Category Archives: Hallway Happenings

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Sibling Spotlight: Pescatore

his week’s Sibling Spotlight at St. Rose features Carmela and Francesca Pescatore. Carmela is now a Senior l and Francesca is a Sophomore. The Courier was able to interview both sisters on their experience together at St. Rose.  

 

The Courier: How long have you gone to school together?

Both: We went to St. Dominic’s for Kindergarten to Eighth grade and now we are at St. Rose together.

 

TC: What is your favorite part about going to school together?

Carmela: We love to spend time together during lunch walking around. My sister also will buy me food in the cafeteria.

Francesca: I love getting to talk to her throughout the day and during lunch.

 

TC: What do you like most about your sibling?

Carmela: She always gives me good advice even though she is younger than me. We are also able to share clothes.

Francesca: She is really funny and always makes me laugh even when I’m having a bad day.

 

TC: What is your favorite thing to do together?

Carmela: We love to go to Starbucks together.

Francesca: We love to drive around together since Carmela has her license and go get Chipotle.

 

TC: What will you miss most about having Carmela at St. Rose?

Francesca: I will miss her driving me to school everyday because now I will have to take the bus. I will also miss seeing her in the hallway and spending time with her at lunch.

By Sheila Magrini ’18

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Freshman Orientation Preview

Welcome class of 2022! As you eagerly wait for this new beginning, known as high school, you should know a few tips and facts about your first few days here! The first two days at Saint Rose High School will be the days of your freshman orientation.

Freshman orientation is a wonderful opportunity for the incoming class to meet their fellow classmates and learn about the school itself. Throughout the two days, you will participate in fun activities to help meet the other incoming freshmen, get tours throughout the school, meet the various staff members, and go through your schedules so you are fully prepared for your first day of high school!

The first day of freshman orientation, you will be assigned into groups with other incoming freshman. You will most likely remain with these groups throughout the entire first day, with the exception of lunch and other free time. For the most part, you will travel around the school through a variation of classrooms. There you will introduce yourselves to each other, meet teachers, and participate in small activities with one another. You will also gain knowledge regarding the school itself and the classes which you will be taking your freshman year. It is truly a great opportunity to learn more about your new school, which will eventually help you feel more calm and ready to begin the next big part of your life .

The second day of freshman orientation consists of meeting more people from your incoming class. You will also receive your schedules for the first day of school and have the opportunity to run through the schedule of your classes. This allows each incoming freshman to know where to go on their first day of school and feel much more confident and comfortable in their travels. There will be upperclassmen present to help you locate your way around the school and ensure that you don’t get lost. They are there for any questions, concerns, or conflicts that you might have throughout the day in regards to your new high school experience.

With the help of students and staff St. Rose High School truly does provide their incoming students with a great orientation program. Students always feel relieved and excited after these days are over, and are eager to start the next four years of their lives!

By Madison Kinnevy ’18

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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

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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

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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

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Sibling Spotlight: Wilson

Caitlin and Victoria Wilson are two of Saint Rose’s many siblings that are fortunate enough to attend school together. Caitlin is a Senior and Tori is a Freshman, and although they do not get to spend much time together in school, they enjoy each other’s company at extracurriculars and home. Every morning and afternoon, Caitlin and Tori carpool to and from school, listening to music and talking. Tori says this is her favorite part of the day because it allows her to relax and share her day with her older sister. The girls see each other in the halls several times throughout the day, and always make an effort to say hi to one another.

 

Both Caitlin and Tori play on the Saint Rose Girls’ Lacrosse team, and drive to the fields together everyday after school. They have played on the same team in the past, and were excited at the opportunity to do so again when the season started this past March. They also both participated in Volleyball this past fall, and although they did not play on the same team, they enjoyed talking about practice and games each night at dinner. Most of Caitlin and Tori’s friends joke that the two look very similar and share the same interests, which is true, especially since both Caitlin and Tori played the same position, Libero, on the Volleyball court this season.

