April 2014

BEARFACTS

Ursuline Academy 341 South Sappington Rd St. Louis, MO 63122

5.31.14 Volume 9 Issue4

Fourth quarter getting you down?

Get tips to finish strong.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Rediscovering Maddie Tallo Anyone Can Read!

P.8

Features

Entertainment

Pain in Pink Lace P.16

What Can’t She Do? — Mrs. Grana P. 10

Surviving Behind the 4th Quarter Scenes… UA Admissions P. 12 P. 6 Buff Bears P.14

3D Printing P. 4

For other fun articles, pictures and more visit

www.ursulinestl.org/bearfacts Bear Facts: April Issue

News

A Look Inside...

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4 NEWS

3D Printing: Changing the World

Imagine being able to flip a switch on your printer and have a new outfit and pair of shoes waiting for you.

Or a slice of pizza. Or a chocolate bar. Or maybe even a new car. How can this be possible? 3D printing is a new phenomenon that has shocked the world with its potential. While printing 3D objects may seem like a complicated concept, professionals urge that it’s really not that complex of a process. Richard A. D’Aveni wrote for hbr.org, “To anyone who hasn’t seen it demonstrated, 3-D printing sounds futuristic—like the meals that materialized in the Jetsons’ oven at the touch of a keypad.” He stated, however, that the technology isn’t as unreachable as it may seem. He stated, “It is a small evolutionary step from spraying toner on paper to putting down layers of something more substantial (such as plastic resin) until the layers add up to an object.”

Probably one of the most astounding aspects of 3D print-

ing is the impact it could have on the medical world. Several people today owe their lives to 3D printing technology. One of those people includes a 22-year-old woman with a rare bone condition where her skull grows three times the average thickness, putting pressure on areas directly linked to sight and motor skills. She told her story to Matthew Mientka at medicaldaily.com. She eventually would have died because of this condition. However, because of 3D printing, her life was saved, Mientka wrote. Her doctors were able to print a customized, perfectly molded new plastic “skull” for her. Her doctor, Dr. Verweij, told Mientka at medicaldaily.com, “This has major advantages, not only cosmetically but also because patients often have better brain function compared with the old method.”

Possibly even more impressive is the story of a 16month-old baby boy named Garrett Peterson who was born

Bear Facts: April Issue

with a disorder that made his windpipe so fragile that it could collapse in seconds. “He could go from being totally fine to turning blue sometimes — not even kidding — in 30 seconds,” Garrett’s mother told Rob Stein of npr.org. According to Garrett’s mother in the npr.org article, Garrett had not been able to leave the hospital since he was born as his condition was so severe. With time running out, the Garrett family turned to 3D printing as an emergency solution. According to npr.org, doctors took a CT scan of Garrett’s

“We’re able to do things that were never possible before.”

— Dr. Glenn Green to npr.org windpipe, so they could then make a 3D replica of it. Garrett’s condition had worsened so badly,

said Garrett’s doctors to Rob Stein, that his lungs had turned white. They remarked to Stein that the only time they'd seen a white lung was in “somebody that had died.” They quickly implanted the 3Dprinted windpipe and watched as Garrett began to breath on his own and his lungs turn pink. Garrett is still in the hospital at 18-months-old, but has made incredible progress. Garrett’s father said to Steing, “He's just starting to be more like a normal child.” The doctors also raved to Stein about what an amazing medical advancement this is and what it could mean for the world of medicine. "We're talking about taking something like dust and converting it into body parts. And we're able to do things that were never possible before."

While the medical aspect to 3D printing has proven to be the most important advancement, this technological phenomenon also has shown its incredible potential in other fields. Currently, a house is being constructed using 3D printing in Amsterdam (theverge.com). If it is successful, 3D printing could recycle waste materials in printable materials, eliminate transport costs and, possibly on a large scale, help solve lack-of-housing problems, according to Adi Robertson of theverge.com. Hershey’s has also partnered up with 3D printing to create chocolate, according to Lyndsey Gilpin for techrepublic.com. Going beyond chocolate, an organization known as Natural Machines has created a 3D printer especially for printing any dish (huffingtonpost.ca). Just put the ingredients into the printer and watch as it creates your meal. Pizza, ravioli, pasta, cookies and brownies have already been successfully printed using the “Foodini,” according to the Huffington Post Canada. Along with food, 3D printing could also revolutionize military equipment, specifically the drone. Drones are expensive, painstaking-to-construct aircrafts that can be flown from the ground. 3D printing, however, has changed the construction of drones. Within 24 hours, 3D printing can create a disposable, cheap, light and operable drone, according to Steve Ranger at zdnet.com.

