Vol. XLV No. 3 Summer 2011

The GatesACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR VILLANOVA, PA

The 50th Anniversary of the Honor CodeBy Katie Dolan, ‘11 The Honor Code is a very important part of a student’s experience here at Notre Dame. Our school’s Honor Code is very unique and is designed to promote responsible freedom; the idea that students have the freedom to choose as long as they are responsible in making decisions. Last year, eight current seniors were chosen to attend an Honor Confer-ence at the Haverford School. During the course of the conference, we listened to various speakers address the issues of plagiarism and integrity in schools and were able to take home many new ideas. When we returned to ND, the eight of us came up with the idea of initiating an Honor Corps at our school. Through the Honor Corps, we promote integrity and stress the importance of our school’s Honor Code by showing fellow students that honesty is learned through example and practice. Coincidentally, we found that in 1960, an Honor Council did exist here at Notre Dame; however, this group only lasted for a short time. Our intention in starting the Honor Corps was to revive this group and encourage students to respect our Honor Code. This year, ten juniors were chosen to attend the same Honor Conference. These girls will be taking the seniors’ role as the leaders of the Honor Corps next year. Hopefully, this group will continue to exist at ND in the coming years and help keep our Honor Code in place in the future.

Since moving to Villanova in December of 1943, the Academy of Notre Dame has saved most of its important records and has collected many photographs, yearbooks, newspaper clippings, concert programs, and a diverse assortment of memorabilia documenting school life over the past 78 years. In addition, papers pertaining to the history of the Mansion have been gathered and preserved: blueprints, correspondence, old photographs, and even prizes from the Philadelphia Flower Show. Among the treasured holdings of the NDA Archives are 48 issues of The Gates. Ranging in date from 1955–2011, these historic newspapers have inspired the current “Archives Edition.”

When I arrived at Notre Dame in 1998, the Archives, such as they were, were housed in a storeroom in the old library. Although a variety of faculty, staff, alumnae, and parent volunteers have tended the Archives from time to time, no systematic attempt was made to deal with these materials until Sr. Regina Finnegan asked Mrs. Dolores Wood to undertake the task. Mrs. Wood, a former faculty member, trustee, and long-time friend of the

From the desk of Notre Dame’s Resident Historian:By Dr. David Califf

From the Editors:This special archives edition of The Gates has

been a long time in the making. Thanks to the hard work and support of Dr. Califf (Notre Dame’s resident historian), Mrs. Levine’s first semester journalism class was able to sort through the many archived copies of Notre Dame’s newspapers, and in so doing uncovered the rich tradition of the school as authored by past student journalists. The current editors of The Gates were inspired to take this project to the next level, and this edition is our final product. We are excited to share with you pieces of our school’s history dating back to the 1930s, and are especially proud to include actual Gates articles from as early as the 1950s. You will also find numerous pieces authored by current students, often in response to or inspired by an “old” article from the past. While much has changed on Notre Dame’s campus, you’re sure to see that the true spirit of the school has remained quite the same. We hope you enjoy what we have put together!

Academy, supervised the sorting and organization of the Archives, and she was instrumental in preparing the NDA history display that accompanied the opening of the Harron Family Building in 2007. In 2008, an Archives Committee was formed to continue Mrs. Wood’s work, for many items of historical significance were still scat-tered throughout the campus, some in very odd locations. Blueprints of Clarence Henry Geist’s 1926-7 renovation of the Mansion were found in a trash bag in Launfal. A reliquary certificate from Namur was found with old mass programs in the Mansion sacristy. Old tuition cards were found in a drawer in a storage closet on the third floor of the Mansion, and Sr. Regina’s honorary doctorate from Trinity University was discovered in another random drawer. Most recently, a 1955 sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which once stood by the fountain, was excavated from a ditch down the hill behind North Campus. Who knows what will turn up next?

