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On Friday, January 27, the Feast of St. Angela Merici, foundress of the Company of St. Ursula, students and faculty celebrated with a day of service.

The following is a list of locations where the girls served:
Pre-K and Kindergarten - Ursuline Sisters
1st, 2nd, 3rd Grades - Poydras Home
4th Grade - Our Lady of Perpetual Help Food Pantry
5th Grade - Sculpture Garden at City Park
6th Grade - St. Margaret’s Nursing Home
7th and 9th Grades - Second Harvest Citrus Gleaning
8th Grade - St. Luke’s Medical Center
10th Grade - Ozanam Inn, Center of Jesus the Lord, Riverbend Nursing Facility
11th and 12th Grades - ARC, Audubon Zoo, Bridge House, Covenant Home, Covenant House, JCC ACE Program, John J. Hainkel, Jr. Home and Rehab Center, Malta Park on Magazine, New Directions Adult Center, Poor Clare Monastery, SPCA, St. Joseph Rebuild Center, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store – Gentilly, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store – Jefferson Highway, Strive, Inc, Sunrise Senior Living, and Woldenberg Village

In the afternoon, students gathered in the Shrine for Mass in honor of St. Angela Merici.  They were joined at Mass by the Ursuline Sisters and Dr. Jan Lancaster, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

On Friday night, January 13, in the MBO Athletic Center, following two basketball games, twenty-two teams of students and faculty competed in a dodgeball tournament.  Organized by Hannah Sensenbrenner, the tournament featured two simultaneous eight minute games until only two teams were left.  Bad Habits, a team of seniors, claimed the final victory!  The entire event was a huge success and a lot of fun for both participants and the many parents and friends who came to watch.

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH UPDATE – COMMITTEE RECEIVING APPLICATIONS NOW

Following consultation with the Ursuline Central Province and extensive research and discussion, the Ursuline Board of Trustees voted unanimously in December to assemble a Search Committee to evaluate candidates for the next President of Ursuline Academy New Orleans. This Search Committee includes:

• Judge Nancy Amato Konrad, Ursuline Academy Class of 1959, Search Committee Chair
• Kerry Coleman, Ursuline Academy Class of 1966, Ursuline Board of Trustees
• Marc Ehrhardt, parent, Ursuline Board of Trustees
• Glenn Gennaro, educator and academic administrator
• Sister Madonna O’Hara, OSU, Ursuline Board of Trustees and Director, Office of Stewardship, Ursuline Sisters Central Province
• Verna Landrieu, community leader, Ursuline Academy Class of 1950, Ursuline Academy Distinguished Alumna
• James MacLaren, parent, Dean, Newcomb-Tulane College
• Judy Mollere, Ursuline Academy Class of 1966, Ursuline Academy Elementary School Assistant Principal
• Judge Monique Morial, Ursuline Academy Class of 1988, Ursuline Academy Alumnae Association President
• Sister Margaret Ann Moser, OSU, Ursuline Board of Trustees, President of Ursuline Academy Dallas
• Eugene Priestley, parent, Chairman, Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees
• Jacqueline Smethurst, consultant and educator , former member Ursuline Academy Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees has empowered this Search Committee to identify a candidate according to a criterion that embraces our commitment to academic excellence in a nurturing environment, the spiritual formation of our students, our long-range plans for our State St. campus and our belief in Serviam. Once identified, the Board of Trustees and Ursuline Sisters Central Province Provincial Team will have final approval of the selected candidate.

During its first meeting earlier this month, the Search Committee outlined a framework for identifying and evaluating potential candidates. The Search Committee recommended – and the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees agreed – that a search consultant be hired to assist in conducting a national search to identify potential Presidential candidates. Efforts are underway to evaluate appropriate search firms, with the Committee expected to have recommendations to the Board of Trustees in the coming weeks.

We expect and encourage candidates in New Orleans, throughout Louisiana and across the nation to apply for this position. Interested candidates should submit qualifications and interest to the Search Committee Chair, Judge Nancy Konrad by email at nak1941@yahoo.com.

