Instant Theatre: An Ab-Salute Hit!

January 15, 2020
Drama Club Wants YOU! – Drama Club President Iyian Paige welcomes audience members to the annual Instant Theatre showcase in November. Each year, Drama Club members present two nights of performances in the O’Farrell complex. – photo by Lindsey Foles

With patriotic flair, Dominican’s Drama Club members entered the dining hall center stage in November, donned in patriotic colors, to perform its annual Instant Theatre review. Hundreds of fans were in attendance for the annual event that showcased singing, dancing and acting. The annual showcase left the crowd saluting the students in this year’s theme, “Instant Theatre Wants You!”

Extra Extra! Read All About It! – Junior Sara Sciortino performs “Santa Fe” from the Broadway musical Newsies. In April, Dominican will present Newsies during the Fine Arts Festival. – photo by Lindsey Foles

The much-anticipated Instant Theatre also premiered the announcement of the 2020 Spring Musical, Newsies, which will debut in April.

For twenty-one years, Mrs. Rosalie Abadie, Drama Club moderator, has staged Instant Theatre. Mrs. Abadie sees this ensemble performance as an all-inclusive show that exposes drama members to the stage. “Instant Theatre gives students the opportunity to perform and choose the type of act which best shows off their particular talent,” said Mrs. Abadie.

This year’s Instant Theatre boasted a range of acts, from a scene from the movie Mean Girls presented by junior Olivia Olson to a song from the Broadway musical Waitress performed by junior Camille Vincent. The show also presented original pieces such as a contemporary dance by junior Emily Dominique and senior Kennedi Melancon, as well as skits written and performed by Drama Club members.

“We have an amazing community of talented girls who can put on a great show,” said senior Olivia Boudreaux, who participated in multiple acts, including a cover of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind.”

 “And the best part about Instant Theatre is the love and support each performer gets,” added Boudreaux.

In 1998, Instant Theatre started as a one-night performance in the Dramatics Assembly room (familiarly known as the D.A.) in St. Mary’s Hall. Instant Theatre grew to be such a hit that it had to become a two-night showcase and was moved into the Dining Hall.

Drama Club Officers Elise Bourg, Pelarr Edwards and Olivia Olson kick off the senior skit dressed up as Dominican faculty members. – photo by Lindsey Foles

Special Projects Director Mrs. Jessica Sita Couch (’05) participated in some of the first productions of Instant Theatre. Ms. Couch and her friends became known for doing “coffee talks” inspired by Saturday Night Live. “I’m so glad that Instant Theatre has gone so far since then,” said Mrs. Couch, “and that I have gotten to see the growth of the event and of the Drama Club.”

Instant Theatre’s popularity is evident. The seats were filled for both nights, with a total , attendance of about 350 people.

Some Drama Club members had to adjust to performing for such a sizable audience. “Stepping on stage and seeing the great crowd we brought in was overwhelming at first glance,” said sophomore Maddie Ascani, who sang “Keepin’ Out of Mischief Now” from the Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehavin’. “But as soon as I started to sing, I was confident in myself.”

Senior Iyian Paige, Drama Club president, holds Instant Theatre very close to her heart. “Instant Theatre can show you who you really are. I’ve heard club members say that they surprised themselves when they walk off stage after their first or final performance,” said Paige. “When you take the stage, it’s truly yours. Everyone is looking up at you and they’re full of nothing but support for you.”

Although Instant Theatre is not Broadway, it creates a connection between the students on stage and the great supporters of the Dominican community.

 “Instant Theatre is not just a talent show,” said Paige. “It is a special showcase made by Dominican, for Dominican.”

  • Lindsey Foles

Club Hub

December 13, 2019

Dominican Debs

Dominican Debs Dance Their Way to Nationals – The Debs’ competition has been a real kicker this year! Beginning locally and ending by placing nationally, the dancers had a very rewarding season.

Dominican’s highly-acclaimed dance team competed on Sunday, Jan. 12, at UDA Regionals in Hammond, LA, against nationally-ranked teams. Not only did they place second in the Hip Hop and Jazz categories, but the team also won the Sportsmanship Award.

