Principal’s Desk News & Information Upcoming Dates High School Counseling

It is that time of year to celebrate and recognize the many great contributions of our seniors – who stand ready to graduate before the end of the month.  At this time, I am happy to recognize the SMSA Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian.  

Sophia Loehr is the Valedictorian of the SMSA Class of 2026!  Sophia has been a dedicated member of the basketball, tennis, and track teams, where her leadership abilities earned her the role of captain for both the basketball and tennis teams.

Beyond athletics, Sophia immersed herself in numerous organizations including Sunshine Committee, National Honor Society, Newspaper Club, Campus Ministry, Music Liturgy, Chapter Chats, Vocal Jazz, LLC, and Key Club, where she served as president.

Throughout her high school career, Sophia has consistently demonstrated leadership, responsibility, and academic excellence. She earned the 2025 SMSA Core Value Award for “Respect” and the 2026 SMSA Core Value Award for “Responsibility”, and at the recent Ledger Honors Convocation received an impressive six department awards. Sophia was also a two-time Kiwanis Hall of Fame recipient, recognizing four years of excellence in both German Language Studies and English. Her talents also earned her First Place honors in Short Stories and Poetry at Academic Bowl, as well as First Place in Girls’ Vocal Jazz at State Solo and Ensemble.

Sophia has received several scholarships, including the Cliff and Mary Rohde Scholarship, the Mary E. Abel Scholarship, and the Nici Colwin Education Scholarship.  She was honored with the 2026 Noon Optimist Award, the 4-H Community Service Award, and was also named a Saint Norbert College Trustee Distinguished Scholar. 

An exceptional student and role model, Sophia has earned the highest grade point average in the Class of 2026 after seven consecutive semesters, a cumulative 4.341.  This fall, Sophia will attend St. Norbert College to pursue a double major in Elementary Education and Communications. 

Jackson Pelz is the Salutatorian of the SMSA Class of 2026! Like Sophia, Jack is an exceptionally well-rounded young person with diverse interests and talents.  He contributed to both the SMSA football and golf programs, demonstrating commitment, discipline, and teamwork. On stage in the theater program he performed leading roles in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Addams Family, and as Danny Zuko in Grease. Jack is the 2026 recipient of the St. Genesis Award for excellence in the performing arts. 

Jack’s involvement extends across numerous other school activities, including Math Club, Campus Ministry, Vocal Jazz, Jazz Band, National Honor Society, Music Liturgy, and Pep Band. He served as Vice President of the National Honor Society and co-president of Math Club.

Jack represented SMSA in 2025 at Badger Boys State. Jack is a two-time musical theater gold medalist at State Solo & Ensemble, a two-time member of the State Ice Fishing Team, and a four-time Academic Bowl individual medalist.

He was recently named a National Merit Finalist for finishing in the top 1% in the country on the PSAT-MNSQT test,  and also earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT!  

Jack is the 2026 Kiwanis Hall of Fame recipient for four years of excellence in Math. He has earned the second highest cumulative grade point average in the Class of 2026 after seven consecutive semesters (4.338) and is the Salutatorian of the class of 2026.  

This fall, Jack will continue his academic journey, studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. Congratulations Jack! 

We thank Sophia and Jack for sharing their many talents so generously on the Ledge, for their commitment to learning, their scholarship, and their positive impact on our St. Mary’s Springs Academy learning community! 

Our Lady of the Ledge, Pray for Us. 

Eamonn O’Keeffe

←Back to Top

.

If you have uniform pieces and/or spirit wear that you would like to donate, please drop them off at SMSA by Monday, July 8, 2026.

Please read the below letter from Holy Family about registering for Confirmation preparation, which opens this summer.

Please note: Confirmation preparation will take place through the parish, not during classes at SMSA. Be sure to review the information carefully so you do not miss any important details or deadlines.

SMSA Confirmation Letter – 2026

Thank you so much to all who baked bake goods for our Parent Connectors Bake Sale at the Middle School Spring Concerts! So appreciate your support in making this possible. Thank you to all who purchased items from the bake sale. It was a great success! We collected $1,046.05!! WOW! We will be putting these funds towards our various events as well as celebrating our SMSA Staff next school year. Thank you again!

June 8 to July 2 3, 2 0 2 6
Register today by visiting ssmhealth.com/SPEED or scan the QR code inside the link below. SPEED is an intensive sports performance program designed to improve your athletic ability. With a focus on proper form and technique, it will help to keep you in the game. Sessions will be held at a SMSA. Teams can participate in sport-specific sessions!

Click on the links below for more information and/or to register.

AGN-13105 SPEED Program Poster FdL 2026 production

AGN-13105 SPEED High School Flyer FdL 2026 production

Learn how you can get involved. Contact PPA@smsacademy.org to learn more!

Are you looking to get more involved at SMSA? If so, join our Parent Connectors Group!! We organize events for our SMSA families & show our appreciation towards our amazing SMSA Staff throughout the year!! Please email Andrea Nuss, alnuss@charter.net if you are interested. Thank you so much!!

Did you know? You can Refer-A-Family and receive tuition credit!

←Back to Top

May 25, 2026 – No School – Memorial Day

May 29, 2026 – Last Day of Classes

May 31, 2026 – Class of 2026 Graduation

←Back to Top

The scholarship website has now moved to Naviance! Please remind your senior to check their Naviance account regularly for the latest scholarship updates. The Counseling Department will continue adding new opportunities as they arrive.

These state and local scholarships are specifically available to Springs students. To view them, students can log into Naviance and navigate to: Colleges → Scholarships & Money → Scholarship Search. There, they’ll find an up to date list of scholarships curated by SMSA counselors.
Please reach out to counseling with any questions!

←Back to Top