On Saturday, January 24, the Lions of Ursuline played a non-district game against the Archbishop Hannan Hawks on the Northshore.  Before the game, Coach Kent Wells sent a request to Ursuline Coach, Winston Lewis.  He explained that one of his senior soccer players had broken her foot in the first game of the season back in November.  She was essentially out for the season.  Coach Wells asked if he could let his senior captain, Jessica Turner, take the first touch on kickoff and then they would simply kick it out of bounds.  This would allow her to play (at least) in her final game.   The kickoff plan went off without a hitch.  As the game progressed, UA went on to score twice and take a 2-0 lead.  Toward the end of the game, the UA players and coach decided to take this opportunity to show kindness to a fellow athlete.  Hannah Rote, a UA defensive player touched the ball with her hand(on purpose) which led to a penalty kick by Jessica Turner. With some assistance from UA goalie, Hannah Sensenbrenner, the shot was good of course and the final score 2-1.  Not only did Jessica get to start in her final game at Hannan, but she actually scored!  It is not often that we get to see kind acts of sportsmanship on the athletic field as we witnessed Saturday.  Jessica Turner was extremely grateful and later remarked that it was the “nicest thing anyone had ever done!”  Coach Wells called Ursuline to say thank you and compliment the UA players and Coach Lewis.

Backlit with Joy is the new vocation blog of the four U.S. provinces of the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union. Sr. Elisa Ryan and Sr. Jean Hopman, vocation co-directors, invite you to visit them here to experience God’s presence through the joyful spirit of the Ursuline Sisters.

http://backlitwithjoy.wordpress.com/

The UA basketball game this Friday will be varsity only beginning at 6:00.

Ursuline Academy elementary students recently participated in the State Library of Louisiana’s Young Readers’ Choice Award voting process. The reading enrichment program was created to foster of love of reading to students in grades 3-8 while introducing them to outstanding books. Ursuline students read books chosen by a committee of Louisiana librarians and selected their favorites on voting machines provided by the Secretary of State’s Office Voter Outreach Division.

Non-District Game  vs. Catholic P.C.- Field-poor, Weather-very cold but clear (January 3)

In preparation for the second round of district play, the UA Lions played on January 3, 2012 against Catholic P.C.  This game ends in a 0-0 tie with UA undermanned and injury stricken. UA dominated but could not find the back of the net. At full force this contest is a clear blow out for the Lions.

Non-District Game vs. Belle Chase Academy – Field- fair, Weather – cool (January 5)

Still undermanned with injuries, UA dominates and beats Belle Chase Academy 2-0 with scores from Alex Vicari ’13 and Yoselie Catenada.  Coach Winston is optimistic at the play, intensity of his team, and their will to be playmakers.

District Game vs. East Jefferson - Field-good, Weather-pleasant and clear (January 17)

UA having clinched a playoff spot by going undefeated in the first round of district play, they opened round two with a 6-0 win over EJ.  The intensity between these two teams leaves each player exhausted after the battle.

Rachel Romero ’12 led the charge with four goals for the night.  She would not be denied and left her mark on the field as one of the team leaders.  Alex Vicari ’13 scores a beautiful one touch shot for the Lions off of a cross from Alex Thomas ’16. Hannah Rote ’14 scores one off of a penalty shot from 25 yards out.  Hannah Michael ’12 with an injured ankle played like a Viking, assisting one of Romero’s ’12 goals. Michaels’ ’12 continued to disrupt and force turnovers for the UA team to continue dominating play of the game. Alex Thomas ’16’ had two assists, Jordan Nicholson ’16 and Vicari ’13 each had one assist.

Non-District Game vs. St. Martin’s Episcopal - Field-great, Weather-pleasant and clear (January 19)

The UA Lions went into this match ready to play with the players at moderate health.  In the 38^th minute Hannah Rote ’14 delivers a corner kick to Rachel Romero ’12, who finishes with a bullet to the back of the net, 1-0 UA.

At the half, Coach Winston urged the ladies that this team would not lie down and give them an easy win. He was correct, in the 52^nd minute off of a direct kick, St. Martin’s scores to equalize.  Coach Winston issues a charge to Alex Thomas ’16 to drive the ball down the field to take this game and she finds Alex Vicari ’13 with a cross to the center of the box and she nails in the winning goal, UA 2-1.

UA dominates the rest of play and secures the victory.

Non-District Game vs. Archbishop Hannan - Field-good, Weather-pleasant and clear (January 21)

This contest was a great game to watch.  The UA Lions represented their school parents and selves well.  Early in the first half, Alex Thomas ’16 traps a ball that the Hannan defense cleared from their box and finished 1-0.  The half ends w1-0 but the score doesn’t reflect the dominant play of the girls. The were running routs and passing so well that the Saints football team should have been there to take notes.

