Starbeams Spring 2022

starbeams S T. T E R E S A ' S AC A D E M Y

an apiary gets its wings M AY 2 0 2 2

in this issue 1 THE BUZZ AROUND CAMPUS

PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVES Dear STA Community, Whenever I think about St. Teresa's Academy, I realize how very blessed we are. For 155 years, the Academy has been guided by a mission to empower young women to change the world. We have been laser focused on providing highquality Catholic education for young women, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed.

Our community is diverse and multitalented, yet we are one. Our community nurtures, affirms and celebrates the specialness of every single Star! We are guided by the founding Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet’s charism to love the dear neighbor without distinction. We are blessed to have cultivated a diverse and talented student body, and empowered and distinguished alumnae.

This edition of Starbeams is a compilation of stories about the STA community’s embrace of our mission and the CSJ charism. STA has been instrumental in each individual’s journey. With the help of God, the Academy has shaped bold, intelligent Stars for over a century. As Saint Teresa of Avila, our school’s patron and namesake, stated, “The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too.”

Our community has many inspiring stories! We are honored to share them with you.

God Bless,

Dr. Siabhan May-Washington

2 TERESA BROADCASTING COMPANY TAKES TO THE AIRWAVES 5 PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS 6 SERVING THE DEAR NEIGHBOR 7 MOTHER EVELYN O'NEILL AWARDS 8 LOOKING BACK 100 YEARS 10 SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNAE 13 STA ARTIST OF THE YEAR 14 CLASS REPS / IN MEMORIAM 16 2021 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA 17 BOB AYLWARD'S LASTING LEGACY 18 SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENTS 24 SPOLIGHT ON FACULTY & STAFF

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the buzz around campus

an apiary proposal takes flight FOR LIFE SCIENCES TEACHER Sarah Holmes, a school is a microcosm of the world. “If students can change things in their school, they graduate knowing they can change things in their community,” says Holmes. And that is exactly what a group of enterprising STA students have set out to do.

In January, Holmes led a three-day Interim Week course titled, “Keeping abuzz with Kansas City pollinators,” which focused on the benefits of bees to the environment and the food supply. At the end of the course, STA students were determined to do their part by developing a plan for the first school-based apiary (bee house) in Kansas City.

On the first day of the interim course, Holmes, who has her own beehive, brought in dead bees from the hive so students could get a close-up view of the insects. One of the bees, however, wasn’t dead. “It was cold-stunned,” Holmes said. “It started crawling around. Initially, the girls were scared of it, but when they realized the bee didn’t perceive them as a threat and wasn’t aggressive, everything changed.”

community partners, and safety and accessibility considerations.

SENIOR EMMA VONTZ created the STA-themed apiary logo as part of the proposal she and five other seniors presented to administration.

Holmes goes on to describe how the students became comfortable getting close enough to observe the finest details of its movements.

“The girls walked away interested in and unafraid of bees. What happened that day is something you can’t plan for in teaching.”

The following day, students visited MO Hives KC, an urban apiary co-founded

by STA alumna Marion (Spence, ‘87) Pierson, M.D. In addition to observing the hives, the students learned how apiaries impact the community, which includes pollinating urban food gardens and providing other economic opportunities.

“When we got back to campus, the students were inspired by what they’d seen

and heard, and they wanted to apply it,” says Holmes.

And the idea for a campusbased apiary took flight.

On the final day of the course, the girls created a proposal to present to STA administration.

They collectively identified potential campus locations for the apiary, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. They then took on tasks aligning with their individual areas of interest. One student produced an electronic rendering of an apiary on the roof of Donnelly Hall.

Another created a logo and potential marketing ideas.

Still others worked on the budget and funding sources, curricular connections, potential campus and

While the location of the campus apiary is yet to be determined, the advantage of campus-based hives and the benefits they will bring is encouraging. Not only will an apiary provide students with engaging life sciences experiences for years to come, it will provide an invaluable benefit to the Kansas City community.

“STA will be the only school in the area with an apiary,” says Holmes. “The girls’ vision is that this will serve as a model for other schools so the benefits of bees can be enjoyed by the greater community.”

Six seniors created and presented a campus apiary proposal to administration (l to r): Emma Vontz, Josie Wissel, Sanai Kintchen, Emma Jones and Amelia Arrieta.

Not pictured: Macie Elder.

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AND WE'RE LIVE

in four...three...two...

Every day, students at St. Teresa's Academy use this familiar countdown to kick off the Teresa Broadcasting Company (TBC) live morning show. TBC, which launched at the beginning of the school year, is an award-winning broadcast that was conceived of and is produced by STA students. It is the product of the Broadcasting & Production course, also new this year.

“TBC

is one of only a few live high-school broadcast shows in the Greater Kansas City area. That’s due to the vision of a couple of enterprising students who saw an unmet opportunity,” says Siabhan May-Washington, Ed.D., STA president.

When STA paused morning announcements over the intercom during remote/hybrid learning in fall 2020, students were searching for a way to connect. Two came up with an idea, and it was the start of something big.

Grace Ashley and Marisa Araujo, STA seniors at the time, suggested creating daily videos to share with students.

These pre-recorded communications would help students re-engage with each other, they suggested, and would provide the student body with the

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information they needed on a daily basis. STA administration quickly agreed. The first video was shown shortly after, in September 2020.

“The students enjoyed creating these videos. The student body loved seeing them. But they were time consuming to make,” says May-Washington, “and the students weren’t receiving course credit for their work. Not surprisingly, Grace and Marisa saw an opportunity to develop this into something more.

‘What we really need,’ they said, ‘is a live morning show.’”

STA faculty and staff set out to make this happen. Over the summer, they designed a class for credit and transformed an unused classroom into a space suitable for broadcasting, complete with technical equipment

and a green screen. When school commenced in the fall, students were attending Broadcasting & Production class and preparing for the first-ever TBC production. In August 2021, the live show became a reality.

Every morning, TBC broadcasts its show across campus to more than 700 students, faculty and staff members.

Students take turns filling the same roles found in a small broadcast studio. During every broadcast, two students appear on camera, delivering a script prepared by the class. Two students operate behind the scenes at the technical desk, managing video transitions, backgrounds and audio.

Meanwhile, other classmates are busy identifying newsworthy items, and writing and filming content for the following day.

Faculty members Kat Williams and Sage Garretson lead the course. Williams’ emphasis is on the broadcast aspect, while Garretson focuses on technology.

“This is STA’s only student-led course,” Williams explains. “Only 10-15 minutes of every class is spent on whole-group instruction. Sage and I are there to

Tune into TBC Use the QR code above to access all recorded TBC episodes

TBC broadcasts live each morning from the previous bowling alley space on the lower floor of M&A.