 

Tori says she will miss her sister when she goes to The Catholic University of America next year, but is excited to visit Caitlin in Washington, D.C., since it is a shared favorite vacation spot of both girls. Caitlin and Tori are very close as far as siblings go, and would consider each other to be their best friend. Although their shared time at Saint Rose has come to an end, they are going to remain close and continue to talk about their days with one another over the phone.

By Caitlin Wilson ’18

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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

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Sibling Spotlight: Tombs

When you walk into Saint Rose High School you immediately get this homey, loving feeling. Well, for me I did but I remember walking in as my sisters gave me a tour when they went to Saint Rose. I love hearing my siblings talk about teachers that I have, and the hallways they’ve walked, and the great traditions that have passed through my years here. Saint Rose is a great school and community to be apart of. We have many students here that are siblings that in the halls give the family head-node to one another.

The two sibling that I interviewed for this section in the blog are Ethan Tombs and Kevin Tombs. These are two brothers who are inseparable and look very much like one another. Ethan is the older brother who is finishing up his senior and Kevin is the younger brother and youngest in the family who is a sophomore entering junior year. I got the brothers together and first asked Ethan about school and why he chose Saint Rose. Ethan simply responded “because my older sisters went here.” As I chuckled and asked Kevin the same question he answered saying “Yeah, my siblings went here and it was a good fit.” Knowing that both of the brothers played basketball I asked them if they enjoyed playing a sport together and Ethan replied laughing “Yes, except when Kevin would mess up and I would get yelled at.”  I went on asking Kevin if Ethan helps him with anything and Kevin said “the best advice Ethan has given me is to finish projects, labs, homework, because they bring up your grade the most.”

Kevin said he is going to miss Ethan next year because Ethan is moving on to bigger and better things…. college! Ethan will be attending St. Bonaventure and he is very excited for new adventures!

These brothers are great together! They love Saint Rose and Saint Rose loves them.

By Elizabeth Marsicano ’18

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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

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Making Memories at St. Rose

When you look back on high school a million memories will flood into your mind. Memories give you something to hold on to even when something has ended. At St. Rose we are blessed with so many traditions that can serve as lasting memories for high school. Make sure you take advantage of all of them while you have the opportunity.

These are the Top Ten Memories for a St. Rose student:

 

 

  • Senior Trip to Disney: This trip is an unforgettable experience to have with your class. The 18 hour bus ride, four days in all the Disney parks, and all your friends all together is a hallmark of the St. Rose experience.
  • Kairos: This retreat is a moving and eye opening experience that will grow your faith and expand your relationships with your classmates. It is afoul day retreat in Cape May that allows you to unplug and be present in the moment to connect with your faith and others.
  • Sports: Whether it’s going to the annual soccer game against Wall, sitting in the student section at the basketball games, Friday night hockey games, or participating on your own team, these are the moments you will treasure. The games we won as a team or the lessons we learned from losing.
  • Inaugural: This dance starts the year off with a fun night to get dressed up and dance the night away with your friends. It also celebrates the new Student Council members.
  • Prom: Junior and senior prom are unforgettable nights for everyone in high school. These are the two dances that will stick out the most in your high school memories. You will treasure the pictures from that night ad always remember the fantastic time you had with your friends.
  • Clash of the Classes: This brings the entire school community together to compete against each other. Whether you are participating in the events or watching from the bleachers, it is a day to celebrate your class and of course watch the seniors win.
  • Class trips: Spending the entire day with you class is such a memorable experience. Going to the Franklin Institute, Chelsea Piers, or a Broadway show
  • Bonfire on the beach: This event celebrates the fall athletes and is a fun way to kick off the school year. With the DJ and watching all of the teams dance, it is always entertaining to attend.
  • Fall Drama & Spring Musical: Going to the plays and supporting your classmates is always a fun time. The singing and the dancing will exceed your expectations. Being in the cast, stage crew, or the makeup crew is a great activity to be involved in.

 

Mr. St. Rose: This competition never fails to make you laugh. Watching senior boys dance and sing their way through the male pageant brings the whole school together for an entertaining afternoon.

By Sheila Magrini ’18