Monthly Archives: December 2018

Two MSM Students Return From International Dance Competition With Gold

While most of the Mount St. Mary community enjoyed some well-deserved relaxation during Thanksgiving break, two students spent the time off from school working on perfecting routines and packing their bags in preparation for a competition known as the “Olympics of dance.” Carly D. ’22 and Sydney K. ’19, both members of the American Dance Company’s Team USA, spent nearly two weeks overseas in early December competing in the International Dance Organization’s World Championships in Poland.

Comprised of some of the most talented dancers from across the country, including 11 from Little Rock’s Rock City Dance Company where Carly and Sydney each train, Team USA competed against more than 4,000 dancers from 30 countries and six continents in this year’s event. To prepare, Team USA began a demanding rehearsal schedule in August. The hard work paid off as the team returned home on Dec. 10 with a total of 10 medals: four gold, three silver and three bronze. Carly and Sydney were both on the gold-winning team in Adult Jazz Formation. Carly received an additional gold medal in Junior Jazz Group as well as a silver medal in Junior Modern Group

“I am so proud of Carly and Sydney. They are both integral parts of this team,” said Kristen Pittman, American Dance Company regional director and Team USA head coach. “Carly’s work ethic in every rehearsal inspired all of her teammates, and Sydney has an enthusiasm and positive spirit that helped the team form genuine connections and brought a sense of trust and friendship that was evident each time they hit the stage.”

This was Carly’s first year to compete in the World Championships in Poland. Sydney participated on Team USA in the international competition last year. She received two fifth place wins and a single sixth place win in 2017.

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.

Mount St. Mary Academy Celebrates Sisters of Mercy Foundation Day

On December 12, the Mount St. Mary community joined its Mercy family worldwide in celebrating Foundation Day. On this day in 1831, Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley, Mary Ann Doyle, and Elizabeth Harley professed their vows in Dublin, Ireland, and formally established the Mercy community that would eventually grow across the world in more than 40 countries.

Respect, integrity, justice, compassion, and service. These core Mercy values have permeated the Mount St. Mary Academy community in practical, purposeful, and recognizable ways since the school was founded in 1851. Mount St. Mary represents one of the first centers of education established by the Sisters of Mercy after their arrival in America in 1843 and continues to develop young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in the tradition of its Catholic founders.

A brief video highlighting the history of Mercy education in America, of which Mount St. Mary is proud to be an important part, can be enjoyed here.

From Belle to Lady Buc, MSM Senior Signs with CBU Volleyball

A group of family, teammates, friends and coaches joined together in the McAuley Center on Tuesday, Dec. 11, to celebrate another member of the Volley Belles for committing to play at the collegiate level. Brooke H. ’19 signed her letter of intent with Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn., becoming the MSM volleyball program’s second senior this year with plans to continue playing the sport in college next fall. Her teammate, Madeline S. ’19, signed with Judson University in Elgin, Ill., in October.

Brooke started playing volleyball in the fourth grade as a member of St. Edward Catholic School’s fifth-grade team. Shortly after that, she joined the Little Rock Juniors volleyball club and has competed on one of its teams for the past seven years. Brooke has also been active in the volleyball program at Mount for four years, playing for the Freshman Mounties her first year at the school and then for the Varsity Belles her remaining three years.

According to Brooke, she’s played volleyball at least three times a week since the fourth grade. However, participation in the sport has been worth the demanding schedule. “Volleyball has given me drive and motivates me to perform at my best at all times,” the MSM libero and defensive specialist said. “It has taught me that giving less than 100 percent in anything I do doesn’t feel good inside.”

That drive and motivation did not go unnoticed by those around her. “Brooke is one of the most dedicated athletes I have coached,” MSM volleyball coach Lane West said. “She works hard on the court as well as off the court, and she is very focused and determined to succeed.”

After years of hard work and training, Brooke is excited to join the Lady Bucs team at CBU next fall. “Competing at the next level has been my goal ever since I started playing,” she said. “I have been looking at options and working on preparing for recruiting since around the seventh grade. I knew it was something I wanted to pursue, and I am so happy I get to play at the Division II level.”

In addition to looking forward to playing with her new teammates and coaches, and getting her first taste of “adulting” away from home, Brooke is eager to begin coursework in a unique and relatively new interdisciplinary degree program at CBU. “I am excited about being one of the first students at CBU to major in cybersecurity and digital forensics,” she said. “My future plan is to get a job with the government in this field.”

Concert Belles to Perform in 40th Anniversary Nutcracker Spectacular, Annual Christmas Concert

The Mount St. Mary Academy Concert Belles will sing in two performances of Ballet Arkansas’ Nutcracker Spectacular at Robinson Performance Hall this month, continuing a tradition the celebrated choral ensemble has taken part in since 1997. The Concert Belles will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7, and again at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9.

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of Ballet Arkansas’ treasured holiday production in Central Arkansas and will feature more than 250 local children and adults, two choral ensembles, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. For ticket information, visit www.balletarkansas.org.

Following the Nutcracker performances, the Concert Belles and the Harmony Belles will present their annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m. at Catholic High School’s Auditorium. The event is free.