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provide guidance, but this is really about realworld learning—letting the students get hands-on experience, make mistakes and learn from them.”

May-Washington says STA has big plans for TBC. “Students and faculty are working together to create a Summer Camp course for third through eighth grades.

Next year, we’re adding Broadcasting & Production II to our curriculum. And we will begin delivering a monthly broadcast on Kansas City’s public access television station, Spectrum channel 5, in the fall. The

September Students suggest replacing voice-only morning announcements with student-produced videos

progress these students have made in less than a year is phenomenal.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have support from our community in this endeavor,” May-Washington continues. “Most recently, the Haverty Foundation made a generous donation to the program, which will be used to purchase items like a teleprompter and broadcasting furniture. This will allow us to continue to improve our broadcasts and provide a service for our STA community and the broader community as well.”

In February, TBC took first place in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) District Leadership Conference in Kansas City in the Broadcast Journalism segment.

The team consisted of three seniors (pictured l to r): Audrey Erdman, Sanai Kintchen and Victoria Andrews. Their eightminute broadcast covered topics such as weather, a current event, something about their school, and a joke of the day (a standard feature of TBC).

September First morning announcement delivered via video December Students suggest live broadcast to replace daily videos

2021 February STA faculty create/approve course description in preparation for March course registration Spring/Summer STA faculty and staff collaborate to create curriculum and transform classroom space and infrastructure into TBC broadcast studio August 18 First Broadcasting & Production course takes place at STA August 25 TBC delivers first live broadcast

2022

Erdman and Andrews were STA’s co-anchors for the competition, while Kintchen worked behind the scenes on technology.

Although Erdman enjoys being in front of the camera as anchor, she describes her favorite part of TBC as when she puts her creative writing skills to use. “As an anchor, it’s fun to walk through the hallways and have people say, ‘You make my mornings so much better. I love your energy on camera!’

But it’s also really rewarding to be sitting in advisory and watching the show when other anchors read my scripts and my classmates respond positively. To know I’m responsible for that is pretty amazing.”

February 7 TBC wins first place at FBLA regional competition; advances to State competition April 10-12 FBLA State competition held in Springfield, Missouri (results pending)

2023 Fall Broadcasting & Production II added to curriculum Fall TBC begins broadcasting on Kansas City’s public access television station

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on the pathway to success MAKING A DECISION ABOUT A CAREER PATH CAN BE DAUNTING. With so many options­—many unusual and somewhat esoteric—it can be difficult for young people, especially, to know what’s available and what falls within their area of interest.

To expand students’ awareness and provide greater insight into what’s involved in different types of careers, STA offers a variety of learning opportunities and programs beyond typical classroom courses.

One such program is Interim Week. Launched in 2019, Interim Week occurs between fall and spring semesters. It is a time of innovation, creation and discovery as students participate in experiential learning activities. Faculty and staff—often with the help of students, parents and alumnae—design unique experiences that provide exploratory, hands-on and interactive learning. This year’s Interim Week featured courses focused on car maintenance, Holocaust studies, glass bead making, Western art & architecture, and much more.

It included 39 courses, 19 off-campus

experiences, 11 student-led courses, and participation from seven alumna partners.

SENIOR GRACE UECKER created the STA Pathways logo as part of her college application portfolio.

Pictured above (l to r): Katie Massman, Elizabeth Givens, Rachel Pryor, Emma Hiss, and Lauren Deady at partner organization JE Dunn INAUGURAL PATHWAY PARTNERS: Burns & McDonnell (engineering) JE Dunn (construction management) Gould Evans (architecture) KCUR (news radio/broadcasting) UMKC Innovation Center (aviation, AI/virtual reality) VMLY&R (marketing) United WE/Women’s Empowerment (policy and research)

In spring 2022, STA added the Professional Pathways Program to its experiential programming mix.

Pathways is an externship that allows students to experience a real-world business environment in a partner organization. To qualify for the program, students attend a two-hour training class focused on professional behavior, program expectations and partner organization background.

During “engagement day”—a full day at the partner’s physical site— participating students meet with each department in the organization to learn more about the areas of responsibility and range of career opportunities. In the spring, students complete a fourhour professional contact project and service activity, and provide feedback to the partner organization about their experience.

During its first year, 54 students are participating in the Pathways program– more than double the projection.

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SERVING THE DEAR NEIGHBOR

S

ERVICE IS EMBEDDED IN THE STORY OF ST. TERESA'S ACADEMY. From our founders’ humble beginnings in LePuy, France, through a tumultuous revolution and dangerous transatlantic voyage, the Sisters of St. Joseph’s (CSJ’s) legacy of unifying love guides the STA community to this day.

STA’s service program—one of the most comprehensive among high schools in the area—requires every student to volunteer service during their junior and senior years. While community service is a requirement for graduation, most students become inspired to serve the dear neighbor well before then.

As part of a campus-based group or on their own initiative, STA students in all grades can be found serving in organizations throughout Kansas City.

Among their many activities, students volunteer in hospitals where they do laundry and cuddle babies. They coordinate book and clothing drives.

They mentor other students in the community on STEAM projects and reading, and work with organizations who care for the homeless and for those providing services to refugees.

Through the thousands of hours they serve in the Kansas City community every year, STA students demonstrate the grace and character of their CSJ legacy and the importance of a life grounded in serving others.

STA senior Anna Glynn tutors a student from Carver Dual Language Academy in Kansas City, Missouri.

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Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award: the spirit of serving

EVERY YEAR, ST. TERESA'S ACADEMY HONORS ONE COMMUNITY LEADER AND ONE STUDENT with the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award, which recognizes excellence in leadership, community service or educational reform.

Serving through education Jimmie Bullard, Ph.D., exemplifies the meaning of service. For the last 25 years, she has served families and individuals in the city through urban education, both as a teacher and an administrator. Dr. Bullard is committed to ensuring students have an optimal environment for learning, including culturally relevant pedagogy, which increases successful academic and social outcomes for students of color.

Dr. Bullard currently serves as principal of Banneker and Longfellow elementary schools in Kansas City Public Schools.

Pictured above (l to r): STA President Dr. Siabhan MayWashington with student nominees Stella Hughes, Sanai Kintchen, Riyan Jones, Samantha Balling and Jillian Poplau. At right is Dr. Jimmie Bullard, the 2022 Mother Evelyn O'Neill community award recipient. STA congratulates these women for exemplifying the spirit of loving and serving the dear neighbor.

