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The St. Mary’s school year concluded with sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students participating in an academic extended-classroom experience, traveling to Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa. It is the school’s intention for students to have unique experiences within their three years of middle school and rotate the focus of the year-end trip between science, fine arts, and social studies. Past trips have included Des Moines attractions including Terrace Hill and Principal Park to watch the Iowa Cubs, Sioux City’s Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Sioux City History Museum and the Cathedral of the Epiphany, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and this year’s location, Living History Farms. In small mixed grade groups of 15 or so students, students and chaperones travelled through Iowa from 1700 to 1900s. Students learned about Native American dwellings, homesteading, and townlife . Students especially enjoyed the chickens, pigs, and horses at the 1900s farm. In town the printshop, blacksmith, and drugstore were highlights. The perfect balance of sunshine and a cool breeze made it a great day for a field trip! A special thanks to our parent teacher organization, Parents and Teachers of Panthers for generously donating towards the expenses of this trip. Thank you also to Simpson College whose grant intended to promote Iowa government and history also help to make this trip possible. Thank you also to the teacher and parent volunteers that accompanied students. We could not provide these opportunities to our students without your support.

Storm Lake St. Mary’s third-grade class was gifted a “St. Mary's Ball Nemmers Science Room Chemistry Experimentation Experience” from a generous parent’s purchase at the St. Mary’s Ball. Elementary students arrived at the Bernard '40 and June (Beck) Christenson Science Classroom in goggles and lab aprons on Thursday to act their parts as young scientists. Chemistry students, under the guidance of Dr. Erica Larson, created and facilitated lessons designed for these students surrounding the phenomena of color. This teaching opportunity provided an authentic audience for chemistry students to communicate scientific understandings as part of their final exam. A rainbow keepsake was the result of the chromatology station. A color change and bubbles were two indicators of a chemical reaction at the second station. The acid and zinc reaction resulted in the ‘pop’ of combustion of hydrogen gas. The third station was a favorite as students conducted flame tests of various solutions. The color change showcased electrons in their excited states. High school students, third graders, and teachers had a great time! Part of the vision of the renovation of the Bernard '40 and June (Beck) Christenson Science Classroom was versatility. We love utilizing this lab space for these unique combinations of students!

St. Mary's annual Ball & Charity Auction exceeded all expectations Saturday, March 14th, as fundraising efforts from January up to that night equated over $1.3 million raised. The event was hosted by this year's Ball chairs Jeff and Amanda Foell and Adam and Kate Friedrichsen. St. Mary's School is thankful to all the current families, students, alumni, faculty, parishioners, and friends who contributed in any way to make the event what it was. The St. Mary's Ball & Charity Auction is the largest fundraiser of the year for St. Mary's School, and this year, it had a special focus as we look toward significant renovations coming to the middle school and high school hallways, lockers, and gym lobby entrance.