theUrsulineST. URSULA ACADEMY TOLEDO, OHIO SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

Arrow returns home to lead

By SELINA RODRIGUEZ St. Ursula Academy welcomed eleven new teachers and a new counselor this school year: four in the high school, six in the middle school and one teacher who works at both. The counselor also works in the middle school. Two new teachers have previous St. Ursula connections. Ms. Christina DiSalle graduated from SUA in 2008 and Mrs. Rudolph is a parent of senior Allison Rudolph and eigth grader Marisa Rudolph. “When I went here, I always wanted to come back and be a

junior academy. Ms. DiSalle said that it is both an honor and an adjustment to work with the teachers she had. “Mrs. Rode is the reason I became an English teacher; I was sitting in my college dorm e-mailing her telling her this while I was looking for a job,” Ms. DiSalle said. “Being here feels like I’m home again. I feel like everyone knows what I mean when I say the St. Ursula atmosphere, I love it,” she concluded. Mrs. Howard teaches in both the high school and junior academy. She said that she likes teaching both and the biggest

teacher, but I knew I couldn’t because it was a high school. That’s why I’m happy there is a junior academy, and I got the

job,” Ms. DiSalle said. While she attended St. Ursula from 2004-2008, she started the yoga club and is now extending it to the

Additional eleven to serve St. Ursula

By BRIANNA BUDD “When I walk in, it’s home,” said Mrs. Flores, St. Ursula Academy’s newly appointed principal alumna. Mrs. Flores explained her favorite part about her alma mater: “the people, I love it here.” Growing up in a Catholic-

based family with three sisters, Mrs. Flores was more than prepared for her position at St. Ursula. “I did not rebel very often,” she confessed. One of the only times she did was when she chose to come to SUA despite her parents’ wishes of Notre Dame Academy. Before coming back to St. Ursula, she was an NDA administrator and the Notre Dame Junior Academy’s principal. While a student at St. Ursula, she belonged to the French Club, National Honors Society, leadership committees, youth service programs and the basketball team. One of Mrs. Flores’ main goals is to get to know the girls. “I try to have my door open,” commented Mrs. Flores. She has many plans for the new year and works to live her personal motto: “How can I be of service?” “So many things are working and I don’t want to change that,” said Mrs. Flores. She wants to improve our technology, discuss our cell phone policy and advance our Mac program. Her “big picture” goals are what the students are interested in. “I hate the lunch,” Mrs. Flores admitted. She would love to

figure out a way to give students more time and incorporate the “college feel” of longer lunch periods. Mrs. Flores has considered cutting time between blocks and adding it to lunch. “When I was in school, we only had three minutes in between classes,” she explained. Mrs. Flores was more than willing to express her ideas and listen to the ideas of the students. Mrs. Flores claimed that the cell phone policy was a two-way street. “There has to be respect from the teachers to the students, but also a willingness for students to put the phones away.” Mrs. Flores is looking forward to getting to know the students and teachers and forming relationships with them. She wants to connect “any opportunity [she has]” and find the best ways to communicate with the students. Mrs. Flores felt the extra reassurance about her decision to come to SUA while preparing for a garage sale with her daughter. In sorting through old yearbooks, she found a locker note addressed to 492: Mrs. Flores’ locker number as a student and her daughter Isabel’s locker number now.

By ROXANNA FAIR Never in the 158 years of school history has there been a sixth grade class to walk the halls of SUA, until now. In preparation for this historic event, the Iott Center was remodeled during the summer to accommodate the 21 energetic sixth graders. Several new teachers, including language arts teacher and SUA alumna Ms. Christina DiSalle, have been hired to teach sixth grade and other middle school classes. Ms. DiSalle loves working with students this age because they are “not too young, but not too old”. The purpose of SUA gaining a sixth grade is to better prepare students for the future. These girls will be well prepared for high school, as they will already be in Algebra

II, generally a junior year course, by the time they are a freshmen. Due to the vigorous and advanced course work they will experience in middle school, it won’t be uncommon for freshmen to be in classes with upperclassmen. According to Ms. Kulka, the high school plans are to add more honors and AP math classes to meet the academic needs of students. It could feel overwhelming taking high school courses while still in middle school . However, fellow sixth grader Christie Hoeflinger is up to the challenge. Hoeflinger, who describes herself as a language arts lover, is excited about her classes. She also admitted the challenging course work along with the Catholic atmosphere is what enticed her to become to

an Arrow. The sixth graders will have an academic advantage and social one as well. When it’s time for them to attend high schoo,l they will have had three extra years to form friendships with their classmates that can help ease the pressures of the first week as a freshman. When asked how she feels about attending school with high schoolers Hoeflinger replied “I think it’s really cool! I like being with older students and I look up to all of them!” Ms. DiSalle agrees that her students love to interact with the high schoolers in the hallways. And what should the high school students know about the sixth grade class? “Even though we are shy in the beginning, everyone is really outgoing”, said Hoeflinger.

difference between the high school and junior academy is that in the high school she can get more in depth but has to cover it all in one semester. In the junior academy it is more relaxed. “I love teaching all girls, they are fun and they are more likely to express themselves when there are not any boys around.” “I love the relationships that are developing with the students and the staff, I have also met some really great Ursuline sisters!” said Mrs. Howard. These are just some of her favorite parts about teaching here.

