issue - Mercy High School

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE
P U B L I S H E D T W I C E Y E A R LY F O R
ALUMNAE, PARENTS & FRIENDS
SPRING 2014
I NSIDE
T
H
I
S
I S S U E
10th Annual Tea for Tuition
Apple Distinguished School
Alumnae Class Notes
mhsmi.org
Created by Mercy’s founding Mother of Art Mary Ignatius Denay, RSM
A MOSAIC IS AN ARRAY OF DIVERSE ELEMENTS JOINED TOGETHER TO CREATE A GREATER WHOLE.
Visit
Mercy High School
29300 W. 11 Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48336-1409
Email: mhs@mhsmi.org
Tel: (248) 476-8020
Fax: (248) 476-3691
M
OSAIC
M
H S
ERCY IGH CHOOL
MAGAZINE
PUBLISHED
T W I C E Y E A R LY
FOR ALUMNAE,
PA R E N T S & F R I E N D S
Editors
Margaret Haapala Kurpiers '85
Mercy High School Board of Trustees
MHSMI.ORG
Stay connected with what's happening at
Mercy. Read and sign up to receive alumnae
and parent monthly e-newsletters, browse
the school year calendar, and check out
Mercy event photos and news articles.
Mercy
High School
MISSION STATEMENT
Mercy High School,
a Catholic college preparatory
school for young women,
fosters spiritual, intellectual, moral,
Director of Alumnae Relations
physical, and cultural development.
Julie Earle
Enriched by students from diverse
Communications Coordinator
TABL E O F C O NT E N T S
Heart of Mercy and Archbishop Visit... 3
School Spotlight .............................. 4-5
Go Marlins! ..................................... 6-7
backgrounds, Mercy nurtures
compassionate leaders
committed to addressing
human needs, working for justice
and serving the poor.
Tech Talk ........................................ 8-9
Tea for Tuition ............................. 10-11
Alumnae News ............................ 12-13
Class Notes ................................. 14-17
In Memory ....................................... 18
Administrative Team
Cheryl Delaney Kreger, Ed.D. '66 - President
Carolyn Behringer Witte '67 - Principal
Laurence Baker - Associate Principal / Operations
Colleen McMaster Rozman '81 - Associate
Principal / Academic Affairs
Jonell Linskey - Dean of Student Affairs
William Valade - Chair
Cheryl Delaney Kreger, Ed.D. '66 - President
Diana M. Jacokes '67 - Chair Elect
Paul E. Swanson - Treasurer
Judith A. VanderVeen, RSM - Secretary
Nancy A. Auffenberg
Jared P. Buckley
Carol H. Dooley
Anne Fleming, RSM
Brigid Johnson, RSM '53
Diana Mercer-Pryor
Julie M. Moll '81
Judith Mouch, RSM
John Nantais
Anita Sevier
Thomas P. Vincent
Carolyn Behringer Witte '67 – Principal
(Non-voting Member)
Sisters of Mercy Education Sponsorship
Council Liaison
Nancy Thompson, RSM '50
Board Support Staff
Laurence R. Baker Associate Principal / Operations
Colleen McMaster Rozman '81 Associate Principal / Academic Affairs
Ismael Rodriguez - Business Manager
Alumnae Board Members
Joanne Albert Walle '77 - President
Marisa Abbo '80
Arleen Brennan Bonello '56
Leslie Demyan '81
Danielle Dickow '00
Brenda Ellens '83
Lisa Sikorski Formosa '93
Lauren Longley Greer '03
Cheryl Duplessis Haithco '77
Mary Finger Hall-Price '73
Kimberly Blotkamp Hilliard '87
Jill Mitchell Johnson '78
Jennifer Borowiec Jones '99
Kathy Kelly '75
Cheryl Delaney Kreger '66
Margaret Haapala Kurpiers '85
Kelly Stirling McSweeney '93
Sonya Howcott Moore '80
Tina Cyrol Russette '76
Zena Samona '96
Maureen Carlson Sisco '82
Stephanie Dickow Surowiec '91
Eleasha Mercer Tarplin '94
Cover: Class of 2014 Salutatorian Anjali Alangaden, Valedictorian Teagan Dillon, Salutatorian Lindsay Hiser
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Heart of Mercy
Mercy High School rejoices for 2014 Heart of Mercy Award recipients Mrs. Kathy Sill, Kelsie Arlin '14 and Sr. Marianne Bennett who
live out the values of Human Dignity, Mercy, Justice, Service and Option for the Poor. Thank you for being inspiring role models and
compassionate ambassadors for everyone in our Mercy family.
