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Wildcat Weekly
A Weekly Newsletter from St. Mary's Academy
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The Wizard of Oz in the Academy President's Blog:
The curtain will go up on the All-Academy Musical in just a few days. Occurring every other year on campus, this is yet another beloved tradition that takes place within the school community. I commend the cast and crew of over 50 students, faculty, countless parent volunteers, and dog for their dedication to bringing this production to life. I am eager to see it!
Deirdre V. Cryor
Academy President
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Maureen Reidy Witt '73 Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
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 SMA alumna, immediate past Board Chair and parent of alumni and alumnae, Maureen Reidy Witt '73 has been named this year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Colorado. The honor recognizes Maureen for her outstanding lifetime contribution to religion, profession and country.
With 32 years of experience, Maureen is currently a Partner at Holland & Hart LLP. After graduating from the St. Mary's Academy High School, Maureen obtained a BA from Gonzaga University and JD from the University of Notre Dame.
The mother of Emily MS'07, Madeleine '12, Brendan MS'09, and Parker MS'09, Maureen has remained very involved with her alma mater. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2000 and most recently served as Board Chair from 2013-2015.
Formed in 1960, the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Colorado promotes among lawyers and others, high standards of religious and ethical ideals and practices; provides instruction in the application of general ethical principles to concrete legal problems; and promotes the intellectual and spiritual welfare of its members.
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Biennial Parent Satisfaction Survey
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Periodically, St. Mary's Academy solicits feedback from parents on what you seek for your child educationally and how well we are delivering. At least every other year, we utilize the online parent satisfaction survey created by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) that has been customized for our use. The survey will take about 15-20 minutes and we ask that you complete the survey in the coming weeks prior to its anticipated close on March 18.
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your feedback is important and plays a large role in our future planning. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Lindsey Lopez via e-mail or by phone at 303-762-8300 ext. 223.
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Zac Hood Remains Dedicated to Service at SMA and Abroad
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 Zac Hood, High School and Middle School coach and Middle and Lower School P.E. teacher, recently returned from Belize, a place that has been his home away from home these past ten years. In addition to his role as coach and teacher at SMA, Zac is the Executive Director of Sports Servants a nonprofit leadership program dedicated to teaching skills through values-based programs in schools and on the soccer field in Belize.
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The Wizard of Oz - Don't Miss Out!
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 This is your last chance to buy tickets for The Wizard of Oz! Tickets are selling fast; click here to purchase yours today. Choose "Standard" ticket for $10. Online ticket sales will end on Wednesday, March 2 at noon. Thereafter, tickets will only be sold at the door.
The performance schedule is as follows: - Thursday, March 3 at 6:30 PM
- Friday, March 4 at 7:00 PM
- Saturday, March 5 at 7:00 PM
- Sunday, March 6 at 2:00 PM
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Community News
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 The Standing O's would like to give a big round of applause to our Middle School parents who are providing cookies for tonight's musical concert! Thank you to Caren Powell, Melinda Robinson, Kate Schroepfer, Laura Bogani, Kathleen Dammen, Maria Perez, and Annelise Nelson. And a big ovation to our MS Band Mom, Marla Newman and MS Orchestra Mom, Traci Sanders who are hosting tonight's reception.
- There is nothing like team work and the Standing O's recognize the tremendous effort put forth by the parents of The Wizard of Oz cast. A huge cheer for our great Meredith Wakelyn, Jennifer Buecking, Kamae Risher, Stacy Rechtin, Vicky Sullivan, Maria Perez, Adriana Williams, Shara Castle, Marla Newman, Jennifer Wagner, Caren Powell, Stephanie Largan and our fantastic dads, Fil Sapienza and Brian Brieske. This production could not take place without you! Thank You!
- SMA Nuggets Night is March 8! Join the Denver Nuggets for the annual St. Mary's Academy Community Night with the Nuggets on Tuesday, March 8 at 7:00 PM. All participants can join in the VIP Experience prior to the game and 40 select students will be able to take part in the Red, White and Blue Crew and SAIMARAC will sing the National Anthem. Don't miss it. Click here for more information.
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The Forney Museum of Transportation is pleased to announce their participation in Museum Day LIVE! This wonderful program, sponsored by the Smithsonian, creates a free day at cultural institutions across the country to allow people better access to these places of interest. Additionally, this special edition March event, held during National Women's History Month, is working to assist women and girls in need to experience local cultural institutions. This year's special edition event will be on Saturday, March 12 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. In order to participate, please register online to receive a ticket that is good for two individuals. Bring either a printed copy or the download on a smartphone to the Forney Museum of Transportation on March 12 to redeem. Click here to see what other museums in Denver and the surrounding area are participating.