Principal brings ideas

New Arrows on the block

Alumna Mrs. Flores, self proclaimed “Rock Band Expert,” makes her transition from a bright yellow locker to her new desk in the principal’s office.

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Mrs. Knapp Biology

Ms. DiSalle JA English

Mr. Scott JA Music

Mrs. Rudolph JA Math

Ms. Cardenas

Dance

Mrs. Howard Theology

Mrs. O’Shea Biology/

Chemistry

Mrs. Vischer

JA Counselor

Ms. Hoffman

JA Science

Mrs. Borgess French

By LEA SIMON-STRAUB The St. Ursula Newspaper staff announces the arrival of the new Ursuline blog. For students who want to be regularly informed about what is going on at SUA, this is the place. With the blog, the SUA student body and staff will have access to the latest in sports, arts, health and entertainment. The blog not only tells students what is going on at SUA, but invites them to leave comments on articles or pictures that are posted on the blog. “I think this is a great opportunity to get the students involveled in the publication process and express their opinions. I want to make their voices heard,” said Emily Dreyer, assistant editor of the print Ursuline and editor of the blog. The blog can be found at ursulinetoledo.wordpress.com.

Ursuline: Live

“I love the relation-ships that are de-veloping with the students and the staff.”-Mrs. Howard

Ms. MaplesJA Art

Mrs. HollidayJA Spanish

PAGE 2 THE URSULINE SEPTEMBER 24

By TAMARA YOUNG With less than two months until election, there are many things to observe before Americans and some students at SUA cast their ballot in November. Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have two months to show million dollar advertisements, convince voters to support them, and lead in key battleground states especially Ohio in the 2012 Presidential contest. Mr. Maas, Government teacher for 30 years at SUA, shared his thoughts on the importance of voters, especially first-time voters, being educated before

they cast their ballot. According to Maas, this year’s election is different from 2008; because of term limits there was not an incumbent seeking re-election, and many polls have determined the Presidential election will be a tight race. The number of conservatives in this country continues to grow and this election is a referendum, to keep or get rid of President Obama. Money proves to be the biggest factor in this year’s election. The race is estimated to cost $2 billion dollars between official Obama and Romney expenses

and super PACs. Super PACs are groups that can spend unlimited amounts of money with the help of millionaires. With high unemployment rates, the basis of the 2012 election are jobs and the economy. Reports from the Department of Labor and Stock Exchange are very important. The Department of Labor will release two more unemployment reports, even a report just four days before Election Day. Most voters will make their decision based on whom they believe will help bring the United States out of its current economic

state. SUA students can better understand the events leading up to election by reading the news daily to keep informed and visiting websites with unbiased side by side facts on both candidates. The advice Mr. Maas gives students that are voting for the first time is to “Be sure to know where to go vote.” He said that “students should prepare themselves to vote on time of Election Day or early vote, and figure out what political party you are a part of.” Most importantly it’s up to the voter to educate oneself.

Season brings fresh faces to dance team, crew,water poloBy JANET STENGLE St. Ursula Academy coaches danced, rowed, and swam into a new phase of their coaching careers. Dance Team Cassandra Cardenas is excited for her inaugural year as St. Ursula Academy’s Dance Team coach. Visitations, competition season, and pep rallies have filled the dance team’s busy schedule. “We are excited to dance at other schools,” Ms. Cardenas said. SUA Dance Team has already performed at a St. John’s pep rally. “Me, personally, I’m really excited for the musical!” Ms. Cardenas added. Choreographing musicals since high school, Ms. Cardenas has developed an accomplished background in the dance world. Alongside her St. Ursula dance coaching, Ms. Cardenas also teaches at Dance FX. She began her passion for teaching dance in high school. “I started assisting for free classes,” Ms. Cardenas said. During her studies at Otterbein University, she was asked to choreograph for their dance team.

Ms. Cardenas helps senior BreAnn Russell and sophomore Mikayla Murphy stretch before a Jazz 1 class. In order to have team success, Ms. Cardenas makes sure her dancers know that prizes are not everything. “As exciting as winning is, I think that having confidence is also equally important,” Ms. Cardenas said. Being able to “work as a team” is crucial to success. Crew The water is changing fast for St. Ursula Crew. With 14 new freshmen and a new coach, previous rowers have many challenges rolling in with the tides. SUA Crew coach Pete Fox is familiar with the Toledo area. After rowing for St. John’s, he coached at the University of Florida. He returned to Toledo to coach at Notre Dame, and then coached at St. Ursula for one season. Fox returned to his Notre Dame coaching position and, most recently, came back to St. Ursula.

