Lighting the Path Beyond High School

By Liz Barksdale, Alumni Engagement Coordinator

The St. Agnes Academy Upper School Counseling Center is committed to empowering students to meet their college and career path goals. In support of that mission, the St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Office has continued the collaborative initiative Reach for the Stars, which began in 2024.

Reach for the Stars was designed to connect current SAA students with some of the amazing women who once walked the same halls. These intimate small-group sessions are just one of the many ways our students actively engage in the college and career decision-making process.

By hearing directly from alumnae, students can see firsthand the variety of paths a St. Agnes education can lead to—and the many ways grit, faith, and determination can shape who they become and move them forward.

This fall we were honored to have visits from four alumnae: Emily Pratt Schoenberger (’04), Vice President of Customer Care & Analytics for North America at Keuhne + Nagel; Anna Walsh (’11), Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Briana Wilson (’14), Director and Head of Social Media at Caliber Corporate Advisers; and Sydney Knose Flanery (’10) Founder, CEO, and Esthetician at Skin Studio.

As these women shared their educational and professional journeys, their stories offered students both inspiration and practical insight into what different careers look like day-to-day and the process it took to get them there. The students asked thoughtful, individualized questions, formed meaningful connections, and gained a clearer understanding of how relationships and networking can shape real-world success after graduation.

We were fortunate to have a wide variety of fields represented this fall, from logistics to esthetics, and the momentum doesn’t stop there! The spring lineup is already taking shape, with plans including conversations with a neonatal ICU nurse, a director of development, an architect, and a realtor—four more bright examples of the diverse and impactful careers embraced by SAA alumnae around the world.

At St. Agnes Academy, giving our students the knowledge, confidence, and connections they need to pursue their goals is at the heart of our mission. By bringing alumnae and students together, Reach for the Stars continues to strengthen the bond of sisterhood that spans generations.

Keep reaching for the stars, SAA students and alumnae—the world needs your light!