Monthly Archives: November 2018

Mount St. Mary Academy Junior Secures $1,000 Grant for Service Learning Site

Once Abby T. ’20 learned about a community assistance fund that distributes grants to local organizations and families in need at the real estate agency where her parents both work, she knew she wanted to apply for a grant to donate to her Junior Service Learning Program site. Her efforts were rewarded as she presented Gayle Priddy, executive director of The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock, with a $1,000 check this month.

While reflecting on the inspiration behind her act of kindness, Abby acknowledged the positive ways in which the organization has impacted her during her time of service there this year. “The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock has provided me with experiences that will affect me for the rest of my life, and given me a sense of compassion I don’t think I could find anywhere else,” she said. “It has presented me with a different perspective of the life lived by the less fortunate.”

Established by The Janet Jones Company in Little Rock, the Johnson Melhorn Rainbow Fund’s mission is to help fulfill the human needs of home and shelter with compassion and understanding, two characteristics the realtor whose memory it honors embodied during his successful career with the agency. Abby reached out to the fund’s supervisor with information about Helping Hand’s mission and needs, and she ended up receiving a $1,000 donation for the local food pantry and thrift shop.

“I believe it is my duty as not only an active Christian, but a contributor to my community, to find some way to give back to those who have no way to provide for themselves,” Abby said. “For these reasons I have decided to give back through the money the Johnson Melhorn Rainbow Fund has graciously donated, and I am forever grateful for this fund, and for The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock.”

For years, Mount St. Mary Academy’s foundation and traditions of service and mercy have inspired young women like Abby to make a difference in their communities and the world. Its unique Junior Service Learning Program is one of the hallmarks of the school’s commitment to integrating service into its curriculum. All students participate in a yearlong off-campus service learning experience their junior year, through which they use their talents and abilities to provide meaningful service to 25 organizations in the Little Rock community. While these opportunities provide the chance for Mount St. Mary students to have an impact on their service sites, the experience typically has just as powerful of an impact on the students, as illustrated through Abby’s thoughtful reflection.

Thank you, Abby, for your commitment to live Mercy. Your act of kindness represents the many like it that take place throughout the Mount St. Mary community each day.

Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion and integrity.

Award-Winning Author Encourages MSM Students to Trust the Whisper

When life calls, listen. That’s the simple message Kathy Izard, award-winning author and motivational speaker from North Carolina, shared while discussing her faith journey with Mount St. Mary Academy’s theology classes during her visit on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Kathy’s journey, detailed in The Hundred Story Home: A Memoir of Finding Faith in Ourselves and Something Bigger, is an inspirational one. In 2007, after reading Ron Hall and Denver Moore’s Same Kind of Different As Me, she pursued what she calls a “whisper” that changed the course of her life. Kathy quit her successful career as a graphic designer to join the staff of Charlotte’s Urban Ministry Center, where she’d been volunteering for 10 years, and help launch the pilot program Homeless to Homes – a decision that led to her instrumental role in bringing about much-needed transformation in the areas of homelessness, housing and mental health in Charlotte.

The nearly 150 students in attendance were encouraged to listen for similar types of whispers throughout their lives. Kathy’s story demonstrated to them how those pesky thoughts one can’t seem to rid his or her mind of could actually hold the power to help awaken one’s true calling. “Pay attention to what won’t leave you,” she said. “Trust the whisper.”

During their time together, Kathy also shared with students sentiments mirroring the Mercy values that so distinctly permeate campus life at Mount St. Mary. Explaining that her father had raised her to believe that everyone has a responsibility to “do good” in this world, she discussed the importance of “faith in action” and challenged students to be kind and compassionate, and to seek ways to make a difference in their homes, school and communities. “The holiest thing we can do is help one another,” she said.

Kathy’s memoir has been featured on NPR and inspires people to be changemakers in their communities. She is the recipient of a Christopher Award, the Bank of America Neighborhood Hero Award, and the North Carolina Housing Coalition Volunteer of the Year Award, and recognized as a Clinton School of Public Service Distinguished Guest Lecturer.

