Monthly Archives: March 2018

Four at MSM to Receive 2018 Stephens Award

The City Education Trust each year recognizes outstanding achievements of educators and students with the presentation of the Stephens Award. MSM Visual Arts Teacher Marianne Nolley, English Teacher Noel Gieringer, and Math Teacher Teresa Chudy were three of the seven high school teachers in Little Rock selected to receive a Stephens Award recognizing their outstanding and inspirational teaching. Mount St. Mary senior Katie Strickland is among the eight student recipients who have been selected to receive a $5,000 cash award to be used for college expenses. Award recipients will be honored at the Stephens Award Ceremony on Monday, April 23, at 4 p.m. in the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce AT&T Auditorium.

 

“I’m proud that Katie and our teachers are receiving the accolades they deserve,” said Principal Angie Collins. “These awards are a reflection of our culture here at Mount St. Mary, a culture of encouraging and preparing people to be the best they can be and then celebrating their success.”

 

Katie Strickland is a Finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program and is currently enrolled in six AP courses at MSM.  Among her many accomplishments, she is Vice President of the Senior Class, Lead Counsel for Mock Trial, Captain of the Quiz Bowl Team and Beta Club Vice President.

 

Ms. Nolley teaches all art classes at Mount St. Mary, including Studio Art and AP Studio Art, Art Appreciation and Digital Design. She empowers and challenges her students and has shown them how art can play a part in community outreach with programs such as the Memory Project children’s portraiture and DrainSmart public art and awareness program. Her students have won first place in the national 2016 Lexus Eco Challenge competition, first place in the 2018 Thea Foundation Visual Arts Scholarship competition, and numerous awards annually from the Arkansas Young Artist Association.

 

Ms. Gieringer teaches 9th grade Honors English, 10th grade English and Women in Literature. Not only does she have a passion for literature but also for investing in her students by “saying yes” to support their learning and personal development. Ms. Gieringer serves as a youth leader for her church and as sponsor for MSM Student Council. Under her guidance and leadership, the student body raised record totals for the annual canned food drive in 2017, providing thousands of meals for hungry Arkansans.

 

Ms. Chudy teaches AP Statistics, ACT Test Preparation and Algebra 2 classes at Mount St. Mary. She encourages hard work and perseverance in the classroom and considers the relationships she forms with her students as important as the content she teaches. As Beta Club sponsor at Mount St. Mary, Ms. Chudy has increased the club’s membership and earned the school’s recognition as a National Beta Club School of Distinction, which promotes the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among high school students.

 

Congratulations to all of this year’s Stephens Award winners for  this incredible achievement!

 


 

 

 

Parkland Victims Remembered by MSM Students

Mount St. Mary Academy Advanced Placement U.S. History students (APUSH), under the direction of MSM Social Studies Teacher Rachel McLemore, honored the victims of the Parkland school shooting with a student-led prayer service on Wednesday, March 14, the one-month anniversary of the tragic event. Along with members of MSM Student Council, the students planned and presented a vigil to the student body during an all-school program where they shared memories of each of the students and faculty members killed in the school shooting on February 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Mount St. Mary Academy students, faculty and staff also observed a moment of silence at 10 a.m. and were invited to stand for 17 minutes in solidarity with the Parkland students.

 

 

 

Hear about the service in detail from an article published on March 22, 2018, by Arkansas Catholic:

Catholic students step up to face shooting tragedy

 

 

Read the article written by Olivia Parker ’18, which was published in the Young Faith column of the Arkansas Catholic on March 23, 2018:

Faith, action both needed to keep schools safe

 

 

 


 

 

 

Spring Awards Season Kicks into High Gear

As Mount St. Mary students approach the final months of the school year, a number of our students, teams and organizations will be moving on to state and national competitions. We congratulate all of our student groups for their hard work and dedication this semester!

 

CHEMISTRY

Annie Quo and Sterling Snape qualified to compete in the National Chemistry Olympiad on April 21.  They were among the top ten students in the state who participated in the Arkansas Chemistry Olympiad.

 

POETRY

Mount St. Mary Academy seniors in Ms. Madey’s Creative Writing class won four of the six awards in the 2018 Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas Sybil Nash Abrams Memorial Student Contest.

2nd Place                                Raehana Anwar           “i am six”
3rd Place                                 Stephanie Verdaris     “Texas and Arkansas”
1st Honorable Mention      Hannah Brockette       “Lake Days”
2nd Honorable Mention     Grace Cassie                 “Love Letter”

 

PHYSICAL FITNESS

The JROTC Fitness Team placed first at the Arkansas State High School Championships 2018.

Annie Quo

Addie Farquharson 

Chloe Farquharson 

Anna Goodman

Yesica Reyes

Audrey Caruthers 

 

CONCERT BELLES

On March 1, the Concert Belles received another distinguished rating at the regional Choral Performance Assessment. They scored all I’s and were awarded a Division I plaque. This rating qualifies the choral ensemble for the Arkansas Choral Directors Association State Festival at the end of April.

The Harmony Belles received an overall Division II rating and a Division I in sight-reading at the regional assessment.

