Mrs. Sucher’s Words on Retirement, McAuley, and More

Our beloved President (and principal!) of McAuley, Mrs. Sucher, will be retiring after this school year. I had the opportunity to sit down with her and reflect over her time at McAuley. Here is a brief interview:

1. Where did you work before McAuley?

“Colerain High school. I worked 18 years there as the Assistant Principal.”

 

2. How long have you been at McAuley?

“27 years… WOW! “

 

3. What’s your funniest memory of McAuley?

“I remember one year during Catholic Schools Week, there was a talent show for students. I put on a tutu and twirled a baton! This was in the early 90’s. I twirled batons with the Advancement Director at the time. It was hysterical! I also put on a bathing suit and had balloons dropped on my head for the 50^th Anniversary of McAuley. It wasn’t my favorite day, but many people thought it was funny!”

 

4. How did your daughters deal with having you as their principal?

“Hmm! They each handled it differently. Kathleen went under the radar and did her own thing. She won the Catherine McAuley award her junior year.  She had strong academics and a group of good friends. I was very proud of her! Maureen was more outgoing as the Co- President of her class, and she had strong academics, as well. She had been coming to McAuley since she was 3, and she let everyone know who she was. Both of them were successful. Having them here was a special gift from God. I could see them in class and activities and dances. It was truly very special. My husband reminded me how special it was to be with them every day through their high school years.”

 

5. What’s the first thing you want to do in retirement?

“Go to Disney! — No (She laughs jokingly). I will turn off the alarm clock! 5:00am for 45 years—think about that! I will definitely spend more time with my grandchildren in South Bend. I want to travel a lot. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to travel– Thank God for that! Some of my favorite places that I want to revisit are Paris, Rome, and Greece. I am definitely planning a trip there for my retirement in the fall. It is so beautiful and I am so lucky to go there.”

 

6. What will you miss most about McAuley?

“The students! I love you all. I’m tearing up! It’s going to be the hardest thing for me- just thinking about it. I was even a theater major—I need to get my act together!” (as she tears up)

 

7. What do you want McAuley people to say about you after you leave McAuley?

“I’ve always believed that God created people to His image and likeness. I hope people say that I treated everyone with equality. That was my attempt!”

8. Was education always your first career choice? If you hadn’t gone into education, what career would you have pursued?

“No! I wanted to be a star on Broadway! I majored in English, Speech, and Drama at Miami. The advice from my dad  was to work for a year and save money before I moved to New York.. And 45 years later I’m here! It was inevitable in a family of teachers!”

 

9. What has been the most fulfilling thing about working at McAuley?

“This is a hard one. The top priority for me is to practice and model my faith every day for the young women we are educating. I’m glad we have the Guardian Angel Fund and Women In and a plethora of AP classes. But I’d have to say being able to practice my faith daily is most important.”

 

1. Who is your hero and why?

“People might think this is cheesy, but the Blessed Mother is my role model for following Christ undoubtingly. As a mother, that’s really inspiring.”

 

I asked her if she had anything to add before the interview concluded, and she said, “I thank God for the opportunity to be here, and I thank the Sisters of Mercy for believing in me. Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with for the wonderful accomplishments we have made.”

Mrs. Sucher, we wish you all the happiness in the world in your retirement. Thank you for being a wonderful role model in all of our lives. You will truly be missed!

-Laura Hils

Tornado Season

The time of year has come again, when tornadoes begin to appear more frequently.  A tornado appears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground with whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, there were 1,692 tornadoes in the U.S. in 2013, with 758 of them touching down in the month of April. Due to this statistic, it is very important to be prepared for these tornados so that you know what to do in a dangerous situation.

There are many steps you can take to prepare your family beforehand. For example, if you live in tornado-prone areas, you should designate a tornado shelter (like the basement) in the event of a tornado. Wherever it is, the shelter should be well known by each member of the family. It is also a good idea to plan ahead by creating an emergency plan that everyone is familiar with and an emergency kit that is located in an area that is easily accessible.

