This is a month to recognize blessings and give thanks!  A few weeks ago, faculty and staff members gathered at St. Mary's Cultural Center for the Staff Appreciation dinner.  This annual event affords us an opportunity to celebrate and honor those people who, this year, reached a milestone in years of service to Mercy.  In all, 14 people were so honored.  Their service ranged from five years to forty years and they included teachers and administrators, as well as development, maintenance, and support staff.  We had prepared special remarks of tribute for each person and also presented commemorative gifts.

An evening such as that is an important one because the work done in schools, on behalf of students and their families, is often undervalued.  This school has built its excellent reputation over many years; the dedicated service of its staff is at the very heart of that excellence.

Another event also deserves kudos and recognition, and this is the recent Mercy Auction that was held on March 3rd.  Hundreds of Mercy parents, students, and friends worked and/or attended the evening that transformed Mercy High School into a spring garden.  For anyone who was here that evening, I hope you were deeply moved, as I was, to see the results of so much time and effort.  The gifts that were available, the food that was served, the entertainment that was offered . . . each and every element of the evening was grand.  The laughter and comraderie between so many people connected to Mercy whether as parents (current or past), alumnae, staff, students, friends, or benefactors was audible and visible.  To one and all who played any role in the success of this very important evening, I offer my deepest gratitude.

Enjoy the last days (or weeks) of winter and prepare for the joys of spring and the "orchestrated chaos" that seems to mark the final months of another wonderful school year.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carolyn Witte ~ Principal

Meet those Dancing Feet

Tap your way to the Mercy Auditorium for the spring musical 42nd Street Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24 at 8pm and Sunday, March 25 at 2pm. 

42nd Street is the Cinderella story of Broadway.  Set in the 1930's, small-town girl Peggy Sawyer tries to break into a New York show but has trouble getting noticed.  Once in the show, she rehearses with the company as the show's diva, Dorothy Brock, breaks her ankle just before opening night.  Peggy steps out of the chorus not only to save the show, but also to become a Broadway star.  The show boasts such tunes as "We're in the Money," "The Lullaby of Broadway," and the show-stopping "42nd Street."

The musical is not only electrifying, but also the greatest tap show ever to hit the stage!  To prepare for this musical, the Performing Arts Department provided eight weeks of tap lessons at both the beginner and advanced levels to ensure a successful musical.  Everyone from cast, crews, pit, and directors have worked extremely hard to bring this show to the Mercy stage.  Be prepared for an eye-popping, heart-pounding evening that will lift your spirits and send you from the auditorium humming the tunes and tapping your shoes. 

Hope to see you where "the underworld can meet the elite - 42nd Street."  Click here for ticket information.

Grand AUCTION Garden Grew and Grew and Grew

What an amazing 28th annual Mercy Auction on March 3rd!  450 parents and guests filled Mercy to feast on the spectacular strolling dinner and plant generous bids on 624 silent and live items.  The Daisy Dog went for a fluffy $2500, the pig roast for a tasty $4500, and the prize Black Angus Steer for a meaty $7500.  And there's nothing like a pleased Principal with her Witte's Wish raising over $12,000 for a new school P.A. system.

A highlight of the LIVE Auction was when a friend of Mercy raised his paddle for a bighearted bid of $6,000 for the Mercy High School Administrative Team seven-course dinner.  The crowd was on their feet applauding as an outstanding second $6,000 bid was placed.  Then an unbelievable third matching bid was offered!  All was done in an effort to be served a mouth watering meal by Mercy's Administrative Team.  By the end of the evening the Auction goal of $225,000 was reached, though receipts are still being tallied and expenses are still being paid.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the entire Auction team of parents, dedicated chairperson Anita Sevier, Mercy faculty and staff, and generous guests!  Hats off to the dynamic duo of Emcee Steve Garagiola and Auctioneer Joseph DuMouchelle and Special Events Coordinators Erin Carlesimo and Diane Ludwinski for making this a beautful benefit for young Mercy minds.  Click here to see more Auction photos.

Enjoy an evening with your Mercy girl at the Mother/Daughter Banquet April 30th at the Sheraton Novi.  Tickets will be on sale in school during the week of April 23.

Please join us at our next meeting Monday, April 2 @ 6:30pm for refreshments and an opportunity to meet other Mercy Moms. 

Dads Club

The Dad's Club was out in full force serving refreshments Auction night and helping behind the scenes. 

Congratulations to Dad's Club Raffle winners who cashed in big at the special February 27th drawing gathering. 

