Wit's End . . . notes from the principal

It is April and I write with a heavy heart and, at the same time, an urge to be optimistic. It is spring in Michigan! We residents who experience a myriad of changes in temperature, wind, and precipitation for months on end are always so happy – almost surprised – when the snow melts and the thermometer hits 70 degrees for the first time. It is as it should be. I don’t take weather for granted. Instead, each year, about this time, I feel joy because although I scraped ice off my windshield this morning, I will leave work today without a coat, quite comfortable in short sleeves.

The heavy heart, however, is unavoidable for me this spring, just as it has been for many years. Yesterday, the staff and students at Divine Child High School buried one of their own, a senior. This school year is forever altered for that community because the absence of this young man will be notable at every event that is to come. For Divine Child, . . . honors night, prom, commencement, the all night party . . . the celebrations that are integral to spring and the end of a school year are now bittersweet. There will be an empty chair, one missing.

I hesitated when I began to write today’s comments. I thought I might focus only on the activities to come, the excitement of our school. Then, I looked at the column I had written one year ago, almost to the day, thought of the sympathy card I had just dropped in the mail to Divine Child, and my decision was clear. On April 16, 2007, 33 people lost their lives at Virginia Tech. My thoughts last year, written down only days after that tragedy, are thoughts that return to me today. I make no apology. In my years as principal, I have had many experiences when I have been called upon to comfort another’s grief. The experiences have become familiar; they have never become easy.

Now, each year, I have come to anticipate spring with slightly raised shoulders. The questions are always the same: Will we at Mercy complete the school year without the loss of a student? Will spring usher us into summer without a single death? Will every chair at graduation be filled with one of our shining beauties? Without exception, each year there in undeniable evidence that reminds me of the selfishness of my prayers. One week ago today, three seniors at L’Anse Creuse North High School were killed in a car accident. That graduating class faces multiple empty chairs. The families of these young victims, like the family at yesterday’s funeral, are forever robbed. Their thoughts are now about what might have been.

For me, graduation, and the excitement that precedes it, is cautiously anticipated. Might I long for the blissful ignorance I had years ago? I could. Would that be understandable, but at the same time amazingly ignorant? I believe so. So, I make the plans, share the laughter as students choose colleges, complain about senioritis, hope for summer jobs, and anticipate the end of high school. Stressful, some say. Ridiculously silly, others counter. Both are correct. And tonight, I will bend a knee, bow my head, and request that God leave no more empty chairs. 

Sincerely,
Mrs. Carolyn Witte ~ Principal

Please join us at our next meeting Monday, May 5 @ 6:30pm for refreshments and an opportunity to mix and mingle with other Mercy Moms. Click here to check out all the ways you can get involved. 

Dads Club

For it's root, root, root for the Tigers! Dads & Daughters are going to watch the Detroit Tigers try to win a game on April 25th. CLICK HERE for further information and sign up sheet. Limited seats available!

Golf with your gal! The Dads and Daughters Golf Outing will be held Wednesday, May 21st at Bay Pointe Golf Club in West Bloomfield. CLICK HERE for all the golfing details.

Meet, greet, and eat at our next Dads Club meeting Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00pm in the Cafeteria. 

Phenomenal Finalists

The Class of 2008 is more than great! CONGRATULATIONS to these superb senior students who were finalists for the ultimate recognition of Valedictorian and Salutatorian.  (Back row) Shannon Landsberg, Amanda Popiela, Margaret Love, Amanda Rahie, Helen-Marie Berg, (front row) Gina Rotundo, Leann Arcori, and Elizabeth Hagemeyer. 

This distinction considers not only academic record but also leadership, service, and extracurricular involvement.  Staff and the senior class provided valuable input and each candidate responded to a series of questions and was interviewed by Principal Mrs. Witte and Associate Principal Mr. Gervais. 

The top honors go to Valedictorian Gina Rotundo and Salutatorian Amanda Rahie who will take the stage to speak at graduation. 49 days and counting! 

Admissions Anecdotes

Get ready for some more Marlins! The Class of 2012 is growing and if you know a future Mercy girl, let them know registration is ongoing for the 2008 - 2009 school year. 7th and 8th graders are welcome to shadow a student in May. Mercy students are encouraged to invite prospective students to experience a day at Mercy. 

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 2008. 

Mercy Springs Into Action for Habitat for Humanity

Spring Break meant something different this year to 19 women. It meant work, hard work in the cold, wind and rain on a mountain ridge in rural eastern Kentucky. 

16 Mercy seniors Stephanie Hazel, Lauren Troxtel, Jacq Roberge, Deeptha Sadasivan, Marisela Castaneda, Olivia Mikula, Paige Marshall, Nada Metti, Liz Brady, Victoria Borg, Mirabeth Braude, Helen Marie Berg, Katie O’Donnell, Shana Cowley, Kristin Kelly and Chantel Morey along with Service Learning Coordinator Mrs. Judi Dennis  and her daughters Abby and Sara, headed for Beattyville, KY for 6 days to help the less fortunate of the area along with the local Habitat for Humanity organizer Pastor Herman Newton.

They spent their days building a house and preparing a vacant lot for another home, hammering, digging, insulating, whatever it took! They were truly living out the Mercy Values, human dignity, justice, service, mercy and option for the poor.

