Advice for College from Faculty

        As we approach college, we ponder all that may occur in the upcoming years. Although our overall college experience will be wonderful and exciting, we most will likely experience some difficult times. Saint Rose High School faculty and staff members graciously offered some memorable advice for us to recall during those challenges.

Mr. Sauer, a guidance counselor at St. Rose and alum of Seton Hall stated, “Your college experience is what YOU make of it. Go out there and get involved. Join clubs, play intramurals, go to school events, etc. It’s important to hit the books hard but you’ll also want to make sure you get some ‘me time’ in outside of the classroom as well!”

Mrs. Carlotz, a English teacher of Freshman to Senior classes, shared, “Always remember school comes first! Use a calendar to help you get organized with due dates and to help you balance your course load. When you have a visual aid, your calendar, with all assignments listed out you can better manage your time. While school comes first, remember to relax, socialize, and explore. Make sure you make memories and enjoy the experience; if you thought high school went fast wait and see how fast college flies by. Try a new club or sport, explore your interests, talk to people you may never had before, try new foods, travel abroad if given the opportunity! Lastly, be safe! Make smart decisions and surround yourself with people who will help you!”

Mrs. Colvin, who also teaches English at St. Rose, said, “College is all about exploring your interests and talents and acquiring new ones, so…you should arrive on campus ready to join a variety of activities and explore leadership opportunities within those organizations. Create a wide network of friends from classes, campus organizations and everywhere you go. Lastly, take the time to speak with your professors which will set you apart from the rest of the pack. Make connections early; these networking skills will go a long way. Best wishes class of 2018!”

Ms. Carton, a Religion teacher, stated that in college we should “Go to class, talk to your professors, make good choices, stay true to yourself, and go abroad!”

Mrs. Keegan, who teaches Physics, shared that her best advice for college students is to “have two different alarm clocks and make sure your professors know who you are.”

If you follow all of this advice, especially when you are experiencing challenging times, you will have the best four years of your life. Good luck to the St. Rose Class of 2018 and college Class of 2022!

By Maddy Looney ’18

How to Prepare for Freshman Year

Your first day of freshman year is something you never forget; whether you walked into the wrong classroom, or got lost trying to find your class everyone has a story that in a few years you can look back and laugh on. Freshman year  is intimidating, new school, new people, new workload- but with a few tricks up your sleeve you can make your transition into high school as smooth as possible. The first key to a successful freshman year is being prepared; take in everything you can at orientation and get to know the hallways a little better before they are filled with upperclassman. Become familiar with your classrooms, and try to find or make a friend in each of your classes. If you are lucky, you might find someone who shares the same schedule as you! The second key to a smooth freshman year is not falling off the horse academically; yes, this is a new workload but take this time to create a study method that works for you. Always do your homework, it counts for more of your grade than you think, and stay as organized as possible! Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help! This applies to all your years in high school; there are plenty of resources available to aid you, you just have to be willing to ask. One of the hardest parts about being a freshman is acclimating socially. Finding new friends can be hard and scary, but you can find solace in knowing that everyone else is in the same boat. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; attend as many school events as you can whether it be orientation or a big soccer game. Every time will get easier. Freshman year is scary, but it’s doable! At the end of the day always remember to try your best and to be yourself, with these two in your pocket, you should pass your freshman year with flying colors

By Katherine Flynn ’18

How to Prepare for Sophomore Year

Sophomore year is perhaps one of the best years of high school. After taking Freshman year to adjust, Sophomore students are now adapted to life in high school, balancing both the workload and social life along with after-school activities. Before the stress of the SATs and ACTs that comes Junior year, or the high-maintenance college search, Sophomore year is a big opportunity to get involved at school and take interesting classes. It also presents a great chance to get a head start on preparing for all of the testing that takes place Junior year. The Sophomore year curriculum requires time management and focus on a fine balance between school and extracurriculars, but can easily become the most stress-free year of high school if you follow these simple steps:

  • Write down all assignments in a planner or notebook as soon as they are assigned to you. Set reminders on your phone or put sticky notes with upcoming tests, quizzes, and projects where you will see them daily.
  • Try to get ahead on bigger assignments when you can. If you have free time during the school day or aren’t assigned a lot of homework on any given night, work on upcoming assignments that will require more time. Try not to save all your work for the night before.
  • Sign up for clubs or after-school activities that you will enjoy. Participation in extracurriculars is important on college applications, and it is much better to be involved in organizations over a long period of time.
  • Work towards a position of leadership, whether it’s on the school’s Student Council, an executive board of a club, or a job as a head counselor at a summer camp.
  • Start looking towards a job for the summer or during any season that you are available. It always helps to have cash for hanging out with friends or to put towards college, and you can pick up valuable skills at any work establishment.
  • Most importantly, don’t stress out about school too much! Try to have fun during your Sophomore year, it will fly by very quickly. Make sure to leave time for family and friends amidst all the hustle and bustle of the school year, and focus on enjoying your time in high school!

By Caitlin Wilson ’18

How to Prepare for Junior Year

Hey Rising Juniors! High school may be halfway done, but the truly serious work is just beginning. This is a pivotal year for you, but as the competition and pressure around you increases, it is important to remember to relax and do not worry too much about school.

