Calendar

St. Agnes Academy Celebrating 175 Years

175 lebratin CeSt. Agnes g Academy

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Student

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Calendar 18 Months January 2026June 2027

ST. AGNES ACADEMY

175 lebrating e C St. Agnes Academy

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In 1851, six bold Dominican Sisters answered a call that would shape generations. Traveling by flatboat down the Mississippi River, they arrived in Memphis with little more than faith, courage, and a vision: to empower young women through Catholic education.

Through war, yellow fever, and fire the school not only endured but flourished — a testament to the resilience of its founders and the strength of its mission.

That courage sparked a legacy that has endured for 175 years. Rooted in faith, committed to truth, and driven by a bold spirit, St. Agnes Academy continues to empower generations of women to lead, serve, and transform the world.

175 Years Bold.

Artwork by: Lillian Stock, SAA ‘28 St. Agnes Academy at Vance Ave. and Orleans St., c. 1851-1951

JANUARY 2026

On January 1, 1851, six Dominican Sisters arrived in Memphis traveling from Kentucky by flatboat down the Mississippi River to establish a Catholic school for girls. One month later, the school opened for classes in a two-story frame house with 20 boarders and 15 day students.

Artwork by: Margaret Chism, SAA ‘28

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STUDENT HOLIDAY

2ND SEMESTER

FACULTY IN-SERVICE 1ST DAY OF CLASSES

MLK DAY HOLIDAY

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NEW YEAR’S DAY

CHRISTMAS BREAK

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FEAST OF ST. AGNES ANNIVERSARY MASS

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RING CEREMONY FEAST OF

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

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ST. AGNES HALL OF FAME

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FEBRUARY 2026 Artwork by: Margot Zeanah, SAA ‘33

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From 1867 to 1879 Memphis experienced four outbreaks of Yellow Fever. In 1873 all other schools in the city closed, but St. Agnes remained opened, continuing its mission of education while ministering to the sick in the community.

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STUDENT HOLIDAY

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TEACHER IN-SERVICE

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US SPIRIT WEEK

Did you know? In 1851 • Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States • Herman Mellville published “Moby Dick” • Seattle, Washington, Des Moines, Iowa, and Portland, Oregon were founded (or incorporated) • January 1851, Northwestern University in Chicago was founded • The first edition of The New York Times was published at 2¢ per copy

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MARCH 2026 Artwork by: Savannah Lepisto, SAA ‘28

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The chapel at the original school featured 13 beautiful stained glass windows created by the Munich Studio in Chicago in 1911.

The windows, each depicting a Dominican Saint, were restored in 1999 and now hang in St. Catherine Chapel in Siena Hall.

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SPRING BREAK

APRIL 2026

Veritas – Latin for Truth – is the school’s motto and was inspired by the mission of the Dominican Sisters which is “to preach the truth.”

Artwork by: Taniaya Wright, SAA ‘26

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GOOD FRIDAY

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SAA ALUMNAE WEEK

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MASS CELEBRATING

SAA-SDS GALA & AUCTION

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ST. CATHERINE

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FEAST OF

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA

MASS & LUNCHEON

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MAY 2026

The first graduates of St. Agnes Academy were Miss Mary Boyle of Arkansas and Miss Cecilia Rabb of Mississippi in 1853. Since that time almost 6,000 young women have graduated from the Academy.

Artwork by: Olivia Perrone, SAA ‘28

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JK GRADUATION

SAA CLASS OF 2026 GRADUATION

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TEACHER OUT-SERVICE

MEMORIAL DAY

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you know? In 1861 during the Civil War, the Sisters took charge of the City Hospital ministering to wounded 31 Did soldiers, but they continued to keep the school open. After the city of Memphis surrendered to Union troops on June 6, 1862, General Sherman ordered his tents pitched on the grounds of the school.

JUNE 2026

The first Miss St. Agnes was crowned in 1946. The tradition continues today, recognizing the senior who exhibits integrity, strength of character, and respect for self and others, as well as a devotion to the school.

Artwork by: Alli Montoya Vega, SAA ‘32

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JUNETEENTH

JULY 2026 Artwork by: Al Barksdale, SDS ‘34

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A leader in the integration of technology in the classroom, SAASDS was the first K-12 school in the country to adopt 1:1 laptop technology campus-wide in 2002.