Advancing to the next competition, the girls pirouetted their way to American-All State, Louisiana’s state competition, in Lafayette, LA, during the following week. This competition was another success for the dancers as they won first place in the Hip Hop, Jazz, Pom Dance and Game Day categories. The girls ended their season in Orlando, FL, at UDA Nationals. Their successful performances brought them to the competition’s semi-finals.

Junior Eliza Miller, team captain, felt especially proud of her teammates. “This competition season was definitely one for the books. From the beginning of the season, we have been calling each other family,” said Miller. “I think that mentality has really allowed us to go far.”

  • Olivia Olson
  • Olivia Olson

Drama Club

With a stroke of her brush and a dab of her finger, Ms. Maggie McGovern (’14) transformed sophomore Megan Eisert from a DHS student to a spooky Halloween skeleton.

In October, Dominican alum McGovern visited the Drama Club to speak about her career and show students all the fun tricks she had up her sleeve. The busy makeup artist/elementary school teacher took some time out of her schedule to prove to students that working in the entertainment industry doesn’t stop with performing. 

Since leaving Dominican, McGovern has not parted ways with the dramatic arts as she has worked with both New Orleans Opera and Loyola University Opera, ensuring that the opera’s wish was her command.

McGovern has also worked for the well-known company Too Faced Cosmetics along with doing makeup for film. In addition to working on filmes, McGovern has also worked with vocal performers. Her most exciting client yet? “I did make-up for soul singer Kyle Dion, the opening act for (popular R&B singer) Ella Mai,” she said.

  • Olivia Olson

Pro-Life Club

The Pro-Life Club adopted babies! Well, sort of.

Members spiritually adopted babies that could possibly be aborted. Everyone prayed for these unborn babies, then each club member received a pin representing the feet of a baby in utero. The club members named their babies as a reminder to keep praying for them.  

Club Moderator Mrs. Theresa Maquar (‘70) continues to get the baby feet pins year after year because they serve as a witness to club members and to other people out in the world. “The Dominican Order prays so we, as Dominicans, should live by prayer, too,” said Mrs. Maquar.   

Throughout the school year, the club officers will give updates about the stages of development the babies would be progressing.  

  • Morgan Muscarello

Students for Human Dignity and Diversity in Action

October was National Hispanic Heritage Month, so Ms. Bianca San Martin (’08) joined the Students for Human Dignity and Diversity in Action and taught them how to dance the salsa, bachata and mernegue.

Ms. San Martin is passionate about dance, and her focus is Latin dance.  “I started Latin dancing when I was a sophomore in high school,” Ms. San Martin said. She said loves coming back to Dominican to Hispanic culture and heritage ls  over Hispanic culture and heritage through music and dance.

 Ms. Bianca San Martin said that she was proud to have been able to represent the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation, and her own dance instruction business, NOLA Fleaux Productions, LLC.

  • Gloria Thomas

Robotics Team

On Oct. 19, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome became an engineer’s dream for the Dominican Robotics Teams.

Participating in the Saints and Pelicans Stem Fest, both the Valkyrie and Ultraviolet teams shared information about their robots and FTC competitions with the visitors who flocked to their display table.

“It was really cool to interact with people who are interested in the same things we are!” said junior Sydney Raymond, communications officer for the Robotics Team. “I loved telling people about what we are doing at Dominican with robotics.”

  • Isabelle Fitzmorris

Biotech Club

While breaking down codes and unraveling the science of DNA, the Biotechnology Club dives deep into the world of genetics.

Club moderator Mrs. Janine Koenig has been formulating a plan for genetic coding in the lab. Members of Biotech did a genetic coding lab to test which of seven “patients” were positive or negative for a disease. They mixed the genetic sample with an antigen, or foreign substance, to see if there were any immune responses. If the sample in the vial turned blue, the sample was positive for the disease.

