Finals - Finals were pretty tough, but if you spend the whole week before including the weekend studying, then you'll do great! We had three tests a day except for the last day (we only had two) and we got a whole hour to complete them, which I thought was more than enough time for everyone, but it still helps you to know you've got a lot of time, especially when your test is 100 questions. Also, if your lunch or study period was the last testing period, then you were allowed to go home early! The teachers were very supportive and they helped us feel at ease even though these were our first finals. So study hard and you'll be fine!

Brenna

Chorus Winter Concert - The chorus concert was a blast! Everyone did an amazing job and it was a great time hanging out backstage and in between shows. We did homework and studied for our upcoming finals. We wore the choral robes which look very professional, and since we got to wear the robes we were allowed to wear a t-shirt and shorts under them! I think all the chorus classes sounded awesome! We also did a concert for pre-school through 3rd grade kids during school, which was really cute. Some of the little kids came up and read parts of funny little poems for everyone. The band sounded great too. I'm proud of our chorus and our band for our outstanding performances.

Brenna

Father Daughter Dance – My dad and I attended the Freshman Father Daughter Dance. I had been looking forward to this event, because it’s been 9 years since I was my dad’s only date at a father daughter dance because I have three sisters. At the dance, I saw new friends that I had made in my classes.  I had a blast dancing and singing the night away with my friends and especially my dad!

Brenna

Volleyball – I made the Freshman Volleyball team!  My coaches are encouraging and helpful and I already see improvement in my skills.  One cool feature of playing on a team is getting a “Big Sister’ who is a Varsity player.  I was lucky to get Jackie Aird.  She is super nice and encourages me to play my best.   Playing on volleyball has allowed me to make lots of friends, manage my school work, and improve my skills.

Brenna

Chorus Concert – I experienced my first chorus concert at McAuley! It was such an exciting event that I can’t wait to experience more. We were ready and excited to finally be able to perform our songs. It was a great time hanging out in the little theater waiting to go onstage and warming up together with both the Freshman chorus classes. After the concert, we have the opportunity to hear our performance in class and we could really tell how awesome we sounded with only a couple of weeks of practice. I encourage all the young singers out there to try out for chorus because you really learn a lot and have fun doing it too! I can't wait for the Christmas concert.  You should come to the Christmas concert on Sunday, December 11th.  It will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit.

Brenna

Recruiting Visit – Today I went back to my grammar school Most Holy Redeemer on a recruiting visit as an ambassador for McAuley.  I hadn't been there since graduation and it brought back so many awesome memories. We talked about sports and clubs and my blog and they all saw me in the booklets that we gave out! One of the girls there was my sister who told me that we did a really good job and that our presentation got some of her friends to make their final decision on going to McAuley! It is my favorite thing about being an Student Ambassador, so far!

Brenna

Halloween - Halloween at McAuley was a blast, especially because I haven't worn a costume to school since 3rd grade!! There were some awesome costumes. I was Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter books/movies. My friend braided my hair the night before and my hair was all poofy when I took them out! There was also a costume contest during my lunch period; I didn't enter though because there were some amazing costumes in my lunch. One girl was Voldemort from Harry Potter movies/books and we took a picture together with my friend who dressed up as Harry Potter.  Next year I plan on entering the costume contest with a fantastic costume. 

Brenna

Ambassador Orientation Meeting - I'm glad I get to be a student ambassador. As an ambassador, I have the opportunity to be a representative of the school and welcome all guests to McAuley.  At our first meeting, I learned most of the school rules and uniform policies. We also met with our groups and through different activities we learned each other’s names.  I was able to meet more girls that would soon be in my classes! My group was super friendly, especially the senior leader. I can’t wait to start!

Brenna      
   

First Day of School - The first day as a mighty mac was really fun! This is what I had been waiting for my whole life. It was really great, the older students were more than glad to help out the freshmen. All my teachers are really nice and I love all my classes. All my friends and I have already memorized our schedule and we know our way around already! Getting around this huge school with lots of people in the halls is actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it. I can even get my lock open on the first try! There are teachers all over who really want to help you and make your first day go as smoothly as possible. This year is going to be great!!

Brenna 
     

Freshman Orientation - Freshman Orientation was probably the most helpful day ever. The entire freshman class met in the auditorium to listen to our Freshman Dean tell us some rules and wish us luck. Then we went to homeroom and got our I.D.'s, locks, locker numbers, and handbooks. I had a little trouble with the lock at first, but who doesn't? We then had the opportunity to run through our schedule to find the classrooms and meet our teachers.   I only got confused once, but there were older McAuley student ambassadors everywhere so they directed. I now know where all my classes are and now I'm fully confident that I won’t get lost or be late to class! Freshman Orientation is something you do not want to miss.
  
Brenna
  

Freshman Picnic - I had such an amazing time at the freshman family picnic. I got to see my classmates again and got to meet my new homeroom! I was told that my homeroom would meet every day for the next four years of high school. We played get-to-know you games and made up really cool cheers about our homerooms. (I know we will remember this cheer as seniors) We also got a gift! It was the cutest thing! It’s a little jar of mini utensils like tape and white out! It was a really fun day. It made me excited to begin the new school year.

Brenna
   

Registration Day - Registration Day was really helpful; we picked out some of our classes and got uniforms. These skirts are so much cooler than my old ones! When we picked out some classes, I got a lot of help from Meg Gardner, the freshman dean. The faculty and staff here are so welcoming!

Brenna

Volleyball Camp - Volleyball camp was super fun and I learned SO much! All the coaches there are both helpful and encouraging. I was able to improve all my skills just in time for tryouts which were pretty nerve wracking, yet a great experience anyways. I enjoyed playing a sport I love, improving my game, and meeting new friends!

Brenna

Test Day - On placement test day I was a little nervous. I crammed as many notes as I could into my head before leaving. Overall, the test was pretty easy. My teachers had gone over some things that were on the test right before the weekend! My toughest subjects were math and science. English seemed easiest but maybe that's just me. The test didn't seem that long and we got a break in the middle, which helped! The teachers in the rooms were super nice and welcoming too!

Brenna