Most people I meet in college are shocked that I attended an all-girls, Catholic High School. They're even more shocked when I say that I attended school with around 700 girls. Apparently, this is very uncommon in other cities. It's no big deal where I come from because my city of Toledo has two all girls schools and two all boys schools. I hope this article helps people, who have never heard of this concept, understand how an all-girls, Catholic high school works.
1. We took No-Shave November to a whole other level.
Let's talk about no-shave August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, and May. Literally nobody shaved their legs... We really didn't care.
2. It wasn't unusual to have a Sister teaching a class.
We had Sisters teaching chemistry, working with Campus Ministries and even one who was our conditioning coach for awhile. Sisters also lived above the school in their own private living space, so it was not unusual to see them in the hallways. There was also a center next door where many lived, so we would see them walking around campus all the time.
3. You're proud of your plaid.
You wore that plaid skirt for 4 years (or maybe more if you went to a private grade school). It was there to wipe up every spill. It was there to dry your hands when the paper towels were out. It was the article of clothing that completed your (uniformed) outfit every single day. It was the inspiration for themes at sporting events. Plaid was your life.
4. Sororities got nothing on this sisterhood.
My school reminded me of one big sorority. We planned things together. We formed clubs and held meetings together. We all became friends and knew everyone's name. It was a tight-knit community of around 700 girls.
5. It was very common for girls to go to dances alone.
Yes, we had dances and prom. Yeah, you could bring a date. But sometimes it just sounded more fun to go solo with a group of girls. Also, it was cheaper!
6. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."
This prayer is indented into your brain forever. You won't ever forget it. Especially since it was prayed before every single class, every single day, four years straight.
7. Messy buns were a way of life.
Half of the people in my class rocked the messy bun every day. There's no boys to impress, so who cares?
8. Absolutely no phones allowed.
Or else it would be taken away and you weren't allowed to have it back until you paid the Dean of Students $50. Our cell phone fund went towards fun activities for the students. No, this is not a joke.
9. Purses. Purses everywhere.
You carried a purse all day, every day. Where else would all your pens, markers, notecards, flash drives, chargers, tissue, hand sanitizes, lunches, and water bottles go?
10. Planners are cool.
First day of school. You receive a brand new, black and white planner with all the events for the upcoming school year. You have a brand new set of markers. You're now ready to decorate the crap out of that thing.
11. Jesus is always the answer.
Stuck on a question? You wrote Jesus, because Jesus is always the answer. And it makes teachers guilty when marking it wrong.
12. You said the prayer before lunch in one breath.
You said the lunch time prayer as fast as possible to be able to secure your seat at a lunch table, because with 700 girls eating together at the same time, you had to run. Or else your usual table would be taken over by randoms.
13. Priests who come say mass always say they're intimated.
I mean they were most likely the only boy in the entire room, besides teachers. I would feel scared too.
14. We are normal girls.
We aren't secluded from boys completely. We are allowed to bring them to dances. We are allowed to go to their football games and they invited us to their dances. They're allowed to be in our musicals and plays. We just have major love for one guy above all others: Jesus :)
