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2008-2009 Summer Reading List posted on Thursday, June 12th, 2008 2008-2009 Summer Reading Due to the easy access of plot summaries and other literary shortcuts available on the internet, as well as movie versions of many classic works, the English Department of Cardinal O’Hara offers a summer reading program that focuses on contemporary literary merit. The titles were chosen based on this literary merit as well as their entertainment value; the emphasis being: Motivate students to read. The classics have not been discarded. They will be taught in class, under the teachers’ guidance, throughout the school year. The chosen contemporary works have little or no summaries, Cliff’s Notes, or movie versions available; both works have been awarded serious literary recognition. Every student must read the work assigned to their grade for the 2008-2009 school year. During the second and third weeks of September, English teachers will administer assessments, traditional and/or alternative, based on each of the works. The grade for the assessment will then be applied to the student’s first-quarter average. All students, regardless of registration dates, must fulfill the summer reading requirements. Sophomores: Magic Kingdom For Sale, by Terry Brooks Juniors and Seniors: The Road, by Cormac McCarthy AP English
JUNIORS:My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult MATH ALL STUDENTS ENTERING ALGEBRA 2: The Arithmetic of Life and Death, by George Shaffner HEALTH & PE Izzy, Willy-Nilly, by Cynthia Voight SOCIAL STUDIES FRESHMEN: Left to Tell, by Immaculee Ilibagiza AP US History: Founding Mothers, by Cokie Roberts AP Euro History: The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli WORLD LANGUAGE SPANISH II, TRACK S 1 AND 2: La Guitarra Misteriosa by Kay Jarvis-Sladky SPANISH II, TRACK 3: Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan FRENCH II, TRACKS 1 & 2: French by Heart by Rebecca Ramsey Summer reading for any student who will be a senior in 2008-2009 must choose one of the following books to read: The Five People You Meet in Heaven, by Mitch Albom God, country, Notre Dame, by Fr. Theodore Hesburgh Daily Bread, by Timothy McWilliams Diary of a City Priest, by John P McNamee The Power of the Powerless, by Christopher deVinck 2008 Valedictory Address posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2008  The following is the transcript of the address given by Julia Quindlen, '08. Julia was the class valedictorian. The speech was given at the Commencement Exercises on June 4, 2008. Julia will be attending the University of Pennsylvania.Good afternoon Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Cistone, Doctor McCusker, Mr. Stratts, Reverend Pastors and Priests, Religious, Elementary School Principals and Teachers, Members of the faculty and administration, Parents, Relatives, Friends, and my fellow classmates: The Cardinal O’Hara High School class of 2008. Today we celebrate an event that has been four years in the making. These commencement ceremonies symbolize four years of hard work and determination, victories and failures, rehearsals and games, friendships, memories, and so much more. When we entered Cardinal O’Hara as freshmen, some of us were excited to make new friends and experience the thrill of new classes; some of us were anxious upon entering high school; and some, like myself, were scared out of our minds and unsure of what the next four years would bring. But no matter how we felt when we walked into Cardinal O’Hara on our first day of school, we had a common goal to find ourselves, to become someone, and to leave this school knowing who we are and what we can do. And after four years of tests, quizzes, projects, practices, games, shows, wins and losses…… we did. We developed our characters, questioned the world around us, set goals, and surpassed our expectations. So, after four years of smiles, laughter, tears, and memories, I stand before you today asking….Who are you? The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. Right now, you are nationally ranked athletes, the most talented musicians in the area, dedicated students willing to volunteer their time to support a cause, and erudite scholars of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personalities. You are O’Hara, and as a result, you have become your school. WE are O’Hara. Whether or not we choose to admit it, Cardinal O’Hara has changed us. We are no longer the unsure freshmen that we were four years ago; we are now graduates, excited and anxious to enter the world, and we still have a lifetime ahead of us to become exactly who we want to be. Cardinal O’Hara was the setting for the biggest change in our lives thus far: the change from the careless freedom of youth to the responsibilities and pressures of adulthood. In addition to the outstanding education we received from O’Hara, we have also experienced invaluable spiritual and personal growth. Spending the past four years of our lives at Cardinal O’Hara has endowed us with the invaluable opportunity to be ourselves through our interactions with others. At times, we have stepped