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Deirdre V. Cryor



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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy 
The Wildcat Weekly includes news from the Academy and updates on events and activities. Watch for the Weekly in your email inbox every Wednesday afternoon.  If you have news to share, please email Kat Challis in the President's Office at [email protected]. And, be sure to click here to read my weekly blog. 
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President 
Peter Pan, SMA's All Academy Musical
Opens Tomorrow Night!
Pre-sale tickets are available Thursday in the Advancement Office (Sanders House, 2nd floor) during school hours. After Thursday, tickets can be purchased at the door ONLY. All seats are reserved. Tickets are going fast!

Performance Schedule:
  • Thursday, March 6, 6:00 PM 
  • Friday, March 7, 7:00 PM 
  • Saturday, March 8, 7:00 PM 
  • Sunday, March 9, 2:00 PM 

 Click here for a sneak preview of Peter Pan 

SMA Dive Coach Lise Kafka Named
2014 4A Dive Coach of the Year
Congratulations to Lise Kafka who has been honored as the 2014 4A Dive Coach of the Year.  Lise has coached the SMA dive team for three years and has coached Alexa Beckwith in the last three of four State Championships.  The Wildcats had five divers competing this season.  This is a very large size team considering most 3A schools have only a couple divers, if any in their programs. All four of the SMA divers who competed at League finished Top 10 in 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 10th places.  
Lise was very proud that the months of training and hard work had culminated into a successful finish against tough competition.  A majority of the competitors have diving and/or gymnastics experience in their backgrounds, but most of the SMA team does not have this experience since the program welcomes all levels. When asked to share a few thoughts about coaching at SMA, Lise replied, "What I have enjoyed most is getting to know these girls and be a support for them as they go through high school."  Please click here to read more. 
Chemistry Students Attend Symposium on Cancer
Last week, Junior and Senior Chemistry students had the opportunity to attend a mini symposium about cancer at the University of Colorado Anshutz Medical Campus. It was a great experience for the students as they were introduced to the topic of melanoma and the latest research on this type of cancer.  Dr. John Tentler, Associate Professor, Division of Medical Oncology, welcomed the girls and offered a lecture on the biochemistry of melanoma and how it is treated. This was then followed by a presentation on the current clinical trials being performed on Stage 4 patients at the Anschutz Campus. Later the students were divided into groups and were given private tours of the cancer research labs such as breast cancer, melanoma, lung cancer and even the radiation facility. High School science teacher Greta Sharp facilitated this unique experience for the students.

This is part of the Cancer Research Fellowship program in which high school girls can apply to be an intern in a cancer research lab. Grace Sollender '11 who was selected two years in a row to be an intern in a breast cancer lab through this program was accepted into Dartmouth school of Medicine this coming fall. Other SMA alumnae who have been accepted in the past to this prestigious program are Meghan Dhingra '12 and Jessica Safee '12.
Model UN Team Brings Home Prestigious
Awards from National Conference

The SMA Model UN attended the NAIMUN (North American Invitational Model United Nations) Conference in Washington, D.C. over Presidents' Day weekend. After a one-day flight delay due to the snowstorm back East, the group arrived in time for the first committee. Sophomore Abby Clements received a verbal commendation for her role as Mexican Senator Raul Garcia Guzman. Senior Madison Taylor, Secretary General, won Outstanding Delegate as Mitsumasa Yonai, Admiral in the Japanese Imperial Navy, in the historical Japanese War Cabinet during World War II. And Senior Sara Van Velkinburgh, Secretary General, received Best Delegate for her role as John Evans in the Joint Cabinet Crisis, Union Pacific Railroad Company Cabinet. Sara also received the annual NAIMUN Alumni Scholarship! 

 

The team celebrated its success with a feast at Buca di Beppo on Sunday night after an afternoon of Washington, DC sightseeing that included the national monuments and Georgetown.

 

Special thanks go to Kelsey Waldron, Secretary General, for organizing the NAIMUN trip this year. She made the flight arrangements, booked the hotel, and collected the required forms and money. Kelsey also helped organize the team trip to the French Embassy, with the kind assistance of Ms. Rogers, SMA HS French teacher. And a big round of applause to Ms. Bard and Ms. Evans who patiently sponsored and shepherded 24 students throughout the entire trip.

Class of 2014: The College List...
Students continue to hear from colleges and announce acceptances. We have updated the list for the Wildcat Weekly.  Congratulations to the Class of 2014!  Please click here to see the full list and check back for updates!

