SMCHS News Update

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

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Upcoming Events

Thursday, March 16: WEF College Fair Fieldtrip | State Send Off | Early Release @11:00am

Friday, March 17: No School

Saturday, March 18: Forensics @Waupaca

Monday, March 20 - Friday, March 24: Spring Break

Monday, March 20: Baseball & Girls Soccer Start Date

Saturday, March 25: Forensics @Oshkosh

Monday, March 27: Boys Tennis & Golf Start Date

Wednesday, March 29: Sophomore Retreat | HS Blood Drive | Spirit Shop Open 11:15am - 12:15pm


For a complete calendar listing, view our Google calendar online.

View the 2022-23 School Year Calendar at a glance.


For schedules of SMC sports, visit thebigeast.org

Senior Baby Pictures - Due March 16

Don't forget to send us one baby photo of your senior (and any other group photos from the class of 2023). Please use this form to submit them. Thank you!

Spring Break/Office Hours

Students do not have school on March 17 but the HS office will be open from 8:00am - 12:00pm. The office will be closed March 20-24 for Spring Break. The Spirit Shop will be closed March 17-24.

Appointments

When possible, please make appointments before or after school and on school days off. Call the office prior to 7:50am if your child has an appointment so a pass can be issued. Last minute notifications are interruptive to class. Thank you!

Lunch Money

If you would like to enter funds into your child's lunch account via credit card you may do so here.

Work Permits

Work Permits are issued at SMCHS. If your child needs a work permit, please contact Chris Hall. For more information about required documents, please use this link: WI Work Permit

Donations Needed

Jakob Duquaine will be collecting paper products for needy families in the Fox Valley through March17. Items include toilet paper, paper towel, tissues, and feminine products. Items can be dropped off in front of the resource center or in the Commons before school. If he collects 300 items students will have a school-wide out of dress code day!

Spring Blood Drive

Our spring blood drive will be on Wednesday, March 29th, from 8:00am to 10:30am. Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parent permission), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. All who are eligible are invited to participate! Contact Ms. Knecht to guarantee a time slot. Walk-ins are welcome if they have a cancellation. Thanks for helping us save lives!

German Speaking Contest

The AATG NE Regional German Speaking Contest was held at SMCHS on March 14 with fourteen SMC Middle and High School students participating and 20 additional student volunteers who helped keep everything running smoothly as timekeepers and judges. Congratulations to Ethan Auer, Zach Beyer, Addison Dinka, Jacob Hall, and Anne Walsh for earning top scores that qualify them for the state competition in April! Many thanks also to Addison Dinka, Mrs. Fouts and Lara Winkler for serving as judges at the event!

Asian Culture Club

Students participated in a Lion Dancing project. They researched the history of the dance, learned the movements, and hope to perform in costume in downtown Appleton this May!

Forensics

Congratulations to all members of the Forensics team who qualified for State! (Lainey Becker, Nathan Bekkers, Ramses Del Angel, Daniel DuVernay, Cat Genke, Zeke Hennessy, Ava Hoger, Mari Ladish, Addison Moder, Elliott Reichenbacher, and Tessa Rutchik.

VEX Robotics

Team 1200A won the Think Award and placed 3rd in skills at the VEX State Championship. They will go on to represent SMC at the VEX Robotics Worlds Championship April 25-27 in Dallas, Texas. Congrats to Sam Foord, Nicholas DeBraal, Charlie Cedergren, Ethan Tines, Alex Walsh, Daniel Duverney, and Nate Pable!


1200Z (Lainey Becker, Hunter Buysse-Quandt, Jonah DeWitt, Ethon Moschea) had a strong showing at the State Championship and just missed qualifying for State. Congrats to 1200Z for a successful season!


In addition, the creativity and innovation of our STEM program caught the attention of luxury brand Genesis and Bergstrom Automotive. Together they awarded SMCS $20,000 to invest in the excellence of this program. Read more about it here

Zephyrs Sports Update

Boys Basketball

The SMCHS Boys Basketball team received the 1st seed in their half of the WIAA Sectional. SMC hosted Manawa Friday, March 3 and won by the score of 101-62. The Zephyrs hosted Oconto in the WIAA Regional Final on Saturday, March 4 in WIAA Regional Final and won by a score of 84-81. WIAA Division 4 Boys Basketball Regional Champions!


The Zephyrs got a win over Crivitz High School in the Sectional Semi-Final by a score of 83-67, and the team beat Auburndale in the Sectional Final by a score of 75-70. Congratulations to the SMC Boys Basketball team – 2023 WIAA Division 4 Sectional Champions and a 2023 WIAA Division 4 State Qualifier!


The SMC boys’ basketball team received the #1 seed at the State Tournament. They will play in the 6:35pm game against Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic at the Kohl Center in Madison, WI. If you would like to sit in the SMC section, use this link and the following information to purchase your tickets: Game time – March 16 at 6:35pm, Northeast Corner, Adult Code ADULTD4T1, Student Code D4T1STUD.


Boys State Tournament

WIAA Boys Basketball Division 4 Playoff Bracket


Girls Basketball

The SMCHS Girls Basketball team received the 1st seed in their half of the WIAA Sectional. SMC hosted Auburndale on Saturday, February 25 and won by the score of 77-56. WIAA Division 4 Girls Basketball Regional Champions!


The Zephyrs got a win over Westfield High School in the Sectional Semi-Final by a score of 84-72. The SMC Girls Basketball team played against Mishicot on Saturday, March 4 in the WIAA Sectional Final and lost by a score of 55-56. Congratulations to the SMC Girls Basketball Team on a great season!


WIAA Girls Basketball Division 4 Playoff Bracket


Powerlifting

Members of the SMCHS powerlifting team competed at the WHSPA State Powerlifting meet March 4-5.


State Results

Paul Kundert - 7th place for 198 male raw

Maria Marti - 12th place for 123 female raw

Ashton Post - 19th place for 181 male raw

Gabby Ruback - 5th place for 148 female raw

Emiliano Romero - 21st place for 132 male raw

John Romnek - 10th place for SHWT male raw

John Schultz - 16th place for 198 male raw

Sam Todd - 1st place for 181 male equipped

Sam Todd was awarded Best Male Equipped Lifter at the State meet.


SMC received Division 2 - 2nd Place Best Equipped Male Team Award – This award was made up of only 1 AMAZINGLY strong lifter - Sam Todd!! Sam has been lifting equipped for only 9 weeks. Congratulations Sam!


The following powerlifters have qualified to lift at Nationals in Myrtle Beach March 30 – April 2. Good luck to our powerlifters at Nationals!

Dan Harness

Paul Kundert

Maria Marti

Marcos Muniz

Ashton Post

Connor Riehl

Emiliano Romero (qualified, not participating)

John Romnek (qualified, not participating)

Gabby Ruback (qualified, not participating)

John Schultz

Sam Todd

Garrett Weninger (qualified, not participating)


Click Here to order your ZEPHYRS gear.

The Season of Lent

If you are hungry for more in your spiritual life, find #FoodThatEndures this Lent! From Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday, join the Catholic Parishes of Neenah-Menasha and St. Mary Catholic Schools in preparing our hearts for the gift of the Resurrection. The season of Lent invites us to fast, to pray, and to give back as we journey to the holiest day of the year. Find opportunities to grow closer to Jesus here.

2023-24 SMCS Registration

Current SMCS families do not need to do anything to register for the 2023-2024 school year. Registration fees for the upcoming school year will be added to existing tuition accounts on March 1. If your family does not intend to return to St. Mary Catholic Schools for the 2023-2024 school year, please contact Chris Decker.


2023-24 tuition and grant information can be found here. Please reach out to Shelley Wautlet for information on tuition assistance and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP).

Emergency Notifications/School Closures

SMCS sends text messages related to school closure dates and other emergencies specific to our SMCS schools via SIMPLE TEXTING. To enroll your phone number, please text SMCS to (844) 947-5948. You will receive a confirmation text and a text indicating how to stop the service if needed. You may enroll multiple cell phone numbers using that same process. Text SMCS to (844) 947-5948.

