Before entering grades 5 and 6 this fall, a motivated group of girls from Lake and Cook counties participated in a unique, new summer day camp experience at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart. GrowGirl’s inaugural session, “Investigating Mysteries,” inspired students to combine their interest in storytelling and mysteries with building curiosity about the ways subjects such as math and chemistry are used in forensics. Woodlands Academy English teacher Jennifer Allison Brostrom teamed up with chemistry and math teacher Valerie Rickert, Ph.D., to create a curriculum combining fiction and forensics designed for 5th through 7th graders. This new summer camp also featured mystery-themed games and activities planned by Woodlands Academy incoming juniors Karishma Bhatara and Ally Jenner, both of whom are actively involved in Woodlands’ arts and STEM programs. The photo depicts Rickert helping a GrowGirl participant analyze the Ph level of some evidence during a crime scene investigation scenario in the school’s chemistry lab.

Members of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart’s Class of 2022 received their diplomas during the 163^rd Graduation Ceremony held June 2 in the school’s chapel. Classmates selected senior Charlotte Sparks to address the assembly on behalf of the graduating class. She began by reflecting on some of the unique issues that came to mind as they entered an all-girls high school. For example, would they miss some necessary high school experiences? “I’m happy to answer that question with a no,” Sparks said. “Although we didn’t realize that from the start, teachers, staff and administration created the best environment that I know no other school would be able to achieve. … The Sacred Heart mission and its five goals have given us the tools and purpose to live meaningful lives in service to others.”

Many Woodlands Academy students – and one of their teachers – were recognized for numerous achievements this school year during the Honors Recognition ceremony June 1, the 163^rd annual distribution of awards. Highlights included presentation of the 2021-22 Woodlands Award, the highest honor that can be attained at Woodlands. Based on the votes of faculty and students, this award recognizes outstanding service, leadership, character and scholastic development. This year’s recipient is Berkeley Borkert. Meanwhile, the Frances de la Chapelle Excellence in Teaching Award went to mathematics/science teacher Dr. Valerie Rickert. Congratulations to all our 2020-21 honorees!