SMHS Where Students are Challenged to Grow

By Sophia Loiola

For more than 140 years, St. Mary’s High School has persevered in its mission to form young men and women who are prepared not only for college and careers, but more importantly, for lives of faith, service, and leadership. As we begin the academic year, our school is excited to welcome new leadership with renewed focus on helping our students draw closer to Christ and pursue their God-given purpose in life.

This year, St. Mary’s proudly welcomes Joe Trechter as President and Bryan Smith as Principal. Together, they bring a shared commitment to fostering a joyful and faithful environment where students are encouraged to pursue excellence in all facets of their lives from their faith journey to the classroom to the ballfields to the arts.
The essence of Catholic education has always been to cultivate faith and reason for full human flourishing, and Trechter’s vision for St. Mary’s is to pursue this essence joyfully and relentlessly.

At St. Mary’s, faith and reason are not opposing forces — they work together to form the whole person. As Pope Saint John Paul II said in “Fides et Ratio” (On the Relationship Between Faith and Reason): “Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth—in a word, to know himself — so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves.”

St. Mary’s students are challenged to grow spiritually, intellectually, morally, and socially. Every classroom, athletic field, laboratory, chapel, and service opportunity becomes a place where young people discover the gifts God has given them and learn how to use those gifts in service to others.

This commitment to forming the whole person is evident throughout campus life. Students encounter Christ daily through prayer, the celebration of the sacraments, retreats, campus ministry, service opportunities, and meaningful relationships with faculty who see education as a vocation. Faith is not simply taught — it is lived.

Beginning this fall, St. Mary’s is blessed to welcome Sister Monica Wheeler, FMA, of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters). Sister Monica’s joyful witness, dedication to Catholic education, and passion for accompanying young people will enrich the spiritual life of our community. Her presence reflects our continued investment in creating an authentically Catholic environment where students are encouraged to encounter Christ and grow in holiness.

While faith remains our foundation, St. Mary’s also continues to distinguish itself through outstanding academic achievement. Our students are challenged through a rigorous and thoughtful curriculum that encourages curiosity, innovation, and excellence. St. Mary’s High School has earned the prestigious College Board AP School Honor Roll Platinum distinction — an honor awarded to only a small percentage of eligible high schools nationwide. This recognition reflects our students’ success in Advanced Placement coursework and examinations that can earn college credit, as well as our commitment to ensuring graduates are prepared for success in college and beyond.  

Additionally, St. Mary’s has once again been recognized as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School, demonstrating our commitment to providing exceptional opportunities in engineering and biomedical sciences. These nationally recognized programs equip students with hands-on experiences that prepare them to become future leaders in all academic disciplines.

These accomplishments are more than awards — they are evidence that Catholic education can prepare students to excel academically while remaining firmly grounded in faith and virtue.

Under the leadership of Trechter and Smith, St. Mary’s High School is embracing a future where academic excellence and Catholic identity are inseparable. Their vision is one that honors the school’s rich history while boldly preparing students to become disciples of Christ, servant leaders, critical thinkers, and faithful members of their communities.

Families searching for more than just an education will find a home at St. Mary’s. Here, students are known by name, challenged to achieve their highest potential, encouraged to ask meaningful questions, and invited into a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. School starts Aug, 12, so it’s not too late to enroll.

As our community enters this exciting new school year, we invite families throughout Southern Colorado to discover what makes St. Mary’s High School so special. Together, we are building more than successful students — we are forming faithful young men and women who will lead with faith, courage, compassion, wisdom, and integrity.

At St. Mary’s High School, we believe that when faith and reason grow together, students experience the fullness of God’s plan for their lives. That is the promise of Catholic education, and it is the future we are proud to build together.