St. Mary’s Academy Community Raises Nearly One Million Dollars to Support Young Women

St. Mary’s Academy Community Raises Nearly One Million Dollars to Support Young Women

by | May 5, 2018 | Events, Features, News

Portland, OR. More than 700 guests gathered to raise their paddles in support of the young women of St. Mary’s Academy at the school’s 30th Annual Auction: “Pearls of Wisdom.” Beautiful pearls helped transform the Oregon Convention Center and set the stage to celebrate future female leaders. Cathy Marshall of KGW served as the mistress of ceremonies for the evening, keeping the crowd enthusiastic and engaged. St. Mary’s raised nearly one million dollars thanks to the generosity of the school’s dedicated community. Alumnae from the class of 1994 joined in the celebration including Kelley (Morrison) Ogle, Jen (Schulte) Masi, Jamie Sprando, Brittney Clark, Jessica (Hickox) Meyer, Karis Stoudamire-Phillips and Joan (Harold) Chaney.

Molly (Fink) Soong ’99, Ezra Becker, Marilyn Fink, Jeani Fink ’97, Tom Fink and Patrick Soong

Regan Look, Ria Look, Mike Hagel, Shawn Hagel and Dana Berger

Mike and Tracey Clark

Brad Maier, Sara Jewell, Haewon Nam, Dustin Klinger

“We are so very fortunate to be supported by generous parents, alumnae, friends and community members who believe in the power of young women and the value of a St. Mary’s Academy education. Your partnership allows us to impact hundreds of young women each year and we are so very thankful,” said Emily Niedermeyer Becker ’86, Vice President for Development at St. Mary’s Academy.

Highlights from the event included exciting raffles for the chance to win a 2017 Land Rover Discovery Sport SE or a $5,000 travel adventure voucher, packages for getaways to an African Safari, Wine Country Hot Air Ballooning and Hawaii, and the school’s highly anticipated Bids for Kids paddle raise. Bids for Kids is an opportunity for auction guests to contribute to the school’s tuition assistance program. This school year, St. Mary’s awarded $1.9 Million in tuition assistance to 40% of current families.

Bids for Kids speaker, Liane Rae, all-girls school alumna, St. Mary’s Academy Science teacher, and recently appointed Assistant Principal of Curriculum Design and Instruction, shared that she believes that “the exceptional young women at St. Mary’s must be offered the opportunity to observe, think critically, interpret, appreciate precision and scale, and communicate the perspectives of a female scientist, visual artist, mathematician, computer scientist, performance artists, or engineer as well as a host of other professions that our programs foster and encourage. Your investment tonight allows us to offer qualified and eager young women the St. Mary’s experience, regardless of her family’s financial situation.”

This year’s auction was co-chaired by St. Mary’s Academy parents Sara Jewell, Dustin Klinger, Bradley Maier and Haewon Nam, who lauded the “amazing talent and inspiring altruism” of all volunteers who were committed to creating an extraordinary experience while raising significant funds to support the school and their mission.

The auction is St. Mary’s largest annual fundraising event with proceeds benefiting every student in meaningful ways.

From St. Mary’s Academy:

At St. Mary’s Academy, We Believe.

Located in the heart of downtown Portland, OR, St. Mary’s Academy is the state’s oldest continuingly-operating school and its only all-girls secondary school. Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary’s Academy serves over 725 young women in grades 9-12. The school’s college acceptance rate is 100% and SMA students achieve, excel and are recognized locally, regionally and nationally in academic fields, the arts, athletics, community services and extra- and co-curricular activities. www.stmaryspdx.org

St. Mary’s Academy’s 23rd annual Food for Thought Luncheon Raises Over $500,000

St. Mary’s Academy’s 23rd annual Food for Thought Luncheon Raises Over $500,000

by | Dec 3, 2016 | Features, News

Portland, OR. Best-selling author and parenting expert Julie Lythcott-Haims captivated the audience at the Portland Hilton as the keynote speaker of St. Mary’s Academy’s 23rd annual Food for Thought Luncheon benefiting financial aid. Guests at the November 15th benefit included Virginia Mathews, Molly Mathews Bjorklund ’85, Marilyn Fink, St. Mary’s Academy Board Member Tom Fink. Speaking to over 750 supporters of the school, Lythcott-Haims was one of the many highlights of the event, which raised over $500,000. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Food for Thought Co-Chair Sara Salvi '71, St. Mary's Academy Principal Kelli Clark, St. Mary's Academy President Christina Friedhoff, keynote speaker Julie Lythcott-Haims, student speaker Daae An '17, St. Mary's Academy Board Chair Kent Roberts

Food for Thought Co-Chair Sara Salvi ’71, St. Mary’s Academy Principal Kelli Clark, St. Mary’s Academy President Christina Friedhoff, keynote speaker Julie Lythcott-Haims, student speaker Daae An ’17, and St. Mary’s Academy Board Chair Kent Roberts

St. Mary's Academy Board Chair Kent Roberts with Sara Roberts, Sally Roberts '08 and friends

St. Mary’s Academy Board Chair Kent Roberts with Sara Roberts, Sally Roberts ’08 and their friends.

Max Williams, Gina Williams, Monica McQueen, and St. Mary's Academy Board Member Kimberly Cooper

Max Williams, Gina Williams, Monica McQueen, and St. Mary’s Academy Board Member Kimberly Cooper.

Table host Suzann Baricevic Murphy '83 and friends

Table host Suzann Baricevic Murphy ’83 and friends.

Attendees also heard from St. Mary’s Academy President, Christina Friedhoff, who talked about the importance of the event in allowing the school to carry out its mission to provide an outstanding, all-female, Catholic, college-preparatory education to young women of many backgrounds. Food for Thought is the school’s largest fundraiser in support of tuition assistance. For the 2016-17 school year, over 40% of St. Mary’s Academy families will receive over $1.8 million in tuition assistance.

KATU News anchor Debora Knapp emceed the event, which included testimonials from SMA alumna and longtime teacher and coach at the school, Sara Salvi, who co-chaired this year’s event with fellow class of 1971 graduate, businesswoman Teri Nowak. St. Mary’s students shone brightly, with a dazzling performance by the nationally acclaimed St. Mary’s Marian Singers and a special message from St. Mary’s senior, Daae An, who talked about the vast opportunities open to her because of tuition assistance provided by the school.

“I think the real power of Food for Thought is hearing the stories of so many impressive women,” said St. Mary’s Academy Vice President of Development, Emily Niedermeyer Becker ’86, “These are stories that are both made possible by our incredible donors and compel our community to give so generously at Food for Thought.”

St. Mary’s Academy, founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, is Oregon’s oldest continually operating high school and its only all-girls school.