Senior and President of Biotechnology Club Catherine Zimmerman led her club members in the experiment. Zimmerman said biology class and Mrs. Koenig inspired her to participate in the Biotechnology Club during her freshman year. She specifically enjoys being able to do hands on experiments in the lab, but outside of the actual classroom.

  • Lindsey Foles

Flashback Dance! Faculty Members Share Dance Memories

December 6, 2019
The night was young when Mrs. Katie Belou Kirkwood (’05) pulled up to her sophomore year Neat ‘n Sweet Dance in the ultimate mom-mobile: a fifteen-passenger van. Along with their dates, she and her friend group stepped out in style as the walked into the dance. – Isabelle Fitzmorris

Mr. Cameron Hahne attended Schlarman High School in Danville, Ill. His homecoming dance in 2002 was “one of those awkward first dances where nobody knew who to go with,” so he went with one of his best friends. When he and his friend got to homecoming, they danced “to such hit music as ‘A Moment Like This’ by the new artist Kelly Clarkson.” Fun fact about Mr. Hahne – he still has and wears that tie from this picture. – Olivia Olson

Mrs. Katie Ibarra remembers her senior prom at Archbishop Chapelle High School in 2006. . “We had Prom Fest after prom where we could play a bunch of games and win prizes for college. I remember my date being so excited about winning prizes that he played a ton of games, and he ended up winning a TV,” said Mrs. Ibarra. She remembers that her date felt bad that he won a TV at her prom, but she had not. So, he played more games so that he could also win a TV for her. “And he did! I remember driving home in my friend’s truck with two massive TV’s on or laps thinking…..this is the life.” – Olivia Olson

The year: 1993. The place: St. Louis, Missouri. The faculty member: Mrs. Meg Womble. Mrs. Womble was dressed to the nines, along with her friend Kelly, for her junior prom at Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis. She and her friends kicked off their special night with a carriage ride through Forest Park in downtown St. Louis.

Mr. Dennis Panepinto was a senior at Brother Martin High School in 1981, and the time was quickly approaching for him to find a date for his prom. Because he was shy, he had not gone to any other dances, and his senior prom was his first one. His mother insisted he go. The prom must have worked out because Mr. Panepinto’s date later became his wife; he has much to thank his mother for.   – Morgan Muscarello

With the SARG all decked out for the Neat ‘n Sweet Dance, Mrs. Madelyn Westholz Maldonado (’10) looked forward to a festive time with her new boyfriend during her last winter dance at Dominican. Little did she know that one day they would be married. – Isabelle Fitzmorris
“This was one of my absolute favorite dance dresses!” said Mrs. Joan Rupp, who graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 2006. After attending this Catholic High School prom in Baton Rouge, the seniors attended a casino night staged by parents and teachers. The parents dressed up as casino dealers, and the students “gambled.” Mrs. Rupp remembers that in post-Katrina Baton Rouge, many dances showcased New Orleans bands because the groups needed more work. “One band in particular I remember was The Boogie Men,” said Mrs. Rupp. – Olivia Olson
In 1991, Mr. Randy Duplantis attended the Archbishop Chapelle Christmas Dance with this then-girlfriend, now-wife Bridgette. He remembers that there was a group of twelve who went out to eat at before the dance. One of the girls at the table accidentally added 5 packs of sugar to her soup. “I also remember that another girl’s date was a huge wrestling fan,” said Mr. Duplantis. “Instead of wearing the customary cummerbund with his tuxedo, he wore a world championship wrestling belt.” According to Mr. Duplantis, that same fellow later become a professional wrestler. – Lindsey Foles
In 2010, Ms. Lauren Guidroz (’15) attended her eighth grade Winter Formal at St. Mary’s Dominican High School. All of her friends were bringing dates, so she felt obligated to ask her grammar school crush. Before the dance, her group of friend’s dined at a nice Chinese restaurant. The water was served in fancy goblets, and in an attempt to look cool and sophisticated, Ms. Guidroz tried to delicately sip her water but instead dropped the entire glass in her lap. With the help of her mother and friends, Ms. Guidroz tried her hardest to dry her dress with a hand dryer but was out of luck. Unfortunately, “I had to show up to Winter Formal in a soggy dress and soaked shoes,”  said Ms. Guidroz. – Morgan Muscarello