Continued on page 2

Love for ND Shines Through Since 1944By Joanna Fagan, ‘13

When talking to my grandmother about her education and experience at Notre Dame, I was certain she was taught what she needed to know for life. Mary Teresa Gillen Fagan attended Notre Dame when it was in the town of Moylan, before the campus was moved to Villanova. She said clubs were a major hit with her and her fellow ND class-mates. She was a part of the Glee club, which has recently been restored here at ND on Wednesday mornings. She also took part in yearbook club, where they had two editions, a literary edition and another one for poems and art work, similar to the Literary Magazine we have today. The Notre Dame uniform at the time consisted of brown jumpers and tan blouses. Since her mother made a living from sewing, specifically making bridal gowns, Mary’s mom made her school uniform by hand, exactly matching the store-bought ones. Mary Teresa and many other students had jobs outside of school as well. My grandmother worked as a telephone operator at the Bell telephone company. The teens of the time had fun on the weekends by going to the movies, dancing, or bowling. She later met her husband at a bowling alley. Times were hard during World War II and she said she was extremely lucky to have the help of Notre Dame. During her senior year she decided to take a new extra curricular they were offering at ND called mechanical drawling, taught by Sister Marie William. A lot of graduating Notre Dame students at the time entered the convent, like one of Mary Teresa’s older sisters, Alice Gillen, but she did not wish to do the same. Instead, my grandmother took an additional course in the elements of engineering, a special program offered to only a few Notre Dame graduates. Women could only take this class because most men were in the service. This allowed my grandmother to work as an engineer in Westing House for ten years until having seven children with her husband, Martin Fagan of Saint James high school, class of 1943. My grandmother always tells me how thankful she is for being able to receive a Notre Dame education, and how she is very proud that I am able to do the same.

The Archives Edition

Class of 1953

Page 2Summer 2011 1950s

December 11, 1958:

May 28, 1957:

April 13, 1956:

December 20, 1955:

Dr. Califf, Continued from page 1: As it is, our holdings are already exten-sive and diverse. We have prospectuses and viewbooks from 1862 to the present. We have pins, varsity letters, and an old blazer. We have invitations to proms, teas, and luncheons. We have papers on the design of the school seal and the 1938 class ring. We have photographs going back to 1901. The list goes on and on. All of these items, plus thousands of other documents, have been sorted, cataloged, and stored in archival boxes. They are cur-rently housed on the third floor of the Mansion in a room devoted to the NDA Archives. Our continuing mission is to manage, maintain, and make accessible those records of the Academy that have long-term historical value, and to teach students about the history of the school, includ-ing its campus and facilities, mission, values, and traditions. By producing the paper in hand, the editors of The Gates continue this important work.

Who’s the Penguin?By Mary Davis, ‘11

Hi Girls!It’s me, Penny the Penguin! I’m sure you

don’t remember me because I have been hiding out in the archives since the 1960s. Dr. Califf sure has made a lovely home for me up there! But I figured it was time to make an appearance in the 21st century. As seniors always say, “better late than never!”

Because I started my early retirement before any of your girls were even born, I guess I should probably explain to you who I am and what I do, rather than just being an archive dwelling penguin who talks and writes (even though that is kind of cool, and you all know it!). I was once the beloved mascot of this lovely school, and I also worked for the school newspa-per. I know. I am just about the coolest penguin. Way cooler than those penguins at the zoo.

I want to congratulate the class of 2011 as they prepare to graduate. I know they’re going to miss NDA so much, but they’re also going to have so much fun at college! I almost wish they could take me with them, but I could never leave Notre Dame. It’s my home!

Well, that’s all for now. If you need me I’ll be napping in the archives. I hope to see you all again soon!

Much love, Penny

October, 1956:

Page 3Summer 2011 1950s

May 28, 1957: December 11, 1958:

April 13, 1956:

In April of this year Steven Joyce, a member of our facilities staff, was doing some routine maintenance on our grounds and found the statue of the Sacred Heart (featured in the article above) that had apparently gone missing since some time in the 1970’s. It was buried under dirt and de-bris, but thanks to the facility staff’s careful excavation, the statue now stands once more and the “missing” arms have been found!

Missing Sacred Heart Statue Rediscovered in 2011!

December 20, 1955:

April 13, 1956:

May, 1957:

April 13, 1956:

1954 Junior/Senior Luncheon

Page 4Summer 2011 1950s/1960sSimple Styles Stick Around The classic, never failing weekend outfit of a 2011 Notre Dame student generally consists of a sweatshirt, jeans, and a pair of Uggs. Today’s comfort clothes differ drastically from the clothes of students in 1950. According to the “Dreamy Duds” article from a 1956 issue of The Gates, a crew neck (pull over sweater) made of one hundred percent wool paired with a Ber-muda skirt (knee length accessorized with a large pin in the front) was the “comfort fashion.” Could you imag-ine coming home from school to put on an outfit almost identical to your uniform? The crew neck sweater from half a century ago has evolved into the common cardigan and crew neck sweatshirt. As for the kilt, it is now extinct from the comfort wear section of most wardrobes except for our uniform, of course. Women’s footwear has not drastically changed in the last fifty years for teenagers. For special occasions like Winter Ball of 2011, or the Spring Dance of 1956, classic high heels paired with a new dress are familiar fashions. Back in the day, the current Sperry shoes, which many students wear with their uniforms on a daily basis, were called Gumdrops. They were styled like flip- flops, but made of suede and were both stylish and comfort-able.