Giving to others with grace This year’s student recipient of the Mother Evelyn O’Neill Award is Sanai Kintchen (pictured third from left).

Sanai is an STA senior who is particularly interested in tackling challenges in the city’s urban core.

She has been involved extensively with MO Hives KC where, in addition to caring for the bee hives, she teaches visitors about honey bee behaviors and the essential impact they have on the environment. Sanai has volunteered for the American Heart Association (AHA) since elementary school by participating in activities such as fundraisers and speaker panels. She recently testified to Kansas City civic leaders to encourage the passing of an ordinance banning flavored tobacco products often used in teen vaping, and participated in a follow-up panel to discuss solutions to the vaping epidemic.

Sanai recently received the Neil Smith Community Service Award from the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation. This annual honor is presented to a female athlete who has demonstrated outstanding community service.

Mother Evelyn

was a visionary and an achiever. In 1908, she was appointed Superior of St. Teresa's Academy, which was located at 12th and Washington Streets on Quality Hill in Kansas City. Over time, the school had grown in size and prestige.

Geographic expansion was needed, but limited due to the business establishments that surrounded the Academy.

Mother Evelyn was determined to make the needed changes to maintain the school’s presence in the community, continue its Catholic traditions and serve the community by educating young women. She displayed an unshakable faith in divine providence and in the intercession of St. Joseph. Mother Evelyn went on to secure permission for a new location and arranged for a loan to finance the 20-acre land purchase. She was the president of the Academy when it opened at its present site in 1910.

Mother Evelyn died in 1938 at the age of 79 and in her 62nd year of religious life, most spent at STA.

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100 years ago: preserving the past

by guest contributor Ellen Baty, ’70

WHILE PREPARING for St. Teresa's Academy’s 50th Alumnae Reunion, scheduled for fall 2020, I set out to research information about the Academy, specifically from 1966-1970—the years I attended STA. Although the reunion was postponed due to the pandemic, I proceeded to compile in a memory book the articles and class photos I found to preserve the past.

The articles covered STA students in various school activities—receiving awards, competing in field day activities and participating in arts performances.

I also found the 1970 commencement listing, held at the Music Hall, which enumerated my classmates’ names.

Since then, I’ve continued my research and decided to search the year 1922—100 years ago. I've found ads with enrollment information for Saint Teresa’s Junior College and Academy, when students could live on campus or travel to campus by the Country Club streetcar line. The address for inquiries was simply, “Windmoor, Kansas City, Missouri.”

Another article from June 1922 listed 25 graduates: seven from junior college (six received teaching certificates); and 18 from high school. The graduates of 1922 likely dealt with the 1918 influenza pandemic in some way, which lasted until the early 1920s. In addition, the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which

guaranteed women the right to vote, would open doors for the 1922 graduates to participate in our country’s political process.

As I continued on my quest to locate 1922 artifacts related to STA, I discovered the first student news publication—The Gleam.

The first editorial introduced the publication’s purpose: “The title, The Gleam, expresses at once our purpose and our aspiration.

Our purpose is to throw some light, however faint, on the activities of school life at Windmoor, and our aspiration, that these efforts may eventually lead to something better.”

The Academy’s senior class started the publication, reached out to the junior

class, and requested participation from St. Teresa’s Junior College.

The publication included articles about class instruction activities, clubs, organizations, oncampus guest speakers, visitors, music and arts performances, and offcampus trips to the symphony and athletics.

Literary quotes and poems were featured throughout the pages.

Several years of The Gleam, with stories of days long ago, are preserved in the STA archives. These documents, which are fragile and must be handled with special care, are a glimpse into our past and illuminate the path set out by those who have come before us.

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IN 1922, the Windmoor Bowling Club gathered in the bowling alley located in M&A for practice and instruction. The team was coached by Walter Wiedeman, grandfather and great-grandfather to several STA alumnae. This image shows the bowling alley in 1956.

A look back

During her journey through the STA archives, alumna and guest contributor Ellen Baty (‘70), as well as STA staff, unearthed some interesting relics from the past.

STA basketball players, in their high-top sneakers, assembled in 1926 for a team photo.

THE

third floor of the M&A Building was known as "Statuary Hall," as seen in this early advertisement for St. Teresa's Academy.

THE school’s first student newspaper, The Gleam,

was published in 1922. It addressed topics commonly covered in today’s student publication, The Dart, including articles on academics and the arts, athletics, student community service, and much more.

A CARTOON

published in The Gleam showed the humor of Marjorie McCormick (’22).

Many students were boarders, living in the small rooms that encircle the auditorium. This cartoon reminded them of the repercussions of failing exams.

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spotlight on alumnae BONNIE (INGENTHRON, ’56) HANSON is retired from educational administration and continues to write children's books. She currently volunteers at Olathe Home Health and Hospice.

JOYCE (HOOD, ’58) HAUBER is celebrating 60 years of marriage.

CAROLYN (MILLET, ’59) POWELL is a widow and keeps busy with her seven grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren.

MARY KAY (MILLER, ’59) VALENZUELA moved to Hawaii where she is helping raise her granddaughters, Keloa and Kai. After living in St. Louis for 15 years, she's happy to be back in the Aloha State!

CAROL (GRIFFIN, ’64) BEDIENT reports she is the grandmother of two wonderful boys, Brayden, age 8, and Josh, age 18. Nothing makes her happier than being with them.

PAM (GRIFFIN, ’64) KELLEY has been married for 56 years to her high-school sweetheart, Gary. They have seven grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

MARILYN (CRUISE, ’64) STOCKER and her husband are retired. They are enjoying their five children, 12 grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren.

PATRICIA (HOLSCHER, ’65) LEATH has been married to her husband, John, for 57 years. They have three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

SHARON (O'BRIEN, ’66) ERVIN has been married to her husband, Jed, for 50 years.

Together they co-founded The Center for Pharmaceutical Research in 1986. Sharon is retired and Jed is in the process of retiring as founder, CEO and medical director.

Their business has been renamed The Alliance for Multispecialty Research. They have three daughters.

SAVE THE DATE Alumnae Mass

10 a.m. on May 22, 2022 Celebrate Mass in the Chapel of St. Joseph to pray for the STA alumnae, students, parents and community, followed by light refreshments in Windmoor Center.

KATHY (MYERS, ’66) THOMAS retired after many years as a human resources director with multiple organizations.

PEGGY (O’BOYLE, ’68) BRIGGS and her husband have been married for more than 51 years. Although retirement may be in their future, Peggy is currently is displaying her paintings at the jewelry showroom she manages. She hopes to continue her art career after she retires from the jewelry business.