Signs that may symbolize a tornado coming, include dark, often greenish sky, large hail, a large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating), and a loud roar, similar to a freight train. If you see any of these signs, it is important  to take cover. The best place to hide is a basement, away from the west and south walls.  Also, hiding under a heavy work-table or under stairs will protect you from crumbling walls, chimneys, and large airborne debris falling into the cellar.

Taking all of these precautions is sure to help you to not only be prepared for a tornado but also to make logical decisions to help keep you safe.

Source: http://gohsep.la.gov/factsheets/whattodoinatornado.htm​

Megan Mulvaney

Woman Injured in Bear Attack

Terri Frana of Lake Mary, Florida, went to her garage Saturday night to get bikes for her kids to ride — and she was brutally attacked by a bead, according to her husband, Frank Frana.

Frank Frana also said that five bears were rummaging through their garbage cans on Saturday night. “The bear got up on its hind legs and started to maul her, opened its jaws and put her head in the mouth and dragged her towards the woods; somehow she was able to pull herself out,” Frank Frana said. The female bear started growling and then bit Terri’s head. Terri kicked, screamed, and punched and was luckily able to get out of the grasp of the bear.

After the bear attack, Terri needed 30 staples and ten stiches. Officials believe the bear responsible for the attack weighs around 200 lbs. The attack took place about 10 miles from where another woman, Susan Chalfant, was attached by a black bear while going for a walk last December.

These officials yelled at the bears and tried to get them to turn away, but the bears continued to approach the officials. The cause of the bear problem is people unknowingly feeding them. This includes litter, garbage cans, etc. The Florida Wildlife Officials shot one bear and put down four others.

–          Anee’ Allen

Sources: Orlando Sentinel, WESH.com

Tanning

We are in the midst of prom season, and many of you probably want to get some color, whether from lying out in your lawn or going to the tanning bed.  Maybe some of you want to be tan before summer, so you have already started hitting the tanning bed. Yes, we have all been warned about the dangers of tanning over and over again, but this is because of how horrible it truly is for your skin.

New research shows that even a mild to moderate increase in sun exposure over an extended period, with or without sunburn, may significantly spur the growth of pigmented moles in children, thereby greatly increasing their risk of skin cancers.  It is not worth it.

Also, being excessively tan is slowly but surely going out of style.  If you insist on being tan, there are alternatives to unhealthy sun exposure.   You may be afraid to try a spray tan,but many dermatologist do professional spray tans that won’t look streaky.  Another tip for spray tanning is to get it done by hand and not a machine, which can give you an uneven skin tone. A cheaper alternative is Victoria’s Secret self-tanner.

The bottom line is that sun tanning is dangerous. You may think it looks beautiful now, but you will develop dark spots and deep wrinkles younger than you normally would. Skin cancers can kill you.  In the end, tanning is not worth the risks that come with it.

Maddie Dickerson

http://www.fda.gov/RadiationEmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116432.htm

Electricity Finally Comes to Navajo Nation

It is hard to believe that there are still places in the United States that have been living without electricity.

This all changed for the some families living across the 27,000 square mile Navajo reservation which extends across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.  Electricity is a basic necessity for most people today, but it is a great luxury across the Navajo Nation. Getting electricity has made life tremendously easier for Margie and Alvin Tso. The couple has raised eight children in the LeChee area of the Navajo nation without running power through their homes. Having no power in their home meant Margie had to work harder to do everyday things around her home. These tasks included washing clothes in a tub with a washboard and cooking their meals on a wood stove. The kids did their homework with a gas lamp and did not have a television. Their children “grew up a little bit on the rough side, and so did we along with them,” Margie Tso told The Associated Press. “But we made it through, and now we’re going to enjoy these lights.”

Deenise Becenti , a spokeswoman for the Navajo Tribe Authority, stated an estimated 15,000 homes still do not have electricity across the Navajo Nation.  A portion of the Navajos left without electricity have chosen to maintain a traditional lifestyle without it. Other families live miles apart, making it too expensive to connect to other homes.

The project in LeChee resulted from a mix of funding from federal grants, the tribal utility authority, and the owners of the Navajo Generating Station run by the Salt River Project. The $4.8 million project that began in 2012 with a goal of connecting 63 homes is scheduled to be completed next year.