The fundamental staples of a twenty-first century teenager’s wardrobe have changed dramatically, but what has changed the most are the students wearing the clothes. We are the students, we are the fashion trends, we make it work, and maybe someday our daughters will look back and wonder… What were they wearing?

By Kelly Goodman, ‘12May 28, 1957:

Dreamy DudsParis is the fashion capital of the world and the women of today follow the styles set by Paris. NDA also has set up certain styles, which seem to be most popular among the girls. For sportswear, crew-neck sweaters seem to hold a high position. The sweater is usually one hundred percent wool and bulky knit with long sleeves and a high square neck. So far, charcoal seems to be the predominant color choice but such shades as blue, red, and beige seem to be catching up. To go with the sweaters, bermudas of all colors and styles are a must. But up and coming, worn over the bermudas, and just the same length are the popular skirts called kilts. They’re usually pleated with a large pin in the front, but may be semicircular.

Footwear styles include anything from sneakers to loafers but a new shoe fast becoming popular is called “Gumdrops.” These shoes are styles somewhat like saddles, but have no flaps and are made of suede. They’re not only stylish but also very comfortable. As for dressy styles, organdy over taffeta seems to be most popular, shown by the fashions at the Spring Dance. Fall skirts of polished cotton or other dressy materials are popular for dances and casual parties. These are a few of the styles no girl should be without.

May 28, 1957:

May 28, 1957:

English -- But Not For English Class

Fantabulous … used for a description of someone real gone.Twitchy … Latin can drive you to this.Pushy … someone who’s really out of it.Juke … used in any expression.Ducky … real cute.She gives me a rare twitch … She annoys me.Let’s juke out of here … Let’s go.This is completely out of it … It isn’t in it.He bugs me … What a bore!What a looney gooney … ???

December 20, 1955

May Procession before 1954

June, 1964:

April, 1965:

The mansion in 1950

Page 5Summer 2011 1960s

The dangers of smoking...and bottled water? Smoking has always been a major source of debate. What was once seen as an acceptable and common recreational activity is now better understood as a death sentence. On January 11, 1964, Surgeon General Luther Terry is-sued a statement linking smoking to lung cancer, heart disease, and emphysema. It is intriguing to have found an article from that exact year printed on October 19, 1964 in The Gates called “To Die-Or Not to Die.” It talked openly about the dangers of smoking cigarettes. We all know that Notre Dame supplies us with the information we need to know for life, and this is a perfect example of how the recent discovery affected Notre Dame girls, and how the discovery opened up some of the students eyes to the dangers of smoking. On the other hand, four years

By Rachel Rodden, ‘11later a different view of smoking faced the students of the Notre Dame community. The article called “The Privileged Few” was

written quite in favor of smok-ing, even hoping for it to be allowed on campus. To shock you even more, especially current juniors and seniors, in 1968 students were lobby-ing for a lounge, not only for studying and casual conversa-tion but also for smoking! This brings one to the question of the current situation in the Junior/Senior Lounge. Over 40 years ago the Notre Dame

students asked for smoking privileges inside the school’s lounge. Do you even think they could imagine a day when bottles of water would be banned from the same space? Oh how times have changed!

June 7, 1968:

April 11, 1965:

1967:

1968: 1969-1970 Honor Code:

One of Notre Dame’s most beloved teachers, Mrs. Suppa, who taught here for more than

fifty years.

In the same light, Notre Dame Academy is currently planning and preparing for its next Middle States re-accreditation which will take place in Spring 2013.

Page 6Summer 2011 1960s/1970s

Do You Know Which Teachers Went to Notre Dame?As hard as it may be to imagine, many of our Notre Dame faculty

members once walked in our shoes. Yes, not too long ago, some beloved teachers and school administrators walked these very halls as NDA stu-dents. The esteemed members of the school faculty who are also alumni are Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. Levine, Mrs. Brogan, Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Giannantonio, Mrs. Keyser, and Mrs. Wesner. Each and every one of them was extremely open to talking about their time as Notre Dame girls.

According to these teachers, Notre Dame was slightly different when they attended. When Mrs. Wesner (class of ‘67) went to NDA, the mansion was the only building used for academic classes and the current dance center was used for gym classes. The mansion dining room was the cafeteria, and the only foods sold were candy and Tastycakes. During Mrs. Turner’s time at ND (class of ’77), high school classrooms one through eight were in use, in addition to those in the mansion. The dance center had been transformed from the gym into a math center.

