The Legacy of St. Angela Merici
As we always do near the feast day of St. Angela Merici, our school community must take time to reflect on the impact she has had on all connected to the Ursuline Order and its multitude of schools and churches. Born on March 21st, 1474 in Desenzano, Italy, Angela Merici was orphaned at a young age along with her sister. Angela always led a faithful life, originally joining the Third Order of Saint Francis as a young woman. In 1506, Angela had a vision that heralded the formation of a group of devout women in Brescia, Italy. In 1524, on her pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Angela became blind. Despite this, she continued her journey and soon regained her sight. Her dedication to her pilgrimage was also rewarded with the gift of spiritual visions, which inspired her to share the Word of God with all who would listen. This desire manifested in the fulfillment of her previous vision; in 1535, she founded the Ursuline order, named after St. Ursula, a 4th century martyr. Angela greatly admired St. Ursula and strived to ensure that the Catholic Church carried on her influence.
The Ursuline Order had humble beginnings, with only 28 members who lived in their own homes and met weekly. The original Ursulines defied the standards of their time by continuing to live with their families instead pursuing a cloistered life. Angela later chose to dedicate the Ursulines to female education. She believed that her followers would go on to guide their families in the Christian faith, leading to the restoration of a strong Catholic society in Western Europe. The Ursulines rose to the level of a monastic order in 1612.
St. Angela is honored on January 27th for her acts of kindness towards others and her loyalty to God. She is the patron saint of sickness, the disabled, those who face physical challenges, those who grieve the loss of parents, the Italian city of Brescia, and, most importantly, the Ursuline Sisters. Angela Merici, by honoring the will of God and working through all hardships life brought to her, has created an order dedicated to education and a community that spans the globe. All those associated with St. Angela’s legacy remain steadfast in their commitment to bettering the world through women’s education.
GIA LECAP ‘29 AND CHLOE STELLA ‘28
Winter Traditions Around the World
SOPHIA GBADEBO‘28 AND MOTUNRAYO NUBI ‘28
Many people across the globe come together during the winter season, each country celebrating in its own unique way. While each country celebrates winter differently, the spirit of bringing people together remains the same. From the temples of Japan to the diverse cities of America, each country has a special way of honoring the winter months. These holidays have something special to offer, whether they are religious observances or cultural celebrations. Here are some spotlights on various winter celebrations around the world, showcasing the diversity of this season.
Kwanzaa (America)
Kwanzaa is a nonreligious holiday created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, celebrated throughout the United States by some African Americans from December 26th to January 1st. The purpose of Kwanzaa is to honor ancestors, restore African heritage, and celebrate African American culture. It lasts for seven days, each focusing on one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Since the sixth day is dedicated to creativity, many display their artistic talents through community exhibitions of dance, poetry, and live African drumming. For the first three days, a colored candle is lit each day with each representing something different: black (unity), red (struggle and bloodshed), and green (the future). During Kwanzaa, children traditionally receive gifts such as books or jewelry of cultural value to educate them about their African roots.
El Día de los Santos Inocentes and Three Kings Day (Spain)
El Día de los Santos Inocentes, which means “The Day of the Holy Innocents” is the Spanish version of April Fool’s Day. December 28th is dedicated to playing pranks on family and friends and dressing up in funny costumes. However, instead of saying “April Fools” after revealing a prank, one says: “¡Innocente! ¡Innocente!” meaning “Innocent! Innocent!” Common traditions include a giant paper doll (called a llufa) being hung from the bell tower in some towns, an election among citizens to choose a “mayor of the lunatics” for 24 hours, people dressing in crazy costumes and makeup, dancing, folk songs, and press outlets publishing silly, fake news.
Three Kings Day is a major holiday in Spain and other Spanishspeaking countries. Instead of having Santa, they have the Three Kings. They do not come on Christmas Eve, but rather, there is a large parade held across towns and cities on January 5th. The Kings ride on large floats and throw out sweets for the kids. Then, when the families return home, they leave out their shoes for the Kings to fill with gifts. It’s an extremely popular Christmas tradition that is not only celebrated in Spain – it has come to New York City!
