Nolan Catholic Viking Choir Performs at Carnegie Hall By: Katy Ashour Rodriguez, Nolan Math Dept., Class of ‘79

Eighty-six members of the Nolan Catholic High School Choir performed on Monday, March 20, 2006 at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York City. “Practice, practice, practice” is not simply a cliché, Nolan students and conductors Arlene Anderson Jones and Melissa Korzekwa realized. Students worked tirelessly in preparation for their concert which featured Anton Bruckner’s “Psalm 150” and “Te Deum.” As members of combined choirs featuring over 150 voices from North Texas, the choir, under the baton of Mr. Marion Nesvadba, joined with the New England Symphonic Ensemble in a thrilling concert enjoyed by locals, choir parents, and families.

On the morning of the concert, Mrs. Anderson Jones remarked, “I am so very proud of these kids. They have worked so hard and have pulled together. It is through the merits of each individual and those choir members who have come before us that we are able to enjoy this opportunity. It truly is a team effort.” “Carnegie Hall is a magical place,” remarked junior choir student, Anna Rodriguez. “I couldn’t believe the sounds and sights of the hall. You could practically feel all the history and majesty of that place.” “As we came to the end of the ‘Te Deum,’ mused senior Julie Anton, “I became very aware that I was singing the last note of the piece. I didn’t want it to be over. It was fantastic.”

While on the trip, students sampled the typical New York hustle and bustle of subway transportation, and walking tours to the Empire State Building, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and Ground Zero. A Broadway show was enjoyed by all. Shopping jaunts included Macy’s Department Store, Canal Street vendors in Chinatown, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Additional Nolan choir performances were given after Sunday Mass at St. Ignatius Church and at St. Paul’s Chapel. “Besides the Carnegie experience-which was absolutely the best - I would have to say that the most moving moments came as we received the privilege of singing at St. Paul’s Chapel at Ground Zero,” said Mrs. Anderson Jones. “St. Paul’s Chapel became the place of respite for the rescue workers after 9-11. Remarkably it was untouched during the attacks. Now it is a solemn memorial location. As we sang in the chapel, there were many folks sitting in the pews with tears streaming down their faces.”

Bravo to Mrs. Anderson Jones, Mrs. Korzekwa, and all of the Nolan Catholic High School Choir for their success in project “Carnegie Hall Unleashed.” You make us all proud.

The Nolan Dance Department is rocking and rolling along with preparations for the Spring Concert scheduled for April 25 and 26 at 7 pm in the Nolan auditorium. Dance II is really outdoing themselves with creativity and technical challenges as they put together their Disney Dances. Sleeping Beauty awakens from "Once Upon a Dream," Pocahontas dreams of exploring "Just Around the River Bend," "Pirates of the Caribbean" sail thru the air, and the "Circle of Life" story teller draws all the different characters together. One can really "Believe in Magic" with this suite of dances!

The Nolan Dance Company is deeply involved with exploring the "Oceans of Emotions." Meg Hall and Megan Wheeler deal with unrequited love and just wish everyone would "Pretend to Be Nice." Claire Cuny and Biance Wugofski are ready for closure and moving on to new adventures, saying bye bye "Mein Liebe Herr." Monica Laughlin has never been "So Mad" but together with Kristen Flores they muster themselves to "Carry On." Rachel White counts her blessings and celebrates "A Beautiful Day." Emily Maciejewski is so excited she is ready to "Jump." Seniors Caitlin Sonnen and Kristen Reed bring the show to a happy conclusion with an expertly crafted and designed Finale..."With Love from Caitlin and Kristen." These two seniors will also be performing in their own Senior Spotlights. The Dance Company will take their show on tour April 20 prior to the Dance Concert with an itinerary including St. Andrew's, Holy Rosary, St. George's and St. John's.

Dance III is being bullied and browbeaten into performing YET AGAIN (they performed in the fall concert). Ever since Ms. Elan and Fr. Larry performed their duo rendition of Liza Minnelli's "Ring Them Bells" for ANYONE and EVERYONE who happened to be in the teacher's dining room at the time, the idea had been incubating in Ms Elan's mind to expand its venue. Since Dance II and Dance Company were already into rehearsing their choreography and concepts, Dance III was COERCED to "Ring Them Bells," and to kick up their heels in a CAN-CAN to boot! POOOOOOOOOR Dance III. They are SOOOOOOOO sore and tired. But, with true Nolan spirit, they have rallied to make the best of things and accepted their fate. One must suffer to be beautiful. Yes indeed! This year's Spring Dance Concert promises to be a full tilt boogie delight from beginning to end!

Mary Mother of Nations Celebration On Wednesday, March 8, the freshman community celebrated its patroness, Mary Mother of Nations. Students, faculty members, administrators, and guests participated in a multi-ethnic liturgy to honor Mary. As part of the welcome before Mass, freshman musicians honored Hungarian, German, and Welsh cultures. The entrance- procession included Mary Mother of Nations, portrayed by senior-student Amanda Ayala, her honor-court of freshman students representing various countries, and concelebrants Father Larry Doersching, Father Jim Bartlett, and Father Richard Collins, homilist. Along with offertory gifts representing the various global regions and the Prayers of the Faithful in various languages, three ethnic dances were presented from the Mexican, Vietnamese, and Hawaiian cultures. Music for the liturgy was provided by the freshman choir with congregational singing. Afterwards freshmen and their guests enjoyed a special luncheon prepared by the freshman parents which provided another opportunity to honor Mary and many world-cultures. Mr. Stephen Kai Nemeth, faculty member and coordinator of the Mary Mother of Nations Celebration, offers sincere thanks to all students, teachers, administrators, campus-ministers, and staff-members who generously assisted with the event. Special thanks to Mrs. Emily Bailey, Mrs. Lynne Eller, Mrs. Bonnie O’Leary, and Mrs. Nancy Turner (parent committee) and to all the parents who supported the ethnic luncheon. May Our Lady bless you all.

German Honor Society Members of the National Honor Society for high school students of German (DELTA EPSILON PHI) were involved in their annual service project on Saturday, March 25. They volunteered their time cleaning up the campus, doing landscape work and tree trimming. Their selfless dedication not only improves the appearance of the N.C.H.S. facilities but also gives the students themselves confidence that they can and do make a difference to the benefit of others. The following kids are the ones that made a difference; Juniors Eric Berce, Ben Winter, Chris McCauley, Matt Coffer; Seniors Daniel Cross, Steve Gilb, Joe Kilianski, Taylor Pence, Susan Franko, Eric Meyer, Katie Ruppel, Bruce Horn - German Club moderator and moderator of the National Honor Society for High School Students of German. (Yes, that is the official name!)

Field Biology
This summer, the Nolan Catholic High School Science Department will once again offer Field Biology. This popular ½ credit science elective course emphasizes techniques for studying natural populations, communities and ecosystems and will be taught by Dr. Joe Kuban. Data collection and analysis will be out-of-doors at local study sites such as Tandy Hills Park in Ft. Worth and River Legacy Park in Arlington. Additionally, students will travel to Port Aransas to examine the structure of its six unique ecosystems. A second field expedition to Big Bend National Park will introduce students to the ecology of west Texas arid mountains and desert.

Field Biology is scheduled for June 5 through June 21. To be eligible for Field Biology, students must have completed Biology or Honors Biology. Field Biology is a popular summer offering and fills up fairly quickly. Interested students need to complete a Field Biology packet in order to register for the course. Packets are available from Dr. Kuban in B-12. The fee for Field Biology is $500.00 If you have any questions about this class, feel free to contact Dr. Kuban by phone at 817-457-2920 ext 1628 or by e- mail at jkuban@nolancatholichs.org.

Theatre Arts at Nolan ~ On Saturday, April 22, 44 Nolan Catholic junior high students will compete in the diocesan play festival Playfest '06. Our junior high will present two plays, "Property Rites" and "The Case of Alex Hansen." The event features 6th -8th grade students from schools throughout the Diocese of Fort Worth and will be held at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School in Arlington. This is a day long event which will begin at 8:00 am and end with an awards presentation at 5 pm. Please come out and support the junior high!