The evidence seems to be overwhelming; the 21st century’s next big technological advancement is the 3D printer. The positive benefits this technology has displayed so far only hint at the potential effect 3D printing could have on the future.

This is what the 3D printed house will look like once its construction is completed!

Image courtesy of: businessinsider.com

Hershey’s partnered with a 3D printing company to create their very own 3D printer… specifically for creating chocolate treats like this one!

Hershey’s says that this opportunity to “print” chocolate is a great way to show the public that 3D printing can be used for mainstream, consumer purposes.

Image courtest of: techrepublic.com

Here is a picture of the custom 3D printed, plastic cranium that saved the 22-year -old woman’s life.

Just a few years prior to 3D printing, there would have been no effective treatment for the woman’s disorder. Now 3D printer has given her a new skull and a new shot at life.

Image courtesy of: medicaldaily.com

Abby Blaes Bear Facts Staff Editor

Bear Facts Online: www.ursulinestl.org/bearfacts

6 FEATURES

Behind the Scenes:

Ursuline’s Admissions Driving through Ursuline’s green campus with prospective students, parents and their famiseeing it the first time-touring the school getting a lies. first look at what high school might be likeAmbassadors give presentations at high spending a day with a scary high schooler who school nights, give tours at open houses and work turns out not to be as scary various different functions as first thought. throughout the year, but its It is no accident that the junior ambassadors who grade school girls are given are shadow guides. To beso many chances to expericome a junior ambassador, ence Ursuline. Every experiUrsuline students have to fill ence these girls have with the out an interest survey school is carefully planned and have a group interout, and the masterview. coordinator behind it all is For prospective stuMrs. Thomasson. She shares dents, their shadow visits how she takes on the huge start before they even step responsibility of recruiting. foot on campus. It begins Mrs. Thomasson with a phone call. “I think starts with exposing a prothe personal touch goes a spective student to Ursuline long way,” said Mrs. by bringing her to the camThomasson. “It’s engaging pus. To do this, a two day people in that conversation, camp in the summer for making them feel important grade school girls called the and their daughter feeling “Leadership Academy” was important to come and started. Principals and PSR shadow for the day.” While directors are invited to nomion the phone with the parnate girls to attend the Every experience these girls have with the ents of the interested stuschool is carefully planned out ,and the camp. This camp is just one dent, Mrs. Thomasson asks master-coordinator behind it all is Mrs. of many ways that the camabout her interests and acaThomasson. pus is shown off to prospecdemics in order to pair her tive students. with a shadow guide.

Another way Ursuline recruits students is These recruiting tools are focused more on through high school nights and open Catholic grade schools. With the number of stuhouses. These events are run with the help of dents in private schools decreasing, marketing to student ambassadors. These ambassadors are public schools is becoming more of a focus. One highly encouraged to share their love of Ursuline

Bear Facts: April Issue

One mission of Ursuline is to show the value in a Catholic high school education.

Ursuline strives to do this under the guidance of their founder’s, St. Angela Merici, mission.

way of doing this is high school fairs. These fairs are put on by the archdiocese. These fairs are very similar to college fairs. “It’s open to everyone, and we try and find somewhere that is central and a place the people are familiar with so that people know it’s easy to access. We have a couple an hour time-frame that people can come and go as they please, looking at the schools they are interested in,” Mrs. Thomasson explained. There are two high school fairs a year, one at St. Louis University in the fall and the other at Maryville University in the spring.

Over the past few years enrollment from public schools has increased. Besides the high school fairs, Ursuline tries to put a focus on marketing to PSR students. “Once they are in a public school system, sometimes it’s difficult to get information out to them on what the advantages are of a Catholic secondary education,” Mrs. Thomasson said. Not only is Ursuline putting a focus on marketing to public school families, but but also to the archdiocese as a whole. Mrs. Thomasson commented on why Ursuline focuses so much on broadening where students are drawn. “We show the value of a Catholic education,” she said, “an Ursuline education.”

Starting from a student’s first interaction with an Ursuline student to interviewing as an incoming freshman, Mrs. Thomasson has a hand in it all. In the midst of all the other work she does she still finds time to improve Ursuline's marketing skills and grow the school.

Taryn Vogan Bear Facts Staff Writer

Photos by Taryn Vogan

One of Ursuline’s best recruiting factors is its sense of community.

Mrs. Thomasson said, “Its really a job for all of us, not just my office.”

The Ursuline community draws girls in with a strong sisterhoods.

Bear Facts Online: www.ursulinestl.org/bearfacts

8 FEATURES

W

ith summer break around the corner and the school year (finally) coming to an end, there’s a lot a girl can do during the blissful summer ahead. She can go to the pool, have bonfires with friends, go to the movies and, of course, read. This is Ursuline’s big book article, and here, you’ll find everything you need to know to get immersed in a good book soon.

GIRLS WHO READ

33%

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH SUMMER READING?

didn’t like, Mrs. Deutsch said, “There’s always going to be a book that some people enjoy and some people don’t. The [reading program] is one way we can build community.”

When everyone er feel like the books reads the same book, it allows for we have to read during summer unique opportunities such as visaren’t the best choices out iting authors. there? Well, according to Mrs. This year’s Deutsch, a committee reading open to students and “The [all-school s u m m e r promises to be good. teachers exists for input reading books] It’s called “Elizabeth on the books. Students are something and Hazel: Women of have had just as much of we do to build Little Rock” by David an opportunity to pick community.”

Margolick. The book out the books as the features two of the teachers.

“We anwomen who were the first African nounced it to the broadcast team American students in the white and English classes,” she exs cho o l district o f L ittle plained. However, “No one took Rock. Called the “Little Rock us up on it,” she said. If anyone Nine” by newspapers and the out there is legitimately serious American public, they were heabout wanting to help plan the roes to children stuck in subreading for the upcoming years, standard education based purely she should make it known to adon their skin tone. The book feaministration. tures the famous photograph of a When asked about which black student wearing a black and books that students enjoyed or

Ev

Bear Facts: April Issue

38%

29%

Avid Readers

Not Avid Readers

Maybes

white dress as a white girl screams racist slurs behind her, and it gives the true story of the students as they struggled to keep their place in the school.

TEEN ROMANCES

Th

ere’s nothing like a good teen romance. “Pride and Prejudice” still remains the ultimate romance. And if you want the saddest teen romance ever, read “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. I know it seems over-rated, but with well rounded characters and a memorable plot that surrounds two teens with cancer, the book is equal parts tear-jerking and memorable. In other words, the three main characters have real problems that

REVIEWING UA’S TOP FOUR 1. THE HUNGER GAMES—Everyone in the English speaking world knows “The Hunger Games,” so it’s no surprise that this was the number one most popular book. Of course, it follows teenager Katniss Everdeen as she competes to the death and inadvertently starts a revolution. The internet is full of spoofs and spin-offs, but there’s nothing like the book.

A Teenage Girl’s Bookcase—There are plenty of books to go around here! You have your futuristic romances, your paranormal romances and your realistic romances. There’s also teen favorites like “The Princess Diaries” and “The Last Song.” Photo credit: Michelle Slesinski aren’t centered around the end of the world. Of course, not every teen has to worry about his or her cancer, sure, but certainly none of us are fighting aliens or robot dictators.

But if you want a little science fiction in your romance, check out “Delirium” by Lauren Oliver. Or, come to think of it, any book by Lauren Oliver is sure to be a good read. “Delirium” takes place in a future United States where people are matched up by abilities and love is a disease that needs to be cured. Of course, the leading lady falls in love and realizes that living without love is worse than living with a broken heart. Oliver’s “Before I Fall” is the perfect example of how to neatly blend realistic fiction and unrealistic fiction. The main character is stuck in a “Groundhog Day” scenario and lives the same day over and over

until she learns secrets about herself and the people she’s called friends for years. The ending is bittersweet and satisfying and manages to be exactly what you want.

POPULAR TEEN READS

Ac

cor di ng to goodreads.com, the number one book for older teens is “The Hunger Games,” followed by “Perfect Chemistry” by Simone Elkeles and “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher. Also in the top 25 books are the “Mortal Instruments” books by Cassandra Clare, five books by Sarah Dessen, John Green’s “Looking for Alaska” and “Before I Fall” by on-the-rise Lauren Oliver.

2. THE FAULT IN OUR STARS—John Green’s wonderful romance novel centers around two teens with cancer—one who knows she will die and one who lost his leg to bone cancer. The leading man, Augustus, is the single most pretentious guy ever known to teen romance, but it’s all worth it. As the two main characters fall in love, so do you, and the ending comes so swiftly that it leaves you spellbound for days.

3. DIVERGENT—This is a toss up for me. It has so much promise, but I finished the book slightly confused.

Of course, I’ll read the others because I have to know what happens to Tris and Four. It’s a great spin on the sci-fi/future/dystopia books (ahem, “Hunger Games”) because it takes place in a utopia, where everything is supposedly perfect for everyone.

4. I AM NUMBER FOUR—This is also a toss-up. It’s about an alien who comes to Earth to hide from the race that’s hunting down his own.

I liked it, yes, but there were some moments that left me disappointed. It’s still a good read if you like insane plot devices.

Michelle Slesinski Bear Facts Staff Writer

Bear Facts Online: www.ursulinestl.org/bearfacts

10 FEATURES

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Bear Facts: April Issue

“What doesn’t she do?” is the question many have to ask when it some to Mrs. Grana. Apparently, she does it all and does it with a smile. According to three reliable sources, Mrs. Grana helps almost the whole Ursuline community. Even with being the principal’s secretary and the secretary to the administrator, she still finds the time to help everyone.

Mrs. Grana also helps out in the main office. She fills in for Mrs. Dodd and helps her during lunchtime so that Mrs. Dodd can take her lunch break. Mrs. Grana also helps out in the morning when we have a few late students.

“Honestly, I love her; she’s just a super sweet person who helps everybody and anybody,” Mrs. Dodd said.

Mrs. Treese also commented on Mrs. Grana’s wonder-

ful disposition. According to Mrs. Treese, sometimes their jobs

overlap, and she tries to help just three years ago.

Mrs. Grana. “She’s probably the It feels like she been here happiest person in the school, I forever, doesn’t it? Don’t let relathink. She does it all and she does tively few years at Ursuline fool it all with a pleasyou; Mrs. Grana ant face,” Mrs. “She brings a real depth is extremely orTreese said. “I of knowledge as a school ganized and even think a lot of peoadministrator that I can handles jobs that ple, students and have to do with bounce ideas off of her, co-workers alike, the funding of just feel like she’s and we can always talk as Ursuline. someone to go to colleagues because she Since we and always a get a are a private understands my posismile, a pat on school, we typition.” - Dr. Michalski the back, a hug, a cally do not repiece of candy or ceive funding whatever you need,” Mrs. Treese from the state. What funding said. there is from the state goes That’s not just according though the Kirkwood School Disto Mrs. Treese; Mrs. Grana also trict. Since we are in the the city helps plan the awards ceremony of Kirkwood, some of the funding and even helps with graduation is shared with Ursuline. Mrs. Grana is the liaison with Kirkwood for this part of the Ursuline funding.

As it turns out, Mrs. Grana has been in the education business for a very ling time. “I have worked as an elementary school teacher, a counselor, a consultant and as a principal. I’ve also taught on the university level in teacher-education trainset up. Mrs. Grana has even taken ing,” Mrs. Grana said. over some of Dean Guthrie’s duShe brings so much to ties. Dean Guthrie was the dean Ursuline with her substantial exof students, basically an assistant perience in education and her principal, and Ms. Williams wonderful disposition. mostly filled in that position She’s also a great support Nalo Sims system to Dr. Michalski. “She Bear Facts Staff Writer brings a real depth of knowledge as a school administrator suchthat I can bounce ideas off of her, and we can always talk as colleagues because she understands my position,” Dr. Michalski said.