Click here to see some of the amazing accomplishments of the Class of 2014!
Faculty Feature:  Paula Lee, Campus Minister
What is your education?
I have a Master's in Religion and a Master's in Pastoral Ministry. I'm currently working on my PhD in Religion and Psychological Studies.

How many years have you been at SMA?
This is my fifth year at SMA.

What is your working/teaching experience beyond SMA?
I previously worked as a pastoral associate at a large Catholic parish and then as a hospital chaplain. Prior to that, I was a Mom (still am), student and community volunteer.

What awards or honors have you received?
A paper I wrote will be published as a chapter in a two-volume book on "God and Popular Culture," which will come out later this year.

What would you name as an impressive classroom/curriculum experience that you have experienced?
I'm always impressed by our students, but hearing the high school juniors speak about their community service experiences in our service learning seminars is very moving. They discover so much about themselves through their work and this process of reflection.

What is something about yourself to share with the SMA community that we might not already know?
I love to travel to faraway places with a carry-on bag.
Community News
  • Lower School Media Specialist Charlie Leckenby recently wrote an article for an online librarian publication School Librarian's Workshop about the Mouse Mischief Club in the High School. Mouse Mischief is "a campus-wide team helping with technology issues, professional development, and instruction. Over the course of a year, team positions evolved into paid summer internships. Since that time, these internships have become year-round jobs, with a 400% growth in membership." Please click here to read more. 
  • Denver Jewish Day School is hosting a Girls Leadership Institute 2nd/3rd Grade Parent & Daughter Series: Nine Tools for True Friendship this March.  Participate in fun, engaging workshops where you and your daughter will build a common language, practice healthy approaches to conflict and learn authentic communication skills.  Each workshop is 90 minutes long, once a week, for four consecutive Mondays starting March 10.  Please click here for more information and to register. 
  • The Center for Women's Health Research and University of Colorado Hospital invite you to a Let's Talk event about Growing Strong Women -- Physically, Mentally and Emotionally, March 15, 5:45 - 8:15 PM.  Let's Talk is a campaign to educate women and girls on topics of health. The topics are presented by a panel of nationally-renowned experts, physicians and researchers who are teaming up to focus on important health questions that girls and women face every day.  This specific event will cater to girls and women, ages 10 to 99, about caring for yourself and making healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Please click here for more information and to register. 
Lower School News Events

News:

  • Last week, fourth and fifth grade science students had the opportunity to dissect sharks with the help of some our High School students.  The LS students, who just finished a unit on the human digestive system, were comparing that system to the digestive system of the sharks. The HS girls taught the lesson, and answered many questions!  During the dissection, the class found a squid (not yet digested) in the esophagus of one shark and another squid in the belly of another shark! Thank you to High School students Arpi Bocchieriyan, Hadley Hustead, Jessica Schaden, Hailey Davis and Iris Herrera for leading the class!    
  • The High School Robotics Team visited the LS last Friday for Assembly. The team members presented their robot, explained how they built it, demonstrated how it worked and took questions from the inquisitive LS audience.  In their first year of competition the eight-member, all-girls robotics team qualified for Regionals in Arkansas last December.  They gained a great deal of knowledge from the Regional competition and are already gearing up for next year!   
  • Junior kindergarten and second grade classes led January's Late Start Great Start to raise money for Haitian Families First.  Located in Haiti, Haitian Families First is dedicated to helping families stay together.  The founders, two women from Pittsburgh, provide emotional, social, and financial support to the families as they assist them through challenges.  The SMA Lower School raised $1,750!  "Awesome donation," wrote co-founder and co-president Ali McMutrie, she added "many of the older kids remembered that your school donated last year and were excited to hear they were taking a picture to thank them again!"   
  •  Last Friday, the first and second graders put on a dance performance for their fellow students, teachers staff and parents.  The theme was the Olympics and the students wowed all those in attendance with their dance moves and intricate routines! Click here to see more photos! 

