With the usual international travel component not an option this year, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is offering its Global Odyssey program – with some other ways of fulfilling its goal of providing every student with an international experience to spark her global curiosity and develop a global competence. After completing this year’s final exams, students will embark on Global Odyssey May 24-27. Next, they will participate in Global Voices June 1 by reflecting on their role as global citizens and partaking in globally themed activities.

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart’s May Crowning ceremony held Monday, May 3, is a visible reminder that Mary’s example continues to endure even 2,000 years after her Assumption. May Crowning is a traditional way within the Catholic Church to honor Mary, the Mother of Jesus, by crowning her statue with a wreath of flowers. “What makes Mary especially unique and relatable is that she was not a known or wealthy individual when she was called by God to serve him in a great way,” senior Kate Wenc said in her opening remarks. “Mary’s example is universal, meaning that anyone can look to her life to see how she demonstrated a life of love and service, purity of heart, and obedience.”

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart’s participation in this year’s Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ (ICTM) contests added up to multiple successes. Overall, MathCats team members from the all-girls college-preparatory high school in Lake Forest finished third in their Division 1A regional competition and then in ninth place at the state level. Due to COVID-19 protocols this year, there was only one event at the regional level with students participating at their home school either in person or remotely. Then, in lieu of a traditional state competition, ICTM used the regional event results to determine overall state awards. (Depicted are junior and senior class members of MathCats during one of this year’s club meetings.)