By Alexandria DiNatale '18 The World Culture and the Role of Women class discussed the topic of sexual harassment and the idea surrounding the #MeToo Movement. The #MeToo Movement is about people, mainly women but also men, who have come forward about their experiences with sexual harassment and rape.
The class discussed the definition of sexual harassment and watched a short documentary about the term. The class discussed different articles on the topic of sexual harassment and its effects. “The #MeToo movement has recently gotten a lot of attention in the media after the Harvey Weinstein incidents. I was glad when I found out that my World Culture class would be discussing the meaning behind the movement over the course of a few days. The whole point of the #MeToo movement is to bring attention to sexual harassment and assault. It also has been encouraging victims of sexual harassment to come forward. Since many people have a difficult time believing victims of sexual harassment I think that it is extremely important to bring awareness to the issue and educate others on what the true definition of sexual harassment is,” said senior Maria Bologna. The senior class planned to bring this topic to the whole school community with discussion questions for FA. The discussion could happen towards the end of April. Fontbonne has started to bring awareness to many causes, such as participating in a prayer service for the students who were killed in the Florida shooting.
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By Teresa Spieler '21 One of the first clubs I joined at Fontbonne was Culture Club. It is a club that all years can join and attend interesting trips. The first trip was to a haunted house in New Jersey called Brighton Asylum. Although I did not attend that trip, everyone said it was thrilling and frightening. It took place in October- right around the corner from Halloween!
The next trip that we attended was “Anastasia” on Broadway. The show was entertaining and we all enjoyed it very much. Culture Club’s most recent event was Movie Night. We watched “The Cheetah Girls 2” in the cafeteria. We had pizza, popcorn, candy, and drinks. It was fun to watch this movie with our friends at school! One of my favorite parts of being apart of Culture Club is the bus rides. Each year travels in their own bus, with two or three teacher chaperones. To kill time, we sing songs the whole way to our destination. It is very exciting, especially since we are with our friends. I can’t wait for the rest of the trips that are planned for this year. I hope all of the incoming freshmen join Culture Club because it is a very fun and unique experience for students in our school! By Gabriella Zuardo '20 If you are looking for a club to join that will grab your number one college’s attention, I insist you should consider the speech team. This team is filled with great people that will guide you through your experience. The speech club isn’t any normal club where you each have individual goals for a group project. This club is a true team where everybody has a job; however, you are constantly working together. Your goal for being on the speech team is to learn a speech and later present it in a college in front of judges. When you are given a speech, you have to act as if that speech is your best friend. You learn everything about that speech, meaning you have to memorize it word for word. Then, you are responsible for going to colleges and presenting your speech in front of members of other speech teams, as well as judges. This club is all based on competitions and your determination to achieve your best.
Types of speeches you can do: There are options for speeches; however, if you are unsure, keep in mind that the coordinators like to recommend which speech works best for you. The types of speeches include:
The Benefits: There are a plethora of benefits you can gain from this experience. The most important benefit you can gain is the experience and practice of memorizing and presenting in front of an audience. Public speaking is a tremendous importance to colleges. With public speaking, the colleges see that you are putting yourself in a position not everybody is comfortable with. They know that this is challenging and the fact that you are able to do this is truly remarkable and impressive. Also, you gain a family and a bond that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Being a part of the speech team can be compared to a sports team, in a sense that competition is routine; however, instead of running, you are talking, and during this time you are showing off your confidence, intelligence, and strength. Being on the speech team also provides the benefit of teamwork. As I said before, being on the speech team includes being a part of a family with a strong relationship. When you are practicing your speech and you need advice or guidance, everyone is willing to help because they as well have their own obstacles they need to achieve. Besides your teammates, there are coaches such as Ms. Marinello and Mr. Herron that help in your performance. They tell you what you need to do and provide tips, assisting you in your experience. How