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Mercy High School Monthly Parent E-Newsletter - June 2008
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Wit's End . . . notes from the principal
Last week, on June 4th, 177 young women took their final walk up the aisles of the auditorium as high school students and at 5:00 a.m. on the morning of June 6th left Mercy, after their all night party, as new graduates. Thousands of students have had this same moment, this passage that officially closes the doors of youth and opens new doors of adulthood. I congratulate every student in the class of 2008 and wish you and your family every blessing.
I return to the “moving up” assembly as the focus for this last column of the year. With all the attention paid each year to the graduating class, the other three grade levels seem momentarily lost. This is probably as it should be because the seniors have earned their recognition. It is important, however, that each class knows that my favorite day of the school is not the day of graduation. It is, instead, the final day of school when all four grade levels are in the building together, the day when students are dressed up for the morning Honors Convocation that soon gives way to adviser group parties, and then culminates in Mercy’s very own frenzied tradition of “moving up.” The student council and senior class officers orchestrate a skit – their retrospective of their four years of high school. The senior slide show is presented, a show comprised of the photos seniors have been invited to submit, a show which includes snippets of popular songs – songs with lyrics championing friendships and devotions and freedoms and longings. Seniors in cap and gown are first asked to move their tassel signifying their completion of high school and then asked to exit the auditorium. As they stand huddled in the lobby – the “moving up” which follows this “moving out” becomes the focus of all the remaining students.
Yes, it is my favorite day in school. I never tire of seeing those juniors, ready to inhabit the senior section, the sophomores who make their way across the width of the auditorium to sit in the junior seats and the screaming frosh who burst out of the back rows to officially become sophomores! Each class joins hands and winds through dozens and dozens of rows of seats to their new home. The smiles and tears overwhelm many. The sound is deafening!! To move up! What a celebration.
It is my favorite day of school because I love marking life changes with some sort of ceremony. Too many, I believe, occur without any fanfare. Our culture takes so many moments for granted. People accept, so easily, the “what’s the big deal?” attitude. Well for me, I love that our school makes a big deal about changing grade levels, makes a big deal about what seats get occupied and by what girls, makes a big deal about skits and farewell parties and laughter and tears and screaming girls. It’s all a very big deal and I’m blessed to be able to witness it.
Congratulations to every Mercy girl! Have a great summer!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Carolyn Witte, Principal
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| Mercy Moment of the Month
GOD BLESS the Class of 2008!
Farewell Mercy High! CONGRATULATIONS and best of luck to the 177 extraordinary young women who received diplomas June 5th at Compuware Arena for the 63rd Commencement of Mercy High School. Welcome to the Alumnae Association!
See more grads, white dresses, smiles, speeches, and tears captured on film. CLICK HERE to view and order LIFETOUCH graduation photographs. Password is mercy2008.
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Mothers Club
Save the date for the new and improved Mothers Club Annual Mother Daughter Fashion Show and Boutique Sunday, October 26, 2008 at Shenandoah Country Club.
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Dads Club
Be sure to check out the Mercy Dads Club web pages throughout the summer for events and updates.
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MEN of MERCY
 Two special Mercy men, Mr. John Gernacy and Mr. Doug Engler, are retiring after many decades of invaluable and dedicated service.
Registrar and man of many hats Mr. Gernacy is retiring after 40 loyal years. Mr. Gernacy was and still is a teacher. Even once he joined the administrative team, he kept teaching his AP European History class. He has also been a department chair, staff meeting coordinator, arts & crafts show supervisor, graduation guru, senior all night party leader, and most wonderful master of all schedules.
THANK YOU, Mr. Gernacy for attending hundreds of banquets and proms and not to mention making Mercy run like clockwork!
 Over the past 36 years, our own veteran counselor Mr. Engler has prepared registrations, written countless letters of recommendations, kept confidences, dried tears, watched girls enter Mercy, move through the halls, graduate, attend and complete college, take on careers, and many have sent their own daughters to Mercy. His smile has been infectious for the better part of nearly four decades serving the students of Mercy High School.
