We are ASCENT. We are four sisters who grew up in Iron Mountain, Michigan, with our parents and our two brothers, Walter and Joseph. We attended Kingsford High School and are graduates of Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. After college, we each ended up moving to the Ann Arbor area, where we currently live and teach.
As for what our roles are in the group, below you´ll find a little description of each member. This is the fun part.
ANDREA
My favorite instrument to play is the piano. I started piano in 2nd grade and continued taking lessons until college, but I sang a lot with my sisters, too. I also picked up the guitar in high school, and I always played guitar when we sang for Sunday masses at home. When I got to college, I focused more on vocals and writing and singing harmonies.
- What is your occupation?
I am an elementary teacher. I teach 3rd grade. - What is your best childhood memory?
It's hard to pick just one, but I'll always remember summers at home when I was little. I loved spending the days outside. - What are some of your hobbies?
|I love reading and gardening and spending time with my family and friends. I like playing video games too. - What is your favorite book or author?
I can´t pick just one. Some of my favorites are The Good Earth and everything by Tolkien. I love reading both fiction and nonfiction. Being a teacher I read lots of children's literature and have many favorites. - Who is your favorite saint?
St. Therese of the Child Jesus - What is your favorite movie or TV show?
The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and I like watching sci-fi movies and TV shows like Stargate.
ANGELA
Growing up I played the piano, starting in 2nd grade, but what I loved doing the most was singing with my sisters. In high school we sang at a lot of weddings and churches. In college, I was in the music ministry program and began doing a lot of harmonizing. That's what I love doing the most.
- What is your occupation?
I teach elementary school. I have taught Kindergarten, 3rd, 4th, and now I'm teaching 5th grade. - What is your best childhood memory?
Sunshine, laughter, playing in the tree house - What are some of your hobbies?
I love aquariums, reading, and gardening. - What is your favorite book or author?
Crime and Punishment, The Good Earth, and all of Tolkien's writings. - Who is your favorite saint?
That's a tough one. I'd probably have to say St. Joseph. He's a pretty powerful intercessor. - What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I like sci-fi movies and TV shows.
ANNA
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was in 2nd grade, I started playing the piano, but the instrument I really wanted to learn was the guitar. I picked up guitar in 4th grade, and I've been playing ever since. In addition to this, I have always loved writing and poetry, and I have found this to be the most natural way of expressing myself. A few years back, I started putting my poetry to music, and that is how I became the lyricist for Ascent. I find such joy in being able to write songs about life experiences and the love of my Catholic faith.
- What is your occupation?
I teach 7th grade writing and literature. - What is your best childhood memory?
This is a difficult question because there are so many wonderful memories to choose from, but one of my favorites is making maple syrup with my family in the spring of the year. - What are some of your hobbies?
In my free time, I like to keep busy. I have a hard time sitting through one whole movie. I love to read, crochet, rollerblade, bike, and enjoy the great outdoors. - What is your favorite book or author?
One of my favorite books is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. I love reading nonfiction, especially true stories about extreme sports like mountain climbing and deep sea diving. - Who is your favorite saint?
I have two! Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Joseph. - What is your favorite movie or TV show?
I don't have a favorite for either one, but I love musicals, and I love the movie Pride and Prejudice. Yup, the long version!
MARIA
I started taking piano lessons when I was in second grade. That was painful, but it paid off and I love being able to sit down and play now. I picked up the clarinet in 5th grade. Although I was never as good as my superhero sister Andrea, I did have fun playing in bands until my junior year in high school when I quit band so I could sit in the stands at the football games with my friends. I started singing with my sisters at weddings when I was in high school. We've been signing together ever since.
- What is your occupation?
I'm a seventh grade Math teacher and I LOVE it! - What is your best childhood memory?
Family vacations to Colorado skiing! My sisters could just never keep up with me. - What are some of your hobbies?
I love baking and cooking for large crowds of hungry people, being outside for just about anything, doing makeovers on really messy rooms, laughing with friends and family, watching Green Bay Packer football, and shopping for kitchen utensils. - What is your favorite book or author?
This question is too hard. Pass. - Who is your favorite saint?
My favorite Saints are St. Catherine of Siena and Pier Giorgio Frassati. - What is your favorite movie or TV show?
Best TV show of all time? Easily Little House on the Prairie. You gotta love those bonnets. Favorite movies include October Sky, The Count of Monte Cristo, Gladiator, Pride and Prejudice, and Dennis the Menace.