Dominican Starts the Journey

November 12, 2019
Ms. Shea Moreau, class of 2015

Ms. Shea Moreau (’15) returned to DHS for Club Induction Day. During her time at Dominican, Ms. Moreau served as E-Board Vice-President, Student Preacher, reporter for The Star and more. Committed to “journey toward greatness,” Ms. Moreau shared her experiences at both Dominican and LSU. This following is her speech to the DHS student body:

Father Andrew, a priest at Christ the King parish church on the LSU campus, once said during a homily, “We are not meant to live comfortably, but to live greatly.”

After hearing this, I began to think about how I could pursue a greater purpose in my own life. I realized that Dominican was the first step in my ability to try to live greatly. I ran for class coordinator eighth  grade year and did not get it, but I swear it’s because the girl who won did this amazingly fierce roar, and I just could not compete with that. I tried again, and I was elected 8F class representative. Not only was I given the opportunity to get involved in student council, but I was able to start my journey towards greatness.

I started to become a figure that not only relayed information from the meetings during homeroom, but I became approachable, empathetic and a leader. I then went on to be class coordinator and finished my Dominican career on E-Board as the Vice-President.

I used my position on Student Council to not only say announcements every morning but also to step in when someone needed a friend. Student Council gave me the opportunity to take that step towards greatness.

In May, I graduated from LSU, and I can’t think of an organization that I wasn’t a part of. I was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, and I was the Vice-President of the Panhellenic Council who oversaw all thirteen sororities campus. Additionally, I was on student government, I coordinated events with the nursing home through the speech pathology organization, well, the list goes on. Now that I am in graduate school, juggling cadaver lab, neuroscience and six patients a week.

I learned that Dominican is the reason I am successful. Dominican is the reason that I’m still taking steps towards greatness. Student Council was the first step in teaching me how to juggle real life. I am able to handle a large caseload because of Dominican.

In graduate school, I work with stroke patients who can no longer communicate with their families. I work with children with a variety of disabilities whose parents feel helpless because they can’t communicate with their child. I work with children with dyslexia who get bullied by their peers for being “dumb,” again. Again, the list goes on.

I chose this career because I am able to help others every day. My career doesn’t only challenge my mind; it challenges my heart. Dominican, specifically Student Council, taught me that I have the qualities to do this job well. I am timely, I am organized, and, most importantly, I care. I’m helping change lives for the better.

Dominican, you all have the same opportunity presented to you right now. Use this time to be the woman your classmates can look up to and confide in. Forego the comforts of the world and take on the challenge of achieving greatness.

Jesus + Me = Key

November 5, 2019

With a cool breeze and serene sounds of nature, getting closer to God is no problem. Relaxation comes easily to DHS juniors in Rosaryville while taking a break from their hectic school routine.

Reflecting on the Experience – Taking the time to gather her thoughts, junior Olivia Ryan writes a reflection of her retreat experience. Each year, members of the junior class participate in a two-day retreat at Rosaryville in Ponchatoula, La. – photo by Gloria Thomas

Every year, the junior class participates in a retreat at Rosaryville Retreat Center in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. Once per quarter, members of the junior class travel for an overnight stay where they can commune with God, nature and each other. The pine trees, freshly cut grass and cool crisp air work together to create a tranquil environment. Being in this retreat center supports the students’ use of prayer, group activities and pure fun to grow closer to God and their classmates.

 Campus Minister Ms. Claire Gallagher (‘04) and the 2019 Retreat Team worked together to make retreat a time to connect with Jesus through prayer and faith-building activities. In order to accomplish this plan, retreat is two full days long instead of the previous one and a half- day stay. Students leave Dominican in the morning, allowing a few extra hours for “even more time for God to remind us of our true purpose,” said Ms. Gallagher.