In the 78^th minute, Thomas ’16 dribbles from the UA defense through to the goal and finishes 2-0.  In the 79^th minute, Hannan gets a penalty kick, Hanna Rote ’14 bends over and delivers a hand ball in the box to allow a injured senior from Hannan’s team the chance to score her only goal in her senior year.  Jessica Turner broke her ankle and will not play at all for this year. Hannah Sensenbrenner ’13 made a theatrical dive and miss allowing Jessica to score.  Jessica cried and hugged Sensenbrenner ’13 to thank her for making her senior year special. Please read the email the coach sent:

Winston,

On behalf of Jessica Turner and the entire Hannan soccer team, we would like express our appreciation for your tremendous gesture of sportsmanship on Saturday.

Jessica was thrilled with the opportunity and her teammates and our fans were touched by your team’s generosity.

Please let the girls know how much we appreciated it.

Jerry Kennedy

Archbishop Hannan High School

Congratulations ladies for your great example of Serviam!

Seventy-seven Ursuline Academy 6^th and 7^th grade students had poems chosen for publication in the Poetic Power contest held annually by Creative Communications, a company devoted to the promotion and appreciation of student writing. The poems will be included in their anthology, “A Celebration of Poets,” due out this spring. Ursuline Academy was also awarded the Poetic Achievement Award, an honor given to the top 10% of the schools who entered the contest. The schools are chosen based on the number and quality of the entries accepted. Additionally, teacher Katie Gremillion was asked to judge future poetry for the organization

The following students had poems selected for publication:

6th grade

6-B

Blackden,Shannon

Dorner,Hannah

Fassbender,Blaine

Grubbs,Macie

Knight,Karrington

Ligori,Delaney

Love,Angel

Maddox,Marlea

Michael,Madeline

Musso,Katherine

Richard,Haley

Richard,Natalie

Salez,Randi

Sensenbrenner,Olivia

Shepard,Christian

Ward,Isabelle

Whitlow,Julia

6-K

Mariana Alvarez

Caroline Bologna

Raphaella Brown

Kate Burch

Jordyn Domio

Madelyne Evans

Camille Humphreys

Natalie Naquin

Marcelle Olivier

Victoria Poretto

Neha Samtani

Eleanor Simmons

Taylor Thomas

Caitlin Williamson

7th Grade

7-E

Chelsy Davillier

Carlin Dougherty

Mallory Granier

Ruby Harriford

Maddie Hopkins

Cate Kramer

Kelsey Raymond

Caroline Songy

Julia Thomas

Gabriella Trentacoste

Hannah Victor

7-F

Caitlin Arnold

Kalee Banks

Madison Barnes

Madeline Blanchard

Danielle Blanchard

Gabrielle Calamari

Laruen Cooke

Julienne Delise

Deja Hansell

Allison Hoss

Korey Miller

Gambrill Petty

Kristen St. Cyr

CeCe Tyson

Codi Vercher

Cassidy Vise

Kelsey Young

7-C

Jade Alexander

Jennifer Baker

Madie DiMarco

Helayne Dorner

Annelise Ernst

Gwen Freeze

Lauren Gibson

Imogen Hoffman

Ingeborg Hyde

Emily Lonker

Meg MacLaren

Yasmeen Magharehabed

Elena Nusloch

Brittany Nguyen

Aimee Petitbon

Maggie Prados

Daniela Rocha

Allison Walters

Madison Vise

Each year we are proud to display artwork of Ursuline Academy students for Catholic Schools’ Week at Lakeside Shopping Center.   The following girls have work displayed:

Madalyn Scalia

Grace Gorman

Sarah Buckley

Isabella Scuderi

Katie Weaver

Caroline Barbier

Hannah Bialous

McKenna Berstein

Sarah Marlar

Hannah Dorner

Macie Grubbs

Marlea Maddox

Abigail Morse

Natalie Naquin

Marcelle Oliver

Eleanor Simmons

Kalee Jo Banks

Helayne Dorner

Annelise Ernst

Gwen Freeze

Imogen Hoffman

Allison Hoss

Hannah Rich

Alycia Williams

Their work will be displayed, January 23^rd to Saturday, January 29^th in Lakeside Shopping Center.