Community

As the 2010-2011 School Year comes to a close I realize how long it has been since I've posted a blog ~ the year seems to have flown by especially since we have been back from Easter Break! Since Easter Union Catholic has come together to celebrate Junior and Senior Proms, May Crowning, held a Meet the Coaches Night and crowned a new Mr UC, hosted a Golf Outing, celebrated multiple Conference, County and State Athletic Titles, selected our new ambassadors and big brothers and sisters, said good-by to the Class of 2011 and hosted a "right of passage" breakfast for our juniors ~ to say it has been busy is to say the least. However, today I'd like to focus on two events that took place that I think give you the essence of who UC is ~ We are a Community!

The Spring Concert ~
The UC Spring concert always has a theme; when I asked Mr. Frio (music director) what the theme was this year, he told me it was Halloween. Wow Halloween in Spring..."outside the box" to say the least. Mr. Frio explained that the students this year were really passionate about the music from that time of year and therefore, Mr. Frio allowed them the freedom to express themselves! To say that is was a fabulous concert would not even begin to convey how much fun it was ~ Here we sat on May 17th with a stage decorated with pumpkins, cobwebs and students decked out in their favorite Halloween costumes. The music was lively, fun and everyone loved it ~ A Community of Creativity!

Relay For Life ~
Union Catholic High School has one of the largest SMAC (Student Movement Against Cancer) groups in the area and The Clark Relay For Life held at Arthur L. Johnson this past weekend tapped into the "UC Community" by using SMAC students to help pull off one of their most successful Relays. Over 100 Union Catholic students came together (even our graduated seniors) to raise money and walk all night in support of finding a cure for cancer. You could see Union Catholic students throughout the school grounds doing everything from walking for their team, face painting, selling luminary and working the food stand. Even a severe thunderstorm and down pour couldn't dampen their enthusiasm! Even though their night was cut short by the storm, the UC Community raised over $15,000 for Cancer Research.....great job kids!!

I think the reason these two events stuck out to me this spring is that it emulated one the Union Catholic Core Values ~ "COMMUNITY"! Whether it is a community of students free enough to express themselves musically or a community raising money for a cause that has touched so many of our lives. As I stood on the track Friday night at Relay ready to do the "Survivors" lap, I felt truly blessed to be there with the UC kids....The theme this year was "More Birthdays" I am happy to say that as a survivor I have celebrated 14 more birthdays ~ not just my birthdays but the birthdays of my five children and now a grandson; so thank you UC Community for being committed to a cause that is so close to my heart!


As I write this blog the last exam has just finished and the school year is officially over for our Union Catholic Community ~ Safe and Healthy Summer Everyone!