out of the large community at O’Hara and found ourselves committing our time to various groups and activities. Whether it occurred while playing on a championship sports team, during a life-changing Kairos retreat, in the middle of an incredible production, or while surrounded by members of an organization that slowly became your family, we have grown. We have changed. We have found our passions, our strengths, and we have paved the way for a successful future by living remarkable lives. To my fellow classmates: Today marks the end of our senior year. THIS is our key moment. We are finally stepping out of our world at Cardinal O’Hara and becoming adults challenged by an unknown future. But, we have our education, our family and friends, and most importantly, our faith to help us. American physicist Edward Teller once said that “When you get to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.” Look around you, at your friends, classmates, teachers, and family members, and think of the lasting influences they have had on your lives. You have learned invaluable lessons about yourself, others, and the world. No matter where we find ourselves in life, these people will always be there for us, whether it is in their physical presence or in a memory of the past. The ultimate proof of our life’s successes is not in our GPA, but it is living in the hearts of those people we love. Today, our successes are all around us. Cardinal O’Hara will always be a part of our lives. Though we have been given a solid foundation upon which to build our future, we must still find the motivation and inspiration within ourselves to complete the life that our Catholic education has begun. I hope that you, my fellow classmates, always remember these lessons and continue to cherish every moment of your high school experience. I challenge each and every one of you never to let apathy or the fear of failure keep you from achieving your maximum potential or from squeezing every last thrill out of your lives. NEVER be afraid to fly. In ten years, it will not be the hours spent studying that we remember; rather, it will be the activities we joined, the risks we took, and the people we let touch our hearts that truly define our individual characters and enable us to become the people we are. It is my honor to be a part of the Cardinal O’Hara Class of 2008. Look at how far we have come, and how much we have left to accomplish. The privilege of a life time is being who you are. So…who will you be? At a recent commencement ceremony, Maria Shriver presented her audience with a challenge that I now present to you: It’s a little bit scary and exciting too. To go out in the world and find out…Who are you? And that’s what will happen now that high school is done. You’ll be figuring out your place on the sun. So here’s what I’m asking, and you ask it, too: JUST WHO WILL YOU BE? Just what will you do? Will you follow the crowd or follow your gut? Will you be a leader or anything but? Everyone’s life is an uncharted course, so go out and live it without regret or remorse. Doing only what’s easy won’t break you a sweat, but you also won’t learn lessons you need to get. These lessons will teach you what you need to know. To find out who you’ll be and which way you’ll go. So it’s not on the outside, the things you can see – It’s the stuff on the inside that shows who you’ll be. If you follow your heart, I can surely guarantee that you’ll turn into the you that you are destined to be. 2008 Salutatory Address posted on Tuesday, June 10th, 2008  The following is the address given by Lindsey Aaron '08. Lindsey was the salutatorian of her class.The speech was given at the Commencement Exercises on June 4, 2008. Lindsey will attend the University of Virginia.Welcome Most Reverend Bishop Cistone, Dr. McCusker, Mr. Stratts, Reverend Pastors and Priests, Religious, Members of the faculty and administrators, parents, relatives, friends, and fellow graduates. Four years ago, the class of 2008 walked through O’Hara’s doors and began what would be the first of many long, but memorable, days. That year we got lost, walked up the wrong side of the stair well, continuously forgot our locker combinations, and perhaps got booked a few times. We ran to our classes for at least the first month, we had book bags the size of jet packs, and we thought that getting out at 1:35 on Fridays was the coolest part of being in high school. Overall, freshman year was an exciting as well as novel experience. This fall, we will either be the youngest people on campus again or, for the graduates entering the work force, you will be the least experienced at your job. This realization should not be frightening! Being a college freshman or the newest employee at your job is not too different from the position we had to overcome four years ago. Three months from now, we’ll walk the wrong way to half our classes, we’ll be surrounded by new and unfamiliar faces, and we’ll still think getting out early for holidays and vacation is one of the coolest advantages to being in college. The difference between now and our (first) Freshman year is that, today, we can benefit from the wisdom