With two student trips to New York City and three appearances on Nasdaq's Times Square billboard in 2026, Mary Immaculate Catholic School is creating extraordinary opportunities for young learners through faith, business education, and real-world experiences.
FARMERS BRANCH, TEXAS — From Wall Street to Broadway, students from Mary Immaculate Catholic School experienced an extraordinary journey of discovery in New York City this October, bringing classroom lessons to life through encounters with global finance, American history, faith, and the performing arts.
The trip marked the school's second student visit to New York City and Nasdaq in 2026, an achievement that reflects Mary Immaculate's commitment to creating educational opportunities beyond the traditional classroom.
Joining the students were Carl and Theresa Motter, founders of the school's Motter Business Program, whose vision and commitment have helped make these experiences possible. Following the school's inaugural trip in March, Mary Immaculate hopes to establish the New York City experience as an annual opportunity for students participating in the program.
The October visit also marked another significant milestone: Mary Immaculate's third appearance of the year on Nasdaq's iconic digital billboard in Times Square, a remarkable achievement for a Catholic elementary and middle school in North Texas.
Opening Doors on Wall Street
A highlight of the trip was a return to Nasdaq, one of the world's leading financial exchanges, where students gained insight into the financial markets and the institutions shaping the global economy.
The visit held special significance for Mary Immaculate. Earlier in 2026, the school received recognition through Blackbaud for its impact and innovation, with its story featured on Nasdaq's digital billboard in Times Square. The October visit built upon the school's first Nasdaq experience in March, strengthening a relationship that has opened remarkable doors for its students.
Students also visited Barclays, where they learned about international finance and investment and had the opportunity to engage with professionals working in the financial industry.
For students participating in the Motter Business Program, these encounters transformed classroom concepts into tangible experiences. Financial markets, entrepreneurship, investment, and leadership were no longer abstract ideas but real-world opportunities they could begin to imagine pursuing themselves.
The Motter Vision: Inspiring Future Leaders
Founded by Carl and Theresa Motter, the Motter Business Program introduces Mary Immaculate students to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, business fundamentals, and leadership.
Their decision to accompany the students to New York reflected a personal commitment to the program and its mission. Together, they experienced the excitement of Wall Street and witnessed firsthand the impact of connecting young learners with professionals and institutions at the forefront of global finance.
"Traveling to New York City, one of the financial capitals of the world, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Carl Motter. "I'm happy to see our MIS business students receiving this level of exposure. Making it a hat trick, with Mary Immaculate featured on the Nasdaq billboard in Times Square for the third time this year, is something we will always treasure."
For Theresa Motter, the experience was particularly meaningful because of the students' young age and the extraordinary opportunities already available to them.
"I was thrilled that our students were exposed to Nasdaq trading and innovation in eighth grade," she said. "To think that Vanderbilt MBA students were making their first visit to Nasdaq, and it was also my first visit, really puts this opportunity into perspective. I hope it inspires our students to wonder and dream big."
Their reflections capture the vision behind the program: exposing students to experiences that broaden their understanding of what is possible, build confidence, and encourage them to dream beyond the familiar.
By engaging with business leaders and exploring institutions such as Nasdaq and Barclays, students gain more than financial knowledge. They begin to see themselves as future entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders.
With two successful New York visits in a single year, Mary Immaculate hopes to make this experience an annual tradition, giving future generations of students similar opportunities to explore the business world firsthand.
What began as an extraordinary opportunity is becoming a meaningful part of the school's approach to experiential education.
History Beyond the Textbook
Beyond Wall Street, students explored some of America's most significant historical landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
At the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, students reflected on the courage, sacrifice, and determination of generations of immigrants who helped shape the United States. Their stories offered powerful lessons in perseverance, opportunity, and the dignity of every human person, values deeply connected to Catholic teaching.
The visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum was particularly meaningful for a generation born long after the events of September 11, 2001.
Standing at the memorial and learning about the lives lost, the heroism of first responders, and the compassion that emerged in the aftermath brought an important chapter of American history into focus.
The experience offered lessons not only in history but also in service, sacrifice, resilience, and the importance of remembering those who came before us.
Faith at the Heart of the Journey
Amid the energy of Manhattan, a visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral offered students an opportunity to connect with their Catholic faith in one of the nation's most iconic churches.
The cathedral's magnificent architecture and rich history provided a reminder that the Catholic faith extends far beyond their school and parish community, connecting them to a universal Church.
For Mary Immaculate, faith is central to every aspect of education. The school's mission is to provide a Christ-centered learning environment that fosters wonder and excitement, igniting in each student a love for learning and a desire to grow in faith and character.
The New York experience reflected that mission, demonstrating how academic achievement, professional ambition, and personal growth can be grounded in faith, integrity, compassion, and service to others.
Broadway Brings the Arts to Life
The students' experience also included a Broadway performance of Hamilton, the acclaimed musical that has transformed how audiences engage with American history.
Through its innovative blend of music, storytelling, and performance, Hamilton brought the nation's founding to life while exploring themes of leadership, ambition, perseverance, and legacy.
For students involved in Mary Immaculate's fine arts programs, the performance offered a glimpse into the creativity, dedication, and collaboration required to bring a major theatrical production to the stage.
It also reinforced the value of an education that connects different disciplines, demonstrating how history, music, drama, and storytelling can work together to deepen understanding and inspire imagination.
An Education That Opens Doors
For a Catholic school serving students from Pre-K through eighth grade, experiences like these represent an investment in the future.
A conversation with a financial executive may inspire a future entrepreneur. A visit to Ellis Island may spark an interest in history. A Broadway performance may encourage a student to pursue the arts. A quiet moment inside St. Patrick's Cathedral may deepen a student's faith.
Each experience offers the possibility of shaping how a young person sees the world and their place within it.
Through its Motter Business Program, fine arts, faith formation, and experiential learning opportunities, Mary Immaculate seeks to nurture students who are intellectually curious, spiritually grounded, and confident in their ability to make a meaningful contribution to the world.
The New York trip was made possible through the vision and generosity of Carl and Theresa Motter, the commitment of the school community, and the hospitality of the organizations that welcomed the students.
As Mary Immaculate looks toward making the trip an annual tradition, the two visits to Nasdaq in 2026 represent more than memorable milestones. They demonstrate what is possible when a school community comes together to create opportunities that inspire young people to dream bigger.
From Dallas classrooms to Wall Street boardrooms, from Broadway to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the students returned home with new perspectives, lasting memories, and a broader understanding of the possibilities ahead.
For Mary Immaculate Catholic School, this is more than a school trip. It is an investment in the next generation of leaders, grounded in faith and inspired by opportunity.
Mary Immaculate Catholic School, located in Farmers Branch, Texas, serves students from Pre-K through eighth grade. Its Christ-centered educational approach combines academic excellence, faith formation, leadership development, fine arts, and experiential learning to help students grow in knowledge, faith, and character.
Discover Mary Immaculate Catholic School
Prospective families interested in learning more about Mary Immaculate Catholic School are invited to experience its Christ-centered community and innovative educational programs firsthand. To schedule a personal tour or learn more about admissions, please visit www.mischool.org or contact the school's Admissions Office.