Monthly Archives: November 2021

MSM Junior Service Learning Program named Outstanding Volunteer Youth Group finalist

“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 foundress

Mount St. Mary Academy’s acclaimed Junior Service Learning Program was honored as one of three finalists for the 2021 Outstanding Volunteer Youth Group by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Arkansas Chapter during its National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. ACCESS, a longtime partner with the service program, nominated the school for the honor.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to nominate Mount St. Mary Academy’s Junior Service Learning Program for this award,” Suzanne Carter, assistant director of early childhood at ACCESS, said. “Our longest-running volunteer program, this partnership has enabled ACCESS to further its mission and exposes these volunteers to a variety of possible career opportunities for their futures. We hope this nomination brings awareness to the philanthropic and service-oriented spirit instilled in and shared by the students at Mount St. Mary Academy.”

Each year during their theology class periods, juniors at Mount St. Mary Academy collectively devote thousands of service hours volunteering at more than 20 community organizations across central Arkansas, from hospitals and hospice care facilities to schools and nursing homes. This academic year, seniors have also been participating in the service learning program since they were unable to do so last year due to pandemic-related restrictions.

“We look forward to having these students on campus each semester,” Carter said. “They are always joyful and eager to learn. As a teacher, volunteers help us better reach our students and give them the skills they need to expand their potential.”

The honor is a testament to the impact of Mount St. Mary Academy’s Catholic foundation and traditions of service and mercy, which have inspired young women to make a difference in their communities for 170 years.

“We want to thank ACCESS for the nomination and our long-standing volunteer partnership,” Lauren Lawrence, theology teacher and Junior Service Learning Program coordinator, said. “Having the ability to model Catherine McAuley’s true mission of service through our Junior Service Learning Program gives our girls firsthand experience in learning how to put their own wants and needs aside to focus on others. Being nominated for this award reinforces the positive change our girls make in our community.”

Buff Easterly, who also teaches theology at Mount St. Mary Academy and is overseeing the seniors’ volunteer efforts this year, echoed her colleague’s sentiments. “Mount was founded by the Sisters of Mercy, who were nicknamed the ‘Walking Sisters’ because they went out into their communities to feed the hungry, care for the sick and provide education. Mount St. Mary Academy has stayed true to that mission, and we are proud to be recognized for our efforts.”

According to the AFP Arkansas Chapter’s website, “National Philanthropy Day is a special day set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the impact of philanthropy in the world around us. It’s a day to honor those people active in the philanthropic community who have made our lives, our communities, and our world a better place.”

Read more about all three of this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Youth Group finalists here.

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.

Robin Hood Days shatters goal, collects more than 111,000 cans

Mount St. Mary Academy recently celebrated its most successful Robin Hood Days ever after having to curtail activities surrounding the longstanding tradition last year due to COVID-19. The annual student-led canned food drive collected a total of 111,419 cans and cash equivalent over a four-week period this year, shattering the previous record set in 2019 by nearly 50,000 cans.

“I cannot believe how hard these students worked to achieve and far surpass our goals,” Noël Gieringer, MSM English teacher and student council sponsor, said. “After an unusual, simplified can drive last year, it was amazing to see all the new, creative ideas our students used for fundraising. Students not only brought in cans and money, but also came up with events, raffles and other fun ways to encourage their classmates to give. It took the efforts of every grade level to reach this amazing milestone!”

Each class met its individual goal of 10,000 cans and cash equivalent before the drive concluded on November 19. The senior class, which more than quadrupled their individual goal, earned bragging rights by collecting the largest amount of cans: 44,365. The junior class, which at one point led the totals, finished a close second with 38,560 cans. With their individual totals this year, the seniors and juniors each beat the school total from 2016.

“One of the things that will stick with me from my time at Mount is the spirit of giving – and friendly competition – created during Robin Hood Days,” Ellen Brady ’22, student body president said. “I think we can all agree this is a pretty impactful four-week period, when the entire student body comes together to reach a common goal in order to help the food insecurity problem within our state. This is the power of sisterhood and community.”

Savannah Hindman ’22, a three-year student council member, echoed her classmate’s sentiments. “I don’t think I have ever seen the sisterhood as strong as it has been the past few weeks of Robin Hood Days. All of us pulling together to benefit the community in such a huge way and uplifting each other to get the job done has been such an amazing experience. I have never felt so united and so close with my classmates.”

For nearly 50 years, Robin Hood Days has helped provide food and monetary donations to local organizations, including Arkansas Foodbank, The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock, Rice Depot, Union Rescue Mission, Jericho Way, Our House, OXFAM and Catholic Social Services, among others. It is estimated that more than 1 million canned goods have been collected by Mount St. Mary Academy since the event began in 1974.

View photos of Mount St. Mary students helping load donated canned goods into the vehicles of this year’s benefiting organizations at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmX9Jd51.

More than 20 Belles selected for All-Region choirs

Congratulations to the young women selected to the 2021 Arkansas Choral Directors Association All-Region choirs. In total, 22 Concert Belles and Harmony Belles earned spots this year. According to the ArkCDA’s website, the selected students represent some of the finest musicians from eligible secondary schools in Arkansas.

Most of the Belles who received this special recognition participated in the Region 2 All-Region Clinic at Maumelle High School on Saturday, November 13, where they performed prepared songs and spent time learning new ones.

Additionally, 14 students’ performances qualified them to audition for the 2022 All-State Choir on February 4 at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Congratulations to the following students:

Soprano I Mixed

4^th chair – Sophia Parrish ’22*

6th chair – Kathryn Morris ’23*

10^th chair – Belle Mentgen ’23*

16th chair – Gracie Limmer ’22*

20^th chair – Kylie Byrne ’25*

Soprano I Treble

32nd chair – Aubree McCullough ’24

Soprano II Mixed

2nd chair – Grace Moody ’24*

4th chair – Maya Johnson ’25*

8th chair – Isabella Nguyen ’25*

12th chair – Vivian Fischer ’23*

Soprano II Treble

33rd chair – Layne Edwards ’23

38th chair – Maricruz Negrete ’22

Alto I Mixed

11th chair – Olivia Cordell ’22*

19th chair – Natalie Vailes ’22*

Alto I Treble

25th chair – Camilla Ricaurte ’22

29th chair – Rhea Fitts ’25

Alto II Mixed

6th chair – Grey Parrish ’23*

12th chair – Gabriella Angtuaco ’23*

20th chair – Clara Principe ’24*

Alto II Treble

38th chair – Ella Burdine ’24

41st chair – Anya Ratycz ’23

43rd chair – Bella Angtuaco ’25

*eligible to audition for All-State

MSM alumnae share knowledge, advice during annual Career Day

Mount St. Mary Academy welcomed 18 alumnae back to campus to share useful advice and details about their career paths with current students at its annual Career Day on Friday, November 5. Students attended up to two sessions where they were able to hear from and ask questions of panels of alumnae representing various fields, including: business, communications, engineering, healthcare, law, non-profit, public service, religious life and the sciences.

First organized in 2015, Career Day is a collaborative effort of the Alumnae Office and Counseling staff. It represents one of the many ways that Mount St. Mary Academy encourages its students to explore their interests and passions as an extension of their academic program and, in the process, better understand themselves, their community and the world.

We appreciate all of the talented alumnae who volunteered their time as panel speakers this year. You are an inspiration to our young women and such wonderful representatives of your alma mater!