St. Mary's Academy Alumnae

We're proud to share senior Dafne Rivas Quijada has been named both a Daniels Scholar and a Boettcher Scholar!

Dafne serves as president of the Sabor Latino Club and co-president of the Latine Student Union, and is a member of the Ambassador Club. As a member of Sources of Strength, she leads roundtable discussions on social justice. She performs her service at Gust Elementary School (where she attended!), Project Angel Heart, the Julia Temple Center, and the Loretto Motherhouse. Looking ahead to college, Dafne plans to pursue engineering, with a focus on civil engineering.

The Boettcher Scholarship Foundation seeks dynamic students, doers, and difference-makers to impact Colorado positively. This merit-based scholarship identifies students based on their scholastic ability, intellectual curiosity, leadership, service, and character. The Boettcher Scholarship is awarded in partnership with Colorado's four-year, nonprofit institutions of higher education and covers the full cost of attendance. Dafne is one of only 50 students to receive this prestigious award.

The Daniels Scholarship Program seeks students who embody the values of its founder, Bill Daniels - independent thinkers committed to making a positive impact in their communities. The Program helps make college possible for high-achieving, values-driven students in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Scholars receive up to a full cost of attendance scholarship and can attend the college of their choice throughout the country.

Congratulations, Dafne!

We are proud to share that senior Mia Perry has been named a Daniels Scholar!

Mia leads as co-president of the Black Student Union and Vice President of the Student Association. She’s an active member of the Diversity Club and Sources of Strength Club, and will perform in this year’s All-Academy musical, Alice in Wonderland. Mia represents the Wildcats on the volleyball team (and her club team) and track & field through our partnership with Englewood High School. She serves her community at the Denver Rescue Mission, and she plans to study political science on the pre-law track in college.

The Daniels Scholarship Program seeks students who embody the values of its founder, Bill Daniels - independent thinkers committed to making a positive impact in their communities. The Program helps make college possible for high-achieving, values-driven students in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Scholars receive up to a full cost of attendance scholarship and can attend the college of their choice throughout the country.

Congratulations, Mia!

Congratulations to Middle School alum Jake Malik MS'23, who recently won the 2026 Colorado State Scholastic Chess Championship as a member of the Regis Jesuit Chess Team. Jake is a junior at Regis Jesuit and has been on the chess team since his freshman year. Way to go, Jake!

Jake is pictured second from the left.

Calling all alumnae! Cheer on the SMA Varsity Basketball team on Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. at their Senior Night when the Wildcats take on Arvada High School! This is the perfect opportunity to cheer on the team - senior celebrations will start at 5:30. Grab your friends, pick up a special silver alumnae pom-pom, and look for the alumnae cheering section. Alumnae will be recognized at halftime, and admission is free for alumnae on this night only. See you there!

Congratulations to SMA alumna Rishika Kartik ’22, who has been selected as a Schwarzman Scholar! Rishika is one of just 150 students from 40 countries worldwide selected for this prestigious graduate fellowship. Rishika, currently a senior at Brown University, has dedicated her work to accessible design and inclusive art, founding initiatives that challenge perceptions of blindness through creativity and community engagement. Selected from a record-breaking applicant pool, she will attend a fully funded master’s program in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Read more about Rishika and the Schwarzman Scholars program: https://bit.ly/4bDXoDr

The SMA Alumnae Board is hosting a Galentine's Day themed floral arranging event led by Sandra Montville. Join us on Thursday, February 12 at 6 p.m. in the High School cafe. For $20, you'll learn how to create a beautiful floral arrangement, leave with your design, and connect with fellow SMA alumnae!
Regisiter today: https://bit.ly/4bxgrzm

Tuesday's winter Blood Drive was more than just a blood drive. Murray McCarty, the husband of Judy Leadbetter McCarty, class of 1973, has recently been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a form of cancer with a treatment plan that includes multiple blood transfusions. The SMA community rallied for the cause, including eight alumna from the class of 1973 showing up to give blood and volunteer! In total, our community gave 53 units of blood. With each unit of blood can helping to save up to three lives, this drive alone could impact up to 159 patients in need.

Congratulations to our Quarter 2 Middle School Loretto Leaders! One student from each grade and one faculty member are recognized as Loretto Leaders: community members who live out our Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect. This quarter was focused on the value of community. Read about each Loretto Leader: https://www.stmarys.academy/news/news-details/~board/academy-in-action/post/middle-school-announces-loretto-leaders

This morning, the High School Women in Sports club hosted guest speaker Carrie Walton Penner, Owner of the Denver . Walton Penner shared with our students her career path to professional sports and the challenges that come with being a woman in a male-dominated field. She encouraged them to try everything and to always be willing to learn and grow.

Join us next Wednesday for our All-Academy Family Mass, in celebration of Catholic Schools Week! January 28 is the feast of Thomas Aquinas, OP, the patron saint of students, teachers, philosophers, and Universities. RSVP by January 26: https://bit.ly/49E2Jb6

SMA hosts our annual winter blood drive on Tuesday, January 27, with appointments available from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The drive is dedicated to Murray, husband of 1973 graduate Judy Leadbetter McCarty, who was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

“We often tell our students they are always part of the SMA family, and our support doesn’t end after they graduate,” says Amber Summers, Director of Service Learning. “Now, it's time to show them that the SMA they knew is still the supportive, involved community they experienced, and we need your help to make that happen. Let's fill these last spots for Murray and Judy, and the class of 1973.”

Community members and friends ages 16 and older are eligible to donate. Seventeen appointment slots remain open. Just one blood donation can help save up to three lives!

Sign up today! https://bit.ly/4ploZMO