the team is doing: Last year, one of the many successes was sophomore Larissa Mignano, who took 7th in Louisville Kentucky with over 230 competitors in her category. Also last year, Larissa placed 5th at Hofstra University at the state championship. The speech team competes in local tournaments in order to gain qualification to attend state championships, NCFL (National Catholic Forensic League) nationals and other major and highly competitive competitions. Some of the local competitions that have occurred this year include UPenn, St. Joseph University, and Columbia University. At UPenn, Larissa Mignano took 3rd in Declamation and Junior Alexa Vasquez and Senior Kirsa Danis took 3rd place in Duo. At the villager tournament at St. Joseph University, Larissa Mignano took 6th place. At Columbia University, freshman Brynn Nelson took 6th place in declamation and Larissa took 3rd place in declamation. The speech team is hoping to go to tournaments at Yale University, Harvard University, Princeton University, and in Washington D.C. They have many successful freshmen, two amazing coaches who support them and drive them to be the best they can achieve, and the team admires both of these coaches greatly. “Speech is probably the best decision I have ever made. It is a place where I have experienced so many amazing campuses, met so many amazing people, improved my public speaking abilities drastically, and helped me with my social anxiety. They are my second family,” says Larissa Mignano, year of 2020. By Emanuela Gallo '19 Being apart of the National Honor Society at Fontbonne is a great opportunity for students! Members exhibit role model qualities and live out the FHA mission. They also participate in community service projects and fundraising initiatives. However, only a select number of students are asked to join. In order to enter, there is a process that begins before the selection in junior year.
The National Honor Society requirements for nomination are to have a GPA of 95%. In addition, you must have participated in three clubs, one of which is a service club. A minimum of 35 hours of community service is also required. Once you are nominated as a candidate, you must complete the Candidacy Packet. It consists of a series of forms and evaluations that will provide the Faculty Council the information they need to make their decision. One form will provide you space to list all your student activities, such as non-service clubs, teams, and musical groups; leadership positions (such as an elected student body leader, club officer, team captain, and newspaper editor); service clubs and activities in or out of school; paid work; and awards or achievements. After this, you will be expected to provide evaluations from the teachers who run the three clubs you have participated in. Your FA teacher, as well as the person who is in charge of your community service site, will complete evaluations as well. They will make an assessment of your character and leadership skills. On a scale of 1-5, (1 being excellent and 5 being poor), they will assess you on responsibility, cooperation, honesty, trustworthiness, work ethic, respect for others, and so on. The current junior year’s candidates, should they be accepted, will receive their invitations in the week of February 26th. The induction ceremony will take place on March 15th. By Teresa Spieler '21 This past week, all freshmen have been taking their first cumulative exams at Fontbonne. Each class gave an exam based on topics that we have covered in the school year already.
For some, this may be nerve-wracking, however, our teachers have given us great reviews and notes to prepare us for the exam. Cumulative exams can be very stressful and the students have to use their time management skills to make sure they cover all the information in each class. Each cumulative exam is structured differently for each class. Some tests take more than one day while others are done in one period. The Algebra Honors exam took two days and was in three parts, while our Global History exam was 25 multiple choice questions and an essay, all done in one period. Since most of our exams are finished, we are all relieved. However, we are eager to know our grades. Our quarter 2 report cards are coming out soon, so we will see our grades in a couple of days! By Sophia Perdernera '19 This year for the first time, Fontbonne Hall Academy will be introducing an ID card system to insure students’ safety on campus.
New locks were installed on the exterior school doors that automatically lock when closed. The doors unlock when the bell rings to switch periods, then relock once the second bell rings. If a student leaves a building during class, her ID card can unlock the doors. Every year, FHA’s administration chooses a schoolwide cause that the annual walk-a-thon money will be used for. Last year, the 2016 funds raised were used to install a new security system. By Grace Pappanicholaou '19 As of the 2017-2018 school year, Fontbonne Hall Academy made upgrades in their security system to keep all of their students safe. The school installed doors that will be locked in between class periods to limit access to strangers.
