The Medallion

Notre Dame Academy 1073 Main Street Hingham, MA 02043 April 2009 Prom 2009 Before Your Head is in the Clouds Snapshots: NDA Junior Prom Gabrielle Ferro ‘11 Every little girl wants to be a princess. Unfortunately, Halloween night is the The Junior Class enjoyed a great night on April 3 at Blue closest most of us will get to royalty, unless we fall in love with Prince Harry or Prince William. Since this isn’t likely, prom night is a close second to the royal Hills Country Club, complete with dancing and ice cream treatment. With your elegant dress, updo, manicured nails, limo, your high sundaes. school Prince Charming and a decked out room with all your friends, your head may be in the clouds. Here are some prom reminders before you start floating. Teen drinking and driving often result in fatal car accidents. Prom season is notorious for drinking. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007, 219 fifteen to twenty year olds died on weekends during prom season in drunk driver accidents. Don’t make the mistake of drinking or putting yourself in a dangerous situation with someone under the influence of alcohol. You want to remember and enjoy this night. Alcohol isn’t the only thing that can change your emotional and physical state on prom night. Incidents of date rape may also occur during prom season. 78% of rape is date rape. This is a serious problem in the world, so don’t take the topic lightly. On prom night, you need to be smart and observant. You need to avoid situations that could lead to rape. Avoid risky situations, manage your drink and spend the night with a group of people you know and trust. Make sure you aren’t sending the wrong message to others through actions, dress, or words. Finally, you have every right to say no, and if you say it, say it firmly and make sure body language and voice are saying the same thing. Since prom is your royal night, you want to look your best. Unfortunately, some of us look like Snow White with pale skin. A quick solution to this problem is an artificial tan. According to the National Cancer Institute, women who use tanning beds once a month are 55% more likely to develop the most deadly skin cancer, malignant melanoma, than women who don’t. Excessive exposure to artificial and natural ultraviolet rays increases one’s risk of skin cancer. Research has shown that spray tans are less harmful than beds, but the best thing is to get sun in moderation at times when the sunlight is less intense. All of this comes down to being smart, even when your head is in the clouds. You should remember the consequences and dangers of your actions wherever you go, not just prom night. Take care of yourself and keep on eye on your friends, you don’t want to lose them. Hopefully prom will give a glimpse of being a princess apart from the view that your old size 5T poofy dress and cone hat permitted.

A Glittering Fairytale Wonderland

Colleen Sharry ‘09

In the minds of many, prom is anticipated as the pinnacle of the high school more fun that your run-of-the-mill high school experience, as is true with many experience: an evening of perfection of divine proportions. Nearly all girls dream things at the academy. What we lack in the prom king and queen department, of wearing the Disney princess ball gown, complete with elbow length gloves and we more than make up for in goofy dance moves and friendship on the dance a diamond tiara, although some may be reluctant to admit it. We see ourselves floor. Although many of our dates do not know each other and may or may not descending the spiral staircase to a sweet melody set by the cartoon woodland have been scrounged up at the last minute, we are surrounded by a roomful of creatures that both custom made our gorgeous dresses and did our hair and our friends. More often than not, you will not end up married to your prom date; make-up for the event. Our handsome prince charming waits at the foot of the however, it is likely that you will stay friends with the girls who ride next to you stair and his eyes light up when he sees us. The evening continues perfectly, in the limo and whisper about how cute he is. complete with a horse drawn carriage ride followed by a grand entrance during To the optimists who disregard my prom attitude and continue to stay true to which every one in the ballroom stops to stare at the beautiful girl before them. their idealistic fantasies, I salute you and envy your bright outlook. And to those Unfortunately, this much-fantasized event rarely lives up to the expectations lucky enough to spend a wonderful evening with their real prince charming in set forth by idealistic underclassmen and those few seniors who still hold on to a tuxedo, enjoy your good fortune. To all of those who, like me, will be having a the hope that some day their prince will come (and before it is time to buy prom prom that might not measure up to those fantasies enjoy it anyways. You may tickets). The sad reality is that no matter how much they wish it, no one will not magically transform into a Disney princess and step into a glittering fairytale have that dream prom. It starts to rain while you are taking pictures outside, the wonderland, but your prom should be a night to remember. (As a disclaimer, limo smells weird, the set-up date is a dud, you forget to wear deodorant—the I do recommend staying away from woodland creatures and spunky elderly list of cringe-worthy prom moments goes on and on. However, this fact does women waving around sticks while getting ready.) Prom is supposed to be not mean that prom will not be enjoyable and memorable: quite the contrary. fun, not perfect; so don’t hold out for perfection because you more than likely With the right attitude toward these “prom ruining” factors, one will find that will be disappointed. You may not think that this imperfect prom will measure these are the things that they will look back upon fondly with their friends for up to your standards, but it is those imperfections that will make the evening years to come. unforgettable. Although unconventional, the Notre Dame prom has the potential to be even Page 1 of 8 NDA @ 2:19

