The OLMA Overview -- February 7, 2020
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This week is what we call ITV, or It Takes a Village. It reminds us of how fortunate we are to be part of the OLMA family and to celebrate each other. It's also about taking time to reflect on God's role in our lives, to let Him in. We began ITV Week on Tuesday morning with a student-run prayer service. It was beautiful and a fantastic way to open the week's celebrations.
On Wednesday, faculty and staff arrived to find fun posters of praise outside of their offices and classrooms. We also had a delicious lunch complete with more desserts than we could eat.
Saint Mary Joseph Rossello, the foundress of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, spent her entire life in service to others. She is one of the reasons why service is so integral to the culture at our school, so on Thursday, we made hundreds of sandwiches for Code Blue warming centers and paid tribute to local veterans with handmade Valentine's Day cards and messages. Also, on Thursday, our seniors spent the day in Camden working with school children and serving food to the hungry.
Today we celebrated our students who, by the way, are pumped about tonight's BLACKOUT Cancer basketball games against Audubon. They are also super excited as our Swim Team competes in the Cape Atlantic League playoffs for the first time since 2008. Today's festivities included a tribute to our very own Unsung Heroes, students who give of themselves to others, are often very quiet about it, and never expect anything in return. To all of them, I say thank you and keep it up. You are an inspiration to us all. You are on your way to leading a world of change, something we all aspire to do.
Be well, and have a great weekend. Go Villagers! -- Mrs. Coyle
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Our morning main entrance greeting party!
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We begin all things with prayer.
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"Heart to God, Hands to Work." -- Saint Mary Joseph Rossello
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Making Valentine's Day treat bags for Code Blue
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Student Appreciation Dress Down Day
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OLMA's 2020 Unsung Heroes include Caelah Palumbo, Madeline Fawcett, Madeline Brown, Carlina Fiocchi, Anna Eaise, Delaney Shur, Mrs. Natalie Cusick, Hannah Hargrave, Hailea Anderson, Stephanie Savela, Maria Pia DiFranco, and Marie Pinque.
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:
MEET DELANEY SHUR, CLASS OF 2023
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OLMA freshman, Delaney Shur, is a young woman who craves a challenge even if it means learning to sign a song for South Jersey Chorus virtually overnight. As part of the chorus, Delaney already knew how to sing the song, but signing it was something else altogether. It turns out that she was a victim of her own success.
"I taught myself how to sign when I started working at Jilly's on the Ocean City Boardwalk," said Delaney. "We had a lot of deaf customers, and I wanted to be able to communicate with them. I decided to give American Sign Language a try. I liked it and developed a passion for the language. In my spare time, I started practicing with all kinds of things."
Most recently, Delaney thought it would be fun to learn to sign part of a song she was working on with South Jersey Chorus. "I got excited about it and showed the director," she said. "The next thing I knew, she was asking me if I could learn two full verses by the next day." Not one to walk away from a challenge, Delaney did not disappoint. She worked through the night and sang and signed beautifully at the performance the following evening. (See video clip at the end of this story.)
Delaney has a similar passion for academics and theater. She is one of the Class of 2023 Merit Scholarship recipients and puts her academics first. While Delaney enjoys all of her classes, Literature is her favorite. "Lit is the best hands down," she said. "Mr. J. leads the best discussions and encourages us to share our perspectives and opinions. Plus, he's hilarious and teaches in a way that keeps us all interested."
On stage, Delaney is a natural. She was part of the cast of the OLMA-PREP production of The Addams Family last fall. She just auditioned for a spot in the Levoy Theatre's production of Frozen Jr. This summer, Delaney will be attending the Eagle Theater Conservatory and play a role in Once on the Sidelines.
Self-expression is important to Delaney. "One of the things I love most about OLMA is the ability to be yourself," she said. "There are lots of opportunities for us to try new things and even create them. I just worked with Mrs. Coyle to start a Film Making Club. "
Before joining OLMA, Delaney attended St. Joseph's Regional School in Somers Point. "I was the only one from my class to choose OLMA that year, but I didn't care," she said. "I'm not the kind of kid who does things just because my friends do, and coming to OLMA was the best decision I ever made. I can't imagine being anywhere else."
As the school year makes its way toward spring, Delaney is excited about her first Mini-Mester course. "I'm going to New Orleans and cannot wait," she said. "The culture is diverse and the city so historical. We're going on a graveyard tour."
We are excited for you too and can't wait to hear all about it. Have a blast, Delaney!
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Miss Bethany Melench's class is the quietest in the building. They meet in Room 108, always have the doors open, yet don't make a peep even though they talk the whole time. While we can't hear them with our ears, they are coming through loud and clear to each other. The difference is that they do most of their communicating using their hands and faces made possible by American Sign Language (ASL). A brand new course at OLMA this year, ASL is teaching students to communicate differently and giving them a new appreciation for the deaf community.
In the first-level ASL course, my focus is on teaching students things that they can start using right away like their names and how to introduce themselves with information about their college choices, families, and pets," said Miss Melench. "It gets the girls excited, keeps them engaged, and makes them want to learn more."
Miss Melench says she is proud of the progress the girls have made. "We are halfway through the year, and they already have a signing vocabulary of well over 500 words," she said. "I also try and incorporate a lot of culture into class so that the girls get more of an understanding of the unique needs of the deaf community. I'm having a great time and look forward to broadening the program next year."
OLMA ASL students are also incorporating signing into prayer. Check out one of their favorites in the video below:
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OLMABasketball presents BLACKOUT Cancer tonight in Carew Hall beginning at 4:30 PM. All proceeds will benefit
GO 4 the GOAL
, an organization that helps kids with cancer. Last year we raised $1,800 in a single night. We are looking to top that and Audubon High School tonight. Go VILLAGERS!
P.S. -- Can't get to the game? Have no fear. You can watch LIVE on Facebook at BFA Productions. You can send out a virtual cheer and even host a Watch Party on your own Facebook page.
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RAFFLE BASKET TICKET PRESALE
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Want to support the OLMA 50-50 Roaring Twenties Drawing Party, but can't make it that night? If so, you are in luck. On Friday, February 21, from 2:30 PM to 5 PM, the Parents Society will hold a Basket Raffle Ticket PRESALE.
But that's not all. On the big night, they will care for your prizes until you can pick them up the following week. If you've never seen the baskets (regular and premium) on 50-50 night, you are in for a treat. They are fantastic and well worth at least a sheet or two of tickets! Watch for more information next week.
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ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY
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Preserve your high school memories with a 2019-2020 copy of the OLMANAC! The last day to order is February 20th! Order today by
CLICKING HERE
!
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BLACKOUT CANCER with OLMA Basketball
and 76ers Raffle Ticket Drawing
-- TONIGHT
NO School for Students/Faculty Professional Development
-- February 14
NO School/President's Day
-- February 17
Dental Supplies Dress Down Day
-- February 18; Help OLMA Interact send much needed dental supplies to the Philippines! After a four-day weekend, ease back into the school week with a Dress Down Day for $2 AND a toothbrush or tube of toothpaste.
Super 50/50 BASKET RAFFLE TICKET Pre-Sale
-- February 21
Super 50/50 Drawing Party
-- February 22
Photo Caption: OLMA students honored Mrs. Cusick today with a faculty Unsung Hero Award!
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We hope you enjoy the OLMA Overview. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Mrs. Kinkade at 856.697.2008, ext. 140, or email her at: mrs.kinkade@olmanj.org
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