Diwali (India)
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of India’s most widely celebrated holidays, which marks the victory of light over darkness. Celebrated for five days, it originated over 2,500 years ago. On Day 1, called Dhanteras, families clean their homes and buy gold. On Day 2, Naraka Chaturdashi, homes are decorated, and sweets and clay lamps are prepared.Day 3, Lakshmi Puja, is the main day. Clay lamps, candles, and fireworks are seen throughout India and most celebrations include a feast. Day 4, Govardhan Puja, is a day for visiting relatives and exchanging gifts. It also marks the Hindu New Year. Day 5, Bhai Dooj, celebrates sibling bonds. Brothers and sisters exchange gifts and prayers. Throughout the festival, people enjoy sweets like gulab jamun (milk cheese donut-like treats) and jalebi (fried sugar pastry), as well as savory snacks like samosas and bhaji (fried vegetable street food).
La Befana (Italy)
In celebration of the Epiphany, a folkloric figure called La Befana flies through the air in Italy. Described as an old woman or witch, she visits children every year on the night of January 5th, leaving them gifts in their stockings. The treats include candies, fruits and nuts, and small toys. Coal is often given to poorly-behaved children (but it is sometimes made of chocolate!). La Befana’s visit marks the official end of the Italian Christmas season.
Toji and Shogatsu (Japan)
Toji, celebrates the Japanese winter solstice. Typically December 22nd has the least amount of daylight in the year, so the ancient Chinese and Japanese believed it was when the sun’s power was weakest. Traditions include eating pumpkin to prepare for winter and yuzu baths for rejuvenation. The yuzu is placed whole, or sometimes cut up into slices. On Toji, it is also common to eat foods whose names end with an “n” sound, believed to bring good luck. Foods with two “n” sounds are thought to double the fortune. These are referred to as the “seven herbs of the winter solstice” (Toji no Nanakusa). These foods include udon (noodle), kanten (agar), kinkan (kumquat), ginnan (ginkgo), nankin (pumpkin), ninjin (carrot), and renkon (lotus root).
Shogatsu, the New Year, is one of the most important holidays in Japan. Most businesses shut down from January 1st to the 3rd. People clean their homes, decorate entrances with bamboo or pine, and host Bonenkai parties to forget the past year and worries. On New Year’s Eve, it is customary to eat toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles), symbolizing longevity. On New Year’s Day, viewing the first sunrise is customary, and visiting a shrine, such as Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine, is a popular tradition. On Shogatsu, special dishes like osechi ryori, otoso (sweet rice wine), and ozoni (soup with rice cakes) are eaten, and games like karuta (card game), takoage (kite flying), and hanetsuki (Japanese badminton) are played. Sending New Year’s cards to friends, family, and co-workers is also common.
La Posadas (Mexico)
Las Posadas is a festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the southern United States from December 16th to the 24th. This holiday celebrates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem while in search of a place where Mary could give birth to Jesus. Las Posadas is celebrated in many cities across Mexico, and each evening during the festival, a small child dressed as an angel leads a parade throughout the town. The parade is made up primarily of children dressed in robes, and they carry lit candles and images of Mary and Joseph on their journey. Adults follow the parade, which visits some selected homes asking for lodging for Joseph and Mary. Sometimes, the hosts provide refreshments for the procession. At each stop, Scripture is read and Christmas carols are sung. The day after the parade, mass is held and, at the end, the children break open pinatas shaped like the Star of Bethlehem filled with candy, toys, and occasionally, money.
Winter Sports
They shoot, they score! Everyone hollas for the Koalas! This 20242025 winter sports season continues to be very successful! We have reached out to players on various sports teams and have personally attended several games to gather the following insight on how Ursuline sports teams have fared so far this season.
This season, our three basketball teams, which include Modified, JV, and Varsity are shooting straight buckets! According to Emma LoRusso, a JV basketball player, “ When being a part of a team, not only do we get to exercise, but we also get to socialize with new people and get a better understanding of the game.” Our modified basketball team, led by Ms. Powers, has a current record of 3-1, and they continue to strive for success. Our phenomenal Varsity and JV basketball teams head into every game with their strong communication skills and deep personal connections that build trust and teamwork. So far, this has led to several effortless wins! Our Koala hustle truly does pay off in the long run.
Speaking of run, our Indoor Track and Field team is delivering outstanding performances at The Armory and Ocean Breeze week after week. The 4x400m relay won the Millrose Game Trials, qualifying for the Millrose Games for the first time in Ursuline Track history in that event! In the process, Ivana Richards ‘25, Sofia Henao ‘26, Keira McDonald ‘27, and Jane Hickey ‘26 broke the school record. As of today, their relay time is #2 in NYS. With multiple personal bests, outstanding relays, and podium finishes, the team has proven their dedication and skill on the track.
