See What's Happening on Campus

Thirty-four Middle School students took the stage for three fun-filled performances of the musical Matilda JR, a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. After four weeks of rehearsals, the students thrilled and delighted audiences with the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

St. Mary’s Community Fund (SMCF) is a student-led, grant-making organization established in 1998. The mission of SMCF is to “educate young women about the importance of philanthropy through hands-on community service, fundraising, and grant-making.”

Second-grade students recently wrapped up a quarter-long collaborative project on birds, flight, and kites with a fun Kite Day at Shelby Farms. The project began in science class with Mrs. Ruhland, where the girls learned about birds, feathers, and wings. 

Last week we hosted an Art Show showcasing and celebrating the work of our Upper School students. The collection, curated by Upper School Art Teacher Mrs. Andrea Fletcher, highlighted the creativity and talent of our students. Students had the opportunity to show their creativity to their families at the reception and show in the Levy Gallery at the Buckman Performing Arts Center.

This month, the SMS Global Education Program had the honor of virtually hosting guest speaker Sam Mihara. In 1942, when Sam was nine years old, the United States government forcibly sent Sam, his family, and people of Japanese ancestry living in the American West to internment camps. Sam and his family were sent to a prison camp called Heart Mountain in northern Wyoming, where he stayed for three years. 

Recently, our North Campus Librarians, Mrs. Catherine Denman and Mrs. Caryn Brannen, organized a book discussion for the 4th-grade students. Joined by special guests, the 4th-grade girls read the book Operation Frog Effect by Sarah Scheerger. 

Dr. Dalton Lyon traveled with a group of girls interested in legislation to Nashville, Tennessee. This was the first conference that has been held in 3 years due to COVID-19 and everyone was so excited to be back in action! This conference gives students the opportunity to to have a hands-on experience in state government. Students can serve as senators or representatives, as justices and lawyers, as department commissioners and lobbyists, or as press corps members.

Senior Kindergarten and Junior Kindergarten students turned recycled materials into extraordinary creations at the Tinker Fair. The girls made everything from castles to guitars to elephants. It was incredible to see what the girls created from discarded materials like cardboard boxes and paper towel rolls. One person’s trash turns into a Tinker Fair treasure! ⁠

Before spring break, our Lower School students participated in the 7th annual Maker Fair, a large-scale show and tell where students learn something new. This Lower School tradition offers an opportunity for students to spend the morning exploring, creating, learning, and leading. 

Upper School Health and Wellness Teacher, Jessica Seebeck, works with 9th-grade girls to build healthy habits. Jessica is a licensed clinical social worker and trauma-informed yoga instructor who brings her background in healing into the classroom.

Earlier this month in Middle and Upper School Chapel, we announced the winners of the Mays Prize in Writing. The Mays Prize is St. Mary’s annual fiction-writing contest. Students from grades 1st-12th submit creative writing stories. This year’s prompt, “Growing Up is Magical,” asked students to imagine a character the same age as them and tell the story of something magical that happens to that character during their school day. We are proud of all our entrants for their impressive and inventive stories. This year’s entries were beautiful, inspiring, and magical.⁠

Mary Jensen Nease, RN ’10, the newest member of the Health Center team, loves working with St. Mary’s parents and students. “There is so much life and joy among these sweet girls that I get to interact with!” Mary joined St. Mary’s in August as the North Campus Nurse. Mary, an alumna and PK parent, knows the St. Mary’s community well, but has enjoyed the opportunity to get to know more students and parents.

Eighth Grade English teacher and JV Lacrosse Coach Claire Zagrodzky loves teaching because “it allows me to pass along my passion for learning and reading. There's nothing I love more than helping students read difficult texts and watching them understand and grasp new ideas. It inspires me to keep learning and reading, too!” ⁠

Last weekend, students in the VEX IQ competitive robotics program competed in the state tournament in Nashville. The robotics program is open to students in grades 4-8. The students must work in teams to build and test a robot under the guidance of program sponsor and Lower School Science Teacher, Meagan Micheal. As members of the robotics team, girls learn valuable critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Last month, the Buckman Performing & Fine Arts Center welcomed sell-out crowds for the Upper School production of Mary Poppins. The spectacular show wowed audiences for six performances. 

St. Mary’s Jewish Student Alliance (JSA) hosted 102-year-old Mr. Sam Weinreich, one of the few living survivors of the Holocaust. JSA members Sydney Shanker and Lea Thomas helped introduce Mr. Weinreich to our Middle and Upper School students, faculty, and staff in Chapel.

This week, we wrapped up our Black History Month celebration. From the Early Childhood Center to the Upper School, classrooms across campus studied how Black Americans have contributed and continue to contribute to American history, society, and culture. There are dozens of highlights from this month’s celebrations.

We were delighted to welcome Courtney Ellis Felts '96 to speak to us in Chapel today. At St. Mary's, Courtney was a member of the Honor Council and served as editor of The Tatler. She was recognized as class salutatorian and received the Gold Cross Award. She was introduced by friend, former classmate, and 4th-Grade Math and Language Arts Teacher Alexis Nussbaum ’96. ⁠

We were delighted to have Maddie Rhodes ’14 speak to us in chapel today! She was introduced by her good friend and former classmate, Katherine Parker ’14. The pair flew to Memphis from Colorado where they both live now.⁠

I am thrilled to be teaching 6th and 7th grade English at St. Mary’s this year! My husband Greg and I have three daughters, and two of them are Turkeys. I am excited about this new adventure. Prior to joining the St. Mary’s team, I taught at Holy Rosary in The Learning Center, a specialized program for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Our oldest daughter's struggles in school ignited a passion within me to help all students realize their full potential. All students can learn; we just have to find the way each student learns best. It is like cracking a code!