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Toni Robert Mountain ’66 – Overcoming Adversity
For many breast cancer survivors in the Portland area, Toni is a living example of someone who not only survived the disease, but has thrived in the 30 years following her diagnosis, treatment and recovery. She is currently the Survivor Programs Manager at the Komen Foundation for Oregon and SW Washington, where she develops and implements programs designed to enhance the quality of life of breast cancer survivors and their co-survivors. She also maintains and coordinates the Komen Speakers’ Bureau and is a frequent guest speaker at women’s health forums across the Pacific Northwest. Toni has received Komen’s local hero award and was cited as an outstanding Komen affiliate volunteer in 2003. Previously, she worked at Nordstrom as the breast prosthesis coordinator and buyer for three western states and volunteered as a counselor through the Breast Cancer Outreach Program at Providence St. Vincent’s and Providence Portland. As her family and peers at Komen testify, Toni is a “beacon of hope, celebration and support” for all who are experiencing the uncertainties that come with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Mary Ryan ’44 – Embodiment of the St. Mary’s Mission
Mary has worked as a teacher, social worker, and librarian. She is an active member of the St. Stephen’s parish and currently serves as a Eucharistic minister and lector; Mary was instrumental in planning both the 75th and 100th anniversary celebrations for the parish. In 1997, she was presented with the Bishop Francis P. Leipzig Award from the Archdiocesan Historical Commission for distinctive achievement in the study, promotion and living of Catholic history in Oregon. While serving as Bishop Waldschmidt’s secretary at the Chancery, Mary volunteered to use her library skills to organize, research and catalog materials for radio station KBVM. Her work at the station soon evolved into brief radio segments entitled “Catholic Moments in History.” The segments still air daily and listeners can hear Mary’s voice, with her recognizable sign-off of “a small part of the rich heritage you and I share.” Mary currently volunteers weekly for the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center and is a member of the Archdiocesan Historical Commission, where she is currently working on the Blanchet papers.
Viviane Simon-Brown ’67 – Environmental Preservation
Viviane is a full professor and extension specialist at OSU’s College of Forestry, and is credited for coining the term “sustainable living.” In 1998, she created the unique extension program called the Sustainability Living Project at Oregon State University. In 2004, Viviane and eight colleagues founded the National Network for Sustainable Living Education (NNSLE), of which she is currently the director. The NNSLE has since expanded to include over 50 faculty members at 27 land-grant universities in the US. In addition to her role at Oregon State University, Viviane serves on a number of Extension boards and councils, and creates innovative program materials, including a creative, educational traveling art exhibit and a one-act play designed to engage the public in the discussion of important forest issues. Throughout her career, she has received a number of prestigious awards, but she values most the 2007 Awesome Force award she received from her peers in Extension forestry. Viviane has worked as an environmental educator for OMSI; a forestry tech for the US Forest Service; a forestry contractor for five forests from Colorado to Oregon; and has developed and run educational programs as the director of summer development at Central Oregon Community College, and as the director of the Central Oregon Consortium for Higher Education. She urges her young students to “Have more fun and less stuff!”
State Championship Volleyball Teams of 1976-77 and 1977-78
In recognition of the 150th Anniversary of St. Mary’s Academy, this year’s ceremony included special recognition of the state championship volleyball teams of 1976-77 and 1977-78. These teams were the first to bring home state championship titles for St. Mary’s Academy. Their post-Title IX success heralded a new era in athletic competition, achievement and opportunity for the women of St. Mary’s Academy.
The annual St Mary's Academy Awards was created for alumnae, Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, teachers, students, and friends of St Mary's Academy to gather and recognize alumnae for outstanding achievements in a variety of categories. Honorees of the St. Mary's Academy Awards are nominated each year by other alumnae, parents, and teachers. This festive ceremony and celebration is stylish enough to be mistaken for a Hollywood gala event. Upon arrival, a red carpet welcomes each guest while the media (student photographers) snap pictures. A sophisticated reception and ceremony takes place in Rooftop Student Commons complete with crystal award presentations, entertainment bytalented St. Mary's students, a keynote address, and scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and desserts. This special evening offers a chance to honor and congratulate the winners, renew friendships with many of your St. Mary's friends, and celebrate the entire St. Mary's community.
The 2009 St. Mary's Academy Awards were held on April 4th, and the event was a great success.
Learn more about our 2008 St. Mary's Academy Awards recipients.
Learn more about our 2007 St. Mary's Academy Awards recipients.
Learn more about our 2006 St. Mary's Academy Awards recipients.
Learn more about our 2005 St. Mary's Academy Awards recipients.
Learn more about our 2004 St. Mary's Academy Awards recipients.
Learn more about our 2003 St. Mary's Academy Awards recipients.
Read the keynote address, a thoughtful exploration of how the lessons learned at St. Mary’s helped shape the life of Helen Miller, M.D. ’79. Dr. Miller received the 2007 St. Mary’s Academy Award for Woman of Achievement in Science and Medicine
Read the keynote address, an insightful reflection on the value of Catholic education. Sr. Mary received the 2003 St. Mary’s Academy Award for Excellence in Teaching/Educational Administration.
Read the keynote address, full of humor and love of St. Mary's, from the 2006 Alumnae St. Mary's Academy Awards ceremony delivered by Teri Mariani '70, a 2004 Academy Award honoree for Outstanding Athletic Achievement.
Read the inspiring keynote address from the 2005 Alumnae St. Mary's Academy Awards ceremony delivered by Vicki Dieringer Ford '69.
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The 2009 St. Mary's Academy Awards ceremony will take place on April 4, 2009. To nominate someone for this event, please complete and return the nomination form. Please feel free to nominate yourself or someone else. To submit multiple nominations, please complete and send as many forms as needed.
The submission of this form declares your nominee as a candidate. You may indicate on the nomination form if you do not wish to be publicly recognized as the nominator. As part of our commitment to engage in a fair and comprehensive review of all candidates, more information may be required from you. A member of the Alumnae Council will contact you to gather more information if necessary.
The Alumnae Council will choose the award recipients and honorees will be contacted as appropriate. Three to five awards from the ten categories listed below will be given based on the most nominated categories.
The Categories
The following eleven categories are available for nominations for the annual St. Mary's Academy Awards:
- Outstanding Service to Community: Sr. Shawn Marie Barry Award
Woman who demonstrates commitment to her community through volunteerism or service
- Woman of Achievement in Science or Medicine
- Woman of Achievement in Engineering or Technology
- Environmental Preservation Award
- Woman of Career Achievement
Characteristics of a nominee in this category:
• Exceptional professional achievements
• 10+ years in her field
• Breaking new ground within her field
- Theatre, Music, or Art Achievement
- Excellence in Teaching or Educational Administration
- Outstanding Athletic Achievement
- Extraordinary Contemporary Alumna
• Graduated in the last ten years
• High level of achievement among peers
• Success or achievement of candidate need not be limited to career or education
- Embodiment of the Mission of St. Mary's Academy
Accomplishments of a nominee in this category might encompass the following:
• Working toward diversity or social justice
• Furthering the cause of women
• Living and teaching Gospel values
• Contributing her leadership, her knowledge, and her respect for life as a service to others
- Living Out A Dream Award
Achievement of personal success by demonstrating the courage to live out a dream
- Overcoming Adversity
A woman who has demonstrated extraordinary achievement despite significant adversity in her life
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