School news in brief

Color run 

Queen of Peace School will host a color run Saturday, Sept. 16, at Pine Valley Recreation Area in Cloquet. There will be two course options, a 5K, and a color dash (approximately 2.5K). Everyone is welcome to participate. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. with the races starting at 11 a.m. Registration is $25 for ages 13 and up, $20 for ages five to twelve, and free for children four and under. The event will also include food trucks, games, and prizes. Proceeds will go to Queen of Peace Catholic School in Cloquet. 

Ribbon cutting event 

Stella Maris Academy is excited to announce the completion of the high school campus phase one renovation and revitalization project. The purchase of the property and initial phase of renovations brings new life to a property rich in history with nine additional classrooms, and the path forward for phases two and three. The academy recently welcomed the community to a ribbon cutting and open house to showcase the completion of the initial phase of work and to see the home of past, current, and future students of Catholic education in Duluth. Stella Maris Academy acquired the former Woodland Hills Youth and Family Services property in October 2021. Since the acquisition, major renovations have been occurring to accommodate the over 200 more students in the last five years at the academy. There is a demand and desire from young families in Duluth for the community, stability, and mission that drives Stella Maris Academy. With the expansion, they are poised to meet the demand and offer exceptional academic and extracurricular opportunities from early childhood through high school. 

Foundation dinner 

Chris Stefanick

Chris Stefanick, founder of Real Life Catholic, internationally known author, TV host, podcaster, and father of six, will be the St. Francis Catholic School Foundation dinner speaker on Friday, Oct. 13, at Madden’s on Gull Lake Town Hall. Social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and programming to follow. 

A strong supporter of Catholic education, Stefanick will speak on the need for helping sustain our institution during a time when anti-Christian messaging is strong in our communities. He and his wife have raised their six children with a Catholic school education and believe in the formation Catholic schools can provide. His enthusiasm for the Catholic faith is inspiring, and his high energy and devotion are contagious. 

The St. Francis School Foundation has been a strong support of St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School for more than 25 years. Providing financial aid funding, teacher salary support, and special project monetary help has been at the forefront of their mission. This annual dinner is the backbone of their fundraising efforts. Tickets are $175 per person, $1,800 for a VIP reserved table of eight. RSVP deadline is Sept. 22. Registration can be made online at stfranciscatholicschool.org or contact Carla Coonan at [email protected] or (218) 829-2344. 

Sentinels take third in hockey tourney

(Submitted photo)

Stella Maris Academy’s 2009-birth-year AAA off-season hockey team placed third at the Northern Exposure tournament in July in Duluth. The trophy was the first in the history of SMA hockey. Team members were: Front row — Ryder Latour, Matt Smith; middle row — Jax Hardy, Levi Lovely, Riley Marshall; back row — Henry Haugen, Rafe Giswold, Jackson Bartovich, Dane Hoffbauer, Kade Norman, Ethan Larson, Colton Trush; not pictured — Novak Doyle, Ryker Dunbar. Coaches: Derek Hoffbauer, Scott Pionk. Hardy, Hoffbauer, Trush, Lovely, and Doyle are students at SMA.