Many do not know the fact that Mrs. Grana was a principal at St. Clement and that she was hired

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12 FEATURES

Surviving the Fourth Quarter

A

ccording to USA TODAY, “as a result of stress, 36.7% of teens report feeling irritable or angry; 30.3% nervous or anxious. A third say stress makes them feel overwhelmed, depressed or sad. Teen girls are more stressed than boys, just as women nationally are more stressed than men.” Teenagers have a lot on their plate with sports, homework, studying, social lives, extracurriculars and trying to get into college. To make sure people can get into a good

Phtoto by: Ashley Bresnahan college, people have to make sure they can survive the fourth quarter.

Some people are tempted to slack off in the fourth quarter; summer is nearing, and all focus is lost. When people slack off in the fourth quarter, they don’t realize that they are hurting their GPA. Make sure you keep focus in the fourth quarter so you can get to the bigger picture: college.

Even though homework and studying may seem pointless and a waste of time, it actually helps you. “Homework provides us

Bear Facts: April Issue

with enough knowledge to grasp material,” said sophomore Cristina Esparza.

“Homework provides us with enough knowledge to grasp material.” -Cristina Esparza “Try studying in a quiet place; put your phone on silent and put it in your purse so you are not tempted to use it. Take regular breaks and make sure you are stretching,” Esparza said. Study-

ing is probably not the favorite thing to do so just motivate yourself to do it. “To motivate myself to study I focus on how much one grade can affect my other grades.

I need to achieve academic excellence for when I begin applying for college, and that one bad grade can ruin it for you,” said Esparza.

To motivate myself to study I focus on how much one grade can affect my other grades. I need to achieve academic excellence for when I begin applying for college, and that one bad grade can ruin it for you.” -Cristina Esparza Try figuring out what works to

According to USA TODAY

study. “I like to study with friends so that if I have a question, they are always right there and can help me understand the concept better,” said sophomore Grace Distler. While Grace Distler likes to study with her friends, Cristina Esparza doesn’t. Not everyone studies the same way; find out what works. To stay afloat for the fourth quarter and the rest of your high school career, try different things like studying with friends, alone or while listening to music. “I like to study while listening to music. The music helps relax me, and after I feel like I am relaxed and ready to study, I turn off the music so I can focus on my school work,” said sophomore Kendyl Cuddihee.

According to USA TODAY, stress can lead to very serious things such as depression and anxiety. The stress of the ending

school year can also cause other students to peer-pressure you into cheating. If you cheat in school, you won’t be able to get through the rest of your life without having learned the subject and studied to get the answers for yourself so the knowledge stays with you. That smart girl in math class won't always be around to give you the answers you need in college or the rest of life. You need to educate your own brain.“Cheating does not make you a smarter or better person. If you set reachable goals, study hard and get outside help, you can succeed academically without cheating,” said the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

Homework may seem like a waste of time, but in relaity it helps. Homework is another form of studying and another way to understand the material. The fourth quarter is very important to keep college dreams alive.Make sure you cope with that stress. Whenever you feel stressed out find something that relaxes you, whether it be talking to a friend or listening to music or other healthy ways that really help you. Even though it may be tempting, never give in to peer pressure.

There is never any positive result from cheating. The fourth quarter can be overwhelming, but just stay on track, remember the bigger picture and, most importantly, study.

Ashley Bresnahan Bear Facts Staff Writer

Bear Facts Online: www.ursulinestl.org/bearfacts

14 FEATURES

Buff Bears

UA Staying Fit Its Tuesday at 3:30. Most students have gone home. There are only a few cars in the parking lot. It is almost silent in the halls, which were so loud and crowded a short time ago. In the workout room, Ursuline faculty are working out. As they exercise, they swap stories and laugh with each other. They are members of Buff Bears.