Faculty members also remarked about changes beyond the physical structure of the campus. Mrs. Keyser (class of ’70) remarked that her graduating class of 52 girls was the biggest class yet at the time. Mrs. Giannantonio (class of ’76) and Mrs. Sutton (class of ’98) both said that one difference is that there are no longer nuns living on campus. Mrs. Wesner also commented that during her time at NDA there was no honor code. Instead, there was a ‘student court,’ in which one would go in front of the entire student council and they would decide your fate for breaking a rule. Every teacher also said that the uniform today is different from the uniform they once wore. Mrs. Brogan (class of ’94), Mrs. Levine (class of ’95), and Mrs. Sutton (class of ’98) all said they were allowed to wear a sweatshirt. However, other

By Tracey Merz and Courtney Wren, ‘13faculty members had a far stricter uniform. Mrs. Giannantonio reports of a summer and winter uniform. The summer outfits were composed of a cord skirt while the winter attired consisted of a plaid blue wool kilt. Blazers needed to be worn for assemblies and a sweater was worn as well. Mrs.

Turner and Mrs. Keyser mentioned similar uniforms. It was also reported that the curriculum is slightly differ-ent today. The teachers agreed that Notre Dame students today have a greater range of classes to choose from. According to Mrs.Wesner, today’s students have access to technology that was not at NDA during her time. Mrs. Brogan also reported a stronger curriculum for students today. Mrs. Keyser said that in her time, there were no honors classes. However, Mrs. Levine adds that some of the teachers are still the same as when she was here!

In addition, it is no surprise that all of our alumni teachers were very well rounded as NDA students! Mrs. Turner worked on the yearbook. Mrs. Keyser was in glee club, newspaper, the yearbook, and the musicals. Mrs. Sutton was in French club and was on the soccer team. Mrs. Levine played lacrosse and field hockey and was a member of Campus Ministry and the literary

magazine. Mrs. Giannatonio participated in “Everything, because if we all didn’t participate there was no team.” She was a part of the basketball, hockey, and tennis teams. Mrs. Brogan was on student council and played lacrosse and soccer. Mrs. Wesner participated in field hockey, basketball, and the yearbook.

Next time you see one of these alumni teachers in the hall, imagine them hurrying to class while wearing their (slightly different from ours) uniform. We never know which crop of the current generation of NDA students will be back one day to teach! Until then, let’s give thanks for our great alumni faculty members.

June, 1979:

April, 1964:

October 27, 1960:

1966:

June, 1979:

Page 7Summer 2011 1980s

Steps to SeniorityWhether you’ve been at Notre Dame since

sixth or ninth grade, seniors have always seemed to be the superior of all the classes. They didn’t get there by just waiting around for their final year; no – seniors put a lot of hard work into getting to where they are today. So for all you freshmen out there emulating the seniors, here is a glimpse of what steps they took to reach their place of ”godliness.”

1. I would suggest that you wear a sweater or jacket that belongs to your boyfriend, but no one does that anymore, and as senior Rachel Rodden has kindly pointed out, “No one has boyfriends anymore.”

2. Try to avoid the ridicule of MacBook pictures on Facebook by keeping the ones you take to yourself.

3. Learn the words of the prayer on NDTV and be able to recite it with the perfect intonation.

4. Remember that no matter what teachers tell you, the PSATs will actually count for something. Definitely don’t study though, just remember that.

5. Befriend a teacher so that it is completely acceptable to friend request them AFTER graduation.

6. Pretend that you’re on a diet but proceed to join the mile long sandwich line in the cafeteria.

7. Once in that line, pretend to be casually talking to a friend and discreetly cut the line so you don’t have to wait as long. (This is another senior privilege. Don’t try this if you’re an underclassman.)

Once you have accomplished each of these steps you will reach the Nirvana that the seniors have found sitting on their plush, royal blue thrones in the heaven that is called the Senior Lounge.

By Nicole WIlliams, ‘11

What is the most important thing that you have learned this year?By Rachel Rubino, ‘13

Would you care to walk down the old halls of Notre Dame and hear the gaggle and gossip once so prevalent amongst the students? Are you in the mood for an early ‘80’s throwback? June of 1981, to be exact. In this 1981 issue of The Gates, the editorial staff arbitrarily asked students and teachers alike what the most important thing was that they had learned that year. Out of curiosity and a desire to reminisce about the old days, the current writers of The Gates asked similar ques-tions around school, aiming to compare the different answers that were given then and now. Various responses were received; some were humorous, others serious, but all reflect the diverse personalities here at ND.