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4TH OF JULY

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AUGUST 2026 Artwork by: Sadie Glaser, SAA ‘32

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PK2-8 BACK-TO-SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

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US REGISTRATION (10-12)

Today St. Agnes Academy is the oldest Dominican School still in operation in the United States and the oldest continuously operating school in West Tennessee.

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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

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Did you know? There is a street in Memphis named after the school? St. Agnes Drive – located off Union Ave., west of Hollywood. The Sisters owned this property, and it was considered for the site of the new St. Agnes but rejected for the fear the area would become too commercial.

SEPTEMBER 2026

On August 6, 1950, ground was broken for the new St. Agnes Academy on Walnut Grove and classes began the following school year in 1951.

Artwork by: Sophie Viglietti, SAA ‘28

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LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

Did you know? The original location of St. Agnes Academy was at Vance Avenue and Orleans Street, downtown. In 1951, the new location on Walnut Grove was the Memphis city limits.

OCTOBER 2026 Artwork by: Julie Coker, SAA ‘28

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SAA students first began wearing uniforms around 1950, and the plaid uniform skirt was first introduced during the 1955-56 school year.

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STUDENT HOLIDAY

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PK2-8 PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE

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HALLOWEEN

NOVEMBER 2026

St. Dominic School for boys opened in 1957 on the campus with SAA. Although run by the same Dominican Sisters, it operated separately.

Artwork by: Charlie Dalimata, SDS ‘27

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FEAST OF ST. MARTIN DEPORRES

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THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING BREAK

DECEMBER 2026 Artwork by: Alexandra Warner, SAA ‘28

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The school’s athletic tradition runs deep. In 1929, the varsity basketball team won the Southern Girls High School Basketball Tournament in New Orleans, marking an early milestone in our long support of women’s athletics.

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1/2 DAY STUDENTS

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JANUARY 2027 Artwork by: Gabby Gault, SAA ‘26

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The first issue of the Aquila, the St. Agnes Academy yearbook, was published in 1926 on the occasion of the school’s 75th anniversary.

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MLK DAY HOLIDAY

FEBRUARY 2027 Artwork by: Jackson Childress, SDS ‘30

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In 1978, St. Agnes Academy and St. Dominic School officially merged as one academic entity governed by a single Board of Trustees. Sr. Marina Gibbons, O.P. was the first president.

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PRESIDENTS DAY HOLIDAY

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MARCH 2027 Artwork by: Juliette Kilmore, SAA ‘34

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In the spirit of the Dominican Sisters, service is a guiding principle for all students. On average, St. Agnes and St Dominic students volunteer over 18,000 hours of service to the community every year.

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HOLY THURSDAY EASTER BREAK

GOOD FRIDAY

APRIL 2027 Artwork by: Sydney Davis, SAA ‘29

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On April 12, 2009, the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine Kentucky merged with six Dominican orders forming the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Today SAA-SDS continues to be sponsored by the Dominican Veritas Ministries joining 13 other Dominican Catholic Schools throughout the United States.

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SCHOOL HOLIDAY

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MAY 2027

A beloved SAA tradition, the class ring features a unique design filled with symbolism reflecting faith, class unity, and our Dominican heritage. During World War II, precious-metal shortages led to the ring being replaced with a smaller class pin.

Artwork by: Ireland Jones, SAA ‘28

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LAST DAY OF SCHOOL TEACHER OUT-SERVICE

Did you know? In November 2025, St. Agnes and St. Dominic students were invited to create artwork for this calendar. Dozens of students submitted their works to their art teachers; then began the arduous task of choosing the pieces that represented the spirit of St. Agnes Academy and the Dominican Sisters. Congratulations to the artists published here, and thank you to everyone who participated. Go Stars! Go Suns!

JUNE 2027

The St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Association was founded in 1903 and the first alumnae banquet was held on June 12 that year. Today, the Alumnae Association remains a vibrant organization and our alumnae are deeply connected to the school—supporting students, celebrating traditions, and leading in the community.

Artwork by: Addie Butler, SAA ‘26

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JUNETEENTH

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175 lebratin CeSt. Agnes g Academy

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Front Cover Artwork by: Yesenia Molina, SAA ‘30 Back Cover Artwork by: Claire Csicsila, SAA ‘26

St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School 4830 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 www.saa-sds.org

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