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ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
Forensics and Debate
Forensics and Debate are counterparts of a full-year course in the Humanities curriculum. The course also has an extracurricular capacity in which the students compete against other schools on a local, state, and national level. St. Mary’s has produced several state champions and sent students to the national competition in each of the years the program has been in existence. St. Mary’s students have gone on to receive full-tuition college scholarships for their expertise in Forensics and Debate.
Honors Convocation
Honors Convocation takes place in the last few weeks of the school year and it is a culmination and acknowledgement of all the hard work the students have put forth in that given year. Students who have achieved Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude are recognized. Seniors are also acknowledged for their various achievements both inside and outside of the classroom. Finally, we recognize the top scholars from each class. Parents are always welcomed and encouraged to attend all or any part of this event, even if their son may not be slated for an award. The presentation takes about 3 ½ hours and is considered one of the most important dates in the calendar year.
Newspaper
Students are responsible for every component of the publication; composition, construction, and editing all elements of computerized text layout, graphic art, and digital photography. Students work on many clerical operations, make announcements, maintain signs, conduct student polls, and conduct interviews with students and faculty. Students will write original works for submission into the publications.
Students work out of class and after school and will learn how to take as well as upload digital photos, sell and design advertising, and distribute newspaper order forms. Students are responsible for the proper care and handling of our digital camera and computers. Students will handle CDs containing digital photo pictures. Students should expect to work independently, in pairs or in groups; they must be able to cooperate, peer edit, and handle constructive criticism.
Oratoricals
For over 65 years, the English and Foreign Language Oratoricals have been a tradition at St. Mary’s Preparatory. The English oratorical usually takes place in the first two weeks of January, and the Foreign Language oratorical takes place close to Easter Break. These events place the winners from class competitions against each other as they perform their selections in prose or poetry (alternating in years) for the entire student body and visitors. An outside panel of judges scores the event, and the winners receive acknowledgement and awards for their performances. The Social Studies Essay Contest is also held annually and asks every student to respond to a question posed by the social studies department. The topic requires students to draw on their knowledge of the past in order to address a modern issue. The most outstanding essays from each class are presented for the entire student body, as well as a panel of judges who score the event.