MARY ANN (MULRONEY, ’68) LEWELLEN lost her husband, Max, in March 2021.

MAY (DiGIOVANNA, ’71) GEORGE lost her husband, Rick, on December 24, 2020.

She is retired from teaching.

BARBARA (RYFFE, ’74) ETEM and her husband will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this year. She has seven grandchildren.

CLARA BAUER (’76) is the author of “The Lily List Mysteries and Exclusives” series, which features Kansas City. Her sixth novel, The Magnolia Dilemma, was recently published and her seventh book, Stilettos on the Run, comes out this spring.

BARBARA (EHLI, ’79) BECK is a senior business manager at AT&T and also has a business

investing in multi-family real estate in Texas and Arizona.

She has lived in Austin, Texas, since March 1998. Prior to that she lived for more than two years in England, where she earned a master's degree from the London School of Economics.

TRACEY (FRANKLIN, ’81) BRADFORD recently retired from the City of Kansas City, Missouri, after working there 32 years.

DEBBIE (LOMBARDINO, ’81) STAAB has been a full-time realtor since 2000, licensed in both Missouri and Kansas.

She was inducted into the RE/ MAX Hall of Fame in 2008 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

Since 2014, she has been a Miracle Agent for the Children's Miracle Network.

During that time, she formed Staab Realty Group with her son, Thomas. She has been married for 39 years and has three sons and two grandchildren (one of whom she hopes will be a Star in the class of 2029). Her family lives in Kansas City, Missouri.

ELLEN MARIE BALKE-JONES (’82) lost her spouse, David B. Jones, to colon cancer on April 16, 2020.

SONYA (WHITE, ’83) JOHNSON shared that she is "the Best Grandma EVER!"

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STA alumna honored for excellence in teaching CHRISTINE (BUCKLEY, ’86) STUMP and her husband, Aaron, live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she teaches healing yoga at her studio, Badlands Yoga.

IVONNE (ROBAYO, ’89) DIBBLEE earned her Doctor of Education in July 2018. As of July 2021, she has a new position leading an Oregon school district with 17,000 students.

CHERISS MAY (’90) is a photojournalist and adjunct professor at Howard University in Washington, D.C. MARISA (RODRIGUEZ, ’90) SPARKS has two beautiful STA graduate

daughters, an amazing career that allows her to help people and travel at the same time, an amazing life partner and a family who is strong and healthy.

SEQUITA (BROWN, ’90) RICHARDSON, MD, FAAFP, was selected to represent Missouri as part of the Dr. United States of America® 2022 competition.

Dr. World™ Productions produces pageants focused on mentoring and community service. A tireless supporter of education, especially for underrepresented students, Richardson is a family practice physician and partner at Encompass Medical Group in Kansas City. She has volunteered extensively with Heart to Heart International, as part of breast cancer awareness forums, and as a mentor for STA students. She also has provided physicals for Convoy of Hope and Mission of Hope. Richardson is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the board of Midwest Physicians.

Beekeeper of the Year In December 2021, MARION (SPENCE, ’87) PIERSON, M.D., was named Beekeeper of the Year by the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. She is the first Black awardee in the organization’s 100-plus years. Pierson co-founded MO Hives KC to place and support urban apiaries (bee farms) in blighted urban areas, pollinate urban food gardens, and provide teaching and economic opportunities for the community. She is a pediatrician, operating out of her practice in Prairie Village, Kansas.

In February 2022, CARLA SHORTINO (’88) was among those honored with the National Science Foundation’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. These are the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. government for K-12 science, technology, engineering, math, and/or computer science teaching.

Shortino teaches fourth grade in Chicago, Illinois, where she encourages authentic learning by having students design and conduct their own experiments.

MONICA (NEWELL, ’95) VAN BUSSUM is leaving Idaho after 16 years to join a federal software development contractor working on the nation's drinking water data.

GRACE HIPONA (’96) lives in northern Virginia where she is a psychologist in private practice. She also is an adjunct professor of graduate programs at George Mason University, where she provides supervision for residents working toward their license.

Her dissertation, published in the Journal of Military and Government, focused on disaster mental health. Grace met her husband, Rob, while attending Emory University, and they have been married since 2003. They have two children, a son, age 12, and a daughter, age 8.

AMANDA HOLMAN (’96) lives in Skokie, Illinois, with her teenage son, Marley. She is a data analyst for a Chicagobased internet publisher and is passionate about getting more Black women into the data field as engineers, analysts, scientists and ethicists.

AMY (TUCKER, ’98) BUTLER is currently in her 18th year of teaching in the elementary school setting. She's been married to her husband, Matt, for 12 years. They have two sons, Ian, age 9, and Cullen, age 8.

GWEN (McGAUGHEY, ’02) HOEFER is married and has three children.

KEISHA CLAY† (’03) was honored posthumously with the Connections to Success Tribute Award for her volunteerism and tireless work to improve the lives of those less fortunate than her. When she passed away in 2019, the organization redesigned their boutique, Dress for Success, and renamed it Keisha’s Closet in her honor. Keisha understood that dressing well contributes to the empowerment of individuals, helping them achieve economic independence and ultimately transforming lives.

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KATY BOAT (’05) has a daughter, Frances Orla Forrester, born August 15, 2020.

MARY (SCHLESS, ’05) GAGE has been married since 2014.

She has two boys, ages 3 and 7 months. They live in northeastern Indiana.

ALEXANDRA BOJARSKISTAUFFER (’07) recently passed the final exam required to become a licensed architect in Missouri.

Alexandra was named group lead of a global department for IPS, an international architecture/ engineering company, where she also is a senior architectural designer and associate. Alexandra placed second in two triathlons in 2021 for sprint and Olympic distances, and will participate in her first half Ironman in 2022.

MARY CLARA (HUTCHISON, ’08) SMORSTAD got married October 2, 2021. Her sisters, Rose ('13), Maggie ('15) and brother Fritz comprised her bridal party. Mary Clara, Rose and Maggie swung from the crabapple trees in the STA Quad to celebrate!

KAITLIN ZIDAR (’09) recently changed jobs and is working at an innovative tech startup that's helping to modernize employee benefits involving dental and vision insurance.

In September 2021, ANNEMARIE WHITEHEAD (’10) professed her solemn vows to the Lord as Sister Mary Altar of Sacrifice, which is a reference to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

She serves in Papua, New Guinea, where she and other sisters run a school, teach the Catholic faith, and help minister to the local parish.

ANNIE (PALMER, ’13) LINDGREN got married Dec. 18, 2021.

