Mercy High School Monthly Parent E-Newsletter - March 2008

Wit's End . . . notes from the principal So much of the high school experience involves rites of passage – all the celebratory opportunities that move students up, one grade at a time. Certainly, the special nature of some of those significant moments has been diluted a bit because younger and younger kids experience them. Rites of passage now include graduation ceremonies, replete with mortar boards, for those transitioning to first grade from kindergarten! I am amused by our culture which, oftentimes, seems to make so "much ado about nothing." (My apologies to the Bard.)   All this being said, each year, as spring appears on the horizon, my focus turns to the senior class. Like every class before them, they stand on the brink of yet another passage but this one, an important passage, since high school graduation still represents movement into adulthood. This year that passage for Mercy graduates is once again on my mind. This time, however, it’s personal. My own daughter is a member of Mercy’s class of 2008. So I now share a reflection based upon two experiences I had last week. My daughter and I took a shopping trip together, a shopping trip dedicated to prom dresses. We had set aside the day and the time and it was great fun. At this particular location, there was a wide selection, a helpful salesperson – young herself – and other women, both young and old, trying on dresses. Quickly it evolved into advice being requested and relinquished in a genuine atmosphere of excitement. All of this generated between total strangers. In this environment, the group bonded easily, sharing what looked good and what didn’t, asking one another about upcoming events, even offering tips on shoes and accessories that would work, hairstyles to compliment outfits.  Amazingly enough, we left the store about two hours later, laughing and exhilarated, successful when we didn’t anticipate it, having acquired not only a dress but the shoes, purse and jewelry! Our final moments were spent looking at dresses that two other women had purchased – one for an event that evening and one for an older woman’s son’s wedding in July.  The second experience occurred the next day, when I found myself again in a clothing store, this time with my husband. While I waited my turn for a fitting room, I saw a lovely young woman appear at a mirror, modeling a gown. I heard what appeared to be a sister mention prom and offer her critique. Mom appeared moments later. This young woman was elegant, poised, turning around slowly, and taking in the comments and advice from her sister and mother. Only when the girl appeared in a second gown, did I see the faces of the sister and mother, and realize that the girl was one of mine – a senior at Mercy, and a student I know well. Here I was witnessing a moment of mother and daughter and knowing, first hand, the emotions and excitement that accompanied the event. What I saw in that young woman, and had seen in my own daughter, was something countless moms, sisters, friends and maybe even some dads have seen in their senior girls. I have observed it every year without fail. There is an undeniable evolution that occurs here at Mercy and our seniors are living proof. There is a poise, a confidence, and endearing manner, and a quiet grace that our girls, your daughters and mine, achieve after four years and the evidence of that was what I saw on my two recent shopping trips.  My daughter was one of those in the dressing room who not only accepted the questions and compliments from the others but also gave enthusiastic support to each of them in return. The elderly woman shopping for her son’s wedding was visibly transformed as my daughter invited her into the group, giving her input about exactly what looked good on her as well as what didn’t! Once she had been provided with the opening for conversation, the woman became "one of the girls." They continued sharing hair style suggestions and even "how to" advice on accessories. That woman’s very face changed before my eyes. She sparkled; she giggled; she whispered her excitement. I stood back and watched with admiration.  What I saw in my daughter and in the other Mercy girl I stumbled upon the next day was what I speak about now, what I hope you too will believe. The education you have given your daughter at this school indeed transforms them. They do, and will continue to, transform others they encounter. That is what I want you to notice in the closing months of this school year. Your daughter’s joy, at the upcoming rite of passage, is already evident. Watch for signs of it. Catch the moments you see when she is the quintessential vision of poise, confidence and grace. The choice you made for a Mercy education, whatever the cost and sacrifice, has been purposeful and the world is better for it.   For parents, your daughter’s rite of passage, creates a passage of sorts for you, like it or not. I suggest that you choose to like it. See in your daughter, the young adult who will forever remain a Mercy girl and that distinction, as compared to other graduates, is significant. Sincerely, Mrs. Carolyn Witte, Principal

