St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana is a women’s Catholic college with about 1,500 undergraduate students and has been a top choice school for many Nazareth students.   

This year, 25 students applied, 17 were admitted and 7 accepted scholarship offers and enrolled to attend in the Fall. They are Ava Aguirre (exercise science and nutrition), Sofia Flores (political science), Gianna Paul (nursing), Alayna Plahm (undecided), Lilly Straziota (nursing), Caitlin Sullivan (nursing) and Annie Trayser (nursing).

Aguirre, Flores and Straziota were available to sit down with The Announcer to talk about their decisions to accept their offers and their plans for attending St. Mary’s this Fall.

According to their website, “Saint Mary’s students are diverse women who share a common spirit and an eagerness to grow, learn, and shape the world. We develop strong thinkers and leaders who take action.” This group of seniors certainly embodies all that St. Mary’s stands for and they are excited to find their place among the other talented women at the school.

One of the most appealing things about St. Mary’s that drew the attention of Straziota and Flores is the relatively small size of the school, smaller classes and like-minded students. Both came from small middle school environments and feel that a smaller college, filled with confident and supportive women will best match their learning style.

Straziota has decided to go into the nursing program. She was inspired to enter the field when her father lost his battle with cancer her freshman year. Aguirre plans to study exercise science and nutrition and Flores will study political science. She, too, really values the opportunity to study at an all women’s college in a smaller environment and said, “It’s really unique and inspiring.”

Another reason some are looking forward to the all-women environment is because it lessens a bit of pressure and allows students to focus on their studies. Straziota imagines it will be really empowering being at an all women’s school because women can have that chance to succeed and support one another. Even though it’s an all women’s school there will be plenty of opportunities to branch out and experience college football games since the campus is so close to Notre Dame University, said Staziota.

St. Mary’s offered more than $1.5 million to Nazareth students via the Le Mans Award, Presidential Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Presidential Scholarship, Visit Award, Madeleva Award and the Trustee Award.

Director of College Counseling and Guidance Counselor Melissa Byram couldn’t be more excited for those who were awarded scholarships and the seven who have chosen to attend St. Mary’s this Fall. “All of these girls chose the right university for what they want to study. St Mary’s has something special to offer each and every one of them.” Byram added, “I’d like to credit these girls for continuing their Catholic education, as well.”