Posts by Margot Schneider
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Midterms … For Better or For Worse?
As school has finally come to a close, it got me thinking about the week before the end of the semester at Ursuline. When I first enrolled there, I remember thinking how lucky we were that we didn’t have end-of-first-semester exams. But after experiencing the week before the end of term, my views alternated. Our last week before Christmas break is what students fondly refer to as “the worst week of [my] life.” It is plagued with tests, papers, and projects in almost every subject. The teachers say, “But at least you don’t have midterms!” Would that be better though? Only having to study for one big test instead of writing three papers, working on a project, and studying for a test in every class?
I asked my friends, and they agreed that not having midterms may be more of a curse than a blessing. Some students may disagree, however, that although projects and papers are time-consuming, they count for less and tend to be grade boosters. I don’t know the real answer … just wondering if the other Dallas-area high schools have it right by giving their students just one big test. Just food for thought, Ursuline!
By Margot Schneider Dec. 19, 2011 | 12:48 pm | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Heated Competition at Ursuline Academy
Seniors battle juniors for the title of most spirited class.
No one can truly comprehend the intensity the spirit of intramurals, one of Ursuline Academy’s biggest traditions, brings out in the students every Thanksgiving unless you have seen it for yourself. It is a three-day competition in which each class picks a theme and competes to win in each category (skit, volleyball, spirit, mural, hallway). Each student supports her class by wearing its colors (green for freshmen, yellow for sophomores, red for juniors, and blue for seniors) and tries to prove they have the most spirit.
Although there have been rivalries between classes before, the antagonism between the junior and senior class reached a new level this year. Both classes tried to outdo each other by winning in every category; the most important category being spirit. Even though both classes were neck-and-neck in this category, the school decided that things were getting too heated and announced a tie for third place between both classes. The girls were angry to say the least about this unexpected turn of events, but the tension has diffused since we have returned from Thanksgiving break. I think I can speak for my whole senior class when saying that we enjoyed our last intramurals (sniff sniff) more because of the rivalry. What is wrong with a little healthy competition?
Themes:
- Seniors: Ferris BLUEllers Day Off
- Juniors: Ann13
- Sophomores: Sophy Doo
- Freshmen: The Green Lantern
Here are the final results:
- Mural: Seniors
- Skit: Sophomores
- Volleyball: Juniors
- Hallway: Tie between juniors and seniors
- Spirit: Sophomores
By Margot Schneider Nov. 29, 2011 | 11:05 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Crested Butte … The Perfect Summer Getaway
The general view in town, Mount Crested Butte
To escape the Texas summer heat, many Preston Hollow families retreat to the quaint town of Crested Butte, Colo. Surrounded by the mountains, the small town hosts many Dallas families in rented summer houses. Although Crested Butte’s attraction starts with the cool summer days, it continues as visitors experience the many bike trails, family-friendly parks, cool fresh air, and the town nested in the middle. I have been coming here every summer for five years, and have been enjoying the beautiful mountainous view from my porch. I wish I could describe the beauty and laid-back vibe that radiates from this town, but you will just have to come here and experience it for yourself!
If you feel like you are melting in the heat of Texas, bring your family to Crested Butte next summer. Don’t forget your bikes!
By Margot Schneider Aug. 23, 2011 | 8:50 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
Micaela White Loses Her Battle With Cancer, But Her Army Remains Strong
Ursuline girls Molly O'Brien and Liz Vache ('11) raise money at school on Micaela Mondays.
Friends and family are deeply saddened by the death of Ursuline alum and Plano teen Micaela White, who was diagnosed with leukemia in December 2010. Although Micaela spent Christmas, New Year’s, and her birthday at Children’s, her lasting smile and positive demeanor brightened everyone keeping up with her story. In return for her inspiring attitude, the Plano and Preston Hollow communities gathered together to help support the White family. Her friends at Ursuline and Jesuit, calling themselves “Micaela’s Army,” donated funds they made off of wristbands and T-shirts to put a dent in the Whites’ medical bill. They also gathered for monthly prayer services to pray for the return of her health. The White family, who showed nothing but strength, was so grateful for their communities’ support during Micaela’s battle with cancer. Although Micaela is gone, her army continues to emulate her strength during this time of grief and remembrance.
Rest in Peace, Micaela.
By Margot Schneider Aug. 22, 2011 | 10:17 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
The End of a Magical Era
As the end of the Harry Potter franchise comes to a halt with the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, I can only describe this as a decade of waiting, waiting and more obsessive waiting. However, since the end has come, I find myself desperate for the anticipation of another movie or book. But sadly, the waiting for Harry Potter is over … forever.
The bittersweet sentiment felt as loyal fans anticipated the long-awaited arrival of the final movie was prominent in Dallas on Thursday night. Fans swept, in mass numbers, to the Inwood and NorthPark theaters to be the first to see the midnight showings. Clad in their wizarding attire, the most loyal supporters waited out the long and torturous lines to get a good seat. The lines turned out to be worth it in the end as they, finally, got to experience Harry’s quest to save the wizarding world on the big screen.
Being an extremely loyal Harry Potter fan myself, I was one of the “lucky” hundreds who waited in the seemingly endless line at NorthPark. I thought the movie was the best one yet. As expected, I was disappointed by some fairly minor left out details. But as a whole, I think Warner Bros. did an excellent job (and that is saying a lot, as I am usually highly critical of the skewing of plot lines in the previous movies). And although I foresaw months of extensive therapy to rid myself of the emptiness, I am fortunate to say I took the end of Harry Potter fairly well and cried only a couple times.
As Harry would say, mischief managed. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to re-read the books another 10 times to occupy the longing I’ll surely have for the rest of my life. Plus, rumor has it that J.K Rowling is hard at work on another book. Can she top the obsessive and often times hysterical fan base that follows Harry Potter? And the waiting begins once more …
By Margot Schneider Jul. 18, 2011 | 10:15 am | No Comments | Comments RSS -
UA for UA: Ursuline Academy for University of Alabama
The shirt Audrey Bernish and Lydia Morris designed to raise funds for the city of Tuscaloosa after the tornado.
Although the tornado in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in April did not affect the girls of Ursuline Academy of Dallas directly, they mourned the loss of an alum and sympathized for the destruction of the city. “Many Ursuline students’ siblings attend the University of Alabama and were there for the tornado,” says rising senior Sarah Wunderlick.
In response to this horrific event, senior Audrey Bernish, whose sister attends the college, had shirts made to raise funds for the reconstruction of the city of Tuscaloosa. With the help of senior Lydia Morris, who drew the graphics for the shirt, Audrey wants to “help in any way [she] can to restore the city that is so important to my family.” The maroon shirts, which sold in a matter of days among the students, bear the slogan “Help Keep the Tide Rolling” and feature a design that Audrey came up with. Personally, I wear my shirt all the time and even have had people ask me where they can get one!
If you would like to donate to the city of Tuscaloosa, click here.
By Margot Schneider Jul. 5, 2011 | 10:25 am | No Comments | Comments RSS
