Meet our Bloggers: Chris '15

Name: Chris

Grade: 12

Hometown: Germantown

Hobbies: hockey, reading the dictionary, working out, eating, drawing, netflixing

Favorite foods: Qdoba burritos, Taco Tuesdays at USM

Hello all, my name is Chris and I am a senior at USM this year. So far, it’s been pretty awesome I must say. Anyways, I came to University School my sophomore year and I absolutely loved it. I am involved in a wide variety of things such as hockey captain, co-leader of spirit club, co-founder of movie club, student ambassador, Habitat for Humanity, and many others. 

I’m pretty pumped for one more year of high school. With all the essays and applications and many different colleges to choose from, I have no doubt I'll be having a few anxiety attacks in the near future. Anyways, the year starts out pretty fun with the back to school dance, homecoming, and senior retreat. Then after all that, the next thing to look forward to will be hockey season. I have been on skates and in the rink since I was about 2 years old. With our insane rink and locker rooms, hockey at USM is one of the things I love most about it. I look forward to a wide variety of things this year and I have no doubt I will enjoy it and I will be excited to receive that USM diploma in May.

Meet our Bloggers: Turquoise '16

Name: Turquoise

Grade: 11

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Previous School: Milwaukee Montessori

Activities: Track and Field, Tennis, Global Scholars, Admissions Student Ambassadors, Drawing 

Hi, my name is Turquoise and I will be a junior this year at USM. Before coming to University School, I attended a small school in Brookfield, Wisconsin. That school had been my home since I was five years old, which made the thought of moving away from that closely-knit community exciting and nerve-wracking. However, after meeting other students and teachers during the freshman orientation, and new teammates at tennis practices, I was reassured that getting used to USM would be much easier than I thought. There were many opportunities to meet new people, whether it was through the senior-freshman families, spirit games, or House Cup Challenges. Within the first few weeks of school, I felt like I had a place in the community.

With challenging academic curriculums, fantastic extra-curricular activities like Global Scholars and FED Challenge, great athletic teams, and incredible theater programs, USM offers something for everyone. This is one one of my favorite things about the school. I’m hoping to take advantage of as many opportunities as I can this from improving my drawing skills in 2D-Portfolio and learning more about anthropology in Psychology, to defending our Track Conference title for the 4x400 meter relay. The past two years at USM have been incredible, and I am looking forward for another exciting year!

Meet our Bloggers: Adam '15

Name: Adam
Grade: 12
Hometown: River Hills, WI
Activities: Editor-in-chief of the yearbook, Fall Play, Winter Musical, Spanish Honors Society leader, Global Scholars, JV Tennis team, and Admissions Student Ambassador

Hi, everyone! My name is Adam and I’m a senior(!) this year at USM. This is my second year blogging as an Admissions Student Ambassador, and I’m so excited to be able to take you all through my last year at this fantastic school. Seeing as I’ve been attending University School since second grade, this is going to be a pretty bittersweet time. I’ve changed and grown so much since starting here, and I’ve been fortunate enough to witness the school undergo a similar transformation.  A lot has happened since we’ve blogged last, and we’re all looking forward to sharing with you!

It’s going to be a busy year, that’s for sure. In addition to taking many challenging and fascinating classes, I am already in rehearsals for the fall play, working as the editor-in-chief of our school’s yearbook, and planning a fun filled year of Spanish Honors Society as one of the group’s leaders. I am also participating in our Global Scholars Program, as well as looking forward to being in future productions and playing tennis in the spring. Oh, and applying to college! But the truth of the matter is that at USM, I can be an active member of the student body, juggling everything and having fun doing so.

There is so much that I love about being a student at University School. The academics are fulfilling and the teachers are wonderful. Though I can’t give a laundry list of reasons as to why I chose USM (I was only seven years old when I started!) I can say that one thing that has been a constant throughout my years is a caring atmosphere. I was readily embraced upon beginning my education here, and since then, my teachers, advisors, and peers have continued to push and support me. I don’t think I’d be happier elsewhere. If you’re looking for a place to study interesting subjects, meet great people, and be involved in a vibrant school community, then USM may just be the place for you. And if you have any questions, hopefully our bloggers can answer them. 

So, I invite you to keep checking back for more posts, and I hope to see you soon—maybe as a new Wildcat!


 

Meet our Bloggers: Sydney '15

Name: Sydney

Grade: Senior

Hometown: Bayside, WI

Activities: running, babysitting, waterskiing, cross country skiing, german club, zumba, hiking

Hey there, my name is Sydney and I am a senior at USM. While I am originally from Illinois, I have lived in Bayside, WI for the past two years. Being a student at USM has been a blast. My favorite parts of school are eating new treats in German club meetings and having discussions in Spanish class.

