Why St. Mary's?

I have been a student at St. Mary’s for all ten years.

I play on the Saints’ baseball team. Also, I am on the Video Production Crew for the morning show (Saints at 8), serve on the Community Council, and am a Drumline Captain (five-year member).

The teachers actually get to know me instead of just seeing my face among a sea of students. I also think that the surprise trips in eighth grade set SMEDS apart from other schools!

My happiest moment so far was when I found out about our first surprise trip. The children on the morning show announced that the eighth graders would be going on a surprise trip. I was in the studio at the time, and started celebrating somewhat quietly because the show was still live. The surprise trip turned out to be to United Skates and Pinchasers.

I think it’s special that even though the school has changed so much, my family still finds it a special place. We have a lot of Saints in the family. My mom, aunt, and uncle all attended SMEDS, and my sister is currently in 5th Grade. My grandmother was a former faculty member, and my grandfather was Parents’ Association President from 1990-1991 and Board of Trustees Chairman from 1991-1992. I also have many cousins who attended St. Mary’s throughout the years.

My favorite SMEDS tradition is probably Reindeer Games. I’m looking forward to helping lead the games as an 8th Grader this year.

I will miss the great friends I’ve made along the way.

I started college in Philadelphia, and after a co-op, I quickly realized a desk job was not for me and went back to my first choice of education. I received a B.A. from Eckerd College and a M.A. from University of South Florida. There are A LOT of educators in my family!

I have taught US History for all of my 31 years at St. Mary’s, 7th Grade Life Science (Biology) for 27 years, and even one year of 6th Grade mathematics when I first started. I have also moderated the Yearbook Club for 22 years!

Seriously? Just one?! That’s impossible! I guess I would have to say Blessing of the Pets since my son Jamie was born on that day (10/3/2003); it’s the only one I have ever missed! And of course the day the finished yearbooks get delivered each year is always a great feeling.

The physical changes to campus itself. It is completely unrecognizable from when I started!

Absolutely our supportive community. We are truly a family here.

Anything outdoors: kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing, biking, photography, travel, working in the yard, and reading!

Be kind, be yourself, and effort will take you far. Also, have a love of learning!

I loved the practice of law from my first days in a courtroom. As a prosecutor, I was assigned to various divisions prosecuting various types of crimes. I always admired the judges before whom I practiced and felt early on I would love and be honored to serve in that role. I left the State Attorney’s Office to gain experience on the other side of the courtroom and it was an easy transition for me. Throughout my career, I’ve recognized the importance of our legal system and intently listened to my clients and advocated for them. From the bench I appreciate the opportunity to hear both sides of a matter and apply the law to the facts before me. I manage a heavy case load with efficiency and patience. I feel very blessed to have found a career I enjoy each day.

Jonathan and I loved St. Mary’s from our initial tour with Mrs. Lopez. We could feel the warmth among the faculty and students. The size of the school community, the classrooms, the grounds and especially the Christian foundation all guided our decision to apply and choose St. Mary’s for our daughter. We were thrilled to start her education here and treasure each day as she approaches 8th grade.

Each member of the Board, past and present, serves with dedication and an open mind to keep SMEDS a nurturing environment for our children. I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for the tireless work of the administration and faculty. Though it involved many hours of work, the summer of 2021 proved very rewarding as the Board/ Vestry committee worked on revised bylaws and opened lines of communication between the school and Church. I remain grateful Chair Chris Davitt asked me to work in that capacity and we proudly accomplished our goals and strengthened working relationships.

My heart swells every time I enter campus. Opening day chapel, assemblies, field day, grandparents’ day, graduation and every tradition throughout the school year connect generations of students and parents. All of these experiences are led by the most loving faculty anyone could ever imagine. I love how every teacher knows and cares about the students and their families. The feeling of extended family is truly unmatched.

What a joy to serve as chair of school photos for several years! I looked forward to seeing the children grow from year to year and watching the sweet dynamic of how each grade approached school photos. I loved those mornings as the entire student body came through with their bright smiles.

After the best 10 years at St. Mary’s, I attended high school at Berkeley Preparatory School. From there, I moved up to North Carolina and went to Wake Forest University where I majored in Health and Exercise Sciences. I took a year off to be a nanny before starting graduate school at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. In 2013, I graduated with my doctorate in physical therapy and started my career. I worked in the
outpatient setting full time for years. Currently, I teach at my graduate school as well as treat patients in the home health setting.

There are so many! I think some of my favorite memories were Reindeer Games as an elementary student, playing sports throughout middle school, and of course, the 8th grade surprise field trips. I also met my best friend there in kindergarten. We are still close to this day. She even surprised me by flying into town for my son’s adoption day!

St. Mary’s has always felt bigger than just a school. There is a culture at St. Mary’s that extended beyond my 10 years there. They encouraged academic excellence as well as highlighting the importance of your character and how to give back to others. I will always remember participating in Meals on Wheels as a middle schooler. I also had teachers and coaches invest in me as a student. It made me want to do the same when I grew up. Having those things taught and demonstrated to me at a young age definitely impacted me.

Being a part of the SMEDS family has been such a gift. Before I was a student my grandmother, Mrs. Fay Ennis, taught there and now sits on the Distinguished Faculty Society. My sister (Carrie Alexander Ferderigos ‘00) also attended SMEDS, and currently my nieces are students in Pre-K and first grade. I am so jealous that they are just now starting their SMEDS journey and love hearing about their experiences!