TMLA News

SISTER NORA HILLERY, CSJ ’40 SCHOLARSHIPS—The Mary Louis Academy Alumnae Association awards $1,250 tuition scholarships annually to students who are daughters, granddaughters or sisters of Mary Louis Alumnae and who have the highest grade point average among the applicants.  The scholarship is named in memory of Sister Nora Hillery, CSJ, and a member of The Mary Louis Academy’s first graduating class.  Sister was part of the Technology staff from 1986 to 1998 and also the Alumnae Association moderator.  She died in 1998.  Congratulations to the following students:  SR, Uzma Toppa [sister of Aisha ‘07], JR, Maria Devakumar [sister of Priya ‘04], SM, Elizabeth Jule [sister of Carmen, ’04 and Annette, ‘05], FM, Rebecca Warne [daughter of Maryellen Esch Warne ‘80].

 MOTHER/DAUGHTER LITURGY AND SUPPER will take place on Friday, April 25 for Juniors and Seniors and on Friday, May 9 for Freshmen and Sophomores.  The evening will begin with Mass at 6:00 PM followed by dinner at 7:00 PM.  Tickets are $25 per person [2 vouchers may be used toward payment] and will go on sale the week of April 7 in the Cafeteria during all lunch periods.

BLOOD DRIVE—Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual blood drive, especially our first time donors.  Eighty-five [85] units were collected.  This will help 255 people!  Congratulations to Sister Patricia Mooney, RN and Medical Unlimited for a wonderful day of giving.

COUNSELING CENTER—From the Freshmen Counselor, Mrs. Jennifer Rodgers—Over the past three cycles we have been discussing TMLA’s course selection process for Sophomore year.  Once the course selection process has been finalized, the Peer Mentoring Program will reconvene in small groups in the Counseling Center.

From the Sophomore Counselor, Mrs. Lynn Heeran—This month, the students will register for their Junior classes.  We have been meeting in small groups to discuss which classes the students are required to take, as well as classes that are optional.  We will then meet to fill out the registration sheets and scantrons.  Both the registration sheet and course guide can be found on Edline.  Students also have a hard copy of the 2008-2009 COURSE GUIDE for your review.

 From the Junior Counselor, Mrs. Holly Barbarosa—In March, we will be focusing on Course Selection for Senior year and meeting with your daughter one-on-one in small group guidance to discuss her course options as well as the future college majors she is considering.  A Parent/Guardian Recommendation Form will be distributed with the second trimester Report Card.  Your perspective will assist me in writing the required Recommendation Letter that will accompany your daughter’s college application.  Toward the end of March, the Juniors will be working in the computer labs with Ms. Angelillo and me to conduct a college information scavenger hunt that will introduce them to scholarship, application and college information that will help them prepare for the college admissions process.

 From the Senior Counselor, Sister Joan Killen—Many students are awaiting college decisions.  Students should check the status of their applications online.  There are scholarships available.  Students should be researching them on fastweb.com, the TMLA’s daily announcements and in the TMLA College Newsletter.

 From the College Counselor, Ms. Jennifer Angelillo—Junior meetings will continue throughout the Springtime.  Please encourage your daughter to make an appointment!  As the Juniors continue their college search process, Mrs. Barbarossa and I will be conducting a scavenger hunt computer lesson to help the students take an active role in their college search process.  During this lesson, students will have the opportunity to search college websites of their choice together information to help them with their college list.  The Junior college trip is already here and we are looking forward to another successful trip.

DEPARTMENT NEWS
RELIGIOUS STUDIES/ACTIVITIES—On Ash Wednesday the beginning of Lent was observed at TMLA.  Morning Mass, which included the distribution of ashes, was celebrated in the Chapel with Msgr. Robert McCourt from St. Pascal Baylon parish.  All Religion classes had the opportunity of receiving ashes during a class prayer service.  Other students, faculty and staff came to the Chapel during lunch or unscheduled periods.  Each person received a Lenten card with a reminder that although we are “dust,” in God’s hands “dust” lives.   Every Monday in Lent, Sister Marie Mackey’s spirituality class will conduct a Lenten Service at 7:45 AM in the Chapel.  Morning Mass is celebrated at 7:35 AM the rest of the week.  Our annual Lenten Reconciliation Day is being planned for March 11.

SPEECH—At a tournament held here at Mary Louis on January 12, 22 members of our team competed and 11 received awards.  SR Caitlin Flood, 1^st Place Extemporaneous Speaking, SR Sara Romanello, 1^st Place Student Congress and JR Nicolette Guillou, 1^st Place Original Oratory.  The Mary Louis Speech Team placed 1^st and the TMLA Student Congress team placed 2^nd.  At Christ the King High School on February 9, 22 Mary Louis speakers competed and 15 won awards including SR Caitlin Flood and SM Danielle Gonzalez who both qualified to compete at the New York State Championships in Albany in April.  Overall, the team placed 1^st in the competition.  Congratulations to the team and coach, Mr. Kieran Larkin.

 CONGRATULATIONS to Mrs. Jennifer Murillo [Mathematics] and her husband Will on the birth of their daughter, Gabriella Noel and to Mrs. Danielle McRoy [Music] and her husband Jim on the birth of their son, Andrew James.

SCHOOL POP Register at www.schoolpop.com and support TMLA.  You can even renew your magazine subscriptions and have Mary Louis get the credit.

TARGET GUEST CARD Use your Target Guest Card every time you shop at Target or online at www.target.com.  Target will donate 1% of all your Target Guest Card purchases to TMLA.  Call 1-800-316-6142 or visit www.target.com to designate TMLA to receive the 1% donation.