Category: Students (page 1 of 2)

2019-20 Clubs & Organizations

Students held a robust club fair to introduce and recruit members for new and existing clubs and organizations for the 2019-20 school year.  The organizations have an application process and recognize students who excel in various disciplines. The clubs were all proposed by our students, are open to all students, and are student run under the guidance of adult moderators.  Kudos to our Belles for having so many interests and sharing those interests.  Sign-up lists were overflowing!

Since 2002, ACE Los Angeles has enabled over 1,500 high school students to discover the exciting potential of careers in Architecture, Construction and Engineering (ACE). ACE brings Architecture, Construction and Engineering professionals into high schools twice a month to teach students and mentor them. Mentors are from nearby architectural, engineering and construction firms. A typical team matches half a dozen professional mentors with two dozen students in grades 10 through 12. They meet after school every other week, approximately sixteen (16) times during the academic year.  Their scholarship program has grown, and to date, they have awarded over $1M in scholarships to local ACE students in support of their pursuit of A/C/E careers.

Members of the Student Leadership Council foster a spirit of servant leadership at SMA, were leaders serve a positive examples of responsibility and SMA character for the student body, SLC is comprised of who want develop their leadership skills as positive, selfless, respectful, and reliable leaders who will encourage others to engage in campus life and do so with the charism of the CSJ Sisters. SLC is open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors only. To learn about other requirements needed for each position and to be considered eligible to run for a position students must attend a mandatory leadership training in the spring and receive favorable evaluations of character and work ethic from faculty members.

Carondelet Circle is about building a community of people who want to “serve the dear neighbor” and find strength in sisterhood. This clubs is the spiritual life blood of SMA. Students lead and plan liturgies, retreats, service opportunities, and other opportunities for the spiritual growth of students. We will walk in the footsteps of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, by praying together, visiting our CSJ sisters at the convent or writing them, participating in bible study, making sandwiches for the poor, and other community service events.

Student Ambassadors help recruit new students and families to SMA and represent the school for Alumni and Donor events, allowing students to develop leadership habits and provide an opportunity for young women to gain appreciation and awareness of multicultural perspectives, customs, public speaking, critical thinking and decision-making skills. Student must apply to become an Ambassador. Applicants must have (and maintain) a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better to become eligible, submit a letter of recommendation from a campus faculty and/or staff member with their application, and complete an interview with the Admissions Director.

SMA Today is a student-run organization & broadcast news outlet featuring original reporting, editing, interviewing, and writing. BY SMA students, FOR SMA students!

The National Honor Society (NHS) recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The organization has been committed to four main goals since its inception: to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. These are the criteria used to select members, which is done by a faculty committee. Members of CSF and NHS at SMA join forces to support an academic culture and to provide academic support to their peers through mentoring and tutoring. The mission of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is to recognize and encourage academic achievement and community service among middle and high school students in California. Members qualify by meeting eligibility requirements based on their grades each semester. Members of CSF and NHS at SMA join forces to support an academic culture and to provide academic support to their peers through mentoring and tutoring.

 

National Art Honor Society inspires and recognizes those students who have shown outstanding ability in art. Students must have 1 year of a visual arts class with a grade of B+ or higher as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply.  Its purpose is to assist student members to attain their highest potential in all forms of art, and to raise awareness of art education throughout the school and community.

Art Club is open to all students, regardless of artist skill or experience. Members of NAHS will host an art club where they will provide opportunities for students to learn to build their art skills.

Anime Club is a special interest club where students can bond and learn about anime-related media, art, literature, music, popular culture, and social activities and the cultural contributions of those who produce Anime. Anime Club members also have a prominent role in producing the Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Assembly in the Spring.

Believers’ Club is a student-run club who participates in various walks/events or raises money for organizations and foundations dedicated to cancer research and support for cancer patients.

Young Entrepreneurs aims to enable young women in developing professional skills in the workforce  prepared and empowers them to create their own business. This club will encourage girls to become innovative and invest in their human capital.

Culture Club gives Belles the opportunity to learn about the many cultures that exist around the world, especially those that students are unfamiliar with, and educate themselves on what makes each culture special and unique. Learning about other cultures can also help us reflect on our special culture at SMA, including the Christian values and sisterhood we have. Being informed on what else is out there besides what we’re used to will make us become more well-rounded, and help us work better with others who may not have the same beliefs as we do. The United States in itself is a melting pot full of an immense amount of cultures, and learning to respect each other and our values because of our similarities and regardless of our differences will help us work together as a community.