CASSIE FLORIDO (’14) is a professional photographer with an exciting claim to fame: as creative producer at Let it Fly Media she had an opportunity to photograph the 2022 Super Bowl. She also photographs Kansas City Chiefs games and University of Missouri athletics events.

SAMANTHA (PAIGE, ’11) CHRISTENSON welcomed her first child, August Martin Christensen, in October 2021.

CELE FRYER (’11) and her service dog, Maggie Rose, made the move to the mountains! Cele is working in the Emergency Department at Colorado Children's Hospital as a behavioral health counselor.

MEGAN SCHAFF (’11) is getting married to Ian Bowles (Rockhurst Class of 2011) this May in Kansas City.

MADELINE (LUEKE, ’11) WATTS welcomed twins, Charlotte and Theodore, on Nov. 28, 2021.

MARY LEE PTACEK (’09) is marrying the love of her life on May 21, 2022.

ELIZABETH ARENSBERG (’13) is a functional gut health dietitian based in the Kansas City area.

KATHERINE HANSON (’15) got engaged to Charlie Gotschall in November 2021.

EILEEN KERRIGAN (’16) anticipates earning a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Oklahoma State University in December 2022.

ALEXIS BATLINER (’17) graduated magna cum laude from St. Louis University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She currently is a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

GRETA SONNENBERG (’18) will graduate in May 2022 from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education.

IN MEMORIAM Hildegard (Bernreiter, ʼ42) Fowler Mary Catherine (O'Donnell, ʼ45) Shine Ann (Hatton, ʼ50) von Gremp Carolyn (Metzger, ʼ52) Sayers Noreen (Lynch, ʼ54) Dempsey Patricia (Day, ʼ56) Beatty Frances (Howland, ʼ57) DeBacker Paula (Keller, ʼ57) Fitts Mary (O'Brien, ʼ57) Raimo Patricia (Pearson, ʼ57) Sargent Linda (Leimgruber, ʼ57) Schellhorn Sue (Mayer, ʼ57) Tubbs Gerelyn (Hollingsworth, ʼ58) Weil Sister Michaela Zahner, CSJ (ʼ58) Margot Thornhill (ʼ59) Judy Miniace (ʼ60) Mary (Stadler, ʼ61) Eckart Kathleen (O'Connor, ʼ61) Lombardo Sharon Smart (ʼ61) Liz (Karnes, ʼ62) Donaldson Linda (Hardwick, ʼ62) Hicks Ann (Bogdon, ʼ62) Ninneman Kathy (Slickman, ʼ62) Swann Nancy (Sheridan, ʼ65) Carter Ann (Higgins, ʼ66) Ahner Patricia (Gilzean, ʼ66) Mackay Margaret Mitchell (ʼ66) Margie (Lippert, ʼ67) Hill Janet (Powers, ʼ67) Powell Mary (Bowes, ʼ72) Buchanan Joanne (Egelhoff, ʼ73) Nielsen Sandy (Hicks, ʼ75) Green Tricia (Hogan, ʼ75) Lobb Cris (Gonzales, ʼ75) Tobin Patricia (Ryffe, ʼ77) McMurray Ann (Bisaha, ʼ81) Park Laurena Lux (ʼ85) Mary Burnett (ʼ99) Kayla (Crandall, ʼ07) Lipp Helena Berger (ʼ19) Liesel Anderson (ʼ24)

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Carolyn Wiedeman named STA artist of the year STA CONGRATULATES CAROLYN WIEDEMAN (’07) on being named STA Artist of the Year. Wiedeman recently relocated to Kansas City after spending 10 years in Brooklyn, New York. After working for years in technology, she is now focused on her art.

Wiedeman generously created a special illustration (below) as an incentive for STA Giving Day. Donors contributing $150 or more were entered in a drawing to win the framed artwork.

While attending St. Teresa's Academy, she earned the distinction of being named 2007 Academy Woman.

Wiedeman went on to attend the University of Michigan School of Art & Design, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2011.

See more of her work at carolynwiedeman.com.

Alumnae Reunion Celebration

SAVE DATE T H E

OCTOBER 8, 2022 ST. TERESA'S ACADEMY QUAD

Celebration of Mass with the presentation of the annual Distinguished Alumna Award

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Honoring the 50 Year Class of 1972

Dinner and Cocktails ︸

Tours of the STA Campus

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class connections KEEPING ST. TERESA'S ACADEMY ALUMNAE CONNECTED is no easy task, especially since they live and work all over the world. But, thanks to Class Reps, STA has help with this effort.

Class Reps from every graduating class beginning with 1940 assist STA in a variety of ways: Suggesting new ways to engage alumnae Providing STA with their classmates’ updated contact information Informing STA when there is news about their classmates Rallying their classmates to attend STA reunions and other STA events Advocating for financial and mission-based support of the Academy STA is always in need of Class Reps! If you’re interested in helping out while enjoying some camaraderie with your fellow alumnae, please email Paula Holmquist, STA alumnae director, at pholmquist@stteresasacademy.org.

STA Class Reps gather for a meeting in February. Class Reps are instrumental in rallying classmates to contribute to fundraisers and participate in STA events and activities.

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This past year, STA lost two extraordinary Class Reps who were beloved by their classmates.

Kathleen (O’Connor, ’61) Lombardo Kathleen (O’Connor, ’61) Lombardo passed away unexpectedly Sept. 28, 2021, just 10 days before her 60th STA class reunion, which she had been working on for months. Even during the midst of the pandemic, Kathleen was optimistic the Kathleen (O'Connor, ՚61) Lombardo pictured center in black, spending reunion would take place. time with STA sisters from the class She sent STA weekly updates of 1961. and was in close contact with her fellow Class Reps as she worked diligently to track down those from her graduating class. She was tenacious in her efforts, personally reaching out to her classmates to invite them to the reunion scheduled for October 9.

“Kathleen was our leader,” says Virginia “Ginnie” (Melzarek, ’61) Scearce. “She had such a love of the history of our class. She was a deeply committed family person and loved her faith–and with all of that she had a wonderful sense of humor!”

Margaret "Maggie" Mitchell (’66) The Class of 1966 lost a beloved classmate, Margaret “Maggie” Mitchell, on Jan. 6, 2022, due to a sudden illness.

Maggie had just celebrated with her classmates at their 55th reunion in October. She was a Class Rep for STA with Maggie Mitchell (’66) pictured left her friend Carol (Hancock, with classmates at a Decades Happy ’66) Sindelar. The two enjoyed Hour hosted by STA. rallying their classmates to attend STA events and other activities. When Carol notified her classmates of Maggie’s death, she was overwhelmed with the outpouring of responses. Maggie had a deep love for the Sisters of St. Joseph. She served on their board and in other leadership capacities, and had a sister, Kathleen Mitchell (’64), who was a CSJ. “For me, Maggie was the glue that held us all together,” writes Mary Ann (Weinand, ’66) Toohey. “I was lucky to spend eight years with her because we also went to college together. She touched so many lives.”

Class of 1970 creates new endowed scholarship In 2021, alumnae from the Class of 1970 raised more than $25,000 to establish a new endowed scholarship to provide financial aid for St. Teresa's Academy students in need. This is the fourth STA class to leave a legacy of scholarship.

Molly (McCaffrey) Gallagher and Ellen Baty Contact STA Alumnae Director Paula Holmquist (pholmquist@ stteresasacademy.org) to discuss endowment opportunities.

Ellen Baty and Molly (McCaffrey) Gallagher, alumnae from the Class of 1970, led the effort.

They were inspired after their 50th class reunion in June 2021, where they heard so many classmates discussing their cherished times at STA. Beginning in September, Baty and Gallagher, who also serve as Class Reps, began approaching classmates with a proposal to endow a scholarship. By the end of December, they had raised more than $15,000. Upon hearing of the class’s efforts, an anonymous donor contributed the final $10,000 to reach the $25,000 endowment threshold.

“I knew we could do it, just as the Classes of 1969, 1976 and 1979 had done before us!

STA women respond to a worthy challenge!” - Ellen Baty (‘70)

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2021 distinguished alumna Tracie and her husband Kevin were blessed with a son, Logan, in 2011. They welcomed Logan–a beautiful boy with his mother’s blue eyes–into the world with loving arms and an abundance of joy. Within a few hours of his birth, however, Logan developed alarming symptoms related to his movements and breathing, and was subsequently diagnosed with Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD). He lived a brief but love-filled 17 months.

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RACIE (DAVIDSON, ՚00) BAKER, STA’s 2021 Distinguished Alumna, exemplifies the spirit of hope, giving and faith.

Logan’s loss spurred Tracie and Kevin to ensure his legacy would live on. Their first action was to save others’ lives through organ donation. On Valentine’s Day 2013, a three-year-old girl received Logan’s heart.

She is thriving to this day.

Tracie continues to advocate for organ donation, serving as advisory board chair at Midwest Transplant Network.

CMD is the name for a group of muscular dystrophies that share an unfortunate commonality—muscle weakness that begins in infancy or very early childhood. Although children with CMD can have different symptoms, rates of progression and degrees of severity, most exhibit progressive muscle weakness primarily affecting voluntary muscles. There currently is no cure for CMD. “Tracie has always been a source of positive energy,” says Tracie’s friend Bridget (Glynn, ’00) Krieger, “but to

watch her transform into a mother and champion who effused endless love, and had the determination to give Logan the best possible life was nothing short of inspirational.”

“I’m honored to be recognized with STA’s Distinguished Alumna Award,” says Tracie. “It’s another way of honoring Logan, and the love and life he brought as a result of his brief time here.”

Tracie and her husband started the Logan Baker Foundation in 2013 to honor their son and help children in the Kansas City area with special needs.

Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $200,000 to provide adaptive equipment, therapy training and inclusive playgrounds, and to support Cure CMD, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Cure SMA (spinal muscular atrophy).

Nominations for the 2022 STA Distinguished Alumna of the Year will be accepted until May 1, 2022.

STA will recognize the Distinguished Alumna at the Reunion Mass on Saturday, October 8.

To nominate an alumna, visit stteresasacademy.org/distinguishedalumna

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an unexpected gift at an unexpected time

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ECENTLY, ST. TERESA'S ACADEMY received a rather unexpected donation in the form of an estate gift from Robert “Bob” Aylward, who passed away Jan. 15, 2017, at the age of 88. When his family learned of his donation, they weren’t surprised by his generosity.

politician, a perennial bachelor and, to the surprise of many of his friends, a daily Mass attendant. He loved his friends and encouraged them to meet him every morning for breakfast after church. A bachelor for most of his life, he finally decided to “settle down” at the age of 82, when he married his wife, Brenda.

Born into a lively Irish Catholic family, Bob was the second son and fourth of six children of Charles L. Aylward and Dorothy Burnett Aylward. His mother attended STA in the early 1900’s when the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) were moving the school from 12th & Washington Streets in downtown Kansas City to its current location.

Although Bob didn’t have children of his own, he loved being the favorite uncle, playing Santa Claus for his nieces and nephews, and often hosting family parties at his Lake Lotawana home.

Bob was successful in business and in life and it was important to him that he share the gifts God gave him.

“When Bob walked into a room, heads turned. His presence just made people happy. He loved playing pranks on his friends and relatives,” says his sister, Jean (Aylward, ’40) Dunn. “He was so handsome; all the STA girls wanted to date him. He was athletic, fun, and had a twinkle in his eye. Wherever Bob went, he was the life of the party.”

“Bob was a big man with an even bigger heart.”

-Kevin Dunn

Bob’s niece, Mary Beth (Aylward, ’77) Cicchetti, recalls his civic engagement.

“Uncle Bob loved politics and was so proud of his role as campaign manager for one of his best friends, Joe Teasdale, when Joe won the governor’s race in Missouri. He let me come with him to the Democratic Convention when Jimmy Carter was running for office. Bob knew everybody at that convention!”

Kevin Dunn, Bob’s nephew, recalls his uncle’s penchant for mimicking famous comedians and actors. “The greeting on Bob’s answering machine was a spot-on impersonation of W.C. Fields. It was hilarious!”

As a young man, Bob was a lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard before joining his two brothers, Chuck and Dick, as co-owner of Aylward Products. He was an avid outdoorsman, a fiercely competitive golfer, skier and handball player, a “born salesman,” a passionate The Aylward Family: (back row) Chuck, Bob, Dorothy (Burnett), Charlie, Dick; (front) Jean (Aylward, ’40) Dunn, Mary Ann (Aylward, ’56) Henn, Kathleen (Aylward, ’39) Mitchell

Bob's sister Jean isn’t surprised at his gift to STA. “Bob was so generous,” she says. His mother, sisters and numerous nieces and grandnieces all attended the Academy. She continues, “He loved us all so much. That’s probably why he did it. Oh yes, he also liked all those STA girls!”

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class of 2022 academic leaders

STA congratulates Iris Roddy, Class of 2022 valedictorian, and Katie Massman, Class of 2022 salutatorian, for their outstanding academic achievements.

2022 Valedictorian Iris Roddy

2022 Salutatorian Katie Massman

“These young ladies have continuously approached their studies with commitment and dedication,” says Liz Baker, Ed.D., Principal for Student Affairs. “To rise to the top academically in a class with this much talent is no small feat. Congratulations to Iris, Katie and all of their classmates who pursue excellence in academics.”

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

STA congratulates the following seniors for their accomplishments in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Amelia Arrieta was recognized by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program as a National Hispanic Scholar. Of the more than 400,000 eligible students, Amelia was one of just 5,000 to receive this recognition.

Claire Fanning has been named a Finalist in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. She achieved this based on her PSAT score in her junior year, followed by an in-depth application process. Claire is one of 15,000 students from across the nation chosen for this honor.

Sophia Rall was named a Commended Student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Only 34,000 students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise as Commended Students.

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In February, six students competed at the DECA District 3 Leadership Conference in Kansas City. DECA is an extracurricular organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Three students placed in the top three of their category, qualifying them to advance to State competition.

Leah Campo (junior) - Personal Finance Elizabeth Givens (junior) - Entrepreneurship Tessa Stevenson (junior) - Personal Finance The State competition will be held in March in Kansas City, Missouri.

FBLA

In February, STA’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competed at the District Leadership Conference with impressive results.

Of the 36 students who competed, 27 placed, and 15 qualified for the State competition taking place in April in Springfield, Missouri.

Those earning first place for their efforts: Broadcast Journalism - Victoria Andrews, Audrey Erdman and Sanai Kintchen (seniors) Business Plan - Grace Stordahl (sophomore) Impromptu Speaking - Georgia Kerrigan (junior) Introduction to Business Communications - Anna Massman (sophomore)

RELAY FOR LIFE

STA students received national recognition for their efforts for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser. During February, students participated in “Fund the Mission,” a 72-hour challenge designed to get schools and participants to actively fundraise within a short period of time.

STA finished in the top 10 in three categories: as a school, as a student team (Relay for Liesel) and as an individual student (Charlotte Malone, junior). Relay for Liesel is a team formed in honor of Liesel Anderson, an STA student who died of cancer in 2021.

BATTLE OF THE BRAINS

STA’s “The Sound of Science'' was among one of 20 finalists (out of 700 entries) in the 2021 Battle of the Brains, a K-12 STEM competition based in Kansas City. The team with the winning proposal will receive a $50,000 grant, and work with engineering firm and sponsor Burns & McDonnell to bring their idea to life in a $1 million exhibit at Science City in Kansas City’s Union Station.

STA’s proposal includes research and design of five activities that explore the science of sound waves through an interactive exhibit. One of these includes playground equipment designed to teach children about sound waves.

This is STA’s first year in the competition. The team includes Mary Montag, life sciences teacher and project chaperone/moderator, and students Lena Do, Teresa Elfrink and Juliet Parra, all juniors.

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accomplishments in athletics

The STA dance team placed third overall in the Division 5 competition, with a first place finish in mix and a second place in jazz.

The STA swim team placed 14th out of 43 teams at the MSSHAA State Championships with a showing of seventh in the 200-meter free relay and ninth in the 400-meter free relay, as well as strong individual performances in dive and free swim. All-State swim & dive: (sophomore) Sophia Sesler; (junior) Mara Callahan; and (seniors) Ashlyn Butcher, Annie Freeman, Sidney Morris, Izzy Cipolla and Maggie Armstrong

The STA tennis team also had a stellar season, finishing third in the Missouri Class 3 State Tournament. All-State players: (sophomores) Brooklyn Acuff, Lily Mason, Abby Morris and MaryGrace Seymour; (juniors) Emma Bridges and Annamarie Hotze; and (seniors) Madison Faul and Mary Mason

The STA cross country team finished second at the MSSHAA Class 5 State Cross Country Championships. Seniors Amelia Arrieta and Sydney Swan were named All-State runners.

Savannah Gentry, STA senior, received the prestigious Chick Evans scholarship for high-achieving caddies. She will attend The University of Kansas with the scholarship, which covers full tuition and housing costs.

Reagan Fox, STA junior, was named an All-State player in the 20212022 volleyball season.

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a rising star

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MELIA ARRIETA had never run cross country. But here she was in her senior year, breaking records and catching the attention of Division I college recruiters from across the nation.

Amelia is dedicated to her newfound sport. She is frequently seen running across campus and on the track. Her hard work has paid off. In fall 2022, Amelia will run cross country for the Villanova University Wildcats.

Amelia first attempted high school sports in her junior year when she ran track & field in the spring. Many of her teammates also ran cross country and encouraged her to give it a try when the season started the following fall. Despite her hesitancy, she did, and has never looked back.

Her mother, Maria (Carillo) Arrieta is an alumna from the STA Class of 1988. “Prayer is very important to Amelia,” she says.

Before every race, she would write a Bible quote on her arm:

In only her fourth cross country race, Amelia ran the fastest 5K time in Missouri since 2015. She has broken record after record, and was named an All-State runner, finishing third in the Missouri Class 5 State Cross Country Championships.

The Arrieta Family (l to r): Alejandro, Amelia (՚22), Alexia (՚15) and Maria (Carrillo, ՚88).

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; They will run and not grow weary. (Isaiah 40:31) “I think that says it best,” continues Arrieta. “I truly believe that her prayers—our prayers—have made the most impact on her success. That and the fact that Amelia is driven to do her best, and is very determined. She goes in with all her heart and gives 110%.

“I’m so proud of her accomplishments,” Arrieta continues. “It warms my heart to see the support she has received from the STA community, although I’m not surprised. I attended STA and understand that the sisterhood extends well beyond the doors of the school! I’m very grateful for everyone’s support of Amelia.”

eSports added to STA athletics ST. TERESA'S ACADEMY HAS ADDED VARSITY AND JUNIOR VARSITY ESPORTS teams to its list of competitive athletic programs.

Esports stands for electronic sports, not to be confused with video games. Esports takes video gaming to another level with organized competitive game play between two teams, governed by its own strict set of rules and guidelines. The difference is comparable to a pick-up basketball game at a park versus a varsity high school basketball game. Esports, like traditional sports, demands cooperation, communication, critical and strategic thinking, innovation, sportsmanship and leadership. Nearly $15 million in eSports scholarships are available from over 200 schools and universities.

“Esports requires all of the skills you’d expect in a STEAM career: analyzing data, statistics and strategies, which provide

real-world experience and application,” says Sage Garretson, STA eSports coach. "There is a clear link between student engagement and academic performance. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that students who participate in extracurricular activities, like eSports, perform higher on math and reading assessments."

Esports opens doors to careers in the expanding video game business, as well as other fields such as entertainment and technology.

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arts SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS

STA students had a strong showing in this year's Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition, earning 17 regional awards. All Gold Key recipients will proceed to National Adjudication.

Sixteen students earned awards in fine arts. In addition, Lucia Thomas, STA sophomore, was named an American Visions Nominee for her painting titled “Taming the Horse.”

Gold Keys Georgia Kerrigan (junior) and Lucia Thomas (sophomore - two Gold Keys) Silver Keys Olivia Oakman (sophomore), Lucia Thomas and Emma Vontz (senior - two Silver Keys)

American Visions Nominee painting titled “Taming the Horse.” by Lucia Thomas.

Honorable Mentions Ellie Bealmear (senior), Laura Cowan (senior), Iris Hoffman (freshman), Claire Kleffner (senior), Marykate Roder (junior), Isabella Salinardi (sophomore), Marin Smith (junior), Lucia Thomas, and Kate Uecker (sophomore)

Georgia Kerrigan received a Gold Key for her poem, Peachy. In addition, her poem earned second place at the Round Pier National Poetry Contest.

Peachy

By Georgia Kerrigan Golden pink and sunshine kissed is the fruit of my namesake Sickly sweet and delicately soft: the princess of all fruits But picked too soon its bitterness brings only heartache And saved too long its rotten skin is no longer of use Sweet are the peaches of Georgia And arduous is the labor to bear them But their loveliness makes for a Reward more valuable than any check or gem The royal fruit of my namesake is not without her flaws Her unavoidable sticky juice, which makes a mess of hands and lips, Often distracts from her deserved applause And she lives in the shadow of fruits more favorably picked Sneakily hidden beneath her beauty sits the rough, threatening pit And all too short is the season of the sweetest subject

MISSOURI ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION

Lucia Thomas, STA sophomore, is one of 34 students from across Missouri chosen to exhibit in the Senate Student Arts Exhibit at the Capitol building in Jefferson City. Her artwork, titled "We’re Home," will be on display from March 2022 through February 2023.

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EXCELLENCE IN PUBLICATIONS

THE DART–STA’s student newspaper–was recognized by the National Scholastic Press Association for its exemplary student staff, which was named among the top 10 in the U.S. at the best of Show Awards in November.

In addition, Amelia Arrieta (senior) was nominated for a Pacemaker award in photography for her piece titled “Wheel Throwing,” which was featured in the school’s literary magazine, Teresian. The Dart also was nominated in the general category.

NATIONAL K-12 CERAMICS EXHIBITION

Three STA fine arts students have been chosen to exhibit their work in this year’s National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition in Sacramento, California. This is an annual juried competition designed to showcase the best K-12 ceramics in the country. The decisions of the jurors were based upon an examination of the 893 entries, with 148 pieces selected for exhibition.

The students' pieces will be seen by thousands of visitors from around the world, many who will be in Sacramento for the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference.

Marykate Roder (junior) “Midnight Geometry”

Julia Sulzer (sophomore) “Dark Matter”

Georgia Kerrigan (junior) “Under the Sea-Pot”

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academic accolades STA PRESIDENT CO-AUTHORS BOOK ON EFFECTIVE LEARNING

STA President Dr. Siabhan MayWashington, along with fellow educators Dr. Joan Caulfield and Dr. Wayne Jennings, recently published Optimizing Learning: Thinking Skills, Technology, Teaming. The book is an educational resource to help students think more critically, use technology wisely and engage in effective learning.

“As educational professionals, it’s important to continue honing our areas of expertise and share our findings with others,” says May-Washington.

“The topics in this book are near and dear to my heart, and I’m hopeful other educators can benefit from the strategies outlined in it.”

Optimizing Learning is available on Amazon.

In addition, May-Washington will participate on the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph conference panel this summer. She will speak on her leadership role and how she works to exemplify the CSJ charism–love of God and the dear neighbor without distinction.

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STA TEACHER FEATURED IN WEEPING WOMEN PUBLICATION

An essay from STA social studies teacher Nicolas Shump, M.A, M.F.A, will be included in an upcoming publication tentatively titled Weeping Women: La Llorona’s Presence in Modern Latinx and Chicanx Lore, an Anthology, to be published by Trinity University Press. The book is anticipated to be an essential resource for several disciplines including women’s studies and folklore studies.

Shump’s essay is a chapter from a memoir titled Living With La Llorona, which he wrote about his mother. He defended the writing last fall for his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. La Llorona, or the Weeping Woman, is a spirit that haunts the folklore of Mexico and other Latin American countries.

STA FACULTY MEMBER HONORED WITH EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD

This summer, Mandi Sonnenberg, Ed.D., Director of STEAM Projects and Education, earned the Global Forum for Education and Learning (GFEL) Excellence in Education Award. GFEL explores how technology can reshape the way people learn and share knowledge to create educational innovations.

Nominees were judged on overall reach, industry impact, the spirit of innovation, future readiness and market demand.

In addition to the GFEL award, Sonnenberg will present "Diving Into Design Thinking: In and Out of the Classroom" at the National Catholic Educational Association 2022 convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. She also will present "Externships: Experiential Learning Pathways to Careers for Our Young Women" at the National Coalition of Girl's Schools 2022 Convention in Boston, Massachusetts.

MORAN REDLICH NAMED MISSOURI CROSS COUNTRY COACH OF THE YEAR

Karen Moran Redlich (’96), STA cross country coach, was named Class 5 Missouri Coach of the Year Award from the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association.

She led the Stars to a second-place finish at this year's MSSHAA Class 5 State Cross Country Championships.

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stteresasacademy.org

St. Teresa's Academy

5600 Main St. Kansas City, MO 64113-1298 Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID KANSAS CITY, MO PERMIT NO. 4771

St. Teresa’s Academy is committed to the education of young women.

We are a Catholic, independent, college-preparatory high school sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The Academy is rooted in Christian values and embraces a diverse student body. We promote excellence in education through a challenging curriculum, personal responsibility, and participation in extracurricular activities.

Accredited Since 1923 The Starbeams newsletter features news and information relevant to students, families and alumnae of St. Teresa’s Academy.

For more information, contact Paula Holmquist, STA Alumnae Director, at 816.501.0022 or pholmquist@stteresasacademy.org.

After 40 years of roars and cheers, it’s time for new gymnasium bleachers!

Stars Bleacher Fund Reserve your place in history with a personalized plaque.

Black seats = $83 Limited gold seats = $250 Prime row sponsors = $1500 stteresasacademy.org/bleachers