Going through high school, I often heard Junior year to be the most difficult. I was incredible stressed and nervous going in, which only made it harder on me. Sophomores, you have nothing to be afraid of. With careful planning and preparation, the year can be a breeze. Junior year involves a lot of college planning which can be daunting, especially since it is deciding a huge part of your future. As a Senior, my biggest regret of my time at high school was my lack of planning during Junior year. By the time Junior year was over, I had barely prepared and had yet to finish my SAT’s. The biggest factor is time management. Make sure to allot time outside of homework as a Junior, or even over the summer, towards college preparation. At the end of the day, going to the college you want is more important than a homework assignment.

With that being said, this is the time to get on top of your grades. Improvement to grades comes best during your Junior year, so it is especially important to study and hand in assignments. Teachers understand this is a stressful time in your life, so do not be afraid to go to them for help when you are struggling with an assignment, or even when college stuff is getting to be too much. Another important tip is to meet with your guidance counselor. They will guide you in the right direction in terms of college.

During your Junior year, you need to spend time researching college, scholarships, and future career plans, even if it takes hours out of your week. Something I regret is not looking into more schools. It forced me to rush Senior year when making decisions that I looked over colleges that I wished I had applied to. You can even take time this summer to visit colleges! I highly recommend this because later on your schedule will be packed. Even if you have no idea where you want to go, visit Monmouth University and get a feel for what kind of campus environment you prefer. Good luck Sophomores! Enjoy your time in high school, because before you know it, it will be over.

By Erin McDermott ’18

Preparing for Senior Year

Summer’s ending! School is rolling back around! For the class that graduated back in June, that means starting up college, but for a whole other group of students, it means that Senior Year (thunder crash) (ominous spooky sound effects) and all of its craziness is just beginning for you. But don’t worry, it will be all worth it.
My first tip for you on how to get started is to get planing and make deadlines! They don’t  have to be actual application deadlines, they’re just deadlines for you to use for yourself. Second tip don’t neglect your homework. Coming from someone who got senioritis very easily this is important because not only do colleges still look at your grades and work throughout your senior year, but it’s important for you, too. Keep studying and your good habits high because we all want to get exempt from our finals!
My last piece of advice would be keep your options open! You might be the type who knows where they are going to college, what they want to do, you might even have preparations for college. But, keep in mind that you haven’t made any decisions yet, and that you should keep exploring all throughout your senior year. Check out different schools, learn about the SATs and ACTs, and explore friendships! Always keep your friends by your side because they are what help you and guide you into the right direction.

By Elizabeth Marsicano ’18

How to Prepare for Sports

Sports promote healthy living, teamwork, and fun. It is still imperative to individually practice and exercise during the summer to prepare for your sport, primarily if they occur in the fall.

Although “practice makes perfect” is a common phrase, it is true. Each time you practice, you gain more skills because you have a different experience each time. For example, in baseball, a batter hits the ball to a different location each time, and the fielder has to run to that spot. Catching the ball in the infield is a lot different than catching the ball in the outfield, and the fielder learns the best skills to get to the location of the ball most efficiently. Every time you earn a new skill, you improve at the sport.

Practicing for a sport also includes getting sufficient exercise. Exercise helps you become fit, which leads you to have increased energy for an extended period, and therefore, play the sport better. During the summer, you can participate in physical activity by working out, running, or even playing a quick game of basketball with your friends. Exercise also paves the way for a healthy lifestyle, which has the same benefits when practicing or playing a sport.

Practicing over the summer also helps you prepare for tryouts, especially for fall sports such as soccer, field hockey, and cross-country. As previously stated, practice will improve your skills and ability. Your coach will undoubtedly be aware of your progress from practicing, and it will influence your tryout results. Practicing sports also builds your confidence in your abilities. You can learn a lot about yourself, be challenged to try new things, and step out of your comfort zone while playing.

Most importantly, you will feel good and enjoy yourself while practicing the sport you love.

This summer, do not pass up any opportunity to practice, either independently or with a teammate. Have fun!

By Maddy Looney ’18

Becoming More Involved in School

In order to begin your journey towards greatness as Saint Rose High School, you must begin with joining as many activities as you possibly can! Saint Rose High School surely does provide students with many different sports, clubs, and organizations to be involved in! Whether you are athletic, artistic, intelligent, or simply eager to meet new people, Saint Rose High School has the perfect group for you!


As for sports, Saint Rose High School provides their students with almost every single sport you can possibly think of. We have a variation of fall, winter, and spring sports throughout the entire school year. Especially as an incoming freshman, you have the perfect opportunity to join a new sport and meet new people! For instance, if you are considering joining a fall sport you will most likely meet people on your team and practice before the school year even starts. All of the teams are extremely welcoming and the coaches are eager to teach you the rules of each game. So if you are nervous to try something new because you don’t know much about it, don’t be! You are there to learn and gain knowledge, while simultaneously making friends for life!