THANK YOU, Mr. Engler for always lending a compassionate ear and helping students grow into women of Mercy.
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Hats Off to the Greats of 2008!
Scholarship. Leadership. Service. Character. Excellence. (And S E N I O R S!)
 Mercy gathered as a school on June 4th to applaud and praise the stellar students of 2008 at the annual HONORS CONVOCATION. From poetry and art, service and scholarships, biology and music, all were honored for their awesome achievements and a standing ovation to the seniors for a fabulous four years.
Sr. Emily George Award ~ Helen Marie Berg
Principal's Leadership Award ~ Leann Arcori
Garn Griffin Athletics Award ~ Megan Craig and Alison Allen
Salutatorian ~ Amanda Rahie
Valedictorian ~ Gina Rotondo
Teacher of the Year ~ Mrs. Colleen Rozman
Newsprint ~ Michigan Interscholastic Press Association Spartan Award
Lore Yearbook ~ National Gallery of Excellence Award
Alumnae Coordinator Mrs. Jennifer Stark shared good news that the Alumnae Assocation of Mercy High School awarded 15 $1,000 scholarships to deserving students as a result of funds raised from the Alumnae Tea for Tuition and May Mailing. President Sr. Regina proudly announced that in addition to the Alumnae Scholarships there are 19 named Memorial Scholarships totaling $58,750. Mercy is granting $73,750 in scholarships to 59 deserving students. Thank you to those who sponsor these scholarship awards and thank you to the all the students who submitted almost 500 essays.
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Let's Hear It For Some More STAFF
Time to give a clap, shout a cheer, and say THANKS to these amazing staff members who achieved a milestone in serving Mercy High School. We appreciate you! We salute you!
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5 Years
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10 Years
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30 Years
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Ms. Debra Cooper
Cafeteria
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Ms. Carol Baron
Math Teacher
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Mrs. Vicky Kowalski
Math and Computer Teacher
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Mrs. Linda Wade
Business Office
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Mrs. Abha Dearing
Choral and Orchestra Teacher
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Ms. Fran Mika
English Teacher
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Mrs. Arpna Hessler
Counselor
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Ms. Jan Mordenski
English Teacher
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Mrs. Judy Pauley
Science Teacher
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Plus . . . English and history teacher Mr. Tom Schusterbauer was selected by Jennifer Paxton '08, winner of a $10,000 scholarship from Coca-Cola, as her "Educator of Distinction." He received a plaque inscribed with Jennifer's words, "Thank you for believing in me and believing in the history of my people. You have truly made history come alive for me as well as for so many others."
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Student Successes ~ APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
Carly Sevald '09 was chosen as one of the top 130 divers in the country which makes her an All American diver for the 2007 - 08 school year.
Toni Rose Arceno '09 was accepted to be one of 36 participants and received a $350 scholarship for Kettering University's Lives Improve Through Engineering Program.
Diane Karvelis '08 received the scholar-athlete award for golf at the Operation Friendship Banquet.
Bianca Wasson '08 won an honorable mention in the Chrysler LLC Scholarship Telling Their Story of Metro Detroit essay contest for students. She was a finalist chosen from approximately 400 submissions. All winning essays are posted at myjourneythroughthed.com.
Anna Vandecaveye '09 was nominated by the Mercy Science Department for the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Washington, D.C. this month. She will interact with renowned physicians and health experts from the medical community.
Check out these winners from the Spring Poetry Writing Contest from Creative Communications.