MSM Community Joins Together for Student-Led Thanksgiving Prayer Service

Before the totals for Robin Hood Days were announced and students departed for their weeklong holiday break, the Mount St. Mary Academy community joined together to enjoy a Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Friday, Nov. 16.

Entirely organized and led by MSM students, the touching service centered on the theme of peace and included reflections from students and MSM President and CEO Karen Flake, song, and prayer. It also featured petitions for peace dedicated to 10 locations throughout the world with the petitions for each country being spoken in that country’s language. In addition to English, prayers were offered in Spanish, Latin, Arabic, German, Sri Lankan, Polish, French, Thai and Tagalog.

In her reflection, Cecelia R. ’20 provided the following words of inspiration for those preparing for Thanksgiving break: “For me, and most people, peace doesn’t come in the form of a giant neon sign. It’s the smaller things. It’s finding a good parking spot at 7:55, it’s seeing snow in November, hearing your favorite song in the morning, seeing your dog’s face when you come home, doing puzzles in the library with Mrs. Jones. But it’s not just receiving or discovering peace for yourself. It’s helping others find peace. Helping your friend bring her cans in, making a Quizlet for your world history test, lending someone your calculator for her test. Bringing peace to others helps us find peace ourselves. This Thanksgiving break, I encourage you to seek peace in the small moments. Play in the leaves, watch a sunset, see a movie with your siblings, get dinner with your friends. Be thankful for the small moments and cherish the peaceful times. As long as we are actively pursuing peace, everything will fall into place.”

Mount St. Mary Academy wishes its entire community a very happy and peaceful Thanksgiving!

Robin Hood Days Collects More Than 50,000 Cans for Charity

Mount St. Mary Academy students spent the past four weeks collecting canned food items and cash donations from family, friends and neighbors as part of the school’s annual Robin Hood Days drive benefitting organizations that help the hungry and homeless in Arkansas. Thanks to their incredible efforts, and a little bit of class rivalry, this year’s drive collected 52,778 canned goods and cash equivalent – shattering its goal of 35,000 and beating last year’s impressive total by nearly 1,100.

“I am very proud to be a part of a school that is such a shining light for service and humility in our state,” MSM Student Body President Sophie C. ’19 said. “These food and money donations will go to many worthy organizations in central Arkansas … and it will help the many unfortunate food-insecure people in our state to have a substantial meal for the holiday season.”

Jennifer M. ’19, MSM Senior Class President and four-year student council member, echoed her classmate’s sentiments. “I am so grateful I chose to come to Mount St. Mary, and I honestly think that this is the best tradition we have. I love how it becomes a healthy competition between the grades while having an amazing impact on our community. It is amazing to see how a group of 500 girls can come together to raise over 50,000 cans!”

Each class met its individual goal of 8,750 cans and cash equivalent well before the drive concluded on Friday, Nov. 16. The senior class, which nearly doubled their individual goal, earned bragging rights by collecting the largest amount of cans this year: 17,034.

“I am so proud of the girls’ diligent efforts towards Robin Hood Days this year,” exclaimed Ms. Noel Gieringer, MSM English teacher and student council sponsor. “This project is one of my favorite traditions from my time as a student, and it is so rewarding to see my own students carry on this amazing legacy at MSM.”

For more than 50 years, Robin Hood Days has helped provide food to local organizations, including Arkansas Foodbank, Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock, Rice Depot, Union Rescue Mission, OXFAM and Catholic Social Services, among others. Watch a brief video, created by students in Mrs. Burkhead’s Multimedia class, to learn more about this long-standing tradition and its impact on our community. You can also view photos of MSM students, faculty and dads helping to count and load all the donated canned goods for some of this year’s benefitting organizations at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmtJhMRa.

Mount St. Mary Academy Sophomore’s Philanthropic Spirit Honored

“Let charity then be our badge of honor…so that it may truly be said, there is in us but one heart and one soul in God.” – Catherine McAuley, Sisters of Mercy founder

A field trip to tour Arkansas Foodbank’s warehouse in the fourth grade ignited a strong passion for volunteering in Anne Marie C. ’21. At the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 15, the Mount St. Mary Academy sophomore was honored as this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Youth Fundraiser by the Arkansas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for the successful Change for Change Campaign she spearheaded at the beginning of the year.