Global Citizens Club promotes the importance of being an active global citizen, and inspires awareness and learn how to advocate against injustice happening in other countries. It will also encourage others to travel and will help with more youth exchange program awareness. Furthermore, it will give a background on different countries.

Book Club strives to have fun and bond over a love of reading. This club will give students the chance to come out of their shell and connect with fellow bookworms.

Writing Club introduces students to different types of creative writing, encouraging them to have fun with writing and use it to explore new talents, relieve stress, and express themselves in new ways.

Health & Wellness Club seeks to promote better health and safety habits of the student body, as well as promote club member participation in community events and projects that better the health, safety and welfare of the community and our families.

The FUTURE (Future Understanding Through Unity Reflecting Environment) Club aims to educate our Belles regarding environmental issues and our stewardship of God’s creation. The club hopes to bring out a respectful and loving attitude toward nature within the minds of St. Mary’s Academy students and faculty.

Interact Club is associated with the Rotary Club of Inglewood. We are a service organization that promotes charity and goodwill to our surrounding community.

FIDM Fashion Club exposes students to the fashion industry and learns about different fashion tips/hacks. Fashion club members talk about trends, careers in the fashion industry, attend Fashion Club Day at FIDM, create different outfits, and have mini fashion shows.

Participants in Debate Club learn statesmanship as they engage in structured debate and discourse on a variety of topics. They cultivate leadership skills, challenge one another to think critically, advocate their own opinions, develop respect for opposing views and learn to rise above self-interest to created and informed citizenry and promote the public good.

The SMA Robotics Team, SMArtBots combines the excitement of a varsity sport with the rigors of science and technology. The Robotics Team provides SMA students interested in all academic areas the opportunity to compete in the FIRST®FRC international competition. Under limited resources, time limits, and strict rules that change every year with a new game, SMA students design and build a robot that competes in a regional tournament with a field of top competitors.

 

 

 

 

Busy Belles Summer 2018

Not content to rest on their laurels, many of our Belles were busy with a wide array of camps, programs, and volunteering across the country this summer. Over 50 students used their time away from campus to broaden their horizons, make new friends, and enrich their SMA experience.

Locally, students participated in programs like Camp Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), USC’s Diversity in Health Care Leadership summer enrichment program, Camp Neuro at USC, Cinemagic film making, Charles R. Drew University Science Day, Design Immersion Days at Southern California Institute of Architecture,  work experience at Payden & Rygel, the Envision Medical Program at UCLA, Sports Medicine Camp at Mira Costa High School, shadowing at MLK Hospital, and volunteering at hospitals like Providence Little Company of Mary, Cedars Sinai, Ronald Regan Hospital, Kaiser Permanente West L.A., and St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood.

SMA student athletes honed their skills in camps for soccer, Indoor, and Beach Volleyball, and several of our basketball players traveled to Kentucky, Georgia, and Arizona for tournaments.

Girls in the Economics for Leadership program got a chance to participate in workshops and classes within the program on the following university campuses: UC Santa Barbara, Oberlin College, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Washington University, Brown University, Rice University, and University of Washington.

Other programs our Belles joined include National Youth Leader Forum: Medicine at UC Berkeley, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Engineering Possibilities in College, Just the Beginning Law Program at Loyola Marymount University, the University of Colorado Denver’s CAP ACE summer camp, Create Summer at Sacramento State University, Black Girls Lead at Columbia University, and even volunteering at clinic in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Let’s hear it for our Busy Belles, and celebrate their many wonderful accomplishments:

Udoka Abada ’19- Economcs For Leadershop, WashingtonUniversity

Danielle Adeniji ’20- Economics for Leadership, Brown Univesity

Samael Al-Alim ’21- Cinemagic

Morgan Betts ’22- Indoor Club, Volleyball

Kimberly Casarez ’19- EPIC– Engineering Possibilities in College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Raqeul Ceron ’19- Volunteeer at MLK Hospital

Isr’ael Conerly ’19- Volunteer at Providence Little Company Of Mary Hospital

Alexis Cortez ’19- Camp CHLA & Volunteer at Providence Little Company Of Mary Hospital

Kaliah Davis ’20- Economics for Leadership, UC Berkley

Olivia Dixon ’20- Volunteer at Kaiser Permanente, Baldwin Hills

Elizabeth Elliott ’21- Basketball Tournaments in Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona and Los Angeles

Raylyn Fergerson ’22- Basketball Tournaments in Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona and Los Angeles

Lesley Flores ’21- LMU, Just the Beginning, Law Program

Terrianne Furlough ’20- LMU, Just the Beginning, Law Program

Nayeli Gomez ’20- National Youth Leader Forum: Medicine, Berkeley & Work Experience at Payden and Rygel

