Being a relatively new graduate of Ursuline Academy, I can now look back on the four years I spent in this school with fondness and contentment. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a Catholic high school in St. Louis. The friendships I made there will last a lifetime and the teachers have truly shaped me into the woman I am today. Here's a few things that all UA students and alumna can relate to:
1. Viaggio days were terrifying, but ultimately not as bad as it could have been. Being a new freshman at a new school knowing virtually no one can be scary. We're lucky we at least have something to try and address our fears and anxieties before school starts.
2. Your first "boogie boogie" was the most awkward thing ever...but by senior year, you were boogie-ing like no one was watching.
3. Always correcting outsiders on their pronunciations of Merici and Brescia.
4. Ursa was the best mascot. You were always just a little bit envious of the girl that got to wear the Ursa Bear costume during games and pep rallies. You have to don the outfit at least once before you graduate.
5. "It's Alumnae. Not Alumni." Everyone knows who says this...constantly.
6. We've heard the stories of St. Angela Merici so many times. And no one else has any clue who she is.
7. "Go Light Your World" will forever hold a special place in your heart.
8. You dread your class retreats until you actually get there. And then Kairos. Kairos is a whole different thing.
9. Nachos in the convocation center was the only thing that kept you alive.
10. And the snacks and candy in the bookstore.
11.All the t-shirts
12. The Facilities staff are literally the nicest guys there are. UA wouldn't be the same without these gentlemen on our campus.
13. Speaking of campus, we definitely have the most gorgeous campus in the area.
14. But the geese are terrifying.
15. If you went one day without hearing or seeing the word Serviam...you probably stayed home that day.
16. Activity period is your designated nap time. You know you should be doing something more productive, but come on. You need that extra 45 minutes before your test next period.
17. If you're a recent graduate or a current student, you're a little peeved that the building connecting Brescia and Merici wasn't done sooner,
18. The elevator was definitely haunted.
19. So is third floor Merici.
20. So are the rooms behind the chapel.
21. Probably just the whole building is haunted.
22. But it's definitely still beautiful.
23. There was always that one teacher that absolutely terrified everyone...you know who I'm talking about.
24. There was always that one teacher everyone had a minor crush on...you know who I'm talking about.
25. UA Today was the best part of advisement.
26.Summer reading was the worst thing ever.
27. Spirit Week. Splash Week. So many opportunities to dress in theme. It's ridiculous, but so much fun.
28. Whenever there are any foreign exchange students, it was one of the most exciting weeks of the year.
29. Everyone can sense if a boy comes in a 5 mile radius of the school property.
30. Never caring about your hair or makeup. It's an all-girls school. Who are we trying to impress?
31. Junior Service Project was actually a super fulfilling time in your life.
32. Late starts were the fuel that kept you going.
33. And dress uniform was the bump in the road that almost killed you.
34. You won't ever be able to forget our school song: "It was only a short while ago, until we..." ,when everyone stomps and terrifies those who aren't UA students.
35. Father/Daughter was always the best time. And being able to wear your red dress finally was the best feeling.
36. Class sleepovers rival all other sleepovers. Seriously, these were the best nights to spend with your UA sisters, eating copious amounts of food and singing every song remotely associated with Ursuline.
37. "It's a party in the big UA" - Miley Cyrus
38. This is the best thing that has every happened to you.
39. And this video is also the best thing to ever happen to you.
Seriously. You guys are killing it this year. And I think it's safe to say we have the best staff ever.
But let's throw back to a few of our other favorites:
40. That time we made a video making fun of ourselves.
And let's not forget this classic...
41. And everyone has seen this video so many times, it's ridiculous
42. Our dance team and cheerleaders were the only thing you really looked forward to when pep rallies came along.
43. RED, WHITE, RED, WHITE.... GO, FIGHT, WIN. Our cheers were kinda lame, but that's ok. We still yelled them as loud as we could.
44. Our school spirit rivals everyone else's in the area.
45. All of a sudden, it's senior year and you're absolutely terrified because graduation means that you'll actually have to leave.
46. You couldn't wait for (or absolutely treasured) being able to graduate on the front lawn.
47. At the time, you might have been so ready to get out... but let me tell you. I would give a lot just to be able to put on my uniform skirt one more time and live the day of a UA student again.
48. You make friendships that last a lifetime.
49. The memories you had you'll never forget.
50. The experiences and life skills this school has given you will serve you well in college and beyond.
