Congratulations to this quarter’s Loretto Leaders! Students and teachers are nominated by their peers for exemplifying our Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect. 

Grade 9 - Lila Kerr
Lila embodies the spirit of a true SMA student in every sense of the word. She is known for her warmth and genuine kindness. She greets everyone with a smile and consistently puts others before herself. Her friends describe her as dependable and someone who truly shows up. 

Academically, Lila is a standout. She earned the Environmental Short Story Golden Key Award for her piece, "Where the Ocean Was My Friend", and her Creative Writing teacher praises her, saying, “She is an extremely talented writer who works hard and thinks deeply about creativity. Even though she has already won a creative writing award as a freshman, she continues to push herself to grow with every assignment.”

Lila volunteers at the Littleton Immigration Center, where she teaches English writing skills, and at Clothes to Kids. She is also an active member of the Business Club, The Burning Page, The Quill, and Robotics. On the court, she serves as co-captain of the JV Tennis Team, competing at the #1 doubles position. And she has already earned the opportunity to compete in varsity matches this season.

Whether in the classroom, on the court, or in her community, Lila leads with kindness, dedication, and heart.

Grade 10 - Alexandra Schmidt
Alexandra is the kind of person who makes every space she enters a little brighter. Her classmate describes her,: “She is one of the kindest and sweetest people SMA has to offer. Alexandra is one of the most intelligent people I've ever met, managing all of her difficult classes like a boss. She is creative and talented, and she shows it in her photography, her drawings, and even her costumes for dress-up days. She embodies all of our Loretto School Values every day, and I truly don't think I've ever seen her with a frown on her face. If there is someone who deserves the Loretto Leader title, it's her.”

Alexandra’s teachers echo the sentiment, noting that while she may not be the loudest voice in the room, she is a quiet leader who shows up every day ready to learn, think deeply, and help those around her.

Alexandra expresses her creativity through photography, drawing, and even costume design. Her love of nature finds an outlet in her volunteer work at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Academically, she holds her own in a demanding course load that includes AP Calculus AB and Chinese II, while maintaining membership in the Chinese, Thespian, Math, Art, Science, and Tri-M National Honor Societies.

Her commitment to community is her defining quality. Alexandra serves as president of the Math Team and founder and president of the Newborns in Need Crochet Club, and she has contributed to Robotics, Speech and Debate, Asian Affinity, D&D Club, Logic Lab, and the Golf Team, not to mention her behind-the-scenes work on tech for both the fall play and the All-Academy Musical. She is, without question, a positive and lasting presence at SMA!

Grade 11 - Elena Russell
Elena is the kind of person who raises the energy of every room she walks into. A charismatic and dedicated student, she is currently tackling a rigorous course load that includes AP Biology, AP European History, Trigonometry, Theology 3, and French 4. Her teachers praise her enthusiasm in class discussions and note that her drive has a way of motivating everyone around her.

Elena competes on both the Varsity Soccer and Varsity Field Hockey teams, and also pursues competitive skiing, managing the demands of travel and competition without missing a beat. Amid that packed athletic schedule, she still carves out time to volunteer at Children's Hospital, and shows up at school every morning at 7:45 a.m. for DECA.

Her friends describe her as one of the kindest people they know and someone they can always turn to, no matter what. She has a gift for putting others first, even when her own schedule leaves little room to spare. Funny, warm, and deeply genuine, she is the kind of person whose presence makes the community stronger.

Academically focused, athletically driven, and wholeheartedly devoted to the people around her, Elena embodies our Loretto School Values in everything she does.

Grade 12 - Dafne Rivas Quijada
Dafne has been dedicated to the SMA community since her very first day as a freshman, and those who know her are only surprised it took this long for her to receive the Loretto Leader Award, thanks to her warmth, a joyous laugh, and her commitment to making sure every person at SMA feels seen and heard.

Academically, Dafne balances a demanding schedule of AP Literature, Calculus, and Drawing and Painting II while also taking on significant leadership roles. She serves as co-president of both the Sabor Latino Club and the Latine Student Union, and as a Roundtable leader, she brings passionate energy to conversations about social justice. Her teachers say that when Dafne speaks about something she cares about, everyone in the room is lucky to be listening.

Her talents extend into the arts as well. Her artwork graces the posters for Diversity Day every year, and she has shared her culture joyfully with her fellow students, including leading a quinceañera dance demonstration during Affinity Day. Beyond school, she volunteers countless hours at the Julia Temple Assisted Living Center, all while holding down a part-time job.

Her friends describe her as the hardest-working person they know, someone who puts family first, shows up for others without hesitation, and meets every obstacle with quiet grace. Dafne is, without question, a person whose presence has made SMA a better place.

All-School - Pamela Applegate
Mrs. Applegate is one of the most essential people in the High School. Her roots at SMA run deep. She sends her own children to the Lower School, attends Loretto Leadership conferences with sister schools, and brings everything she learns back to her work here. She leads by example, always putting SMA and the students first.

Mrs. Applegate wears many hats. She teaches, serves as a college counselor, supports students from Grade 9 through graduation and beyond, and serves as faculty advisor for STUCO. She works quietly behind the scenes to resolve conflicts, supports administration, and makes sure students have the best possible experience at SMA.

Her students express their gratitude for her. She has taught them not just how to navigate high school and academics, but how to listen, take feedback, and grow into strong leaders. For many, she is a big part of why they love SMA.

As she prepares to move to Sanders House next year, the High School community will feel her absence. But the impact she has had on the students, staff, and culture of this school will not be forgotten. Thank you!

Faculty/Staff - Antonio
Antonio may be new to SMA, but he has fit into the community as if he has always been here. Students across all grade levels have noticed his hard work and dedication, and he brings a warmth to this school that everyone around him feels.

He greets every person he passes with a smile that instantly makes them feel better. Even when his hands are full, he finds a way to hold the door open for students and fellow faculty. He is attentive, respectful, and genuinely invested in the people around him.

He keeps SMA's spaces clean and well-maintained so students can focus on their studies in a comfortable environment. He is seen working constantly and sets a standard of dedication that is hard to miss. He gives everything to this school, and it shows.