Isabella Gonzales ’21- Basketball Tournaments in Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona and Los Angeles

Monica Gonzalez ’19- Cinemagic

Araceli Gonzalez-Herrera ’20- Economics for Leadership, UCLA

Angelique Hale ’19- Economics for Leadership,  Rice University & Camp CHLA & Volunteer at Kaiser Permanente, West LA

Kayce Hansford ’19-  Volunteer at Westchester Convalscent Home

Alyssa Harding ’20- Economics for Leadership, UC Berkley

D’Ajah Hayes ’19- Cinemagic

Karla Jordan ’20- Clinic Volunteer in Guadalajara, Mexico

Heaven Joseph ’19- Design Immersion Days at SCI-Arc

Meron Kahsai ’19 CAP ACE Summer Camp, University of Colorado, Denver

Zainab Kashim ’19 Camp CHLA

Oceanna Lenon ’19- Create Summer Academy,  Sacramento State University & Cinemagic

Retha Little ’19- Basketball Tournaments in Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona and Los Angeles & Volunteeer at MLK Hospital

Jasmine Love ’19- Teen Volunteer Program at Cedars Sinai & Charles R. Drew University Science Days

Ashley Mancia ’19- EPIC– Engineering Possibilities in College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Briseida Marquez ’21- Cinemagic

Trinity May ’20- Beach Volley Ball

Imani McGregory ’19- Basketball Tournaments in Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona and Los Angeles & Volunteer at Cedars Sinai, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Facility

Leslie Melendez ’19- Economics For Leadership, Oberlin College & SEP Program, USC & Sports Medicine Program, Mira Costa High School

Victoria Miranda ’19- Economics For Leadership, UC Santa Barbara

Amarri Moody ’19- Volunteer at Kaiser Permanente, West LA

Mia Muir ’20- Black Girls Lead at Columbia Univesity & Beach Volley Ball

Bethael Mulugeta ’19 Volunteer at Kaiser Permanente, West LA

Daniela Ortega ’20- Envision Medical Program, UCLA & Camp Neuro, USC & Camp Cardiac, USC

Rebecca Pozos ’19- Create Summer Academy, Sacramento State University & Volunteer at Kaiser Permanente, West LA

Frida Santiago ’19- Volunteer at Ronald Reagan Hospital , UCLA

Alexza Tejeda ’19- Sports Medicine Camp, Mira Costa High School

Giuliana Toscano ’19- Volunteer at Providence Little Company Of Mary Hospital

Jaslyn Usher ’22- Indoor Club, Volleyball

Demilynn Vazquez ’21- Cinemagic & Work Experience at Payden and Rygel

Nicole Washington ’19- Envision Health Career Leadership Program, UCLA

Elycia Wright ’21- Basketball Tournaments in Kentucky, Georgia, Arizona and Los Angeles & Volunteer at St. Francis Medical Center, Lynwood

 

And these are just the Belles that shared information!  Keep it up Belles!!!!!!

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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St. Joseph’s Week Mission Moments

To celebrate St. Joseph’s Week, each student in religion class reflected on what they appreciated about the mission of our school:

Mission Statement

St. Mary’s Academy, a Catholic, private, college preparatory high school for young women, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, shapes women of distinction who are committed to lifelong learning and service to the “dear neighbor”.

They wrote their reflections on pieces of “ lace” to symbolize the skill of lace making that The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet taught to young women hundreds of years ago in Le Puy, France.  When they founded St. Mary’s Academy in 1889,  the Sisters had the same mission- to empower and educate young women. The aim of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and the lay women and men of the faculty at St. Mary’s Academy is to educate young women to take an active part as Christians in society.  It continues in this tradition to educate and guide young women toward maturity in an ever changing world.

See some student responses to our mission below.

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College Center News

As part of celebrating National School Counseling Week , we thought this is the perfect time to thank our College Counselor, Mrs. Tyesha Hemmans, and celebrate the accomplishments of the Gold Ties’ college acceptances so far!  Mrs. Hemmans, our seniors and parents have put in countless hours after school and on weekends to complete college applications.  We’re so glad all their hard work is already paying off!

The College Center has posted a United States map on the bulletin board to show where all of the colleges are located that our Belles have been accepted to so far!

Continue reading

Day of the Girl 2017- Girl Power at SMA

Empowerment of and investment in girls are key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights”

-United Nations Resolution 66/170

From- www.dayofthegirl.org:

“In 2011, as the result of youth advocacy around the world, the United Nations declared October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. Its mission is “to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.” It’s a day when activist groups come together under the same goal to highlight, discuss, and take action to advance rights and opportunities for girls everywhere.