Students have been given ID cards with their names, date of birth, school picture, class year and the address of the school. Students and teachers are required to wear a Fontbonne lanyard and ID cards to enter all of the buildings. Prior to this upgrade, there was only one security guard. Teachers have recalled times where former Fontbonne students have walked onto the campus or even into sports night practices. The school gates cannot be locked because it is a fire hazard. By Zana Frluckaj '19 In the 2017-2018 academic year, Fontbonne Hall Academy’s food service provider, Acquista, raised its prices.
This year, prices have increased in certain products. A single slice of pizza, which was once 2 dollars, has creeped up to a price of 3 dollars. Paolo Acquista said “When we first started here, we sold pizza for 2 dollars with tax. Now it’s slowly risen up to three, because of the price of flour needed to make the pizza has increased as well.” The increase is a result of the rent paid to Fontbonne. Acquista explained his company has to pay rent to Fontbonne in order to stay there. Prices have increased to cover the rent and generate a profit. Acquista stated, “If you notice the prices of salads has decreased because the price of Romaine salad, which is what we use, decreased in regular stores.” The Acquista food service was instilled by Sister Dolores J. Crepeau to mirror the traditions of high-school food services. Acquista has been at Fontbonne for over 7 years. Their hours are 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. everyday. By Falon Veccia '18 On Feb. 27, 2017 the spring session of Driver’s Ed began. This date marks the first day girls would begin to drive.
The spring session holds 42 girls, opposed to the winter session’s group of less than 25 girls. In the car you learn basic driving skills including learning how to brake, accelerate, when to stop, and where to turn. These basics you learn on the very first day of practice. The route on this first trip is along Shore Road to Xaverian High school. Each girl drives at least 15 minutes a session. “It makes me feel more prepared for when I drive on my own”, said junior Angela Randazzo. “It gives me the opportunity to ask any questions I might have.” The whole process begins relatively fast, with actual sessions starting two weeks after the 500 dollars for the class was due. It begins with setting up your days to drive with an instructor in a car with three to four girls. The representative of Autonautics Driving School conveniently gave girls who lived in Rockaway driving hours from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. once a week on any day from Monday through Friday so they may be able to catch their carpool. A learner’s permit is not mandatory until the end of the class in order to get your certificate that you’ve completed the class. The certificate also gives you the ability to test for your driver’s license earlier at 17 as opposed to 18 years old. In Spring there are also better driving conditions. The weather gets better and the sun sets later on in the day where all classes end at 4:45 p.m. Lectures are given on Wednesdays, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. to further the student driver’s knowledge on the road. The sessions last for four months ending in June. By Melody Tobin '18 The beloved local tradition of the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City is getting closer and closer, and the community is bustling with festivities. Shamrocks and flags decorate the homes and businesses who choose to flaunt their Irish culture and pride.
This year, the parade march takes over the city in the blustering cold on Friday, March 17th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The dazzling display can be viewed along 5th ave. between 44th Street. and 79th Street. Along the parade route, there are restaurants and sometimes pushcart food vendors on 6th Ave. and some of the side streets adjacent to the Parade route. Many streets will be closed and DVDs of the parade will be available for purchase. For many, it is a day of culture and tradition among the celebrating families, "Every year all the grandkids come up. We have corned beef and cabbage," parade party host Jim Logan said. "It's for the kids to learn St. Patrick's Day traditions." The lineup this year features Limerick native Michael J. Dowling, President & CEO of Northwell Health. Dowling is the first hospital head to serve as Grand Marshal of the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. They are followed by multiple Irish societies who are situated in NYC, schools, colleges, Irish language and nationalist societies. The parade found its roots in a group of homesick Irish ex-patriots and military who served with the British Army stationed in the colonies of New York. This was during a time when wearing green was banned in Ireland but considered a sign of Irish pride. However, that parade in 1762 was when participants celebrated the freedom to speak Irish, wear green, sing traditional Irish folk songs and play bagpipes to Irish tunes that were meaningful to the immigrants at that time. The tradition of marching past St. Patrick’s Cathedral also remained unchanged, and this parade to this day holds an important role in the Irish community of NYC. |