SOIREE SUCCESS! On behalf of Mercy High School, thank you to the amazing volunteers who selflessly gave of their time to produce the magical evening that was this year’s Auction Soirée. Without their vision, leadership, and true passion this event would not have been possible. Special thank you’s are in order for the entire Auction Team, especially Co-Chairs Anita Sevier and Theresa Saroki. Their extreme devotion to this parent-driven fundraiser undoubtedly made everything sparkle just a little brighter. The evening of elegance was held March 1st and included hundreds of items for bid, a lavish strolling buffet, hundreds of excited guests and of course the participation of dozens of appreciative Mercy girls. 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. The evening surely had something for everyone. As the evening drew to a close guests were already buzzing with anticipation about next year’s Auction. If you couldn’t attend Soiree this year, be sure to keep your ears open about Mercy’s 2009 Auction! It will be here sooner than you think. CLICK HERE to see more smiling faces from Auction evening.

Mothers Club Mercy MOMS are gearing up for end of the school year festivities! Please join us at our next meeting April 7 at 6:30pm. Click here to check out all the ways you can get involved with Mercy Moms and to download the volunteer form.

Dads Club  Over 40 dads and daughters had a rolling good time bowling at Drakeshire Lanes. The sounds of pins falling, people laughing, and gutter balls bouncing filled the air. Be sure to join us next year as each bowling event gets bigger and more fun! Take me out to Comerica Park for the Dads & Daughters Tigers Baseball event.  Catch a game with your daughter and watch our fantastic Detroit Tigers. CLICK HERE for further information and sign up sheet. Limited seats available! Only 2 months until the Dads and Daughters Golf Outing May 21st at Bay Pointe Golf Club in West Bloomfield. Information and sign up sheets were mailed home last week or CLICK HERE for all the golfing details. Meet, greet, and eat at our next Dads Club meeting April 15 at 7:00pm in the Cafeteria.

R A I N B O W  Recognition Four outstanding Mercy seniors Leann Arcori, Noelle Mulqueen, Natalie Roxas, and Kelly Sloan were honored at the 13th Annual Rainbow Recogntion Awards Breakfast held at the Costick Center March 13th.  The awards are presented to individuals in the community and schools in Farmington/Farmington Hills who through their work and involvement support the ongoing development of a healthy diverse community. The event is sponsored by the 20 year old Multi Cultural Multi Racial Community Council of Farmington/Farmington Hills.  Each honoree is recognized as someone who actively promotes racial, cultural, and religious understanding.  Leann Arcori was recognized for being a wonderful model and school leader as Student Council President. Noelle Mulqueen and Natalie Roxas were honored for their leadership and commitment on Mercy's Human Relations Council as well as serving on the Farmington Student Diversity Committee.  Kelly Sloan was praised for serving as class president for the past 2 years and for being a member of the Mosaic Youth Theatre. While only Kelly and Natalie were able to attend the breakfast, Mercy is so proud of all of these girls who received this distinction!

Toy Inventors and Movie Stars Mercy sisters Kelly '12, Chrissy '10, and Karen Redmond '10 thought it would be fun to put their science and math skills to the test and entered the Sally Ride Science Festival Toy Challenge while they were in middle school a few years ago. They created a futuristic jump rope game called "Hop To It" complete with a turntable and infrared sensors. They won the competition and now Mattel has rights to manufacture this toy.  WOW! But they didn't stop there. Sally Ride personally recommended their team to compete and be in the Toy Challenge Documentary Film "Some Assembly Required." Over 2000 kids, 400 teams nationwide,  eight months of brainstorming, designing and building all to create the next great toy. "Some Assembly Required" follows six teams, including the Redmonds Kickin' Kangaroos, on their quest to win the national toy design crown.  Kelly, Chrissy, and Karen sure did work it out as they created their "Punch 'Em Out" game. It consists of 3 punching bags with rope lighting programmed with a microcomputer to go on randomly and only for a certain amount of time. The goal is to punch the bag when the light goes on, but before the light goes out.  When the bag is hit on time, the player earns one point.  And by the way, they won the competition. Sally Ride now has rights to release and manufacture their toy as one of her new toys in her new toy line.  The world premiere of "Some Assembly Required" directed and produced by Dori Bernstein, was March 9th at the South by South West film festival. Check out the "Some Assembly Required" media clip web site to view the movie trailer and toy building montage featuring Mercy's own Redmond girls.  Now how cool is that?!

