❄ Winter Newsletter -February 2020 ❄
St. Mary Celebrates Catholic Schools Week
The preschool, elementary, middle, and high schoolers had so much fun with Catholic Schools Week (January 26-February 1st)! Themed days had students dressing like cowboys, their favorite football team, and their future colleges and careers. Brescia University sent Bearcat to cheer on students in their camp competitions. The week started with Mass, led by Father Brad, discussing the overall theme of "Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed."

As the week continued, students were able to compete in games and participate in other activities, but also learn the importance of service in their school and community. High school students spent their day volunteering in places like Hope Unlimited, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul, and Superior Care.

Catholic Schools Week is also when registration is opened for the upcoming school year. If you are interested in enrolling a student in St. Mary, please click HERE to learn more!
18 Auctions and Counting!
Thank you to all of our alumni who participated in our 18th auction this past November! The gym and Commons were transformed and hundreds of guests filled the school on November 1st and 2nd to support St. Mary!

It is always wonderful to see the many alums who help decorate, set up, and run the business side of things. We appreciate your hard work! We also want to recognize those of you who donated and attended the auction itself. You helped make it a success!

This amazing fundraising tradition raised $215,000 to benefit our school system!
Homecoming 2020
Seniors Chiara Doran and Billy Johnston were crowned Homecoming Queen and King.
Students celebrated Homecoming Week themed "Hocoworld," with fun days like "Cowboys and Aliens" and "Pajama Day."

At the January 9th Homecoming Game, over 50 alumni came to visit us at our reception table! They were able to look through old class photos and reminisce with friends and former classmates.

The Vikings celebrated a victory in the boys' game over Christian Fellowship, 63-55. The girls' team played valiantly against the CFS team.
Alumni Join Blue/Gold Night
The November 15th, Blue/Gold Night kicked off the Basketball/Cheer Season for the St. Mary Vikings.

It is not unusual for our St. Mary Alumni to attend Blue/Gold Night. However, this year our alums didn't just fill the bleachers, they literally cheered on the teams and played on the court!

Male alumni played against the current boys' basketball team, while the female alumnae had a free throw competition against the current Lady Vikings. Former cheerleaders joined our current squad in cheering all our participants to victory!

It was a night to remember and one we look forward to repeating as we make this alumni event part of our annual Blue/Gold Night in the future!
Three generations of Vikings came out to play and cheer as we kicked off basketball season!
(pictured L to R: Ashley Sullivan, Amy Sullivan, Emily Veatch, Jackie Hopper, Ben Hopper, Kelly Veatch )
Christmas Concert Celebrates the Season
St. Mary celebrated Christmas through music featuring the newly-formed Elementary Junior Orchestra, the 6th Grade Orchestra, the Middle School Orchestra, the Advanced Orchestra, and Middle/High School Choir. Parents enjoyed listening to the festive music, especially the grand finale: a Trans-Siberian Orchestra piece featuring guests playing electric guitar, bass, and drums.
Former Beloved Teacher Passes Away
Sister Mary Jude Cecil left her earthly home Monday, December 16 at Mount Saint Joseph in Owensboro. She was a teacher for most of her life, and taught at St. Mary for 36 years. She was a beloved figure in the school system, leaving behind many fond memories of French conjugations and songs.

Her former students and co-workers had much to say about her. "She was a beautiful person who was always happy and always made you feel important!" (Vicki Kloss) "She was amazing. I am sure there was much rejoicing in Heaven when she arrived!" (Cathy Ray)

Others commented on how she always made you feel welcome and that she treated everyone with kindness and respect. She was a favorite teacher of many, and she will be missed. Her funeral Mass was on December 23, 2019 at Mount Saint Joseph.
Give Us a Hand
FAMILY SERVE DAY

St. Mary is planning its first ever Family Serve Day on April 22. As a Catholic school, we certainly take pride of our faith and know we should share it with our community. Family and friends will join students in a day of service, helping such places as the humane society, our local parishes and cemeteries, and nursing homes.

Want to help? We are putting together an alumni team! Registration will open soon, but if you are interested in serving on the Alumni Family Serve Team, please email Brittney Washam at brittney.washam@smss.org.
MOCK INTERVIEWS- Help Needed!

We need professionals from the fields of medicine, law, business, journalism/communications, engineering, and environmental science to conduct mock interviews with our graduating seniors who have shown an interest in pursuing these careers.

Interviews are set for March 4th and will take place at St. Mary High School. If you would be interested in volunteering your time to help interview, please contact guidance counselor, Peggy Culbertson at peggy.culbertson@smss.org.
Alumni Reunions
Did you know that our alumni team can assist you with your reunion planning? There are several things we can do to make things easier for you!

  • Help provide classmates' contact information
  • Provide school memorabilia
  • Provide school space for your reunion
  • Give a tour of the school to help you reminisce
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Upcoming Reunions

Class of 2000:
June 6, 2020 Weekend - Details TBA

Class of 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010:
Are you a member of any of these classes?
If your class is planning a reunion in the next year,
please let us know! We will be happy to help spread the word
and work with you on planning!
Please contact Brittney at brittney.washam@smss.org 
Upcoming Events
Blarney Bash
Saturday, March 7
Come join us for the second annual Blarney Bash in the High School Commons at 7:00 PM! There will be live music from Def Leprechaun, authentic Irish food catered by Walker Hall, and a cash bar. Tickets cost $30. All proceeds will benefit St. Mary STEAM initiatives (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math).

To purchase tickets, visit Viking Links and then click on the "Online Payments" button. You will receive an email confirmation. *Must be 21 years or older to attend.
Closing Mass
Thursday, May 7
Come join us for our Closing Mass. It will begin at 9:00 AM in the High School Gym. The end will include the transfer of graduating classes into their new schools and the alumni.
Class of 2020 Graduation
Saturday, May 16
Help us welcome in the newest group of alumni, the Class of 2020! Graduation begins at 7:00 PM in the High School Gym.

Other Upcoming Events:
February 19, 4:00-10:00 PM - El Torito Spirit Fundraising Night (Exit 3)
February 26, 9:00 AM - Ash Wednesday Mass, MS/HS Commons

March 18, 4:00-10:00 PM - El Torito Spirit Fundraising Night (Exit 3)
March 28, 5:30 PM - Spring Trivia Night, MS/HS Commons

April 1, 6:30 PM - Orchestra Trip Preview Concert, MS/HS Commons
April 15, 4:00-10:00 PM - El Torito Spirit Fundraising Night (Exit 3)

May 1, 9:00 AM - May Crowning, MS/HS Commons
May 6, 6:30 PM - Fine Arts Showcase, MS/HS Commons
May 11, 6:00 PM - 5th Grade Transition Mass, St. Thomas More
May 12, 6:00 PM - 8th Grade Transition Mass, St. Thomas More
May 15, 6:00 PM - Baccalaureate Mass, St. Thomas More

Help Us Grow!
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