Time management, Marist values and community are instrumental in junior’s Notre Dame success.
Notre Dame junior Sarah Bonema is a member of the varsity golf team.
Currently an IB and AP student at Notre Dame, junior Sarah Bonema says she thought honors chemistry class was going to be the worst class for her at the beginning of her sophomore year. By the time she finished with the course, it was her favorite, which is partly attributed to her teacher and her own hard work.
In fact, she wanted to take another chemistry class this year if she had the room on her already jam-packed schedule. A schedule that includes seven classes in addition to memberships in the National Honor Society, Spanish NHS, Peer Ministry, Action for America and the Student Ambassador team, which also share time with varsity golf.
Whew! How does she do it?! “Time management,” she says, another skill picked up as a result of her Notre Dame education, which she also calls a great fit for her. But let’s let Bonema herself describe how well she’s handling her high school experience so far.
“I attend Notre Dame because…
“…of the academic opportunity that would be given to me, and the type of community I wanted to be a part of for the next four years of my life. I wanted to continue learning about my Catholic faith, and I knew I could do that Notre Dame.”
Bonema says her time so far at Notre Dame has been challenging, enjoyable and interesting.
“…has a huge variety of clubs and activities in which students are able to become involved. Getting involved when you first start off as a new student here is very helpful because you can make new friends right away.”
"Notre Dame is different from other schools because…
“…of the type of community that is here. I believe that Notre Dame truly integrates Marist values into the life of each student.”
"I would use these three words to describe my academic experience at Notre Dame so far:
“…Challenging, enjoyable, interesting.”
"The best/most interesting class I’ve taken at Notre Dame so far is…
“…honors chemistry with Mrs. Mulrenin. This class started out as my least favorite at the beginning of my sophomore year because it was quite difficult. But I worked hard and it paid off in the end. Mrs. Mulrenin is pretty tough, but she is a great teacher. She truly teaches the material and wants you to do well in her class. I wish I had room in my schedule to take another chemistry class because I came to love it that much!
"The most fun experience I’ve had so far at Notre Dame is…
“…the school trip to Spain with Señora Raleigh and Señora Krueger in June after my sophomore year. I went with 11 other students, one of whom was my best friend. We had the time of our lives! Being able to experience a whole different culture was both fun and amazing. It also was very educational.
"I am able to balance schoolwork, sports, clubs and activities at Notre Dame because…
“…of time management, which is a skill that you need so you do not get stressed out during the school year.
“The teachers at Notre Dame are…
“…supportive.”
“The students at Notre Dame are…
“…intelligent.”
“The opportunities at Notre Dame are…
“…abundant.”
"Notre Dame has been a great fit for me because…
“…of the academics offered and the Christian community that is here.”
“Notre Dame has helped me become a Christian person through…
“…offering opportunities to become involved in campus ministry as a Peer Minister through Christians in Action.”
“Notre Dame has helped me become an upright citizen through…
“…discipline that is enforced throughout the school, and the types of service that are required of us.
"Notre Dame has helped me become an academic scholar through …
“…the rigorous courses that are offered here, and the wide range of opportunities for academic advancement.”
“I know when I graduate from Notre Dame, I will leave feeling…
“…well prepared for the world. I will have many tools that others may not, including time management, studying skills, and the skill to converse with adults and teachers. I know I will be prepared for college and ready for the next chapter in my life to begin.”
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.