  “(The Retreat Team) recognized a need for more time with God outside of school,” Ms. Gallagher said. “We found that it’s difficult to disconnect from a school mindset when you’re spending half the day at school and then going on retreat.” Ms. Gallagher and the Retreat Team see this important get-away as an outlet for students to take time to detach from school and spend time with God.

Locking in the meaning of the retreat, senior Emilie Wensel leads a group of juniors in creating mementos of their time together in Rosaryville. As a Retreat Team member, Wensel helped plan the retreat around the theme, Jesus Is Key. – photo by Gloria Thomas

This year’s theme is Jesus is Key, and Retreat Team members want to reinforce the idea to “’waste time’ with God anyway you know how to,” said Ms. Gallagher.   “From music to coloring, being in God’s presence extends far beyond getting on your knees and saying a prayer,” Ms. Gallagher said.  

While on retreat, juniors practice faith sharing in an activity called a Cornerstone. Retreat Team members minister to their peers in a session of faith-sharing to help the juniors find different ways to pray, read scripture and talk with God. “It opened the juniors up to different types of prayer and to realize that they can pray in non-traditional ways,” said senior Grace DiFranco, Retreat Team member.

For some, Junior Retreat can be intimidating because retreat is off campus and overnight. Being on retreat raised concerns for some juniors struggling in their faith and prayer life. “I dreaded the idea of retreat because I felt I should be doing schoolwork instead,” said junior Bryce Perkins. However, Perkins was surprised to see how retreat heightened her spiritual senses. “I had enough time to realize the true purpose of retreat: to get closer to God,” she said.

Junior Ava Rose agreed. “For me the retreat showed me that yes, Jesus is the answer to everything, but that phrase is more than a catchy saying,” said Rose. “Retreat taught me that God can heal all wounds, fix all broken hearts and solve all problems.”  

– Gloria Thomas

Induction 2020: Shining a Light on the Dominican Family

October 17, 2019
Light the Fire – Eighth grader Katherine Patron is all smiles as her “big sister,” senior Reagan Perry, lights her ceremonial candle at the 2019 New Student Induction Ceremony on Sept. 19. Incoming eighth graders and freshmen joined transfer students in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio Gym to mark their official welcome to the Dominican family at this annual event. – photo by Lindsey Foles

As the class of 2020 has made their way to their final year of high school, their Little Sisters are just beginning their journey on Walmsley Avenue.

To welcome these eighth graders, the senior Big Sisters inducted the class of 2024 on Sept. 19 in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio Gym. Also inducted in the Dominican family by grade-level buddies were other new students and transfer students from grades nine through eleven. Together, they participated in the customary passing of the candle ceremony.

“I felt proud during the induction. It was like everyone was thrilled to be having me as a new sister, classmate and student,” said transfer student Claire Garitty, junior.

Mrs. Jill Cabes (’87), vice president, Dominican Catholic Identity, sees the candle ceremony as a way to show students “passing the torch” and lighting up the Dominican family.

New freshmen Abby Evans (middle) and Laila Brown (far right) celebrate the start of their Dominican journeys with the help of their buddies, freshmen Aria Lewis, Mariah Malliett and Lily Martory (left to right). – photo by Lindsey Foles

This year, Dominican welcomed 175 eighth graders along with sixteen new and transfer students to the Dominican family. All inductees received a Veritas shield pin and a Dominican pennant.

“It was incredible. I kept on thinking about my own induction,” said Blake Beaulieu, senior. “I am so happy to be welcoming a new legacy to Dominican.”

Eighth grader Sarah Herbert shares that excitement. “It feels good to officially be a part of the Dominican sisterhood,” said Herbert, sporting her new pin and pennant.

We are Family! – Celebrating the addition to their family legacy, eighth grader Caroline Haydel, science teacher Mrs. Joann Haydel (’91) and junior Katey Haydel enjoy refreshments in Alumnae Hall following the New Student Induction Ceremony on Sept. 19. – photo by Lindsey Foles

For over sixty years, Dominican has welcomed new students and carried on legacies through induction. Sister Dominic Savio, O.P., (’56) recalls the first induction to have taken place at St. Mary’s Dominican High School on the St. Charles Avenue campus for the class of 1957. The tradition of Big Sisters guiding their Little Sisters into the Dominican way of life has been around ever since.

