Gross Catholic Engineering Team Triumphs in SAME SMP Contest
Champions! At Gross Catholic High School, we are thrilled to announce the outstanding achievement of our Engineering Team in the Society of American Military Engineers Student Mentoring Program (SAME SMP) competition. Grace Nilson, Molly Shanahan, Conner McGarry, and Joseph Connor collaborated brilliantly to win this prestigious contest against other area high school engineering teams.
The Winning Design: Library Expansion
Partnering with Shannon Putney, Director of the Carter Lake Public Library, the team embarked on a mission to design a comprehensive library expansion. This involved meticulous planning and collaboration with professionals to understand the library’s current needs and future aspirations. They envisioned exciting new spaces tailored for children, teens, and adults, ensuring that the expansion would serve the community effectively.
Prize Allocation: Investing in Education
The team’s exceptional efforts were duly recognized, earning them $2000 in scholarships and an additional $1000 to bolster STEM programs both within our school and the wider community. This victory not only celebrates their talent but also highlights the importance of nurturing young minds in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Additionally, Joe Conner won the Mary McKernan $2000 scholarship which provides $2000 per year for up to 4 years. Congratulations Joe!
A Legacy of Excellence: Omaha SAME Post Competition
The SAME SMP competition, managed by the Omaha SAME Post for over 30 years, is a pinnacle event for aspiring engineers. Gross Catholic High School has been a stalwart participant, consistently showcasing exceptional talent. Over the years, we have proudly brought home the Post President’s Award, the highest honor in the competition, on seven occasions.
The Journey to Success
The road to victory was paved with dedication and perseverance. Starting in the fall, the team meticulously selected and developed their project under the mentorship of retired landscape architect Anne Peterson. Meetings with library stakeholders and technical consultations with engineers from Morrissey Engineering enriched their understanding and refined their vision.
Judges’ Acclaim: Real-world Impact
The judges, comprising seasoned architects and engineers, were deeply impressed by the team’s approach. Their feedback—”This is exactly what we do every day”—underscores the real-world applicability of the project and the exceptional caliber of our students’ work.
Celebrating Achievement and Inspiring Futures
Congratulations to Grace, Molly, Conner, Joseph, their mentor Anne Peterson, and their moderator, Mr. Steve Hamersky on this remarkable achievement! Their success exemplifies the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines Gross Catholic High School. As we celebrate this victory, we also look forward to inspiring more students to pursue their passions in engineering and STEM, knowing that the future of innovation lies in their capable hands.
What We Do
It’s what we do here at Gross Catholic… prepare students for a remarkable future in the real world.
About Gross Catholic High School
Gross Catholic, a co-educational, college preparatory high school, began its proud heritage of academic excellence rooted in the Marianist tradition in 1968. We consider ourselves one of the best Catholic schools in Omaha, Bellevue, and Papillion. The school motto Dux Esto (“Be a Leader”) is at the core of its extraordinary mission, innovative spirit, and fundamental values. The school offers a challenging environment and outstanding quality of life, both in academics and co-curricular activities, with a strong focus on STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) education. The spirit of Christian service and giving back is part of everything the school does. Gross Catholic’s top-tier status is reflected in its talented faculty, staff, and coaches who take great pride in seeing virtually every graduate head to college, often to the most prestigious domestic and international universities and service academies. Together with families and alumni, Gross Catholic forges relationships for a lifetime, helping to ready the next generation to be exemplary, principled leaders of the world.
To discover the Gross Catholic difference, contact us at 402.734.2000 or visit our Admissions page.