"Be Awesome."

A lot of what I've posted so far this year has been joyful, happy, wonderful news. Like I've said before, I'm a pretty lucky person. Today, not so much.

Today wasn't such a great day for me. A few weeks ago, I learned that Mr. Cook, one of the single most influential people in my life and one of the best teachers I have, is leaving O'Hara to pursue a new opportunity. Today was his last day, and it was a hard one.

Mr. Cook - commonly known by students as just "Cook" - and I have been pals since about Thanksgiving of my freshman year. He moderated the TV studio, and I had just been accepted as a crew member. The studio was my first home at O'Hara, and it continues to be the place where I feel most comfortable and confident, due in no small part to Cook. Being in his Media Production class made me think about a lot of things in a different way. Leading a Kairos retreat with him (Hot Magneta for life!) changed me profoundly for the better.

Cook has almost a cult following among O'Hara students - especially his devoted Frisbee players, TV crew members, and Kairos charges - for good reason. He's just the kind of teacher - no, the kind of guy - who makes people want to be the absolute best people they can be. He doesn't just teach, direct, and coach. He inspires. We get along like a house on fire, so it's hard for me to face the idea that I'm not going to see him each morning, in the studio and in class, and each afternoon, when I'd hang out in his classroom during my free period.

This morning, Cook left us with some parting words, a passage from 1 Thessalonians: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ." Right now, it's hard to give thanks about this - one of the most important people in my life, moving on. But Cook also told us to "be awesome." So I'm going to try to be awesome and carry on, never forgetting everything he taught me.

"Dancing is not a crime!"

This is a friendly reminder that you really should see Footloose tonight and tomorrow night at O'Hara! This is closing weekend and your last chance to check it out - I promise you won't regret it! It's fantastically full of signing and dancing and laughing and crying, so you don't want to miss this one!

Also, don't forget to follow me on Twitter @nicolemcalee for updates and observations by yours truly!

(Phew. That was a LOT of exclamation points. Here's one more for good measure!)

All Atwitter

I am now an official inhabitant of the Twitterverse!

In case you just can't get enough of me via these sporadic-but-increasingly-frequent blog updates, you can now get up-to-the-moment information about how I'm feeling and what I'm doing via my Twitter! Which you can find here! Be kind and follow me! Check up on my comings and goings frequently!You want to know what I ate for breakfast or what music I'm listening to? Well, you'll probably be out of luck in that department. But all the good stuff will be Tweeted for sure.

I must admit that Twitter is, at the moment, still a bit of a mystery to me, so stop by and drop me some advice!

Everybody Cut Footloose!

After months of preparation and anticipation, it has finally arrived: The opening night of Cardinal O'Hara's production of Footloose. If you like the 80s, dancing, fun, music, laughing, or me, you should probably be there. Come on out and support the cast, band, and crew and I guarantee you'll be dancing in the aisles (hopefully during intermission or after the show...it's a bit distracting otherwise).

Based on the classic 1980s movie starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose is the story of one, well, footloose Ren McCormack, a Chicago transplant in the small (and small-minded) town of Bomont. Dancing is illegal in Bomont thanks to Reverend Shaw Moore, the ironfisted preacher who can't control his own rebellious daughter. Ren aims to shake things up by challenging Reverend Moore's rule, with surprising results. 

I can personally vouch that our production of Footloose is fantastic. It's not just the catchy music or the incredible dancing that makes this show a joy to watch: A lot of heart and soul went into this, and it's very evident. As a cast member of Footloose, I have had a great time, made a lot of new friends, and even learned a few steps (though I'm still a pretty terrible dancer). And the real fun is just beginning!

The show opens at 8:00 PM in O'Hara's auditorium. Tickets are $12 for tonight, tomorrow night, and next Friday and Saturday (December 2 and 3). They are $10 for Sunday's matinee at 2:00 PM. How can you beat that? Professional-grade high school theater at a fantastic price.

You can get some more info about O'Hara's production of Footloose here, and you can buy tickets online here! (Tickets are also available at the door, don't worry!)

"I went down to buy a turkey tree, and all they have are things for Christmas." - Sally Brown

Another Thanksgiving, come and (almost) gone. It was a good one this year.

Finally, after weeks - months, really - of going, going, going nonstop, I finally had the chance to sit down, chill out, and think about how lucky I really am.

Truthfully, I have a lot to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for my mom and dad, who bend over backwards with a smile to make sure my brother and I are happy and healthy. Speaking of the devil, I'm thankful for my brother, who is wise beyond his years, hilarious, and way cooler than me. I'm thankful for my extended family, my ever-present cheer squad and support network. (A special shout-out to my cousin Sam, who, well, wanted a shout-out. Hey, Sam!)

I'm thankful for my friends, my second family. They teach me something new every day, and they make me strive to be a better person. Whether we've been buds since Little Church School or since last month, my friends are more often than not my light, joy, and tether to sanity, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

I'm thankful for my school and what I've learned there. Truly, O'Hara has given me lessons, challenges, relationships, ideas, and opportunities that have changed me for the better. Whether it's Kairos leadership, being in the shows (more on that tomorrow), or just learning to always walk on the right side of the hallway, I've gained indispensable knowledge and experience at COHS.

I'm thankful for a little time off. Having some time when I don't have to do anything - when there's no agenda or schedule - is a much-needed break. Today, I sat down and actually read a book that wasn't school-required for more than five minutes. It was amazing.

Well, with the mushy stuff out of the way, a few odds and ends: I have been accepted to Temple Honors! Wahoo! Now I have about a month of jittery waiting for more acceptances (well, hopefully they're acceptances). 

Footloose opens tomorrow night at O'Hara. If you want a good time, you'd do well to show up.

Back to Thanksgiving, kind of. It's officially the start of the Christmas season, hooray! I can't wait to listen to/sing Christmas music, decorate, watch Christmas Vacation, light candles, et cetera. After all, it is officially The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Welp, this has been a doozy of a post. I hope you've all had a fantastic Thanksgiving.


"But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those early Pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by 'Thanksgiving,' Charlie Brown." 
- Marcie, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Lunch with Mom and an Important Letter

It was a very exciting weekend.

On Saturday, I got to spend some quality time with my mom at O'Hara's annual Mother-Daughter Luncheon at the Drexelbrook. Funny story about the Mother-Daughter Luncheon: my grandmother is a member of the Springfield Lioness Club, which always hosts its annual fashion show on the same date and at the same time as the Mother-Daughter Luncheon. I have attended the fashion show each year, always noting that in three years, then two years, then just one year, I'd be skipping it to attend the Mother-Daughter Luncheon. It was pretty weird (but pretty great) to actually go to the Luncheon this year after seeing it for so long.

My mom and I

Needless to say, it was a lovely occasion for all and a nice memory to share with my mom!

In other exciting news, I received my first official college acceptance! Yes, I have been accepted to Temple University as a journalism major, with a scholarship! Yay! After writing essays and filling out applications and requesting transcripts, it's a bit surreal to hold the piece of paper that says, "Congratulations! You're in!" As more letters (hopefully letters of acceptance) arrive in the next month or so, I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Last but certainly not least, I finished off my weekend with show rehearsal. My excitement for O'Hara's production of Footloose increases exponentially with each day! It's going to be a really fun (and funny) show so come on out and enjoy it! Prepare for major plugging in the next two weeks, because Footloose opens on the St. John Vianney Hall stage next Friday, November 25!

Let the Games Begin

It began today.

The season of incredibly specific details, constant Shakespeare reading, buzzers, art history textbooks the size of paving stones, 15-second timers, Southeast Asian geography, and the Quizmaster.

A veritable Delco tradition, the 64th season of Delco Hi-Q began today with practice rounds at Springfield High School. It paved the way for the many matches in the months to come. (O'Hara will participate in three, so look for updates!)

This year is my second as a member of O'Hara's Hi-Q team. I finally found an outlet for my collection of random knowledge. (Also, I never complain about a get out of class free card.) It's what I like to do for kicks: study art history and geography on top of my already comprehensive workload.

Really, though, Hi-Q is a great organization and a great tradition. I really appreciate the celebration of academic achievement, hospitality, and sportsmanship.

Stay tuned for updates on the Lions' Hi-Q season - for sure, it will be quite exciting.