St. Michael Indian School Board of Directors Announce New Gym Construction
ST MICHAELS, ARIZONA (MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024)— The St. Michael Indian School (SMIS) Board of Directors is excited to announce the approval of a new gymnasium on campus. In a unanimous vote on Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Board moved forward with the construction, marking a historic milestone for the school.
Construction of the new gym will begin in May 2025, with a projected completion date of March 2026. This will be the first new building on the SMIS campus in decades, signaling a significant step forward in expanding the school’s facilities to better serve its students and the community.
Derrick Terry, Chair of the SMIS Board of Directors, alongside the Sisters and other Board members, expressed their excitement and gratitude for this project. “We are overjoyed to begin building this new gym for the children of St. Michael Indian School and the broader community. It’s a moment of pride for all of us. As an alumnus of this school, I am honored to be part of this historic moment. The new gym will provide future generations of students with opportunities and resources that were once only dreams. It’s not just a facility—it’s an investment in our children, our culture, and our community.”
SMIS President Dot Teso reflected on how the project aligns with the vision of the school’s foundress, St. Katharine Drexel. “This new gym embodies St. Katharine Drexel’s mission of providing a space where students can grow not only academically but physically, spiritually, and socially. St. Katharine envisioned a future where the children of St. Michael Indian School would thrive in every aspect of their lives. This gym is a continuation of that legacy, helping us to support the holistic development of our students while strengthening community ties.”
The announcement comes as a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the entire school community, marking a major step toward providing state-of-the-art resources for student development, athletics, and community gatherings.