“I always enjoy volunteering, and I have found that it is one of my favorite ways to bless others and glorify God at the same time,” Anne Marie acknowledged.

Anne Marie, who has been volunteering with the Foodbank on a monthly basis for five years, wanted to provide her community with an easy way to donate to the organization during a time when resources are low after the holiday season. Her idea was a simple one: organize an effort to collect spare change to benefit the Foodbank and raise awareness of the issue of food insecurity in Arkansas. From designing the logo and collection cans to encouraging involvement by local churches and other organizations to tallying the donated change, Anne Marie was involved in all aspects of the project. And her efforts were successful; she and the volunteers who provided support to her campaign were able to raise more than $4,000!

“I am most proud of the fact that we were able to speak about this issue to many people from different communities in this state and, in the end, provide enough money to fund food for over 20,000 meals,” she said.

When asked why she feels serving the community is important, particularly for youth, Anne Marie is quick to acknowledge that she feels leading by example is the best way to get others involved. “I have been able to witness firsthand that when adults see that young people are dedicated to their community, they are inspired to also get involved,” she said.

Thanks to the many ways service and philanthropy are promoted at the Mount, Anne Marie, herself, has been able to find inspiration among her peers during her time here. “Whether it’s Mercy Day, class time at a service site, or Robin Hood Days, the passion I see in my fellow classmates when volunteering is unbelievable,” she said. “I truly believe that this can inspire so many others to serve in similar ways.”

Congratulations on your well-deserved honor, Anne Marie. We are so proud of you!

Mount St. Mary Academy Senior Surprised With Scholarship

Ashley H. ’19 knew there would be special guests attending her morning multimedia class on Thursday, Nov. 1. What she didn’t know was that she was the reason for their visit. Keith Caldarera with McLarty, along with crew members from KATV Channel 7, interrupted the class to present Ashley with one of the automotive group’s $2,500 McLarty Drives Education college scholarships.

MSM Director of Counseling Amy Perkins Owens nominated Ashley due to her leadership, service work, and outgoing personality. Among her many activities, Ashley is captain of the MSM Rockettes and a student athletic trainer, serves her class as vice president on Student Council, and volunteers at Camp Aldersgate – all while taking challenging advanced classes and working a part-time job.

“Her accomplishments are many and are a true testament to her abilities and her determination,” Mrs. Owens wrote in Ashley’s nomination. “Her truest success is internal, and what radiates is an amazing young lady with enormous potential.”

Ashley, who was completely shocked when Mr. Caldarera announced her name as the scholarship recipient, says she tries to be as involved as possible because she loves Mount and its community. “Winning this scholarship helps me see that Mount and its people love me back and want the best for me. I know once I leave Mount that they will continue to look after me every way they can,” she said. “And they do not just do it for me, but for every student who walks through these doors. This school is truly the best place I know of, and McLarty has made it even better.”

The McLarty Drives Education scholarship program awards students who demonstrate excellence both in the classroom and in the community. Students who display their drive for learning, compassion for others, as well as utilize their high-standing character in the community are nominated for the scholarship. Nine $2,500 scholarships are awarded to selected students, one each month of the school year.

Watch the moment Ashley is surprised with her college scholarship here.

Congratulations, Ashley! And thank you, McLarty, for recognizing well-rounded students like her and investing in young Arkansans’ futures!

MSM Arts Department’s Latest Musical a Hit

The Mount St. Mary Academy Arts Department recently celebrated a successful run of its latest musical, The Addams Family. Approximately 1,000 guests attended the musical comedy, which ran November 2-5 at Catholic High School’s Auditorium. Led by MSM’s speech and drama teacher, Jenny Moses, and choral director, Chelsea Frazier, 90 students were involved in the family friendly production. The creative and hard-working crew, which included seven students from Catholic High School, handled every detail in bringing the “mysterious and spooky” family’s modern story to life. This included set design and construction, publicity and community outreach, and costume design and makeup in addition to the spectacular singing and acting by the 32-member cast.