The TUS Cheerleading team brought home gold after their stunning performance at the recent Cheer Competition held on Sunday, January 12th. Going up against some tough competition, the team showcased their hard work, dedication, and a flawless routine by pulling off a win. When asking a member of this winning team, Sofia Guglielmo said the following: “Being on a team requires having faith and trust in your teammates. For someone who is a flyer, they need to trust their bases not to drop them. Details like this help build a strong foundation as a team”. We are confident that our Koalas will continue to succeed and improve their skills throughout the rest of the season.
CAOIMHE MCCARTHY AND JACKIE KATSIHTIS ‘29
Christopher Pope Photography
Christopher Pope Photography
Christopher Pope Photography
Fashion Show
On December 4, The Class of 2025 had the privilege of being models for the night at the annual Senior Fashion Show! One of Ursuline’s most treasured traditions, the Fashion Show is an annual charity event with an exciting twist on our culture of Serviam. All proceeds from the event go towards the betterment of the school community, and the catwalk is the main event. Each year, seniors have the opportunity to dress on-theme and walk the runway as the grand finale to an energetic night of raffles, auctions, and celebration of women in the Ursuline community.
Many thanks are extended to Mrs. Kat LoConte P ‘25 ‘28 and Mrs. Kelly Stineman P’28, who planned this year’s Fashion Show. This year’s theme was Vogue, a testament to the Roman numeral V and to the Class of 2025. The class exceeded all stylistic expectations, wearing furs, gowns,
and more in shades of pink, black, and white – all paying homage to vintage 1920s Vogue-magazine couture. Each girl’s outfit perfectly reflected her unique sense of style and personality within the margins of the antique fashion. All who participated perfectly emanated fashion traditions from the Roaring ‘20s, reflecting our commitment to honor our Ursuline sisters from the past.
The energy on and around the Mulino’s at Lake Isle runway was simply astounding! Female friends, family, alumni, and volunteers from grades 6 to 12 were in attendance, as were several teachers and members of the administration. All were eager to cheer on each senior one by one as they had their moment in the spotlight. The 2024 Fashion Show was a great success for all involved and an enjoyable evening for those who attended.
GEORGINA GAMBLE AND THERESA MONTANA ‘25
Christopher Pope Photography
Christopher Pope Photography
Christopher Pope Photography
Christopher Pope Photography Christopher Pope Photography
Christopher Pope Photography
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. David Gelpi, Director of Mission and Formation
This past fall, Dr. David Gelpi joined the Ursuline School’s ranks as Director of Mission and Formation. This title carries a lot of weight and responsibility for a school such as Ursuline, where character is of paramount importance to upholding our mission. “My role is as custodian and keeper of the Ursuline tradition,” said Dr. Gelpi. “The original Ursuline company was incredibly courageous and innovative, especially for their time, and I hope to keep that spirit alive in the community today.” Certainly, Dr. Gelpi has much experience as a “custodian of tradition,” having worked for over 20 years at Fordham Preparatory School. However, his commitment to cultivating a strong character extends far beyond his professional life. He has been an avid photographer for many years and had the privilege of photographing many of Fordham Prep’s social and sporting events over the years. His spirituality extends to his love for photography – The Road of the 78 Prayers is a guided and interactive travel log filled with photographs taken by Dr. Gelpi. This collection details his journey with his
wife to visit the 78 placitas of his homeland, Puerto Rico, and the spiritual and cultural growth that they experienced along the way. It is this far-reaching and complex background of experience that is Dr. Gelpi’s strength as a new member of the TUS family. He arrives at a time of significant change at TUS, best exemplified in the revamped daily schedule that made its debut this school year. This year’s emphasis on changing and bettering the student experience at Ursuline also brings to mind the core values that TUS embodies and how our mission of Serviam is implemented every day. It is this issue that Dr. Gelpi intends to tackle as Director of Mission and Formation: emphasizing not simply when we serve, but how we serve, with experience to inform action. “The focus of the community currently involves donations and fundraisers, all of which are very important, but we need to supplement that with more direct human experiences,” he asserted. “We need to walk with those we aim to help. That may require a re-examination of the way that the Serviam mission is understood here and how it is manifesting itself.”
Ursuline Trivia
1. What is Mrs. Lynch’s favorite baseball team?
A Red Sox
B Yankees
C Mets
D Cubs
2. How much do the red velvet muffins in the Cafeteria cost?
A $2.75
B $3.00
C $2.50
D $3.25
3. What does “Ac Fui” Mean?
A “I was there”
B “I will serve”
C “Act fast”
D “We became”
4. What color is the 7th Grade sweater?
A Black
B Beige
C Brown
D Maroon
5. What was the senior song for 2024 ring day?
A Dancing Queen
B Girls Just Want To Have Fun
C Mr. Brightside
D Unwritten
6. What was the 2024 Christmas Movie called?
A Home Alone 2
B The Crinch
C Elf
D The Christmas Cagel
The Ursuline School community extends a proud and warm welcome to Dr. David Gelpi. We look forward to working with Dr. Gelpi to better the Ursuline community, and strengthen our bonds with each other and with our faith. And if you see him in the hallways, ask him about his drone operating!
OLIVIA STELLA ‘26
LYNDA SANCHEZ AND MARISA PETRO ‘25
4 Tips for the New Year!
NATALIA KAUTZ ‘29 AND SOPHIA PAPROTA ‘28
As we jump into 2025, here are four tips to become the best version of yourself you can be!
1
Get organized! When getting organized, the most important thing to remember is consistency. Without consistency, all your hard work won’t mean as much in the long run. Daily action is key! Even the simplest actions can help you reach this goal, like color coding your wardrobe, emptying your folders, or cleaning out your desk drawer. If you’re struggling with where to start, then you could do something as simple as decluttering your phone and laptop of unused apps and disarranged files. Ultimately, any organization you do will have a positive impact on your daily life.
2
Learn a new skill or pick up a hobby! The start of a new year is a great opportunity to try something new. You could start by learning the basics of a language, whether it’s one you’re familiar with or something entirely new. You can even pick up a practical skill, like basic hand sewing, which can come in handy! Hobbies like reading, cooking, or simply going for regular walks can also be both enjoyable and beneficial to your well being. Taking time in the new year to explore new interests will not only enhance your year, but help you grow as a whole.
3Focus on self-care! For the new year, make sure that you are taking care of yourself to stay healthy and happy. There are many ways to practice self-care but some are more important than others. One of the most important types of self-care is to get a healthy, restful sleep (around 8-10 hours). This ensures that you are well rested for the day ahead. Other important ways to practice self-care are making sure you eat balanced meals and exercise daily. Make sure you take some time to spoil yourself with skincare or a spa day, so you can stay clean and relaxed.
4
Make time for yourself and prioritize you! Try and make time for yourself this year, and do things that make you happy. Life and school can be stressful, but it is important to do things for yourself to relieve this anxiety. It is important for your well being to do things that you enjoy, and to prioritize what you want over what others want. In the end, nothing is more important than your mental health and overall well-being.
NEW YEAR TIPS WORD SEARCH ORGANIZE HEALTHY BALANCE CONSISTENT SLEEP LAUGHTER DECLUTTER EXERCISE READING HOBBIES SKINCARE EXPLORE WALKS RELAX STUDY
Winter Concert
CHLOE STINEMAN AND ANNIE NUGENT ‘28
During this year’s winter concert, Ursuline’s various musical groups enchanted the audience with the wonderful sounds of musical expertise. Before the concert started, a few musical scholars were recognized and inducted into the Tri-M Music Honors Society. The three M’s stand for Modern Music Masters, and every one of the inductees has earned this esteemed title. Shortly after this wonderful ceremony, the performance commenced. The Middle School Choir, led by Mrs. Clarizio, kicked off the musical festivities. This group sang a variety of pieces focussed on the Biblical aspects of the Christmas season, showcasing varying levels of difficulty and impressive arrangements in different languages. The middle school students’ angelic voices captivated the audience, and set the tone for the duration of the concert. Onlookers were also serenaded by the talented students throughout all grades who participate in either regular or advanced orchestra. Both of these groups would usually be led by the brilliant Ms. Gentry, however, since she is on maternity leave, Mr. Falipou was left as conductor. Mr. Falipou successfully led both of these groups, who demonstrated their talent and hard work as a beautiful symphony played throughout the gym. As both novice freshmen explored the potential of their
instruments and the advanced orchestra showed off their immense expertise in the field, the two groups easily moved the audience. Later in the evening, the concert choir stepped onto the risers, serenading the family and friends present that night. As they sang Christmas classics, the choir’s high notes and high spirits impressed the audience and got them into the Christmas spirit. Despite the group being made up of the younger and less experienced high school students from ninth and tenth grade, their performance was incredibly impressive. After their presentation, they joined together with the upperclassmen of the Chamber Choir. Their outstanding combined performance prepared viewers to hear the Chamber Choir perform alone. After the concert choir exited the risers, the talented singers stepped into the spotlight. Led by Mr. Falipou, their expertise was evident as they took the audience through an emotional journey, with many wonderful songs in different styles. Their performance sealed the deal for this being an incredibly successful winter concert with immensely talented students and teachers. Overall, the concert was a great success and we are sure everyone in the audience is looking forward to the next performance in the spring!
Opinions on Lack of Midterm Period
MAGGIE HYLAND ‘26 AND MACY MCELFRESH ‘29
Midterms tend to be a stressful time for students. While there have been several different approaches to administrating midterms over the past several years, students always have insightful feedback that leads to improvement in the testing period. We conducted some fascinating research by interviewing peers to get a consensus of the feelings surrounding midterms, or more accurately, that lack thereof this school year. One 11th grader who has been a student at Ursuline since her freshman year was willing to share her insights. Interestingly enough, she said that she found the current midterm setup more stressful than that of previous years. We questioned her further about what made her feel this way, and she said the time off from school provided appropriate study time for difficult exams. From what I, a junior, remember of my freshman and sophomore years, I had time to go home, eat lunch, take a nap, shower, and then study for my next exam. It is highly possible that taking away the formal midterm period could be more stressful for students because at the end of the semester, midterm exams with no official period can be piled on top of mounds of homework.
When 8th grade peers were asked about their stances on the lack
of a midterm period this year, they had a very different perspective than the high school students. One student said that every midterm this year has been a normal unit test turned into a midterm, which alleviates the stress of a strained schedule. Another chimed in with the fact that not all classes have a midterm. She felt that previously, a lot of her classes were giving midterms that were unnecessary and induced stress due to possible grade fluctuations. I, a fellow eighth grader, highly agree and would prefer classes to continue with their curriculum rather than taking a week off to test. For middle school students, the new midterm schedule allows us to keep time focused on the foundational material we are learning instead of stressing about review.
Overall, the views on this new midterm schedule vary by grade and course rigor but it is safe to say it has its pros and cons. The stress of midterms is different for each student, and the amount of studying may now be disproportionate to the exam or there are less exams that need to be worried about. Midterm exams will continue to be a hassle throughout January, but for some students this schedule can be beneficial to their learning process.
Thoughts on Cocoa, Cookies & College
CATHERINE HEARLE ‘25
On Thursday December 19th, The Ursuline School welcomed back young graduates from the classes of 2023 and 2024 for the annual Cocoa, Cookies, and College event. While alumni visits are not uncommon around the holidays, these young women came back to share their college experiences with the emerging group of graduates: the Class of 2025. There were a wide array of schools represented including Boston College, Syracuse University, Loyola Maryland University, Providence College, and Bates College. These are some of the top choices for this year’s class, and some of the current seniors have already committed to these schools. Each institution offers something unique, and the alumni touched upon how they chose their school and how their experience has been so far.
The main factors that went into their decisions were size, academic rigor, and social opportunity. The conversation soon deviated to other topics such as ways to be prepared for college, tips for once you are there, and mythbusting to relieve anxiety. One of the most widely agreed upon points was the importance of time management due to the amount of free time college students have. The girls shared that they had significantly more responsibility to keep themselves on track than they had in high school. The gaps between classes and optional participation in extracurricular activities allows for a lot of time spent alone in the dorm, but forcing themselves to get involved
in their school communities is what has truly made their experience. Interacting with other students, whether that be with a volunteering club, a sport, or just sitting in the library to get work done surrounded by other people has helped the girls adjust and find friends to connect with.
The girls were honest about their experiences and shared what helps them succeed. Elena Olsen ‘24, a student athlete at Northeastern University, stressed the importance of a calendar to make sure all of her responsibilities are being fulfilled. Ava Snyder ‘24, who attends Duke University, also spoke on the intimidation that she felt going into such a prestigious institution. Her advice to the senior class was to find friends smarter than you in the areas you want to learn about. You want friends who encourage your ambitions rather than friends who limit you to your comfort zone. She also stressed the importance of tutoring and office hours with professors and TA’s to get comfortable with class material. Homesickness was another topic discussed, with the main advice being to keep family calls and communication a priority. Lauren Campbell ‘24 attends Trinity College in Dublin, and she says that while it is difficult feeling so isolated from her loved ones, the distance makes her appreciate the life she has at home even more. This was a reassuring and informative discussion made even better by the Christmas cookies and cocoa!