From August 23rd to January 26th, there has been a lot of laughter and fun, but maybe some tears and hardship too. Freshman have gone from getting lost in the halls to finding their classes without the use of a map and have fostered connections with their new high school classmates. Sophomores have learned more with new classes and coursework, and the juniors are just beginning their college application process. Sadly, our Seniors are halfway through their LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!! A lot has happened in the past 5 months, so let’s dive in.
Sports:
So much has happened in the world of NDP sports, with many fall teams finding success and many winter teams gearing up for their championships. Some highlights include the cross-country team taking home their first NDP championship since 2008, the swim team winning the National Catholic title for the second year running, and the NDP basketball team being ranked in Sports Illustrated as one of the top 25 Maryland Girl’s High School Basketball Teams! Here are some quotes from two of the victorious teams:
Olivia S. (XC Captain & NDP Senior): “Four years ago, I joined the cross-country team as a little freshman. I remember telling the coach at the time that I was not leaving the school until I saw a cross-country banner hanging in the gym. Four years later, the best cross-country team that NDP has ever seen made that possible. We had the most amazing season. We worked hard. We ran long runs, sprinted up Hampton Mansion, and attempted to do core workouts daily. The training was difficult, but we all knew that we were working towards being the best. Every meet we went to, we returned with multiple medals and, usually, a plaque. We dominated the courses, and I am so proud of all fifty-two team members. We had the best possible season, and the fall of 2024 will forever be one of the best times of my life. We were a family and the banner that now hangs in the gym will serve as a memory of all of us.”
Faith M. (Swim Team Captain & NDP Senior): “Winning National Catholics for the second year in a row was more meaningful to the team this year as the win brought the team closer. It also showcased all of our talents and hard work together. It felt incredibly rewarding to see everything we have worked for pay off and celebrate with our teammates.”
Academics:
NDP may have amazing sports teams, but it is most known for its excellent academics and smart students. Now with both the first and second quarter finished, here is a quick Q&A from both a freshman and a junior about how they felt about their courses and classwork going into the school year, and how they feel now.
Question: How did you guys feel about the courses you were taking when you first started the year?
A: Carolina R. ‘28: “At the start of the year, I was looking forward to a new high school experience after my time at the NDP middle level. While I knew I was taking some challenging courses, I felt confident and anticipated performing well.”
A: Lillian Q. ‘26: “I was really excited about my courses, and I’m glad we are able to pick the courses we wanted and personalize our schedule. Having so many courses available helps me pick possible future careers which is really exciting. I also felt the workload was appropriate for each class for the beginning of the year.”
Question: How do you feel about your courses now, after half of the year and misterm exams?
A: Carolina R. ‘28: “After midterms, I honestly feel like I performed better than I thought I would. While the first semester has been a challenging adjustment from middle school, I felt prepared for my exams and did a good job.”
A: Lillian Q. ‘26: “After midterms, the classes are what I anticipated them to be and have helped me figured out what I want to do in college. I believe the workload is a very good amount for being in the middle of the year, but sometimes it can be difficult to adjust to the way the teachers grade sometimes. But overall, I’m happy with my courses!”
Social Life:
Social events are always happening at NDP, and they can keep the students busy! NDP Blazers have been enjoying Spirit Games, the CCAP and AA dances, and sports team parties. Recently I asked a group of students from freshman and sophomore year, and they reported that their favorite event thus far has been the CCAP dance. They said the Tangled theme was cute and fun, and they enjoyed their time partying with their friends. Many also reported that they are looking forward to Sprance, which is coming up in the second semester.
In conclusion, a lot has happened since we walked through the doors of NDP for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year. As a community, we have excelled in every way imaginable. Every single class has done an amazing job with winning banners, participating in school events, and having amazing grades. As we head into the second half of the year, I wish everyone the best of luck in their classes, athletics, and Gym Meet endeavors. Congrats on making it halfway through the year!