AP / Senior Exam Schedule

Spirit Week 2013 - February 11-15

SMH participating in Teens for Jeans

Teens for Jeans is an organization and charity that is run by Aeropostale. Teens for Jeans donates gently used or new jeans to teens and young adults in need. Many teens are homeless, and the number one requested item is jeans. Now through February 15, St. Mary's will be collecting jeans as part of this program. Students, faculty/staff, and members of the community are invited to bring in donations which may be placed in boxes found throughout the school.

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St. Mary's announces Scholarship Recipients

St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster recently announced the recipients of Scholarships to attend St. Mary’s for the 2013-2014 school year.

The scholarships, with a total value of over $85,000, were awarded to students who will be freshmen in the next school year. Scholarship awards were based on the Admissions Test, applications, letters of recommendation, and/or personal essays.

The following is the complete list of scholarship winners:

Leadership Scholarships for Lancaster/Depew Students – James Ando from Lancaster, Marissa Loniewski from Lancaster

Gus Galasso Scholarships – Charles Bristol III from Sloan, Kristi Smith from West Seneca

Mrs. Judy Brzuszkiewicz Memorial Scholarship – Caitlyn Meyer from Williamsville

Katherine Czapski Kipp Memorial Scholarship – Faith Meyers from Cheektowaga

Mrs. Judy Hokaj Memorial Scholarships – Amaya Devers from Buffalo, Anna Heerdt from Lancaster, Erin Hufford from Cheektowaga

Gordon Hoppe Scholarship – Erin Weber from Lancaster

Albin Kocialski Scholarship – Alexander Bish from Lancaster

Msgr. David LiPuma Scholarship – Grace Fuller from Alden

Fr. Leon Ross Scholarship – Samuel Floriano III from Cheektowaga, Victoria Jankowski from Alden

Board of Trustees Scholarship – Hannah Pufpaff from Cheektowaga

Student Senate Leadership Scholarship – Alex Paul from Lancaster

Alumni Academic Scholarship – Allison Kotas from Lancaster

Alumni Service Scholarship – Joshua Denz from East Aurora

Service / Academic Scholarships – Gina Appenheimer from Buffalo, MaryClaire Haseley from Lockport, Corally Wolters from West Seneca

Academic Scholarships – John Connolly from Lockport, Emily Dick from Alden, Alexander Hammann from Lockport, Stephanie Nemmer from Depew, William Story from Holland, Daniel Cress from Lancaster, Christian Huels from Elma, Julia Kajdas from Depew, Sean McCarthy from West Seneca, Savannah Meyers from Cheektowaga, Luke Mirco from Lancaster, Molly Patterson from Elma, Kathryn Vogl from West Seneca

St. Mary's High School Principal's Scholarship – Collin Tytka from Lancaster

 The Admissions Committee of St. Mary’s High School is also pleased to announce the complete list of students who have been accepted as members of the Class of 2017.

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January Exam Schedule

Computer Foundations:
OPTIONAL Review – Tues. Jan. 15, 2:30pm
Exam In-Class - Wed., Jan. 16, and Thur., Jan. 17

Mrs. Sheehan’s Geometry B Students taking Algebra Regents Exam
MANDATORY Review:
#1 – Jan. 10 OR 11, 2:30-3:30pm
#2 – Jan. 14 OR 15, 2:30-3:30pm
#3 – Jan. 16 OR 17, 2:30-3:30pm
#4 – Jan. 18, 2:30-4pm

Additional Information:

Students only have to be in school for their scheduled exams / review
classes.

Students are required to be in dress code for the exams.

Students who are completing semester courses must turn in their textbooks prior to taking their exam. Failure to do so may result in the student/ parents being charged for their replacement.

Buses will be picking up students at the usual time in the morning. The schedule for afternoon buses is located with the exam schedule. (Please note that afternoon buses from Alden and Williamsville will only be here at 2:20 p.m. each day)

Some teachers may offer review sessions for times when students are not taking exams.

Students should check with their teachers to see when these review sessions are scheduled.

If a student is at St. Mary’s when they are not scheduled to take an exam or in a review session, they are required to be in the cafeteria or the Library.

St. Mary's seeking hosts for international students

Beginning in January, as part of our new International Program, St. Mary’s High School will be welcoming students from around the world to join our educational community.

The International Program will enrich the educational experience of our students. Our students will develop an appreciation for cultural differences they will encounter in their lives. The International Program will prepare students to live, work, and succeed as members of a global community.
Please consider being a host family for one of our international students. There is a stipend of $500 per month to offset the costs associated with the program.

What are the Benefits of Hosting?