–          Ally Engel

Source: abcnews.com

Cinderella

McAuley’s drama department is proud to present their spring musical production of Rogers’ and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, on April 11^th, 12^th, and 13^th. This spring production is directed by one of McAuley’s very own alumnae, Katie Geckle. The classic love story begins at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2:00pm on Sunday. The cast and crew of the show are as follows:

Cast:

Laura Hils – Cinderella

Abby Ball – Stepmother

Lauren Odioso – Joy

Erin Belanger – Portia

Benj Klare – King

Madison Silles – Queen

Ryan Yeazell – Prince

Danielle Mouch – Godmother

Holly Rack – Herold

Julia Beitz – Cook

Roni Murray – Steward

Lynn Schutte – Footman

Lauren Humpert – Coachman

 

Special Dancers:

Katie Bergmann

Sylvia Mattingly

Michelle Maraan

Jenna Lawhorn

Emma Grace Geckle

Frannie Dudley

Claudia Castelli

Rachael Schmitt

Jennifer Fohl

 

Chorus Members:

Abby Albrink

Emma Bedan

Sydney Schultheiss

Sydney Cavanaugh

Emma Papania

Emily Popp

Bert Dole

Tim Cook

Austin White

Brittany Wells

Tiffany Nascimento

Kari Auberger

Brianna Fehring

Julie Lasoncyzk

Alana Harvey

Hailey Scully

Clare Sunderman

Amanda Wood

 

Crew:

Emily Benintendi – Stage Manager

Bradie Anderson – Assistant Stage Manager

Jess Bloemer – Assistant Stage Manager

Anee Allen

Jessie Conway

Hannah Geckle

Olivia Louder

Danielle Maraan

Carrie Ratterman

Sam Rauh

Hannah Scherpenberg

Maddie Schmidt

Maya Hughes

Sam Baxter

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at showtix4u.com or purchased at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. Tickets can also be purchased during lunches the week of the show. To get Spirit Points, make sure to go Friday night. Support your fellow Mohawks and go see this amazing production!

-Laura Hils

 

5 Things You Will Learn Your Freshman Year of College

 

1. The dorm you live in can sometimes determine what type of friends you have and who they are.

Many colleges have separate dorms or floors divided by broad majors.  For example, the foreign language majors may have a separate floor so that the students can be close to people who are taking the same classes as they are.  Looking into this is highly recommended because it is a way of meeting friends that can be good, reliable study partners —  they may even end up being in the same classes that you are in.

 

2. Even though you have the option to go out every night, do not utilize it. College is an exciting time to move away from parents and officially be living on your own with no mother’s voice telling you to be home by ten o’clock. However, it is vital that you keep that voice in your head to remind you that the ten page paper due tomorrow is more important than the frat party.  Another good thing to remember is the large amount of money you are paying for schooling.

 

3. Making friends is not easy; it takes work, just like it did in high school. Think back to the start of your freshman year. If you did not come from a big grade school, it’s likely you did not know very many people here,and it was a challenge to find the right fit.  Although making friends is similarly hard in college, it is a tad easier because there are so many people to choose from.

 

 

4. The things that you did that people thought were weird in high school?  Turns out some people in college love the same things. The geeky TV show that you love and everyone in high school thought you were weird for watching is probably aired weekly.  Philosophy and opinions are discussed freely, and it is okay to have a different opinion.  It’s all about finding your niche and being surrounded by others who feel the same.

 

5. Don’t do anything you don’t want to do. Just because your parents are pushing you into a certain major because it has strong earning potential, don’t do it —  you may hate it and have to switch majors.  Don’t join a sorority just because you have legacy.  Don’t feel pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do because college is a time for freedom, a time to truly find out who you are through the things you like and want to do, not somebody else’s.

-Gabby Reynolds

Sources: Thought Catalogue

An Unlikely Friendship

Lacey Holsworth, an 8-year-old girl with cancer, has become an unofficial cheerleader for Michigan State basketball player, Adreian Payne.  Lacey suffers from neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops in immature nerve cells throughout the body.

