By Mariesha Cruz-San Nicolas | For The Pacific Voice

Students admire the newly furnished Library/Media Center. Financial support to construct this Library/Media Center was made possible by the School Sisters of Notre Dame-Milwaukee Province.

After a productive and busy summer, Notre Dame High School’s administration and staff are ready to greet their teachers and new students during the first week of August.

While the campus has been quiet all summer long without the students, the administration and staff have kept the campus busy with classroom and building construction, and academic preparations.

One major summer project that has been put into fruition is the newly constructed Library/Media Center. The center was due to the financial support from the School Sisters of Notre Dame’s Milwaukee Province. The center is furnished with three LCD televisions and computers.

Technology Education and Yearbook classes, as well as other classes that incorporate the use of technology and research into their curriculum will use the center. The center also has a breath-taking scenic view of the Southern valley, which adds to the campus’ serene learning environment.

In addition to the Library/Media Center’s construction, summer activities such as the Math Enrichment Program for ninth graders, Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) preparation program for students who placed in the top 10 percentile at Notre Dame, and Student Council Executive Officers Workshops have added to the excitement of beginning a new year.

Nekola L.G. Fitzgerald '96, Notre Dame High School English Department Chairperon, guides students during the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) summer program during the last week in July.

Notre Dame will welcome more than 80 new students and four new faculty members.

Bianca Tanaka and Frank Borja in the Social Studies Department, Edward Tan in the Math Department, and Tami Grecia, a 2005 alumna, in the English Department will join the ranks of Notre Dame faculty. Grecia will join the 10 Notre Dame graduates who are already faculty and staff members.

New staffing roles have also taken place during the summer. Marie Camacho ’88 is the new Director of Mission Advancement. Camacho will oversee the Counseling Department, and work in conjunction with the Theology Department on faith formation, student recruitment, and other duties that further advance the mission of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

Mariana Roth ’03 will assume the position of Academic Counselor, Manda Tenorio will be the Student Council Advisor, and Nicole O’Mallan ’99 the Athletic Director.

Orientation Week 2010 begins with faculty and staff orientation days August 2-4. The administration is grateful to Father Michael Crisostomo and Dr. Nieves Flores who will facilitate several of the scheduled workshops.

After the teacher orientations, the administrators, faculty, and staff, will welcome the freshmen and sophomores on August 5, and the juniors and seniors on August 6.

“Being a member of Student Council, I already know I have a big job and I am anxious to start school,” said sophomore Kyle Borja.

The Royal Family will once again embrace a successful school year with the unending support of students, parents, administrators, faculty and staff, and island community.

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Mariesha Cruz-San Nicolas is principal of Notre Dame High School and a member of the Class of 1993.