Now Introducing...
New faces at Stella Maris Academy 
 
 
Mike Mazzio, Business Manager
Mike Mazzio joined the Stella Maris Academy staff in October as the school's new business manag er.  Mr. Mazzio has a wide variety of business and management experience including corporate accounting, management, sales and marketing, business ownership. He will be serving dual accounting and human resources rolls. Mr. Mazzio is an asset to the SMA team! He most recently worked as the advertising director at the Duluth News Tribune. Mr. Mazzio and his wife have two children.
 

Sarah Pennings, Admissions & Communications Associate
Stella Maris Academy welcomed Sarah Pennings as our Admissions and Communications Associate when Mrs. Jenna Kelly took a position with the Lake Superior Youth Chorus. You will see Mrs. Pennings on all campuses giving tours and facilitating enrollment of new students. She is a wonderful resource for new families! Mrs. Pennings will aid in the coordination of communications for SMA as well. She and her husband have two children; their daughter attends the St. John's campus.

 
Terese Kenney, Development Associate
As our Development Associate, Teresa Kenney, works with Erin Makela in the Marketing and Development department. Mrs. Kenney will focus on alumni initiatives, major events and other development related tasks. We are blessed to have Mrs. Kenney on board in a part-time capacity to assist in alumni outreach. She and her husband have three children, including twin boys at the Holy Rosary campus.


Grateful Everyday
SMA: A Community of Support

During this month of Thanksgiving, I feel blessed to be a part of our Stella Maris Academy community. I am grateful for the patience, grace and engagement of our families and supporters. We have come a long way since beginning our transition to one school. Though we have had some bumps along the way, we have sought continual improvement. I am so grateful for the families who have stepped up, offering their talents and time to make our school exceptional.

Overwhelming support has been shown for SMA through several large events already this year. 

Our students reached out to our community with our Work-A-Thon event. They spread the good news of SMA and practiced stewardship, one of our four pillars of education, by cleaning up Duluth neighborhoods and parks. Proceeds from donations received for the Work-A-Thon directly benefit the students by enriching school programs and curriculum.

Our first all-school social, the SMA Halloween Carnival, welcomed over 500 friends and families to the Holy Rosary campus! Children played games and enjoyed bouncy houses indoors during the blustery, winter weather last Friday. Not a fundraiser, the Carnival is a fun social gathering where all SMA families have fun!

Last Sunday evening we held our Annual Bishop's Scholarship Dinner at Greysolon Ballroom. Thanks to volunteers, sponsors and donors who attended the event, we not only surpassed our goal for attendance, but raised over $100,000 in scholarship for SMA students. What a wonderful coming together to support our students by making Catholic school education accessible for all who desire.

If you are interested in sharing your time, talents or treasure with SMA, please contact your campus Family Association representative or myself for more information.

With gratitude,
Erin Makela
Marketing & Development Director
erin.makela@stellamaris.academy

P.S.  Watch for the Stella Maris Academy float in the Christmas City of the North Parade on Friday, November 17th!

Attention Volunteers
Calling All Auctioneers! Your Talents are Needed 
for the 
SMA Auction Dinner Committee

Here's your chance to learn more and possibly play a part in the biggest event of the year. The Stella Maris Academy Auction/Dinner is set for Saturday, April 14th 2018 and we need YOUR help to get this party started! 
 
Never volunteered before? Not much time? No problem. We've got something for everyone! 
 
Come to our informational meeting on Thursday, November 9 at Clyde Iron at 6 pm. We will be talking all things auction and having a great time. Bring your questions, ideas, opinions, and friends.
 
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
 
teresa.kenney@stellamaris.academy
 
sarah.pennings@stellamaris.academy