Payne and his teammates visited kids in the hospital Lacey was staying in where Adreian and Lacey developed an unlikely friendship. Adreian stayed back that day to hang out with Lacey; they built a strong bond that has lasted since. “They’re kind of like friends, brother or sister…They’re very comfortable around each other and play games and color. They have a bond that is special,” says Matt Holsworth, Lacey’s dad. Lacey has three biological brothers, but when you ask her how many she has, she will tell you four. Lacey’s father said that Adreian has become a part of their family and comes over frequently just to talk or play video games with Lacey’s brothers.

Lacey always shows concern for her big brother after they lose a game. She even baked him brownies after a tough loss. “It’s a blessing for our hearts and to see them encourage each other. I think they both feed off each other and give each other advice; they both just want to help each other,” said Holsworth. Chemotherapy left Lacey without hair, so she wears a long blonde wig when she goes to the games to cheer Adreian on. Adreian even invited Lacey to come out on the court during their senior ceremony to help cut down the basketball net.

The story of Lacey and Adreian’s friendship has inspired the fans of MSU to show their support for the Holsworth family. An online fundraising website was started in Lacey’s honor to help her family. The website has reached over $30,000 of its $50,000 goal. Lacey is also going to be a part of a new study at the University of Michigan that will use antibodies to try to treat her cancer. Lacey’s cancer is very aggressive, leaving her paralyzed after a tumor wrapped around her spine.

Despite all of her struggles, seeing Adreian is what keeps Lacey going. “We’re very happy to be a part of Adreian’s life,” says Holsworth.

Ally Engel

Sources: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/young-cancer-patient-wins-heart-michigan-state-player/story?id=23086807

Genius Hour

School, to most students, is full of learning and researching about topics most of us don’t really care about.  We are all fully capable of doing a standard paper or a display board or model, but what makes it so difficult is our lack of interest in the topic.

A student from Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Emily, is enthusiastic about her school’s new “Genius Hour.”  Thomas Middle School adopted this idea from Google’s “20% time initiative” for their employees to spend 20% of their hours on their own ideas and creations.  Emily says, “It’s definitely the highlight of my week. It’s not a project a teacher assigned, it’s something that actually interests you, and it gets you learning in different ways from what we do the rest of the day at school.”

This is part of a movement to challenge students to teach themselves and get excited about learning.  Genius hour gives people a new perspective and new skills that not many of us are taught inside the classroom.  In the real world, initiative, creativity, and passion are all vital skills that don’t improve through being taught but through experience and practice.  Teachers also say that sometimes the students fail and have to try again often something that modern students lack.  It would be false to say that the pros outweigh the cons because, in fact, there are no cons in implementing a genius hour.

Maddie Dickerson

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/09/living/genius-hour-education-schools/

Is it Ever Okay for a Man to Beat his Wife?

According to the Afghan President,beating wives is the “law of all Muslims and all Afghans.” Hamid Karzai, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has endorsed the nation’s Ulema Council’s ruling in accordance with Islamic Sharia Law that approves of wife beating and the forced segregation of the sexes. Prior to the US-led invasion of 2001, the Taliban government condoned family members who adhered to these violations and/or civilly imprisoned, tortured or executed women for the following violations of Sharia Law:

• Refusing an arranged marriage
• Females over the age of 8 not receiving an education
• Appearing in the streets without a male blood relative
• Wearing high-heeled shoes as no man should hear a woman’s footsteps lest it excite him.
• All ground and first floor residential windows should be painted over or screened to prevent women being visible from the street.
• Forbidding women  to appear on the balconies of their apartments or houses.
• Banning women from riding bicycles or motorcycles, even with male escorts.

All over the Islamic world, women are being discriminated against and forced to follow laws  which are only being applied to them because of their gender. Throughout the region, one of the most troubling issues is “honor crimes,” or the killing of a wife or female family member for alleged sexual misconduct. While these accusations require little evidence, the honor crimes themselves are rarely investigated or prosecuted. Many women in these countries also battle domestic violence, which is not considered illegal in much of the region, and lack access to education. Despite all of the problems and controversies that occur in the United States today, we as woman should be incredibly grateful to be able to wake up every day and pursue our dreams without fear of punishment.

–          Megan Mulvaney

Source: http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Wife_Beating_in_Islam