Events:

  • March 5, Ash Wednesday, No After School/Evening Activities 
  • March 6, 7:30 AM, School Store Open for All Students  
  • March 6 , 6:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum
  • March 7 - 8, 7:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum 
  • March 7, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 9, 2:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum 
  • March 12, Late Start, classes begin at 9:05 AM     
  • March 13 - 14, Lower School Conferences, No Lower School Classes   
  • March 21, 8:10 AM, Assembly 
  • March 21, No ASA/EDC/JKAC
  • March 22 - 30, Academy Closed, Spring Break     
  • March 31, Classes Resume  
Middle School News & Events

News:

  • Do you know the 10 Essentials for Backcountry Travel & Safety?  What is Transplantation Science?  Can you tape an ankle?  How does nutrition impact your focus and performance?  Can you manage your stress with success?  These are just a few of the questions the Middle School students found the answers to while participating in the Annual Middle School Health Fair.  After starting the morning with a vigorous workout, each grade level attended presentations throughout the day.  Mr. Jeff Carter was the keynote speaker.  His story of survival was inspirational. The day came to a close as the students gathered in the gym for the eighth grade team versus faculty team basketball game. When the final buzzer went off, the faculty basketball team had scored enough points to earn bragging rights for another year.  
  • The MS Drama Class put on an original performance of Elementary, My Dear Watson for their fellow students, teachers and parents. The class, made up of sixth and seventh graders, wrote, designed and choreographed the dance scenes in the play.  MS Principal Mrs. Ashley even made a cameo appearance! Click here for more photos! 

Events:

  • March 5, Ash Wednesday, No After School/Evening Activities  
  • March 6, 6:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum
  • March 7 - 8, 7:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum 
  • March 7, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 9, 2:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum  
  • March 12, Late Start, classes begin at 9:05 AM
  • March 13 - 26, MS Peru Trip 
  • March 21, No ASA/EDC/JKAC
  • March 22 - 30, Academy Closed, Spring Break    
  • March 31, Classes Resume  
High School News & Events
News:
  • Last week, fourth and fifth grade science students had the opportunity to dissect sharks with the help of some our High School students.  The LS students, who just finished a unit on the human digestive system, were comparing that system to the digestive system of the sharks. The HS girls taught the lesson, and answered many questions!  During the dissection, the class found a squid (not yet digested) in the esophagus of one shark and another squid in the belly of another shark! Thank you to High School students Arpi Bocchieriyan, Hadley Hustead, Jessica Schaden, Hailey Davis and Iris Herrera for leading the class!  
  • The High School Robotics Team visited the LS last Friday for Assembly. The team members presented their robot, explained how they built it, demonstrated how it worked and took questions from the inquisitive LS audience.  In their first year of competition the eight-member, all-girls robotics team qualified for Regionals in Arkansas last December.  They gained a great deal of knowledge from the Regional competition and are already gearing up for next year!        
  • The SMA Mock Trial Teams competed at the Colorado Regional Tournament last week at the Arapahoe County Court House. The SMA Team, made up of Claire Coughlin, Carrie Deline, Kerianne DeLine, Jordan Hamrick, Gretchen Miller, Tamanna Shobha, Emily Sutherland, Hannah Taylor, Madison Taylor and Mary Eleanor Tezak, is one of five teams from the Arapahoe Region that will attend the Colorado State Tournament.  The State Tournament will be held March 14 to 15 at the Jefferson Combined Courts in Golden hosted by the 1st Judicial Bar Association.

Events:

  • March 5, Ash Wednesday, No After School/Evening Activities   
  • March 6, Presentations of Learning
  • March 6, Junior Retreat 
  • March 6, 6:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum
  • March 7 - 8, 7:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum 
  • March 7, No Classes, Faculty Work Day
  • March 9, 2:00 PM, All Academy Musical, Peter Pan, Forum
  • March 10, 6:30 PM, HS Winter Sports Awards Ceremony, Forum
  • March 11, 10:00 AM, HS Concert, Forum
  • March 12, Late Start, classes begins at 9:05 AM  
  • March 12, 11:30 AM, HS Clubs
  • March 15, 8:00 PM, HS Prom
  • March 18, College Night for Juniors
  • March 20, 10:00 AM, STUCCO Town Meeting 
  • March 22 - 30, Academy Closed, Spring Break
  • March 31, Classes Resume  
Admissions News

