A Long Application Process

Last Saturday was a big day for me. After months of preparation, I completed the final steps of my governor’s school application.

This process began in October, when my art teacher asked if I would be interested in applying for this month long summer program. I jumped at the opportunity but had to compete to even apply, since SSSAS can only send one visual arts applicant. After collecting my best artwork and presenting it to the teachers, they awarded me the slot.

Next came the preparation for the actual adjudication. In addition to paperwork, I had to bring in ten pieces of my best work to display and explain to the judges. This is how I have spent the majority of my free time between October and this past weekend; I needed to complete these pieces. In addition to this presentation, I had to go to a workshop with the other applicants to create something spontaneously. I had no idea what to expect.

Upon my arrival, I was handed a questionnaire, the instructions to observe and describe a piece on display, and wait until they called my group. I had hours to attempt to calm my nerves and fill out this survey, which contained the most random questions I had seen on such as official looking document (What is your birth sign? What is your favorite movie? What do you want to do for a living? Where do you want to travel?).

When they finally called my group, we seated ourselves at tables surrounding miscellaneous kids’ art supplies like stickers, colored paper, and crayons. They then instructed us that we had 15 minutes to make a design for a t-shirt that we would want to wear. The second assignment was to make something 3 dimensional out of a paper bag in 3 minutes. Though rushed and crazy, these were fun opportunities to let my creativity loose.

When it came time, I set up my art and waited for the judges. I expected them to look at versatility and technique in my art; however, they were interested in a broader picture-- who I am and how this shows through my artwork. They asked questions such as “which piece do you identify with the most?” as well as questions about my motivations for applying and my plans for college. After a short 10 minutes, my time was up, leaving me desperately wanting to explain my work more. As I packed up my art, I couldn’t help but think about everything I could have and should have said, but the reality is that there simply wasn’t enough time.

In this one day, I learned about how to make my art stand out creatively and how to express myself through my work. Hopefully, I’ll have the chance to continue this learning over the summer!

Winter Track

Check out our Girl's 4x200 relay team!

A Crazy Week!

     This week has been a whirlwind. In my AP English Class, we turned in a rough draft of our papers about independent books we read- I chose The Liar's Club, a memoir. I also had a couple tests and quizzes, so it was really nice to have a day off of school for the snow we got on Wednesday- even if it was just a little. I'm looking forward to a relaxing three day weekend!

Senior Projects: Endless Possibilities

Over the next few weeks, my fellow seniors and I will be deciding what to do for our Senior Projects.  At St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, each senior pursues some unique adventure during the last two weeks in May.  Last year, the seniors designed vastly different, but very interesting and rewarding projects.  Examples of these projects include interning with a tech start-up, volunteering at a local hospital, and producing songs with GarageBand.  School officials encourage students to design projects that lead to self-discovery and personal fulfillment.  Unlike most schoolwork, these projects are not about grades.  Instead, students have an opportunity for intellectual, creative, and/or spiritual growth.  After the demands of AP classes and college applications, a chance to spend two weeks doing something that interests me sounds pretty good.  The only problem is deciding how best to spend my two weeks.  Should I intern, volunteer, create something…?

Saints Robotics Team is Headed to States!!

Our robotics team has just come back from West Virginia where they participated in the South West Qualifier.  The students, determined to make it to States, demanded we go to this qualifier (the last opportunity this year).  And so, the team traveled a long 7 hours evening to get to our hotel where we stayed before our qualifier.

The day was filled with ups and downs; we had matches where our robot lost connection and others where we outscored the other team in the last seconds.  Although we lost our first two matches, the team was resilient and came back to win our final 4 which boosted us from 20th place to 7th place.  We were selected to as an alliance member and our team helped our alliance make it to the finals match.

Our high point of the day was winning the most prestigious award, The Inspire Award.  (This award's description can be found here).  This award is given to the team that embodies the 'challenge' of the FTC program and that best represents a 'role model' FTC team.  We also were finalists for the Motivate Award as well as the Connect Award.

Link to Photos

Go Team Thunder Stone!  Go Saints! 

Winter Break 2014

    SSSAS students spend their winter breaks in a variety of different ways. Many go on vacation, whether to take a break from the cold by visiting a beach, visiting far away family, or skiing in the Rockies. I, however, was in town for the holidays. To make the most of my time off, I came to the school often for optional track practices and to get some extra lifting and conditioning in on my off time. Luckily, these practices were relaxed and casual, which turned out to be a good opportunity to get to know some of the underclassmen on the team. I have my first track meet since the break on Friday!