February, 2011:“Sleep more often.” – Maureen McGrath“How to sneak out of class two minutes early to be first in the sandwich line at lunch” - Claire Higgins“The importance of friendship”- Mrs. Turner“Wear blue shorts for gym.”- Caroline Ryan“Don’t slack off your second semester of senior year.”- Hannah Gillis“You can’t learn unless you listen.”- Josie Fagan“Be careful around Bunsen Burners. Try not set your hair on fire.”- Alicia Kenyon“How to use my free periods effectively.” – Ms. Nobles“Never say never” – Erica Rubino“You can never wake up too early on snow days.” – Dr. D’Angelo“How to write a paper at 2 AM.” – Amelia Phillips“The quadratic formula!” – Katie Schmeider“How to jumpstart a car.” –Kristen McNeill

October 29, 1982:

This is Your Life!The editorial staff of the paper recently took to halls in

search of an answer to our query “What is the most important thing you have learned this year?” Some reasons were humorous, some serious, but they all reflected our various personalities here at N.D. Here are the long awaited results:

Maura O’Connor: “I learned that I love this school and I’ll be sad to leave it next year.”Martha King: “The importance of working with others, and cooperation, and how these things can lead to good friendships.”Theresa Heimbecker: “That I value the friendships I have made here more than anything else, and that Notre Dame people are very special.”Kelly McDougall: “How not to get caught; this is available in a 16-volume, fully-illustrated set.”Katja Schneiders: “Adjectives!” Beth Ameche: “The true meaning of being absent.”Alyce Leighton: “The shortest distance between two points in a straight line.”Kim Cousins: “Nothing lasts forever... except memories and SAT scores.”Kathy Kennedy: “I’ve learned the true meaning, and how important my friends are to me.”Anne Trambore: “How to mooch off others!”Barb Centrence: “To be more secure about myself and my relationship with other people. I’m not totally secure, but then who is?”Kathy Tordones: “Good friends will stick together forever!”Jaimie Berkey: “It pays to be persistent.” Kathy McHughs: “Never invite a guy to your dance four months ahead of time!”Alicia Keough: “To be yourself and not worry too much the way I am, and to be happy about it, and to share my feelings.”Marie LaSota: “Writing someone’s name 2,428 times doesn’t accomplish anything.”Muire Brown: “Guys are never worth losing a friend over.”Agnes Garmi: “Mrs. Opelia’s handy-dandy rules.”Luci Sorgenti: “How to stall Mrs. Suppa from giving a quiz.”Judy Bellwoar: “How to catch a tan at lunch.”Beth Naughton: “How to meet guys.”Susan Devine: “We learned what it’s like to lose a friend and classmate.”Linda Hardieans: “Nothing!”Regina Flanigan: “From Jackson Brown’...Forget what life used to be/You are what you choose to be/it’s whatever it is you see/That life will become’.”Sue McParlands: “How to make a teacher love you.”Jackie Murphy: “English SAT class-- all the stuff you can do with it. (Seriously!)”Jeanne Bellowoars: “Three things--’Everybody has a dream’ (Billy Joe), ‘History repeats itself’ (Sr. Nancy), and ‘This above all; to thine own self be true’ (Shakespeare).”Desireee Campisi: “Those are different kinds of people in the Freshman class!”Bridget Murphy: “Never to be late for English Class.”Tami Morris: “The reproductive system in biology.”Deidre Ledwithe: “How to organize my time into getting everything finished.”Karon Backe: “You find out that people really care and stand by you.”Karen Loftus: “How to study.”Eileen Callaghan: “The true definition of the Promised Land.”Sr. Nancy’s 2nd period history class: “What Sr. Nancy really thinks about Smith & Doughty.”Jaimie Winters: “Makes the life worth living!”Carolyn Nouries: “Learning all you can in school is the most important thing new.”Laura Walsh: “Always be on guard for what you say because a lot of times you can be misunderstood.”Beth Murray: “Friends are important!”Chris Valente: “There’s no such thing as security.”Michelle Sharkeys: “The importance of class unity and the friendships formed here at N.D.”Kathy Grant: “How to get revenge on past boyfriends!”Kelly Clarke: “How to get on a teacher’s good side and stay there.”

June, 1981:

Page 8Summer 2011 1980s

How to Converse with Boys in the 21st Century

By Kristen McNeill, ‘11Picture this: You’re at a party and someone introduces you to a stunningly

cute boy. The two of you are left alone, and the pressure to converse is pulsing through your veins.Girl: Hi, I’m Samantha.Boy: Hey, I’m Bob.Girl: So…what school do you go to?Boy: Conestoga. I’m a senior.Girl: Nice, I’m a senior at Notre Dame.Boy: Cool.Girl: Yeah. If this conversation sounds familiar to you, pause and evaluate your social skills. In particular, look closer at how you converse with others. In this day and age, most people are communicating with others via text messages, social networks, and instant messages. It is rare to find a teenager who has the ability to hold a face-to-face conversation with anyone, let alone boys, without drawing a blank. Technology is a communication luxury that allows teenagers to plan what they’re going to say and take time to respond; therefore, teenagers are not used to giving quick responses or keeping conversations flowing. To get this generation back on the right conversing track, here are a few tips to make the most out of a conversa-tion:

1. Plan out what you want to say and then go with the flow. Don’t change topics too quickly, but if there is a break in conversation, you do have those

April, 1988:

Are Soap Operas Washed Up?By Clare Spence, ‘11

The 1980’s were the golden age for daytime soap operas. Soap operas portrayed stories about hopeless lovers, family struggles, or about life in the workplace. Viewers fell in love with these shows because they were an escape from everyday life and male leads were handsome and endearing. It is no surprise that teenagers who attended the Academy of Notre Dame during this time also loved these soap operas. Some “soap” favorites, as listed in a 1985 edition of The Gates, were “General Hospital”, “All My Children,” and “Days of Our Lives.” Now, twenty-six years later, our love for TV shows is still strong, but soap operas are considered television of the past and shows only our grandmas watch. Many have been recently cancelled!

Networks try to capture a feeling similar to soap operas with primetime shows like “Grey’s Anatomy.” “Grey’s” has a dreamy lead, suspenseful drama and a continuous storyline. Women are attracted to Patrick Dempsey, as he plays Dr. Sheppard, the handsome and intelligent doc- tor who is quick to solve tragedies and win the hearts of millions. Every episode, following the soap standard, continues the story of the last episode and will never dis-appoint with an always suspenseful plot.

Today’s top television shows, however, deal with “reality” rather than far-fetched storylines and trau-matic experiences. Instead of following episodes about the lives of good-looking soap opera characters, we watch shows about “real-life, everyday people” that have either overcome problems like obesity or the difficulties of being hoarders. Forget romantic love stories; we prefer to see real life love stories. A favorite reality show among the students of the Academy of Notre Dame today is “Jersey Shore.” This MTV hit follows eight housemates who spend their summers together partying at the Jersey Shore. This show is a favorite because we can experience, from the safety of our own homes, the crazy parties and the love/hate relationships of the cast. Viewers cannot get enough of Snooki’s “poof” or the Situation’s drama. Who needs to watch actors on TV, when instead, we are entertained by “ordinary” New Yorkers with no acting experience and questionable morals?

Another reality favorite of students at The Academy is MTV’s “Teen Mom.” This show depicts the challenges of teenagers raising babies. For some reason, we are fascinated with watching girls our own age struggle with having babies and learning to take care of them. We are curious to see what life is like from another’s perspective and perhaps, it makes us realize we take our own lives for granted. MTV aims to target teenagers who like to watch other “ordinary” teenagers struggle with challenges far bigger than their own.

Regardless of the decade, there will always be TV shows to attract the ever changing tastes of the viewers. It is safe to say that Notre Dame girls will be discussing their favorite shows twenty years from now. And as for the old soap operas? I know one person who still enjoys them- my grandmother, in Texas, who is still a daily viewer of “All my Children.” Now that it’s been cancelled, maybe she’ll start watching “Jersey Shore.”

back up topics.2. Put your phone away when conversing face-to-face; there

is nothing more rude or insulting than talking to someone who is also holding a conversation via text message.

3. Don’t make the conversation all about you. Reciprocate all questions asked and inquire more about the other per-son. Let’s face it; people love talking about themselves so why not give them the chance to do so? There should be a balance between the two people; no one person should dominate the conversation.

4. Be yourself. You’re not on TV! The shows we watch aren’t real and people won’t want to continue talking to you if they know you’re acting fake. It’s easier to keep a conversation flowing if you’re being yourself and sharing your true personality.

5. Smile and laugh. You will feel much more connected to the other person in the conversation if you can make light of things and laugh at yourself and with others.

1985:

Page 9Summer 2011 1980s

Snag a Guy for Summer

If on your list this season,Is a super cute dude,Make your choice within reason,And have an open attitude!

You’ll want to think about wearingSomething stylish, chic and fun.Nothing crazy or too daring,Otherwise he’ll run.

Then, of course, when you meet him,Be polite and flash a smile.If he snaps a picture with his iPhone,This creep ain’t worth your while.

Should you stumble as you greet him,Most likely he will smirk.At this, don’t be offended,Your walking just needs work.

You’ll want to appear clever,So Google random facts.Quote something smart from Shake-speare.Tell him that you act.

And, when you finally snag him,Tell everyone you know!But they probably won’t believe you,So set it as your relationship status on facebook…

By Sam Baldassari, ‘11

March, 1982:

War Defining GenerationsBy Marianne Gorsky, ‘11

Many would say the Vietnam War defined a generation. April 30th, 1985 was the 10th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and was recognized by the writers of The Gates. In 1985, Gates writer Lan Dinh, Vietnamese herself, commemorated the surrender of Vietnam to the Communists. She reflected on how even though some Americans saw the war as a “worthless effort,” to the Vietnamese it proved that they had tried. They had done their best to defend their country and freedom, but unfortunately had to bow under the weight of an oppressive power far greater than themselves.

