Mercy Alumnae Newsletter - March 2008

Did you know that March is Women's History Month? While the country celebrates the accomplishments of women all over the world, we celebrate the accomplishments of Mercy alumnae! Take a moment to read about your classmates achievements and whereabouts in the Merci.

Distinguished Alumnae Award I bet you know a Mercy woman who has taken big strides to make a difference in our world.  A Mercy woman who uses her talents and skills to exemplify the Mercy values and mission. Whether she's in education or healthcare or serving church or community there's still time to nominate her for the Distinguished Alumnae Award. A perfect way to celebrate the success stories of Mercy graduates!  The deadline has been extended so CLICK HERE for a nomination form. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2008 Distinguished Alumna Award recipient at this year's Tea for Tuition.

Time for TEA! Have you signed up to host a table at the 4th Annual Tea for Tuition?  There's still time to be a table hostess for this fabulous alumnae event! Join us for an afternoon of tea, treats, prizes and fun to support Mercy on Sunday, April 27 from 2 - 4pm in the Mercy gymnasium!  All proceeds benefit the Tuition Assistance program. Don't live in the area, but would like to support this important alumnae event?  Do you own a small business and would like to donate an item to advertise your business?  Consider donating an item to the silent auction.  We are looking for special items that women enjoy to keep the bidding going!  Visit the Mercy website to print a donation form or contact the Alumnae Office at alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org.  Hurry!  Last chance to reserve a table, or a spot at a mingler table, is April 15, 2008!  Click here for more information and contact the Alumnae Office at alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org or call 248.476.3270 to RSVP.

Answer Mercy’s Call! Thank you to everyone who answered Mercy’s call last week during the annual PHONATHON. Over three evenings, 32 parent volunteers called alumnae, including all of those celebrating a ten year reunion, to solicit gifts to Mercy’s Annual Fund. Because of enthusiastic alumnae support, almost $15,000 was pledged in less than seven hours to help "zap the gap" between tuition and the expense of educating each student. Not only was the PHONATHON a nice financial boost to the school, but hundreds of friendly Mercy messages were left on answering machines across the country. There is still time to make your gift to the Annual Fund. Your gift will allow us to meet the increased costs of operation and help ensure that today’s students are offered the same high-quality Catholic education that Mercy has provided since 1945. Click here to donate online.

SOIREE Success! A stunning Soiree was held for the 29th Annual Mercy Auction on March 1st.  It was an elegant evening of food, fun, friendship, and fundraising with hundreds of guests bidding on hundreds of items to raise thousands of dollars for Mercy women.    Proud parents, students, staff, and Mercy alumnae filled the auditorium to enjoy the new Live Auction production which included special items such as ‘Dean for an Hour,’ an exclusive suite to see Avril Lavigne at the Palace, and even a very special Red Wings Jersey autographed by the entire 2006 Detroit Red Wings Team. Michelle Garms Monticello '84 pictured with her parents Michael and Sharon Garms and husband George Monticello traveled from Kentucky to attend the Auction for the second year in a row.  They bid back and forth  over the French Chateau which went to her father for $4,500.  Mercy caught $3,750 for the Comerica Park Suite to see the Detroit Tigers in action.  Dean for an Hour was in high demand being offered up twice and pulling in $2,600.  Principal Witte’s Wish for an innovative portable television studio raised $10,000.    Pictured at right are Lauren Kaminski '03 and Anne Nicole '03 chatting during the silent auction.  CLICK HERE to see more smiling faces from Auction evening.

A Golden Celebration The Class of 1958 will be celebrating their golden graduation from Mercy this year.  To celebrate this milestone, we invite all graduates from the Class of '58 to be our guest at the Class of 2008 graduation ceremony on June 5, 2008.  A welcoming reception will be held at Ginopolis in the Compuware arena prior to the graduation.  All 1958 alumnae will be recognized during the ceremony. For more information contact the Alumnae Office at alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org or call 248.476.3270.