Moments at the Mount

A staff spotlight and the blessings of being a Rocket

With this time of year devoted to the celebration of Thanksgiving and preparation for the Christmas season, it is beneficial to note some of the greatest blessings that being a Rocket can bring.

For starters, every deceased alumni of Mount St. Mary is remembered and prayed for at the annual Alumni Memorial Mass. As Father Jerome Krug said in his homily, echoed later by Principal Laura Cain: “Not every high school does something like this for their alumni. This is a really special tradition in our school’s history.”

Cain explained how this was her favorite event MSM hosts every year, even surpassing homecoming and similar events. Family and friends of alumni who had passed away during the year since the previous Mass gathered to celebrate their loved ones and the rich heritage that Mount St. Mary has guarded for more than 120 years. 

Another set of tremendous blessings that MSM has to offer is the area of academics and success for graduates. In particular, the vast opportunities for students to prepare themselves for post-secondary education and their career. 

“For dual enrollment, the Mount has partnered with Newman University so that students can take college-level courses and through those same courses can fulfill their MSM graduation requirements and earn college credit that transfers to numerous colleges and universities,” said Donna Williams, a veteran guidance counselor at the Mount.

“This partnership allows teachers with a master’s degree in their content area to teach college-level courses for college credit. Concurrent enrollment is also an option for families and their students. When students meet the requirements to enroll concurrently, they earn college credit from those classes, but don’t earn credit towards their high school graduation.”

While the number of college credits that students graduate with depends on the individual and their needs, the class of 2024 graduated with 1,096 credits, with 82% earning those credits through Advanced Placement (AP) classes, concurrent enrollment and dual enrollment.

Two 2024 graduates obtained more than 40 college credits during their time at the Mount. After one semester in college, they were considered juniors, so they were able to start their higher level courses and internships around one or two years early. This enabled their family to save significant money and allowed those students to begin their careers earlier than normal. 

One of the reasons Williams said she loves the Mount and its students so dearly is because the Mount doesn’t just simply help prepare students for academics after high school. The school is rooted in the Mercy Values, which call for the raising up of leaders in the local community, the development of a servant’s heart in those who walk the halls of Mount St. Mary, and the cultivation of a relationship with Christ.

She said she loves the familial dynamic between her colleagues and students and the opportunity to get to know others on a personal level. Any MSM student who has known Williams will confidently attest to her wicked level of intelligence and kind demeanor. 

Originally a native of South Dakota, Williams relocated with her family to Oklahoma 11 years ago. At the time, she already had 20 years of experience as a Catholic school counselor and her soon-to-be junior in high school needed somewhere to continue her education in Oklahoma.

Settling on Mount St. Mary for her daughter to attend, a counselor position soon opened and Williams jumped at the opportunity. 

“God had a plan and I couldn’t be happier.” she said. 


Photo: Donna Williams. Photo Mount St. Mary Catholic High School.