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Seniors
Jillian Becker
Mirabeth Braude
Gabi Crowley
Elaine Czech
Leah Efimetz
Rachel Elsey
Megan Gegesky
Libby Hagemeyer
Nancy Hazely
Mandy Khemmoro
Emma Khoury
Leah Klaserner
Michele Krasnesky
Marilyn Kubek
Krista Kulesa
Nada Metti
Meghan Porter
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Lauren Preininger
Raven Rickard
Gina Rotondo
Natalie Roxas
Janine Semperger
Chanel Shina
Florianne Silvestri
Kelly Sloan
Lauren Smith
Brittany Stallworth
Charlotte Thomas
Miesha Turner
Abby Walls
Kellyann Wargo
Caitlin Williams
Jill Winkler
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Juniors
Toni Arceno
Emily Clark
Gabriella DiFiore
Jessica Jary
Jillian Lemke
Jenny O'Neil
Vanessa Rychlinski
Alyssa Selasky
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Meagan Giovanni '08 was awarded a Superior rating in the Vocal Solo event at the 2008 National Federation of Music Clubs Festival.
Alexandria Pouncy '09 and Janelle Trueheart '09 participated in the Essence de Noire Cotillion Debutante Ball sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta. Janelle won Miss Delta Debutante for raising the most money for scholarships. They both received scholarships toward college education.
Danielle Morrison '10 achieved the following at the AGM Great Lakes Regional Music Competition for piano and will compete nationally in July: 1st Place- Test List; 3rd Place- Length of Study; AAA- Evaluation (Top Score).
These students received recognition in the Free Press Writing Contest. An Award of Excellence in Poetry was awarded to Michele Krasnesky '08. Mirabeth Braude '08, Krista Kulesa '08, and Kellyann Wargo '08 all earned commendations in Poetry. Alessi Nehr '09 received a commendation in Journalism Opinion Writing and Janine Semperger '08 and Liz Grden '08 received honorable mentions.
Megan Craig '08 and Kathryn Carey '09 were named Finalists in the Letters about Literature contest sponsored by the Libraries of the State of Michigan.
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SANP SUCCESS!
 The 2008 Senior All Night Party was a blast and as any good hostess knows, food plays an important role in any party. This year, in addition to monetary donations from the Junior parents, the food was donated by local restaurants, stores and other businesses.
Through the donations of the Junior parents, we were able to rent some fun, food specialty items. (Sshhhh - Still need to keep what those were a secret in case the Class of 2009 wants to use them for their party). However, the girls really enjoyed them and they made the party extra special! THANK YOU to all who made it a smashing success!
The following businesses kindly made donations to the 2008 Senior All Night Party. Absopure Water, John Edwards Carryout, A Family Affair Catering, Junior (Class of 2009) Parents, Awry Bakery, Kroger, Buddy's Pizza, Delilah's Deli & Catering, LaBasha, California Pizza Kitchen, Leo's Coney Island, Coney Café, Nino Salvaggio's, COSI, Maria's Italian Bakery, Dairy Queen, Mercy Cafeteria, Dairy Queen, Mrs. Maddox Cake Shoppe, Pic-A-Deli, Einstein Bakery, Farmington Hills Coney Island, Pizza Pappalis, Fattoush Village, Potbelly's, Ginopolis Restaurant, Quizno's Subs, Hercules Coney Island, Subway, Jackson Five Star Catering, Westborn Market.
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The Student Body has Spoken
The ballots have been counted, the speeches have been spoken, and the "vote for me" posters taken down. Time to give these elected officers for the 2008 - 09 school year a congratulatory hand shake.
Student Council Officers
President - Kristen Malloure
Vice President - Danica Verderbar
Secretary - Erin Keith
Treasurer - Karen Malloure
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Class of 2009
President - Egan Franks
Vice President - Julia Kowalski
Secretary - Caitlin Williams
Treasurer - Marie Di Ponio
Class Rep - Ellen Panetta
HRC - Toni Rose Arceno, Mackenzie Bickes, Angela Haddad, Tiffany Haddad
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Class of 2010
President - Tara Ellis
Vice President -
Katelyn Constantakis
Secretary - Kelly Karpus
Treasurer - Malaka Saleh
Class Rep - Katie Patterson
HRC - Kelley Cubr, Maura Fitzsimons, Jenna Mizzi,
Rachel Yaldoo
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Class of 2011
President - Emily Shimskey
Vice President - Casey Loiselle
Secretary - Teresa Rotondo
Treasurer -
Hannah Constantakis
Class Rep - Jessie Ronayne
HRC - Allie Babcock, Alexa Bahoura, Lauren Parr, Sara Yockey
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Stuck at Prom
 One of Mercy's recent graduates, Haley Cavanaugh '08, and her date Keith Porter of UD High stuck out at prom this year. Haley entered the Stuck at Prom Duck Brand Duct Tape Scholarship Contest and attended Mercy's prom decked out in a duct tape creation. To enter the contest she had to make her prom attire out of Duct Tape, wear it to prom, submit a photo to contest and then be selected as a top 10 finalist by judges.
