NFTH: September 23, 2019

This past Friday, the Middle School Council Leadership students and adult sponsors hosted a beginning of the year movie night. More than 70 students crowded into the Remmert Theater to watch the movie Kung Fu Panda. At intermission, pizza and drinks were served. The intermission ended with a raffle and several smiles as winning tickets turned into candy treats, VR Goggles, and a personal speaker. The night also produced an increase in the year’s total points as the Baileys showed up in greater numbers. The current score is Baileys 97 vs Bennetts 86! See a video from Movie Night!

Students in Forms 1 and 2 will make blankets in conjunction with Project Linus. The blankets will go to local hospitals, shelters, and to other kids that may need them. They provide love, comfort, and a sense of security to children who are seriously ill or who have been through trauma. 

Parents of Forms 1 and 2 students may sign their children up on SignupGenius.

Questions? Send an email to YBIC.SMH@gmail.com

SMH Fiesta is coming on Friday, October 11 and your help is needed. Fine Arts parents, as well as others who love and support the arts, provide the baked goods and staffing for the Fiesta El Mercado. SMH needs your help and participation for this important fundraiser, as the proceeds come back to the Fine Arts to help support programs.

SMH invites you and yours to celebrate the SMH Fiesta event by baking and making savory treats, or working with the El Mercado set up, sales, or breakdown. There is plenty to do and your participation is most welcome.

To Sign Up:

• Bakery Donations
• Bake Sale Shifts

Thanks for your support of the Fine Arts through Fiesta and all year round!

Upper School Visual and Performing Artists have the opportunity to participate in two National Honor Societies. Members of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and the National Honor Society Dance Association (NHSDA) have finalized their membership for the year. To participate, students must demonstrate artistry in their discipline, as well as meeting other criteria established by the membership organizations. Students in these societies will participate in service events throughout the year to better the arts and humanity on and off campus.

The NHSDA members were inducted in a special event in the Dance Building on September 20. NAHS members will be inducted during Assembly later this year.

Congratulations to the NAHS and NHSDA student members! View a list of the NAHS and NHSDA members.

Check out the Fine Arts Instagram page. This account is a great way to get an up-close and personal look at the day-to-day excitement in these amazing, ever-buzzing programs. In addition, check out Saint Mary’s Hall main social media channels for more Fine Arts news
on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Starting the Recruiting Process

Getting recruited is rarely a fairytale story. It doesn’t just happen. The recruiting process is a complex, winding journey that is directed largely by the student-athlete. The more your family knows about the recruiting process — and the more effort you all put into getting the results you want — the better chance your son or daughter has to fulfill your dream of competing at the college level. The good news is that many have gone through this complicated process before, and there are many resources available to make it less overwhelming.

When Does The Recruiting Process Start?

Recruiting is starting earlier and earlier each year, and it’s no secret that top athletic programs are leading the charge. They look for freshman who have varsity or elite club film, were ranked as a top-tier recruit at a tournament or showcase or received prestigious awards, such as All-State. If this is your son or daughter, you’re probably ready to start the recruiting process as a freshman. For athletes who hit their stride later in their sophomore year, this could be a better time to get the process going. In most cases, we advise that athletes start the recruiting process before their junior year.

Think of it this way: If your son or daughter wants to compete at the NCAA DI or DII level, the sooner he or she can confidently start the recruiting process, the better off they will be. However, if they are late bloomers or just not sure they want to make the commitment to compete in college, it’s OK to wait a little longer. If they do decide to wait, make sure they’re willing to put in extra work during crunch time, and they’re comfortable with playing for a lower-tier program.

Understand the Recruiting Funnel

Understanding how to get recruited starts with learning how college coaches look at recruiting. Think of the process like a funnel. At the top of the funnel, thousands and thousands of potential recruits of various levels are tossed in. Coaches begin initial evaluations — focusing on basic requirements like height, weight, grad year, and position. Then, coaches send out correspondence to those they’ve identified as potential fits to see if there’s mutual interest. The funnel is beginning to narrow. Evaluations continue with the smaller class of potential recruits, which narrows it down even further. Near the bottom of the funnel, coaches are inviting recruits on official visits and extending offers.

Level Set Based On Interest, Talent, and Expectations

Getting an objective view of how your son or daughter stacks up against other student-athletes is an invaluable component of the recruiting process—and often one of the toughest parts of the process as families learn more about how to get recruited. There’s no point in striving for a DI scholarship if he or she doesn't have the size or skills to compete at that demanding level. There are a couple ways to figure out how they rank: researching college rosters and being evaluated by a third party like NCSA. Most importantly, they should be honest with themselves about their desire to compete at the college level. It’s nothing like high school; everything is more intense, from training to the competition itself.

Learn About the Different Division Levels

Once you’ve determined the level of interest, talent, and expectations surrounding college athletics, it’s important to consider the various division levels available to compete in:

• NCAA Division I—This is the highest level of college athletics and, thus, the most competitive. DI schools typically have large budgets, expensive facilities, and the student-athletes are expected to train and travel extensively.
• NCAA Division II—While still a competitive division, DII athletes are provided more balance in their lives, as training and competition aren’t as intense. Scholarships are also offered at this level.
• NCAA Division III—No athletic scholarships are offered for DIII student-athletes, but there are many other forms of financial aid. The competition levels are still very high, but practice seasons are shorter, and there’s more of an academic focus.
• NAIA—A much smaller community than the NCAA—with a little more than 250 schools—the NAIA is a great option for student-athletes who love their sport but are looking for a smaller or private college, or a specific major.
• NJCAA—Junior college (JUCO) is a good option for the student-athlete looking to get a sense of what college athletics are like at a two-year institution before transferring to a four-year college. Many student-athletes compete at the JUCO level because they are working on their NCAA eligibility or are trying to save money before transferring to a four-year college.