Buff Bears, a program where Ursuline faculty works strength, plyometrics, cardio and functional moveout together, have their workouts designed by Coach ments to keep their heart rates in a ‘fat burning Andrea Hood. They work out on Tuesday and Thurszone,’” said Hood. The workouts change, so they are day afternoons for one hour. During the school year, not doing the same work out for the eight weeks. Ms. the sessions are eight weeks long, and last summer, Kunz said, “The workout changes each class. Andrea she ran a six-week session. When the session begins Hood prepares a unique workout for us each class; and ends, the Buff Bears do individthe variety keeps it interesting and ual composition. Hood said, “The well rounded.” body composition testing includes Staying fit is not the only “On days that I height, weight, BMI, body fat perbenefit of Buff Bears. Many faculty might think about cent, waist circumference, hip cirmembers enjoy getting to know the skipping my workcumference, thigh circumference, other co-workers in a new way. The out, I know that Anand arm circumference. The selffaculty get a chance to interact with fitness testing includes holding a people they might not get to talk to drea and the other plank to fatigue, 100 calorie cardio during the school day. Mrs. Dodd Buff Bears are challenge, how many crunches can be said that she can talk with and get to counting on me to done in a minute, how many pushknow people whom she might not see ups to fatigue and a three-minute show up.” regularly. Another benefit is that the step test.” This way the Buff Bears program makes the faculty moti-Mrs. Williams can see how much they have imvated. Mrs. Williams said, “On days proved in the eight-week session. that I might think about skipping my Some of the people who participate in Buff workout, I know that Andrea and the other Buff Bears are Mrs. Dodd, Ms. Herbst, Coach Greer, Mrs. Bears are counting on me to show up.“ Brooks, Mrs. Salerno, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Treese, Buff Bears is a great program; it helps people Mrs. Zobel, Ms. Kunz and Mrs. Gallo. Most of them get or stay in shape while bonding with people they have been a participant in Buff Bears for two years might not usually know. Mrs. Williams said, ”I love now. being a Buff Bear.” When asked about starting a “I mostly work off of circuit and interval training-similar program for Ursuline students, Hood said that means choosing a mix of upper/lower/core Eileen Kelly Bear Facts Staff Writer

Bear Facts: April Issue

Buff Bears line up before they start their workout. Pictured from left to right Mrs. Elking , Ms. Kunz, Mrs. Zobel, Mrs. Goldstein, Coach Hood, Mrs. Treese, Ms. Herbst, Coach Greer, Mrs. Gallo and Mrs. Dodd.

“The workouts are a circuit and interval training. Here is an example of a workout they do:�

Dynamic Warm-Up One minute each Walking lunges High knees/marching Jumping jacks Butt kicks Side shuffle Back pedal Grapevine Trunk rotations Leg swings Arm circles

Cardio (One to three minutes each then a one to two minute rest) Jump rope Bear crawls Crab walk Mountain climbers Stair-steppers Agility ladders Cool-down/stretching

Fundamental Strength Movements (Two minutes each with one minute rest between) Sumo squat with triceps extension Dead lift Push ups Lunge with bicep curl Overhead shoulder press with calf raise Supine chest press Crunches Buff Bears warm up for their workout, including Coach Greer and Mrs. Elking.

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16 ENTERTAINMENT Cecchetti. Not long ago she was in a Russian ballet. “With Russian ballet there’s just different types of stands and positions,” explained Imming. Ballet can be a very competitive type of dancing, but so is hip-hop, jazz, tap and so on; why would ballet be the toughest? “I would consider ballet more difficult than other types of dancing because if you do ballet, you can do any other style. But, if you do any other styles, it’s harder to pull off ballet as opposed to the rest. So, yes, ballet is more challenging than the rest because of the technique.”

Ballet is “pain balancing on a harder than other dances. It’s a flawlessly pointed foot,” said the little more technical, and I like Little Fool. To those who have the classical way. My old dance ever seen the famous ballet, teacher was really strict towards “The Nutcracker,” me, and she in“I started dancing those leads look spired me to be stunning in their when I was three. I that way.” perfectly pointed Now in her picked ballet because shoes. What the junior year of high audience does not it’s a little more chal- school she’s in adknow is that those lenging. It’s harder vanced ballet at pointe shoes are than other dances. It’s her studio and is incredibly painful. hoping to become a little more technical, At the bottom a ballet teacher at and I like the classical there is a block of her own studio tightly dense fabric some day. “I want way.” in the shape of a to be a professional box that carries dancer and a dance teacher, and the weight of the dancer’s body.

I want a dance studio. I’ve conTry spinning in circles on those! sidered Lindenwood to get my Meet Meghan Imming, certification, but I am not really junior, who has been taking balsure where. I want to teach all let since she could walk. “I ages.” started dancing when I was There are three different three. I picked ballet because it’s types of ballet; Imming takes a little more challenging. It’s

Bear Facts: April Issue

Professional ballerinas are expected to be in the best of shape.