  • Welcome to our newly enrolled families! There are so many activities in the life of our school and we hope you can take advantage of joining in our community!
  • Thanks to all who have completed their financial aid applications online.   Please remember to complete your 2013 taxes and other necessary documents and email them to Gracie Carr at [email protected].
  • SMA High School welcomed our Class of 2018 with a celebration breakfast last week.  Our HS Ambassadors did a fantastic job greeting, chatting and sharing with their new classmates.
  • This week in the Middle School we will be welcoming our newly Accepted Middle School students on March 6, 10:45 -12:00. Our Middle School students and teachers are looking forward to welcoming these students with pizza, CAT games and reflection.  All of our current SMA fifth graders are invited to this event. (If a fifth grade student does not wish to attend, he or she may go to their classroom for a study hall.)  Please join us!
Advancement News
  • Gala Auction Items Needed. It takes a village to put together a great auction! If you have one or more of these items please fill out an Auction Donation form and submit it to your school office by Friday, March 21. Thank you!
    • Airline gift cards or donations of frequent flyer miles
    • Restaurant gift certificates and/or VIP restaurant experiences
    • Foursomes at local golf or country clubs
    • Items appealing to our high school girls - manicure/pedicure packages, boutique gift certificates, etc.
    • Autographed sports memorabilia
    • Elements of a "Staycation" - gas gift certificates, vacation homes in the mountains, activity gift certificates, limousine transportation
    • Tickets to sporting events, concerts, plays, etc.  
    • SMA Parent-Hosted parties
    • Donations of wine for the Instant Wine Cellar 

  • THANKS for reloading!  Here's an update on the results for the month of January from our King Soopers Reloadable Grocery Program:
    Number of cards reloaded: 55
    Total $ amount reloaded: $19,385
    SMA Net: $969.25
    Thanks to everyone who is participating in our Grocery Certificate program - every dollar helps. It's never too late to join in by using the card we gave you last fall! Let's all use our cards, RELOAD and support SMA! Need a reloadable King Soopers card? Contact Amy Albi at 303.762.8300 ext. 285. Thank you! 
  • Thank you to all of our families who have made a commitment to the 2013-2014 Annual Fund. To make your Annual Fund contribution click here, or pick up a donation envelope in any school office. Thank you! You may click here  to see a list of our contributors as of February 28, 2014.

Alumnae News
  • All Academy Musical Alumnae Reception
    Thursday, March 6  
    • 5:00 PM Reception in the Graham Family Volunteer and Alumnae Room in the Sanders House
    • 6:00 PM Peter Pan in the Forum 
    • Join your fellow alumnae for a glass of wine and light appetizers before we head over to the Forum to see Peter Pan. All alumnae receive two complimentary tickets to the production. For more information and to RSVP, click here.
  • Shopping on South Pearl Street                     Thursday, March 13
    6:15 p.m. Check-In at The Entertaining Shoppe 
    8:00 p.m. Drinks & Hors D'oeuvres at The Black Pearl  
    Start this evening of shopping and mingling by checking in at The Entertaining Shoppe (1804 S. Pearl Street Denver, CO 80201), co-owned by Alix Pavek '08, starting at 6:15 p.m. Throughout the evening, we'll visit the other SMA alumna owned shops on the street, including:  
    The Ruffly Rose - Emily Grisley Rodriquez '04
    1611 S. Pearl St. Denver, CO 80210  
    Gracie's - Gracie McClure
    1511 S. Pearl St. Denver, CO 80210  
    Melrose & Madison - Paige Brown MS '04
    1500 S. Pearl St. Denver, CO 80210  
    Each store will have a special offer for SMA alumnae and their guests. We'll end the evening with drinks and hors d'oeuvres at The Black Pearl (1529 S. Pearl St. Denver, CO 80210) starting at 8:00 PM 
  • Last Thursday at the annual Senior Seminar, Lucy Roucis '77 spoke to our seniors for her 15th consecutive year. She told the girls all about her life as a working actor with Parkinson's Disease. Other alumnae speakers included Molly Guerin '12, Morgan Flynn '10, Alix Pavek '08 and Susan Odland Lintonsmith '83
Athletic News
News:
  • HIGH SCHOOL WINTER SPORTS AWARDS CEREMONY
    Monday, March 10 at 6:30pm
    Pizza Potluck in HS Forum
    Teams are asked to bring the following:
    V Basketball - dessert
    JV Basketball - pasta
    Swim/ Dive - salads and sides
    Dance - salads and sides 
  • SMA's top diver Alexa Beckwith '14 won her fourth state championship last weekend at the 4A State Championship meet. With a score of 479.75 she earned the state title in 1 meter diving. Alexa is only the second diver in Colorado history to win four consecutive state championships. She pulled out a big victory over her top opponent Katie Russ (Mullen HS).  Katie is also a teammate and synchronized diving partner with Alexa. Alexa is a 3-time All American looking to earn her fourth honor this year, she holds the SMA 6 dive record, and she is the 2013 and 2014 Sportswomen of Colorado Diving award winner.  Alexa was honored as 4A Diver of the Year and SMA coach Lise Kafka as 4A Dive Coach of the Year. Coach Kafka has coached the SMA dive team since 2011. Click here to watch highlights of Alexa's dives at the State Championship.
  • We also want to congratulate the relay teams who represented SMA, and top Wildcat swimmers Alex Reddington and Claire State who swam in the finals.  Claire placed 10th in the 200 IM (2:15.39), and Alex placed 7th in the 100 butterfly (1:00.49) and 12th in the 100 backstroke (1:00.85). We will have to update the record boards one more time this season as Alex set new school records in both events!

