Like plenty of other women that attended Notre Dame High School in St. Louis, I would argue that my four years there were some of the most influential in my life. I made some of my closest friends and learned a lot about myself. I became a confident, compassionate, Christian woman leader. I wouldn't have changed my decision to go there for the world. As a tribute to the place that changed my life forever, here's a list of things that all Rebels will recognize:
1. Things you're sick of hearing, "Don't they have the packet system?" "Do you ever go to class?"
2. When you tried to get away with not wearing your lanyard but you always ran into the designated faculty lanyard Nazi.
3. The thrilling adrenaline rush of not being in a classroom first or last mod.
4. The cafeteria fries were a gourmet delicacy.
5. Committing the most atrocious sin of all: wearing a non white undershirt under your blouse or forgetting your navy cardigan on mass days.
6. Busting out the men's basketball shorts for logo day.
7. Eating lunch at 10:45 a.m. was completely rational.
8. Honoring holy days such as sheet cake day.
9. Fall Festival: The Hunger Games of Notre Dame High School.
10. Senior privilege: sitting in chairs at assemblies.
11. No one daring to infiltrate the back of the cafeteria or library that belonged to the seniors by unspoken law.
12. Having the most theatrical High School Night video in all of St. Louis to a One Direction song.
13. Sitting in the elevated part of the chapel as a senior like a ruler looking upon their kingdom.
14. Singing the school song with the entirety of your heart. "Firmly united, we will cheer for good ole Notre Dame."
15. Minor miracles such as catching a faculty member before they left for Romana Hall and being able to accompany them for the outside shortcut.
16. To-do lists.
17. Time needed to eat lunch: 30 minutes. Time spent in the cafeteria: two hours.
18. Being kicked out of the library so that the Harry Potter Club could conduct their sorcery in private.
19. The coveted secrets of the Male Teacher Alliance.
20. *14 years old* "I go to Notre Dame." "The college?" Infinite eye rolls.
21. Knowing the show choir performances like the back of your hand. Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?
22. Having an endless amount of bandannas from Fall Festival.
23. Getting more toned legs than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson from all the stairs.
24. "It's March 14th." No. It's Pi day. And by Pi day I mean pie day.
25. Breathalyzers: "Blow in it like you're blowing out your birthday candles!"
26. The most serene napping place in the world is the Notre Dame High School library.
27. It went down on Fall Festival pep rally days.
28. No one dare defied holding hands during the "Our Father" at mass.
29. Becoming a confident, compassionate, Christian woman leader.
30. Knowing what it's like to have gone to the best high school in St. Louis.
"I commend you to the Holy Spirit, through the powerful intercession of the Virgin Mary, and I entrust you forever into her blessed hands."