    In addition to athletics, I spent my time off experimented with some new art supplies I got for Christmas, since I am trying to build up a strong portfolio. I'll use these pieces for my governors school application for visual arts, due later this month, as well as my AP portfolio for the spring of next year. It's always exciting to try out new mediums, styles, and ideas on my own time.

    School is back and session, and the winter is definitely kicking in with some flurries of snow dusting the campus. Hopefully the snow will continue for some good skiing in the long weekends coming up!

We Will Be Fine

I walked in the gym. 8:30 in the morning. The desks all arranged in nice, neat rows and lines. Students walk in, with pencils sharpened, minds ready for their impending exams. We have our midterm exams before we leave for winter break every year. I remember my freshman year, sitting down in that gym waiting for that first exam. As a freshman, that first midterm exam was new, exciting and a little bit intimidating. The gym seemed huge and I looked around at all my peers. It is funny how time passes so quickly. Walking into that gym to take midterms for the last time, the gym seemed a little bit smaller, the test taking process was not nearly as intimidating as it once was. I am now moving into the second half of my senior year. As a freshman, this time seemed so far away, but it is here now. These next few months will go by quickly, but I will make sure that I live them to the fullest. This senior class is transitioning into a new chapter of our lives. And it may be a little intimidating like that first midterm exam I took as a freshman. But after a little while, we realize that it’s not that scary. We realize that we can face this challenge like all the others before. And we will be fine.

Midterms

This year I had 4 midterms. I spent the week before getting organized and I used the long weekend to study. I spent the majority of my time studying for my math exam because I thought it would be the hardest and I was right; it was quite difficult. After my last exam, I was very relieved (and tired!) as I knew I had the whole break ahead of me to relax and spend time with family. Finishing midterms before break is very awesome, as it allows winter break to really be a break instead of having to worry about midterms over the holidays. What a relief! Coming back from break I am well rested and excited for the second semester to start and warm weather!

A Much-Needed Break

Senior year has been so much busier for me than I ever thought!  From swimming, to AP course work, to applying to college, this Christmas Vacation has been one of the most relaxing by far. I was able to finish all my college applications with the help of my college counselor, Mr. Doyle, and I am looking forward to this New Year at school.

Soon I will start my second semester English seminar, a privilege seniors get (I will be taking a class on creative writing).

I'm excited to see my friends and teachers again, and I'm ready to conquer 2015!

Merry Christmas

I attended many holiday parties this year.  One of my favorite parties was a casual afternoon get-together with members of my school Advisory.  We just enjoyed hanging out and sharing a meal before midterms.  At St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, every freshman is assigned to an Advisory group led by a faculty advisor.  This advisor acts as an advocate for the students throughout their high school years.  He or she advises students on course selection, activities, and other aspects of high school life.  Our advisor, and my Spanish teacher, is Mr. Nasim Siddeeq.  For the past four years, Mr. Siddeeq has always been there to help us address any challenges and celebrate our successes.  The Advisory groups at SSSAS bring together students from different perspectives – athletes, scholars, artists, etc.  Six other students are in my Advisory, and we meet every Monday.  These Advisory meetings provide a relaxed atmosphere to talk, unwind, or just kid around.  

I have really enjoyed getting to know the other students in my Advisory.  I also know that I can always count on Mr. Siddeeq.  When he was stuck in the Philadelphia airport and couldn’t make it to the Advisory holiday party, we FaceTimed with him!  One of the things I will miss most about high school is Advisory.

Happy New Year!

Today marks the first day of 2015. It's funny because I'm just starting to realize I'm graduating in six months. I know it seems somewhat far away, but I know it will be here before I know it. It's strange because in Lower and Middle School I thought I would be at SSSAS forever. But now I'm a senior, and I only have a few months left. It's a very strange feeling knowing I'm leaving a place after 13 years in just several months.
My last high school exams are over (thank goodness), and I've received my Early Decision acceptance to Tufts University. 

I couldn't be more excited for what my future holds. I know that this new year will hold many happy memories and exciting new adventures. 2015, I'm ready to take you head on, and I couldn't be more thrilled!