Zephyrfest 2023

You are invited to join us as we celebrate and support the St. Mary Catholic Schools community and what makes it great. Zephyrfest is our premier fundraiser for SMCS and will take place this year on Saturday, April 29 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center in Appleton. Ticket information is coming next month.

***SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWS***

College Visits

U.S. National Guard – Friday, March 31 @ 9:36am

UW Oshkosh - Wednesday, April 5 @9:36am

Hiring Event for YA and Seniors

The Senior Hiring Event is open to seniors seeking employment and Youth Apprenticeship students seeking opportunities for the upcoming summer and school year. Companies will be searching for a wide range of talent in a number of industries. Register here. The event will be held at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center on Tuesday, March 21 from 12-2pm.

Meet Madison!

Learn more about attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison at a location near you! “Meet Madison” will feature a presentation with information about academics, student life, financial aid, and the admissions process. Guests will also have the opportunity to ask a UW–Madison representative their questions. Use this link to register for the upcoming session in Green Bay on April 18 from 7:00-7:45pm. Students who are admitted to UW–Madison for the Fall 2023 term will be invited to a separate event specifically for admitted students.

Teaching Philanthropy at the HS Level

Girl Powered Giving is a gathering a group of 15-20 high school girls from throughout the Fox Cities who participate in 2 days of leadership training, community service, and philanthropy education focused on making a positive difference for girls within their community. Students will explore social causes, evaluate and serve local nonprofit organizations, learn to advocate for causes they care about, and have the opportunity to direct $10,000 in grant funding to address the needs of other girls in the Fox Valley. Applications have been extended to March 22.

Mount Mary Fashion Academy

This week-long experience is for students entering grades 8-12 who have a love of fashion and want to learn more about the industry. Full and partial scholarship applications are available here. All applications must be submitted by April 28, 2023. The Academy will be held June 19-23 from 9:00am-4:00pm at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. Cost is $320. Find details here.

Badger Precollege & Summer Music Programs

UW Madison offers Badger Precollege programs and Summer Music Clinics for students completing grades 9-12. Program registration closes April 30.

AP Fees

Spring semester AP course exam fees are being added to families’ accounts in March. AP exam fees for year-long courses were added to families’ accounts in January.

University of Wisconsin System Updates

2023 UW Application Guidebook - Pre-order requests are being accepted now through April 28. The guidebook provides students with all the information needed to successfully apply to a UW System campus for Fall 2024.

Emma D. Boettiger Scholarships - Two academic scholarships will be awarded to students enrolling full time at a University of Wisconsin System institution starting Fall 2023. The award is $1000 per semester for four consecutive years. Preference will be given to applicants majoring in a health-related field and are due March 24.

Online Placement Testing registration for Summer and Fall 2023 students will begin in March.

Wisconsin Tuition Promise – Visit their website for updates. Information is added to this webpage as it becomes available.

K-12 Scholarships for Music/Art Lessons

The Les and Dar Stumpf Youth Arts Scholarship provides financial assistance to students interested in an art discipline. Applications are due April 1. Click here for details.

UWO Preview Events

The University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh campus is hosting a Preview Event on April 21.

Spring 2023 College Fairs

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is hosting Virtual College Fairs on March 19, and April 23.

Fox Cities Career Expo

Sophomores will be attending the Fox Cities Career Expo on April 19.

Counselor Assignments

Mrs. Castagna works with students whose last names begin with A-N (A-H for Grade 11)

Mrs. Van Camp works with students whose last names begin with O-Z (J-Z for Grade 11)


Links to ACT and SAT test dates.

Resources for Scholarships

Naviance > Colleges > Scholarships & Money

  • Scholarship search = current active list of scholarships with due dates and links to the applications
  • National Scholarship Search = comprehensive, safe database. Over 3.5 million scholarships with total awards over $18 billion


Remember to heck Naviance frequently for new scholarhsips and pending deadlines!

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