Margaret '15: September@USM

Nerd day during Homecoming Week!

USM’s homecoming week was full of dress up days and celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the school. My personal favorite dress up theme was nerds, greasers, and preps. I dressed up as a nerd (pictured below with freshman, Mia). Other dress up themes included twin day/dynamic duo, pajama day, homecoming t-shirt day, and blue and gold day. On the Wednesday before homecoming, we had an upper school pep rally, where each sports team did a performance or an activity. The swim team’s activity was particularly entertaining; they picked people from each grade and had faculty members do a relay race on scooters, lying on their stomachs to simulate swimming. On Friday we had an all school pep rally in our blue and gold, where each grade did their own spirit cheer, faculty members participated in the ice bucket challenge, and more. 

Senior Retreat

At the end of September, there were a few days where the juniors went on a college trip, the sophomores did service, and the freshmen and seniors had respective retreats. Senior retreat totally changed the element of the senior class. We were all separated into groups where we didn’t know each other very well. After three days of activities and getting to know one another, our group has now become very close and is now planning on going to a trampoline park together. Not only do I feel closer to the eight other people who were in my small group, but I also feel as if our grade is closer as a whole. Since I am afraid of heights, I was very nervous going on the high ropes course. The first activity I got through, but barely. The second, however, I climbed a ladder with a partner, and having a friend there with me made me much more comfortable. Through large and small group conversations, we shared our struggles and how we have overcome them, and the best memories that we have shared. The month of September has made me even more excited for my senior year and I can’t wait to make the most of it. 

Chris '15: September@USM

Student section at the Homecoming football Game!!!

The many late nights of finishing homework and staring at a computer screen have begun. The homework load is bigger than ever, and it’s a grind, but I’m still enjoying every bit of my senior year. Many “lasts” have happened already like my last back to school dance and last homecoming week. School is insanely different this year too. The schedule is different, lunches are different, senior speeches are different, the list goes on. It’s a lot to get used to, but it didn’t take long to get the hang of it. And last but not least: college applications. There are so many awesome colleges out there, it’s really hard to decide where to apply to or how many schools to apply to. But I am certainly praying that I will be done and have sent my apps out by the time I write to you next. It should be interesting waiting in anticipation for months.

Before the Homecoming dance...

Turquoise '16: September@USM

Spirit Week!!!

It has been a fantastic first month of school! September is a busy month at USM.  One of the best parts of September is Homecoming and the dress up Spirit Week dress up days. My favorite day, aside from pajama day, was “Preps, Nerds and Greasers”. My friends and I had a blast dressing up as 1960s Greasers, along with the majority of the Upper School. Besides going to Homecoming, competing in JV Tennis matches, and watching late night soccer and football games, I also enjoyed going on the junior college trips.

I was on Trip B, which visited to Loyola University Chicago, University of Chicago, Beloit College, and University of Madison. While I did enjoy certain aspects of each individual university or college, like the large, urban feel of UW-Madison and the “Hogwarts-like” and Gothic atmosphere of the University of Chicago, I was also able to identify facets that I didn’t like as much, which is just as important when looking into colleges. We even got to see a few USM alumni, who told us a bit about their college experience so far.

I found the tours and information sessions very helpful. I have always wanted to go to a school outside of the Midwest. After visiting the colleges, I gained a better understanding of certain qualities and programs schools have to offer, and which kinds of universities or colleges may work for me. Of course, this is only the beginning of the grueling college process, but I am excited, and am looking forward to take the next steps towards my education.

Campus of the University of Chicago