Annual Giving @ Mercy Everyday we hear more disappointing news about the Michigan economy. It’s no secret that stock market values are down and supermarket prices are up … that gas prices are soaring, along with foreclosures, unemployment, and even credit card interest rates. Just like Mercy families, Mercy High School struggles to balance the annual budget in the face of rising costs and concerns about the economy. Parents, if you were unable to attend this year’s Auction and if you have NOT YET made a gift to the Annual Fund, please consider a donation at this time. Please do your part, whatever you can, to help "zap the gap." It’s needed. It’s very much appreciated. Every gift counts as we work to reach our Mercy Annual Fund goal of $200,000. Go online to mhsmi.org/donations or send your tax-deductible donation to Mercy Development. Parents Raise $15,000 in less than 7 Hours! At the same time as we continue to work to grow the Annual Fund, we want to THANK the 32 parent volunteers who worked the phones last week for Mercy’s annual PHONATHON. During three evenings they called alumnae and parents, both past and current, to solicit gifts to Mercy’s Annual Fund. Because of this enthusiastic parent group, almost $15,000 was pledged in less than seven hours to help "zap the gap." 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. To all PHONATHON parent volunteers, the gift of your time is invaluable. You are helping Mercy balance the annual budget. Kudos to you, PHONATHON parents!

It's an HONOR Congratulations to these stellar bi-lingual students on their induction into the following Honor Societies. Bienvenue a la Societe Honoraire de Francais Bienvenidas a La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Daisha Abdulnoor Christine Allor Lauren Banish Brittany Barclae Haley Bissonnette Jacqueline Buckley Maggie Check Sarah Chehab Andrea Czarnomski Hayley Drozdowski Elizabeth Gilbert Kelly Gilliken Cydny Henry Kelly Karpus Rachel Kronig Emily Malinowski Rebecca Martel Tatum Matlock Kylie Meyer Marilynn Moltane Lauren Ochoa Katherine Patterson Emily Reamer Delia Uke Allison Vogler Mahreen Ahmed Gabi Castillo Gabriela DiFore Regina Gilmour Michelle Ho Erin Kirkland Ellie Drieg Rachel Kurcz Natasha Mason Taylor Middlebrook Alysa Miller Danielle Morrison Ashleigh Ostin Meghan Pappas Lauren Richards Malaka Saleh Serena Sana Anna Schena Jasmine Stephens Lisa Ventura

