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This episode is a recording of a school talk given by Mr. Rob Kirkendall, Instructor in Humanities, on the beatification of Blessed Fulton Sheen. The talk explores how Fulton Sheen's life, witness, and writings can teach us about growth, virtue, intelligence, holiness, and hard work. Below are some links to videos and further reading on Bl. Fulton Sheen: "Life is Worth Living:" https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9cJRl8EYnLcnHVJ6q53oxlnE_Oo_fkBV Message to Youth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaqBRgRV1Dc Short Documentary on Sheen's media career: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL77iqIRMy0 Poetry recitation of "Man on the Cross": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xnCEZ9P0Gw   More on Fulton Sheen and Cardinal Newman: https://cardinaljohnhenrynewman.com/blessed-fulton-sheen-st-john-henry-newman/

For this third special summer episode of the podcast, it was joy to welcome back to campus Ellie Noland and Dorothy Gravino from the Class of 2023. It was yet another wonderful conversation about their thoughts on STMA before attending, during their time at the Academy, and upon graduating and heading to their respective undergraduate schools, Princeton University and the University of Notre Dame.

For this second special summer episode of the podcast, it was joy to welcome back to campus Isaac Watkins and Peter Watkins from the Class of 2021. It was another wonderful conversation about their thoughts on STMA before attending, during their time at the Academy, and upon graduating and heading to their respective undergraduate schools, North Carolina State University/College of Design and Boston College. Isaac will be returning in the fall to teach a computer 3D modeling/rendering elective, and Peter will be joining us (and his sister, Adriana) as a full time faculty member.

For this special summer episode of the podcast, it was joy to welcome back to campus Agustin Briceño and JT Hedgepeth from the Class of 2025. It was a wonderful conversation about their thoughts on STMA before attending, during their time at the Academy, and upon graduating and heading to their respective undergraduate schools, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.

Deacon Brad, Mrs. Jackson, and Mr. McCants discuss the year and bring our 5th season of the podcast to a close. God willing, we'll be back again in the fall for season 6.

In this episode we continue discussing the idea of maintaining standards and how important this is in the formation of young people growing up in a world where there seems to be an erosion of standards, decorum, civility, and norms.

In this episode we discuss the idea of maintaining standards and how important this is in the formation of young people growing up in a world, where there seems to be an erosion of standards, decorum, civility, and norms.

In this episode we answer listener questions, for which we are grateful. If listeners have questions or topic suggestions, please send them to us!

Final episode in our series of discussions related to college/university.

Continuing our series of conversations on things related to college admissions. In this episode we focus on essays and reference letters, as well as the common app platform.

Follow up on last weeks podcast. Apologies for the delay in upload. A short and busy week after mid-winter break.

Deacon Brad Watkins, Dr. Jake Noland, Mrs. Kelly Jackson, and Mr. Charles McCants begin a multi-part episode on all things college.

In this episode we discuss the deployment of technology in schools around the country and the significant downturn in student performance.    https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/A19DF2E8-3C69-4193-A676-430CF0C83DC2 https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/books-screens-out-some-finnish-pupils-go-back-paper-after-tech-push-2024-09-10/

On this episode, we discuss the importance and value of developing the habit of reading as a necessary life skill.

Last week at STMA, while the priests were at their annual priests assembly, the Upper School heard a talk from Mr. Kirkendall on how the lives of holy men and women can help us discern our own vocations. In this episode, you'll hear Mr. Kirkendall's thoughts about St. Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross), a philosopher, teacher, Jewish-born convert, Discalced Carmelite nun, and martyr under the Nazis.    You'll also hear about Venerable Aloysious Schwartz, an American-born servant of the poor in South Korea and other countries. His global network of schools for children of the poor, World Villages for Children, is still thriving today.   You can watch this short video about Fr. Al.   Or this longer documentary, "Oh, My Papa!"