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For the last seven years, Chandler Roberts Cummins ’12 has dedicated her career to being a comforting presence to patients while providing the highest level of care. As a nurse, Cummins knows that patients are often in their most vulnerable state during a hospital stay or doctor’s visit and are in need of extraordinary empathy and compassion.

The 2nd annual Founders’ Day celebrated the legacy, perseverance, and resiliency of St. Mary’s Episcopal School. This year, we honored Sister Hughetta Snowden, who assumed the leadership of St. Mary’s following the death of Sister Constance and the other Sisters of St. Mary during the yellow fever epidemic. Sister Hannah Winkler, CSM, a member of the Sisters of St. Mary in Sewanee, Tennessee, shared Sister Hughetta’s story with our students.

Each year on September 9, those in the Episcopal Church celebrate the legacy of Sisters Constance, Thecla, Frances, Hughetta, and Ruth on the anniversary of the death of Sister Constance. These nuns came to Memphis in 1873 to take the helm of St. Mary’s and stayed in Memphis during the yellow fever epidemic to care for the sick and the orphaned while most people fled.⁠⁠⁠ Assistant Chaplain Mary Henry Thompson shared a message with our students in preparation for this day of remembrance.

Recently, St. Mary’s new Director of Belonging, Nikki Davis, spoke at Chapel on the South Campus about the importance of “belonging,” rather than simply “fitting in.” Fostering a sense of belonging helps individuals feel seen, emphasizing that they are with us for a purpose and that each of us adds value to the community.

Every May, 5th grade students take a field trip to a pool to test underwater robots they built over the course of 10 weeks. The project is the culminating assignment in the comprehensive Lower School STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum.

Lilly Coggin ’26, Ivy Carls ’26, and Caroline Chandler ’26 were the first St. Mary’s team to attend the worldwide competition. Then fourth graders, the students led the way for the budding robotics program to blossom into a formidable force in the competitive robotics arena. Thanks to these girls’ enthusiasm and early success, VEX robotics has taken off at St. Mary’s. Since the first appearance, St. Mary’s has sent numerous teams to the World Championship, including three in 2023.

Years after her own graduation in 1983, 2023 Outstanding Alumna Brandon Garrott Morrison is clear-eyed about what makes her long-standing relationship with St. Mary’s so special. It’s not just one thing, of course.

St. Mary's coaches and trainers focus on a holistic approach to strength, conditioning, wellness, and injury prevention. In fact, each athlete works closely with Athletic Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach Claire Betti on a plan to ensure they get the maximum benefit from their workouts while minimizing the risk of injuries.

Lilly Coggin ’26, Ivy Carls ’26, and Caroline Chandler ’26 were the first St. Mary’s team to attend the worldwide competition. Then fourth graders, the students led the way for the budding robotics program to blossom into a formidable force in the competitive robotics arena. Thanks to these girls’ enthusiasm and early success, VEX robotics has taken off at St. Mary’s. Since the first appearance, St. Mary’s has sent numerous teams to the World Championship, including three in 2023.

Since 1998, Upper School English Teacher and Department Chair Shari Ray has had the pleasure of experiencing the first day of school at St. Mary’s. In her essay, “in appreciation for school,” Mrs. Ray reflects on this special day that happens each year.

We are so excited to introduce our new faculty! We also have some teachers switching positions.

The Honors Independent Research Study (HIRS) program offers a unique opportunity for students to conduct an original, engaging research project of their choosing. This summer, 13 members of the Class of 2024 began their research project by completing hands-on work in partnership with a community mentor who is an expert in the field. Director of Honors Independent Research Dr. Anna Bess Sorin organizes the program and helps guide the girls through their projects. 

Earlier this year, the St. Mary's Community Fund (SMCF) awarded $40,000 in grants to fund projects at six Mid-South nonprofits that serve children. The SMCF allocated part of the funds to Girls on the Run Memphis. This nonprofit organization works to enhance girls’ social, emotional, and physical skills to help them navigate life experiences. Through an experience-based curriculum incorporating running, GOTR allows participants to be joyful, healthy, and confident.

Lily Karnes ’24 recently participated in Girls State. This week-long camp, organized by the American Legion Auxiliary, occurred at Lipscomb University. While there, she helped construct a government from scratch and gained valuable insights into the significance of being an engaged citizen.

Every 7th grade student at St. Mary's takes Community Connections, a quarter-long service class designed to help students understand the needs of their community, grow compassion and empathy, and develop as leaders.

St. Mary's coaches and trainers focus on a holistic approach to strength, conditioning, wellness, and injury prevention. In fact, each athlete works closely with Athletic Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach Claire Betti on a plan to ensure they get the maximum benefit from their workouts while minimizing the risk of injuries.

Lilly Coggin ’26, Ivy Carls ’26, and Caroline Chandler ’26 were the first St. Mary’s team to attend the worldwide competition. Then fourth graders, the students led the way for the budding robotics program to blossom into a formidable force in the competitive robotics arena. Thanks to these girls’ enthusiasm and early success, VEX robotics has taken off at St. Mary’s. Since the first appearance, St. Mary’s has sent numerous teams to the World Championship, including three in 2023.

We are so excited to introduce our new faculty! We also have some teachers switching positions.

Each year, our students are recognized for achievement in their study of Latin, Spanish, or French. This past semester, Middle School participated in the National French Contest, National Latin Exam, or National Spanish Exam. Students are tested on vocabulary, grammar, as well as interpretive reading, and listening. These exams measure a student’s interpretive communication and achievement. They allow teachers to gain feedback about instruction and curriculum while promoting language learning in general. Thank you to Ms. Carstens, Ms. Weirich, and Ms. Hinkle for allowing these girls to gain a love of learning a different language and about other cultures.

