March 13, 2019
Spring Fair
St. Mary’s Academy will host its annual Spring Family Fair Friday March 29, through Sunday, March 31. The event will feature midway rides, games, concessions, food trucks and entertainment throughout the three-day event. Fair hours are Friday: 10:00 AM-2:00PM and 4:00PM-8:00PM; Saturday: 11:00AM-3:00PM and 4:00PM-8:00PM; and Sunday: 1:00PM-6:00PM. Armbands good for one session may be purchased onsite for $20.
Read MoreFebruary 15, 2019
Students Get VIP Treatment
Recognizing the achievements of students in and outside of the classroom was the focus of the Red Carpet Awards. Held Thursday, February 14, 2019, the event featured the presentation of 78 Renaissance Star students in grades 5-12. Entering the gymnasium via a red carpet the honorees were presented with trophies and gift cards to mark the occasion.
St. Mary’s Academy To Host Women of Distinction Awards
St. Mary’s Academy will commemorate Black History Month by recognizing the successes and accomplishments of twelve notable African American females. The Women of Distinction Awards will take place on Thursday, February 28, 1:15pm in the school’s gymnasium located at 6905 Chef Menteur Blvd.
“Women are often not given the true recognition they deserve as current day pioneers and trailblazers in our community,” said director of Student Affairs Lisa Ross who is coordinating the event. This tribute, held during Black History Month, pays homage to women for their unrelenting and inspirational persistence. We should always be reminded of their strengths, talents, and their determination to see others uplifted and enriched.”
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February 21, 2019
SMA Students to Attend Power Rising Summit
Power Rising, a national summit that’s been planned by, and for black women will convene in New Orleans February 22-24. The event will bring together Black women across ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, and gender experience. Featured speakers include Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) and former Georgia Minority Leader and Founder, and Chair of Fair Fight Action Stacey Abrams. Also featured will be speakers across various industries including author, educator, and commentator, Melissa Harris-Perry; Congresswoman Karen Bass; Beverly E. Smith, president, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Linda Goler Blount, MPH, president & CEO of Black Women’s Health Imperative; and Reverend Traci Blackmon, the executive minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ.
Over the course of the weekend, Black women and girls will take part in over 50 workshops and panel discussions bolstered by Power Rising’s five pillars of activism and engagement: Culture, Community and Society; Business and Economic Empowerment; Education, Technology, and Innovation; Health & Wellness; and Political Empowerment. The Summit will also include timely and necessary conversations around #MeToo and sexual assault of Black women and girls.
SMA will participate with 25 girls in attendance. Black women representing 35 states including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington state, and West Virginia will be in attendance.
Alumnae Spotlight
Natalia Veronica
Growing up in New Orleans, Natalia Veronica developed an appreciation for art and culture at an early age. The daughter of a seamstress and an architect, she spent countless hours at either a sewing machine or drafting table learning how to sketch and fashion garments. Recognizing their daughter’s tremendous gifts, Natalia’s parents encouraged her artistic development.
In 1994, Natalia enrolled as a freshmen at St. Mary’s Academy where she participated in the Journalism Club and created artwork for class events and competitions. Following her graduation in 1997, she moved to Dallas to study fashion design at The Art Institute of Dallas. Upon earning a degree in fashion design, Natalia continued to create artwork and designs and worked for luxury based companies including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Prada.
After a lifetime of sketching and painting, she decided to start exhibiting her artwork in various art shows. “As I began showing my paintings in galleries, I realized I wanted more people to be able to appreciate and attain my work,” said Natalia who also started creating limited edition prints of her original works. “I also wanted to find a way to incorporate my love of fashion design, that is when Natalia Veronica was established.”
All of Natalia’s merchandise is named for a personally significant street or moment. She even designed a hand painted handbag called the “Maryite” as a nod to her alma mater. The collection has been featured in many publications and selected for the Kimbell Museum of Art in Fort Worth, Texas.