UA-CM Swim Meet Fundraiser Makes Headlines

The word is out about the successful Ursuline-CM Swim Meet Fundraiser!

The event was featured in articles on Boston.com and West Roxbury Patch last week, after the Ursuline swimmers presented a $3,500 check to Catholic Memorial president Paul Sheff and the CM swimmers on October 24.

All of the money raised will go towards the Christopher Donlon '12 Scholarship Fund at Catholic Memorial School.

Spirit of Serviam Comes Full Circle at Mission Day

Erin O'Malley '08 and her mom, Ursuline nurse Ginger O'Malley

At Mission Day on October 18, the spirit of Serviam came full circle for Ursuline graduate Erin O'Malley, Class of 2008.

O'Malley volunteered in Njabini, Kenya with Flying Kites Global, the recipient of the money raised at this year's Mission Day, and was back on campus for the event.

"Mission Day meant so much to me when I was a student at Ursuline, and I was always involved in the planning," O'Malley said.  "It was such a full circle feeling for me, when I was back this year planning with Mrs. Costa."

Decorations transformed each of the homerooms into a different booth full of treats and surprises.  The Beary Best Bakery was a popular spot, and the Top Hat Raffle featured an array of donated prizes, including a Pandora bracelet, a Vera Bradley bag, and gift cards to Legacy Place.

Flying Kites Bazaar at Mission Day 2011

Another popular booth was the Flying Kites Bazaar, where O'Malley sold handmade scarves, hats, and slippers from Njabini Apparel, a business she started with a fellow volunteer in Kenya.  "We employ disabled and disadvantaged mothers in the community of Njabini to handknit these items, and economically support and empower them," O'Malley said.

Junior Abby Sullivan said the Country Store was her favorite booth, because it had been her homeroom in 7th grade.  But she also pointed out that Mission Day is not only about treats and goodies.

"I think it is important to make sure we are aware of the problems, not only in our own community, but around the world," she said.  "It's important to live out our Serviam motto globally."

Nora and her Little Sister, Carine

Sophomore Nora Reyad said that the best part of the day was watching the 7th graders enjoy their first Mission Day.  The sophomores are Big Sisters to the 7th graders as part of Ursuline's Big Sister Little Sister program.

"The 7th graders are our Little Sisters, and it's so great to see the excitement on their faces," she said.  Reyad and her Little Sister, Carine Hajjar, had some fun with the beanbag toss in the Game Room.

The final count of the money raised is not in yet, but O'Malley already considers Mission Day 2011 a success.

"Serviam is so ingrained in the UA experience, and it's a huge reason why I got involved with Flying Kites Global and Njabini Apparel," she said.  "I'm so happy with how involved the girls were today, and it was incredible to see and be around their energy again!"

Ursuline Hearts Unite with CM for Swim Meet Fundraiser

The stands at the Dedham Pool were packed with cheering fans, watching Ursuline and Catholic Memorial swimmers take each other on in a doggie paddle relay.

Not exactly your typical swim meet.

On Sunday, October 16, the Ursuline and Catholic Memorial swim teams came together to host a swim meet fundraiser for the Chris Donlon Memorial Scholarship at Catholic Memorial.

The scholarship is in honor of Chris Donlon, who passed away last March.  Donlon's twin sister Marissa is a senior at Ursuline.

Johanna Wilber '12, a friend of both Chris and Marissa, helped to organize the event.

"Chris was a very good friend of mine, and it was important for us to do something," she said.  "We contacted the CM swim team on a whim and they were all for it."


The Ursuline and CM swim teams each split in half to form teams made up of swimmers from each school.  The two new teams spent the afternoon swimming relays and trying for raffle prizes, and when all was said and done, they had raised about $3000 for the Chris Donlon Memorial Scholarship at Catholic Memorial.


"I just want everyone to know that I'm very grateful," Wilber said.  "A big thanks to everyone who came out."

One Week Until Mission Day!

It’s time to start the countdown: Mission Day is just one week away!

For the girls, next Tuesday, October 18, will be a day of fun, treats, games, and laughter.  Each homeroom will become a themed booth, featuring donated items that can be purchased by students, parents, and friends of the school.  Some of the highlights from last year were the Tropical Smoothie room, the Beary Best Bakery, and the Fenway Park booth.

But all this fun will also benefit a good cause: the proceeds will go to Flying Kites Global, a non-profit children’s home in Njabini, Kenya, striving to provide exemplary care to some of the world’s most vulnerable children.

Several Ursuline alumnae have volunteered in Kenya with Flying Kites Global, bringing the spirit of Serviam with them around the world.  On Mission Day that spirit will be right here at Ursuline as the girls raise funds to support the children of Kenya through Flying Kites Global.  Some of the proceeds will also support Ursuline missions around the world.

Please see the Weekly Notes/Events page for the Wish List for Mission Day.

  

In other news, the Dedham Transcript caught up with Ursuline Academy’s team at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk last week.   Check out the article here!

Ursuline Hearts Unite to Fight Breast Cancer

Congratulations to all the Ursuline Academy students who walked in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 2.  As of today, our school community has raised over $16,000 to support the American Cancer Society.

Also, be sure to vote for Ursuline Academy's version of the "Pink Glove Dance" video in the Medline Pink Glove Dance: The Competition!  More than 120 schools and organizations submitted their versions of the video to the contest.  Vote for Ursuline Academy here: http://pinkglove.co/3


Voting goes through October 21, and winners of the best video will be announced on October 28!



Hale Reservation Trips

Grade 9 Ursuline Academy students on their trip to Hale Reservation on September 23.

A 9th grader shows off her dance moves on the ropes course.

Another 9th grader flies high on the ropes course.

Garde 7 students enjoy their day at Hale Reservation on September 30.

A 7th grader braves the rope course.