Make a difference in the life of a young person.

Enrich the lives of your family.

Increase the cultural awareness in your community.

Support diversity and cross-cultural awareness at home.

Teach a student about American values.

Experience the joy of having a new family member to love.

Build a life-long friendship.

Practice hospitality and generosity in your own home.

Grow closer as a family.

Receive a stipend of $500 per month to offset costs associated with hosting a student.

What are the Requirements for Hosting?

A private bedroom.

Access to a bathroom.

A wireless Internet connection.

English must be the primary language spoken at home.

More information is available by contacting Enrollment Director Steven Grieco at (716)683-4824 or sgrieco@smhlancers.org

Juniors celebrate Ring Mass

The St. Mary's High School tradition continued as the Junior Class came together to celebrate their Ring Mass and receive their class rings. Celebrated by Father Ron Sajdak and hosted by class moderators Mrs. van Groenewoud and Ms. Kelly, the Mass brought together about 100 people for this fun-filled, faith-filled evening.

Walk-a-thon 2012

Members of the Sophomore Class have fun during the St. Mary’s Walk-a-thon. The annual even raised more than $10,000 to fund a scholarship for incoming freshmen as well as student activities and clubs.

Homecoming Week Schedule announced

The annual celebration of Homecoming will be held at St. Mary’s High School the Week of October 8 to 13. Organized by the Cheerleaders, the week will be filled with a variety of special events and special dress around the theme of “Candyland”.

The following is the list of events for Homecoming Week

All Week
Homecoming T-Shirts. Cost – $10. Proceeds benefit the St. Mary’s Softball Team
Candy-Grams. Cost – 50c. Will be delivered on Thursday
Candy Trivia during Homeroom
Candy Guessing Jar during lunches

Monday, Oct. 8
No School – Columbus Day

Tuesday, Oct. 9
Schedule – PM Liturgy
Dress – Class Color (seniors – blue, juniors – green, sophomores – yellow, freshmen – red, faculty/staff – purple), Class Color or Pride Day bottoms
Activities:
Homecoming Liturgy
Class Banner Decorating – After School (seniors – lollipops, juniors – gummies, sophomores – cotton candy, freshmen – chocolate)
Power Puff Football Game – 6:30 p.m. (seniors & sophomores vs. juniors and freshmen)

Wednesday, Oct. 10
Schedule – PM Assembly
Dress – “Would you still love me if I wore ...?” (mismatched, out-of-date clothes)
Activity
Fun Assembly – Several games pitting classes against each other

Thursday, Oct. 11
Schedule – PM Assembly
Dress – Pride Day
Event
Spirit Assembly – Includes announcing of fall teams, introduction of Homecoming Court, showing of dance videos

Friday, Oct. 12
No School – Faculty/Staff In-Service Day

Saturday, Oct. 13
Football Game vs. Batavia – 1 p.m.
Dance – 8 to 11 p.m. Theme: “I Want Candy”

Where are the graduates off to? And where were they accepted?

St. Mary’s High School is extremely proud of the Class of 2012. We are pleased to list all of the colleges to which the graduates have been accepted (the colleges they are planning to attend is italicized; intended major is in parentheses). Good luck, Graduates, with your post-graduation plans:

• Drew Abbatoy – Erie Community College
• Claire Arnott – Canisius College, SUNY Fredonia, Buffalo State College, Edinboro University (art history)
• Tara Barnhardt – Mercyhurst College or SUNY Geneseo, Canisius College, St. John Fisher College, St. Michael’s College, Niagara University, Nazareth College, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Oswego (accounting)
• Paul Bartholomew – St. Bonaventure University, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Oswego, Canisius College, St. John Fisher College, Daemen College (undecided)
• Brett Bauth – Erie Community College (undecided)
• Emily Beilman – High Point University, Niagara University, Coastal Carolina University (communications)
• Katrina Beiter – Erie Community College (general studies)
• Rachel Bolton – Niagara County Community College (drug & alcohol abuse counselor)
• Ryan Bonville – SUNY Brockport, Mercyhurst College, University of Rochester, Allegheny College, St. John Fisher College, Niagara University, Canisius College, Alfred University, Buffalo State College (exercise physiology)
• Nathan Bracci-Kurtz – University at Buffalo, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Fredonia, Buffalo State College, Niagara University, Canisius College (undecided)
• Lucas Brassard – D’Youville College or University at Buffalo, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Oswego, Buffalo State College, Niagara University (pharmacy)
• Rose Brown – St. Bonaventure University, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Brockport, Mercyhurst College (physical therapy)
• Daniel Cavallari – Canisius College (biology)
• Emily Cavallari – SUNY Fredonia, Canisius College, Gannon University, St. Bonaventure University, SUNY Geneseo, University at Buffalo (psychology)
• Miranda Chojecki – Canisius College, Buffalo State College, University at Buffalo, Medaille College, Erie Community College, Niagara County Community College (psychology)
• Jordan Ciezki – Buffalo State College (undecided)
• Nicholas Colern – SUNY Fredonia, Niagara University, Buffalo State College, Hilbert College, SUNY Oswego (business management)
• Martha Concannon – Roberts Wesleyan College (nursing)
• Collin Coon – Erie Community College (general studies)
• Taryn Courneen – Medaille College or Erie Community College (veterinary technology)
• Daniel Cristler – Firefighter Academy
• Jacob Czuprynski – Buffalo State College, Niagara University, Edinboro University (health & wellness)
• John Davidson – Niagara County Community College (engineering)
• Thomas DeJohn – SUNY Oswego, SUNY Fredonia, University at Buffalo (business administration)
• Jacob Denz – Medaille College, Canisius College, Hilbert College, D’Youville College (business management)
• Kyle DiPirro – Gannon University, Mercyhurst College, St. John Fisher College, Alfred University, SUNY Brockport, John Carroll University (criminal justice)
• Andrew Dobmeier – Canisius College (biochemistry)
• Andrea Elwell – Siena College (psychology)
• Emily Ferber – Alfred State College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Daemen College, Villa Maria College, Pennsylvania College of Technology (digital media & animation)
• Michelle Ferrara – Hilbert College, Seton Hill University, Gannon University (forensic science / psychology)
• Sean Floyd – Edinboro University
• Emily Gibson – Niagara University, Paul Smith’s College, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Oswego (hospitality & tourism management)
• Rachel Hamilton – Clarkson University
• Michael Hockwater – Canisius College, Medaille College, Niagara University, Emerson College, Wagner College, College of Mount St. Vincent (adolescent education)
• Jonathon Hoffman – University at Buffalo, Canisius College (biology)
• Lauren Hokaj – SUNY Fredonia
• Sabrina Hood – SUNY Oswego, Buffalo State College, SUNY Old Westbury, SUNY Cortland (graphic design)
• Jensen Hurley – Ithaca College, Canisius College (history / journalism)
• Chelsea Ineson – Buffalo State College (undecided)
• Cassidy Janiszewski – Medaille College, Canisius College, Niagara University, Mercyhurst College, St. Bonaventure University, St. John Fisher College, Daemen College (childhood education)
• Niccholas Johnson – Tompkins Cortland Community College
• Nicholas Kacala – Buffalo State College, Niagara University (criminal justice)
• Neil Keenan – Erie Community College (criminal justice)
• Rachelle Kelchlin – Buffalo State College (biology with minor in chemistry)
• Alexander Kelly – Wofford College
• Cody Klink – Canisius College, Niagara University, Gannon University, University at Albany (undecided)
• Nathan Labenski – Medaille College (sports management)
• Hayley Lampart – Marymount Manhattan College (musical theater)
• Ellen Lema – Hilbert College, Canisius College, Medaille College (psychology)
• Lauren Lubecki – D’Youville College, Canisius College, Medaille College, Daemen College (chemistry)
• Tyler Machajewski – D’Youville College, Washington & Jefferson College (psychology / pre-law)
• Joshua May – SUNY Binghamton (Arabic / political science / economics)
• Joseph McCarthy – Hilbert College, Canisius College, Mercyhurst College, SUNY Brockport, St. John Fisher College, SUNY Oswego, Buffalo State College