If you are not very athletic, there are definitely other options for you. Whether it is finding groups of your own interests or participating in different organizations and clubs, there is a fit for you. Some of the clubs and organizations at Saint Rose High School include art clubs, national honors society, ambassadors, student council, as well as a variation of other interests. It is very important to become involved in different groups especially as a freshman to meet fellow classmates and develop an outstanding transcript for when you apply to college in a few years! Dara Johnson, Saint Rose High School Senior, mentioned, “One of my best decisions here, at Saint Rose High School, was to become involved in different sports and clubs. I feel as though it really helped me meet new people and also helped me in the long run, while I was applying for colleges and filling out applications!”


Therefore, Saint Rose High School encourages all students to become involved, to not only help themselves, but to ensure a productive future!  When you are notified for club and sports team sign-ups, don’t be shy! Definitely try something new because you never know what you might have interest in and your high school years are a great time to figure that out!

By Madison Kinnevy ’18

Girls Varsity Lacrosse Senior Day

    On May 1, 2018, the Saint Rose Girls Varsity Lacrosse team held their annual Senior day. The day was created to honor and commemorate the Seniors on the team who have put in so much hard work and dedication throughout their four years of playing on the Saint Rose High School lacrosse team. The seniors on the team include Caitlin Wilson and Megan Peropat, who will both be attending Catholic University in the fall, Megan Kendall, who will going to the University of Notre Dame, Megan Merkler attending Providence college, and Kailah Cummings who is attending the University of Rhode Island. All of these seniors were honored by the underclassman and coaches at their final home game of the season. The girls had many surprises waiting for them during the game. Firstly when the girls arrived at the Saint Rose field, they were greeted by the rest of the team, both Varsity and JV, and were flooded with love and excitement for their day and the game.

The girls were surprised with generous gifts from their teammates, that included a monogrammed Hydro Flask reusable water bottle, as well as a matching tote bag with each of the seniors monogram imprinted on it. The girls then, prior to their exciting game against Saint John Vianney, had the opportunity to get called to the center of the field and receive purple and yellow roses and take a senior photo and photo with each other families. The girls also were also excited to see beautifully decorated posters and their lacrosse photo headshots blown up big for them as their teammates held up and cheered them on during this very special game. Caitlin Wilson, Senior and player on the team for four years, described her day as “ incredible, and a day I will never forget and always look back to with happy memories.” Senior day is such an amazing opportunity  for all the girls so thank you seniors for all your time and dedication. Good luck to each one of you in college and in all you hope to do in the coming years!

By Ashley Bock ’18

Sports Update

Saint Rose High School’s Spring sports teams are excelling tremendously! Each and every team has been working extremely hard to improve in order to win their games.

  This Spring season, the lacrosse team has worked extremely hard to better themselves as a whole. The girl’s lacrosse team are shore conference playoff contenders this season. They are more of a young team, consisting of mostly sophomores. Their highly admired, new coach is David Dudzinski. With his help and encouragement, the lacrosse team has developed a much better record than last year. For instance, as of now their record is 3-5. As for practices, the team meets at the Hurley Pond fields. Typically, at these practices the girls work to the best of their ability in order to gain strength and knowledge on the game and prepare themselves for their next victory!
Tori Wilson, Saint Rose High School Freshman, says, “It’s really exciting as a freshman to be part of such an up and coming team, and I’m really looking forward to all the future progress we’ll make!”

  Other favorite Spring sports teams are the softball and baseball teams. The girl’s softball team practices many days throughout the school week, mainly Monday through Friday. Their practices are held at the Saint Rose High School sports fields, batting facilities, and the weight room. They practice their skills and develop better strategies for their upcoming games, with the help of Joe Braun, this year’s coach. The team seems to enjoy a variation of practices and workouts that helps them better themselves and their team as a whole. Saint Rose High School Senior, Emily McInerney, stated, “The softball team is working extremely hard, especially since we practice every day during the week. I enjoy practicing and learning what we need to improve for the future so that we can win our upcoming games!”
  

Be sure to come out and support all the Spring Sports teams before it’s too late! Go Roses!

BY Madison Kinnevy ’18

Sports Update

 

This upcoming week, the Varsity Boys and Girls Track and Field teams will be heading to the University of Pennsylvania to compete in the annual Penn Relays. Saint Rose has participated in this meet for many years now, and the meet has become one of the biggest and most important of the season. This year they will be held on April 26th, 27th, and 28th, with the girls running on Thursday, and the boys running on Friday and Saturday. Our runners report to Red Brick at 6:30 in the morning to drive to Pennsylvania and be there for the first race. This year, the team is participating in the 100 meter and the 400 meter relays against teams from all around the world. The stadium becomes packed to the brim with food stands, games, and many chances to meet up with coaches and friends. The relays include high school and college students, with the United States National Team running also. Nike and the USA team are two of the sponsors of the event that provide many stands for fans to buy clothes and merchandise. The girls and boys are split into three different days to help the meet be completed quicker, and they are free to explore the stadium and all the interesting activities that are provided for them. Afterwards, the team goes out to dinner courtesy of Coach Casagrande, and if they are lucky, they get some ice cream too before the ride home. The Penn Relays is very important to our track team, so make sure to wish them luck once the days get closer!

By Sam Apple ’18