Concert Belles:

Raehana Anwar

Megan Brown

Lexi Caruthers

Clara Cordell

Rylee Gibson

Maya Giuffria

Cameron Heslip

Lexie Holley

Christina Kaufman

Anne Lashbrook

Mary Chandler Lindsey

Anna Kate Manchester

Regan Moss

Amelia Ochoa

Leah Paige

Emma Parker

Olivia Parker

Carol Stover

Ana Thompson

 

FORENSICS
The Forensic (Performance Speech and Theatre) Team had an amazing season, participating in five tournaments and placing in speech and theatre events such as storytelling, poetry, prose and duet improv. The team earned their first OVERALL SWEEPSTAKES awards, receiving first place overall at the Searcy tournament and second overall at the ASU Jonesboro tournament. They will be competing at the Forensics Arkansas State Championship held April 6-7 in Springdale, Arkansas.

 

The following students qualified to compete in the state tournament:

Amalie Shollmier

America Alejandri

Anna Farmer

Anna Palmer

Avery Appleton

Emily Delfos

Emily Werner

Hannah Burrus

Holly Marr

Karina Singh

Lexie Holley

Lily Eagan

Lindsey Taylor

Sarah Cate Lay

Sydney Austen

 


Two MSM Students Score 36 Composite on ACT

Two Mount St. Mary Academy students have scored the top possible composite score of 36 on the ACT pre-college test.

 

Anna Kate Manchester and Audrey Cummins, both juniors at Mount St. Mary Academy, earned the rarest of ACT scores this year. According to a report from ACT, Inc., only 2,760 students in the class of 2017, or 0.136 percent of all test takers, scored a 36.

 

The ACT is made up of four sections of multiple-choice questions, which test students’ knowledge in English, mathematics, science and reading. There is also an optional writing test that measures essay composition skills. Each of the four sections is graded on a scale of 1-36, and the Composite score is the average of the four multiple-choice test scores.

 

“My heart was pounding so quickly,” said Anna Kate. “I did not expect to get a 36 the first time I took it.”

 

Anna Kate said she initially took the test in seventh grade at Christ the King as part of the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP). When she signed up to take the ACT in June for the first time as a high school student, she bought a test preparation book and took multiple practice tests in math and science, the subjects where she felt she needed extra help.

 

Anna Kate plans to study international relations in college and has her sights on attending Harvard, Brown or Duke University. Her advice to underclassmen on taking the ACT is to try not to stress out about it.

 

“I think lots of people get in their own head,” said Anna Kate. “They try to rush through the test as quickly as they can, without paying attention to what it is the test is really asking them to do, because they’re just making sure they get it done in the time limit. I think taking a deep breath and sitting down and doing what you need to do is my best advice.”

 

Audrey’s preparation consisted of taking the ACT Test Preparation class offered at Mount St. Mary Academy during the first semester of the school year; she said her composite score improved by four points after taking the class. Audrey took the ACT in February for the fourth time and said her main goals this time were staying focused and raising all of her scores.

 

While currently taking a higher level math, AP Calculus, Audrey said the algebra and geometry they studied in the ACT Prep class were extremely helpful for reviewing information she had forgotten, and class emphasis on time-saving and test-taking tips and techniques assisted her in picking up her pace. For the English and reading sections of the test, Audrey expressed appreciation for the material she learned in ACT Prep from MSM English instructor Kathy Smith.

 

“In reading, she taught us to skim the questions before you read [the paragraphs],” Audrey said Ms. Smith taught them in addition to the English grammar rules and sentence structure, and she added, “So if one of the questions says vocab, you can go back to that line and write the question number to remind you to go back and do them when you read the line. Tricks like that.”

 

Audrey said she is still narrowing down her college choices and plans to attend the college trip Mount St. Mary is offering later this spring. She would like to study biology and medicine, and while some of the schools Audrey is considering include Pepperdine, UCLA, Georgetown and Washington and Lee, she is keeping her options open and looking into the college tuition savings and bigger opportunities that accompany her perfect score.

 

“I was completely surprised,” said Audrey about discovering she had made a 36 composite score. Even when others expected it from her, Audrey did not expect it from herself. On elevating what she thought was possible, she said, “I can achieve goals way higher than I ever thought I could.”

 


 

 

 

2018 Tuition Raffle Winner Announced

Congratulations to the Moreland family, this year’s winner of the Belle Booster Tuition Raffle. The second annual tuition raffle offered a chance to win a year of free tuition to parents of current students and 8th graders planning to attend Mount St. Mary Academy for the 2018-2019 school year. The drawing  was held on March 15 at the Mount St. Mary Academy Lip Sync.

 

The raffle proceeds benefit student clubs, organizations and athletic teams at Mount St. Mary Academy. Thank you to all the families who participated in the tuition raffle to support programs for MSM students!

 

Photo: Mount St. Mary 10th grader Naomi Moreland is announced the winner of the 2018-2019 tuition raffle, accompanied by MSM Special Events Coordinator Lauren Clay, Principal Angie Collins, President Karen Flake and Director of Institutional Advancement Kirsten Dickins.