Games:

  • March 6:
    • 4:00 PM, Varsity 2 Tennis vs. East HS @ EHS
    • 4:00 PM, Varsity & JV Lacrosse vs. Golden HS @ GHS 
    • 4:00 PM, JV Tennis vs. East HS @ SMA
  • March 7:
    • 11:00 AM, Varsity, Varsity 2 & JV Tennis vs. Pueblo West HS, Scrimmage 
    • 3:30 PM, Varsity & Varsity 2 Tennis vs. Cheyenne Mountain HS, Scrimmage
  • March 8:
    • 1:15 PM, JV & Varsity Lacrosse vs. Chaparral HS @ SMA
  • March 10:
    • 4:15 PM, Boys MS Lacrosse vs. Coyote Lacrosse Club @ SMA
    • 6:30 PM, HS Winter Sports Awards Ceremony, Forum
  • March 11:
    • 3:45 PM, Girls 8th Soccer vs. St. Anne's @ St. Anne's
    • 4:00 PM, Varsity Soccer vs. Golden HS @ SMA
    • 4:00 PM, Varsity 2 Tennis vs. Conifer Senior HS @ CSHS
  • March 12:
    • 3:45 PM, Boys MS Lacrosse vs. St. Anne's @ SMA
    • 4:00 PM, Varsity &  JV Tennis vs. D'Evelyn HS @ DHS
    • 4:00 PM, Varsity 2 Tennis vs. D'Evelyn HS @ SMA
    • 4:00 PM, JV & Varsity Lacrosse vs. Palmer HS @ PHS 

 

 

Inclement Weather Policy and Notification
In the 2013-14 school year, SMA implemented a Notification System through the Infinite Campus program.  We will use this notification system in the event of a school closure or delay due to weather.  Notification can go via text, voice and email according to the information the school has on your Infinite Campus profile. If you would like to change that information, please call the division office.  
 
St. Mary's Academy encourages parents to use their own judgment about the safety of roads on snowy days. Teachers waive late arrivals and tests on severe weather days.

 

In the event of inclement weather, St. Mary's Academy might call a "Delayed Arrival" for the campus. On a Delayed Arrival day, all classes will begin at 9:05 a.m.

 

For students who might arrive earlier than the 9:05 a.m. start time, school personnel will be present in the school buildings beginning at 8:00 a.m. In the Lower School, students should go to the gym.

 

The decision to announce a Delayed Arrival day will be made according to the following factors:

  • quantity of snow fallen or forecasted;
  • ability of students and staff to travel to school;
  • ability to clear and maintain parking lots and pathways;
  • ability of school function (heating, water, etc.)

As soon as the decision is made to change the schedule, we will send a message via Infinite Campus Notification System, record a message on our main phone line: 303.762.8300, and post an announcement on our website, www.smanet.org.

 

Additionally, we will share any school closing or schedule change with the television stations including: KCNC (TV) Channel 4, KDVR Fox 31 (TV) Channel 31, KMGH (TV) Channel 7, KUSA (TV) Channel 9, KWGN (WB2 TV) Channel 2; and on radio station 850 KOA Storm Center.

 

When school is in session and we have inclement weather, decisions related to activities/athletics will not be made until after 1:30 pm. Weather changes quickly in Colorado, and we will do our best to make the decisions as efficiently as possible. If school is cancelled due to weather concerns, activities and athletics will be cancelled. Information about cancellation of events or school closing is available by calling the school at 303.762.8300.

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