Pastor Newton and the Habitat Committee of the area gave an appreciation dinner for the crew at the local church during their stay. This was the 10^th year Mercy has headed for Beattyville over Spring Break. Pastor Newton says, “My Mercy girls work so hard and we appreciate them so much, I look forward to ya’ll comin’ down every year."

Mercy Moment of the Month

Who will be Mercy's Next Top Seller?

THANKS to all Mercy students, staff, and parents for raising over $112,000 so far in this year's Sweepstakes Drive.  Only 3 turn-in days left until the drive ends April 23 and we are still about $27,000 shy of our $140,000 goal.  In the words of the spectacular student Sweepstakes Drive committee at the kick-off assembly, "Be FIERCE, fabulous, personable, and call, e-mail, text, talk to SELL, SELL, SELL!" Way to work it, ladies!   

Student Successes  ~  APPLAUSE!  APPLAUSE!

Junior Mary Walle received a score of 99% in the Proficiency II level of competition in the State Level Solo and Ensemble for violin.  She will compete as a solo semi-finalist at Central Michigan University and will be nominated for the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Orchestra in May. 

Senior Kaitlin Myszkowski received a National Letter of Intent partial scholarship to swim at Grand Valley State.

Senior Helen-Marie Berg was selected as one of 4 exceptional high school girls to receive the Portraits of Everyday Heroes Award held by Our Lady of Guadalupe Middle School. A luncheon will be held this month to honor her for making a difference in our world. Helen-Marie has spent hours upon hours volunteering at Focus:HOPE, Crossroads Soup Kitchen, Gesu Catholic Church, and traveled to South America to work with the poor.   

The Forensics Team is Absolutely Fabulous

At the National Qualifier of the Detroit Catholic Forensic League, Mercy's Forensic Team won 16 medals and the 16 girls will advance to the Grand National Tournament in Appleton, WI over Memorial Day weekend. Mercy captured 16 of the 21 spots available in the Individual Events.   

A R T  08

Here's a sneak peek of some of the pieces to be on display at the annual Mercy Student Art Exhibit held Thursday, May 8, 8am to 8pm and Friday, May 9, 8am - 6pm. Take a stroll through the Mercy gym and be awed by all the breathtaking artwork from approximately 250 students.

Drawing, painting, sculpture, fibers, ceramics, jewelry, and graphic design will be featured. Ten senior art students Lizz Andrews, Maria Arambula, Carly Bacinski, Victoria Borg, Kelsey Edson, Chrissy Pelton, Lauren Preininger, Raven Rickard, Emily Thomas, and Kellyann Wargo will have solo exhibits within the show. CLICK HERE for more information.

By Christine Pelton '08	By Emily Thomas '08	By Victoria Borg '08

Tea and Tee for Tuition Time

It's all in the T's! In less than 2 weeks Mercy women will sip tea to help raise money for the Tuition Assistance Program.  And in 2 months golfers, both men and women, can tee off for tuition at the 18th Annual Mercy Meg Mallon Golf Outing.

Spots are still available for the Alumnae Association 4th Annual Tea for Tuition on Sunday, April 27th from 2pm - 4pm in the Mercy gym.  Mercy moms, friends, and family are invited to enjoy tea and treats with an Asian flair and bid on gorgeous gift baskets. Tickets are $25.  Contact alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org for reservation information.

The annual Meg Mallon Golf Outing has a new venue and new prices, but is still the same Mercy summer fun-raising event!

Gather a twosome or foursome of friends, co-workers, or classmates and join '81 Alum and LPGA player Meg Mallon on Monday, June 16th at Western Golf & Country Club. 

CLICK HERE to link to all the golfing details or contact mallongolf@mhsmi.org.

SNAPSHOT of Mercy

The Spanish Honor Society held their annual banquet at St. Mary's Cultural Center on April 9th. During the ceremony, members received pins, awards, and flowers. Families were able to enjoy a nice dinner and gather to praise the accomplishments of their Mercy daughters. 

This photo captures and embraces the beauty of Mercy -- academics, friendship, diversity, and pride. 

If you have a snapshot of Mercy to share, please send to jhearle@mhsmi.org.

MNotes . . . miscellaneous info you need to know!  

Senior All Night Party - 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. And Senior parents, don't forget to turn in your daughter's baby and senior pictures to Mrs. Kusch.  Contact SANP Chairperson Kathleen Brazzle kcbrazzle@aol.com if you have any questions.

Spring sports have sprung!  Click the Athletics calendar.

Check out who is a Sweepstakes Drive Winner!

Mercy Month Ahead

THANK YOU for taking the time to read the MERCY MEMO.  The purpose of this parent newsletter is to inform, enlighten, and sometimes we try to enterain. The MAY MEMO will be delivered to your inbox May 14th. 

If ever you have questions, ideas, or thoughts to improve this communication tool, please submit to jhearle@mhsmi.org. 

Want even more?  Click the school year calendar and the Mercy web site.  And don't miss all of the latest Mercy In The News articles. 

Check out the current announcements, view past issues of the MEMO newsletter, and browse the home page yellow box to link to what's happening today @ Mercy.