Scholarship winners are selected from finalists by internet votes starting on June 13 until June 29. Help Haley win a scholarship by visiting stuckatprom.com and vote for Haley/Keith #4199.
If Haley wins, Mercy wins! The scholarship amount received by Haley will also be sent to Mercy High School!
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Meg is on Monday
Mercy's 18th Annual Meg Mallon Golf Outing is planned for this Monday, June 16th at Western Golf & Country Club. It is SOLD OUT! Plus Mercy has dozens of great golf sponsors!
THANK YOU to the four Mercy parent couples who are members of Western and are hosting us this summer ~ Vicki & Richard Novak, Kate & Gary Shaw, Susan & Darrell Vlachos, and especially Maria & Kevin Malone who are chairing this fundraising event. The committee has been fantastic!
WDIV's Steve Garagiola will join us for the golf banquet and mini-auction. Let's pray for sunny skies and a cool breeze for a magnificent Meg day.
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Latest and Greatest from the Alumnae Office
All former Mercy swimmers and divers are invited to the 3rd Annual Alumnae Association Swim Meet on Saturday, August 16 at 5:00pm in the MHS pool. Don't miss out on the fun of this Mercy tradition. To pre-register, send your intent to participate along with the number of family members attending to lbargardi@wideopenwest.com.
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SNAPSHOT of Mercy
 That's cool!
Last month the Science Club and the Green Club hosted Mr. Dale Smart from the Organization for Bat Conservation. Mr. Smart brought in five bats to show the students and shared information about "Bats of the World" that debunked some of the popular myths about bats.
If you have a snapshot of Mercy to share, please send to jhearle@mhsmi.org.
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MNotes . . . miscellaneous info you need to know!
USED BOOK SALE - - The Mercy Moms will once again be running the Used Book Sale. Drop off of books for sale will take place on August 11 and the sale will be held August 12. Please visit the curriculum page of Mercy's web site in early August to see what books will be accepted for resale. Students will receive schedules by mail at the beginning of August with further instructions on book purchasing from Mercy Moms and/or from our online bookstore through VarsityBooks. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Linskey at mjlinskey@mhsmi.org or 248.893.3568.
Senior parents! If you're wondering about a graduation gift and want something unique and personalized, how about adopting an auditorium seat in your daughter's name, with her graduation year. A perfect gift for your young Thespian, Mercyaire, Spirit Choir or Tri-M Music Honor Society Member. CLICK HERE for more information.
Mercy is hosting a Volleyball Camp this summer July 21 - 25. CLICK HERE for more sport camp info.
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Looking Ahead to the 2008 - 2009 School Year
| Event |
Date / Time |
Location |
| Meg Mallon Golf Outing |
June 16 |
Western Golf & Country Club |
| Used Book Sale |
Aug 12 |
Lobby & Media Center |
| Welcome Picnic |
Sept 2 / 5pm - 7pm |
Cafeteria & Outside |
| Classes Begin |
Sept 3 |
MHS |
| Parent Night |
Sept 10 |
MHS |
| NEW MOMS Welcome Dinner |
Sept 22 / 6:30pm |
MHS |
| Mercy Day Mass |
Sept 24 |
Auditorium |
CLICK HERE to glance at the 2008 - 2009 School Year.
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The MEMO will return to your inbox in September. If you have any questions or want to submit information contact jhearle@mhsmi.org.
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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.
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