During the next five years, the class of 2024 will be on their journey, preparing to help the class of 2029 on theirs.

  • Lindsey Foles

Prospective Students Spend a Domini-Day

October 15, 2019

Spending a day at Dominican is the best way to see the many faces of Dominican.

Dominican is walking down the hallway and laughing with friends about absolutely nothing. It is debating in English class whether or not Hamlet was truthful when saying, “To be or not to be.”

Ready to Spend the Day – Eighth grader Krystal helps her visitor from St. Dominic School check in for a day at DHS. Ms. Elyse Harrison (’13), recruitment director, greets visiting students in the foyer of St. Mary’s Hall to welcome them to Walmsley Ave. Nearly 800 middle school girls will visit Dominican this year as part of the Spend-A-Day Program. – photo by Morgan Muscarello

Dominican is a place where young women learn lessons, find truth and gain friends for life. By spending a day at Dominican, middle school girls learn about the many opportunities this high school can offer them.

The Spend-A-Day Program at St. Mary’s Dominican High School allows prospective students see what it is like to be a high school student. The visiting girls travel from class to class with their hosts and learn about the many different things that DHS has to offer.

Managing this program is Ms. Elyse Harrison (’13), recruitment director. She coordinates visits from the nearly 800 students who will spend a day at Dominican this academic year. Ms. Harrison pairs each Spend-A-Day student with a host who has similar interests. To make the middle schoolers feel special upon arriving on Walmsley Ave., Ms. Harrison gives each girl a bag filled with special Dominican treats and a complimentary lunch pass.

All in the Family – Dominican is a family tradition for senior Abby Ordoyne and her cousin Alexa Walsh, a fifth grader from St. Rita School in Harahan. While enjoying their lunch group time together, Ordoyne and her cousin talk about Alexa’s morning at DHS and her favorite class: English. Alexa experienced a Domini-Day as part DHS’s annual Spend-A-Day program, where middle school girls get an up-close and personal high school experience. – photo by Morgan Muscarello

DHS students believe that being a Spend-A-Day host makes Dominican all the better. “Giving these young girls the true insight on what Dominican is gives me the best feeling,” said senior Abby Ordoyne. Ordoyne enjoyed spending a normal day at school with her younger cousin, Alexa Walsh, a fifth grader at St. Rita School in Harahan.  

Alexa enjoyed seeing Dominican through her older cousin’s eyes. “Spending the day at Dominican has helped me make a choice on where I want to go to high school,” Alexa said. She then told her cousin that she plans on attending Dominican.

Current DHS student Isabella Totorico, eighth grader, said that after spending the day as a seventh grader last year, she felt confident in making her decision to attend Dominican. She said that walking through the schedule helped her decide on Dominican. “I really liked how the schedule rotates, and I would not be doing the same thing every day,” said Totorico.

Walking the halls and meeting the teachers gives the students the chance to see what it is like to be a Dominican girl. Admissions Director Ms. Cathy Rice agrees. She said that the Spend-A-Day program is the most influential factor for students who decide to come to Dominican. It is all about the girls feeling comfortable and at home.

Dominican is truly a second home to all the girls that have walked these halls. And that feeling radiates to the girls that spend a day.

  • Morgan Muscarello

Dominican Travels the Globe

October 14, 2019

Oh, the places they went!

Adventure was on the itinerary as three Dominican students traveled to new places and learned exciting things. Those students brought back their memories and experiences to share with the rest of Dominican community.

During the summer, seniors Tai Sutherland and Amanda Bolden, as well as junior Sara Sciortino, embarked on journeys all over the country and world – from Michigan to Australia. Though the girls traveled for unique purposes, they brought back their knowledge to share with the DHS community.

An Australian Adventure

Enjoying Auckland – Senior Tai Sutherland takes in the sights of the Eastern Hemisphere along with her family during her summer visit to Australia and New Zealand.

