Send us your May Student News! We’re always excited to hear what our Ursuline students are up to. Submit your student news by completing our online form.

It's All French To Me

Dr. Claudine Saade asked her French students to discuss their French language experience at Ursuline in a video. Nina Villaba '26 and Nicole Ghisoli '26 shared some their love for the class cooking project and even a trip to Quebec: 

🎬 Watch Nina's French Language Experience Video

🎬 Watch Nicole's French Language Experience Video

Stained Glass Eyes 🎨

Taylor Duda '26’s self-portrait, Stained Glass Eyes, was selected as the People’s Choice Winner in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition hosted by Representative Beth Van Duyne. The painting conveys important elements of her identity. It evokes imagery similar to the Virgin of Guadalupe, representing Taylor’s Catholic faith and Mexican-American heritage. The red background is inspired by Ursuline, where she has developed her artistic skills and grown in her faith journey. Music is also very important to Taylor. The title of the painting is drawn from a song by one of her favorite musical artists, which is also reflected in the shirt she wears.

On A Scale Of 1-10, You're A 13.1

Maggie Fleischer '25 and Lily Smith ‘25 both completed their first half marathon when they ran in the Dallas Running Club’s Tal Morrison Half Marathon. Maggie placed 1st in her age group with a finish time of 1:47! Their best friends Lydia Rasco ‘25 and Giana Schell ‘25 were there to cheer them on.

 

Verses & Variables 

Libby Refakis '27 received an award from the Spring 2025 Carnegie Mellon University CS Academy Creative Task Competition for her Haiku program. She was also accepted to Brown University and Stanford University summer coding programs. Congratulations, Libby!

 

Soap Opera

Sophomore Chemistry finished the academic year with a lab where they made Soap. One of life's most common items is made using Sodium Hydroxide, one of the more dangerous chemicals in the stockroom. Students added color and charms for a personal touch. 

 

Art Talk

This year, we we honored to have local artist and art educator Beka Johnson as our Art Awards juror, bringing her expertise and insight to the event. Beka came to speak to students about artistry. 

 

That's So BASE-ic

Students in Chemistry did labs on Acid/Base Neutralizations. Acids and Bases, and the buffer systems they constitute, form a major part of all human existence, and the lab practices the measurement of an acid's strength as would be done in an analytical chemistry lab.

 

Two Students Featured In 2025 JPII DFW ART Competition

Works by Vivian Xu '26 and Ariana Ellis '26 were selected to be featured in John Paul II High School's second annual high school art juried exhibition! The awards will be announced at the closing reception at JPII Sunday, May 4 from 12:30-2:00 p.m.

Vivian Xu '26 for her artwork New Lifestyle, Blue Summer, and Inner Identity

 

Ariana Ellis '26 for her artwork Orange Gates, Cracking Street, and Candle Lighting 

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