Marian Magazine - Marian High School

Washington D.C. FBI Headquarters and
the Los Angeles FBI Field Office. Sharon
spoke to the current students about her
experience with the Bureau and how Marian
prepared her for life. “Marian helped shape
me into the confident woman that I am,”
says Sharon. “My family, my experiences at
Marian, and beyond, gave me the building
blocks I needed to be successful in life.”
A Tribute to Leadership
Recognizing and learning from leaders is an
integral part of the Year of Leadership. The
second annual Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner
and Induction Ceremony is just one example
of this.
Honorees included individual athletes
Mikki Denney Wright ’92, Renee Saunders
’95, Dr. Roberta Vasko Kraus ’72, the 2000
State Champion Basketball Team, renowned
soccer coach Mark Laughlin and respected
patron Paul Simon. (See page 14 for complete
story.)
These individuals exude the very essence of
Marian’s Year of Leadership and demonstrate
just how far empowerment can take you.
“It is amazing what happens to girls here,”
said honoree Mikki Denney Wright, ‘92.
“Marian sees the greatest potential in young
women, nurtures it, supports it, and better
yet, challenges it. Every day I felt challenged
to be the very best, and I loved that. Marian
teaches women how to lead, and I am so
grateful I had the opportunity to spend time
here. In my very humble opinion, this is the
best high school for women in the country.”
“Marian sees the greatest
potential in young women,
nurtures it, supports it, and
better yet, challenges it. Every
day I felt challenged to be the
very best, and I loved that.
Marian teaches women how to
lead, and I am so grateful I had
the opportunity to spend time
here. In my very humble opinion,
this is the best high school for
women in the country.”
– Mikki Denney Wright ‘92
For more information on the Year of
Leadership, visit www.marianhighschool.net
and click on the Year of Leadership link.
Author Presentation Provides Perfect
Introduction to Year of Leadership
On Friday, September 3, Marian kicked off its “Year of
Leadership” by welcoming the award-winning author of the first
all-school read, Flygirl, Sherri L. Smith. The novel chronicles
the story of a young African-American woman named Ida Mae
and her experiences as a pilot with the Women Airforce Service
Pilots (WASP) during World War II.
The dynamic subject matter of Flygirl provided cross-curricular teaching moments.
The reader not only discovers the trials and tribulations the heroine, Ida, must
overcome due to the color of her skin, but also the struggles she endures as a strong,
independent woman living in 1940 wartime. Smith personally examined many of
these relevant themes. She visited religion classes, addressing the social injustices
and prejudices of the time, and social studies classes, talking about the relevance of
women during WWII. Marian alumna Colleen Zbylut ’05 spoke to the science classes
about aeronautics during WWII. In addition, Smith spoke with English class students
about the process of becoming a published writer.
Sherri L. Smith won the “2010 Best Books for Young Adults,” the “2010 Capitol
Choices Noteworthy Books for Children” and the “2010 Cooperative Children’s Book
Center Choices” awards for her work.
Smith’s presentation not only provided the perfect introduction to the Year of
Leadership, but it also established a new tradition for the Marian community. Marian
plans on holding an annual all-school read at the beginning of every academic year.
Marian is now accepting suggestions for next year’s all-school read novel. Simply go
to the Academics page on Marian’s website to fill out the form.
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