• Daniel McManus – John Carroll University, Canisius College, St. John Fisher College, Xavier University, Niagara University, Daemen College, Baldwin-Wallace University (communications)
• Christopher Mesi – Erie Community College, Buffalo State College (criminal justice)
• Nathan Meyers – Allegheny College, Fisher College, Lesley University, LeMoyne College, Niagara University, Canisius College, Hilbert College, Hartwick College (undecided)
• Megan Miller – St. John Fisher College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Daemen College, Niagara University, Roberts Wesleyan University (nursing)
• Daniel Moreno – Buffalo State College, University at Buffalo, Canisius College, Niagara University, Daemen College, Medaille College (undecided)
• Brianna Morris – Daemen College, D’Youville College, Gannon University, Medaille College (undecided)
• Brittany Morris – Cosmetology School
• Patrick Mulcaire – Buffalo State College, Niagara University, Canisius College, SUNY Brockport (history)
• Thomas Nasca – John Carroll University, St. Bonaventure University, Niagara University, University at Albany, SUNY Fredonia, Canisius College (accounting)
• Matthew Neidhart – Buffalo State College, St. John’s University, Erie Community College (hospitality)
• Mark Niewiemski – Buffalo State College (media production)
• Erik O’Neill – St. John Fisher College, Allegheny College, SUNY Brockport, Buffalo State College, Alfred University (sociology / criminal justice)
• Morgan Owczarczak – SUNY Oswego, Daemen College, D’Youville College, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (philosophy / psychology)
• Alexis Parry – Canisius College (psychology)
• Stephen Pauly – Erie Community College, Canisius College, Daemen College (business)
• Adrian Petty – Erie Community College (computer science)
• Samantha Pfohl – D’Youville College, Daemen College, Niagara University, SUNY Brockport, Niagara County Community College (nursing / occupational therapy)
• Aaron Porzio – SUNY Fredonia, Alfred State College (biology)
• Samantha Poules – St. John Fisher College, Mercyhurst College, Buffalo State College, Canisius College, SUNY Fredonia (special education)
• Jamison Powell – Buffalo State College, Canisius College (business & hospitality)
• Brittany Radel – Canisius College, Medaille College, Buffalo State College, Erie Community College, Niagara County Community College, University at Buffalo (criminal justice)
• Devin Redden – Tompkins Cortland Community College (criminal justice)
• Ashley Romance – University at Buffalo, Niagara University, Kent State University, Cleveland State University, SUNY Fredonia (social work)
• James Rosati – St. Bonaventure University, Canisius College, University at Buffalo, D’Youville College, Niagara University (accounting)
• Shelby Rush – Bowling Green State University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (communications)
• Anthony Samson – Canisius College, LeMoyne College, Baruch College, Marymount College, Manhattan University, Hunter College (accounting)
• A. Frank Sardina – Canisius College, Medaille College, Sage College of Albany (business)
• Brian Sheppard – Erie Community College, D’Youville College, Niagara University (nursing / general education)
• Tyler Sikora – Medaille College, Bowling Green State University (sports management)
• Erik Simmons – Medaille College (sports management)
• Shannon Speyer – D’Youville College, Canisius College, Erie Community College, Niagara University (pharmacy)
• Amera Stacy – Buffalo State College (business administration)
• Quentin Steffen – Erie Community College (health sciences in physical therapy)
• Joshua Sugg – University at Buffalo, Canisius College, St. John Fisher College, University at Albany (chemistry / biology)
• Gregory Summers – Hiram College, Canisius College, Hartwick College, Niagara University (undecided)
• Nils Kristian Talbot – Erie Community College (mechanical engineering)
• Charles Vallone – Buffalo State College (business)
• Andrew Warne – SUNY Fredonia, Niagara University (business management)
• Gabriel Watts – Erie Community College (general education)
• Alishia Weikle – Canisius College
• Shawn Wells – Medaille College
• Jenna West – Niagara County Community College
• Ryan Winnicki – Canisius College, St. Bonaventure University, Niagara University, University at Buffalo (computer science)
• Korry Wirth – Canisius College, University of Rochester, Syracuse University, University at Buffalo (biochemistry / bioinformation / pre-med / physics)
• Patrick Wisniewski – Canisius College, Buffalo State College, SUNY Fredonia (pre-law)
• Michael Wojtaszczyk – Buffalo State College (science education)
• Alex Yebernetsky – Medaille College, Buffalo State College (psychology)
• Nathan Young – Alfred State College
• Ryan Zelli – Canisius College, SUNY Fredonia, St. John’s University, University at Buffalo, Buffalo State College (accounting)
• Alexis Ziccardi – SUNY Fredonia, Mercyhurst College, SUNY Oswego, Buffalo State College (marketing / photography)
• Stephanie Zimicki – Alfred University (business administration)
• Amanda Ziomek – D’Youville College, Daemen College (occupational therapy)
• Olivia Zureck – Roberts Wesleyan College, SUNY Fredonia (business)

