by CAROLYN COLLINS

Staff Writer at Notre Dame Academy's newspaper The Gavel

1. It’s NDA’s time. This is the Pandas’ third year participating in the Orange and White game, which originally paired St. Ursula and Cincinnati’s Ursuline Academy before the Pandas were invited to participate for the first time in 2015. “I’m ready to beat Ursula for the first year,” said NDA Orange and White team coach David Reisiger, who plays football for Covington Catholic. “I’m ready to have our hard work finally pay off.”

2. NDA will be prepared. Since the calendar turned to March, the Pandas have practiced at least once and sometimes twice a week. The seniors are committed to the game and looking forward to representing NDA, senior Ellen Tenhundfeld said.

3. Our quarterback. Christin Sherrard was Ninth Region player of the year in soccer — a sport the rest of the world calls football. Christin is a great athlete and has proven she can find open receivers in practice. Her athletic ability will help the Pandas move the ball and put points on the scoreboard. She’s also playing defense, where her quickness will be another asset.

4. Fan support. Road games are no problem for the Pandas, who will travel to support their team. “I can’t wait to see our cheering section against St. Ursula’s,” senior Audrey Nienaber said.

5. At the end of the day, everybody wins. Money raised from ticket, t-shirt and food sales — there’s a Meat and Greet tailgate party an hour before the 5:30 p.m. kickoff — goes to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Leukemia Research Fund. "I can't wait to see all the money raised from this event and how much we are helping other people,” Sherrard said.