Founders Day

Last Friday, October 21, was Founder's day at SMA. Alumna from classes of 1966, 1956, 1946, and even two graduates from the class of 1936 visited our school for an all-scchool mass and luncheon. As an ambassador, I helped in the Library to greet the women and served them coffee as they arrived in the morning. After the first few women arrived it was evident to me that they were St. Mary's women because each of them had a certain spirit and energy that I see at school every day. Hugging and greeting each other, the classes mingled and introduced themselves, and even though each class had graduated ten years apart, they immediately began making connections. Standing next to my fellow ambassador and friend who was with me in the Library, it suddenly occured to me that this would be me in fifty years. I would return to my school and get to see all the women that graduated with me in addition to those before and after me. Maybe I'd still be coming to founders day in 80 years, making me 98 years old.


While I stood there serving coffee to a group of smart, educated, empowered, and incredibly friendly women, I realized that the connections I'm making at St. Mary's now, will truly last a lifetime. Not many people get to say they look forward to seeing everyone from high school eighty years after graduating, but I do because I go to St. Mary's, and the women that surround me now are women I never want to forget.

SMA Spirit Walk

About a month into school, students start the biggest and most exciting fundraiser of the year: the SMA Spirit Walk. Our goal this year (as it has been the last few years) was $100,000, and I am happy to say that we reached our goal! The fundraising process is always exciting and suspenseful and this year, we combined spirit week with the fundraising experience. Every week was a dress-up day with a theme such as Dynamic Duo day, Hero Day, Pajama Day, and Disney Day. Each grade competes to win the most Spirit points, which are earned by dressing up or participating in lunchtime spirit activities like dodgeball or Zumba. Students also raise money with a minimum goal of $150 each.

The money raised during the Spirit Walk goes towards a number of things. Much of it funds clubs and activities as well as sports. In addition to that, the money goes towards our financial aid program, and the fundraiser as a whole takes the place of raising tuition. I am grateful for this fundraiser because, like almost half of SMA students, I recieve financial aid, which is made possible by this fundraiser. At the end of the fundraiser, students spend part of a school day going on a walk across two Portland bridges! This fundraiser has been instrumental in the provision of opportunities for SMA students and I look forward to fundraising again next year!