Lan Dinh recounted how the event had been commemorated abroad and at home. She herself had participated in such events, and described the gather-ing of the victims of the violence. The war had affected her personally and directly; she was displaced from her homeland and forced to assimilate into a whole new life in a country she’d never seen before. It wasn’t a vacation, and she wasn’t going back home any time soon. Not many of us can even begin to imagine such an experience.

While the Vietnam War defined the lives of Notre Dame students of years past, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan define us in many ways today. Since September 11, 2001, news of war has followed us every day. We often discuss the “War on Terror” at home and in school; and the recent death of Osama Bin Laden has resulted in even further dialogue about what this war means for our country. The war in Afghanistan is now in its 11th year, and what progress has been made? Where are we now? News reports can be confusing and contra-dictory. Last December, President Obama presented a review of his strategy for the war in Afghanistan. As of then, not much progress was being made. Some officials have acknowledged that things are slowly improving and plan for a troop withdrawal was in place for this summer. The Obama administration has said that it will gradually shift authority and control to Afghanistani security forces as it decreases troop numbers between

this summer and the end of 2014, but what changes will recent events incite?

The death of Osama Bin Laden has definitely bolstered and united Americans in the national effort against terrorism but only time will tell what effect this will have on the war as a whole. Will it bring a swifter end to US involvement? Will it result in ter-rorist retaliation? As students, and as Americans, it is our duty to follow the development in the future (yes, even during the summer).

September 11, 2011, will mark the tenth anni-versary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I have no doubt that Notre Dame will commemorate the tragedies of that day in some way. No matter how the Notre Dame community chooses to remember that loss of so many American citizens, the event will be a reminder of what our generation has experienced, and what we are still experiencing. It will also remind us that it is our responsibility as young Americans to remain aware and informed as members of a global society.

May, 1985:March, 1982:

1985:

Campus before Connelly

Page 10Summer 2011 1990s/2000s

Summer 2011 Concert PreviewSome things never change. The summer

concerts held this year are a little reflective of what they were six summers ago. Many of those artists are familiar to the majority of the students at Notre Dame. However, there are a few new artists that were either nonexistent or just getting started. Neverthe-less, this summer will be a great one to spend out on the lawn. Music, friends, sunshine and a tan, and no studying: who could ask for better?

This girl is sure to set off some “fireworks” at her concert in Philadelphia.Who: Katy PerryWhere: Wells Fargo CenterWhen: 6/24/11

You don’t want to be on this girl’s bad side. All those poor ex-boyfriends . . . they didn’t see it coming. Who: Taylor SwiftWhere: Lincoln Financial Field When: 8/6/2011

Former contestant on “American Idol”, everyone was shocked when this guy didn’t win. Who: Daughtry Where: Susquehanna Bank CenterWhen: 5/15/11

“This is country music” by the fan-voted Enter-tainer of the Year and is sure to be a roaring good time on the “Water”.

By Morgan Abate, ‘12Who: Brad Paisley Where: Susquehanna Bank CenterWhen: 9/23/11

Summer isn’t summer without this band that frequents the Philly scene every year. Other than Warped Tour, it’s one of the best concerts of the year. Who: Dave Matthews BandWhere: Susquehanna Bank Center, CamdenWhen: 6/30 & 7/1/11

Go put on your “Pokerface” with this megastar down in Atlantic City. She’s sure to deliver a great one. Who: Lady GaGa Where: Borgata in A.C. When: 7/4/11

Everyone’s favorite summer concert is back, featuring the likes of 3OH!3, Gym Class Heroes, , Jack’s Mannequin, Paramore, The Ready Set and more many!What: Warped Tour 2011Where: Susquehanna Bank Center, CamdenWhen: 7/21/11

Ready for something “loud”? Here is something everyone is looking forward to.Who: Rihanna Where: Wells Fargo CenterWhen: 7/23/11

October, 1996:

October, 1996:

Construction underway at NDA, Fall 2006

May, 2005:

Page 11Summer 2011 Senior PageMay 28, 1957:

June, 1981:

December 18, 1963:

spirit day…dougie…ho11a…senior lounge…bi-zarre…emotional…ye11ow fever…senior slide…ye11ow te11ie…bake sales…senior parking lot…ring mass…kairos…prom…applying to college…getting into college…graduation…goodbye NDA.

