Saint Mary's Hall

Don’t let the dagger fool you! 😉 Calista Kayatta ‘25 is exactly the person you want running your Model UN camp.

At Saint Mary’s Hall, Calista served as Model UN club president and General Secretary of SMH-MUN conference, and currently holds the record for the most gavels won in recent memory. She’s now on the UT Model UN team, where she just chaired a crisis committee on Rome during the Punic Wars. (The dagger is a prop… but may or may not be very similar to her own personal collection of Roman artifacts.)

This summer, she’s coming back to SMH for Summer at the Hall to share her tips and tricks for success. She will be teaching four weeks of Model UN and public speaking camps, which are open to any middle school students and high school beginners across the city.

Follow this link for more info on registration, visit www.smhall.org/summer

Our Barons are back in Iceland! 🇮🇸

Our second group of Middle School students arrived yesterday and wasted no time exploring. Their first day included a visit to the Bridge Between Continents, where they crossed between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, followed by a stop at Gunnuhver’s steaming geothermal landscape.

The adventure continued with a relaxing soak in the world-famous Blue Lagoon before ending the day with dinner at Hereford Steakhouse, where students enjoyed cheeseburgers and traditional eplakaka (Icelandic apple cake).

We can’t wait to follow along as their Icelandic adventure continues!

During the final week of school, the National Art Honor Society and the Office of Belonging unveiled a stunning new mural created by senior Henry Scott ’26.

🌅 Inspired by the sunrises and sunsets over the football field, Henry blended shades of blue, orange, pink, and green to capture a sense of hope and belonging.

Thank you, Henry, for the heart, time, and talent that you poured into this beautiful addition to campus.

Our first group of Middle School travelers are back after a full week of adventures in Iceland! Waterfall drives, lava fields, black sand beaches, and even tomato farming — Iceland gave our Middle School travelers a week they’ll never forget. Curious what their day looked like?

• Systrafoss (Sister Falls): the perfect kickoff to a full waterfall drive 🏞️
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon - Mögáfoss: unreal views and another waterfall 😲
• Eldhraun Lava Field: the largest lava field in the world, completely blanketed in woolly fringe moss 🔥
• Lunch in Vík: black sand beach picnic ⚫
• Dyrhólaey: puffin‑spotting mission 🐧
• Sólheimajökull: an outlet glacier that’s actually an extension of a glacier sitting on top of an active volcano 🌋
• Gluggafoss: the day wouldn’t be complete without another breathtaking waterfall 🤩

And this was just one part of their adventures. Our second group leaves next week, and we can’t wait to share more pictures of their trip with you!

As we wrap up the school year, our hearts are so full. 💜 We couldn't be prouder of the Saint Mary’s Hall Class of 2026.

This remarkable group leaves behind a legacy of scholarship, service, creativity, leadership, and friendship. Now, they’re off to 47 colleges and universities across 24 states and Washington, D.C., carrying the spirit of Starcrest Drive with them.

Congratulations, Class of 2026 — please remember, Saint Mary’s Hall will always be your home. 💜

Click the link in our bio to read the full story Celebrating the Class of 2026 and to view and purchase photos from our end‑of‑year celebrations. 📸

As our Form 8 students celebrated their promotion, one message stood out- the importance of the friendships, community, and connections that shape the journey ahead. 💜 We are so proud of the Class of 2030 as they prepare to begin their next chapter in Upper School.

“To the class of 2030, look to the people at your right, left, and behind you. The relationships and memories you have made with them are very important. And as we look in front of us, to the next four years of our lives in high school, I want you all to realize that the relationships in the future will build you into the person you want to be…So hold on to the people who support you, learn from those around you, remember who you are and the people who got you there, but most importantly, next year, don’t be afraid to build new connections.” -Form 8 Senate President, Sophia Barbaro

To the Class of 2026, for the final time, you are dismissed. 💜