Student Successes ~ APPLAUSE!!  APPLAUSE!! Jennifer Paxton '08 has been selected as one of 250 Finalists in the 2007-2008 Coca Cola Scholars Program and will attend an all expense paid Scholars Weekend next month in Atlanta to receive her $10,000 scholarship award. Sydney Varner '08 has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President's Volunteer Service Award.  She received a certificate and congratulatory letter from President Bush for volunteering 596 hours working as a camp counselor through Southfield Parks & Rec for the past 3 years. Alyssa Selasky '09 and Rebecca Guerriero '09 have been selected to compete next month in a write off for the NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing. Megan Novak '08 was awarded a Class A 2008 Scholar Athlete Award by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.  Megan was one of only 32 winners out of almost 2,000 entrants and was honored by the state last Saturday. Miesha Turner '08 and Marilyn Kubek '08 have received awards from Creative Communications for outstanding poetic contributions in their Fall anthology. For the eighth year in a row, the students in Mr. Meloche's Biology classes have donated to the Nature Conservancy to purchase acreage in the rainforest, thus preventing further logging or development operations. This year's classes purchased a total of 8 acres.  Plaques honoring the donations are on display in the science hall. In the statewide Michigan Youth Arts Festival contest both Alyssa Selasky '09 and Jillian Becker '08 have earned an Honorable Mention in Poetry. Top Honors, Certificates of Merit, have also been awarded to five Mercy students this year: Michele Krasnesky '08, Libby Hagemeyer '08, Krista Kulesa '08, Ashley Huffman '09, and Jessica Jary '09. In winning, these girls earn the right to attend the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in Kalamazoo this May. Amanda Rahie '08 competed with her synchronized skating team Evolution in the highest senior level in Italy at the Spring Cup in Milan last month. The United States Figure Skating Association chose her team to represent the U.S. and skate against teams from Italy, Germany, Canada, and Hungary. Her team also placed an impressive 5th at the U.S. National Competition in Rhode Island. Mercy's Forensics Team dominated the fourth tournament of the Detroit Catholic Forensics League last month. Oral Interpretation Dramatic Performance Dramatic Duo Erin Kirkland - 4th Sarah Choss - 6th Rosie O'Malley / Isabelle Moore - 5th Amanda Rahie - 2nd Haley Bissonnette - 5th Katy Rapson / Lauren Madison - 4th Meagan Giovanni - 1st Patty Battersby - 2nd Annie Jacobs / Maura Donovan - 3rd Mary Malaney - 1st Helen Marie Berg / Chantel Morey - 2nd Patty Malaney / Sara Wagener - 1st Extemporaneous Speaking Oratorical Declamation Original Oratory LIsa Ventura - 6th Julie O'Hara Fisher - 5th Regina Gilmour - 5th Kaitlin Constantakis - 4th Olivia Switala - 4th Kylie Meyer - 4th Sarah Baumann - 3rd Emily Malinowski - 3rd Emily Wilkins - 3rd Taylor Milligan - 2nd Jenna Mizzi - 2nd Rebecca Guerriero - 1st (tie) Lauren Richards - 1st Haley Drozdowski - 1st (tie) Erin Fitzpatrick '10 was the Division 2 runner-up at the Michigan Junior Varsity Bowling Championship.  She had to bowl 7 games to reach the finals and finished with her high game of the season with a 202! Super skaters from Mercy's Figure Skating Team qualified to compete in individual events at the State Championships held last Saturday. Great skating finishes in their individual events were awarded to Abby Tomba '10 2nd place, Kristen Malloure '09 5th place, Sera Petrillo '11 2nd place, Karen Malloure '09 5th place, Emily Moreau '11 8th place, Brittany Barclae '09 6th place, Kylie Meyer '10 9th place, Madison Elkow '11, and Claire Smyth '08 3rd place.

April Sweeps In! Robins arrive and April sweeps into Mercy with the annual Sweepstakes Drive. We just want to give parents a “heads up” that letters regarding the details of the drive are being sent home with your daughters on Wednesday.  Ask her for it. We also want you to know that this year’s Sweepstakes Drive is much shorter than past years, only three quick weeks, and begins RIGHT AFTER we return from Easter  vacation.  Sweepstakes tickets, however, are available now  . . .  so encourage your daughter to pick some up and begin selling to relatives and friends over the break and even before the official opening assembly on April 1st. Good Luck, Mercy Families!  We know that the competition between classes will be fun and fierce!

Latest and Greatest from the ALUMNAE OFFICE TEA for You.  TEA for Me.  TEA for Mercy TUITION. The Alumnae Association cordially invites you to a delightful spring tea-filled afternoon at the 4th Annual Tea for Tuition Sunday, April 27 from 2 - 4pm in the Mercy gymnasium. Come with other Mercy moms or bring your teapot and hostess your own table. $25 per person. Includes tea, snacks, songs, silent auction, and raffle drawings.    Funds raised benefit the Mercy Tuition Assistance Program.  Click here for more information and RSVP to alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org.

