Merion Mercy Students Embrace the Bard

On February 13, 2025, Merion Mercy Academy held its annual celebration of Shakespeare by inviting students to compete for the National Shakespeare Competition. Sponsored by the English-Speaking Union, this performance-based educational program serves grades 9-12. On average, approximately 5,000 students from close to 800 schools across the country participate. The competition involves reading, analyzing, memorizing, performing and reciting Shakespearean monologues and sonnets in three qualifying stages: at the school, community (Branch) and national levels. This year, Alex Segreti ‘25 will represent Merion Mercy in the Philadelphia Branch competition to be held at the Museum of the American Revolution on February 24. 

At the Branch competition, contestants will present their sonnets and monologues, then judges will select finalists. The top 10 students will then prepare and present a cold reading of an additional Shakespeare monologue to determine the top three finalists.

The first place winner of each Branch competition advances to the national competition held in New York City at Lincoln Center. First prize is a scholarship to attend the British American Drama Academy Mid-Summer Conservatory Program. Second prize is a scholarship to attend the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp; and third prize is $1,000.

Also competing this year for Merion Mercy were Tess Hahn ‘25, Christina Flanagan ‘26, and Carly Segreti ‘29.