“The Addams Family has been one of my favorite shows that we’ve done because it’s so music heavy,” Ms. Frazier said. “I had so many great, natural musicians in the group, and they were all a joy to teach and sing with!”

Ms. Moses agreed, saying this year’s cast was the most talented one with which she and Ms. Frazier have ever worked. She also acknowledged the development of the seniors who’ve continuously participated in the department’s productions during their four years at MSM. “I could really see the change since Thoroughly Modern Millie, the musical performed their freshman year, and that growth was very rewarding to witness,” she said.

At the end of the final performance on Monday, Nov. 5, MSM senior Anna F. was recognized as this season’s recipient of the Jennifer Boccarossa Spirit of the Show Award. Named after the school’s alumna and former choral director who passed away in 2013, the award honors students who possess a passion for musical theatre, sense of fun and adventure, and willingness to work hard to make the show a success – all qualities for which Jennifer is celebrated and remembered. Ms. Moses said Anna, who played Pugsley Addams in the musical, was “very deserving” of this honor for her consistent work behind the scenes. “She made the process a much more pleasant experience,” she said, “not to mention she’s a dynamite actress.”

Save the date for the MSM Arts Department’s final event of 2018. The Concert Belles and Harmony Belles will present their Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Catholic High School’s Auditorium.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun: Sophomore Activity Day 2018

Games and yoga and slime, oh my! Our Class of 2021 spent a few hours bonding outside of the classroom during this year’s Sophomore Activity Day on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Students enjoyed a pizza lunch and then rotated in groups through three different sessions of fun activities lead by MSM faculty before coming together to compete in the homeroom battle. Congrats to the Belles of Mr. Glancy’s homeroom for winning the tight competition!

Check out photos from Sophomore Activity Day 2018 at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmmDGCCN

Cross Country Belles Celebrate Season’s Good Run, Sophomore’s Conference Championship

The Mount St. Mary Academy Cross Country team completed their season this past Friday, Nov. 2, running a great race at the 6A State Championship Meet at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs. Staley T. ’21 finished seventh overall out of 130 runners, which earned her All State honors and qualified her for the Arkansas vs. Oklahoma All Star Meet on Saturday, Nov. 10, in Rogers.

The team ended their regular season by finishing fourth in the 6A-Central Conference Meet on Oct. 22 at Bishop Park in Bryant. Staley finished first place in the 5000 meter run with a time of 19:24.85, making her this year’s conference champion.

Coach Rachel McLemore praised the team’s hard work and progress over the course of the season. “Everyone on the team improved their times from the start of the season and made great strides in their competitive running,” she said. “Thanks to the leadership of our captain, Karina B. ’19, everyone approached every practice with a positive attitude and I think you can see the results in the team’s improvements, especially in the two races leading up to a cold and rainy state meet.”

Congrats to Coach McLemore and the Cross Country Belles, and good luck to Staley at this weekend’s All Star Meet. (Read more about Staley and her passion for running in this feature story recently published in Arkansas Catholic.)

Mount St. Mary Academy Celebrates All Saints’ Day Mass

Members of the Mount St. Mary community gathered in the McAuley Center shortly after noon on Thursday, Nov. 1, for the school’s beloved tradition of joining together in worship. MSM students, faculty, staff, parents and friends were present to celebrate All Saints’ Day Mass, led by Bishop Anthony Taylor.

In his homily, Bishop Taylor referenced the fourth Beatitude and encouraged those gathered to follow the example of the saints being honored by seeking holiness in their daily lives. During today’s challenging times, we are able to “become part of the solution” and live a “full, happy, holy life” by maintaining a constant thirst and hunger for holiness, he said.

MSM Principal Angie Collins concluded the service with inspiring words that echoed Bishop Taylor’s message. “God offers each of us sainthood. He has created us to be His followers and to listen to His teachings. He has invited each of us to persevere through the faith and live a life of virtue,” she said in her closing Call to Action.

“You are on the path to sainthood. Listen to God, do God’s work,” Mrs. Collins encouraged. “Appreciate every day and every breath that God gives to you. Protect life, promote human dignity, and let your kind and caring deeds be the proof of your love for Jesus and others.”