We are excited to recognize Byron J. for our ACCESS Academies Student Spotlight program!

Grade: 6^th

This is Byron’s first year at MHT, and he has settled in nicely with his classmates.  

Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Hunsaker

“She is nice. She helps me,” he said.  

Favorite Subject: Mathematics

“I think I am good at it, and it is easier to understand than the other subjects.”
Currently, Byron is learning how to write equations on graphs.

Current Academy Program: Yearbook

“In yearbook, we choose a grade in the family color we want to photograph and we take pictures. Then we design something to go in the yearbook in that color.”

Byron’s a member of the Red family, and enjoys reading to the younger kids and helping them with things. His favorite family activity is playing bingo.

Prospective High Schools: Byron hopes to play basketball at either Chaminade or CBC

Future career aspirations: Byron hopes to play in the NBA, and appears to be off to a good start. He joined the MHT basketball team as a shooting guard, and had a successful season – only losing two games.

We are excited to recognize Hailey C. for our ACCESS Academies Student Spotlight program!

 

Grade: 7^th

Hailey transferred to St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral in the 4^th grade, after Central Catholic closed. She was joined by several of her classmates and friends, which made the transition much easier.  In fact, Hailey’s best friend, a girl also named Hailey, has been by her side since kindergarten.

Current Teacher: Ms. Staten

Favorite Subject: Social Studies. “I like history. We are taking a test on the constitution and amendments.”

Academy Programs: Inspire Soul, Bree Umbrella, Sweet Success, and ACT test prep

Favorite Academy Program: Sweet Success. “Our teacher, Ms. Jones, teaches us how to be young women. How to sit, how to talk, and how to properly introduce ourselves.”

Fondest Memory of SLK: “I really have a lot of good memories. I really like it when the Optimists Club comes to the school to pass out awards to students in the 8^th grade class, telling them ‘You are part of the school from now on.’ I also liked the penny carnival. We set it up in the gym, and there were games, activities, and dancing.”

Looking to the Future: “I am really looking forward to 8^th grade and being a good leader, especially to students in the younger grades (K-3). I am also really excited to do a lot of activities for the school, like donate.”

Prospective High Schools: “My mom and I are excited about Cardinal Ritter. It is a good school, and it is really close to SLK so I can come back and volunteer.”

Prospective Colleges: “My sister went to Harris Stowe so I am thinking about going there. I am also thinking about UMSL.”

Career Aspirations: “I always dreamed to be a successful business woman or an actress. I just want to be successful.”

What does successful mean to you? “I wouldn’t say being on top, but it kind of is like that.  Success is thinking for yourself, and showing what you can do to prove yourself.”

What advice would you give to future/prospective students? “Don’t be ashamed to be different. You are smart. My teachers taught me I am smart, different, and important to this school.”

 

We are so proud of our ACCESS seniors! Graduation isn’t the end of a tough journey, it is the beginning of a new adventure, and we wish our college-bound graduates all the best!

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We are excited to recognize Ramiro R. for our ACCESS Academies Student Spotlight program!

“Ramiro is new to our school this year, but he fits in like he’s been here longer.  Ramiro is a kind and considerate young man.  He is a great friend to his classmates and always has a big smile on his face.  He takes his work very seriously and always gives his best effort,” said Mary Loux.

Grade: 6^th grade

Favorite Teacher: Ms. Hurley

“She is always there for people. When they are hurt or something bad has happened to them.”

Favorite Subject: Science

“Ms. Hurley taught us how cells can reproduce into a new cell.”

Ramiro partnered with Sabastian and Austin for the Science Fair to study the effects of soda on coins. He noted that Coke cleaned the side of a dirty penny, whereas Dr. Pepper and Sprite had no effect on the coins.

Fondest Memory: “When I made my first friend, Saul. We both liked the same things and we like the same games.” Ramiro is in Gaming, an Academy program, that teaches students how to play a variety of games. Ramiro and Saul both enjoy playing checkers.

Ramiro also joined his classmates for Camp Lakewood, and enjoyed the campfire stories. He did try the Alpine Swing, which was “very challenging.”

Academy Enrichment: In addition to Gaming, Ramiro is in Robotics and Media.

Looking to the Future: “I look forward to improving myself in 7^th grade. I play to do more of my homework.”

Prospective High Schools: “SLUH & St. Mary’s because I can get a better education there, and learn more about college.”

Prospective College: St. Louis University

Career Aspirations: “I want to study engineering to become a Technical Engineer, and make inventions to help the world.”

Message to Prospective Students: “You would have a fun time here, and that this would be the best educational and Catholic school to go to.”

Patton Awarded Ray of Light Award by United 4 Children

We would like to congratulate Richard Patton, Executive Director for Vision for Children at Risk and ACCESS Board member, for being named a Ray of Light Award recipient by United 4 Children for his leadership in prioritizing the well-being of all children in our region.

Patton was honored at the 10^th annual Lighting the Way Gala, held April 7^th, at the Marriott’s St. Louis Grand Hotel.  A copy of his bio can be found by clicking here.

Class of 2020 Receives Letters of Acceptance to Area’s Best College-Prep High Schools

More than 30 ACCESS students from the class of 2020 received acceptance letters to the area’s best private, college-prep high schools for the 2016-17 school year.

“To prepare ACCESS students for high school, we partnered with three Archdiocesan middle schools to provide an extended school day and extended school year filled with enrichment and support services,” said Betsy Liberatore, Executive Director.

Overall, ACCESS Academies will be supporting a total of 138 Academy graduates from Most Holy Trinity School & Academy, St. Cecilia School & Academy, and St. Louis the King School at the Cathedral at the following schools for the upcoming school year:

1. Althoff Catholic High School
2. Bishop DuBourg High School
3. Cardinal Ritter College Prep
4. Chaminade College Prep
5. Christian Brothers College
6. Crossroads
7. De Smet Jesuit High School
8. Incarnate Word Academy
9. Lutheran High School-North
10. Lutheran High School-South
11. Nerinx Hall
12. North County Christian School
13. Notre Dame High School
14. Rosati-Kain High School
15. John Vianney High School
16. Joseph’s Academy
17. Louis Christian Academy
18. Louis University High
19. Mary’s High School
20. Trinity Catholic High School
21. Ursuline Academy
22. Villa Duchesne High School

Since its founding in 2005, ACCESS Academies has prepared and propelled 98% of all its 8th grade graduates- approximately 300 students- to private, college-prep high schools.   Once there, ACCESS students receive academic scholarships and support services through the Graduate Support Program, which provides tutoring, mentoring, post-secondary counseling, ACT preparation courses and more to ensure continued success.

For more information regarding this release, please contact Julie Linder, Public Relations for ACCESS Academies, by calling (573) 268-0639.