How to Pass The Cookie Campaign Your Gabrielle Ferro ‘11 Road Test

Sarah Corben ‘10

The Cookie Campaign’s baked goods gave the lunchroom cookies some Your sixteenth birthday can be pretty exciting, but sixteen and a half is even competition on March 17 and 18. The cookie campaign was organized and better. It’s the age of independence and the beginning of the freedom of the open sponsored by NDAid to raise money for Partners in Health (PIH), an organization road. But before you can drive off into the cinematic sunset, you have to master that works to give the poor the proper health care they deserve as human the license exam. Don’t start freaking out just yet. Despite the hype, the license beings. exam isn’t horribly tricky, and the examiners don’t wake up in the morning with the intent to go ruin some poor high-schooler’s day. But, to make you feel a little NDAid’s main goal this year is to raise money and awareness for the poor and better, here are a few tips to consider before the day of the test. suffering in Haiti. The baked goods and the red, blue and green (colors of Haiti) friendship bracelets contributed to the club’s goals. Overall, the cookie campaign It is best to make sure you are prepared before the day of the test. Take advantage and bracelets raised $1,210. The money was presented to a PIH representative of your driver’s ed course, as boring as it might be, because the real point of the on April 2 at NDA. As asked by NDAid, PIH will use this donation to help the class is to teach you the rules of the road. The teachers generally repeat the same malnourished children in Haiti. Thanks NDA for your support! information you can read in the handbook, but occasionally the teacher will throw out a good hint that will really help you once you get out onto the road, so make sure you pay attention in class. Also, while driving with your permit, listen Feed The Need to advice from your parents and instructors. They’ve been driving for a long time, and they have probably picked up some good tricks and learned some hard Molly Gorman ‘11 lessons over the years that you will not pick up on when you first start driving. After 40 days and nights of abstaining from our favorite delicacies, ranging from sugarcoated candies to generously A few weeks before the test, start asking your parents to give you less input frosted chocolate cupcakes, we celebrated on Easter while you are driving together. After you take the test, you will be driving on Sunday by devouring chocolate bunnies and perfectly your own, and it can be scary and uncomfortable without the safety net of your roasted honey-baked ham. However, some families will not parent’s constant advice to fall back on. By asking your parents to act more like even be able to put any food on the table for this festivity passengers, you will feel more comfortable when you actually have to drive on and they struggle to feed their families all year round. your own. Also, during the license exam, your parents are in the back seat and Hunger is an epidemic that threatens one in five American they cannot be giving you constant guidance; therefore, it’s important that you children. Due to the sheltered and self-centered lives that can make your own decisions as the driver of the car. A week or two before the many people lead due to America’s egotistical consumer- exam, it would benefit you to drive around the DMV and check out where the society, many people would be shocked to discover that speed limit signs are so you are prepared on the day of the test. You will feel more 1 in 12 households in Massachusetts go hungry for weeks comfortable if you are not searching for the signs or guessing the speed limit. at a time and there are 210,000 children living in poverty On the day of the test, make sure you are prepared with the correct forms. Show up in this state alone. Easter is a time to dig deep into our about 15 minutes early and be polite to the examiner. A positive first impression souls and in the words of Mahatma Gandhi, become the will make a difference in the examiner’s perception of you. Make an effort to look change we want to see in the world. The Feed the Need presentable and responsible (wear your uniform if it is a school day) and give the organization is changing the world filling one stomach at a examiner a firm handshake when he introduces himself. A good attitude can go time by supplying food pantries with essential donations. a long way. It might also be beneficial to book your appointment in the morning On Saturday April 11th, Feed the Need hosted their seventh because the examiner will be less worn out. Bring a parent or an instructor from race at Wompatuck State Park in Hingham. Runners your driving school with you. Make sure you know how to use the car you will donated either 25 cans or boxes of nonperishable food be driving. Know how to honk the horn, how to turn on the headlights and turn items or $20 to pay the entry fee for the run. signals, and where to locate the window defrosters and heat/AC. When you show up at the DMV, the examiner will ask you to back into a special parking Members of the NDA track team helped out at the race as a space reserved for people taking the exam, so back into a space right when you team service project. At this year’s race, 4,700 cans of food get there so you don’t have to do it in front of the examiner. This also makes it were collected in addition to $2,000. easier to pull out of the parking space at the beginning of the exam. Next year, you can be a part of the race. There is no better When actually taking the test, keep a clear mind and don’t get too nervous. way to simultaneously enjoy the spring weather, fight Confidence is important when driving and you will do better if youaren’t hunger in your local community and rejoice in the gifts worrying the whole time. Remember everything that you have learned in driver’s you have been blessed with than by participating in this ed and from your parents. If you make a mistake, try to forget it and move on. wonderful event in the spirit of Easter. The examiner won’t fail you for one mistake and it will illustrate that you are a skilled driver if you are not shaken by one little slip up. The best thing you can do on the day of the license test is relax and have faith in yourself. The examiners Join the Drama Club for the last want you to pass and if you are confident in yourself, they won’t be able to resist production of the year! being confident in you, too. Spring One Acts Hard Candy Sunday, May 3 Spring Concert 2 pm Art and Technology Show Tuesday, May 5 The play is directed by seniors Colleen McGillvray and Alex Nuesse. 7 pm Sports

How to Gear-Up for the 2009 Red Sox Season For JV Tennis 2009

New to Diehard Fans Emily Kaczynski ‘11

Molly Gorman ‘11 As the spring season and warm weather begins, so do all of the exciting and 1) Stock up on classic ballpark snacks to munch on while you watch games this fantastic sports! Luckily, this is Notre Dame’s second year having a JV Tennis season. It’s like bringing a piece of Fenway to your living room by indulging in team. The team is coached by Coach Hagstrom. Due to the number of tennis some of the goodies! players that tried out for the Varsity tennis team this season and last season, 2) Replenish your supply of navy blue and red ribbons, apparel, face paint and a JV Team was created for those players who were unable to make the varsity beads. The true fan represents Red Sox colors religiously and with pride. No team. This new established JV team allows these hard working tennis players excuses. to continue playing, but now on an official team with other girls at their level. Throughout the season, all of the players gradually grow together, and help each 3) Keep up with the Sox schedule, peruse the website for some fun facts, check other find strengths and weaknesses to improve with each passing day. With up on your favorite players and keep an eye on the other teams records by visiting practices held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and a total of about eight the following website: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bos. matches, the passion we all have for tennis increases tremendously. Every time 4) If you do not have one already, choose a favorite player to watch. It helps you any one of us picks up a racquet, we give it our all and never give up. get into the game and watch that player improve and progress throughout the season. Dustin Pedroia, deemed “the new face of baseball,” is definitely one to keep an eye on, even though he stands at only 5’8”, he makes up for his height in speed and pure skill. He earned league MVP just last year and he is going Upcoming Events nowhere but up. Come support the NDA Cougars at these upcoming 5) Invest in at least one game at Fenway this year. The ticket price is nothing games and matches: compared to the experience. Bleacher seat tickets are being as offered for as little as $12 for 2009! So get your tickets today and then you can get your peanuts May 5 May 7 May 12 May 13 here! Varsity Varsity Softball NDA NDA Track Lacrosse vs. vs. Plymouth Sailing vs. 6) If you would rather keep the money in your pocket, the next best thing is to Catholic South Wellesley get a bunch of your friends together, snacks, foam fingers, Red Sox spirit and Scituate Conference turn on the game. A match-up versus the Yankees, Boston’s long-time rivals, NDA Lincoln League Meet Ward Street would be especially exciting to watch. 3:30 pm Sailing, Field Hingham NDA 7) Although spring is a busy time of year, keep up with the Red Sox and their 3:30 pm record. Nothing eases stresses like kicking back and watching the best team in 3:30 pm 3:30 pm the world play America’s pastime at its finest. 8) Start your own wiffleball league in your neighborhood or with friends. It’s Varsity Lacrosse Varsity Golf a fun way to get active and actually experience the sport of baseball instead of vs. Hingham vs. Hingham always being a spectator. Playing the game will give you a new perspective on Hingham High High how it works and how hard the Red Sox train to consistently perform at the School South Shore high-level they do. Hopefully, you will gain even more respect for the players, 3:30 pm Country their intensity, and their craft. Club 9) To graduate to a diehard fan, learn all the rules and regulations of baseball. 3:30 pm Your boyfriend or guy friends will be blown away and relieved when you know what is going on in the game and they do not have to explain every call that is made. Nothing is more annoying than a clueless spectator. Get informed! At May 15 May 18 May 20 May 23 your local Barnes & Noble you can get your hands on a copy of the 2009 Official Varsity Tennis Varsity Softball Varsity NDA Track Rules of Major League Baseball by Triumph Books for just under ten dollars. You vs. Norwell vs. Tennis vs. Last Chance will be fluent in baseball etiquette before the umpire can even say strike one! NDA Tennis Pembroke Our Lady of to Qualify Courts Nazareth 3:30 pm NDA NDA Tennis NDA 3:30 pm Courts 9 am 3:30 pm

The 7th Player Award

Gina Stadelmann ‘11 The Red Sox

celebrated Opening On April 2, the Boston Bruins Day with a 5 - 3 win presented the 7th Player Award to over the Tampa Bay David Krejci, who wears number 46 for the hometown team. This award is Rays. given to the player who is not a starter, but shows dedication and goes beyond call of duty. This year’s winner won a brand new truck from Dodge. Krejci has been on the Bruins team since 2004. He is twenty-two years old, is six feet tall and shoots right. Entertainment Summer Concerts Easter BUNNY??

Kerry McCabe ’11 and Olivia Adkins ’11 Maeve Luken ‘11 The Easter Bunny has roots that go back to pre-Christian, Anglo-Saxon history. Gear up for everyone’s favorite season by purchasing your The holiday was originally a pagan celebration that worshipped the goddess tickets to one of the many concerts in the Boston area this Eastre. She was the goddess of fertility and springtime. Her earthly symbol was summer. the rabbit. The people began to worship the rabbit believing it to be Eastre’s earthly incarnation. When the Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity, which was around the same time as Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, the Pagan holiday O.A.R. was combined with the Christian celebration and given the name Easter. Dates: July 27- July 28 Germany created the first ever edible Easter bunny made out of pastry and sugar in the early 1800s. The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by Location: Bank of America Jonas Brothers the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the Pavilion, Boston 1700s. Easter practices included children making baskets out of their bonnets Dates: July 17- July 18, 2009 and caps, believing the anthropomorphic rabbit would lay colored eggs in their Ticket Info: not yet on sale Location: TD Bank North nest. Garden Over the years, Easter has developed into a commercial holiday from modernized Ticket Info: tickets available, baskets to piles of candy and presents for children. Also, ads for Easter egg hunts, starting at $80.00 pictures of giant bunnies and multiple forms of chocolate rabbits have all taken over the familiar holiday. Though some may disagree with this commercialization, it seems obvious that all children have a fascination of Easter and the rabbits associated with it, both in early history and today.

The Good Old Shows

Gina Stadelmann ‘11 Kenny Chesney Today, our Tivos are set to 9 pm on Thursday nights for the latest episode of the Date: August 15, 2009 Office, or 8 pm on Monday nights so we don’t miss the next scandal on Gossip Girl. Although I enjoy many shows on tv today, particularly Greek on ABC Location: Gillette Stadium, Family, I miss the old television shows from years past. The 90s were filled Foxboro Fall Out Boy with great sitcoms and kids’ shows, ranging from Boy Meets World to Recess. Ticket Info: tickets available, Date: April 28, 2009 Here’s a list of my favorites: starting at $118.00 Location: Tsongas Arena, Lowell Boy Meets World Ticket Info: limited number Growing Pains of tickets available, starting Saved By The Bell at $50.00 Full House The Cosby Show Sabrina The Teenage Witch Smart Guy All That Keenan and Kel Rocket Power Hey Arnold Dave Mathews Doug Dates: May 29 – May 30, 2009 Rugrats Location: Fenway Park, Boston Figure It Out As Told By Ginger Ticket Info: limited number of tickets available, starting at Braceface $130.00 Coldplay Power Rangers Date: August 3, 2009 The Amanda Show Location: Comcast Center, Recess Mansfield Catdog Rocco’s Modern Life Ticket Info: tickets available, starting at $65.00 Pinky and the Brain Invader Zim Pepper Anne Opinion From the Editor’s Desk Genocide…Right Now?

Kara Dunford ’09 Kristen Kennedy ‘10 No one can whistle a symphony. Genocide is something that we have learned about in our religion and history The brilliant sound emanating from the orchestra is the culmination of the classes. Genocide, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the variety of instruments working seamlessly as one to produce music pleasing to deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group. the ears. When thinking about genocides, one may view them as barbaric events of ancient history. Unfortunately, the reality is that genocides are still occurring Over the past eight months, many people have dedicated their time and effort today. Many of the worst genocides in history were carried out after the turn of to blend their different styles and ideas and publish eight issues of The Medallion. the twentieth century. This year, the newspaper was brought into the world of technology, with six of our eight issues published exclusively online. This gave our work the chance to Currently, there is a genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan. A few reach a greater audience of parents and alumni, in addition to doing our small part months ago, I knew little about the horrific mayhem happening in Africa. I to help the environment. The content of the paper received a bit of a makeover had seen all of the shirts and promotions, but I never realized how horrendous as well, with the introduction of an opinion section to give more students the the events taking place in Sudan really are. I later learned that the genocide of chance to have their voice heard. Darfur is happening as a result of political greed. Although the government of Sudan denies that they are involved in the massacre, they are the main supplier The writing staff each contributed their own experiences and insight in order of weapons to the militia, or Janjaweed. What is the reason for all of this? The to create a newspaper full of unique perspectives. We strived to cover different Sudanese government wants complete control of the Saharan land occupied by aspects of life at NDA and encouraged each member of the community to submit numerous tribes throughout the desert. By killing off all of the tribes in these their thoughts. areas, the government will be able to do as it pleases with the land. The editorial staff worked tirelessly on each issue, perfecting the placement of Why do they so desire this arid, dry, desert land in the middle of the Sahara? It each article and tying together all the loose ends. Without the other editors, the is not easy to cultivate and there is very little water in the region, not to mention newspaper would have been less successful and we would not have been able to the absence of electricity. The tribes of people are not harming or threatening the publish all of our issues. government while residing on this land, so why is it an issue? I appreciate the dedication of each member of our staff and am thankful that As of right now I am not sure what I can do to help with this cause, other than I have been able to work with such talented and creative people over the past raising awareness and informing people of the issue. Even though we are not year. directly affected by it, as Christians it is our duty to fight injustice. The genocide I’d like to thank our advisor, Mrs. Pepe, for her guidance and support throughout of Darfur is completely unjust, without a doubt. As NDA teaches us, we can make the year. We are also indebted to the technology department for their help in a difference in this world. Being aware of injustice is the first step. uploading each issue. I trust that The Medallion will continue to be a vehicle for the students’ voices, as well as a connection for parents and alumni. It is my hope that more students will get involved in the process of creating the paper, whether it is as a staff writer or photographers, or by writing a letter to the editor. I know there are many opinionated people within our community and I encourage each student to consider expressing her opinion. NDA Voices: As I wrote at the beginning of the year, the education each student is receving at Do you think that President NDA is about helping each student find her own voice. NDA encourages active particpation. It is not enough to simply read about what is going on. Students Obama is living up to his must embrace their own outlook on the world and share this opinion with slogan of change? others. By taking these opinions a step further, students can take action that will better aid our community, both the school community and the community in the world around us. I hope our community has enjoyed reading the newspaper as much the staff has enjoyed putting the paper together. I encourage each member of our community to not only continue to read the newspaper, but also to help make the newspaper a true depiction of the variety of opinions within the community by contributing next year. “I feel like it’s still a little too early for us to tell “I think what he’s been doing shows if Obama has lived up to his slogan for change. promise but it’s probably too early to say It seems like he has been adjusting well and for sure if he can really pull through on his that he has made an impact with everything promises of change.” that he’s done. His economic stimulus plan seems like it should help the economy a lot, Michela Joy ‘09 since he has put so much effort into it, and maybe after he puts it into action, then we can determine if he has lived up to his slogan “I feel like it’s too early in the game to mark any for change. Also, he sets a great example for ground with that question. So far, Obama is adjusting people around the world, which I think will to the White House and his new duties, and listening definitely help people decide if he has lived up and learning of those objectives is much different than to the challenge or not.” actually living it out and experiencing it. I feel so far, he has certainly not taken his position for granted and Julie Rohnstock ‘12 still puts his family first, which I think is a wonderful influence and sets a great example for every American family. I still believe Obama is a great role “I think it’s a little early too early to tell, but I model and that he will provide the change we need in think he’s trying to change things. The couple the long run. I don’t think the change will happen over of times I have heard him speak, I can tell he night but overtime we will gain back our strength as is intelligent, has good ideas, and confident Americans with his lead and assistance.” in himself. We will just have to see if he really does bring change to our country and lives up Stacey Lawson ‘10 to his slogan for change.”

Mackenzie Shea ‘11 Coffee House

Spring Molly Gibbons ‘10

There’s a flower in my hair, and in the window of a shop, and in little glass bottles on the tables where i work.

Maggie Powers ‘12

Kristen Kennedy ‘10

The Medallion Issue 8, April 2009 Editor-in-chief - Kara Dunford ‘09 Editors - Colleen Sharry ‘09 Molly Burke ‘09 Kristen Kennedy ‘10 Driving Advisor - Mrs. Pepe Molly Gibbons ‘10 The crows raise their heads [email protected] by the feet of mailboxes and stone walls with ice in the cracks medallionletterstotheeditor@ water filled petals, not cloth. gmail.com