REACTION PAPERTo the Seniors, Class of 2011

March, 1982:

Page 12Summer 2011 Senior PageClass of 2011 College Decisions

Nicole Albornoz – University of DelawareSamantha Baldassari – Pennsylvania State UniversityTabatha Barton – Bryn Mawr CollegeEmily Bellwoar – Pennsylvania State UniversityJessica Bellwoar – Bucknell UniversityBarbara Bemer – Fordham UniversityMakenzie Bennett – Miami University, OxfordKathryn Bisbee – Pennsylvania State UniversityAmanda Budzilowicz – University of DelawareBrianna Buysse – Lehigh UniversityChristine Capinski – Regis UniversityGabrielle Ceritano – Millersville UniversityMinyung Cheong – Emory UniversityLisa Cook – University of ConnecticutStephanie Costa – Drexel UniversityShannon Courtney – Fairfield UniversityAlexandra Curtin – Pennsylvania State UniversityMaureen Curtis – Fairfield UniversityMichelle Dabkowski – Bucknell UniversityKelly Davis – American UniversityMary Davis – Albright CollegeMia DeRitis – Philadelphia UniversitySibelle DerKrikorian – Fairfield UniversityKristen Didomenico – Villanova UniversityKathryn Dolan – Villanova UniversityJulie Du Pont – University of RichmondKatherine England – Pennsylvania State UniversityEllen Fagan – Pennsylvania State UniversityErika Ferro – Elizabethtown CollegeEleanor Finkenaur – Eckerd CollegeSheila Finley – University of PittsburghHolly Flynn – Harvard UniversityChloe Fox – The University of ArizonaSara Fuss – Mount Saint Mary’s UniversityJulianne Garvey – University of DelawareAlison Generotti – Drexel UniversityKatherine Gerzabek – University of Maryland, College ParkHannah Gillis – Catholic UniversityDevon Gorbey – Lafayette CollegeMarianne Gorskey – Drexel UniversityEmily Hallinan – University of St. Andrews (Scotland)Kelly Hilbert – Loyola University of MarylandAnna Hoplamazian – University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyEda Huynh – Lehigh UniversityKatherine Ierardi – University of PennsylvaniaShannon Kane – Providence CollegeNabin Kim – Boston University

Alexandra Kleinman – Saint Joseph’s UniversityDaiyon Kpou – Pennsylvania State UniversityHannah Leinhauser – Villanova UniversityAmanda Limoges – Elon UniversityBridget Maguire – Hamilton College – NYAntoinette Mastropieri – Pennsylvania State UniversityJacquelyn McClellan – University of DelawareMary Catherine McDonald – Loyola University of MarylandTara McKiernan – Villanova University

Kristen McNeill – Loyola University of MarylandSamantha Meehan – University of DelawareDanielle Mendez – Boston UniversityMegan Moscony – Pennsylvania State UniversityMegan Muir – High Point UniversityKatherine O’Connor – Carnegie Mellon UniversityColleen Olinger – University of PortlandElisa Oliver – Duke UniversitySandra Onyekere – Howard UniversityMaria Pacitti – Temple UniversityJillian Pellicano – Pennsylvania State UniversityMolly Quinn – Temple UniversityTheresa Ramirez – Virginia Commonwealth UniversityChelsea Regan – University of DelawareAnnie Reilly - UndecidedRachel Rodden – Lehigh UniversityGracie Rosenbach – University of VirginiaMegan Rosica – University of DelawareErica Rubino – Bucknell UniversityKristina Ruth – Trinity CollegeTheresa Salcedo – Albright College

Alexandra Shearn – Coastal Carolina UniversityElizabeth Sollecito – Gettysburg CollegeLucy Spellacy – University of RichmondClare Spence – University of DaytonGianna Spigonardo – Drexel UniversityMarguerite Stathes – Pennsylvania State UnviersityAlana Stoczko – University of California at BerkeleyJamie Sweeney – Pennsylvania State UniversityMadeline Tague – Vanderbilt UniversityJacqueline Till – Pennsylvania State UniversityChelsie Vattima – University of the Sciences in PhiladelphiaJennifer Wagner – The University of AlabamaAlexis Washington – Drexel UniversityVictoria White – University of Notre DameNicole Williams – University of PennsylvaniaAmanda Wolfington – Providence College

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 Five Main Representatives!

President - Colleen HickeyVice President - Maureen McGrathSecretary - Steph CoffuaTreasurer - Katie DuganAthletic Association Representative - Kristen Bandos

The Five Main Representatives from 1981-1982

The GatesEditor-in-Chief Kristen McNeillManaging Editor Rachel RoddenFeatures Editor Katie DolanModerator Mrs. Alice Levine

Congratulations to the 2011-2012 Gates staff!

Editor-in-Chief Katie BowmanManaging Editor Morgan AbateSports Editor Emily Fuss

The Gates staff in the 1950s

June, 1979: