Jesus,
• Near thee I hold no fear.
• Hail Mother of Prompt Succor!
• Make haste, help me, thy child!

With mass concluded, the senior Skips of 2010 had completed the first stage of one of the longest days of their lives….a day that will conclude when each member of the class is presented a diploma from Academy President Gretchen Kane.

It was now time for Stage 2: Alumnae Induction Ceremony (posted on the main page of our web site).

Ursu-online staff ^{Your Guide to Graduation 2010}

 On behalf of the Class of 2010, we would like to thank Marcel Meyer ‘13, Claire Oswald 13, Sarah Vallon ‘14, and Megan Mineo ‘13 for their help with distributing programs and welcoming our guests to the Baccalaureate Mass. Each of the above mentioned students have a sister in today’s graduating class: an all around nice touch to the morning’s gathering.