John Maldonado, English teacher, submitted his essay, "Think upon the wounds his body bears’: Imprints, Gender, and the Hegelian Dialectic in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus” for The Nancy Comley Prize, an award for the best graduate essays in Queens College’s graduate programs in English and was one of two winners, receiving the Honorable Mention prize.

Francesca Salas '23 competed in four Varsity Gymnastics meets with the Scotch Plains team on March 29th against South Plainfield, on April 1st against Piscataway, on April 6th against Union, and on April 12th against Hunterdon Central.  On all four events, Francesca’s scores were: Vault 8.65, Bars 8.2, Beam 8.65, and Floor 8.35. The 2020 season was capped off with Scotch Plains winning the County Championship.

The Peer Ministry Leadership Team organized some wonderful activities to mark the Easter Season, according to Isabel Gachko, Director of Theology and Campus Minister.

The Peer Ministry Leadership Team were able to assemble 10 large gift bags for the Mom’s at Life Choices which include shampoo, conditioner, shower puffs, soap, lotions, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wraps…. Each gift bag includes a personal note of inspiration. These items were all donated by the students.

Over Easter break, four students in Cybersecurity Club – Tara Schilke '21, Lauren Kibalo '21, Sarah Murphy '22, and Melani Rodriguez '23 – competed in the National Cyber Scholarship Competition hosted by CyberStart America.

Ms. Brennan shared that the Mount Saint Mary Academy Euro Challenge team advanced to the semifinal round of this year’s competition which will be held in May.

Kathleen Brennan, Department of Mathematics Chairperson, revealed that the Academy’s Fed Challenge team had a paper entitled, “Leading Factors of Gender Inequality” accepted into the Journal of Future Economists.

The members of the H.O.P.E. Club thank all who participated in this year’s annual SUPER CEREAL BOWL! Our donation to fill the shelves of the Starfish Food Pantry in Plainfield total over 160 boxes, many of which were the large double boxes so an even greater supply to help their client families!

Olivia Quiroga '21 has received a full scholarship from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

According to Dana Goad, Olivia’s school counselor, “The Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship, selecting applicants who can bring both intellectual and community leadership to the entire campus community. Approximately 1 percent of freshman applicants are offered the scholarship. Selected applicants have achieved stellar academic records as well as impressive extracurricular activities and essays.”

Mount Forensics competed in the New Jersey State Speech and Debate League State Championship on March 20. John Maldonado, English teacher and Mount Forensics advisor, reported the following results.

Madeline Albrittain, Spanish teacher, shared, "In Spanish IV, we just finished our art unit, which primarily focused on the life and art of one of Mexico´s greatest artists, Frida Kahlo. Students explored her life and legacy by researching self-portraits and reading the story, "Frida Kahlo," by Kristy Placido. As a final project, students opted to demonstrate understanding in a multitude of ways." 

 

Mary Rojack '22 said, "My favorite part about learning about Frida was learning about her culture and learning about the reasons why she portrayed herself as ugly. I think in today's society self-perception is so important to learn about and being able to learn from past experiences of a woman in a different time period and completely different culture is really important."

Dr. Joseph Bonk, English Department Chair, shared that the Academy's 2020 issue of the literary magazine, Echoes, earned the high distinction of "Excellent" in the annual National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) literary publication contest.

Ryan Shellhammer, Mount Saint Mary Academy Varsity Basketball Coach, has been named NJ.com Mid-Season Coach of the Year, Courier News All-Area Coach of the Year, and NJ.com Skyland Conference Coach of the Year.  Mount Saint Mary Academy is proud to congratulate Coach Shellhammer on this well-deserved achievement.  Mr. Shellhammer is also the Junior Varsity Tennis coach and Golf coach.