Understand Academic Eligibility Requirements

Academic eligibility is one of the most important aspects of the recruiting process and can be overlooked by families who aren’t sure how to get recruited. There are different eligibility requirements for NCAA, NAIA, and JUCO schools—and each school will also have its own entrance requirements—so it’s crucial to actively work to maintain grades. A great GPA and/or standardized test score can be the difference-maker between your son or daughter and another recruit. Think about it: A college coach wants to fill their roster with athletes who will work hard. If he or she can prove they have the academic chops, the coach will have less to worry about. Being academically sound will also open more doors for you scholarship-wise.

Information courtesy of Next College Student Athlete.  

Linking students back to their previous discussion about kindness with Head of Upper School Khristi Bates, Chaplain Susan spoke with the students about kindness as a spiritual issue. Drawing from scripture and proverbs from several cultures, she noted that one makes SMH a better place to be when one is kind to others and every living thing. This led to Form 1 students spontaneously offering up numerous examples of caring for animals of all kinds. She also suggested that acts of kindness produce a ripple effect that enhances the lives of many others. Click this link to see how we color our world with kindness. ChapSu closed with a simple prayer that all give and receive kindness during the week.

Students in Middle School looked at SMH’s core school values this month. ChapSu used this Chapel to connect to that discussion and also respond to a student comment in a previous Chapel that it is sometimes hard to speak up when something wrong is happening. She spoke about courage as a spiritual value, noting that many faith traditions emphasize that if one has faith, one can face one’s fears, knowing that God is ever present. ChapSu gave several practical examples of courage in action, including historical and public figures, as well as some people the students know. Students were invited to reflect and comment upon Maya Angelou’s assertion that without courage, one can’t practice other virtues with consistency. ChapSu closed with a prayer that students have the courage to live out their values during the week. 

It is SMH’s hope that students come home and discuss what they’ve learned in Chapel with parents and guardians who are the most impactful people in their world when it comes to developing values. For resources on discussing values with students, please see this link.

The Bishops Chapel Society is taking applications for new members. All Upper School students are eligible to join. Please contact Interim All-School Chaplain Susan Douglas at sdouglas@smhall.org for more details or to apply.

Students in Forms 1-5 took the time this week to write notes and make cards for All-School Chaplain Rev. Dr. Cameron Gunnin and the service men and women he supports. There is nothing like mail from home to lift one’s spirits when you are a long way from home. 

September 30

• Lower School students will learn about the Jewish Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), which begins on Sunday, September 29 and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), which begins on Tuesday, October 8.

• Middle School students will continue exploring the importance of developing spiritual values and how their practice impacts one’s daily life.

• Upper School students will hear their classmates from the World Language Department discuss a service project completed during a trip abroad this summer.

September 25 - See You at the Pole™

Each year, more than three million students from more than 20 countries around the world participate in a See You at the Pole™ event. The Saint Mary’s Hall community is invited to gather together to pray for the school, the students, faculty and staff, the nation, and any other needs on Wednesday, September 25.

Middle and Upper School will meet at 7:30am at the flagpole located on the base of the front lawn nearest to Lewis Field. In the event of rain, please meet in the Napier Gym. Attendees will have the opportunity to pray silently or aloud, followed by a closing prayer by a member of the Bishops Chapel Society, a voluntary student-led organization that supports the All-School Chaplain in providing a meaningful program.

Lower School will meet on the same day at 7:30am at the Lower School flagpole. In the event of rain, please meet in the covered area on the Montessori playground. Students who wish to do so will be able to pick a slip with a simple gratitude prayer on it to read aloud.

See You at the Pole™ is a grass roots movement that began in 1990 to allow students to pray at their schools. This initiative is an event that looks to lift up the community to God. If you have any questions, please contact Interim All-School Chaplain Susan Douglas at sdouglas@smhall.org or (210) 823-7020.

Assistant Director of College Counseling Taylor Ditto and Director of Wellness Dr. Sandra Lopez-Morales met with Form 9 students on September 18 to discuss words of wisdom from the Class of 2019. Some of the themes they extrapolated were: have fun, stay focused, be kind, be supportive, and live in the moment. 

A member of the Class of 2019 summarized their experience well:

“Things will be difficult, but you are so capable. Push through the things that challenge you, because when you reach the other side, you will be so proud of what you have achieved. Do not procrastinate! Start assignments early! Turn in your community service hours early! Do not contribute to the culture of competition. Love and celebrate your accomplishments, but celebrate those of your friends as well. If they are true friends, they will cheer you on too. True friends never feel the need to compete with each other. Stay true to yourself, and never sacrifice who you are and what you believe in to ‘fit in’ with others. If someone truly loves you, they will never ask you to compromise your identity, interests, or goals. Respect everyone, but do not take disrespect from anyone. You have incredible value and worth. No one can take that away from you, ever. Friendship and mentorship are incredible gifts. Tell your friends that you love them every day, and tell your teachers thank you every day.”