Invitation to Sophomore and Junior Parents You’re invited to attend an informational meeting covering the college planning and application process. Representatives from various colleges will be present to discuss what is common to the admissions process at any university, not just their own. Our guest panelists will address questions that focus on the college search process, testing, admission factors, and the application. Your daughter is encouraged to attend with you. We hope to see you there Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the Mercy Auditorium.

Senior All Night Party Every Mercy parent from freshman to senior, is invited to participate in the production of the 2008 Senior All Night Party (SANP). Your help is needed and welcomed. A brief description of the committees may help you decide where you might fit into the SANP picture. Working on the SANP is a great way to make friends and have fun making a special memory for the girls. The party is held the night of graduation, Thursday June 5, 2008 from 10:00pm until 5:00am at Mercy High School.  CLICK HERE for a brief description of each committee. Reminder for Senior parents ~ Please  turn in your daughter’s baby (any size) and senior (wallet size preferred) pictures to Mrs. Kusch  ASAP!!!  Remember to put your daughter’s last name on the back of both pictures.  Register your senior for the party by sending a check for $80.00 to Mercy High School Attention: Mr. Gernacy.  Contact SANP Chairperson Kathleen Brazzle kcbrazzle@aol.com if you have any questions.

MNotes . . . miscellaneous info you need to know!   The Performing Arts Department presents this year's Pizza, Jamz and Jeans, "Welcome to the 60's" Tuesday April 8th at 6:00pm. The $6 ticket price includes all-you-can-eat pizza, drinks and dessert plus a show that will rock your world.  Music of the 60's will be front-and-center including "Baby Love," "Wishin' and Hopin'," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again," and much more.  Featured performers are the Mercyaires, the Concert Chorale, Marlin Chorus, Orchestra, and individual performances. Buy your tickets at the door!  For more info call Abha Dearing (248)474-4440.  Wear your jeans and we'll see you there. The Mercyaires will be featured at the Franklin Community Church Sunday April 13th at 6:00pm. The girls are contributing their song-and-dance numbers for half of the show and are joined by the legendary Grunyons-- an all-male a cappella singing group that has been in existence for many years.  The two groups will collaborate on a couple of tunes before the Grunyons finish out the concert.  Mark your calendars now and watch here for more info at the beginning of April. IT ALL ADDS UP!  Arriving today was a nice $917 check from TARGET. THANKS, Parents, for shopping at TARGET and designating Mercy High School to receive 1% of your charge purchases!  How quickly they add up! It'll be time to golf in no time!  Grab your clubs and a golfing buddy for the 18th Annual Meg Mallon Golf Outing Monday, June 16th. Athletics Tryout Reminder! No student will be allowed to try out for a sport if she has not submitted a physical form dated April 15, 2007 or later.  The form may be handed to the coach on the first day of tryouts if it has not already been mailed.  The MHSAA has an updated Physical Form available as a pdf here and/or on their website.  Check your team web sites or CLICK HERE for other athletics announcements. Click to see who is a Sweepstakes Drive winner!

Mercy Month Ahead Event Date / Time Location Easter Break Mar 20 - Mar 30 Sweepstakes Drive Kick-Off Assembly Apr 1 MHS Auditorum New Student Info Meeting Apr 1 / 7:30pm MHS Auditorium New Student Registration Apr 3 / 3 - 5:30pm MHS Mercy MOMS Meeting Apr 7 / 6:30pm Media Center Pizza, Jamz, and Jeans Apr 8 / 6:00pm Cafe College Information Night Apr 10 / 7:00pm MHS Auditorium Mercy DADS Meeting Apr 15 / 7pm Cafe Talent Show Apr 24 MHS Auditorium

THANK YOU for taking the time to read the MERCY MEMO.  The purpose of this parent newsletter is to inform, enlighten, and entertain.  If ever you have questions, ideas, or thoughts to improve this communication tool, please submit to jhearle@mhsmi.org. The April MEMO will be delivered to your inbox April 17th.

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