In our latest installment for Feature Friday, we shine the spotlight on Union Catholic junior Nicole Ciuba.
Ciuba is an Honor Roll Student, a member of the Performing Arts Company, a Student Ambassador, a member of the swim team and forensics, and a member of the National Honor Society.
Here is our Q and A with Ciuba -
Which character are you playing in the Spring Musical, Something Rotten, and can you describe what the character’s role is in the musical?
I am playing a Minstrel in Something Rotten, as well as several featured ensemble and dance ensemble
roles. As a Minstrel, I open both acts of the show, introducing the setting and characters as a narrator
would. Also, as an ensemble member, I am in many of the musical numbers dancing and supporting the
leads.
How excited are you for the Spring Musical? What do you enjoy the most about it, and what will the audiences like the most about it?
I am very excited for this year’s Spring Musical because of how large of a production it is. The musical
numbers are very extravagant and fun, both because of the music and the choreography, and the scenes
are also very entertaining and comedic. I personally enjoy the tap dancing in the show and how it helps
tell the story. I think the audience will enjoy every aspect of this show, but I hope that they are most
impressed by the hard work that the cast and crew have put into it.
numbers are very extravagant and fun, both because of the music and the choreography, and the scenes
are also very entertaining and comedic. I personally enjoy the tap dancing in the show and how it helps
tell the story. I think the audience will enjoy every aspect of this show, but I hope that they are most
impressed by the hard work that the cast and crew have put into it.
What's it like being on stage in front of all those people? For those who have never had that
experience, how would you describe what that feeling is like?
experience, how would you describe what that feeling is like?
Being on stage has been a part of my life since I was little. Over time as I grew older and more aware of
people’s judgement, I started getting stage fright, like nearly every other performer does. Still, this never
stopped me from getting on stage. All of the fear and nervous jitters that you feel before you get on
stage immediately go away and turn into excitement because you get immersed into the character you
are playing.
people’s judgement, I started getting stage fright, like nearly every other performer does. Still, this never
stopped me from getting on stage. All of the fear and nervous jitters that you feel before you get on
stage immediately go away and turn into excitement because you get immersed into the character you
are playing.
How and why did you first get involved in PAC?
I first got involved with PAC my freshman year during the virtual performances of Love Awkwardly & Virtually and High School Musical as an ensemble member. I joined because I always had a love for
theater and wanted the opportunity to perform in UC’s well-produced shows.
theater and wanted the opportunity to perform in UC’s well-produced shows.
What do you love the most about acting and being a member of PAC?
I love PAC because of how I can escape reality and everything negative in my life to concentrate on a
product that I and the rest of the company work hard to put together. I also love being a part of a
unique group of friends that I otherwise never would have met.
product that I and the rest of the company work hard to put together. I also love being a part of a
unique group of friends that I otherwise never would have met.
How excited are you to be returning to Grand Nationals in forensics, and what does it mean to you
and Katharine to qualify in duo?
and Katharine to qualify in duo?
I am very excited to be returning to Grand Nationals this year with Katharine. As opposed to last year
where we qualified for individual speeches, this year’s Nationals are an accomplishment that we share.
It has been so fun to work with Katharine and I can’t wait for Louisville in May.
What do you love the most about being involved forensics?
I love that I get to speak about a topic that I am passionate about in forensics. Because we get to choose
our speeches, we have the opportunity to not only improve our public speaking, but learn more about
topics that we are interested in and want to share with others. Regardless of whether it is a comedy or a
drama, the same passion applies.
our speeches, we have the opportunity to not only improve our public speaking, but learn more about
topics that we are interested in and want to share with others. Regardless of whether it is a comedy or a
drama, the same passion applies.
What does it mean to you to represent Union Catholic as a Student Ambassador, and what do you
enjoy the most about serving in that role?
enjoy the most about serving in that role?
It means a lot to represent UC as an Ambassador because I take great pride in the fact that I go to this
school. I love sharing my experience and love for UC in this role, especially at Open Houses. I like
interacting with potential future students and their families, expressing why UC is truly the place to be.
Can you list everything else that you are involved in at UC (sports, clubs etc.)?
In addition to PAC and Forensics, I am involved in Crayon Club, Model UN, Choir, and Health and Medical Club, and I am on the varsity Swim Team.
Can you list all the awards/honors you have received at UC. Honor Roll etc?
Can you list all the awards/honors you have received at UC. Honor Roll etc?
I have achieved first honors every marking period in my UC career. I was inducted into the National Honor Society, and the National French Honor Society this year for my academic achievements. I have
also earned 1 bronze and 1 silver medal on the National French Exam.
also earned 1 bronze and 1 silver medal on the National French Exam.
What does it mean to you to earn those awards, and to have achieved so much academic success?
I am very proud to have earned these awards and honors because it is a reminder that all my hard work
pays off. My academic successes mean a lot to me and they have always been a focal point in my life, so
to see that the efforts I make to maintain them are worth it is very nice.
What do you love the most about being a student at Union Catholic?
pays off. My academic successes mean a lot to me and they have always been a focal point in my life, so
to see that the efforts I make to maintain them are worth it is very nice.
What do you love the most about being a student at Union Catholic?
My favorite thing about UC is the community and bonds that are formed. I know that the friendships I’ve
made here will stay with me forever. It’s not a lie when we say that UC is a family.
Why and how did you decide that UC was the place for you to be? What was it about UC that made you want to be a student here?
made here will stay with me forever. It’s not a lie when we say that UC is a family.
Why and how did you decide that UC was the place for you to be? What was it about UC that made you want to be a student here?
I chose to go to UC because I wanted a fresh start at a school with a more positive environment and that
could offer all the academic and extracurricular opportunities I was looking for. I found the general
energy of the student body the most influential in my decision.
What kind of advice would you give to younger students who are considering attending UC? Why
should they come to UC and what will UC give them that they won’t be able to find at other schools?
could offer all the academic and extracurricular opportunities I was looking for. I found the general
energy of the student body the most influential in my decision.
What kind of advice would you give to younger students who are considering attending UC? Why
should they come to UC and what will UC give them that they won’t be able to find at other schools?
The best advice I can give to potential UC students is that if you take advantage of what UC has to offer,
you will grow in every way. There are so many events and initiatives at school at all times, including club
activities, volunteer services, and sports games, that can truly enrich your high school experience if you
participate in them.
What specifically can you point to as the things that you’ve benefited from the most from your
experience as a student at UC?
participate in them.
What specifically can you point to as the things that you’ve benefited from the most from your
experience as a student at UC?
UC has allowed me to grow as a student and person because of the diverse array of activities that I
participate in. Because of how understanding our coaches, directors, and administrators are, I am able
to participate in both PAC and a varsity sport, which is something students from other schools often
can’t relate to.
What are you looking forward to the most the rest of this school year?
participate in. Because of how understanding our coaches, directors, and administrators are, I am able
to participate in both PAC and a varsity sport, which is something students from other schools often
can’t relate to.
What are you looking forward to the most the rest of this school year?
I am looking forward to appreciating my last moments as a junior before I begin the chaos of applying to
colleges.
What town do you live in?
Colonia, NJ
Favorite class and teacher at UC?
Favorite class and teacher at UC?
French 3H with Madame Ciringione.
Favorite UC memory?
Favorite UC memory?
This year’s State Championship Basketball Game
Favorite UC Core Value and why?
Favorite UC Core Value and why?
Compassion – I firmly believe that you won’t get anywhere in life without understanding others and
caring for their needs as well as your own.
How about the future? Have you thought about what type of career you would like to pursue?
Though I am not sure exactly what career I want to pursue, I know I want to study Biochemistry to go
into medical research. I have thought about fields such as pharmacology, genetics, and neuroscience.
What do you like to do in your spare time, if you have any? Do you have any hobbies, things you
enjoy doing when you have some down time?
enjoy doing when you have some down time?
Music is my main hobby that takes up nearly all of my spare time. I love learning to play and sing new
songs on piano and guitar, and I often arrange harmonies for them. I also occasionally write my own
music, though only when I have a lot of free time. I also like reading and watching classic romcoms.
One word to describe your UC
Unique