 


 

 

 

Biology Class Attends Women in STEM Leadership Conference

On March 9, 2018, Ms. Johnson’s 4th period Honors Biology class attended a Women’s STEM Leadership Conference at University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. They were invited by Dr. Sederick Rice, biology professor and director of the UAPB ​​ STEM Center and a current MSM parent.

 

The keynote speakers were incredible professional women in various areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Mount St. Mary students also participated in various breakout sessions: DNA extraction, robotics and math methods.

 


 

MSM Senior Wins Top Art Award, Thea Scholarship

Meredith Muller, MSM senior and art student, won the first place $4,000 visual arts scholarship in the Thea Foundation annual scholarship competition. Each year the program awards 30 college scholarships totaling $79,500 to Arkansas high school seniors from across the state in order to impact the lives of the state’s youth through art. Thea scholarships are matched or exceeded by more than 20 education partners in the state and the region who may additionally match up to $20,000 over four years for first-place scholarship recipients.

 

More than 200 high school seniors from across the state of Arkansas entered the Thea Foundation 2018 visual arts scholarship competition, and only ten were chosen as recipients of scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. This years theme was, “A visceral moment, occluded by one’s intellect.”

 

Meredith’s self-portrait in oil, “Polarity,” depicted the confusing and tumultuous experiences involved in the transition to adulthood. Her Artist’s Statement described the struggles many adolescents face when deciding right and wrong “in a society full of moral grey area.”

 

Meredith described the red light cast on most of the subject’s body as leading away from good decisions, and she explained, “The ‘visceral moment’ depicted would be to want to follow the path of least resistance and go along with the rest of the body even if it leads somewhere damaging in the end.”  While the posture and positioning demonstrated the conflict within, Meredith explained that “the head alone is straining against the rest of the body to face the blue light, which symbolizes the logic, reasoning and intellect which combat those negative forces.”
Meredith’s painting was chosen the first-place winner on Saturday, March 3, when students gathered at the Thea Foundation in downtown North Little Rock to display their work to a panel of judges. Winners were selected based on the artist statement, interpretation of theme, and the originality and design of their work.

 

When asked what this experience has meant to her, Meredith said, “I’m super grateful overall, not just for the judging, but for everything in general — that I’ve been able to go to a school like this, to have the foundation to get me where I can pursue these things and succeed. Ms. Nolley’s an amazing teacher, and I probably never would have been able to thrive as an artist if I hadn’t had a teacher that noticed my potential and took the time to try to grow that.”

 

While Meredith said her plans will incorporate art at whichever college she chooses to attend, Thea scholarships are not awarded based on a student’s intent to major in the arts nor are they limited to the visual arts alone. High school seniors skilled in performing arts, film, fashion design, creative writing and slam poetry are encouraged to apply for scholarships as well. More information about Thea scholarships can be found on the Thea Foundation website: 
https://www.theafoundation.org/scholarships.

 

The 2018 visual arts winning works are on display through April at the Thea Foundation in downtown North Little Rock.  Congratulations to Meredith and all of this year’s Thea scholarship recipients!

 

 


 

 

 

New Education Savings Opportunity for Catholic School Families

Did you know the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act expanded 529 savings plans to allow families to invest funds for K12 tuition in addition to higher education expenses?  As of January 1, 2018, up to $10,000 can be used from a 529 plan for tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school.​

 

A new fact sheet jointly issued by the National Catholic Education Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops explains the changes for parents of children in Catholic schools and answers many of the questions you may have.

 

Download the 529 plan fact sheet.

 


 

 

 

 

Six-Week Basketball Skills Academy for 4th-8th Graders

Spring Basketball Academy at Mount St. Mary Academy gives players in 4th through 8th grades the opportunity to build a basketball skill foundation and love of the game. Instructors will focus on fundamental basketball skills including dribbling, shooting, passing, defense principles, team and individual competition.

 

Sundays & Mondays, April 9 – May 20
MSM McAuley Center Gym, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

 

Monday, April 9
Sunday, April 15
Monday, April 23
Monday, April 30
Sunday, May 6
Monday, May 14
Sunday, May 20

 

Cost: $125 (6-week session)

 

Download a registration form here.

 

For more information, contact Coach Lauren Ramsey at lramsey@mtstmary.edu.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

MSM Senior Receives President’s Volunteer Service Award

Sydney Casavechia ’18 has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

 

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Mount St. Mary Academy nominated Sydney for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service.

 

Sydney spent nearly 300 hours volunteering at Camp Aldersgate, an organization dedicated to serving individuals with special needs and senior adults in a camp environment.

 

“These kids have impacted me more than I have them,” Sydney said. “At first, I thought service was just ‘the act of helping others,’ but I now understand that how you apply yourself in someone’s life can actually alter your perspective and have a bigger impact on your beliefs.”

 

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service.

 

“The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John  Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer activities, wee hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community.”

 

“Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “These honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.”

 

Prudential Spirit of Community Award applications were distributed nationwide last September through middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and Affiliates of Points of Light’s HandOn Network. These schools and officially-designated local organizations nominated Local Honorees, whose applications were advance for state-level judging. In addition to granting President’s Volunteer Service Awards, The Presidential Spirit of Community Awards selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists and Certificate of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria including personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth.