Category Archives: Events

2023 Commencement celebrates 100 graduates

The Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2023 received their diplomas and officially graduated from high school during this year’s Commencement Ceremony on Monday, May 22, at Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock. Per tradition, the young women wore white gowns and long gloves, and carried a single red rose, as they processed in through an audience of family members and friends and onto the stage.

 

The 100 graduates, admitted to nearly 100 colleges and universities, collectively received over $15.7 million in scholarship offerings and will be attending 35 different institutions of higher education across 16 states and two continents this fall. Additionally, this year’s graduating class completed nearly 10,000 hours of community service for the greater Little Rock community during its junior and senior years.

 

Msgr. Lawrence Frederick, affectionately known as Fr. Fred, delivered the commencement address. He encouraged the graduates to remain faithful and be mindful of their relationship with Jesus as they enter this next chapter of their lives because it would be the most important relationship.

 

Fr. Fred was introduced by Fourth Honor Graduate Caroline Dean. Fifth Honor Graduates Madeline Dalton, Kathryn Morris and Eliza Spellins offered the invocation, and Third Honor Graduate Anna Alyse Patterson presented the class essay. The valedictory address was given by First Honor Graduates Megan Denery and Erin Strickland.

 

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor presented the diplomas as MSM Head of School Sara Jones and MSM Assistant Principal Robin Johnson announced each graduate, her honors, and the college she will attend. The three were joined on stage by Theresa Goshen Hall ’78, Arkansas Catholic Schools superintendent, and Donna Chachere ’83, MSM Academy Board of Directors president-elect. The evening concluded with graduates singing the alma mater together one final time as a class.

 

View photos from this year’s Commencement Ceremony at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAEY2E.

 

Congratulations, Class of 2023! We celebrate you and look forward to seeing all you continue to accomplish as women of wisdom, compassion and integrity.

Numerous scholarships awarded during Underclass Awards Ceremony

Mount St. Mary Academy was blessed to award 24 scholarships totaling more than $67,500 to students during its annual Underclass Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 18, in the McAuley Center Gymnasium. Several donors of the endowed scholarships were in attendance to help present the awards to this year’s deserving recipients, which made the event even more special.

 

Dozens of additional academic honors were also awarded and celebrated. The school’s various academic departments honored the students’ accomplishments in the classroom, and their participation and achievement in clubs, organizations, and other activities such as Student Council, yearbook, newspaper, the fine and performing arts, and Odyssey of the Mind were recognized, as well.

 

During the ceremony, Amber Pruss ’07 was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Bailey Family Distinguished Teaching Award for exhibiting overall excellence in teaching during the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to teaching math courses at MSM, Coach Pruss serves as the assistant coach for the Freshman Mounties volleyball team and as advisor to the Diversity Club.

 

Congratulations to all of our outstanding students for their academic accomplishments, especially this year’s scholarship recipients (in order of appearance during event):

 

  • McAuley Achievement Award: Danielle Chenault ’25, Cassie Clark ’25, Elizabeth Hunter ’24, Isabella Nguyen ’25, Eliza Jane Null ’24, and Carson Vogelpohl ’26
  • Sr. Deborah Troillett, RSM ’73 Endowed Scholarship: Abby Whittaker ’24
  • Mary Drake Scholarship: Sarah Siria ’25
  • Spirit of ’95 Scholarship: Clara Principe ’24
  • Class of 2009 SISTER Scholarship: Amaria Love ’25
  • Sandra Gueydan Hickey ’66 Scholarship: Lyla Tong ’24
  • Alana Wolfe Memorial Scholarship: Kennedy Griffin ’24
  • Wells Pre-Engineering Scholarship: Savannah Eanes ’24
  • Judith Wrappe Scholarship: Lindsey Morris ’25 and Savvy Straessle ’24
  • Jennifer Boccarossa Music Scholarship: Maya Johnson ’25
  • Evelyn J. Coulter Thomas ’30 Scholarship: Ella Burdine ’24 (for music), Hannah Day ’24 (for dance) and Elizabeth Hunter ’24 (for fine literature)
  • Annalisa “Magdalena” McClendon Travel Grant: Bri Boggs ’24
  • Bella Brown “THINK” Scholarship: McKenzie Shipe ’24
  • Melissa Ma ’98 Endowed Scholarship: Sarah Beth Thomas ’24
  • Ma Family Endowed Scholarship: Zashenka Cervantes ’24

 

We also wish to thank the many donors who have so graciously created these endowed scholarships to assist students. In addition to the ones presented during the Underclass Awards Ceremony, additional scholarships totaling more than $39,000 were given to seniors during the Senior Recognition Ceremony on May 17, and several others will be awarded during Mercy Day later this fall. In all, approximately $105,000 in scholarships will be provided to students for the 2023-2024 school year.

Class of 2023 accomplishments highlighted at Senior Recognition Ceremony

Mount St. Mary Academy held its Senior Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 17, in the McAuley Center Gymnasium. The annual event, one of the final opportunities for the Class of 2023 to gather together before graduation, honored the individual and collective academic accomplishments of this year’s 100 seniors.

 

Seventy-four percent of the Class of 2023 earned the academic status of Honor Graduate, having earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and received a gold cord to wear at graduation. The top honor graduates awarded were: 1st honor graduates Megan Denery and Erin Strickland, 3rd honor graduate Anna Alyse Patterson, 4th honor graduate Caroline Dean, and 5th honor graduates Madeline Dalton, Kathryn Morris, and Eliza Spellins.

 

Nine seniors were recognized for having participated in the rigorous AP Capstone program of study and received a purple and white cord to wear at graduation: Kendall Cronkite, Megan Denery, Maya Henry, Millie Ketcher, Anna Mammarelli, Belle Mentgen, Kathryn Morris, Anna Alyse Patterson, and Erin Strickland. Additionally, Savannah Snape was recognized for her completion of the AP Seminar and Research certificates.

 

Mille Ketcher received the 2023 Head of School’s Award, given to an outstanding senior each year who has consistently demonstrated a Christian attitude, academic achievement, school pride and loyalty, service to others, and a total commitment to achieving her best during her time at Mount St. Mary.

 

Madeline Dalton and Anya Ratycz were honored for receiving recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation based on their PSAT performance their junior year. They were two of just 14,000 seniors nationwide to be selected as a National Merit Finalist in 2023.

 

Several honors were awarded from various academic departments and organizations as well as the Flora Bittner Croft Scholarship for MSM students attending a Catholic university. The recipients of this year’s Flora Bittner Croft Scholarship were Yaretzi Carranza and Brooke Lee.

 

Fifty seniors, half the graduating class, were recognized for their fine example in maintaining the highest standards of character, leadership, service and academic excellence as members of National Honor Society. Additionally, 63% of the Class of 2023 was honored for its participation in Beta Club, a national organization that emphasizes achievement, character, and service.

 

We celebrate the many wonderful academic accomplishments of the Class of 2023!

Robin Hood Days 2022 records second-largest collection

This year’s Robin Hood Days was once again a big success thanks to students’ hard work and creative can-collecting activities. The annual canned food drive collected a total of 78,031 cans and cash equivalent, which is the second largest amount in its nearly 50-year history. The results of the student-led drive, which benefits local organizations that provide meals for Arkansas families in need, were announced at the end of the school’s Thanksgiving Prayer Service on November 18.

 

“I was so excited to hear the results from this year’s drive,” exclaimed Anna Mammarelli ’23, student body president. “Robin Hood Days is my favorite MSM tradition because the passion and energy for feeding the poor is palpable. I love seeing Mount Girls join together to channel our unwavering spirit into a worthy cause, feeding deserving families for months.”

 

During the month-long drive, students collected cans and cash donations from family, friends and neighbors in addition to holding class-sponsored fundraisers like purchasing a raffle ticket for the chance to stick a pie in the face of your favorite teacher. Each class ultimately surpassed its individual goal of 10,0000 cans and cash equivalent before Robin Hood Days concluded. This year’s winning class was the senior class, which more than tripled its individual goal by collecting 33,052 cans. The freshman class came in second with 16,309 cans.

 

“This year the [can-collecting] ideas have been so incredibly creative, such as the freshmen’s root beer floats, the sophomores’ candy guessing game, the juniors setting up camp at Trader Joe’s, and the seniors’ raffle basket,” Anna said. “I’m most proud of the support that grades extend to each other, from sharing donation tactics to purchasing their goods, in order to help achieve our overall goal.”

 

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.

 

“Our girls put forward so much effort for this event each year, and it’s always wonderful to see their hard work pay off,” said Cheri Martinka ’85, MSM social studies teacher and student council coordinator. “Robin Hood Days is an important way for us to help the students of Mount St. Mary Academy see the impact they can have on the lives of those in our community who are in need.”

 

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

Mercy Day 2022: Celebrate with Service

Nearly 500 Mount St. Mary Academy students, faculty and staff spent the morning of September 23rd volunteering at 22 locations across central Arkansas. The schoolwide day of community service took place in honor of Mercy Day. This special day, celebrated by the global Mercy community, commemorates the day Catherine McAuley opened the first House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland, in 1827 to serve the sick and poor.

 

In the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy founder, Mount St. Mary honors this important date in history each year by completing acts of service on its campus, in its surrounding neighborhood and throughout the Little Rock area. This year, to recognize its milestone five-year anniversary, Mercy Education invited its 55 member schools to “Celebrate with Service” by collectively accruing five years’ worth of service – 43,800 total volunteers hours – in honor of Mercy Day. Mount St. Mary Academy proudly contributed 988 hours toward this goal.

 

This year’s Mercy Day activities included cleaning and picking up trash, preparing meals, sorting clothing, and helping with various additional tasks at churches, schools and organizations that serve those in need. Work was completed at the following sites: The Allen School, Allsopp Park, Calvary Cemetery, Camp Aldersgate, CareLink, Central Arkansas Library System, Easterseals, The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock, Home for Healing, Jericho Way Day Resource Center, Little Rock Compassion Center, Live Thankfully Little Rock, Missionaries of Charity Abba House, Museum of Discovery, Recycle Bikes for Kids, River City Ministry, St. Joseph Center of Arkansas, St. Theresa Catholic School, Stewpot, War Memorial Park and Mount St. Mary Academy.

 

Once service work was completed, the MSM community gathered together in the McAuley Center gymnasium for a special all-school Mercy Day Mass. The day of celebration ended with Mercy Education’s missioning of Sara Jones as Mount St. Mary Academy’s new head of school. Mount was honored to have Kimberly Baxter, Mercy Education associate director for programs and services, in attendance to lead the special ceremony.

 

View photos from this year’s Mercy Day at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA9FYN.

108 diplomas awarded at 2022 Commencement

The Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2022 received their diplomas and officially graduated from high school during this year’s Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 24, at Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock. Per tradition, the young women wore white gowns and long gloves, and carried a single red rose, as they processed in through an audience of family members and friends and onto the stage.

 

The 108 graduates, admitted to nearly 100 colleges and universities, collectively received over $13 million in scholarship offerings and will be attending 37 different institutions of higher education across 15 states this fall. Additionally, this year’s graduating class completed 8,823 hours of community service for the greater Little Rock community during its junior and senior years, proving that “living Mercy” remained a priority even through the challenges of a global pandemic.

 

Donna Chachere ’83, business systems developer at UAMS and adjunct professor at UA Little Rock, delivered the commencement address. After praising their perseverance through the challenges of the past few years, Ms. Chachere encouraged the graduates to “spread a little of your Mount St. Mary experience to your new communities” by continuing to serve those in need and continuing to always show Mercy – to others and to themselves. She also reminded the young women to trust God’s direction for their lives. “I know most of you have a plan for the future. As Mount Girls, we are prepared. But be accepting of God’s plan also,” she said. “Sometimes what we may perceive as a failed plan is really God leading us to a better conclusion.”

 

Ms. Chachere was introduced by Third Honor Graduate Lucy Nimmo. Fourth Honor Graduate Savanna Hindman offered the invocation, and Second Honor Graduate Sydney England presented the class essay. The valedictory addresses were given by First Honor Graduates Millie Allgood and Eleanor Lewis.

 

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor presented the diplomas as MSM President Pattie Davis and MSM Principal Sara Jones announced each graduate, her honors, and the college she will attend. The three were joined on stage by Theresa Goshen Hall ’78, Arkansas Catholic Schools superintendent, and Susie Whitacre, MSM Academy Board of Directors chair. The evening concluded with graduates singing the alma mater together one final time as a class.

 

View photos from this year’s Commencement Ceremony at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzSkfS.

 

Congratulations, Class of 2022! We celebrate you and look forward to seeing all you continue to accomplish as women of wisdom, compassion and integrity.

 

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.

More than $100,000 in scholarships awarded during Underclass Awards Ceremony

Mount St. Mary Academy was blessed to award 26 scholarships totaling nearly $104,000 to students during its annual Underclass Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 19, in the McAuley Center Gym. Donors of several the endowed scholarships were in attendance to help present the awards to this year’s deserving recipients, which made the event even more special.

 

Dozens of additional academic honors were also awarded and celebrated. The school’s various academic departments honored the students’ accomplishments in the classroom, and their participation and achievement in clubs, organizations and other activities such as Student Council, yearbook, newspaper, the fine and performing arts, and Odyssey of the Mind were recognized, as well.

 

During the ceremony, Rachel McLemore was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Bailey Family Distinguished Teaching Award for exhibiting overall excellence in teaching during the 2021-2022 school year. In addition to teaching social studies courses at MSM, Ms. McLemore is the Sophomore Class Sponsor, coaches the Cross Country Belles and Quiz Bowl team, and serves as advisor to several students organizations, including Model UN, Students of Color Alliance and Young Changemakers Club.

 

Congratulations to all of our outstanding students for their academic accomplishments, especially this year’s scholarship recipients (in order of appearance during event):

 

  • McAuley Achievement Award: Elizabeth Hunter ’24, Amaria Love ’25, Kathryn Morris ’23, Lindsey Morris ’25, Isabelle Nguyen ’25 and Eliza Spellins ’23
  • Sr. Deborah Troillett, RSM ’73 Endowed Scholarship: Lilli Brooks ’23
  • Mary Drake Scholarship: Eliza Jane Null ’24
  • Spirit of ’95 Scholarship: Sarah Rounsaville ’23
  • Class of 2009 SISTER Scholarship: Belle Mentgen ’23
  • Sandra Gueydan Hickey ’66 Scholarship: Autumn Moss ’23
  • Alana Wolfe Memorial Scholarship: Millie Ketcher ’23
  • Wells Pre-Engineering Scholarship: Megan Denery ’23
  • Wells Summer Engineering Academy Scholarship: Savannah Eanes ’24
  • Judith Wrappe Scholarship: Cat Michaels ’23, Savvy Straessle ’24 and Ann Marie Nguyen ’25
  • Jennifer Boccarossa Music Scholarship: Annabelle Owen ’25
  • Evelyn J. Coulter Thomas ’30 Scholarship: Gabriella Angtuaco ’23 (for music), Chloe Chandler ’23 (for fine literature) and Grey Parrish ’23 (for dance)
  • Annalisa “Magdalena” McClendon Travel Grant: Madeline Dalton ’23
  • Bella Brown “THINK” Scholarship: Belle Mentgen
  • Melissa Ma ’98 Endowed Scholarship: Emely Gonzalez ’23
  • Ma Family Endowed Scholarship: Julieanne Brown ’23

 

We also wish to thank the many donors who have so graciously created these endowed scholarships to assist students. In addition to the ones presented during the Underclass Awards Ceremony, additional scholarships totaling more than $38,000 were given to seniors during the Senior Recognition Ceremony on May 18.

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.

Class of 2022 accomplishments highlighted at Senior Recognition Ceremony

Mount St. Mary Academy held its Senior Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 18, in the McAuley Center Gymnasium. The annual event, one of the final opportunities for the Class of 2022 to gather together before graduation, honored the individual and collective academic accomplishments of this year’s 108 seniors.

 

Seventy-four percent of the Class of 2022 earned the academic status of Honor Graduate, having earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and received a gold cord to wear at graduation. The top honor graduates awarded were: 1st honor graduates Millie Allgood and Eleanor Lewis, 2nd honor graduate Sydney England, 3rd honor graduate Lucy Nimmo, and 4th honor graduate Savanna Hindman.

 

Nine seniors were recognized for having participated in the rigorous AP Capstone program of study and received a purple and white cord to wear at graduation: Millie Allgood, Rebecca Besier, Sydney England, Abigail Garmon, Savanna Hindman, Eleanor Lewis, Lucy Nimmo, Veronica Simon and Abigail Thompson. Additionally, Katherine Meeks and Isabel Wilcox were recognized for their completion of the AP Seminar and Research certificates.

 

Rosa Rivera received the 2022 Principal’s Award, given to an outstanding senior each year who has consistently demonstrated a Christian attitude, academic achievement, school pride and loyalty, service to others, and a total commitment to achieving her best during her time at Mount St. Mary.

 

Sydney England was honored for receiving recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation based on her PSAT performance their junior year. She was one of just 14,000 seniors nationwide to be selected as a National Merit Finalist in 2022.

 

A number of honors were awarded from various academic departments and organizations as well as the Flora Bittner Croft Scholarship for MSM students attending a Catholic university and the Judith Wrappe Scholarship for the senior art submission that best portrayed the theme of “We Are Stronger Than We Know.” Recipients of this year’s Flora Bittner Croft Scholarship were Haley Draeger, Rosa Rivera and Mary Claire Thomas. Emma Villiger was awarded the Judith Wrappe Scholarship.

 

Fifty-one seniors, nearly half the graduating class, were recognized for their fine example in maintaining the highest standards of character, leadership, service and academic excellence as members of National Honor Society. Additionally, 57% of the Class of 2022 was honored for its participation in Beta Club, a national organization that emphasizes achievement, character and service.

 

We celebrate the many wonderful academic accomplishments of the Class of 2022!

 

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.

Closing Prayer Service honors senior class on final day

On Monday, May 9 – the seniors’ last day of high school – Mount St. Mary Academy honored and bid farewell to the Class of 2022 during the Closing Prayer Service. The special all-school celebration, held in the McAuley Center gymnasium, included parting words from teachers, administration, and students, as well as a video highlighting memorable moments from the school year.

 

Near the end of the Closing Prayer Service, the soon-to-be alumnae took part in the fourth and final tradition experienced by all Mount students prior to their Commencement: the presentation of the graduation tassels. Students receive their Mercy cards in 9th grade, Mercy pins in 10th grade, and class rings in 11th grade. The graduation tassels presented at the end of the students’ final year at Mount mark the completion of their academic and spiritual development during the four years of high school.

 

After singing the alma mater together one final time on campus, the seniors exited the McAuley Center through an honor guard made up of faculty and staff. The special procession served as an appropriate bookend to the seniors’ experience, for the class walked through an honor guard of students as freshmen being welcomed into the MSM community during the Opening Prayer Service at the beginning of their ninth grade year. This is the only other time during the school year the honor guard takes place.

 

For their last day of school, per a relatively new tradition at Mount, seniors wore college shirts along with the iconic MSM houndstooth skirts decorated with the mascots, symbols, and colors of the colleges and universities they’ll be attending this fall. The group enjoyed showing off the creative and colorful attire, and taking pictures with each other and their younger classmates, during the all-school Pizza on the Plaza lunch earlier in the day.

 

View photos from the Closing Prayer Service at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzQcPi.

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.

MSM hosts annual Athletics Banquet

Nearly 300 guests gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Little Rock on Wednesday, May 4, to honor and celebrate Mount St. Mary Academy’s sports teams, student-athletes and coaching staff during the school’s annual Athletic Banquet.

 

Coaches introduced their respective teams during the event and presented the traditional awards for each player based on her years of participation. First-year players received a certificate, second-year players were given a MSM letter and symbol of the sports in which they played, third-year players received the coveted white sweatshirt with their name and sports monogrammed on the sleeves, and fourth-year players were gifted a wooden memento box engraved with their athletic accomplishments.

 

The recipients of a handful of special awards, which are selected by MSM athletic staff, were also announced during the banquet. This year’s winners include the following:

 

Msgr. Keany Award: Izzy Todd ’22

Donnie Bridges Award: Kate Raborn ’22

Sr. Phillipa Athletic Award: Sydney England ’22

Sr. Mary Phillipa Parent Award: Melanie Grace

Sr. Phillipa Manning Memorial Scholarship: Mia Aquino ’22

Mary Drake Award: Elizabeth Kehner ’23

Purple Heart Award: Savanna Hindman ’22 and Millie Ketcher ’23

Tri Belle Award: Kate Raborn ’22

Vassar-West Scholarship: Abigail Britt ’24

Clem Papineau Legacy Award: Elea Blakely ’22 and Katherine Meeks ’22

Marilyn Lenggenhager Passionate Athlete Award: Emery Horras ’23 and Josie Landrum ’22

Sara Fritz Outstanding Student Athletic Training Award: Autumn Moss ’23 and Abbie Thompson ’22

Manager of the Year: Mackenzie Edwards ’23 and Brooke Lee ’23

Most Valuable Freshman Award: Anna Kate Suffridge ’25

Most Valuable Belle: Millie Allgood ’22

 

Twenty-four student-athletes were recognized as Four-Year Scholars, having participated in athletics for all four years of high school and graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Millie Allgood and Eleanor Lewis were awarded the Top Scholar Athlete Award for maintaining the highest academic average while also participating in the athletic program at Mount.

 

MSM Athletic Director Lane West honored the coaching staff at the event, as well, and paid special tribute to Beth Pursley who is retiring at the end of the school year. Mrs. Pursley coached soccer and cross country during a large part of her 22 total years at MSM.

 

Congratulations to all of this year’s hard-working and dedicated student-athletes and their coaches.

 

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.

Class of 2023 receives senior rings

The Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2023 participated in the time-honored tradition of receiving their senior rings at Christ the King Church on Sunday, April 24. Following the call to worship by their classmate, Alexis Coy, the juniors celebrated Mass with their families in preparation of becoming next year’s leaders.

 

MSM Chaplain Msgr. Lawrence Frederick blessed the rings at the end of the special Mass. Then, as homeroom teachers announced all 108 names in the Class of 2023, each young woman stood and was presented her senior ring by a family member. The rings will not only serve as a symbol of the group’s class unity and leadership, but also as an important reminder to live Mercy every day.

 

Congratulations to next year’s leaders, the Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2023!

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 celebrates Dinner Belles’ success

Nearly 300 Mount St. Mary Academy alumnae, parents, faculty, staff and friends filled the McAuley Center gymnasium on Saturday, April 9, for Dinner Belles 2022: Belles in Blue Jeans. The biennial dinner and auction raised more than $110,000 for the school, including over $20,000 for tuition assistance alone during the event’s paddle raise at the end of the night.

 

Since its inception in 1985, Dinner Belles has been a special time for friends of Mount St. Mary Academy to enjoy an evening of camaraderie, good food, and friendly bidding. The event’s committee, chaired by MSM parent Deanna Hildebrand, worked tirelessly for months leading up to the April fundraiser to ensure a fun and memorable night for all in attendance. Inspired by its Western theme, guests at this year’s Dinner Belles enjoyed a barbecue meal catered by Corky’s Ribs & BBQ prior to the start of the live auction. Emmy Award-winning auctioneer Mark Schroeder added to the energy and excitement as the evening’s special guest emcee.

 

Mount St. Mary Academy wishes to thank everyone who helped make Dinner Belles 2022 such an incredible event. The school is especially grateful for the event’s many generous sponsors – including the presenting sponsor, CHI St. Vincent – and gift-in-kind donations.

 

Proceeds from Dinner Belles benefit the annual giving campaign at Mount St. Mary Academy, which supports tuition assistance, student programs, technology and facility improvements, faculty compensation, and more. This year marked the first time the nearly 40-year tradition has been held in person since 2018. It was postponed and then ultimately presented virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

View photos from Dinner Belles 2022 at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzKo7d.

 

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.

Belles tour Texas during annual College Trip

Eighteen Mount St. Mary students, along with two staff members, spent February 23-26 touring a handful of college campuses in Texas during the school’s annual College Trip. The four-day road trip – which included visits to a total of seven universities in the Lone Star State – provided students with the opportunity to explore a variety of campuses, speak with school admissions representatives, and learn about some of the different postsecondary options that exist in the region.

 

“Despite the weather, we had a really great trip this year,” Whitney Smotherman ’03, MSM college counselor, said. “I think all of the girls really enjoyed getting a peek into college life and learning about the differences that exist from campus to campus. They left the experience with a better idea of what size, type, and overall culture they prefer for college.”

 

Melissa Angtuaco’s daughter, Gabriella ’23, participated in this year’s trip. She agreed the experience was a worthwhile one. “It really helped Gabriella understand what she is looking for in a college and what it means when you describe a college type, such as different campus settings and sizes – especially seeing firsthand the benefits and drawbacks of larger or smaller schools and the level of resources available,” she said. “It was a very useful trip and offered a great bonding experience with some classmates.”

 

The annual college trip ultimately aims to help Mount St. Mary students find success during the college search and application process by introducing them to the process before their senior year. “Visiting different types of colleges and universities prior to a student’s final year at Mount helps her narrow her college search, prepare for the application process, and understand the importance of her GPA and extracurricular commitments in high school,” Mrs. Smotherman said of the annual trip.

 

This year’s itinerary included visits to the following schools, all to which MSM students regularly apply and are accepted: Texas A&M University, Texas State University, St. Edward’s University, University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Christian University. During the last trip in 2020, students visited campuses in Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

 

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 celebrates Founders Day, 171 years

Saturday, February 5, represented a special day for Mount St. Mary Academy. It marked 171 years since the Sisters of Mercy founded what was originally known as St. Mary’s Academy in 1851, at the request of Arkansas’ first Catholic bishop, Andrew Byrne. Recognized as the oldest continuously operated school in Arkansas, and the third oldest of the secondary schools sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy worldwide, Mount St. Mary Academy has been providing Mercy education to young women in Arkansas ever since.

 

On Monday, February 7, the Mount St. Mary Academy community gathered in the school’s McAuley Center for the annual Founders Day and Sophomore Pin Mass. As students entered the gymnasium, senior Student Council members rang the Angelus Bell 171 times in honor of the school’s 171-year history. The bell was given to the Sisters of Mercy by Bishop Byrne at the school’s first location in downtown Little Rock. At the conclusion of the all-school Mass, the members of the Class of 2024 received their Mercy pins, which serve as reminders to the sophomores to live the Mercy values in their everyday lives.

 

Happy birthday, Mount St. Mary Academy!

 

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.

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.

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!

 

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.

2021 Commencement returns to Robinson, celebrates 131 graduates

Members of the Class of 2021 officially became Mount St. Mary Academy’s newest graduates during this year’s Commencement Ceremony on Monday, May 24. The special event returned to Robinson Auditorium in downtown Little Rock after having been temporarily moved to the football field at Catholic High School in 2020 due to COVID-19.

 

Per tradition, the young women wore white gowns and long gloves, and carried a single red rose, as they processed in through an audience of family members and friends and onto the stage. The 131 graduates, accepted to more than 100 colleges and universities, collectively received over $15 million in scholarship offerings and will be attending 37 different higher education institutions across 16 states this fall. Additionally, this year’s graduating class completed more than 10,000 hours of community service during its junior and senior years, proving that “living Mercy” remained a priority even through the challenges of a global pandemic.

 

Msgr. Lawrence Frederick, affectionately known as Fr. Fred, delivered the commencement address. In the same manner as his homilies, he began his address with a story, which ultimately encouraged each young woman to consider what she will do when faced with adversity in the future. Fr. Fred asked the graduates to rely on their Mercy values to help change their circumstances for the better – just as they’d successfully done during the past year. He also reminded them of these values’ importance in living a truly fruitful life. “If you follow the Mercy values that the school has taught you, you will have a life based upon the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, courage and temperance,” Fr. Fred said. “And those virtues will help you develop the person that God wants you to be, the person He intended you to be, and you will be serving Him the best way you can.”

 

Fr. Fred was introduced by Fourth Honor Graduate Sarah Cate Lay. Fifth Honor Graduate Sydney Austen offered the invocation, and Third Honor Graduate Anne Marie Coy presented the class essay, “Don’t You Forget About Me.” The salutatory address, “The Nerd, the Beauty, the Jock, the Rebel, and the Recluse” was given by Second Honor Graduate Brynne Johnson, and First Honor Graduate Chloe Gourde delivered the valedictory address, “Sincerely Yours, The Breakfast Club.” Like the iconic 1985 American teen drama film, The Breakfast Club, each of the top graduates’ addresses celebrated the individual talents of their classmates and their ability to come together as sisters, despite their differences, during their four years at Mount.

 

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor presented the diplomas as MSM President Pattie Davis and MSM Principal Sara Jones announced each graduate and the college she will attend. The three were joined on stage by Theresa Goshen Hall ’78, Catholic Schools superintendent, and Susie Whitacre, MSM Academy Board of Directors chairman. The evening concluded with graduates linking arms and singing the alma mater together one final time as a class.

 

The Class of 2021 chose the following words by Abraham Lincoln for its class quote: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” As strong, confident women of wisdom, compassion and integrity, Mount St. Mary Academy’s newest graduates’ futures are sure to be bright.

 

Visit https://youtu.be/7cvhZltA3nY to view the video of this year’s Commencement Ceremony.

 

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.

Scholarships and academic honors announced during Underclass Awards Ceremony

Mount St. Mary Academy was blessed to present 24 scholarships and awards totaling more than $50,000 during its annual Underclass Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 20. This year’s event was held virtually and livestreamed across campus for students, faculty and staff to watch from their classrooms and offices.

 

Dozens of additional academic honors were also awarded and celebrated. The school’s various academic departments honored the students’ accomplishments in the classroom, and their participation and achievement in clubs, organizations and other activities such as Student Council, Yearbook, Concert Belles and Odyssey of the Mind were recognized, as well.

 

During the ceremony, Susan Moore was recognized as this year’s recipient of the John and Patricia Bailey Family Distinguished Teaching Award for exhibiting overall excellence in teaching during the 2020-2021 school year. Mrs. Moore teaches Family and Consumer Science courses at MSM and also serves as advisor to the school’s award-winning Mercian Yearbook.

 

Congratulations to all of our outstanding students for their academic accomplishments, especially this year’s scholarship recipients (in order of appearance during event):

 

  • McAuley Achievement Award: Millie Allgood ’22, May Barnett ’24, Ellen Brady ’22, Olivia Coppens ’22, Alexis Coy ’23 and Kathyrn Morris ’23
  • Sr. Deborah Troillett, RSM ’73 Endowed Scholarship: Annie Wendel ’22
  • Mary Drake Scholarship: Megan Denery ’23
  • Spirit of ’95 Scholarship: Mimi Baldwin ’22
  • Class of 2009 SISTER Scholarship: Belle Mentgen ’23
  • Sandra Gueydan Hickey ’66 Scholarship: Ahmaya Graves-Young ’22
  • Alana Wolfe Memorial Scholarship: Ellen Brady
  • Wells Pre-Engineering Scholarship: Phoebe Johnson ’22
  • Judith Wrappe Scholarship: Grace Chastain ’22, Ashley Kassissieh ’24 and Cate Michaels ’23
  • Jennifer Boccarossa Music Scholarship: Belle Mentgen
  • Evelyn J. Coulter Thomas ’30 Scholarship: Sydney England ’22 (for fine literature), Gracie Limmer ’22 (for music) and Isabel Wilcox ’22 (for dance)
  • Bella Brown “THINK” Scholarship: Amaya Graves-Young
  • Melissa Ma ’98 Endowed Scholarship: Haley Draeger ’22
  • Ma Family Endowed Scholarship: Isabel Chaidez ’22

 

We also wish to thank the many donors who have so graciously created these endowed scholarships to assist students. In addition to the ones presented during the Underclass Awards Ceremony, additional scholarships totaling nearly $40,000 were given to seniors during the Senior Recognition Ceremony on May 19.

 

View the recording of the 2021 Underclass Awards Ceremony at https://youtu.be/ccGyj8sdjyg.

 

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.

Senior Recognition Ceremony honors Class of 2021 accomplishments

Mount St. Mary Academy held its Senior Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, May 19, in the McAuley Center Gymnasium. The annual event, one of the final opportunities for the Class of 2021 to gather together before graduation, honored the individual and collective academic accomplishments of this year’s seniors.

 

Seventy-three percent of the Class of 2021 earned the academic status of Honor Graduate, having earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and received a gold cord to wear at graduation. The top honor graduates awarded were: 1st honor graduate Chloe Gourde, 2nd honor graduate Brynne Johnson, 3rd honor graduate Anne Marie Coy, 4th honor graduate Sarah Cate Lay, and 5th honor graduate Sydney Austen.

 

Fourteen seniors were recognized for having participated in the rigorous AP Capstone program of study and received a purple and white cord to wear at graduation: Sydney Austen, Olivia Chambers, Ella Grace Connery, Anne Marie Coy, Savanna Delavan, Fran Edwards, Josie Fitz, Chloe Gourde, Tori Hughes, Brynne Johnson, Sarah Cate Lay, Abbey Moore, Mary Stevens, and Emily Van Ecko. Additionally, Anna Yanosick was recognized for her completion of the AP Seminar and Research certificate.

 

Laysha Cervantes received the 2021 Principal’s Award, given to an outstanding senior each year who has consistently demonstrated a Christian attitude, academic achievement, school pride and loyalty, service to others, and a total commitment to achieving her best during her time at Mount St. Mary.

 

Three MSM students were honored for receiving recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation based on their PSAT performance their junior year. Chloe Gourde was one of just 14,000 seniors nationwide to be selected as a National Merit Finalist in 2021, which earned her a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship from Raytheon. Additionally, Emily Roach was selected as a National Merit Commended Student, and Sydney Austen was named a recipient of the State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship awarded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

 

A number of honors were awarded from various academic departments and organizations as well as the Flora Bittner Croft Scholarship for MSM students attending a Catholic university and the Judith Wrappe Scholarship for the senior art submission that best portrayed the theme of “We Are Stronger Than We Know.” Recipients of this year’s Flora Bittner Croft Scholarship were Emily Roach and Madeline Zachritz. Elise Smith was awarded the Judith Wrappe Scholarship.

 

Seventy-seven seniors, more than half the graduating class, were recognized for their fine example in maintaining the highest standards of character, leadership, service and academic excellence as members of National Honor Society. Additionally, 71% of the Class of 2021 was honored for its participation in Beta Club, a national organization that emphasizes achievement, character and service.

 

We celebrate the many wonderful academic accomplishments of the Class of 2021!

 

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 honors sports teams, student-athletes and coaching staff

More than 200 guests gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Little Rock on Monday, May 10, to honor and celebrate Mount St. Mary Academy’s sports teams, student-athletes and coaching staff during the school’s annual Athletic Banquet.

 

Coaches introduced their respective teams during the event and presented the traditional awards for each player based on her years of participation. First-year players received a certificate, second-year players were given a MSM letter and symbol of the sports in which they played, third-year players received the coveted white sweatshirt with their name and sports monogrammed on the sleeves, and fourth-year players were gifted a wooden memento box engraved with their athletic accomplishments.

 

The recipients of a handful of special awards, which are selected by MSM athletic staff, were also announced during the banquet. This year’s winners include the following:

 

  • Msgr. Keany Award: Millie Allgood ’22
  • Donnie Bridges Award: Hannah Denery ’21
  • Sr. Phillipa Athletic Award: Abbey Moore ’21
  • Sr. Mary Phillipa Parent Award: Meredith Snape
  • Sr. Phillipa Manning Memorial Scholarship: Libby Franks ’21
  • Mary Drake Award: Isabelle Todd ’22
  • Purple Heart Award: Olivia Chambers ’21 and Katie Wilcox ’21
  • Vassar-West Scholarship: Isabel Chaidez ’22
  • Marilyn Lenggenhager Passionate Athlete Award: Haley Draeger ’22
  • Manager of the Year: Mia Aquino ’22 and Becca Besier ’22
  • Most Valuable Freshman Award: Madeline McNeill ’24
  • Most Valuable Belle: Chloe Gourde ’21

 

Thirty-one student-athletes were recognized as Four-Year Scholars, having participated in athletics for all four years of high school and graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Chloe Gourde was awarded the Top Scholar Athlete Award for maintaining the highest academic average while also participating in the athletic program at Mount.

 

MSM Athletic Director Lane West honored the coaching staff at the event, as well, and paid special tribute to two members who are retiring from their coaching duties this year: Stephanie Boccarossa Pierce ’06 and Ashley Boccarossa McNatt ’03, who have dedicated 14 years and 4 years, respectively, to coaching soccer at their alma mater.

 

Congratulations to all of this year’s hard-working and dedicated student-athletes and their coaches.

 

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.

Class of 2022 celebrates Junior Ring Mass

The Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2022 participated in the time-honored tradition of receiving their senior rings at Christ the King Church on Sunday, April 25. Following the call to worship by their class president, Ellen Brady, the juniors celebrated Mass with their families in preparation of becoming next year’s leaders.

 

MSM Chaplain Msgr. Lawrence Frederick blessed the rings at the end of the special Mass. Then, as homeroom teachers announced all 112 names in the Class of 2022, each young woman stood and was presented her senior ring by a family member. The rings will not only serve as a symbol of the group’s class unity and leadership, but also as an important reminder to live Mercy every day.

 

After Mass and the presentation of the rings, the rising seniors briefly gathered outside the church for photos and the long-standing tradition of asking family and friends to turn their rings. The turning represents the year of graduation; therefore, for the Class of 2022, the rings were turned 22 times.

 

Congratulations to next year’s leaders, the Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2022!

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 2020 a success despite COVID-19

The results are in, and this year’s Robin Hood Days total is (drumroll, please)… 48,892!

 

Our annual schoolwide canned food drive may have looked a bit different in 2020, but that didn’t stop our community from stepping up to ensure its success. Thank you to our MSM faculty, staff, families and friends – and especially our wonderful, resilient and service-minded students – who supported this year’s event. All donated food and money is being delivered to The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock and the Arkansas Foodbank for use during the upcoming holiday season. What a wonderful start to Thanksgiving break!

 

Congrats to each class for breaking its 8,750-can goal. Here are the 2020 totals:

– Freshmen – 10,148

– Sophomores – 12,188

– Juniors – 10,901

– Seniors – 15,655

TOTAL – 48,892

 

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.

Senior class celebrates Ring Mass

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful, time-honored tradition. Joined by their family members, the Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2021 was finally able to celebrate Ring Mass together on Wednesday, October 21. Typically held in late April during the students’ junior year, this year’s event was delayed until the fall of their senior year due to the COVID pandemic. Despite the mid-October date, guests enjoyed clear skies and warm weather during the Mass, which was held outside on the school grounds this year so everyone could safely gather for the special occasion.

 

Student Body President Sarah Cate Lay opened with the call to worship, and MSM Chaplain Msgr. Lawrence Frederick blessed the rings during the special Mass. As homeroom teachers announced all 131 names in the Class of 2021, each young woman stood and was presented her senior ring by a family member. The students will wear these rings as a symbol of their class unity and leadership just as previous years’ senior classes have done.

 

Congratulations to the Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2021!

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.

One-of-a-kind graduation honors MSM Class of 2020

After having to postpone the special event by more than two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mount St. Mary Academy was finally able to celebrate its Class of 2020 during the Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, August 1.

 

Traditionally held at Robinson Auditorium in downtown Little Rock, this year’s event took place on the Roy Davis Field at Catholic High School in order to accommodate social distancing guidelines. Each graduate and her two guests wore face masks and sat in chairs directly on the football field while additional family members and friends watched the livestream from home. Albeit quite different than ceremonies past, the necessary changes for this year’s one-of-a-kind commencement made it a very memorable event for an equally memorable group of graduates.

 

Sarah Catherine Phillips Gutierrez ’98, founder and CEO of Aptus Financial, delivered the commencement address. After praising the resilience of the Class of 2020, she encouraged the graduates to remain faithful and be mindful of the potential limitations of “golden handcuffs” while designing the lives of their dreams. “Wield the power of your resilience to cast away fear, anchor yourself in your faith to discover your dreams and then please always pay yourself first,” she said.

 

Mrs. Gutierrez was introduced by Fourth Honor Graduate Olivia Alexander. Though she was unable to attend the ceremony on its new date due to her matriculation to the U. S. Naval Academy, Fifth Honor Graduate Cecelia Rech offered the invocation via audio recording. Third Honor Graduate Catherine Althoff presented the class essay, “One-Hundred Eighty Degrees.” The salutatory address, “Looking Back While Moving Forward,” was given by Second Honor Graduate Lily Wewers, and First Honor Graduate Caroline Potts delivered the valedictory address, “Another Angle.”

 

The Most Reverend Anthony B. Taylor, bishop of Little Rock, presented the diplomas as MSM President Pattie Davis announced each graduate and the college she will attend. Other special guests in attendance included Sara Jones, MSM principal; Theresa Goshen Hall ’78, superintendent of Catholic Schools of Arkansas; Greg Hartz, MSM Academy Board of Directors chair; and Susie Whitacre, MSM Academy Board of Director chair-elect.

 

The 115 graduates of the Class of 2020 were accepted to more than 100 colleges and universities and collectively received over $19.6 million in scholarship offerings. They will be attending 31 different colleges and universities across 16 states this fall. Additionally, this year’s graduating class completed more than 10,000 hours of community service for the greater Little Rock community during its junior and senior years.

 

View the video of the 2020 Commencement Ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TJhukiMC3g.

 

Congratulations, Class of 2020! We proudly celebrate you and your achievements as you close one chapter and look ahead to the next as women of wisdom, compassion and integrity.

 

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.

Senior Basketball Belle’s volunteerism recognized by All Arkansas Preps, two other student-athletes also honored

Mount St. Mary Academy’s athletic program will be well represented in the upcoming Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All Arkansas Preps awards ceremony. Three student-athletes from the Class of 2020 are set to be honored during the event, which will take place virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Basketball Belle Catherine Althoff has been chosen as the recipient of the Hussman Community Award. Additionally, Golf Belle Lauren Loeb and Tennis Belle Presley Southerland have been named to their respective sports’ All Arkansas Preps teams.

 

The Hussman Community Award, named in honor of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette publisher Walter E. Hussman Jr., is one of only three All Arkansas Preps “Inspiration Awards” that will be presented during the ceremony. It honors one Arkansas high school student-athlete who has worked to better his or her community through volunteerism, and who has demonstrated strong leadership skills while setting a positive example for others.

 

“Between a demanding course load and the responsibilities associated with athletics and being a student athletic trainer, Catherine’s plate was already incredibly full. Yet she always made time to volunteer, and she served her community in many ways throughout high school,” said MSM Athletic Director Marilyn Lenggenhager, who nominated Catherine for the award. “Her demonstrated commitment to academics, athletics and service deserved to be recognized. It’s truly phenomenal all Catherine has been able to accomplish within such a busy schedule.”

 

Lauren Lawrence, head basketball coach at MSM, shared similar sentiments upon learning that this year’s co-captain had been selected for the Hussman Community Award. “Catherine is the epitome of a high achiever. She consistently strives to be the greatest version of herself and certainly doesn’t fall short when it comes to volunteering. She always puts her best foot forward with a smile on her face as she is helping others and our community,” she said.

 

Catherine will be recognized as this year’s Hussman Community Award recipient during the 2019-2020 All Arkansas Preps virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, June 18. It will be streamed live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/allarkansaspreps beginning at 6:30 p.m.

 

In addition to Catherine’s recognition, Lauren and Presley will be honored for their achievements in golf and tennis, respectively, when they’re announced as one of just 12 members of their sports’ All Arkansas Preps teams. Lauren finished second in this year’s 6A Girls Golf State Tournament and third in the Arkansas State Golf Association High School Overall Championship. Presley was this year’s 6A State Singles Champion and finished as runner-up in the Overall State Tennis Tournament. Both Belles received All-Conference and All-State honors this year, as well.

 

Perhaps even more exciting is the fact that all three seniors have plans to continue playing sports at the college level next year: Catherine at Rhodes College in Memphis, Lauren at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, and Presley at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

 

Congrats to Catherine, Lauren and Presley! Go Belles!

 

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 honors sports teams, student-athletes virtually

This year’s annual Athletic Banquet was canceled due to COVID-19, but that didn’t stop Mount St. Mary Academy from celebrating its sports teams, student-athletes and coaching staff. The school held a virtual Athletic Awards Celebration on Monday, May 11, during which Principal Sara Jones and Athletic Director Marilyn Lenggenhager recognized the accomplishments of the 2019-2020 teams and announced the recipients of this year’s special awards.

 

The winners of this year’s special awards, which are selected by MSM athletic staff, include the following:

 

  • Fr. Keaney Award: Kaitlin Tarini ’20
  • Donnie Bridges Award: Cami Kita ’20
  • Sara Fritz Outstanding Student Athletic Trainer Award: Catherine Althoff ’20
  • Sr. Phillipa Athletic Award: Lauren Loeb ’20 and Lily Wewers ’20
  • Sr. Phillipa Parent Award: Kim Markland and Kate Franks
  • Sr. Phillipa Memorial Scholarship: Sarah Johnson ’20 and Catherine Althoff ’20
  • Mary Drake Award: Millie Allgood ’22
  • Purple Heart Award: Presley Southerland ’20
  • Vassar-West Scholarship: Mia Aquino ’22
  • Marilyn Lenggenhager Passionate Athlete Award: Cami Kita ’20 and Fran Edwards ’21
  • Manager of the Year: Sarah Kate McConnell ’22
  • Most Valuable Freshman Award: Alexia Coca ’23 and Blair Barnett ’23
  • Most Valuable Belle: Kaitlin Tarini ’20

 

Thirteen student-athletes were recognized as Four-Year Scholar Athletes, having participated in athletics for all four years of high school and graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Lily Wewers was awarded the Top Scholar Athlete award for maintaining the highest GPA while also participating in the athletic program at Mount.

 

The virtual event also honored the coaching staff and paid special tribute to three coaches who are retiring from their coaching duties this year: Bubba Klugh (golf), Brian Loeb (golf) and Chuck Toomer (cross country).

 

View the virtual Athletic Awards Celebration online at https://youtu.be/oN5xGjD-wFw.

 

Congratulations to all of this year’s hard-working and dedicated student-athletes and their coaches. We are proud of you and all you do for Mount St. Mary and its athletic program.

 

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.

Register now for 2020 summer camps at the Mount

Don’t stop playing, learning and creating just because school’s out. Spend your summer at the Mount!

 

Mount St. Mary Academy is once again offering a handful of fun and engaging summer camps during the months of June and July for children entering the 2nd through 9th grades. Campers will be able to sharpen their skills — or try something new! — in the following areas: volleyball, basketball, cooking, and drama.

 

Detailed information, including dates and pricing, may be found on the downloadable registration form at http://mtstmary.edu/summer-camps/. Register by Friday, May 15, to receive the early bird rate for a couple of the camps.

 

2020 Basketball Skills Academy for 4th-8th Graders

UPDATE: The 2020 Basketball Skills Academy, originally scheduled for April 5 through May 3, has been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.  Please contact Coach Lauren Lawrence at llawrence@mtstmary.edu if you have any questions.

 

Mount St. Mary Academy is once again hosting its popular Basketball Skills Academy for girls in grades 4-8. Held each spring, the program’s goal is to help young players build a basketball skills foundation and love of the game. Instructors focus on fundamental basketball skills including dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense principles. The program also includes team and individual competition.

 

The 2020 Basketball Skills Academy is scheduled for April 5 through May 3. Sessions will take place from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on select Sundays and Mondays in the McAuley Center Gym at Mount St. Mary Academy. The cost per participant for the seven-session program is $125. Space is limited. For more information, contact Coach Lauren Lawrence at (501) 664-8006 or llawrence@mtstmary.edu, or download the flyer and registration form.

Mount St. Mary to host annual Lenten Evening of Reflection

Mount St. Mary Academy invites our community of alumnae, parents and friends to our annual Lenten Evening of Reflection on Tuesday, March 3. We are happy to welcome back Sr. Deborah Troillett, RSM ’73, executive director of the Arkansas House of Prayer, as our guest speaker to help lead the evening’s reflection and discussion.

 

“As a Catholic school, we share our faith with our students every day. Our annual Lenten Evening of Reflection is just one way we are able to do the same thing with our community,” said Chelle McKenzie McCarroll ’02, director of alumnae relations, who is helping organize the event.

 

This year’s Lenten Evening of Reflection will be held from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Mount St. Mary Academy. There is no cost to attend the event, and a light meal will be provided. Please register online by Wednesday, February 26.

 

Questions? Contact Chelle at 501-664-8006 ext. 118 or cmccarroll@mtstmary.edu.

 

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 celebrates Founders Day, 169 years

Wednesday, February 5, represented a special day for Mount St. Mary Academy. It marked 169 years since the Sisters of Mercy founded what was originally known as St. Mary’s Academy in 1851, at the request of Arkansas’ first Catholic bishop, Andrew Byrne. Recognized as the oldest continuously operated school in Arkansas, and the third oldest of the secondary schools sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy worldwide, Mount St. Mary Academy has been providing Mercy education to young women in Arkansas ever since.

 

On Tuesday, February 6, the Mount St. Mary Academy community gathered in the school’s McAuley Center for the annual Founders Day and Sophomore Pin Mass. As students entered the gymnasium, senior Student Council members rang the Angelus Bell 169 times in honor of the school’s 169-year history. The bell was given to the Sisters of Mercy by Bishop Byrne at the school’s first location in downtown Little Rock. At the conclusion of the all-school Mass, the members of the Class of 2022 received their Mercy pins, which serve as reminders to the sophomores to live the Mercy values in their everyday lives.

 

View photos featured in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette here.

 

Happy birthday, Mount St. Mary Academy!

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.

Yes we CAN: Robin Hood Days celebrates record-breaking year

Thanks to a few creative can-collecting activities and some friendly class competition, Mount St. Mary Academy’s annual Robin Hood Days canned food drive recently collected more cans and cash equivalent than ever before in its 45-year history: 63,328! This year’s total beat last year’s record-breaking amount (53,090) by more than 10,000 cans. The student-led schoolwide drive benefits local organizations that provide holiday meals for Arkansas families in need.

 

“I seriously could not be more proud to be a part of Mount and the school’s efforts to serve others,” said Sarah Johnson ’20, MSM student body president and four-year student council member. “It has been an honor to be able to participate in Robin Hood Days with such an extraordinary group of girls, and I am beyond proud to know that our efforts will help feed others in the community.”

 

Over the four weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break, students collected cans from family, friends and neighbors in addition to holding fundraisers like “We CAN Wednesday,” “Beans for Jeans” and “Free Dress Friday” spirit days. As extra incentive, students were also promised early dismissal days for meeting their individual class goals as well as beating last year’s record. Each grade level ultimately surpassed its individual goal of 8,750 cans and cash equivalent four days before the drive concluded on Friday, November 22. This year’s winning class was the senior class, who more than doubled their individual goal by collecting an astounding 21,343 cans. The freshman class came in second with 14,280 cans.

 

“I am incredibly proud of our girls this year; they always outdo themselves in generosity, hard work and creativity,” Noël Gieringer, MSM English teacher and student council sponsor, said. “I see this whole canned food drive as an example of our Mercy Value of excellence, along with our concern for the poor.”

 

For nearly 50 years, Robin Hood Days has helped provide food and monetary donations to local organizations, including Arkansas Foodbank, 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.

 

“While we are all so fortunate here at Mount, we still need to give back to the community, which is something Mount has been teaching us since day one of freshman year,” Sarah said. “We get an opportunity to be the physical embodiment of Jesus and live out his mission to serve others. It is something really beautiful to watch and experience.”

 

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/aHsmJxkhzM.

 

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.

Houndstooth Hustle participants brave the cold to support MSM

Despite fairly chilly temperatures at the time of its start, more than 100 runners and walkers of all ages – and a couple pets, too – participated in Mount St. Mary Academy’s annual Houndstooth Hustle 5K race on Saturday, November 9. This was the fourth year for the family-friendly event, which features a challenging, yet beautiful 3.1-mile course through the historic Hillcrest neighborhood surrounding the campus.

 

Thank you to all of the race participants, volunteers and sponsors for making the 2019 Houndstooth Hustle a success! Proceeds support the programs and services at Mount St. Mary Academy.

 

2019 Sponsors

Gold Sponsor: CHI St. Vincent

Purple Sponsors: Krebs Brothers Restaurant Store, Oak Forest Cleaners, Wendy and Dr. Ray Parker, Rose Law Firm, Stone Bank and Vondran Orthodontics

Holy Ghost Sponsors: Dean Dental Solutions, Eckart Volleyball and Landmark CPAs

 

More photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmJoEXLw.

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.

Career Day inspires students, introduces variety of professions

Nearly 50 MSM alumnae from near and far shared useful advice and details about their career paths with current students at Mount St. Mary Academy’s annual Career Day on Thursday, November 14. Students attended up to two sessions where they were able to hear from and ask questions of panels of alumnae representing various fields: the arts, business, communications, education, engineering, finance, healthcare, information technology, law, non-profits, 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 – including those who participated via video conference from California, Georgia, Iowa, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin and even France. You are an inspiration to our young women and such wonderful representatives of your alma mater!

 

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.

Mercy Day 2019: A day full of service, celebration

More than 500 Mount St. Mary Academy students, faculty and staff spent the morning of September 24 volunteering at nearly 20 locations across central Arkansas. The schoolwide day of community service took place in honor of Mercy Day. Around the world, Mercy Day is celebrated to commemorate the day Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, opened the first House of Mercy in 1827 to serve the sick and poor in Ireland.

 

In the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy founder, Mount St. Mary honors this important anniversary each year by completing acts of service on its campus, in its surrounding neighborhood and throughout the Little Rock area. This year’s Mercy Day activities included cleaning and picking up trash, preparing meals, sorting clothing, and helping with various additional tasks at churches, schools and organizations that serve those in need. Work was completed at the following sites: ACCESS, The Allen School, Arkansas House of Prayer, Baseline Academy, Calvary Cemetery, Camp Aldersgate, Carmel of St. Teresa of Jesus, CHI St. Vincent, Easterseals Arkansas, Friendly Chapel Church of the Nazarene, Habitat for Humanity, The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock, Little Rock Compassion Center, Live Thankfully Little Rock, Mount St. Mary Academy, Recycle Bikes for Kids, St. Joseph Center of Arkansas, St. Theresa Catholic School, and The Van.

 

The MSM community gathered together in the McAuley Center gymnasium later in the day for a special all-school Mercy Day Mass. Prior to Mass, 16 Mount students were recognized during the Mercy Day Scholarship Awards Presentation. The day of celebration ended with the Mercy Education System of the Americas (MESA) installation of Dr. Pattie Davis and Sara Jones as Mount St. Mary Academy’s new president and principal, respectively. Mount was honored to have Kimberly Baxter, MESA associate director for programs and services, and Sr. Deborah Troillett ’73, MESA board member and former president of Mount St. Mary from 1997-2011, in attendance to lead the special ceremony.

 

View photos from Mercy Day 2019 at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHhtWNm.

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 welcomes Class of 2023

At the Welcome Mass on Tuesday, August 27, the Mount community joined together in the McAuley Center to officially welcome the Class of 2023 into its sisterhood and circle of Mercy.

 

Comprised of 111 students from over 20 different schools, the newest class began its journey as Mount sisters in a very symbolic way by entering the gymnasium through an honor guard made up of the Campus Ministry Team, Ministers of the Eucharist and the Student Council. The special procession marked the official beginning of the students’ four years at Mount St. Mary; the next and only other time the class will walk through an honor guard together will be when they exit the Closing Prayer Service as seniors.

 

During Mass, the Class of 2023 also took part in the first of four important traditions experienced by all students at Mount St. Mary: the presentation of the Mercy Cards, which feature the school’s shared Mercy Values.

 

MSM Interim Principal Sara Jones addressed the class before each new student’s name was called to receive her card, reminding them that their Mercy Card was not something to receive lightly or hide in a wallet. “It is a commitment. It is important,” Mrs. Jones said. “This card holds our value system in place for all the world to see. These values will help you grow as an individual and a member of our community. These values will help you live a grace-filled life.”

 

The special all-school Mass ended with Student Body President Sarah Johnson ’20 announcing this year’s button theme: We are One. “The journey begins now, as a school, as a class, and as individuals,” she said. “We are all the heart of this school. We are all unique, but we are one together, and our purpose will be remembered for years to come. God’s spirit and love is within all of us – we are one each and every day. We are more powerful united than divided.”

 

 Mount St. Mary Academy is proud to welcome the Class of 2023!

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.

Opening Pep Rally helps kick off new year, fall sports

The Mount St. Mary community celebrated the beginning of a new school year – and the start of its fall sports’ seasons – with an exciting Opening Pep Rally on Friday, August 23. Per tradition, each class represented a well-thought-out theme, complete with clever costumes and chants, as they competed for the coveted spirit stick at one of the biggest pep rallies of the year.

 

The celebration opened with a lively entrance and performance by the seniors, who were later named winners of the spirit stick in this year’s first competition. It also included performances from the MSM cheerleading squads and Rockettes as well as recognized the Belles cross country, golf, tennis and volleyball coaches and teams. Energy filled the McAuley Center gymnasium, and the student body became even more united through its incredible display of school spirit. What a wonderful way to kick off 2019-2020!

 

View more photos from the Opening Pep Rally at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmGyjcLW.

 

Keep up with our sports teams’ schedules on the MSM Athletics Calendar.

 

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.

Class of 2019, “We’ll Always Remember You”

The Class of 2019 graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy during the Commencement Ceremony held Monday, May 20, at Robinson Auditorium in downtown Little Rock. The 122 graduates, accepted to more than 100 colleges and universities, collectively received over $14 million in scholarship offerings and will be attending 40 different colleges and universities across 17 states this fall. Additionally, this year’s graduating class completed 13,386 hours of community service for the greater Little Rock community during its junior and senior years.

 

Cathy Hastings Owen ’76, chairman of Eagle Bank & Trust, delivered the commencement address. She encouraged graduates to recognize and take advantage of the vast array of opportunities in front of them – both big and small – and to lead with kindness and humility. “As women today, you can do and be anything you want to be,” she said. “Believe in yourself. Find your unique superpower. But never compromise your ethics, name or integrity.”

 

Ms. Owen was introduced by Fourth Honor Graduate Sophie Bravo and Fifth Honor Graduate Ashley Suffridge. Fifth Honor Graduates Madison Perreault and Annie Quo offered the invocation, and Third Honor Graduate Sophie Chier presented the class essay, “Those Who Dare.” The salutatory address, “The Highest Appreciation,” was given by Second Honor Graduate Anna Kate Manchester, and First Honor Graduate Angel Sagardui delivered the valedictory address, “Shoot for the Moon.”

 

Monsignor Francis I. Malone, chancellor for ecclesial affairs for the Diocese of Little Rock and pastor at Christ the King Church, presented the diplomas as MSM Principal/CEO Karen Flake ’65 announced each graduate and the college she will attend. They were joined on stage by Angie Collins, MSM principal; Theresa Hall ’78, superintendent of Catholic schools; and Greg Hartz, MSM Academy Board of Directors chairman.

 

The Class of 2019 leaves Mount St. Mary Academy with diplomas in hand and mixed feelings of joy, anticipation, sadness and gratitude. In the spirit of its class song, “I’ll Always Remember You” by Miley Cyrus, this year’s graduates will remain tied by the moments they shared together at the Mount – “memories they’ll hold in their hearts forever” – which will serve as the foundation and inspiration for continuing to live Mercy beyond the gate of Mount St. Mary as women of wisdom, compassion and integrity.

 

View photos from the beautiful celebration at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmDsSon8.

 

Congratulations, Class of 2019! “The best school we know of” couldn’t be more proud of you, and we are excited to see all that you continue to accomplish.

 

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 Honors Student-Athletes and Coaching Staff

More than 350 guests gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Little Rock on Monday, May 13, to honor and celebrate Mount St. Mary Academy’s 196 student-athletes during the school’s annual Athletic Banquet.

 

Coaches introduced their respective teams during the event and presented the traditional awards for each player based on her years of participation. First-year players received a certificate and keepsake with their graduation year, second-year players were given a MSM letter and symbol of the sports in which they played, third-year players received the coveted white sweatshirt with their name and sports monogrammed on the sleeves, and fourth-year players were gifted a wooden memento box engraved with their athletic accomplishments.

 

A handful of special awards were presented during the banquet, as well:

 

  • Sr. Phillipa Athletic Award: Ava Fischer ’19
  • Sr. Phillipa Parent Award: Michelle Kaelin
  • Sr. Phillipa Memorial Scholarship: Karina Brockwell ’19 and Yesica Reyes Vasquez ’19
  • Mary Drake Award: Ashley Suffridge ’19
  • Purple Heart Award: Anya Ranaraja ’19
  • Manager of the Year: Caroline Martine ’19 and Alicia Sustaita ’19
  • Passionate Athlete Award in Honor of Marilyn Lenggenhager: Catherine Althoff ’20 and Catalina Williams ’21
  • Vassar-West Scholarship: Katie Kaelin ’21
  • Most Valuable Freshman Award: Millie Allgood ’22
  • Most Valuable Belle: Anya Ranaraja ’19

 

Twenty-seven student-athletes were recognized as Four-Year Scholars, having participated in athletics for all four years of high school and graduating with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Annie Quo, Madi Perreault and Ashley Suffridge were awarded the Top Scholar Athlete Award for maintaining the highest academic average while also participating in the athletic program at Mount.

 

MSM Athletic Director Marilyn Lenggenhager honored the coaching staff at the event, as well, and paid special tribute to five coaches who are retiring from their coaching duties this year: Marissa Blair, Brendan Britt, Lindann Blair Day, Jennifer Herzog and Lane West.

 

Congratulations to all of this year’s hard-working and dedicated student-athletes and their coaches. We are proud of you and all you do for Mount St. Mary and its athletic program.

 

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.

Class of 2019 Honored, Inducted Into MSM Alumnae Association at Senior Recognition Ceremony

The MSM Alumnae Association gained 122 new members at the Senior Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, May 16. Attended by MSM families and alumnae relatives, the ceremony honored the accomplishments of the senior class and inducted the Class of 2019 into the MSM Alumnae Association.

 

Sixty percent of the senior class earned the academic status of Honor Graduate and received a gold cord to wear at graduation. The top honor graduates awarded were: 1st honor graduate Angel Sagardui, 2nd honor graduate Anna Kate Manchester, 3rd honor graduate Sophie Chier, 4th honor graduate Sophie Bravo, and 5th honor graduates Madison Perrault, Annie Quo and Ashley Suffridge. Earlier in the ceremony, Annie, who will be attending the Naval Academy, was also awarded the Ronald Reagan Leadership Medal for modeling uncompromising discipline, reliability and integrity and demonstrating drive, humility and service before self.

 

Eleven students were recognized for having participated in the rigorous AP Capstone program of study and received a purple and white cord to wear at graduation: Alison Allgood, Sophie Chier, Audrey Cummins, Brooke Hall, Emma Harter, Sarah Huber, Cati Johnson, Sam Kagy, Anna Kate Manchester, Angel Sagardui and Kennedy Stevens. Additionally, Emily Ellis and Lindsey Taylor were recognized for their completion of the AP Seminar and Research certificate.

 

Wesley Burney received the 2019 Principal’s Award, given to one outstanding senior each year who has consistently demonstrated a Christian attitude, academic achievement, school pride and loyalty, service to others, and a total commitment to achieving her best during her time at the Mount. Wesley was also honored for having achieved perfect attendance for all four years at the Mount – making her one of just three students who’ve accomplished this feat in the last 24 years.

 

Three MSM students were honored for receiving recognition by the National Merit Program. Bekka Ureta was selected as a National Merit Finalist, receiving a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship from 3M. Anna Kate Manchester was selected as a National Merit Semifinalist, and Sophie Bravo was selected as a National Merit Commended Student. Each of these young women represent the top four percent of the more than 1.6 million students who entered the National Merit competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT as juniors.

 

A number of honors were awarded from the various academic departments as well as the Flora Bittner Croft Scholarship for MSM students attending Catholic universities and the Judith Wrappe Scholarship for senior art submissions that portrayed a theme of “Justice.” Recipients of this year’s Flora Bittner Croft Scholarship were Caroline Barnhill, Sophie Chier, Brooke Hall, Julia Jansen, Cameron King, Jennifer Mines and Tyler Noonan. Abby Yanosick was awarded the Judith Wrappe Scholarship.

 

View photos from this year’s Senior Recognition and Alumnae Induction Ceremony at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmDkKYMX.

 

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.

MSM Awards, Celebrates Students’ Academic Accomplishments

Mount St. Mary Academy was blessed to award 28 scholarships totaling over $80,000 to students during its annual Underclass Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 15, in the McAuley Center Gym. Several donors and other representatives of the various endowed scholarships were in attendance to present the awards to this year’s deserving recipients.

 

Dozens of additional academic honors were also awarded and celebrated. The school’s various academic departments honored the students’ accomplishments in the classroom, and their participation and achievement in clubs, organizations and other activities such as Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society and Odyssey of the Mind were recognized, as well.

 

During the ceremony, MSM English teacher Monica Madey ’06 was recognized as this year’s recipient of the John and Patricia Bailey Family Distinguished Teaching Award for exhibiting overall excellence in teaching during the 2019-2020 school year. Mrs. Madey also serves as advisor to the Odyssey of the Mind team and Belle Raisers club at the Mount. Additionally, MSM parent Kim Markland was named Volunteer of the Year for her dedication to supporting the school and its students though her involvement and leadership with the Belle Booster Club and Mercy & Me committee.

 

Congratulations to all of our outstanding students for their academic accomplishments, especially this year’s scholarship recipients:

 

  • McAuley Achievement Award: Abby Caldarera ’20, Anne Marie Coy ’21, Abbey Moore ’21, Paloma Moreno ’20, Emily Roach ’21 and Annie Wendel ’22
  • Sr. Deborah Troillett, RSM ’73 Endowed Scholarship: Sophie Mammarelli ’20
  • Mary Drake Scholarship: Brynne Johnson ’21
  • Spirit of ’95 Scholarship: Anne Lashbrook ’20
  • Class of 2009 SISTER Scholarship: Catherine Althoff ’20
  • Sandra Gueydan Hickey ’66 Scholarship: Naomi Moreland ’20
  • Alana Wolfe Memorial Scholarship: Stacy Torres ’20
  • Wells Summer Engineering Academy Scholarship: Summer Craig ’20
  • Wells Pre-Engineering Scholarship: Cecelia Rech ’20
  • Ma Family Endowed Scholarship: America Alejandri ’20
  • Judith Wrappe Scholarship: Cecilia Ilg ’20, Macy Ramiro ’22 and Emily Roach ’21
  • Evelyn J. Coulter Thomas ’30 Scholarship: Addie Grace Coleman ’20 (for dance), Sam Heck ’20 (for fine literature) and Amelia Ochoa ’20 (for music)
  • Mercy Opportunity Scholarship: Grace Blagg ’20, Isabella Boyd ’20, Anna Palmer ’20, Ava Sanders ’20, Lily Wewers ’20 and Annison Yates ’20
  • Melissa Ma ’98 Endowed Scholarship: Kennedy Fogleman ’20

 

View more photos from this year’s Underclass Awards Ceremony at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmcquH3B.

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 Bids Farewell to Senior Class

It was a day full of celebration, joy and sadness as Mount St. Mary honored and bid farewell to the Class of 2019 on May 3, the seniors’ last day of school. In honor of College T-shirt and Skirt Day, a relatively new tradition at the Mount, excited seniors arrived for their final day on campus wearing college tees along with the iconic MSM houndstooth skirts decorated with the mascots, symbols and colors of the colleges they’ll be attending this fall. The group enjoyed showing off the creative and colorful attire, and taking pictures with each other and their younger classmates, during the festive all-school Pizza on the Plaza lunch.

 

The Closing Prayer Service was held later in the day in the McAuley Center gymnasium. After parting words from teachers, administration, classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022, as well as from their peers, the Class of 2019 took part in the fourth and final tradition experienced by all students at Mount St. Mary: the presentation of the graduation tassels. Students receive their Mercy cards in 9th grade, Mercy pins in 10th grade and class rings in 11th grade. The graduation tassels presented at the end of the students’ final year at Mount mark the completion of their academic and spiritual development during the four years of high school.

 

As it does at most school gatherings, the singing of the alma mater served as the closing song for the service. Per tradition, the seniors alone sung the last verse before exiting the McAuley Center through an honor guard made up of Mount St. Mary faculty and staff. The special procession served as the bookend to the seniors’ experience. The class walked through an honor guard of students as freshmen being welcomed into the MSM community during the Opening Prayer Service at the beginning of their ninth grade year. This is the only other time during the school year the honor guard takes place.

 

Though joyful as they move on to an exciting new chapter of their lives, the senior class shared tearful embraces on their final day of school as they reminisced on the good times and wonderful memories that were shared together at the best school we know of.

 

“Good-bye to St. Mary’s, the best school we know of.

You’ve given us friendship and knowledge and love.

And though we’ll be leaving, we’ll always believe in

the things you’ve taught for you’ve still got our loyalty.”

 – Alma Mater of Mount St. Mary Academy

 

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.

MSM Hosts Inaugural Girls Leadership Academy for Middle School Girls

A group of sixth- and seventh-grade girls from public and private schools throughout Central Arkansas joined together at Mount St. Mary Academy on Saturday, April 27, for the first-ever Girls Leadership Academy at the Mount. Called GLAM for short, the unique one-day event recognized and celebrated outstanding young girls in the Little Rock area, and inspired understanding and growth in the following areas: self-esteem building, leadership training, respect for self and others, goal setting, public speaking, time management and the importance of service.

 

Organized by Annie Cross, director of admissions at Mount St. Mary, and led by an energetic team of the school’s students, alumnae, parents and staff, GLAM featured a jam-packed schedule for its young participants. The day’s events included a variety of group sessions, smaller breakout activities, fun games, a closing graduation ceremony with parents and more. Hilary Hunt, news reporter and anchor at KARK, served as special guest presenter and spoke about the importance of self-confidence.

 

“We were absolutely thrilled with the amount of interest in the inaugural Girls Leadership Academy at the Mount,” Cross exclaimed. “Our goal was to bring together sixth- and seventh-grade girls from different schools in our community for an event focused on promoting self-confidence, building self-esteem, developing a variety of important leadership skills and making new friends, and I think we were successful.”

 

Susie Whitacre, a Mount St. Mary board member who served on the team that developed and organized the event over the past several months, agreed. “Sixth and seventh grades can be complicated years of growth for young girls, and GLAM helped these girls talk openly about topics that are of concern to them,” she noted. “The girls left Mount St. Mary inspired to respect oneself and to respect others, and excited to further develop their leadership skills – not only in the classroom, but among their peers.”

 

Nearly 60 young girls representing 15 schools registered for GLAM, surpassing the organizers’ initial goal of 50 girls and resulting in a wait list for the event’s first year. With the success shown during its pilot year, Mount St. Mary is already preparing to make the leadership retreat an annual event.

 

“Mount St. Mary understands young girls and the importance of developing them into women of great character,” Whitacre commented. “We believe empowering them and helping them better understand themselves at this stage in their lives will lead to more successful years in high school, and ultimately make a positive impact on our community.”

 

View photos from the inaugural Girls Leadership Academy at the Mount at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmDa6CJA. You may also watch a brief video featuring scenes from the day as well as participant testimonials at https://youtu.be/SrPcTQ2Ecbs.

 

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 Celebrates Junior Ring Mass

The Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2020 participated in the time-honored tradition of receiving their senior rings at Our Lady of Holy Souls Church on Sunday, April 28. Following their entering procession and a call to worship by Junior Class Vice President Sarah Johnson, the 114 juniors celebrated Mass with their families to mark their call to leadership as next year’s seniors. Guided by the verse “Be still and know that I am God,” which was chosen as the class theme during their retreat earlier in April, the students will wear the rings as a symbol of their class unity and leadership – just as previous years’ senior classes have done

 

MSM Chaplain Msgr. Lawrence Frederick blessed the senior rings during the special Mass. The following Eucharistic Ministers for 2019-2020 were installed, as well: Grace Blagg, Anne-Marie Elser, Sophie Mammarelli, Ireland McNally, Naomi Moreland, Amelia Ochoa, Anna Palmer, Olivia Spohn, Kaitlin Tarini and Lily Wewers.

 

After the special Mass, the juniors gathered outside the church for photos and the long-standing tradition of asking family and friends to turn their rings. The turning represents the year of graduation; therefore, for the Class of 2020, the rings were turned 20 times. Congratulations to next year’s leaders: the Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2020!

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.

Fifth Biennial Mercy & Me Luncheon Celebrates Mercy – Past, Present and Future

Nearly 600 Mount St. Mary Academy alumnae, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends gathered in the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock on Tuesday, April 16, for the fifth biennial Mercy & Me Luncheon. The signature event celebrates Mercy-inspired leadership – modeled by Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy – and honors its impact in the Central Arkansas community and beyond.

 

Sister Mary Sullivan, highly regarded author and educator with “unparalleled knowledge” of Catherine McAuley, provided the keynote address at the luncheon. She shared stories of the influential Sisters of Mercy founder and spoke of Catherine’s extraordinary courage, generosity and service with hopes of inspiring guests to demonstrate the same sort of merciful love in their own lives. Sister Lisa Griffith, executive director of the Mercy Education System of the Americas and former assistant principal at Mount St. Mary, provided special remarks after Sister Mary’s address that further celebrated Mercy and its impact – particularly within the 56 Mercy-sponsored schools across the Americas.

 

Near the end of the special event, Laura Landreaux was honored with the Mount St. Mary Academy Women’s Leadership Award. A new addition to the Mercy & Me Luncheon, the award was established to recognize exceptional women with ties to Arkansas who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within their community. Laura is the first female president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, the state’s largest electric utility, and a member of the Mount St. Mary Class of 1991. In her acceptance speech, Laura shared touching words from her late father, encouraging those in attendance to “take a risk, stick your neck out, speak your mind, challenge the status quo, don’t just accept responsibility – chase it down.”

 

Prior to the luncheon, Sister Mary and Sister Lisa addressed the Mount St. Mary student body in the McAuley Center. The Mercy & Me student program gives all students the opportunity to hear from the Mercy & Me keynote speakers in a more informal setting prior to the luncheon and has become an important tradition and accompaniment to the larger event.

 

View photos from the day’s events: https://flic.kr/s/aHskTRDU57

 

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.

MSM Plans Lenten Evening of Reflection

Mount St. Mary Academy invites our community of alumnae, parents and friends to a special Lenten Evening of Reflection on Tuesday, March 26. The theme for this Lenten season’s event is based off that for the 2018-2019 school year, “Go Forth in Love,” and we are happy to have Sr. Deborah Troillett, RSM join us as our guest speaker to help lead the evening’s reflection and discussion.

 

“Lent is the time for all of us to stop and examine our relationship with Jesus, and to be reminded of how he wants us to live our life – with love,” said Chelle McKenzie McCarroll ’02, director of alumnae relations, who is helping organize the event. “That is not always easy to do; work commitments, family demands, and life in general can cause us to lose focus. That’s why this evening is so nice. It is an easy way to ‘hit pause’ and do the work we are encouraged to do during the Lenten season.”

 

The event will be held from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Mount St. Mary Academy. The cost is $10 per person and includes a light supper. Please register online by Friday, March 22.

 

Questions? Contact Chelle at 501-664-8006 ext 118 or cmccarroll@mtstmary.edu.

 

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.

Tickets on Sale for 2019 Mercy & Me Luncheon

Tickets are now on sale for the fifth biennial Mercy & Me Luncheon, which will be held on Tuesday, April 16, at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. This special event provides the opportunity for over 700 alumnae, students, family and friends to gather together to celebrate Mercy-inspired leadership – past, present and future – and honor its impact in the Central Arkansas community and beyond. The silent auction will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by the lunch and program at noon.

 

This year’s keynote speaker is Sister Mary Sullivan – a highly regarded author and professor emerita of language and literature at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. Said to have an “unparalleled knowledge” of Catherine McAuley, Sister Mary will share insight into the Sisters of Mercy founder’s incredible influence over the past 187 years. Sister Lisa Griffith, executive director of the Mercy Education System of the Americas, will provide special remarks following Sister Mary’s keynote address. Sister Lisa previously worked at Mount St. Mary for a combined 21 years.

 

A new addition to this year’s Mercy & Me Luncheon is the presentation of the Mount St. Mary Academy Women’s Leadership Award, which was established to recognize exceptional women with ties to Arkansas who have demonstrated impressive leadership within their community. Laura Landreaux ’91, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas, will be honored as the inaugural recipient of this award at the April 16 event.

 

Read more about Laura and the 2019 Mercy and Me Luncheon in this featured story from the March 2019 issue of Inviting Arkansas.

 

To reserve your spot at this year’s Mercy & Me Luncheon, visit www.mtstmary.edu/mercyandme. Advance tickets are required and will not be sold at the door. Proceeds from the event benefit Mount St. Mary Academy and ensure the Mercy tradition of educational excellence and leadership continues for many years to come.

 

Questions? Contact Lauren Day, Special Events Coordinator, at lday@mtstmary.edu or 501-664-8006 ext 116.

 

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.

Annual Spirit Banquet Honors MSM Cheerleaders and Rockettes

Mount St. Mary Academy hosted a special evening for its spirit squads on Sunday, March 3. Held at the Country Club of Little Rock, the Spirit Banquet celebrated the groups’ accomplishments over the past year and honored several young women with individual awards.

 

The cheerleading squads and Rockettes dance team entertain crowds and promote school spirit year-round at MSM and CHS athletics events, and the Spirit Banquet provides the opportunity to recognize the talented groups for their hard work and dedication.

 

“What most people do not realize until they’ve lived it is that Cheer and Rockettes are a year-round sport,” explained Marly Gammill, MSM French teacher and Freshman Cheer sponsor. “These girls never give anything less than their all. They are the hardest workers and have hearts as big as Mount St. Mary. The Spirit Banquet is a great time to thank everyone who makes the spirit year possible.”

 

Dee James, MSM office administrator and Rockettes coach, echoed similar sentiments after the fun celebration. “Last night’s Spirit Banquet was remarkable. The girls looked fabulous, as always, and my heart is full of love from the spirit squads’ members, parents and coaches. I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing group.”

 

Seniors Elizabeth Cline and Chloe Lay were honored with the evening’s top awards, chosen by the spirit squad coaches. Elizabeth received the Mary Ellen Pate Memorial Award, given to the spirit squad member who best embodies strength of character, discipline, hard work, dedication talent, grace and a little sass. The Carolyn Chalmers Spirit Award was given to Chloe for promoting school spirit at MSM by living the Mercy values of untiring service, hospitality and response to need. Recipients of the evening’s additional awards are listed below.

 

Varsity Cheer Awards:

Team Player: Gracie Connell ’21

Above and Beyond: Beatrice Zargari ’20

Most Passionate: Kennedy Phillips ’19

Transformation: Megan Jennings ’19

Squad Choice / Best All Around: Kennedy Phillips ’19

Coaches’ Choice / Top of the Pyramid: Elizabeth Cline ’19

 

Freshman Cheer Awards:

Squad Choice: Anna Falcon ’22

Most Improved: Carson Sanders ’22

Coach’s Award / Leadership: Mimi Baldwin ’22

 

Rockettes Awards:

Best Dancer: Addie Grace Coleman ’20

Best Kicks: Elizabeth James ’21 and Anna Jewel Schluterman ’21

Purple Pom: Ashley Henry ’19 and Chloe Lay ’19

Rockette of the Year: Addie Grace Coleman ’20

Silver Pom: Ashley Henry ’19

 

View photos of the event, courtesy of Karen Tlapek, at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmBB1f3d.

 

Congratulations to our 2018-2019 Cheerleaders and Rockettes on a wonderful season, and thank you to their fabulous coaches — Kilee Fogleman, Marly Gammill, Dee James, and Allison Caldarera — for their tireless devotion to the spirit program!

 

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.

MSM Announces Exciting Lineup of Summer Camps for Kids

Spend your summer dreaming, exploring, learning and creating at the Mount!

 

Mount St. Mary Academy is once again offering a wide range of fun and engaging summer camps during the months of June and July for children entering the 1st through 9th grades. Campers will be able to sharpen their skills — or try something new! — in the following areas: volleyball, basketball, creative writing, math, drama, reading, cooking, arts and crafts, and study skills.

 

Most camps are half-day camps and may be combined for a full day of camp fun with an hour lunch break provided. Pricing and information may be found on the downloadable registration form at http://mtstmary.edu/summer-camps/. Register by Wednesday, May 15, to receive the early bird rate for many of the camps.

 

Questions? Email summercamp@mtstmary.edu, and be sure to mention the name of the camp(s) in which you are interested.

MSM Hosts Basketball Skills Academy for 4th-8th Graders

Mount St. Mary Academy is once again hosting its popular Basketball Skills Academy for young girls in grades 4-8. Held over the course of six weeks each spring, the program’s goal is to help young players build a basketball skills foundation and love of the game. Instructors focus on fundamental basketball skills including dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense principles. It also includes team and individual competition.

 

The 2019 Basketball Skills Academy runs from April 8 through May 19. Sessions will take place from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on select Sundays and Mondays in the McAuley Center Gym at Mount St. Mary Academy. The cost per participant for the six-week, seven-session program is $125. Space is limited. For more information, contact Coach Lauren Lawrence at (501) 664-8006 or llawrence@mtstmary.edu, or download the flyer and registration form.

Career Day 2019 Celebrates Fifth Year, Welcomes Back 50 Alumnae

Approximately 50 MSM alumnae returned to their alma mater on Friday, Feb. 22, to share details about their career paths with current students, and provide helpful advice, at Career Day 2019. Students attended up to two sessions, where they were invited to hear from and ask questions of panels of alumnae representing a variety of different fields, including the arts, business, communications, education, engineering, healthcare, law, non-profit, public service and religious life.

 

First organized in 2015, Career Day is held each February as 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, traveling from as far away as New York and conducting one session from Washington, D.C., via Google Meet. You were an inspiration to our young women, and we enjoyed having you back at the Mount!

 

View some of the highlights of Career Day 2019 at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmvSYFQu.

 

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.

MSM Celebrates 168th Birthday, Hosts First-Ever Day of Giving

Mount St. Mary Academy celebrated Founders Day on Tuesday, February 5. The special day marked 168 years since the Sisters of Mercy first opened the doors to what was originally known as St. Mary’s Academy in 1851, at the request of Arkansas’ first Catholic bishop, Andrew Byrne. Recognized as the state’s oldest educational institution in continuous operation, and the second oldest of the secondary schools operated by the Sisters of Mercy worldwide, Mount St. Mary Academy has been providing Mercy education to young women in Arkansas ever since.

 

As part of the celebration, the Mount St. Mary Academy community gathered in the McAuley Center for its annual Founders Day and Sophomore Pin Mass. As students entered the gymnasium, the “Angelus Bell” rang out 168 times in honor of the school’s 168-year history. The bell was given to the Sisters of Mercy by Bishop Byrne at the school’s first location in downtown Little Rock. During the special all-school Mass, the members of the Class of 2021 participated in the tradition of receiving their Mercy pins, which serve as reminders to the students to live the Mercy values in their everyday lives.

 

In addition to the Founders Day and Sophomore Pin Mass, Mount St. Mary Academy hosted its first-ever Day of Giving in honor of the school’s birthday. More than $22,000 in donations was received during the 12-hour fundraising event on February 5, which more than doubled the day’s original $10,000 goal. The gifts support Mount St. Mary Academy’s educational programs and services, and assist with continuing to make quality Mercy education available to young women in Arkansas.

 

The celebration will continue next Friday, February 15, when the school hosts its second annual Belles Birthday Bingo. Parents, alumnae, faculty and staff, volunteers and friends are invited to an evening of fun benefiting the Belle Booster Club, which supports student programs and activities at Mount St. Mary Academy. The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the MSM cafeteria. Additional details and ticket information may be found here.

 

Happy birthday to the best school we know of!

 

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.

Inaugural Day of Giving Set for Founders Day

The Mount St. Mary community will celebrate Founders Day on Tuesday, February 5. The special day marks 168 years since the Sisters of Mercy first opened the doors to what was originally known as St. Mary’s Academy in 1851. Recognized as Arkansas’ oldest educational institution in continuous operation, Mount St. Mary Academy has been providing Mercy education to young women in Arkansas ever since.

 

In honor of Founders Day, and inspired by the spirit of Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley, Mount St. Mary Foundation is hosting its first-ever Day of Giving. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 5, Foundation staff members, along with MSM faculty and staff volunteers, will be available in the school’s entry foyer to take donations for “the best school we know of” – in person, over the phone or online – with the goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the day.

 

Melissa Stiles, MSM director of donor giving and Class of 1989 alumna, has led the efforts behind organizing this exciting addition to Founders Day and looks forward to the entire school community’s support. “February 5 is not only our Founders Day, but our first-ever Day of Giving. What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our founders and this outstanding school by contributing to our future,” she said. “It’s my hope that anyone connected to the school – students, faculty, staff, alumnae, and families and friends of the Mount – will feel encouraged to participate,  no matter the size of the gift.”

 

Those interested in making a gift on Founders Day may do so by calling (501) 664-8006 or stopping by Mount St. Mary Academy between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5. Donations will also be accepted online. An incentive for students to get involved, the class who raises the most money during Founders Day will win a breakfast catered by Chick-fil-A later this year.

 

In addition to the new activities associated with the inaugural Day of Giving, the annual Mount St. Mary Academy Founders Day and Sophomore Pin Mass will also be celebrated on February 5. During this special all-school Mass, the Class of 2021 will participate in the tradition of receiving their Mercy pins. These pins serve as reminders to the students to live the Mercy values in their everyday lives.

 

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 to Host Second Annual Forensics Festival

Approximately 300 students on forensics teams from junior high and high schools across central Arkansas will fill Mount St. Mary Academy’s classrooms, hallways and cafeteria on Saturday, February 1, when the MSM Forensics Team hosts its second annual Forensics Festival.

 

The Forensics Team, comprised of nearly 30 students from all grade levels at Mount St. Mary, has been hard at work preparing for this year’s tournament with the goal of making it even more successful than the inaugural event held in 2018. If the number of entries is any indicator of the event’s potential for success, then the group will likely realize its goal. This year’s Forensics Festival has received 501 entries – nearly double last year’s amount!

 

The event serves as a fundraiser for the Forensics Team; proceeds from entry fees and concessions sales help cover expenses incurred throughout the busy competition season. However, according to MSM speech and drama teacher Jenny Moses, organizing a tournament like the Forensics Festival also provides students with additional opportunities to gain valuable leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

 

“I love watching the confidence and poise these ladies develop in forensics, and I see a new side of this as they host other schools on campus,” Ms. Moses said.

 

In addition to competing, the Forensics Team will be responsible for handling several hosting duties throughout the day of the tournament, from hospitality and customer service to registration, concessions and clean-up.

 

“The Forensics Festival is such an exciting event for the MSM Forensics Team,” team captain Karina S. ’19 said. “It teaches us so much about teamwork, and what a good work ethic looks like.”

 

Though she admitted it feels a bit strange to go from simply competing to managing all the behind-the-scenes work at a tournament, Karina is looking forward to hosting. “It’s really fun when our friends from other schools get to see what our campus is like,” she said.

 

Ten schools, including Mount St. Mary, are scheduled to compete in the single-day Forensics Festival. Events will include dramatic interpretation, humorous interpretation, duo interpretation, oratory, informative speaking, impromptu, prose, poetry, storytelling and improv. The competition also offers two thespian events, solo musical and duet musical, for high school participants. As an officially sanctioned event by the Arkansas Activities Association, participants will be able to qualify for the Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association’s Arkansas Forensic and Debate State Championship in April at the Mount St. Mary tournament. Several members of the MSM Forensics Team have already qualified for the state competition at previous tournaments this season.

 

Good luck, Forensics Team, and best wishes for a fun and successful Forensics Festival!

 

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.

Save the Date for Belles Birthday Bingo

Parents, alumnae, faculty and staff, volunteers and friends are invited to come together to help us celebrate the school’s 168-year tradition of excellence at our second annual Belles Birthday Bingo on Friday, February 15. Tickets are $30 for individuals and $50 for couples, and include snacks, birthday cake, beer, wine and 10 bingo play cards per person with additional cards available for purchase at the event. Proceeds will benefit the Belle Booster Club, which supports student programs and activities at Mount St. Mary Academy. We hope to see you there!

 

BELLES BIRTHDAY BINGO

Friday, February 15

MSM Cafeteria

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.  |  Bingo from 7 to 9 p.m.

Must be 21 years of age to attend

 

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!

 

From MSM to the State Department, Alumna Shares Inspiring Career Path with Students

Equipped with knowledge, our graduates leave with confidence, courage, motivation and drive.  Like Catherine McAuley, they are fierce pioneers, passionate about making a difference in their communities and the world. – Mount St. Mary Academy Vision Statement

 

On Tuesday, January 8, a Mount St. Mary alumna returned to her hometown from Washington, D.C., as a diplomat for the nation’s lead foreign affairs agency. Special Agent Star Hy, who graduated from the Mount in 1997 and currently works for the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security, visited her alma mater to speak with students about her rewarding career path, exciting experiences abroad, and the work of the State Department.

 

In sharing her story and accomplishments, Ms. Hy shed light on diplomacy as public service and introduced young women to the Foreign Service as a possible career path. “There are many ways to serve your country, but I think one of the outstanding options is working for the State Department,” she said. “It is an amazing career and an amazing experience.”

 

In addition to getting to see different parts of the world and gain valuable life experiences while being exposed to different cultures, Ms. Hy acknowledged that her work was very fulfilling, as well. “Not only do I love my job, but everyone I work with loves their job, and that’s an amazing situation to be in,” she said.

 

Ms. Hy, who majored in systems engineering at West Point, encouraged students to consider degrees in STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – if they are interested in pursuing a career in foreign affairs. “You need three things to be successful in this job: leadership, which you gain [at the Mount], character and integrity, and you need to be a problem solver,” she said. “Being in STEM fields is going to show that you’re a problem solver, and right away it’s going to get you a leg up.”

 

Ms. Hy joined the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in 2009. Her initial work involved conducting criminal and administrative investigations for the State Department in Washington, D.C., as well as providing physical protection for the Secretary of State and visiting foreign dignitaries. Ms. Hy most recently completed a two-year assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, one of the largest U.S. embassies in the world, where she investigated U.S. visa and passport fraud allegations. Her next assignment will take her overseas to the U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo.

 

Before joining the State Department 10 years ago, Ms. Hy served as a senior intelligence analyst for the Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She also served five years active duty in the U.S. Army as a military police officer and is a major in the Military Intelligence branch of the U.S. Army Reserves. In addition to her undergraduate degree from West Point, Ms. Hy holds an MBA from Johns Hopkins University as well as master’s degrees in management and strategic intelligence from Troy University and the National Intelligence University, respectively.

 

Ms. Hy’s visit was part of the State Department’s Hometown Diplomats Program, in which diplomats visit educational, civic and local organizations in their hometowns to share information about the State Department’s work and why it’s important.

 

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.

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 40th 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.

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.

 

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.

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!

 

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 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, 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.

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

 

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.”

 

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.

Dinner Belles Supports School and Community

The Dinner Belles dinner and auction on Saturday, April 21, showed more than 300 guests “La Belle Vie,” or the beautiful life at Mount St. Mary Academy, with a Parisian theme and an overwhelming outpouring of support for the school community. With a live and silent auction, wine pull and first-ever paddle raise for tuition assistance, this year’s event was one of the most successful yet for Dinner Belles, which benefits the school’s annual giving campaign The Fund for Mount St. Mary.

 

Highlights from the live auction included VIP stress-free graduation tickets, a “Night to Remember” dinner party with Chef Paul Novicky, Steven Lagos jewelry package from Sissy’s Log Cabin and a trip for 10 to Costa Rica. In the silent auction Dinner Belles guests bid on everything from artwork and accessories to a guided duck hunt and Razorback Football Parents Weekend at the University of Arkansas, and even a beautiful array of chairs and stools painted by MSM art students.

 

The live auction was followed by the first-ever Tuition Assistance Paddle Raise, which raised $12,850 in contributions designated to helping MSM students and families in need of financial assistance. Guests were invited to raise their bid card as the auctioneer called out increments of money to support tuition assistance, which benefits approximately 24% of the student body at Mount St. Mary.

 

A filet mignon dinner was provided by Samantha and Chris Tanner of Cheers in the Heights with beverages sponsored by Christine and Jay Castillo of Anheuser Busch and Robert Weyrens of The Ridge Wine & Spirits. The MSM Class of 1985 assumed this year’s bragging rights as the class donating the most wine to the 2018 Dinner Belles Wine Cellar, which hosted a variety of wines for guests to enjoy.

 

Special thanks were given to Presenting Sponsor CHI St. Vincent, auctioneer Billy Hartnedy (CHS Grad and MSM Dad), and the wonderful 2018 Dinner Belles Committee chaired by MSM mom Karen Tlapek. All in all, the night was a huge success with sponsors, participants and volunteers donating their time, talent and treasure and helping to ensure the Mount St. Mary legacy for future generations.  Merci beaucoup!

 

Photos from Dinner Belles 2018

 

   


 

 

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.

 


 

 

 

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.

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenten Reflection with MSM Campus Ministry Invites All

We hope you will join us for an evening of reflection and discussion led by our current students, the members of Liturgy Team. The Mount St. Mary Academy Liturgy Team is comprised of a select group of 11th and 12th grade students of any faith denomination. Their role is to help build a Christ-centered community of faith within the school.

 

Lenten Evening of Reflection
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
MSM Hospitality Room

 

5:30 p.m.   Light supper

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.    Lenten Reflection

 

Cost: $10.00  (There is a small $10 charge to help offset expenses)

 

This year’s Lenten theme is “Faith can move MOUNTains.”  Friday, March 2 is the last day to register: https://tinyurl.com/ydc9hdpu

 

 


 

 

 

2018 Alumnae Career Day celebrates its 4th year

Career Day 2018 welcomed 45 alumnae of the school to visit with our current students about their professional expertise and career paths. Students attended up to two sessions, where they were invited to hear from and ask questions of panels from a variety of different fields, including health care, arts, business, education, finance, law, information technology, and engineering. Careers and ministry in nonprofit, public service and religious life offered additional insight into life choices to help people through service.

