|
|
Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
|
|
A Message from Interim President Vicki Schwartz SL
...
On
March 16
, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila will dedicate our new Our Lady of Loreto Oratory located in the HS. After the dedication, the Archbishop will concelebrate Mass with Fr. Marty Lally and Fr. Sam Morehead in the Forum for the HS students. The oratory will be a sacred space for the use of students, faculty, and parent prayer groups. The crucifix hanging above the altar was created by Jeanne Dueber SL, a Loretto artist who lives at the Motherhouse in Kentucky.
|
|
Community News
|
  Annie Hess and Ceili Sauer Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists
SMA is delighted to announce that two members of the Class of 2017 have been named National Merit Finalists. Congratulations to
Ceili Sauer (pictured left) and
Annie Hess (pictured right) for placing among the top 15,000 of the more than 1.5 million students who took the PSAT last year and moving on to the next round of the National Merit award competition. They are now eligible to receive National Merit Scholar awards. The winners will be announced by the College Board in May.
 Dre Gentry Earns Volunteer
Senior Dre Gentry has been honored with the President's Volunteer Service Award from The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program in recognition of the more than 210 hours she has logged at
Food Bank of the Rockies over the past four years. Nominated by the HS faculty for this honor last fall, Dre joins other middle and high school students as across the country as well as Americans of all ages in receiving this prestigious award.
Prudential grants these awards on behalf of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.
 Paula Lee Selected to Attend Collegeville Institute's Writer's Workshop
Congratulations to Paula Lee, Campus Minister, who has been selected to attend the fully-funded Collegeville Institute's Writer's Workshop for a week in July on "Writing Theology for the General Reader."
The Institute's mission is to "discern the meaning of Christian identity and unity in a religiously and culturally diverse world, and to communicate that meaning for the work of the church and the renewal of human community." The institute is heldon the St. John's University and St. Benedict's College campus in Collegeville, Minnesota.
 Congratulations to the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
A job well done to cast members
Maddie Castle, Taylor Cave, Brionni Dawkins,
Macey Hills,Grace Madden, Idali Rodriguez, Hannah Siegel, Anna Sophia Williams. Congratulations also to crew members
Leah Goldner de Beer, Katie Huguez, Emma Liddick, Diana Lopez, Elizabeth Meschia, Desiree Mullins, Kandyce Sanchez, and
Darian Smith. Special thank you to the production team of Director Jennifer Condrey, Musical Director Ken Goodwin and Choreographer Joyce Cole for a wonderful performance and production. Each member carried a heavy load for this small cast production, and it was a wonderful experience for all. Thank you to the many parents and volunteers who worked to make this play so successful.
The Standing O's would like to thank parents Sean and Shara Castle, Shannon Cave, Steve de Beer, Betsy Huguez, Laurie Liddick, Linda Polleti, Kimberly Siegel, and Adriana Williams.
Thank you for coming to the show!
|
|
Gala News You Can Use
Mark Your Calendar: Friday, April 28, 2017
|
Wednesday, March 15,
is an important day to remember!
Items that are due by this day:
Items we are still in need of:
- Hotel stay in New York City (or hotel points)
- Broncos, Avalanche, and Nuggets tickets
- Golf outings
- Stays in vacation homes or condos
- Restaurant gift certificates
Please bring items to the Advancement Office in the Sanders House or to your school office. Thank you for your generosity.
|
|
Who's Who at Our School?
|
 Julie Feldhake: Technology Team/LS and MS Physical Education Teacher
Julie earned a bachelor's degree in physical education (K-12) from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a master's degree in instructional technology from the University of Colorado at Denver. She is an IT Support Specialist at SMA and also teaches physical education in the LS and MS.
Julie can trace her interest in physical education to high school, when she coached a third grade boys soccer team. The team was made up of beginners and their first game was crushing. Yet, by the end of the season, each boy scored a goal and the team finished with three wins. Julie's interest in technology emerged while attending a seminar. The presenters were having a tough time getting the equipment working. Julie realized then that she did not merely want to teach people how to use technology. She wanted to discover what causes common issues and how to prevent and solve them.
Julie has volunteered with several Denver nonprofits, offering help with their accounting. She has also helped administrative assistants in schools prepare for registration and their upcoming academic year.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, water sports, and playing golf.
|
|
Lower School News & Events
|
News:
-
 Last week, the LS and MS continued the tradition of celebrating Ash Wednesday together in a Mass where Fr. Bob Keller, O.P. presided. Students from Ms. Stroz's and Ms. Fonseca's class served as readers, gift bearers, and cross bearer. Teachers from both divisions served as ash distributors and Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. Students, teachers, and parents, led by Mrs. Hamilton-Griggs, Ms. Gayley, and Mrs. Sarlo, sang and participated enthusiastically. In his homily, Fr. Bob engaged the students with a visual aid depicting how the six weeks of Lent offer many opportunities to be kind to one another. It is posted in the LS to remind us to show kindness, during Lent and beyond.
- Last chance to donate gift cards for the $25 Gift Card Drive! Donations are due to Ms. Jackie in the LS office by Wednesday, March 15. Thank you to the parents that who already made a donation.
- JK: Eight gift cards donated (Only two more needed!)
- Kindergarten/Mrs. Irwin: four gift cards donated
- Kindergarten/Mrs. McGown: TREAT EARNED!
- First grade/Mrs. Hoogerwerf: Five gift cards donated
- First grade/Mrs. Lorenzo: One gift card donated
- Second grade/Mrs. Giardino: Nine gift cards donated (Only one more needed!)
- Third grade/Mrs. Smith: one gift card donated
- Third grade/Mrs. Stroz: TREAT EARNED!
- Fourth grade/Mrs. Hamilton: TREAT EARNED!
- Fourth grade/Mrs. Honig: four gift cards donated
- Fifth grade/Mrs. Deits: nine gift cards donated (only one more needed!)
- Fifth grade/Mrs. Smith: four gift cards donated
- Thursday, March 9; Mom's Bunco Night Out: 6:00 - 8:00 PM in the Community Center.
|
|
Middle School News & Events
|
News:
Congratulations to eighth grader
Kevin Reyes
for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank possible and one that fewer than 4% of Scouts achieve. He received this honor from the Arapahoe District of the Denver Area Council of Boy Scouts at a ceremony where Mrs. Ashley was recognized as one of his mentors. Kevin also earned the Outstanding Eagle Scout
Project Award for a landscaping project to enhance the front of Escuela de Guadalupe School and his individual fundraising efforts to purchase a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe to be part of the new design.
 Petra Augustine held a fundraiser for the Vail Avalanche Rescue Dogs with the goal of skiing 50,000 vertical feet in a single day. These donations will help support the dogs' food, training, certifications, and travel. Way to go, Petra!
-
 Eighth grader Andrea Lopez won the Spanish Essay Contest organized by the Colorado Congress of Foreign Language Teachers (CCFLT). Her essay, "Speaking in More than One Language" was published on the CCFLT website and also presented during the CCFLT award luncheon. Congratulations!
- Seventh and eighth grade boys and their fathers and/or significant male mentors are invited to Courage for the Journey on Wednesday, May 3, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM in the MS Commons. With the theme of Fireside Chats with the Most Interesting Men in the World, attendees will come together for delicious food, stimulating conversation, and active fun in a must-not-miss afternoon. Please RSVP to Zac Hood.
- Last chance to donate gift cards for the $25 Gift Card Drive! Donations are due to Mrs. Siennicki in the MS office by Wednesday, March 15. Thank you to the parents who have already made a donation.
- Mrs. Buxman CAT: four gift cards donated
- Ms. Cencula CAT: four gift cards donated
- Mr. Easton CAT: one gift card donated
- Ms. Fernandez CAT: TREAT EARNED!
- Ms. C. Garcia CAT: one gift card donated
- Mrs. Hamiltgon-Griggs CAT: one gift card donated
- Mr. Jung CAT: three gift cards donated
- Ms. Kilbon CAT: two gift cards donated
- Mr. McVie CAT: TREAT EARNED!
- Mr. Pattison CAT: six gift cards donated (Only four more needed!)
- Mr. Rodgers CAT: one gift card donated
- Ms. Rosborough CAT: seven gift cards donated (Only three more needed!)
- Ms. Rutan CAT: two gift cards donated
- Academy Parents would like to thank the following people for their help with the successful evening at The Island: Martha Ashley, Brian Brieske, Julia Burger, Vanessa Davis, Sheryle Gaston, Heidi Hanzel, Kim Hartman, Heidi Humber, Monica Hustead, Angel Lehman, Jennifer Lester, JP Malik, Denise McHenry, Christine Meschia, Marla Newman, Maria Perez, Melinda Robinson, Dana Rondinelli, Jamie Sayers, Diane Siennicki, Jodi Stevens, Cecilia Tanoni, Adriana Williams, Carolyn Wilson, and Yani Zinis. The students had a wonderful time and this event could not have happened without all of you!
|
|
High School News & Events
|
News:
 With March designated as the Month of Photography at the Denver Art Museum, HS Fine Arts teacher Andrew Beckham has been invited to speak during the Anderman Photography Lecture Series on Friday, March 17, at 7:00 pm. Mr. Beckham is one of four Colorado photographers who will be presenting. Click here for the full story.
-
 Last week the HS celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass with Fr. Marty Lally presiding and several Loretto Community attending. Students and teachers served in ministerial roles, including as ash distributors, saying the powerful words, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Fr. Marty talked about the importance of seeing ashes on each other, reminding us that we're not perfect, but are partners in the work of making the world a better place. Music was beautifully provided by Mrs. Carr, Mrs. Sarlo, and HS singers and musicians.
-
 Good luck to the members of the SMAbotics Robotics team as they compete in the Utah FIRST Robotics Competition. The competition will run from March 8-12 in Salt Lake City.
- Last chance to donate gift cards for the $25 Gift Card Drive! Donations are due to Clare in the HS office by Wednesday, March 15. Thank you to the parents who have already made a donation.
- Ninth grade/Mrs. Weinberg Advisory: one gift card donated
- Eleventh grade/Ms. Rogers Advisory: three gift cards donated
- Eleventh grade/Mrs. Sharp Advisory: one gift card donated
- Eleventh grade/Mrs. VonCanon Advisory: four gift cards donated
- Twelfth grade/Ms. Bard Advisory: four gift cards donated
|
|
Admissions News
|
Thank you to all newly accepted MS and HS students who attended the recent new student events! We enjoyed having you on campus.
Newly accepted students: Please be aware that the High School enrollment deadline was this week and the Middle School enrollment deadline is
Monday, March 13. Please contact the
Admissions Office if you have any questions about your family's enrollment status.
Reminder! Lower School admission decisions will be emailed this afternoon at
4:00 PM.
The Admissions Department would like to thank parents
Heidi Humber,
Patricia Skinner, Darian Smith, Melinda Robinson, and Wendi Mahoney.
If you have not re-enrolled, please
contact
:
admissions@stmarys.academy.
If you need assistance logging into PCR, please
contact
:
helpdesk@stmarys.academy.
|
|
Athletic News
|
Varsity Basketball Competes in the State Tournament
The varsity basketball team returned to the round of 32 in the State Tournament for the first time since 2010. Their 16-6 record earned the 22nd seed and a first round matchup with Pagosa Springs High School. The Wildcats fought hard and played with a tremendous amount of determination, but they were outmatched by a very experienced team from Pagosa Springs. The Pirates won the 3A State Championship two years ago, and are capable of making another run at the title this year. As the season came to an end, the twelve members of the SMA varsity team held their heads high for all that they accomplished over the past four months.
Sign Up for Wildcat Sports Summer Camps
SMA Athletics hosts multiple sports camps during the summer and welcomes students in MS and HS of all athletic ability levels. For more information on lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, cross country, and volleyball, please check out our
SMA Summer Programs
on the St. Mary's Academy website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
