Spring 2003 - Fenwick High School

Secrets of Success
The Right College
Does finding the “right college”
lead to a better life According to
Richard Borsch, Director of
Student Services who, over the past 30
years, has helped more than 7000 Fenwick
seniors navigate the college admissions
process, the answer is “yes” and “no.”
The answer may be “no” if a student and
his or her parents are overly influenced by
magazine listings of the “top” schools.
What is “top” for one student may be
“wrong” for another.
The chances of college being a worthwhile
experience and good preparation for the
future are better if the student finds “a
good match.” Rich Borsch encourages
students to be more open-minded, to ask
questions, to consider a variety of
characteristics, and to remember that there
is, for everyone, “more than one way to get
from point A to point B.”
How successful is this approach As in the
past, 100% of members of the class of
2003 have been accepted by colleges or
universities – not only well-known names
such as M.I.T., Harvard, and Georgetown;
but also more unusual choices that include
St. Andrews in Scotland, McGill
University in Canada, and “Full Sail,” an
accredited school in Winter Park, Florida,
that prepares its students for careers in
computer animation and video game
design.
For more information about criteria to
consider in making the college decision,
visit the web site: www.fenwickfriars.com
and click on “Friar News.”
FINDING
OURSELVES
The Stress of Success
Modern life is no easier on busy
students than it is on harried
executives, stretched-too-thin
parents, and pressurized professionals.
Today’s adolescents experience the classic
challenges that come with growing up –
but there are added elements, such as
facing more intense competition in sports
and other activities, juggling complicated
schedules, and needing to make
responsible choices when the society they
see on TV and movies and at the mall
seems to believe that “anything goes.”
“Our students tend not to be uninspired or
under-motivated,” explained Nancy
The Genesis Choir performs gospel
favorites such as "I Praise You" and
"Victory" at music festivals and multicultural
celebrations throughout the
Chicago area. Members of the choir
include Eboni Martin '03,
Kiara Hasegawa '03, Jennifer
Parks '03, Donier Tyler '03,
Christine Italia '03, Igho
Drennan, Fenwick Social Worker. “Their
issues revolve more often around dealing
realistically with high expectations and
learning how to set their own standards
and limits.”
Fenwick offers several programs to help
students and their parents sort it all out. In
addition to ongoing counseling from the
Student Services staff, there are
assemblies on a wide range of topics –
from preventing dating violence to making
healthy choices about alcohol and drugs.
Some of the speakers and programs also
are offered to parents through the Parent
Information Network, sponsored by the
Oraka '03, Idorenyin Udoisa '03
(student musical director),
Akindele Famoyegun '03,
Jemaria Quinn '04, and Blake
Sercye '04. (Not pictured): Kristen
Boblick ’03, Milan Cook ’06,
Rachel Hoffman ’03 and Amanda
Speziale ’03. Moderator
of the Choir is Dr. Jerry Lordan.
Mothers’ Club and Fathers’ Club.
SADD (Students Against Destructive
Decision-Making) coordinates activities
throughout the year, such as the recent
“Non-Smoking Week.” Also, a group
formed this year, called “Speak Out,”
gives students an opportunity to discuss
issues with their peers.
As Nancy Drennan said, “Students at
Fenwick have a lot of resources to help
them through these important years – their
families, their faith, their school, and each
other.”
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FENWICK