Fox knows that team spirit and ability are equally important. Compared to last season, “We are more unified as a team,” senior four-year rower Allison Sheehan said. “He values making sure everyone is doing well,” Sheehan said, “he wants everyone on the same level.” The team will participate in a season-long scavengar hunt to strengthen the bond between the girls. By becoming close off the water, the team is able to work as one

Sports

Resident expert shares expectations, advice on 2012 Election

EditorialsBy MRS. CHRISSY RODE For reasons best known to themselves, my teenage daughter and son receive the greatest enjoyment in their television viewing when they share it with me, their humble mother. What follows are the lessons I have learned from those hours of communion with my children. I present it here with brief commentary. All manner of bodily function is appropriate for public viewing. Those of us who were raised to

believe certain events in our lives to be personal need realize (like everyone who received an M&M for using the toilet) that nothing is too revolting to be performed for the masses—especially if the bodily function on display serves as Nature’s just reward for a life of dissipation. One should never be ashamed to lead a life of dissipation. Anything that permits a person to relax after a long day of conducting business or shopping or fishing with only one’s hands

is God’s gift to humanity and, as such, should be seen as a blessing. Only uptight people (like those who have yet to embrace Rule #1) worry about the long-term ill effects of controlled substances or daredevil stunts. We need to take a cue from the younger generation which, if one really thinks about it, should be emulated in every way. We are all just kids at heart, and we need to do everything in our power to look and act like our younger, more vibrant selves.

Only an old fuddy-duddy would attempt to deny that all beauty and, if truth be told, interest lies

in youth. That said, one must spare no temporal or financial expense to approximate himself

or herself just around the age of majority. If that means hiring a trainer and working out all day, getting a tattoo that represents an interest, loved one, or hobby, or even having each of one’s ears pierced with huge diamond studs, even though it seems girly and you were once considered the greatest athlete on earth, it must be done. When people are young, they feel better. Heck, just looking at young people makes one feel better. All actions should relate to feelings unfettered by regulated thoughts or (heaven forbid) a higher authority. Life is meant to be lived, not contemplated. Let Thoreau hang around in the woods. Thinking often stifles action, and conscience makes cowards of us all. Hamlet thinks too much too! Thinking would prevent most of the behaviors that make for good television. It renders life predictable and (it must be said) boring. For that reason alone, it must be quelled so that one can be free to do whatever feels right, especially since that feeling is likely to change and yield even more interesting television. For these insights I am indebted to Abby Lee, the Kardashian and Jenner families, every ninja warrior, and, of course, Daniel Tosh without whom I would not have been nearly so anxious for the school year to begin.

Inform students of important 1. local and world events, trying to make those events relevant to our readers.

Interpret those events to the 2. best of our ability.

Provide leadership, to the 3. extent that we chose to inform our readers of events that they might not necessarily be interested in, but which we believe are important for them to know about and understand.

Inform students about athletic 4. and academic events, but also to provide unbiased coverage of these events.

Present an honest but 5. respectful picture of our school and its students to our readers.

Follow AP Style Book 6. standards and to conform to ethical standards expected of a Catholic school newspaper: and remain objective to the best of our abilities.

Connect and communicate 7. with all students and administration through coverage of all aspects of our school.

Encourage readers outside of 8. St. Ursula to obtain a complete knowledge of SUA.

on the water. “We’re focusing a lot more on technique,” Sheehan added.Water polo St. Ursula water polo, a club sport in its third year, also has a new coach this season. Having coached at Greater Toledo Aquatic Club, St. Ursula, and St. Francis in the past, Coach Dave Epstein is a familiar face for many players. “I’ve known Dave since I was seven, so eight years,” sophomore Zhada Fields said. “He was my coach for five years,” she added. Epstein is joined by Dave Borgman and Kristin Latcha, SUA water polo assistant coaches. So far, the team has played a winning season. “We’re 4-2,” junior Katie McNeeley said. Epstein instills in his players the keys to success. “He just wants us to improve and play our best all the time,” Fields said. “We’re getting better every day,” sophomore Catherine DiSalle added.

The Ursuline is a publication of St. Ur-sula Academy, an all-female, Catholic, college-preparatory high school and ju-nior academy. Editorials represent the majority views of the newspaper staff and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the student body or administration.

Visit The Ursuline Blog at

ursulinetoledo.wordpress.com

A new school year brings a different format and editorial policy for The Ursuline. The goals are to:

Great expectations

Life lessons learned from summer television

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“Heck, just looking at young people makes one feel better.” - Mrs. Rode

The Ursuline St. Ursula Academy 4025 Indian Road

Toledo, Ohio 43606 419.531.1693

www.toledosua.org

Principal: Mrs. Nichole Flores

Moderator: Mrs. Linda Savercool

Editor-in-Chief: Jessica Cetnar

Assistant Editor: Emily DreyerCopy Editor: Janet StengleDesign Editor: Monica Ruma

Reporters: Brianna Budd, Mary Imre, RoxAnna Fair, Michaela Gladieux, Maggie Kelly, Lea Simon-Straub, Riley Steinbock, Selina Rodriguez, Tamara Young.