 

Thank you to all of our “Mount girls” who volunteered as 2018 panel speakers, traveling from as far away as California and conducting the IT session via Skype. Many of the alumnae shared the same sentiment: Mount St. Mary taught them to give back and they wanted to give back to their alma mater and its current students.

 

Mount St. Mary Career Day is held each February as a collaborative effort of the Counselors and Alumnae Office. Career Day is one way that Mount St. Mary Academy encourages 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.

 

 

 

2018 Homecoming and Founders Week Celebrations

Mount St. Mary Academy celebrated Founders Week during the first week of February. The week marks 167 years since the school’s founding Sisters of Mercy opened the school on February 5, 1851, at the request of Arkansas’ first Catholic Bishop.

 

Leading up to Founders Week, the school’s Homecoming basketball game took place at the Catholic High School gymnasium, where the Belles played the Central High School Tigers. MSM basketball team member Lona Ceccherini was crowned 2018 Homecoming Queen as the Mount St. Mary Homecoming Court was announced before the game began.

 

On Tuesday, February 6, the student body gathered in the McAuley Center for the Mount St. Mary Academy Founders Day and Sophomore Pin Mass. As students entered the gymnasium, the Angelus Bell rang out 167 times in honor of the school’s 167-year history. The bell was given to the Sisters by Bishop Andrew Byrne at the school’s first location in downtown Little Rock. As part of the Founders Day Mass, the 10th graders in the Class of 2020 received their Mercy pins, which serve as reminders to the sophomores to live the Mercy values in their everyday lives.

 

Founders Week 2018 ended with a new celebration for parents, alumnae and friends of the school. The first-ever Belles Birthday Bingo was held Friday, February 9, in the McAuley Center gymnasium. Parent volunteers served up grilled hot dogs, a chili bar and birthday cake before the bingo games began. Two fifty/fifty “split the pot” games rewarded two lucky winners, alumnae Debbie Wright Harris ’75 and Marilyn Lenggenhager ’73, and proceeds from the event benefited the Belles Booster Club, which supports student programs and activities at Mount St. Mary.

 

Fore more photos from these events, click the Flickr albums below.

 

Belles Birthday Bingo 2018Founders Day 2018MSM Homecoming 2018

 


 

 

 

Belles Birthday Bingo Joins Founders Week Celebrations

This year a “new” event invites parents, alumnae, faculty/staff, volunteers and friends to come together for a traditional favorite – BINGO!  Mount St. Mary Academy invites the entire school community  to come together on Friday, February 9, to honor the school’s 167-year tradition of excellence during Founders Week and celebrate with food and games. The Dads Club and Birthday Bingo Committee will be providing hot dogs on the grill and a chili toppings bar. Tickets are $30 for individuals/$50 for couples and include dinner, beer and wine, and 10 bingo play cards per person with additional cards available for purchase.

 

BELLES BIRTHDAY BINGO

Friday, February 9

MSM McAuley Center

Dinner 6 to 7 p.m., Bingo 7 to 9 p.m.

must be 21 years of age to attend

 

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE! 

 


 

 

 

Giving Tuesday Shares the Love with MSM

This year on #GivingTuesday, November 28, Mount St. Mary Academy received an inspirational outpouring of support, as parents, alumnae and friends of the school joined together to show their charitable spirit to the “best school we know.” Just over $26,000 was donated in the online campaign that called on supporters through emails and social media to “share the love” with The Mount on Tuesday, November 28.

 

Giving Tuesday is a movement to create an international day of giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season following the commercial days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year over 1,640,000 gifts and $177,000,000 were raised online in over 98 countries, according to the Giving Tuesday website.

 


 

 

 

Booster Club’s Chills & Thrills 5K celebrates second year

A beautiful fall day in Arkansas welcomed more than 200 runners, walkers, children and pets to take part in the second annual Chills & Thrills 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run on the Mount St. Mary Academy campus.

 

MSM Rockettes cheered on race participants, some dressed in seasonal costumes, to start the challenging course throughout the Hillcrest neighborhood. Highlights included water stops with MSM costumed cross country team members as well as the “Nightmare on Elm Street,” the culminating hill before the 5K home stretch.

 

Children ages 6 to 12 had the option of participating in the one-mile Monster Dash, which circled the campus and ended with an obstacle course of tire hopping, belly crawling, wall scaling, sack racing fun. Racing their way to the finish, each race participant rang a bell to signal successful race completion and was awarded a “Survivor” medal.

 

Mad Scientists, MSM science instructors Dr. Tina Hendrickson and Ms. Robin Johnson, performed science demonstrations like the “magic pitcher,” which used the pH of liquids to change colors, and the crowd-pleasing observation of explosive qualities in varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Afterwards, the Mad Scientist Activity Lab let participants experience hands-on activities like decoding secret messages, dissecting earthworms and creating bubbling slime.

 

Thank you to all of the event participants, volunteers and sponsors for making the 2017 Chills & Thrills event a huge success, with nearly double the participation over last year’s race. Event proceeds benefit all extracurricular programs at Mount St. Mary Academy.

 

More photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHsm63EAuy

 

 


2017 Chills & Thrills Sponsors

 

Presenting Sponsor
CHI St. Vincent

Silver Sponsor
Meadors Adams & Lee Insurance

Bronze
Bank of Little Rock
Bank of Little Rock Mortgage
Kutak Rock LLP

Purple 

Arkansas Pet Cremation
Arkansas Specialty Orthopaedics
CustomXM
Elite Functional Rehab
Executive Services
Flake & Kelly Commercial
Dr. Thomas and Cynthia Frazier
Integrity Products, Inc.
The Janet Jones Company/ Debbie Teague
McLarty Volvo Cars of Little Rock
Qualchoice Health Insurance
Paychex
Pulaski County Title, LLC
Ray Lusk Plumbing
Relyance Bank
Stone Bank
Thomas & Thomas LLP
Vondran Orthodontics
Wardlaw Orthodontics
Wright Lindsey Jennings

Holy Ghost

Bar Louie
Susan & Tim Boe
Cross Tire Pros
Edwards Food Giant
Krebs Brothers Supply
Kim & Quentin Markland

 

 


 

 

 

Chills & Thrills 5K on October 7 benefits MSM student programs

Mark your calendars and “Conquer the Hills” of the Mount St. Mary Academy Chills & Thrills 5K, benefiting extracurricular programs for all Mount St. Mary Academy students.
5K Run/Walk timed by Hudson Race Timing  (8 a.m.)
– Hilly course through the Hillcrest neighborhood with a “Nightmare on Elm Street”
– Prizes for male and female age groups and BEST COSTUMES
One-Mile Kids Fun Run  (9:15 a.m.)
– Monster Dash for ages 6-12 years with costumed monsters along the race route
– Obstacle Course at the end of the route
Mad Scientist Show and Activity Lab (10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.)
$15 No prior registration is required
($10 with Monster Dash runner’s bib and FREE with 5K and Monster Dash bibs)
– Mount St. Mary Mad Scientist duo demonstrations of mind-boggling experiments
– Hands-on activities like bubbling slime, tie dye bandanas and color-changing key rings
Family Fun and Food  (10:30 to Noon)
– Race snack bar for runners and festive brunch fare available for additional cost
– Yummy chicken and waffles specialty dish

 

This festive fall event on the Mount St. Mary campus is open to the community and guaranteed to be a scream!

 

Event schedule and sign-up: mtstmary.edu/chills-and-thrills

Junior Takeover Day: What a Circus!

photo by Caty Nosal, MSM yearbook

 

The Mount St. Mary Academy Class of 2018 celebrated their “graduation” to the senior class at Junior Take Over Day (JTOD) 2017: Senior Circus. The mimes, animals, cotton candy, ring leaders and plenty of clowns gathered before school to have breakfast together and decorate their cars and the school with signs to “Step Right Up to the Senior Circus.”

 

View photos from Junior Take Over Day:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskVC6TSp

 

 

 

Mercy & Me: A Celebration of Leadership

 

The fourth biennial Mercy & Me Luncheon was held on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Statehouse Convention Center downtown. The signature event was created by Mount St. Mary Academy as an opportunity for alumnae, friends and family to celebrate Mercy-inspired leadership in Little Rock and beyond — from the proud mother to the business professional to the community leader.

 

The speaker for the luncheon was Linda Rowe Thomas—celebrity fashion designer, burn survivor and inspirational speaker. Mrs. Thomas’ keynote address told the story of her accident and her mother’s faith and encouragement throughout her ongoing recovery process, and she spoke about self-acceptance and opening herself to God’s love and plan for her life.

 

Prior to the luncheon, Mrs. Thomas addressed the student body in the Mount St. Mary McAuley Center, where students modeled designs from her fashion line, Romás by Linda Rowe Thomas, as well as fashions by David’s Bridal and Proposals.

 

Mount St. Mary Academy has the distinct honor of being the only all-girls secondary school in Arkansas. And throughout its 166-year history, the Mount remains a dignified, stately testimonial to the unceasing labors of the Sisters of Mercy and the more than 20,000 graduates who have emerged from the school stronger in wisdom, compassion and integrity.

 

Click here to see a video of the keynote address by Linda Rowe Thomas:

[https://youtu.be/u8yY_L1P9sc]

 

View photos from the event:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtstmary/albums

 

 

We Have a Winner for the Tuition Raffle

Free tuition at Mount St. Mary Academy for one year.

 

That’s what the first-ever Tuition Raffle offered parents of current students and 8th graders planning to attend Mount St. Mary Academy next year. The raffle, presented by the Mount St. Mary Belle Booster Club, was kicked off during Catholic Schools Week in January to raise funds for student activities at Mount St. Mary Academy.

 

The Bray family was the winner of the full year of tuition to be applied to the 2017-2018 school year. The drawing  was held on April 26 at the Mercy & Me student program. Thank you to all the families who participated in the tuition raffle to support extracurricular programs for MSM students!

 

 

Mount St. Mary Academy to Honor Mercy Legacy

During the month of May, as Mount St. Mary Academy celebrates the gift of the past school year, the oldest ministry in the former St. Louis Region will be celebrating with hearts of gratitude another time of special importance.

 

To honor the Mercy legacy at the school, Mercy Moments on Our Journey will be held at Mount St. Mary Convent on Sunday, May 7th from 4 to 6 p.m. with comments at 5 p.m. Light refreshments, libations and tea will be provided.

 

Two Sisters in residence at the school, Sister Mary Ann Hardcastle and Sister Mary Jolitta Konecny, will be recognized in light of their significance. Both are graduates and former members of the faculty who have reached the graceful wisdom of 80 years this March. Due to multiple circumstances for community and ministry, the Sisters will be relocating to Catherine McAuley Convent in Barling, Arkansas. The South Central Leadership Team has communicated their wish to deed the Mount St. Mary Convent residence to the ministry leadership at Mount St. Mary Academy.

 

As with all Mercy experiences, Mount St. Mary is blessed to continue to have the presence and ministry of Sister Joan Pfauser bringing the daily gift of Mercy presence as a school counselor. The school is also privileged to have six Sisters of Mercy actively serving on the Academy and Foundation boards.

 

With deep thanksgiving to God for His faithfulness and for the courage of those who have helped bring Mount St. Mary to this point, all who have been a part of her history are invited to celebrate these Mercy Moments on Our Journey. Guests attending should RSVP to Shannon Tanner at 501.476.3367 or stanner@mtstmary.edu.

 

 

Fathers and Daughters Compete at Family Feud

The first-ever March Madness Father-Daughter Family Feud event created quite a stir in the McAuley Center on Saturday, March 4th at Mount St. Mary Academy. Presented by the Belle Booster Club, the event benefited Mount St. Mary student clubs, organizations and athletic teams. Following rules of the popular game show, teams of dads and daughters faced off to answer popular survey questions and try for their chance to enter the final round.

 

Congratulations to the Clark/Wahlgreen/Crow team, winner of this year’s March Madness Family Feud! And thank you to the extremely creative and hardworking event chairs, MSM parents Kelly and Roy Snook, and the student committee for all of their vision and planning for this event.

 

 

Mercy & Me Jewelry February Offer:

Teacup and Teapot set, $30-$50 ($70 regular price)

 

“Make sure they have
a comfortable cup of tea before I go.”

– Catherine McAuley

 

You can now remember Catherine McAuley’s “comfortable cup of tea” with one of our very special Mercy & Me custom jewelry pieces that feature MSM student artwork of a teacup and teapot. During the month of February, receive TWO FOR $50 – the Teacup bracelet and Teapot necklace (regularly $70) or teacup and teapot pendants – TWO FOR $30.

 

Learn more about the Mercy significance of tea from Erica ’17, creator of this year’s Mercy & Me cast pendants, or purchase Mercy & Me jewelry here.

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t miss out on MSM Chills & Thrills, October 29

 

MSM_Chills_Banner_3

 

Mark your calendar for Chills &Thrills, the spook-tacular new event by the MSM Booster Club to benefit co-curricular programs at Mount St. Mary Academy. Join us as we celebrate a day full of Halloween fun on the Mount St. Mary campus to include a 5K Monster Dash, “Mount Scary Academy” haunted house, Boo-tique shopping, frightful feast and an adults-only party.

 

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2016

 

Event Time:  5K Monster Dash, 8 a.m.; Tricks-n-Treats Family Fun, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Twilight Bash, 7 to 10 p.m.

 

Tickets and information: http://mtstmary.edu/chills-and-thrills

 

Get your tickets before October 22 – You’ll scream if you miss this!