Over the summer I spent my time waterskiing and waitressing in northern Wisconsin. It was a lot of fun; however, I missed my friends here in Milwaukee and I am glad to be back! Because it is senior year, I was able to have a choice in all of the classes I am taking; therefore, I am excited to begin first semester. Additionally, I am looking forward to spending time with my Senior-Freshman family and going on the Senior retreat this fall. 

Go wildcats!

Meet our Bloggers: Evan '15

Name: Evan

Grade: 11

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Previous School: Bruce Guadalupe Middle School

Activities: Cross Country, Track, STAR Service Club, EAT, Global Scholars, LASP, and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra

Hi! My name Evan Stroud and I am a junior at University School of Milwaukee. This upcoming year is my third year here at USM and can definitely say this school has taken a fantastic part throughout my high school career. As an incoming freshman I was absolutely nervous about attending such a high ranked school. As the school year started I quickly became accustomed to the USM lifestyle. As the day progressed on my first day, I was frightened or nervous about anything because many of the students here were all welcoming and sociable. New to USM is a block schedule. This new schedule has helped everyone for the better. The thing about USM is teachers and faculties care much about your well-being. As a school USM wants all students to life a stress free life and a lot of the time they work to the students needs.

I am really excited about this upcoming year because this specific year for a junior is very important. It is exciting to look at different colleges alongside our college guidance and visit colleges around Wisconsin and Illinois. This will definitely be an amazing year, and with much support from teachers, who are willing to help at anytime, and my friends This year will be exciting! Hope you find this blog interesting and helpful when you think about applying for USM!

Meet our Bloggers: Margaret '15

Name: Margaret
Grade: 12
Hometown: Elm Grove, WI
Activities: Volleyball, baton twirling, Senior Prefect

Hi, my name is Margaret Bodalski, and I’m a senior at University School of Milwaukee. I decided to come to USM as a freshman because my older sister came two years earlier, and loved it. The volleyball program really helped me transition into high school and it allowed me to make friends before the school year even started. This is my fourth year playing volleyball for USM, and I am excited to be one of the captains for the team. In addition to playing volleyball, I have also been a baton twirler since I was five years old for the Daley Debutantes Baton and Drum Corps. I’m honored to be on student council this year as a Senior Prefect, where I am leading the Student Wellness Committee. On student council, we organize school dances, the blood drive, and other events. My favorite thing about USM is the round tables in the English classrooms used for discussion. I used to be the shy English student that hid in the back without sharing my opinion. The round tables have pushed me out of my comfort zone, and caused me to be a more confident student. I am looking forward to sharing my experiences with you!

Meet our Bloggers: Arvind '16

Name: Arvind

Grade: 11

Hometown: Brookfield, Wisconsin

Activities: Student Council Representative, French Honors Society Officer, Our Next Generation Tutoring, Global Scholars, Admissions Student Ambassador, Winter Musical

Hi! My name is Arvind, and I am a junior at University School of Milwaukee. I came to USM in 7^th grade and I can with great confidence that it is the best decision that I have ever made! I initially moved to USM because I was not challenged or motivated at my old school and my parents felt that the small class sizes would be beneficial for me. While at first it was somewhat daunting to move to a huge school where I knew no one, I immediately felt welcome.  My move was extremely easy because everyone was so friendly and welcoming.  As the year moved along, I quickly assimilated into the community and it became clear to me that I had come to the right place.

One of my favorite parts about USM is the small class sizes and everything that comes with it. Thanks to having small classes, we have more time to interact with our teachers, and they are always available for extra help. Because each grade is small, we have the chance to really get to know all of our classmates. Through the advising program we get to know many of the students in our own grade, and through the house program and assigned lunch tables we get to know many students in other grades. The great sense of community that is formed by these programs is what makes me excited to go to school each day!

Meet our Bloggers: Lexie '16

Name: Lexie

Grade: 11

Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin (Now I live in Mequon. Go Packers!)

Activities: Varsity Field Hockey, Global Scholars, Ledger House Captain, Milwaukee Field Hockey Club, Student Council, & Admissions Ambassador

Hello welcome to our blog! My name is Lexie and I am a junior at University School of Milwaukee. I have attended USM since third grade. I am simultaneously excited and nervous for my junior year. I am excited because I am house captain for Ledger and it is my goal to promote Ledger House spirit; also, I am pumped to spend a year meeting new people (could be you!), taking classes that I am VERY excited for (i.e. Moral Philosophy and Social Justice), and playing field hockey everyday after school. Plus the back to school dance is next week and who can turn down the opportunity to dress up as famous family, watch football, and "dance the night away" (technically not all night, but I was really feeling like tossing in an allusion here.) 

I am elated that you are interested in University School. I love the opportunity that I have been given to study at such an academically challenging, yet rewarding, school. From the kind teachers who always have their doors open to the hard working students that surround you everyday, I know I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Enjoy our blog, and I highly recommend keeping USM an option as you narrow down your choices for high school. :)