we’ve gained during our time at O’Hara and use it to direct our future experiences. In the body of this speech, I have created a short music playlist to share with you the lessons I have learned during my years of high school. Each track relates to an idea I would like to impart: Track 1 is a song that was sung at almost every mass this year: “I Know You’re There” by The Casting Crowns. This song emphasizes the importance of saying our prayers. There is nothing more important than praying as we prepare for the next step in our lives. “God is always there; He always hears us.” This fall, God may be the only person many of us will know arriving at our various campuses. We will meet people in our classes or other employees at our jobs, but no one can compare to our Lord and Savior. He will always be our closest friend and He knows us better than anyone ever can. The second track on my playlist is “Love Shack” by the B-52s. Love is the greatest gift we can share with the people around us. Many have difficulty understanding and appreciating this gift because it doesn’t always benefit the giver and is not always expressed in return. Love, however, is what I allow to drive my life. If someone told me I could no longer serve or help others, as a Christian, I would loose my purpose. This fall and for the rest of our lives, we should try to love unconditionally (without discrimination, expectation, or compensation). Listed as my third song is “Parents Just Don’t Understand” by The Fresh Prince. I know what you’re thinking! This is not meant to tease or “dis” the parents. In this speech, Will Smith’s song represents how we must all seek to understand, rather than discount, others’ viewpoints and circumstances. As we interact with others, we can never predict what situations people may be facing in their lives. Someone may be having their worst day of the year or dealing with a serious family issue. Having compassion and understanding is one way to show that we care. It is not always possible to directly improve a person’s situation, but sometimes we can brighten their day with a sympathetic attitude. Over the past four years, I have learned that one should never stop trying to achieve their goals and Aalyiah’s single, “Try Again,” is the song I chose for track 4. Beginning and directing Genesis 1 this year required hours of planning and committed service. Not every trip I planned went perfectly and not all the activities had enough volunteers, but my need to bring environmental awareness to the school helped me overlook minor setbacks and continue to work towards my goal. If anyone here has a goal or aspiration they wish to achieve some day, don’t let anything keep you from pursuing it. “If first you don’t succeed, pick yourself up and try again (repeat ‘try again’ twice).” It is easier and less stressful to be yourself than it is to try to impress others. “No shoes, No shirt, No problems” by Kenny Chesney reminds me of this valuable lesson. When we truly except and appreciate who we are, finding friends with whom we relate should follow naturally. This fall, search for groups and activities, which most interest you; whether it’s a sports team, volunteer group, or a Greek organization, the fastest way to meet people is to get involved in something you love and surround yourself by others who have the same passion. Life is too short to be serious all the time! Letting loose and having fun is what keeps many of us sane! The “Cuban Shuffle” is the final song on my playlist. Whether we will be working or in school next year, all of us will need an escape from the irritating term papers and tedious job assignments. In order to ensure we all get enough grooving in each day, I suggest we integrate dance into our every day lives. We can “two-step” out of bed, “wu tang” to the bathroom, “Cuban Shuffle” to class, and “Cotton-eye Joe” to the movies! We will only be young once so let’s enjoy it while we have time. “We cannot make our sun stand still, yet we can make him run .” Because this collection of songs was inspired by my experiences at O’Hara, this is not just my personal playlist, but one for the entire class of 2008. After today, my speech will be available on the O’Hara website for anyone who is interested in viewing the songs and copying the playlist. These seven tracks represent lessons I wish to share with my fellow graduates, but prayer, love, determination, and understanding are virtues we should all strive to develop (whether leaving for college this fall or attending you’re twenty-fifth year reunion this summer). Unfortunately, I understand my words alone can’t make everyone here more confident about leaving high school and entering the next phase of our lives, but maybe taking these songs with you will help you remember the ideas I’ve shared today. I wish the best of luck to all the graduates of the Class of 2008 (the best year ever) and, wherever you go, remember that your Catholic school education provided you with the wisdom you need to know to succeed in the world. Thank you and God bless. 1 - Andrew Marvell, “To His Coy Mistress” (lines 45-46) |
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