• Donuts After Drop Off, Thursday, August 22, 2024 (first day of school)
• Get Involved at SMA, Wednesday, September 4, 2024
• Hopper Family Wildcat Classic Golf Tournament, Monday, September 30, 2024, Cherry Creek Golf Club
• Fall Festival, Sunday, October 6, 2024
• Family Game/Bingo Night, Tuesday, October 29, 2024
• SMA Day of Giving, Tuesday, November 12, 2024
• Grandparents’ Day, Friday, November 22, 2024
• SMA Gala, Saturday, April 26, 2025
GUIDED BY OUR MISSION
St. Mary’s Academy fosters excellence in each child through academic achievement, spiritual development, and service. The Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect provide the foundation for students to be powerful agents of change.
GET INVOLVED AT SMA
St. Mary’s Academy thrives because our parent community is dedicated to enriching our students’ educational experiences and creating a positive school community. There are many ways to share your time and talent by getting involved at SMA, both big and small.
ACADEMY PARENTS
Academy Parents is an integral partner in our SMA community. Their efforts strengthen our community and improve every student’s and family’s social and academic experience. The mission of Academy Parents is to build community and enhance the educational and social experience of each SMA student and family. Academy Parents sponsors events and programs that will assist parents and teachers in their efforts to develop lifelong learners while providing opportunities for social interaction.
Every parent is an Academy Parent, and is welcome at meetings as a voting member. Academy Parents meets monthly and all are welcome.
• Academy Parents Kickoff Meeting Thursday, August 29, 2024
2024 - 2025 BOARD OF TRUSTEES
• Jean Armstrong, Treasurer
• Cathy Bell Darnell ‘67 CoL
• Margaret Emmerich ‘03, Advancement Committee Chair
• Tucker Franciscus
• Jim Graham, Trustee Emeritus
• Marsha Guess
• Matt Hopper, Chair
• Sharlene Keithley
• Reverend Marty Lally CoL
• Susan Lintonsmith ‘83, Vice Chair
• Catherine Mueller SL
• Loran Porter
• Diana Rael
• Vicki Schwartz SL
• David Simon
• Meg Tobler, Advancement Committee Co-Chair
• Chad Williams
• Mike Williams
THE 2024-2025 ACADEMY PARENTS BOARD
• President, Emily Albright
• Vice President, Anthea Stefanoudakis
• Secretary, Minyi Du
• Treasurer, Keira O’Connor
• Wildcat Welcome Committee, Amy Smith
• Fall Festival, Minyi Du, Holly Song
• Lower School Representatives: Sara Cancro, Mary Jaimes, Nicole Marotta
• Middle School Representatives: Margaret Emmerich, Julia Simon
• High School Representatives: Tracie Sheppard, Amy Kirschbaum
THE IMPACT OF PHILANTHROPY AT ST. MARY’S ACADEMY
Philanthropy is essential to the mission of St. Mary’s Academy. The impact of SMA community members like you offering to share time, talent, and treasure will be seen and felt throughout the entire Academy. Your support of SMA impacts programs that allow our students to explore their curiosities, creativity, and passions to build a brighter future. While tuition covers a large portion of our budget, philanthropy is essential to producing enriching academic, athletic, creative, and social experiences for our students.
Since our founding in the Colorado Territory in 1864, SMA has been an inclusive community that welcomes students of every race, religious tradition, and economic background. Your support for tuition assistance will provide our students with the best education, deep-rooted values, and pathways to leadership and success.
SMA depends on the generosity of our parents, grandparents, friends, alumnae, and staff to support our school. SMA strives for 100% participation from our parents, employees, Board of Trustees, and Alumnae Board, and at least 10% from alumnae and grandparents. Alumnae participation in the SMA Fund is a demonstration of our alumnae’s love for their alma mater and how St. Mary’s Academy impacted their lives. Thank you for your generosity!
Please contact Director of Development Ann Buttitta, abutttitta@smanet.org, to learn more about the role of philanthropy at SMA or to join the Loretto Legacy Society by including St. Mary’s Academy in your estate plans.
THE SMA FUND
At St. Mary’s Academy, we foster excellence in each child through academic achievement, spiritual development, and service. Our Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect provide the foundation for students to be powerful agents of change.
The SMA Fund provides necessary funding above and beyond tuition to ensure a preeminent educational student experience.
Faculty Excellence and Distinction
Attracting, retaining, and developing top-tier teachers who deliver inspirational educational experiences and instill a sense of purpose, curiosity, and ambition in SMA students.
Elevated Academic Enrichment
Sparking students’ curiosity beyond the classroom through enhanced course offerings, programmatic innovations, STEAM curriculum, and experiential learning.
Signature Student Experience
Nurturing the whole student through investment in the arts, athletics, leadership, clubs, and adventures.
SMA Day of Giving – November 12
This cornerstone day of the SMA Fund campaign unites our entire community in support of SMA’s mission. We encourage all parents, grandparents, alumnae, faculty, staff, and board members to participate in our Day of Giving. No gift is too small, every gift matters, every gift makes a difference!
SIGNATURE FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Hopper Family Wildcat Classic Golf Tournament
The annual tournament takes place each September, and this fun event benefits tuition assistance and athletics at SMA. Sponsorships, in-kind donations, and volunteer help are essential to making this event a success.
SMA Gala
The Gala, the biggest fundraising event of the year, takes place each April and celebrates the SMA community benefiting tuition assistance. The evening includes a silent and live auction, games, dinner, and more! It is a fun and festive way to mingle with other families, alumnae, faculty and staff, and friends of the school as they come together to support the Academy. The Gala allows SMA to continue the good work of educating and preparing a diverse body of students to be powerful agents of change. Twenty percent of our student body benefits from tuition assistance.
The success of the Gala hinges on the entire SMA community. Volunteers are essential to collecting auction items, planning decor and programming, and creating excitement.
LEGACY GIVING
The Loretto Legacy Society recognizes the generosity of alumnae, parents, grandparents, faculty & staff, and friends who make provisions for St. Mary’s Academy in their estate plans. A bequest or life income gift demonstrates a partnership with SMA and its mission to provide an excellent education in the Loretto tradition. Your planned gift, via a trust, annuity, insurance policy, or bequest can:
• Help ensure the future of St. Mary’s Academy
• Save you tax dollars
• Assist you in avoiding capital gains taxes
• May even increase your current income (in some cases)
Ann Buttitta, Director of Development, abuttitta@smanet.org, 586.337.7433
Kathleen Hogan, Advancement Program Manager, khogan@smanet.org, 303.762.8300 x499
Sarah Mellick ‘06, Events Coordinator, smellick@smanet.org, 303.762.8300 x283