Have you heard about the Aboriginal Australians? If not, Tai Sutherland has the answers. This summer, Sutherland journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean to the Outback.

With her family, she visited Melbourne, Sydney and Uluru, Australia. While there, she visited many attractions, including an invitation-only Aboriginal Australian island.

Sutherland’s trip taught her about Aboriginal culture. Aboriginal Australians have been on that continent for over 70,000 years.

 “It opened my eyes to things I didn’t know about their culture,” said Sutherland.

Authentically Australian – Indigenous people from the land down under, Australian Aboriginals, share their culture during an invitation-only visit to Clark Island in Sydney, Australia. Senior Tai Sutherland visited this secluded place, dedicated to preserving Aboriginal heritage, during a summer trip that included other cities in Australia and New Zealand.

With the knowledge she gained from her trip, Sutherland hopes to bring back insight about the Aboriginal Australians’ lifestyle.  “With what I know now, I can discuss diversity from a new perspective,” she said.  

An Innovative Internship

Working in the school lab can be fun, but working in a research lab surrounded by paid professionals is even more fun. Over the course of eight weeks during the summer, this was senior Amanda Bolden’s life.

Bolden earned a research internship at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. There she conducted research on cell biology, worked in labs, collected data – all while taking math and sciences classes.

Senior Amanda Bolden discusses her presentation on cell migration at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore. For eight weeks during the summer, Bolden focused all of her efforts on the internship she earned.

However, that was not the only thing that impacted her summer. While in Baltimore, Bolden lived more independently than she ever had.

“I had to take the bus every day to my internship, make sure I made it on time and take care of myself,” said Bolden. Today, Bolden remains independent in many of the things she does.

Bolden hopes to go into a research field in the future. With this experience, “I can help students who struggle (in math and science) so they will improve.” said Bolden.

A Preaching Pilgrimage

After spending a week deepening her faith at the annual Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference, junior Sara Sciortino reads other prayers written by teens, always searching for inspiration to share with DHS student body. – photo by Isabelle Fitzmorris

Bringing back knowledge from a trip can be the most fun part of the experience, but for Student Preacher Sara Sciortino, it was even more. Deciding to embark on this journey came easily to Sciortino. “I felt myself falling out of my relationship with God,” said Sciortino. “I felt God was trying to call me back to him, and I felt that becoming a student preacher was the best way to do that.”

In June, Sciortino, along with other new student preachers and Ms. Claire Gallagher (’04), headed to Adrian, Michigan, for the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference.

After a day of working with the Salvation Army, Sciortino collaborated with the Colegio de San Antonio, a school from Puerto Rico, on a prayer service. She participated in the washing of the feet, and she gave her first reflection during the service.

At the conference, Sciortino experienced new cultures and diverse ways of worship. She learned to unite people of different backgrounds through prayer and is bringing back this concept to the DHS community.

This year, Sciortino plans to make the students of Dominican feel welcomed into the activities the preachers have to offer. She hopes everyone will feel comfortable getting involved with the activities.

The adventure continues as these students share their broadened view of the world with their friends on Walmsley Ave.

Oh, the things they learned!

  • Isabelle Fitzmorris

Dominican Celebrates the Sisterhood of the Senior Ring

October 7, 2019

Every year, the seniors await the day when they can triumphantly run through St. Mary’s Hall as their friends excitedly turn their class rings.

Ready to have their rings turned, seniors Rileigh Centanni, Gabriela Rivera and Catherine Bickerton excitedly run through the foyer, ready to take on the smiling and cheering halls of St. Mary’s Hall. photo by Isabelle Fitzmorris

This day was Ring Day, one of the most highly-anticipated days of the year. However, the day consisted of so much more than simply receiving a ring and running down the halls.

The Ring Day Mass and Ceremony was full of excitement and significance to Dominican faculty and students alike. Joined by their families on Sept. 6, seniors celebrated Mass and excitedly received rings in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio, O.P. Gymnasium.

The Dominican community gathered to bless the Class of 2020 during the Ring Mass. Father John Restrepo, O.P., made the day even more special by delivering a homily about the importance of prayer.

