Moments at the Mount: A Rocket landing to the school year

As the 2024-25 school year draws to a close, the Rockets have built in time for fellowship, prayer, the art, and preparations for saying goodbye to the Mount St. Mary Catholic High School Class of 2025.

Field Day 2025
On April 30, students and staff took part in MSM’s annual Field Day festivities. Many students expressed gratitude for the time to simply have fun with their classmates and teachers before the final stretch of the year.

Maddie Biswell, senior: “So much fun. That’s really all I can say. I was taking pictures in the gym of people doing basketball and dodgeball scrimmages for yearbook, but then I joined my friends, Maggie and Talayne, in the auditorium to watch “The Greatest Showman.” It was so nice to relax before the craziness of May with finals and graduation approaching.”

Students and staff were treated to a day of fellowship through board games, art projects, basketball and dodgeball. Earlier that morning, the school community gathered in the auditorium for “Faculty Follies,” a spectacle of entertainment for students at the expense of faculty.

Starting with “Who’s Most Likely To …” Principal Laura Cain dunked teachers who students thought were the culprits of questions. Four staff members were soaked after 10 minutes of rapid-fire questions.

Those getting wet: Emily Strah (sophomore English), David Long (senior English), Kaleb Benda (band/choir director) and Alexander Weishan (government).

Other games consisted of staff members having to finish lyrics to popular songs and guess the identity of objects in “What’s in the Box?” It was, indeed, a necessary and welcome day of restoration for students and staff.

Opened hearts, minds, doors
Several senior students participated in a signing ceremony April 25 before the Rocket community to announce their commitment to attend college as an athlete.

Additionally, one senior student signed a very different letter of intent: to attend seminary this upcoming school year.

Drew Harris sat down to sign his letter after Father Jerome Krug gave a few remarks to attendees, “You all know Drew very well, seniors, especially. He is a daily inspiration to me in my own priesthood. Everyone here knows that he spends every single academic period in the chapel, growing closer to the Lord. It is amazing to see him take on this opportunity of listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.”

Drew signed his letter with Father Krug, Father John Paul Lewis and his parents practically beaming behind him. It was a beautiful moment for the Mount community to witness.

MSM music department on the road
The Mount St. Mary Instrumental Music Ensemble and Vocal Music Ensemble, both under the direction of Benda, spent May 3 on a joyride. Well, at least that’s what members would call it. 

Every year since Benda has stepped in as music director in 2020, both ensembles have traveled to contests and other events at which they can perform near the conclusion of the spring semester. This year was no exception. Both ensembles traveled to the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple to perform in the Heartland Music Festival. Known for its reputation as one of the most welcoming and enjoyable music festivals in Oklahoma for school ensembles to perform, members of the MSM music department enjoy the trip every year. 

“Heartland is always my favorite every year,” said Annamarie Brown, a senior and veteran MSM clarinet player. Nothing beats a bunch of band and choir kids on a bus singing to their favorite songs.

“Even though we always are a bit nervous before performances, we killed it this year and I had a blast. It was so memorable, especially since this was my fourth and final attendance.”

Both ensembles were granted the award of sweepstakes. In other words, both earned a “1” score from all judges, which is the highest score a performance can receive. They later traveled to Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School to perform at the Archdiocesan Fine Arts Expo. The choir also sang at the Catholic Daughter’s Conference that evening at the Catholic Pastoral Center.

Emma Bowman is a senior at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School.


Photo: (Above) Principal Laura Cain dunked staff in water during Faculty Follies. 

Drew Harris signed his letter of intent for seminary.

The Mount St. Mary Vocal Music Ensemble performed at the Heartland Music Festival on May 3 in Guthrie. Photos Emma Bowman/Sooner Catholic.