Come eat and meet other Mercy Dads at our next meeting Tuesday, April 3 at 7pm in the cafeteria.  We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!

All Assembled to Honor Black History Month

More than 60 students worked to coordinate a powerful assembly on February 22nd.  The focus was two-fold:  first, an explanation of "colorism" (prejudice extended to African-Americans based on the lightness or darkness of their skin tone) and secondly, an explanation on the use of the "n-word," both its historical origin and its current use.  The presentations involved individual students speaking as well as brief skits demonstrating different situations.  The third part of the assembly involved an open-mic session where students from the audience were invited to share their comments.  Many students participated in a very honest heart-felt manner.

Student Successes  ~  APPLAUSE!  APPLAUSE!

Senior Meredith Carson took a fabulous first place at the Great Oaks Invitational Artistic Showcase.  She will travel to Colorado this August to compete for the national title.

Marlin skier Hannah Atkinson hit the slopes and posted a top 30 finish in her 2nd run on a very fast Giant Slalom course at the Division I State Ski Championship held at Marquette Mountain February 26th.   

Congratulations to the spirited Marlin Varsity Volleyball team for winning Districts and to the Ice Hockey team for a cool win in the 1st round of the State Championships. 

Casey Pedersen was honored last month as WXYZ Channel 7 Scholar Athlete of the Week. Check out her TV interview.  Casey will play soccer on a scholarship at Binghampton University in New York.

Spring sports have sprung!  Click here for Athletics calendar.

Join Mercy Women in Prayer

26 women enjoyed conversation over delicious soup and bread during the first session of the Mercy Women's Lenten Series March 13th.  Sally A. Smolen RSM, PhD shared poetry, past experiences, and her expertise on the Potential of Grief in Women.  Thanks to Leon's Family Restaurant for the scrumptious soup and Great Harvest in Birmingham for the warm bread. 

We welcome all women as former Mercy teacher, Sr. Mary Joel Zobro discusses Walking Each Other Home on Wednesday, March 21.  Mercy Alumna, Carrie Fling Monette '96 invites you to learn about Women's Discipleship - A Portrait of Mary and Martha on Thursday, March 29.  The evenings begin in the Mercy Development Office with a bread and soup supper from 6:00pm - 6:30pm followed by the Lenten speaker and reflection from 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Mercy Chapel. 

While there is no cost for this event, free will offerings are appreciated and support the Tuition Assistance Fund.  Click here for more information about the wonderful women speaking and their topics.  RSVP to the Alumnae Office at jlstark@mhsmi.org.

Mercy Moment of the Month

The Science Club experiments with fashion.

Photos by Ms. Kitzmann

Time for Tea, Ladies

"Come and share a pot of tea, my home is warm and my friendship's free." (Emilie Barnes)  You are invited to our Mercy home for the 3rd Annual 2007 Tea for Tuition on Sunday, April 29 from 2pm - 4pm.  

Mingle with other Mercy Moms or bring your treasured teapot to share as a table hostess to support the Mercy Tuition Assistance Program.  The afternoon includes tea, treats, Mercy Mimes, silent auction, and special prize drawing.  Tickets are $20 per person.  Click here for more information.  RSVP to the Alumnae Office at jlstark@mhsmi.org.

Tuition Assistance and Scholarship Programs ~ Tuition Assistance is awarded annually by the Mercy High School Tuition Assistance Committee on the basis of financial need.  Consideration is also given to attendance, effort, and school involvement.  Before Easter break, current students will be given information regarding Mercy's Named Scholarships.  If your daughter qualifies, she can write an essay and submit to the Development Office for consideration by Friday, May 4, 2007.  Financial Aid application packets for the 2007-2008 school year and scholarship brochures will be available to incoming freshwomen at registration on March 29, 2007 and can be found in the Development Office.  

The Admissions Office generates a carpool list each spring to distribute to all incoming families as well as present Mercy families who request a copy.  All students are included on this list unless the Admissions Office is notified and a request is made to remove them.  If you would like to request a copy of the carpool list or if you do not want your daughter and address information included on the carpool list, please contact the Admissions Office at 248.476.2484 or mpstirling@mhsmi.org and she will be removed.   The carpool list will be distributed via e-mail at the beginning of June 2007. 

Have you been to the Mercy web site lately?  Check out the current announcements, view past issues of the MEMO newsletter, and browse the home page little yellow box to link to what's happening today @ Mercy. 

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