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Lower School News & Events
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News: 
- In anticipation of the Destination Imagination competition on March 5, one of SMA's third grade DI teams, named "Reaching Out to the Paws," is presenting the service challenge "The Meme Event." They are collecting supplies for dogs and cats (food, paper towels, Pine-Sol and new or used towels or blankets) for the no-kill shelter Every Creature Counts, located in Fort Lupton, CO. Pictured at right, the team is also accepting monetary donations to support the organization's efforts at replacing the their founder, who passed away in January.
- SMA is asking each Lower School family to donate a $25 gift card to the Gala. Bring your gift cards to Jackie in the Lower School Office by Wednesday, March 16. Classes that are in the running to receive a special treat (7 or more gift cards) include:
- Kindergarten - McGown: 2 gift cards donated
- 1st Grade - Hoogerwerf: 4 gift cards donated
- 2nd Grade - Irwin: Treat earned!
- 2nd Grade - McGann: 4 gift cards donated
- 3rd Grade - Smith: 5 gift cards donated
- 3rd Grade - Stroz: Treat earned!
- 4th Grade - Hamilton: Treat earned!
- 4th Grade - Honig: 4 gift cards donated
- 5th Grade - Deits: 3 gift cards donated
- 5th Grade - Rand: 2 gift cards donated
Events:
- Wednesday, March 2; 5th Grade Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
- Friday, March 4; Half Day for Students. Dismissal at 11:40 AM.
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Middle School News & Events
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 News:
- Middle School musicians are all about town! Recently, the Middle School Orchestra attended Alice in Wonderland with the Colorado Ballet at the Denver Center for Performing Arts (pictured at right). On Monday, they also performed a concert for the independent living residents at the Englewood Meridian. Tonight, Wednesday, February 24, Middle School musicians will be performing a concert at 7:00 PM in the High School Forum. The MS Orchestra will perform a variety of pieces from an Irish tune to Do-Re-Mi from the Sound of Music to hearing the Call of the Drums. The MS Band will play a March, feature our saxophone section on Sax Attack, a medley of Elvis Presley tunes and selections from Star Wars. Some cast from the upcoming All-Academy Musical The Wizard of Oz will also share a sneak peek performance! All are invited to come and support our fabulous MS performers.
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Calling all current seventh graders! We invite you to take the PRACTICE High School Placement Test on Saturday, April 16 in the Community Center from 8:15-11:30 AM. This test is normed for seventh graders but it will prepare students for the HSPT in December 2016. You can register online or email Gracie Carr to reserve your seat. Questions? Call Gracie Carr at 303-762-8300 ext. 205.
 Congratulations to eighth grade student, Brianna Tolkacz who was selected by the board of the Colorado American Saddlebred Horse Association as the Juvenile Sportsperson of the Year. Judging with an extensive definition of sportsmanship, the Board believes that Brianna (pictured at right) embodies the "virtues such as fairness, self-control, courage and persistence and has been associated with interpersonal concepts of treating others and being treated fairly, maintaining self-control in dealing with others, and respect for both authority and opponents."
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SMA is asking each Middle School family to donate a $25 gift card to the Gala. Bring your gift cards to Diane in the Middle School Office by Wednesday, March 16. CATs that are in the running to receive a special treat (7 or more gift cards) include:
- Cencula: Treat earned!
- C. Garcia: 2 gift cards donated
- M. Garcia: 3 gift cards donated
- McVie: Treat earned!
- Pattison: 2 gift cards donated
- Pritchard: 2 gift cards donated
- Sanders: Treat earned!
- Schmitt: 5 gift cards donated
- Rutan: Treat earned!
Events:
- Tonight, February 24; 7:00 PM: Middle School Concert in the Forum
- Thursday, February 25; 8:30-9:30 AM: High School accepts breakfast for 8th grade girls accepted to SMA's High School in the Forum.
- Friday, February 26; 2:30 PM: Trimester II Awards in the Commons
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Friday, March 4: Half Day for Students. Dismissal at 11:30 AM.
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High School News & Events
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 News:
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Currently featured in the Coyle Gallery is the work of Colorado artist Johanna Mueller (daughter of the High School's very own Mary Pat Mueller). She has shared a selection of her woodblock engravings installed in a beautiful show here at SMA, up through the end of March. She was on campus Friday offering a workshop with High School art classes and speaking about her work in the Coyle Gallery.
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SMA is asking each High School family to donate a $25 gift card to the Gala. Bring your gift cards to Clare in the High School Office by Wednesday, March 16. Advisories that are in the running to receive a special treat (7 or more gift cards) include:
- 9th Grade - Ferguson: 2 gift cards donated
- 9th Grade - Pfeifer: 2 gift cards donated
- 9th Grade - Weinberg: 4 gift cards donated
- 10th Grade - Beckham: 3 gift cards donated
- 11th Grade - Ehrlich: 4 gift cards donated
- Did you see who is this month's featured athlete? Click here to view!
- Students! The American Foreign Service Association's National High School Essay Contest, now in its 18th year, encourages students to think critically and write a research paper about building peace through diplomacy. New this year is the partnership between AFSA and the United States Institute of Peace, through which they are offering this year's contest winners exciting opportunities. They are pleased to continue a partnership with Semester at Sea and the National Student Leadership Conference, offering full scholarships to their programs. Click here to learn more and consider submitting before the March 15 deadline.
Events:
- Friday, February 26; 9:55 AM: Honors Assembly in the Forum
- Monday, February 29
- Spring Sports Practice Begins
- College Night for Juniors; 7:00 PM
- Friday, March 4; Half Day for Students. Dismissal at 12:00 PM.
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Admissions News & Events
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 Did you know that we are sending out decision letters to Middle School applicants on March 2 and March 9 for our Lower School? If you have not had a chance to re-enroll your student, there is no time like the present to submit your contract and deposit. If you misplaced your child's enrollment contract, contact the admission office. We are happy to email or mail you a new copy.
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Seventh graders! We invite you to take the PRACTICE High School Placement Test
on Saturday, April 16 in the Community Center from 8:15-11:30 AM. This test is normed for seventh graders but it will prepare students for the HSPT in December 2016.
to reserve your seat. Questions? Call Gracie Carr at 303-762-8300 ext. 205.
- High School Welcome Event: Thursday, February 25 from 8:30-9:45 AM for a Pancake Breakfast in the High School Forum. This event is for SMA rising 9th grade students and all new HS students. Please RSVP to Gracie Carr.
- Middle School Welcome Event: March 8 from 8:30-9:30 AM for a Pancake Breakfast in the Community Center Duncan Lunchroom. This event is for New Middle School 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. SMA rising 6th graders will receive an invitation in their Friday folders next week! Please RSVP to Seely Greenberg.
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Advancement News
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The Gala auction is successful because of our many generous donors! Items are due to the Advancement Office in the Sanders House by Wednesday, March 16. Click here for the Auction Item Donation Form. Items we are looking for:
 Restaurant Gift Certificates and/or Private Dining Experiences- Rare Bottles of Whiskey, Bourbon and Wine
- Gift Certificates or Miles for Southwest, United, American Airlines, JetBlue, etc.
- Limo Rental or Private Driver
- Sports Memorabilia
- Vacation Homes
- Event Tickets (Sports - College and Professional, Theater, Concerts, Movies, Etc.)
- Themed Gift Baskets (Girls Night Out, Arts & Crafts, Pets, etc.)
- Parent-hosted parties for SMA students or parents
Thank you for your support. Please contact Molly del Monte with any questions.
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Alumnae News
|  Thank you to all our alumnae who made it to the Alumnae Brewery Crawl on Saturday. We lucked out with the weather (60 and sunny!), sampled some delicious craft brews and had a great time.
A special thank you to Stephanie Landin '81 for organizing the event.
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Athletic News
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- Our SMA Wildcats Varsity Basketball team competed in their playoff game against Kent Denver last night. Although they put up a strong fight, our girls lost to Kent 53-38. That said, the team is ready to play in their consolation game, at home, against Bishop Machebeuf High School this Friday, February 26 in Bishop Evans. Please look for more information on this game on the athletics webpage for Varsity Basketball.
- SMA SPRING SPORTS: We Want You! St. Mary's Academy prides itself on sportsmanship, dedication, and perseverance through Athletics. Ever consider participating in a team or individual sport? Come join the Wildcats for soccer, lacrosse, golf, tennis, or track and field. We love accepting brand new or seasoned student-athletes on our teams! If you are interested in playing a High School spring sport, please complete our five athletic forms and submit them to the SMA Athletics Department before preseason begins on Monday, February 29. The five forms are: Current Physical Exam, Parent Permit, Medical Release, Permission to Travel, and Code of Conduct. Please also check the ALL CLEAR list, to be sure that all of your paperwork has been processed.
- For details and schedules, contact the Athletics Office, check the calendar on the St. Mary's Academy mobile device App, or visit the website. Go Wildcats!
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