Burning 3,000 calories a day would be considered normal.

Professional ballerinas are expected to be in the best of shape. Burning 3,000 calories a day would be considered normal.

So you can picture this: most teen girls are on a 2,000 calorie diet. This means professional ballerinas, if on a 2,000 calorie diet, burn 1,000 more calories than what they consume. It’s a tough dance that involves a lot of endurance and technique. As Imming mentioned, the technique in ballet is what makes it diffi-

cult. “ I take four classes a week for two to three hours,” said Imming. Imagine loving a form of dance that much that it would be a profession.

What about homework?

Playing a sport or dancing is a huge commitment and Ursuline can be a tough place to balance it all. “You get used to balancing the homework,” said Imming.

Even though it’s true that getting used to the work is easy, achieving good grades is harder. Ursuline’s athletes, dancers and band members really put a huge amount of effort into their education.

Imming is just one example of one Ursuline’s students going past what is expected.

“My old dance teacher was really strict towards me and she inspired me to be that way.”

Photos from: Megan Imming and Kendyl Cuddihee

“I’ve had 13 years of recitals, and I do multiple per year. This year I’ve done six: Ursuline, studio, nutcracker, another performance at the art museum.”

Claudia Wingbermuehle Bear Facts staff writer

Bear Facts Online: www.ursulinestl.org/bearfacts

18 ENTERTAINMENT

Rediscovering Maddie Tallo Maddie Tallo and the talented cast did a job well done in the Ursuline Academy production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” The show was very entertaining. The musical was set in the late 50s, so the costumes were all about the poodle skirts and bright colors. The cast looked very stylish, dancing and singing on stage.

The cast put a lot of hard work into the musical by practicing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:15- 5:15, but missed a few practices due to snow. Most of the cast members participate in the class madrigals which meet Tuesday and Thursday after school. Madrigals is a zero-hour class focused on singing.

T he last two weeks before showtime, they spent most of their time at UA practicing every day from 3:15- 6:15. When Maddie Tallo was not practicing at school, Maddie said, “I went over my lines at home, but I did not have to listen to the songs that much because I learn lines pretty fast.” Tallo who played Rosie Alvarez, said, “At the beginning when we started practicing, it was rough, but towards the end everything started to come together.

I thought the play went really well.”

Tallo participated in plays and musicals throughout grade school but did not think about auditioning until her dad said something. “I didn’t really want to do it last year because of volleyball, but this year my dad encouraged me to try out, so I did, and what do you know? I got the lead.” She plays volleyball and thought the musical would interfere with it; only now, she is worried about volleyball interfering with her musicals. She is thinking that she may like show business even better. She explained that it is very hard to balance sports, theater and school.

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Maddie and her co-star, Maura Floretta, have become very close, spending many hours together. They practiced and practiced, and it really paid off. Maura said, “Maddie is a really fun person to work with, especially on our duet scene. I think that we have become friends through the whole show.” The audience could sense the connection of Maura and Maddie while they were on stage. They did a wonderful job together.

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In the scene “Shriners,” Tallo had a very familiar face to act with on stage. Her father, Mr. Tallo, participated in the musical as well. In the sexy scene, Tallo said her dad joked that he would have to go through therapy after acting in the risqué way they did together.

Tallo was extremely comfortable on stage singing, but a little nervous when it came to dancing.

“I took ballet when I was little, but what little girl didn’t take ballet? Other than that, I had never danced before.” Mrs. Woodward helped her get her moves down before it was time to go on stage. In the audience, no one would have ever known she was a dancing newbie. She blew the audience away with her performance as Spanish Rosa.

Tallo could not believe how much time she

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spent with the cast. “I didn’t know half the people,” Tallo said. “It’s amazing how close you can get to people in three months, practicing for hours each day together.” Tallo said that fellow thespians are so fun be with, and it was wonderful to get to know everyone. “They’re awesome people!” she said.

Even with a jam-packed schedule and sleep deprivation, Tallo loved being in the play. She plans to continue in musical productions to prepare for college where she wants to go in the theatrical field. As of right now she wants to maybe teach music or direct plays. Maddie and her cast did a phenomenal job in the production.

Lindsey Pyatt: Bear Facts Staff Writer

Bear Facts Online: www.ursulinestl.org/bearfacts

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