Academic Competitions
Quiz Bowl
* In the 2012 St. Vincent de Paul Quiz Bowl our 6th Graders came in 3rd place. In the 2009 Wits Clash competition held at Gross Catholic High School, students placed 1st and 3rd. In the past two years, St. Mary's teams have placed 1st at least once in the Bellevue Mission Middle School Wits Clash, the St. Vincent de Paul Quiz Bowl, the Gross High Wits Clash, and the Roncalli Wits Clash.
Quiz Bowl is an after school activity available to middle school students, 6th through 8th graders. It's sometimes referred to as "Wits Clash," "College Bowl" or "Academic Bowl" and is an excellent introduction to high school academic decathlons. Students work in teams to practice their knowledge of science, literature, math, social studies, language arts, sports, and pop culture. Speed, as well as knowledge, is important to success in competitions. This activity is a way for students to demonstrate and be recognized for their academic skills in a fun way, as well as learn how to work as a team to accomplish a goal. Our St. Mary's teams participate in up to five tournaments per year, competing against public and private school students in Bellevue, Omaha, and rural Nebraska.
Spelling Bee
*In 2011 our two St. Mary's School representatives placed third and fourth in the Metro Catholic Schools Spelling Bee.
St. Mary's students participate in classroom spelling bees and in a school-wide spelling bee. The top two school spellers advance to the Omaha Metro Catholic Schools Spelling Bee where they will compete against approximately 50 students from 29 local Catholic schools. The winner of that competition advances to the Midwest Spelling Bee.
Geography Bee
4th through 8th graders participate in a Geography Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society. Students answer geography-related questions in preliminary rounds held in their classrooms. Classroom winners then compete against each other in a school-wide geography bee. The winner of the school bee takes a written exam to qualify for the state competition, which is conducted orally at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Book Bowl
*In the 2015 Book Bowl there were eight 8th graders and one 7th grader on the two teams. We took first, our first ever and third place.
* In the 2014 Book Bowl there were seven 7th graders and one 6th grader on the two teams. We took 2nd and 5th place.
* In the 2012 Book Bowl there were six 8th graders on the teams. We took 4th place.
Students in 7th and 8th grade are eligible for this competition hosted by St. Vincent de Paul. In September, those students who are competing are given a list of 15 books to read. Beginning in January, the teams meet once a week to go over questions regarding each of the books. In March, the teams compete with other area Catholic schools to see which team knows the most about the most books.
Duchesne Art Contest
*St. Mary's students do quite well at this contest, winning several Tres Bien and Best of Shows awards.
The Duchesne Art Contest is held annually. This contest is for 5th through 8th grade students. Thirty pieces of art are chosen based on their technical and aesthetic qualities. A local art professional judges the contest and winning pieces receive a Tres Bien award. The artwork is displayed in a gallery located at Duchesne Academy and a reception and awards ceremony is held for students and their families.
Omaha Summer Arts Festival Young Artist Exhibition
*Several St. Mary's students have received Special Recognition. We have also had students go on to have their artwork in the High School level Exhibition, even winning Best of Show.
The Omaha Summer Arts Festival Young Artist Exhibition is held annually in conjunction with the Summers Arts Festival. Student artwork is displayed at the Dale Clark Library in downtown Omaha. Ten pieces of art from students in 6th through 8th grade may be chosen for display. Special recognition is given to exceptional pieces, and there is a recognition brunch held for students and their families at the end of the Exhibition.
Sarpy County Fair
*St. Mary’s Students have pieces selected for the Fair every year.
The Sarpy County Fair is held yearly. St. Mary's students from all grades K-8th are eligible for this art show. Pieces are chosen throughout the school year based on their technical and aesthetic qualities and they are displayed during the Sarpy County Fair.
