1,200 middle schoolers visit Saint Mary's women's basketball game

Twelve hundred students from Antioch Unified School District came to Saint Mary's on November 7, 2022 for a full day of seeing, hearing, and feeling what it's like to be on a college campus.

They were led here by Lindsay Wisely-Lopez '04, MA '09 who has completed a full circle—she grew up in Antioch schools, played basketball at Saint Mary's, returned to teach and work in Antioch schools, and is now bringing students to her alma mater. The hope is that they'll have higher aspirations as they grow beyond their high school years.

“Saint Mary's is a really special place, a place where you feel welcome," said Wisely-Lopez. "And when the kids step on the campus, they feel it right away.

"I'm hoping that they feel inspired and excited to work hard on their academics and come back to school to set their own goals. Even if it's not Saint Mary's, it's just going to college in general and setting some of their career goals.

"I think we'd be thrilled if our students walked away with that kind of inspiration."