Thanksgiving

Hello readers,

Thanksgiving break has come and gone, so let’s recap all of November. This month started out with the fall dance, which you can read more about in my past blogpost. Then, of course, there were many early college deadlines for November. Luckily, SMA has an amazing support system for the senior class. Moreover, the college counseling unit has been extraordinary throughout my time at SMA. During freshman year, students are introduced to college in a distant sense. You focus on developing a strong sense of work ethic through challenging classes, but also balancing your work load. During sophomore year, the counselors focus on challenging the student in coursework and adding extracurriculars that the student may be interested in. Junior year is all about researching your possible interests and college matches. Although junior year is considered challenging by many, it is all about finding a balance between your coursework and your outer life. Senior year is about solidifying that list and working towards the goals we set during junior year. As a senior, it is exciting that we are in the midst of the application phase. It is also exciting that we are almost past that phase in our lives.

Thankful for college preparation.

It is also a time for thanks. SMA gives thanks through a thanksgiving prayer service. At the service, each class presents a prayer for the coming year. This year, I was given the honor of writing the prayer for the senior class. Here it is:

The Class of 2016 gives thanks for the love and support we have received throughout our time at SMA. With loving friends and caring faculty, St. Mary’s has become a home to all of us. We have been blessed to grow both individually and as a class, deriving strength from one another in times of difficulty.  As we progress through this period of transition, we pray that we continue to support one another through our victories and our grievances. We pray that we can remember how far we have come and look forward to the futures that await. We pray that we continue to love each other not as classmates, but as family. Amen.

Thankful for friendship.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Emma Rosenthal  

Halloween

Halloween is here and along with it comes costumes, pumpkins, and Christmas music on the radio. October 31st marks the end of first quarter. I still can’t believe this is my last first quarter at St. Mary’s Academy as a student forever. Time really does fly when you’re a Lady Blue.   

October is dominated by assemblies, tests, and fun. Founder’s Day is one of my favorite masses all year. This year, as a member of National Honor Society, I had the opportunity to escort one of the alums to her seat in the auditorium and her place at the luncheon. Founder’s Day is a time to remember our founders and the privilege we have as St. Mary’s students, but also to bring the current students together with past students. I think for the majority of the senior class, the mass reminded us that we will be alums in less than a year! It’s always fun to speculate about the Founder’s Day that honors your class—Who will show up? will SMA still be in the same building? Will we still be in touch until then? The future is mysterious, but also very exciting.

That brings me to college applications. SMA students, along with students across the world, are submitting early action applications by November 1st. For me, the November 1st deadline is nerve-racking, but also exciting. The college process should not be scary, but a journey of discovery. Through researching different schools, filling out applications, and writing essays, I feel as though I have a deeper understanding of myself and what I want in my life. St. Mary’s has done an amazing job in assisting the process of self-discovery before filling out the applications. This is an important piece of the college search that is often overlooked. How can you apply to schools without reflecting on what you want? How can you pick the “perfect” college before truly understanding who you are? 

Anyways, I am just excited about all of the possibilities for the future and grateful for all of the experiences I have had during my time at SMA. I constantly have to remind myself that I have time left at St. Mary’s, but it’s going by so quickly that it’ll be graduation before I know it! 

Have a safe and sugar-filled Halloween, everyone.

Emma Rosenthal