December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Advent. Within the busyness and bustle of the holiday season as we move through this first week of Advent, my mind and heart are reminded to slow down, to pay attention, and to seek peace. This desire to retreat, to be present, and to pray was born and nurtured for me as a student at the Academy.

It was – and is – a magical time with sparkling trees and decorations, preparations for Silver Tea and the sounds of merriment, but one of my most indelible memories is gathering for morning assembly as a Middle School student in the library (now the Computer Lab). During these times, crowded together with friends, our principal, Mrs. Hopper, would light the candle on the Advent wreath and share some of the 100 Neediest Cases from the St. Louis Post Dispatch. The experiences of extreme poverty and need, of the most basic requests – a bed, groceries, a new coat – were so different than most of our lives that it truly opened our eyes and our hearts.


Alumni Day of Service

November 22, 2022

On Sunday, volunteers gathered at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen to celebrate our Alumni Day of Service. From start to finish, alums created a Thanksgiving meal: prepping ingredients and making turkeys, sides and desserts, setting up and decorating the dining room and serving the meal, then clean-up.

“The highlight for me was working together to make the recipes,” shares Alexandra Sanchez ‘06, Alumni President. “We all were laughing, enjoying time together, talking about our holiday traditions while making a meal that so many would get enjoy.”


Feast of St. Philippine Duchesne with Grandfriends

November 18, 2022

What a joy-filled day to celebrate the feast of our foundress, St. Philippine Duchesne! We were blessed to have Father Art Cavitt share his energy, passion and love for Philippine with our Academy community, including some VERY special guests: Grandparents and Grandfriends! After mass, Grandfriends enjoyed treats and classroom visits, spending the morning with their beloved grandchildren.

“I ask myself, here in this place of Philippine’s home and heart, how does Philippine’s Feast Day speak to us today, now, at this moment?” Mr. Horner shared following mass. “I believe that Philippine is smiling, watching from heaven with happiness in her heart for her school … because she knows that her legacy of love has been picked up and will continue through each of you.”


November 17, 2022

November 18, 2022

Tomorrow we will celebrate the feast of St. Philippine Duchesne and share some thoughts from Alara McLeane, Seventh Class.

Being a student at the Academy of the Sacred Heart is an honor and a privilege. The ASH atmosphere is such a fun-loving, enthusiastic environment to be in. I came here in Primary when I was five years old. On my first day of school, an eighth-grader walked me in. I saw many friendly, smiling faces when I entered the classroom.

Now, seven years later, I get to experience more independence. I have a keycard to enter buildings as I choose, I am able to transfer to classes without supervision, and the Seventh and Eighth grade classes have assignments in our various clubs that we must make sure we get completed by a certain deadline for our team.


3D Ornament Design

November 15, 2022

Eighth Class boys and girls are designing Christmas ornaments in Mr. John Storjohann’s computer class. The assignment was to choose a landmark on campus as the theme for their ornament, sketch it out, and then design it using TinkerCAD, the CAD/CAM program we use for 3D models.

Students have chosen the Shrine, the Round House, the Caire Courtyard fountain, the front gate, etc. Most of them are doing a true 3D design rather than a bas relief style of ornament, although a student is attempting to recreate the John Pils painting as a 3D ornament! As one student said when he was working on a particularly tricky design, “I like a challenge!”


Veterans Day Prayer Service

November 11, 2022

The Academy community honored veterans with a touching Prayer Service planned by the Fourth Class. Several family members who are Veterans joined for the program, which included a flag procession led by the Scouts. Students shared heartfelt reflections, poems, prayers and songs.

Mr. Adam Still, father of Adam in Primary, was guest speaker. Formerly a Captain, Mr. Still graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2017 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He served five years active duty in several roles as an assistant operations officer, platoon leader and operations officer. His duty stations were Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Fort Carson, CO as well as a rotational deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield.


November 10, 2022

November 10, 2022

This week, Mrs. Liz Foor, Academy music teacher, shares her experience of being a military family and of joining our Academy community.

Dear Academy Community,

I am truly honored to write the entry in this week’s Thursday Mail. This week is very special to my family as we are a military family and Veterans Day is Friday November 11. I know there are other military families in our school and community, so from the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you for your service, not just for the member of the military but also for the family.


October 27, 2022

October 27, 2022

My name is Maggie McClure and I am a proud alum of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Class of 2021. I am currently a sophomore at St. Joseph’s Academy. My time at ASH consisted of big hugs from teachers, smiles from friends in the hallway, and laughs at the lunch table. With the guidance and support of my teachers I learned to overcome academic challenges and to push myself every day to do my very best.  

My teachers taught me many important life skills that I use today like writing a proper email, organizing my planner, and presenting in front of large crowds. I was taught to have confidence in myself, and that when I failed, to have grit and try again. The Academy community did a great job of preparing me for my transition into high school by challenging, guiding, and supporting me during my time at ASH.  


Faculty Focus: Christina Soukenik ’12

October 27, 2022

Last month, Second Class teacher Miss Christina Soukenik ’12, attended the new Aspiring Leaders program for Network of Sacred Heart School educators. Aspiring Leaders are nominated by their schools and recognized for their leadership gifts and commitment to Sacred Heart education. Miss Soukenik was nominated for this two-year cohort which matches each Aspiring Leader with a Mentor and a Religious of the Sacred Heart to support their growth.


October 20, 2022

October 20, 2022

Mater’s Feast is special to generations of our Sacred Heart family. Each year, alums and parents of alums return to celebrate this feast day with the Academy community. Today we thank Mrs. Horner for preparing a beautiful gathering in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne and share her reflections:

I have to tell you October 20 is one of my favorite days. Now, many who know me may think that this is because today is my birthday. Who doesn’t love their birthday, right? But my love of this day goes beyond just my birthday. 


October 13, 2022

October 13, 2022

I want to share a few brief stories about our school.

Today it was an honor to host Luty Madero, RSCJ and Annette Muench (pictured) from our Sacred Heart School in Mexico City. Our guests shared that our students and faculty left a memorable impression, and I understood why.

I watched our students stand up during class to welcome and greet our guests. I saw the videos our guests shared with their Sacred Heart students in Mexico City. I was impressed by the thoughtful questions our students asked our guests, and even more impressed by the answers of students to the questions they received. I am so proud and appreciative of our students!