Eighth-grade students in Ms. Lynda Lyttle’s Honors Geometry Class brought math to the Makerspace with a creative final project. Students designed and built birdhouses as their final project. Girls considered several mathematical factors to ensure that their birds would have a safe and comfortable environment in their new homes.

Do you ever wish you could go back to the simplicity of first grade? Last weekend, members of the Middle School cast of Junie B. Jones, The Musical did just that, taking audiences down memory lane through the eyes of a rambunctious first-grader. The cast brought Barbara Park's best-selling books to life, showcasing the adventures and antics of Junie B. Jones.

Girls enrolled in St. Mary’s Place through 5th grades take Spanish classes at least once per week. Vocabulary and grammar are presented kinesthetically, aurally, verbally, visually, and literally to reinforce words and phrases. 

Every May, 5th grade students take a field trip to a pool to test underwater robots they built over the course of 10 weeks. The project is the culminating assignment in the comprehensive Lower School STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum.

Lilly Coggin ’26, Ivy Carls ’26, and Caroline Chandler ’26 were the first St. Mary’s team to attend the worldwide competition. Then fourth graders, the students led the way for the budding robotics program to blossom into a formidable force in the competitive robotics arena. Thanks to these girls’ enthusiasm and early success, VEX robotics has taken off at St. Mary’s. Since the first appearance, St. Mary’s has sent numerous teams to the World Championship, including three in 2023.

We are so excited to introduce our new faculty! We also have some teachers switching positions.

Our fourth grade girls recently studied inventors and simple machines in science and language arts classes. Working in groups, they brainstormed invention ideas to solve problems around them. North Campus Curriculum Director Jessica Lancaster led the students through the engineering design process. Each group sketched their design and listed the resources needed to create their project. They spent several days in the Makerspace building a prototype for their inventions.

This quarter, second graders immersed themselves in learning about inspiring women from U.S. history. The selected women spanned generations, from Simone Biles to Amelia Earhart to Katherine Johnson. By studying trailblazing, remarkable women, St. Mary's students learn important lessons about being inclusive and inquisitive. 

Look for St. Mary's girls to top the Country Music charts! Our fifth-graders recently returned from a Nashville field trip where they collaborated with the Country Music Hall of Fame's "Words & Music" program on a songwriting workshop.

The Words & Music program, part of the fifth grade literature curriculum this quarter, connected St. Mary's students to Nashville's music community by pairing classrooms with professional country music songwriters.

Girls enrolled in St. Mary’s Place through 5th grades take Spanish classes at least once per week. Vocabulary and grammar are presented kinesthetically, aurally, verbally, visually, and literally to reinforce words and phrases. 

We are so excited to introduce our new faculty! We also have some teachers switching positions.

St. Mary's Junior Kindergarteners have made learning the ABCs look as easy as 1-2-3! Throughout the year, JK students studied the alphabet by devoting a week to each letter. Last week, Junior Kindergarteners participated in the culminating alphabet activity, a tradition called the "QU Wedding," followed by the Alphabet Parade.

Every year, Early Childhood students have the opportunity to turn trash into treasures during the Tinker Fair. Senior Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten, and Pre-Kindergarten students demonstrate their creativity by crafting imaginative items from recycled materials.

Director of Libraries Jeanine Akers and Chair of the English Department Shari Ray began what felt like an impossible task. Their goal: selecting a title for an all-school summer read. Identifying a book that would resonate with all members of the St. Mary’s community—from 1st graders to faculty and staff—was a challenge.

This year, St. Mary’s Athletics launched a swim team for students in grades SK-5. Organized and led by Assistant Athletic Director Kendall Visinsky, the team aims to teach fundamentals and techniques to the youngest Turkey swimmers.

Throughout February, students across campus celebrated Black History Month, studying how Black Americans have contributed to history, society, and culture. In each division, the faculty incorporated Black history into the curriculum in various ways.

St. Mary's coaches and trainers focus on a holistic approach to strength, conditioning, wellness, and injury prevention. In fact, each athlete works closely with Athletic Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach Claire Betti on a plan to ensure they get the maximum benefit from their workouts while minimizing the risk of injuries.

This year, St. Mary’s Athletics launched a swim team for students in grades SK-5. Organized and led by Assistant Athletic Director Kendall Visinsky, the team aims to teach fundamentals and techniques to the youngest Turkey swimmers.

Turkey swimmer Grace Ciaramitaro ’23 will continue her athletic and academic career at Vanderbilt University. This month, Ciaramitaro signed with the Commodores swim team. Ciaramitaro has had an accomplished swim career at St. Mary’s and has been an essential part of the Upper School team. She earned seven first-place medals over three years at county and state meets.

Theirs was a season seven years in the making, and a championship won with only 17 seconds left on the clock. For the seven seniors who helped clinch the 2021 state championship for St. Mary’s Episcopal School varsity lacrosse, their final season of play reflected the girls’ strength, determination, and mutual trust as a tight-knit team.

It’s a new era of Turkey basketball! Two seasoned basketball coaches recently joined St. Mary’s Episcopal School’s athletic department. Jerry Dover is the new varsity basketball coach. David Norton will lead the junior varsity team. Sarah Williams will continue to support the program as an assistant coach.

What an incredible week for our Middle School teams! We will go into fall break with three runner-up trophies and a championship. MS Golf finished as the runner-up in the Shelby League Championship on Tuesday. MS Tennis won the Shelby League Championship. Congrats to 6th grader Jaiya Siffrard who led the way as a singles finalist. Both the Blue and White Soccer teams won the runner-up trophy in the Shelby League Championships.