Sentinels in Motion (February 29, 2024)

Note from the Activities Director:

In talking with parents, colleagues, and even students recently, I have been made aware that many people do not know about all of the different activities that Stella Maris Academy is making available to students.  There should be something to keep students engaged and interested during every season of the year.  I thought it might be helpful to simply list the activities both during and after school to help build the awareness of all of the wonderful school related things that our Sentinels are busy doing.  Let’s call this - “Did you know”?

 Did you know these after school activities are offered (current and planned for next year) at SMA?

Fall

  • Martial Arts

  • Literary Luncheon

  • Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer

  • Boys’ and Girls’ Cross-Country Running

  • Football

  • Volleyball (co-op with LCA)

  • Girls’ Swimming

  • Girls’ Tennis

Winter

  • Martial Arts

  • Literary Luncheon

  • One Act Play

  • Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball

  • Cross-Country Skiing

  • Cheer/Pep Squad

  • Hockey

  • Little Flowers Club 

Spring 

Summer

  • Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer

  • Summer Basketball

  • Summer Run Club

  • Strength Training

  • Football 7 on 7 

 

Did you know these are the opportunities our students currently have during the Sentinel Period?

  • Student Council

  • Adoration

  • Mass

  • Yearbook Club

  • Speech Club

  • Debate Club

  • Strength and Weight Training

  • Brain Games

  • Literary Magazine

  • Student Newspaper

  • Meet-with-a-teacher time

  • Study Hall

  • Watching The Chosen

  • Indoor Sports

Chris Lemke - Stella Maris Academy Jr/Sr High School Principal and Activities Directory

Basketball

This month, several members of the boys’ basketball team enjoyed participating in a tournament in Florida! The competition was intense according to coach Matt Gannucci, and assistant coach Adam Long. “The 9th grade players in Orlando towered above our boys. The shortest on their team was 6’2”, and they could dunk the ball. They play the game differently down there,” said Coach Gannucci with a smile on his face. One of the challenges this year was the need to develop skills and teamwork that our opponents already had because of having more years under their belts. However, competing against larger schools in the Twin Cities and this tournament in Florida was an opportunity that raised our Sentinels to a new level of playing. They had to play faster.

The other difference our Sentinels have is the gift of being Catholic. Prior to the tournament, students attended Mass at several parishes in the Orlando area. At St. Philomena Catholic Church, the priest talked to our boys about the importance of the Eucharist and it being more important than basketball. The team also attended Mary, Queen of the Universe Basilica and St. Faustina Church.

Another highlight of the trip was going to Universal Studios. The team had a blast on rides and running in the sun.

Martial Arts

Our Stella Maris Academy Martial Arts team is looking for enthusiastic students.

Through training in the art of Tae Kwon Do, students will develop discipline, self-control, respect, and self-esteem while getting in shape, practicing forms, learning point fighting, and earning belt ranks. Our program takes all this a step further by infusing our Catholic faith in every class.

Join us to have some fun, learn a unique and rewarding sport, and, most important of all, grow closer to God.

Registration for the spring session (10 classes)  is open to anyone 1st grade and up, including high school and adults. Register HERE.

Spring Musical

We are so excited to announce our first SMA musical, The Sound of Music!  The performances will be April 25th - 27th at Holy Rosary School in the gym.  We have SMA students from 6th -10th grade who are part of a talented and hard working cast and crew.  Mrs. Saumer, Mr. Muhich, and Ms. Meyer are serving as directors, Mrs. Peterson is choreographing, costumes/makeup are being designed by Ms. Landgren, and our set designer is Mr. Peterson.  Tickets will be going on sale soon, so stay tuned.  

Little Flowers

The year is flying by for our SMA Little Flowers group! In February the girls learned about St. Jane Frances de Chantal, who founded the Order of the Vistation of Holy Mary. They created banners with the order’s motto, “Live Jesus”, and practiced living out the virtue of love of neighbor by praying for their prayer partners throughout the month. 

We are looking forward to hosting some of the Handmaids at our next meeting in March, and plans have begun for the end-of-the-year mother-daughter tea party!

There are so many ways to be active this spring! Registration is now open for:

Sentinels Activities