MMA Stands for Sugu
Merion Mercy ran daily events last week, which culminated in "Stand for Sugu," a dance-a-thon to raise money for the Mercy Girl Effect. The MMA community has been involved in "The Mercy Girl Effect," a project combining the efforts of Mercy schools across the nation, for several years. Together, the 12-15 Mercy schools collaborate to improve the quality of life for females in developing nations with a special emphasis on girls and education. "The Mercy Girl Effect" gives young women worldwide opportunities they would not have otherwise had, and all from the dedication, service, and fundraising efforts of their peers half a world away. In recent years, the MMA students helped to raise money to build a library in Kenya, schools in Cambodia and South Sudan, and hut-houses for refugees in Nigeria (once the children had housing, they could get an address and were then eligible to enroll at the local school). This year, students will focus their fundraising efforts to the rebuilding a school in Sugu, Nigeria, which was bombed by Boko Haram. The school will also function as a community center for people of all nationalities and faiths to meet.

Merion students came out in full force at the "Stand for Sugu" dance-a-thon on Friday. Click here for event photos. Click here the 6abc news coverage of the event.

Lacrosse Team Supports Prom Boutique
The Community Center at Visitation in Kensington held its second Prom Boutique for girls ages 15-20. The Prom Boutique, also called Cinderella's Closet, was a day of fun and fashion.  Students (and their moms) were invited to enjoy an afternoon, selecting prom dresses and accessories, getting some hair and make up tips, and enjoying lunch.

The young ladies who may have been feeling a financial pinch with preparations for their proms had the opportunity to take home dresses and accessories free of charge.  Several hundred dresses in all sizes, shapes, and styles and prom accessories, such as shoes and purses, were donated–many by the students at Merion Mercy through one of two prom dress and accessory drives the school supported this winter.

Members of MMA's lacrosse team (and many of their moms) volunteered at the event. This initiative and the MMA volunteers were featured on the news. Click here for the news clip.  Click here for photos from the service project.