Tag: seniors

College Acceptances 2018

As our Gold Ties of 2018 prepare for the next phase of their education, we want to congratulate them for all of their academic achievements, community involvements and athletic talents they shared with our SMA community.

Below is a list of college acceptances and a slideshow of all of our graduating students and where they will be attending college next year.

 

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Senior Retreat

Recently, our Gold Ties ‘18 visited Pine Summit in Big Bear for their 3-day Senior Retreat! Those jam-packed few days allowed time for reflection, sharing, celebration, fun, and bonding. The retreat, led by Campus Minister and Religion teacher Ms. Warner, included talks by each attending faculty member, small group discussion, group work, and some free time to enjoy the facilities’ various activities outdoors. Gold Ties got the chance to try ziplining, paintballing, shooting, and archery! Throughout the three days, students could write affirmations for their classmates, as well as for the faculty members on retreat, and place them in the affirmation boxes in the meeting lodge. One group activity required students to evaluate their personality, then grouped them together by color/personality type. Each color group worked together to create posters representing themselves, then presented it to the larger group. This retreat was only the first of many exciting upcoming senior events, as the Gold Ties make their way towards graduation in June!

“The senior retreat provided me with insight towards reflection and how our past guides us towards God. Reflection with our group as well as teachers’ reflections showed me how we may connect God to every aspect of our lives and grow from each connection. I really enjoyed this retreat as I was able to understand my fellow Gold Ties and realize we all have things that connect and guide us together.” -Jessica Edwards

“Senior Retreat was the most interesting thing so far. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with my Gold Tie sisters. Other than that, there were a lot of activities I have not tried before. I also had the opportunity to open and experience my faith with my sisters.” -Kenya Mayers

“The Senior Retreat allowed me to perceive my peers with an open heart and mind to comprehend their story. The retreat also enabled me to try new activities that I never partook in before. Thanks to the senior retreat, I was able to enjoy my experience with others who were close to me and enjoy the beauty outdoors. In all, the senior retreat allowed me to perceive my peers differently, to be close to them in a different way. It opened my heart to the love God has for me and for them.” -Giselle Melendez

“I have gotten closer to the class, which was something I never knew would happen, especially because I am a transfer student. Overall, this retreat was one for the books. I realized that I was loved and appreciated. As well as that everyone came from different backgrounds and everyone is different, so one should be understanding to everything.” -Vivian Garcia

College Acceptances List 2017

As our Green Ties of 2017 prepare for the next phase of their education, we want to congratulate them for all of their academic achievements, community involvements and athletic talents they shared with our SMA community.

100% of our graduates will be attending college this fall! Below is a list of college acceptances and a slideshow of all of our graduating students and where they will be attending college next year.

 

Academic Awards- Seniors

On Wednesday, May 17th, 2017 our annual Academic Awards Ceremony was held on campus to recognize the academic achievements of our Belles.  This year we acknowledged seniors with a special senior award for excellence in a particular Academic area.  Below are those awards. Continue reading

College Bound Belles

Our seniors are in full swing college application mode.   They’ve been attending application workshops on campus during their weekends and are busy in the college center during every break, lunch, and after school.  Cal State and UC applications were due Wednesday so hundreds of applications have been sent off already with lots of private school deadlines approaching.

Three of our seniors are Questbridge finalists and they will have the opportunity to be “matched” with some of the most prestigious schools in the country. If they win, they will earn a full college scholarship!

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During a recent testing day for underclassmen on campus, the seniors went out to visit local colleges of their choosing.  Look at all the places they plan on applying:

Continue reading

A Message to My St. Mary’s Sisters…

Emily Ayala, a #Collegeboundbelle

Emily Ayala, a #collegeboundbelle

I recently had the pleasure to speak with a Gold Tie graduate of 2002 during my college bound Belle campus visit, and had a very insightful conversation with her. We talked about the campus life, new clubs that have been formed, and even talked about our memories of Mr. Salehi. Eventually, we came around to the topic about advice. I asked her if there were any advice she would give to her high school self that she wished to hear from someone who went through the four-year experience. She was glad I had asked the question and she gladly gave her insight…

“I would tell myself [to] take each day one at a time. Also, not to be afraid to take risks and don’t care too much what others say. Lastly, I would say to always remember to stay true to myself.”

I took these words to heart because they served as good advice for not only myself, but other young adults who are on the journey of discovering their self-identity as well. I then proceeded to ask her if she had any advice for the Green Tie Seniors as they prepare for adulthood. This is the knowledge that she passes down to the Green Tie Class of 2017:

“My advice to you girls is to stay positive. Don’t get discouraged. Going through college applications and looking for schools isn’t the easiest and it takes a lot of patience. It doesn’t matter what family or friends might think because it can [sometimes] be negative. Always look for those who give you the positive vibes and positive energy.

 Sometimes going far is the best thing to help you look for new adventures [and] to help you open up more. It’s a new journey. A new but long journey. Be ready for the world and all that’s out there. And don’t be too trustworthy with anybody either. Have a guard, but don’t be too guarded.”

These words have much impact and importance to hear during the school year, as Senior Year is probably the most hectic year of a high school student’s life. Applying to colleges, working on grades, and even picking out a prom dress can prove a difficult task. Sometimes we feel like there is no one to consult on these issues, or we even just need a few words of encouragement to help us de-stress.

It is always a great experience to connect with other Belles and get the perspective of their high school experience and what they liked the best or disliked about their four years. They not only hold plentiful knowledge to pass down to others, they also share kinship and understanding with their younger sisters.

One last message that this alum wished to share with all Green, Gold, Red, and soon to be Blue Ties is this:

“No matter what, always put yourself first. Always look out for yourself. Friends will always be there, as long as you know who they truly are, but don’t put them first. Second, always make sure your grades are up there. Grades are important, especially if you’re striving for the best. Don’t settle for less, always think of Princeton, NYU, Stanford, even if you feel you might not get into those [schools]. It doesn’t matter. Have a box in your own goals and say “hey, I’m going to strive for that, and if I don’t get there, well, at least I know I did my best.” Lastly, don’t ever let anyone bring you down because you are the best. You will always be the best version of yourself, no matter what.”

It is always important to ask for insight from others, especially if you feel like you are drowning in all your school work and personal work. You never know what others can help you with until you ask, and don’t be bashful when it comes to talking to a stranger who recognizes your tie because she wore the same one many years before because she can tell you things you may not have known could help you get through some of the stresses high school. Remember Belles, nothing is far when one is determined to get there.

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