News

Performing Arts Teacher Taylor Ragan '07 reflects on her experience in the theater department during her time at St. Mary's. 

The flower girl/senior tradition has long served as a way for some of St. Mary's youngest students to connect with its oldest. A critical part of St. Mary's culture, this tradition allows students to create long-lasting friendships across grades and campuses. 

Springfest, a treasured tradition at St. Mary’s, has evolved over the years, both in name and festivities. Called May Day until 1990, Springfest dates back to when the Sisters of the Order of St. Mary led the school.

“Our counseling program is proactive instead of reactive. Beginning in SK, we work to empower the girls with the skill set they need to navigate friendships, communicate effectively, and understand their feelings,” shares Lauren Mitchell, North Campus Counselor.

Kathy Buckman Gibson ’80 was recognized as the 2022 Outstanding Alumna this spring. During Alumnae Weekend, Gibson spoke at Alumnae Chapel, where she shared her story and accepted the honor. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, we celebrated our inaugural Founders’ Day, an annual event to honor St. Mary's legacy, perseverance, and resiliency over 176 years. This special day honors the people who brought St. Mary’s into being and those who played a key role in fostering its growth over time. ⁠⁠

We are excited to welcome the newest members of St. Mary’s Faculty and Staff. Below you’ll find short bios and photos of our new employees, as well as updates about a few people who are transitioning into different roles. 

Each year, faculty and staff members are honored with awards for their hard work and dedication to St. Mary’s. ⁠
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At the close of this school year, seven outstanding members of our faculty and staff received awards recognizing for their dedication to students of St. Mary’s. These leaders show compassion, creativity, and loyalty every day.

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.”

Performing Arts Teacher Taylor Ragan '07 reflects on her experience in the theater department during her time at St. Mary's. 

The flower girl/senior tradition has long served as a way for some of St. Mary's youngest students to connect with its oldest. A critical part of St. Mary's culture, this tradition allows students to create long-lasting friendships across grades and campuses. 

Springfest, a treasured tradition at St. Mary’s, has evolved over the years, both in name and festivities. Called May Day until 1990, Springfest dates back to when the Sisters of the Order of St. Mary led the school.

“Our counseling program is proactive instead of reactive. Beginning in SK, we work to empower the girls with the skill set they need to navigate friendships, communicate effectively, and understand their feelings,” shares Lauren Mitchell, North Campus Counselor.

Kathy Buckman Gibson ’80 was recognized as the 2022 Outstanding Alumna this spring. During Alumnae Weekend, Gibson spoke at Alumnae Chapel, where she shared her story and accepted the honor. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, we celebrated our inaugural Founders’ Day, an annual event to honor St. Mary's legacy, perseverance, and resiliency over 176 years. This special day honors the people who brought St. Mary’s into being and those who played a key role in fostering its growth over time. ⁠⁠

We are excited to welcome the newest members of St. Mary’s Faculty and Staff. Below you’ll find short bios and photos of our new employees, as well as updates about a few people who are transitioning into different roles. 

The flower girl/senior tradition has long served as a way for some of St. Mary's youngest students to connect with its oldest. A critical part of St. Mary's culture, this tradition allows students to create long-lasting friendships across grades and campuses. 

We are excited to welcome the newest members of St. Mary’s Faculty and Staff. Below you’ll find short bios and photos of our new employees, as well as updates about a few people who are transitioning into different roles. 

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.”

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. 

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.

Since 1847, St. Mary’s has equipped girls with the skills to make the world a better place. Our girls learn to be leaders in the classroom and the community. Across campus, the curriculum integrates community service in meaningful ways. The goal of service-learning is to educate students on their community, as well as the needs of their community and how to address them.

We are excited to welcome the newest members of St. Mary’s Faculty and Staff. Below you’ll find short bios and photos of our new employees, as well as updates about a few people who are transitioning into different roles. 

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.

Since 1847, St. Mary’s has equipped girls with the skills to make the world a better place. Our girls learn to be leaders in the classroom and the community. Across campus, the curriculum integrates community service in meaningful ways. The goal of service-learning is to educate students on their community, as well as the needs of their community and how to address them.

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.⁠

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.

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.

“Our counseling program is proactive instead of reactive. Beginning in SK, we work to empower the girls with the skill set they need to navigate friendships, communicate effectively, and understand their feelings,” shares Lauren Mitchell, North Campus Counselor.

We are excited to welcome the newest members of St. Mary’s Faculty and Staff. Below you’ll find short bios and photos of our new employees, as well as updates about a few people who are transitioning into different roles. 

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. 

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. 

Since 1847, St. Mary’s has equipped girls with the skills to make the world a better place. Our girls learn to be leaders in the classroom and the community. Across campus, the curriculum integrates community service in meaningful ways. The goal of service-learning is to educate students on their community, as well as the needs of their community and how to address them.

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. 

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.⁠

The flower girl/senior tradition has long served as a way for some of St. Mary's youngest students to connect with its oldest. A critical part of St. Mary's culture, this tradition allows students to create long-lasting friendships across grades and campuses. 

We are excited to welcome the newest members of St. Mary’s Faculty and Staff. Below you’ll find short bios and photos of our new employees, as well as updates about a few people who are transitioning into different roles. 

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! ⁠

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.

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.

My favorite thing about sharing my love for art-making is the “Ahaaa moment.” When a child recognizes her full potential for the first time, it is absolutely electric! One way to facilitate this moment is by using the learning environment as another teacher, allowing child-led creativity to flow. I also facilitate creativity in my students by presenting them with problems to solve. Watching creative problem-solving unfold on an individual level is so fulfilling. A student’s experience of making within parameters introduces her to critical thinking.

Our Senior Kindergarten and 4th-grade students welcomed their grandparents to campus for Grandparents Day just before Thanksgiving. We began the festivities with a reception for St. Mary’s grandparents. The following day, grandparents from near and far gathered to spend the morning with our girls and enjoy a special presentation. Upon arrival, the grandparents received custom gifts of ceramic handprints from the 4th grade and photo coasters from SK.

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.