Korry Wirth receives Marian Award

At its Commencement Ceremonies held on June 6 at Villa Maria College, St. Mary’s High School presented the school’s Marian Award to Cheektowaga native Korry Wirth. The Marian Award, the highest award presented to a St. Mary’s graduate, recognizes the senior who has shown friendliness to all people, willingness to help others, leadership, and active support of the school. It is the only award presented at Graduation. The nominees for this award are selected by their classmates. After the nominees are chosen, they are asked to write an essay explaining what their four years at St. Mary’s High School have meant to them and their personal growth. The faculty and staff then vote for the winner of the award. In addition to Korry, the other nominees were Andrew Dobmeier and Jonathon Hoffman from Lancaster and Jamison Powell from Cheektowaga. As a Marian Award recipient, Korry received a trophy and a special gift from the school’s administration.

Principal Mrs. Rebecca Kranz presents the Marian Award to Korry Wirth.

Social Justice Day opens many eyes

As part of the Lenten journey at St. Mary’s High School, the SEEK group, the St. Mary’s diversity organization, sponsored Social Justice Day on Wednesday, March 28.

Lauren Lubecki and Mark Niewiemski offer a non-power PowerPoint presentation with eye-opening statistics on Poverty Awareness Day.

The objective of the day was to encourage students, faculty, and staff to participate in a Walk with the Poor, to try to see what it is like to live without things, items we perhaps take for granted. The day was “meant to bring us closer in our journey with Jesus Christ,” said Mrs. Rebecca Kranz, principal and SEEK advisor. “It was meant to help us reflect and be thankful on all of the wonderful gifts that the Lord has bestowed on us. It was meant to help us begin to see what it might be like to live day-to-day without everything that we need.” To help everyone in their attempt to gain an appreciation of all they have, SEEK sponsored a Fast from Technology and a Fast from Food. In the Fast from Technology, all students, faculty, and staff went without technology for the entire day. There were no morning announcements; classes went without computers, Smart Boards, and document cameras; and calculators, cell phones, and iPods were put away. During homeroom students received paper and a pencil to be used for their classes.

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For the Food Fast, everyone was encouraged to volunteer to go without food either from dinner the night before or for the entire school day.

About half of the community participated in the Fast. When the number of hours of fasting was combined for the all students and faculty, over 2,400 hours of fasting were completed in less than a 24-hour period.

Social Justice Day concluded with a presentation by Mr. Joe Heary from the St. Mary’s Class of 1994. Mr. Heary, the executive director of Friends of Night People in Buffalo, shared some of his own personal journey from working in the corporate world and then transitioning into work on a full-time basis with people who are poor. He shared some of the ways that the community can help those in need and also shared some of the reasons why poor people are in the situations that they are in. “The presentation – as well as the day – was an eye-opening experience,” concluded Mrs. Kranz.

Joe Heary, executive director of Friends of Night People and a 1994 graduate of St. Mary’s High School, explains some root causes of poverty in Buffalo.

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Wellness Week proves to be great success

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St. Mary's celebrates diversity during Seek Week

St. Mary’s High School celebrated the school’s diversity during SEEK Week, held the week of December 5 to 9. Sponsored by the SEEK Club, the school’s diversity organization, the week was an opportunity for the students and faculty to recognize that everyone is not the same, that they all come from different cultures with different stories, which should be shared and appreciated. The bulk of the information was shared through a series of programs offered to students during their lunches. The week began with a presentation on economic diversity among the community and stereotyping that may be taking place because of this difference. Displays in the “Gus” featured some interesting economic facts about Americans. A video played explaining the work of Friends of the Night People,

Mary Owczarczak, Amber Drzymala, and Brian Sheppard read the stories as part of Friday’s Bullying display.

an organization that helps the less fortunate in the City of Buffalo.

Tuesday’s theme was Racism and Reverse Discrimination. The featured presentation was a video from ABC News showing how Black youths damaging a car were treated differently than White youths doing the exact same thing. Quite an eye-opener!

Wednesday, SEEK’s display focused on the theme of stereotyping based on a person’s appearance and/or perceived sexual orientation.

The Gus displays concluded on Friday with a presentation on bullying. Throughout the Gus, stories of bullying as told by St. Mary’s students brought the problem home, that it’s not just taking place at other schools.

The highlight of the week was on Thursday, when the school gathered for a morning presentation of videos put together by the classes. Based on the theme Respect, the videos discussed various ways that students are not respecting each other and how they can show more respect to one another. The winning video, as voted by the Faculty/Staff, was produced by the Junior Class. Entitled “Just Kidding,” the video discussed how these words are often used to shrug off disrespectful and bullying activities that take place at school.

“SEEK Week showed me that it is imperative to accept everyone for who they are,” said junior Mary Hamilton. “It allowed me to view situations from new perspectives and realize that each person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I’ve learned that stereotypes are often erroneous, and the choices we make have a tendency to affect others in more ways than we could ever imagine.”

“I learned that bullying does happen in St. Mary’s,” added fellow junior Kelsey Hatfield, who helped put together the Friday display on Bullying. “The displays during lunch educated me on different issues that cause bullying and taught me ways to handle and prevent bullying.”

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