Father John blessed the senior rings, linking each senior to sisterhood of Dominican. “The ring is one of the nicest symbols of a connection to high school,” said Mrs. Jill Cabes (’87), vice-president, Dominican Catholic Identity.

Reflecting on the Past, Looking Toward the Future – Senior Erin Sequiera, executive board president, delivers a funny and nostalgic reflection of the Class of 2020’s freshman year. Along with fellow class coordinators Zoee Hunter, Molly Alexander, Lyndsey Jones and Bryce Leonhard, Sequiera shared memories as freshman coordinator as part of the Ring Day Mass and Ceremony on Sept. 5 in the Sister Ambrose Regio Gym. – photo by Isabelle Fitzmorris

After Mass, Zoee Hunter, Erin Sequiera, Lyndsey Jones, Bryce Leonhard and Molly Alexander, seniors who have served as class coordinators, each gave a reflection, reminiscing on the year of their leadership. Happy tears and laughter filled the SARG as the Class of 2020 revisited their time at Dominican.

In her reflection, E-Board Secretary and 2018-2019 Junior Coordinator Bryce Leonhard focused on the bond the class experienced during last year’s Rally Day.

“Through that Rally Day season, we reached the pinnacle of sisterhood,” said Leonhard. “I realized why we do Rally Day every year. We work together with a common goal, and that bonds us.”

She held this message close to her heart as she ran down the halls in a pair of saddle oxfords painted to tribute the class’s junior Rally Day— “Juniors Hear a Who.”

Following the reflections was the Ring Ceremony, where each senior receives her ring. Some seniors continue the sisterhood of the senior ring and inherit legacy rings from mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or sisters. Others receive new rings, starting their own chapter.

Smiles are infectious as Mrs. Nicky Wood, physical education teacher, turns senior Kylen Perrone’s ring. Senior Abigail Pratt shares the joy of the moment in St. Mary’s Hall during Ring Day on Sept 5. – photo by Isabelle Fitzmorris

“The mix of old and new represents Dominican as a whole. We honor tradition while always looking for ways to keep the school current,” said Mrs. Jessica Couch (’05), special projects director.

Teachers and alumnae consider the day as one of their fondest memories of Dominican. “Ring Day was the day my family got to see my second family — Dominican,” said Mrs. Couch. Ms. Charlene Ford (’01), English teacher and senior faculty coordinator, added that “standing in the halls as the seniors are running brings a smile to everyone’s face. It’s just contagious.”

Both seniors Alexandra Brothers and Abigail Brown received legacy rings from their mothers who graduated in ’85 and ’91, respectively. “Receiving my mother’s ring really shows the importance of family and tradition,” said Brothers.

Brown was very eager for chance to run down the halls and have all her friends turn her ring. Seeing the seniors run is exciting for both students and faculty, but what they run in only adds to the experience. Over the last decade, it has become a tradition for seniors run in fun shoes from crocs and slippers to boots and painted saddle oxfords.

The Shoes Have It! – The shoe game was in full swing this year! Seniors show off their footwear during the traditional run through St. Mary’s Hall on Ring Day, Sept. 5. Featured shoes include Bryce Leonhard’s junior year Rally Day-inspired saddle oxfords (top left); Abigail Brown and Alexandra Brothers’ Jayette boots (top right); and Regan Ellis, Addison Folse and Chloe Mahl flaunt their decorated white boots (bottom). photos by Olivia Olson

For their rush down the halls, Jesuit Jayettes Brown and Brothers donned decorated dance boots. The seniors’ boots, worn during football game performances, featured their initials and other decorations.

“This is very special to Alexandra and me because we’ve been on Jayettes together since freshman year, and now we’re best friends,” said Brown. “so it means a lot to be doing this together on Ring Day.”

The day of tradition brings so much joy and excitement for the year ahead for the entire Dominican community. English teacher Ms. Rachel Moore (’13) sees this day as beautiful because “Ring Day is the day the girls run through the halls and light the world on fire.”

  • Olivia Olson