Summer 2018 | Issue 3
ALUMNAE NEWSLETTER
Letter from the Head of School
Dear Alumnae,
It has been a pleasure to close out the school year as a member of the Merion Mercy community. As recent graduate Devyn Russo '18 shared in her speech at Graduation, "As educated, young, merciful women, we are responsible for leaving our mark on the world. Through Merion, we have been encouraged to dream big." I have seen firsthand that, indeed, our students dream big and go far as they discover their unique voices and their connection with the world around them.
Both Graduation and Baccalaureate were absolutely beautiful. Members of MMA's Class of 2018 received 565 letters of acceptance from 146 colleges and universities. They also earned 387 merit scholarships totaling $20,383,470. It also was a thrill to participate in the underclass awards ceremony and final dismissal for summer. Our students have worked hard and grown in countless ways over the school year.
Now, we look to the summer months and plans for the coming year. Notably, the search for the new Head of School is underway. The Board of Trustees Search Committee recently sent out an update on the Head of School search process. (Click here to view.) Throughout the summer, you will receive updates on both the process and the progress of other programs we look forward to growing.
I hope our entire Merion Mercy family enjoys a happy, healthy summer.
Warm Regards,
Sister Christine McCann
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Alumnae Association Meeting
The Alumnae Association had a most productive meeting on June 12, 2018. The new by-laws were approved. Click here to view the by-laws. Also, the new slate of Executive Officers for 2018-2020 were approved. We are thrilled to have Maria Jose Morinigo '90, Michelle Williams '96, and Meagan Sloan '06 (Chair) as our Executive Officers along with several volunteers for our Advisory Committee .
Our deepest thanks to the 2016-18 Alumnae Association Officers: Maureen Costello '00 (President), Kellianne Nicholas '06 (Secretary), and Kathy Williamson Doyle '71 (Treasurer) for the talent and leadership they have brought to the group during their term. With their leadership, the Alumnae Association grew and built on exciting programs and events. Many thanks as well to the 2016-18 Advisory Committee.
The evening honored two much-loved faculty members–both retiring after decades of teaching: Joan Hight and Fran LaNoce '69.
Mrs. Hight led groups as they discussed the novel BROWN GIRL DREAMING by Jacqueline Woodson. At the culmination of "Book Club," Mrs. Hight invited participants to share their MMA stories. BROWN GIRL DREAMING is written in verse, so Mrs. Hight encourages alumnae to submit one of their stories in verse or prose. Based on the response, she would like to share these stories in the future with the alumnae community. Please send any submissions to Kristina Stanton Cawley '90 at kcawley@merion-mercy.com by September 1, 2018.
On this occasion, it only seemed fitting to officially call Joan "ours" by naming her an Honorary Alumna.
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Announcements
Upward & Onward
Our Blessed Mother has made its third and final move as a result of the Upward & Onward building project. As of today, the iconic statue is officially in Mary's Garden adjacent to the Dining Commons. Mary's Garden will be a reflective place for our entire community, especially our students. Thank you to our legacy benefactors for providing this new, beautiful place for all to see, inspiring both love and prayer.
Annual Fund
If you would like to continue supporting the long legacy of MMA students, please click here to make an Annual Fund donation before the end of the 2017-18 fiscal year on Saturday, June 30, 2018.
Thank you to all of our supporters. Click here to "Meet Our Donors."
EITC
Are you a Pennsylvania business owner and/or work for a qualifying business and want to redirect your state tax liability to benefit students at Merion Mercy Academy? Consider applying to the Educational Tax Credit Program or Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit program to enroll in a one or two year commitment to designate your state tax contributions as scholarship dollars for qualifying Merion Mercy Academy students. For more information, please visit our website here or the department of educations website here to apply.
If you are already an EITC or OSTC contributor, please remember to renew your application by July 1, 2018, to participate or fulfill your commitment.
Thank you for providing important scholarship opportunities to our students!
Everyday Way to Support MMA: AmazonSmile
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com (amazon.com). The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.
On your first visit to smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Please select Merion Mercy Academy. Amazon will remember your selection; then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation to Merion Mercy.
Thank You, Alumnae
Honor Guard
Many thanks to the alums who formed an honor guard for the Class of 2018 after the Baccalaureate Mass.
Meri-Union 2018
Thank you to all who attended Meri-Union 2018 (or contributed in some way to its success). There were alums spanning seven decades–from the Class of 1948 to the Class of 2013. After a lovely Mass in the Mercy Chapel and the induction of the Class of 1968 into the Golden Circle of Mercy, alumnae spent hours enjoying time with friends–both old and new at the school. The reminiscing was so special, but it was also a treat to watch memories being made.
Click here for photos from the event.
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Save the Dates
Shore Happy Hour
Merion Mercy is looking forward to another Shore Happy Hour at the Whitebriar in Avalon, NJ, in August. More details to follow. If you would like to join the planning committe, please contact alitvinas@merion-mercy.com.
Sip 'n Bid 2018: Winter Wonderland
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for the 42nd annual Sip 'n Bid on Saturday, November 17, 2018. We will send more information on all of the wonderful ways to get involved in planning our school's largest fundraiser.
Current parents Christopher and Michele McDonnell Reichow (Michele is an alumna from the Class of 1983) are this year's auction Chairs.
Please feel free to contact Kelley Kuyat, kkuyat@merion-mercy.com, and Cathy Sabia, auction@merion-mercy.com, to learn more.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Spirit Shop Volunteers
Volunteering in the Spirit Shop is a fun, easy way to stay involved with MMA, so please consider joining our team! A sign up will go out via email/be on the Spirit Shop page of the school website in August with a schedule for the 2018-19 school year, and there are slots to fit every kind of schedule.
Beginning in September, all Spirit Shop volunteers will be required to have clearances on file at Merion Mercy. You may find a list of required clearances here.
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Merion Mercy Academy
511 Montgomery Avenue • Merion Station, PA 19066 • (610) 664-6655