This day is about celebrating girls, and advocating for gender equality. It is about prompting people to think and talk about issues that affect girls and women everywhere. Events around the country will bring people together to both recognize the role of oppression and take a stand against its influence on their own lives and communities. 

October 11 is not just a day; it’s a movement. A worldwide revolution.”

And as an all girls school our BELLES and SMA are part of that revolution….

This year, our yearbook class decided to model the yearbook after a GIRL POWER magazine theme.

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Clubs and Organizations 2017-18

St. Mary’s Academy is proud to offer many options for our students in the form of clubs and organizations.  We recently held a club fair and you can see how excited our students are about these clubs that are almost entirely student driven. Their interests run the gamut and there’s something everyone can join to enrich their experience here at SMA.

NAHS inspires and recognizes those students who have shown outstanding ability in art. Students must have 1 semester of a visual arts class with a grade of B+ or higher as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply.

National Art Honor Society

NAHS inspires and recognizes those students who have shown outstanding ability in art. Students must have one semester of a visual arts class with a grade of B+ or higher as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply.

California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society

The National Honor Society (NHS) recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The organization has been committed to four main goals since its inception: to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; and to develop character in the students of secondary schools. These are the criteria used to select members, which is done by a faculty committee. Members of CSF and NHS at SMA join forces to support an academic culture and to provide academic support to their peers through mentoring and tutoring.

The mission of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) is to recognize and encourage academic achievement and community service among middle and high school students in California. Members qualify by meeting eligibility requirements based on their grades each semester. Members of CSF and NHS at SMA join forces to support an academic culture and to provide academic support to their peers through mentoring and tutoring.

Continue reading

Welcome Onward Scholars Program

St. Mary’s Academy is excited to announce that, through the generosity of The John H. and Cynthia Lee Smet Foundation, 12 Belles from the Class of 2022 will make up Cohort I of Onward Scholars at SMA! 

The mission of the Onward Scholars Program is to promote academic excellence, foster an environment conducive to genuine peer support, expose students to leadership opportunities that instill a love of service, and empower goal-driven young women by providing resources that build skills for their path to higher education and lives of purpose.

Belles accepted into the program will receive a four-year scholarship to fund 75% of their tuition. Scholars will meet with the Program Director, Mrs. Rice, on a regular basis to receive support pursuing academic and personal goals through mentoring, access to college workshops, life skills education, and community service opportunities. 
In addition to the scholarship, each Scholar has access to a maximum of a $2,000 stipend over the four years from the Smet Foundation that the Program Director administers to offset the cost of activities or programs in line with the mission of Onward Scholars (e.g., summer college programs, test prep). 

To qualify to be an Onward Scholar, an applicant must be among the top students in her graduating class (with the target minimum cumulative GPA being a 3.5 during her middle school tenure) and have demonstrated leadership in her school and/or community.

To learn more about the Onward Scholars program at SMA, please go to admissions section of www.smabelles.org/ 
or contact:

Mrs. Michele Rice, Program Director

Onward Scholars at St. Mary’s Academy

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A Thank You from the Principal

“Hearing the laughter of students in the hallways, the sounds of brains turning and students learning in classrooms, the squeals of excitement during college acceptance season, the warm and welcoming smiles of all I have come to know and the sounds of prayer and faith whether in organically created student-led study groups or as one school community during mass, will be the small pieces of heaven, the pieces of St. Mary’s Academy, that I will forever cherish. It has been my pleasure, honor and joy to serve as principal of St. Mary’s Academy.

I will hold close to my heart the relationships and friendships I have gained during my time here. I am so proud of our faculty, staff, administration, Board, alumnae, friends, families and students for always working together for the betterment of our students and our world community. I am proud to have been a part of a school where students not only grow, but thrive in a comfortable and encouraging learning environment, make lifelong friendships, and receive academic and spiritual nourishment.

It has been a true gift to have come to know the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. These women of God, my mentors-my friends, who have guided me through this journey, provided me with wisdom and watered the seeds of gentleness, peace and joy that I will take with me not only in my newly appointed position as an Assistant Superintendent in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, but wherever I go.

I look forward to the future and seeing how St. Mary’s Academy will continue to flourish and continue its mission of educating young women of distinction who are committed to lifelong learning and service to the “dear neighbor” with the new principal, Mrs. Mary Rose Batungbacal, a special person who has  successfully served the St. Mary’s Academy community for many years.

Remember, to always be joyful, pray always and give thanks in all things-Thessalonians 5:16-18”

-Nancy Portillo

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.

 

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