“Mrs. Sill is a woman of great strength and
caring who works to teach students respect and
responsibility and demonstrates how to be a selfsufficient, effective woman. She supports students
through their self-doubt and she will not give up,
even when they want to. ”
“Kelsie has the biggest heart of anyone I know and
her compassion and faith will change the world
in big ways. She reminds everyone that we are all
God’s children. I often look to Kelsie for strength.”
"Sr. Marianne supports those who are poor
in faith and spirit. She has generously shared
her vocation story, her walk with faith, her
pilgrimage and how Mercy is so important in
life. Her love for students and staff motivates her
service which is evident on all levels."
Mercy Welcomed Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron
Mercy High School was proud to welcome the Most Reverend Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron and Fr. Steve Pulis on February 5th.
Archbishop Vigneron celebrated mass with the entire Mercy community and bestowed a special blessing on all Mercy students.
He addressed the Class of 2014, speaking from the heart about personal experiences and answering questions.
He is pictured above with some of the seniors.
Archbishop Vigneron toured Mercy High School, met with some faculty and staff, and had lunch with the Youth Mercy Associates.
“We were honored and blessed to have Archbishop Vigneron lead us in liturgy and engage with our young Mercy women,”
President of Mercy High School Dr. Cheryl Delaney Kreger.
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Valedictorian and Salutatorians Class of 2014
Hats off to the following seniors who were selected as Valedictorian and Salutatorian finalists!
The Mercy Administrative Team held a Catherine McAuley Tea celebration in honor of all the finalists on May 2.
CONGRATULATIONS to Valedictorian Teagan Dillon and Salutatorians Anjali Alangaden and Lindsay Hiser who will take the
stage to speak at graduation. 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 was interviewed by members of Administration.
Back row: Katharine Baird; Mackenzie Elkow; Patricia Wallace; Lena Pivetta; Melissa Schneider; Gina Ruggirello Middle row: Sarah Kane; Sarah
Hoffman; Anjali Alangaden; Lindsay Hiser; Sara Makki Front row: Alycia Bellino; Christa Greenwood; Kara Peltola; Teagan Dillon; Jordan Ewald
AdvancED Accreditation
Mercy completed the External Review process for our AdvancED accreditation on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. The AdvancED
process gives educational institutions a framework for quality and continuous improvement so that they may achieve ever
higher degrees of excellence. The External Review Team reviews, validates, and evaluates the evidence the institution provides.
They interviewed all stakeholder groups, observed 32 classrooms, and presented results in a report. Based on their findings,
the External Review Team recommends that Mercy High School be accredited by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission.
Thank you to all students and parents who helped in this process by completing a survey or being a part of an interview.
The team was impressed with our preparation for the review and the welcoming environment of our school community.
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Catholic League
School of the Year
Mercy has been named Detroit Catholic League
Hall of Fame School of the Year! The James Leary
School of the Year Award was created in 1980 in
honor of the late coach and athletic director at the
University of Detroit High School. This award is
presented annually to the Catholic League School
that best exemplifies spirit, sportsmanship and
cooperation and lives up to the motto: "More Than
Good Sports...Good People.”
International Students at Mercy
Welcome to the Mercy family! Mercy is so pleased to have these
six International students who decided to study abroad and be a
Mercy girl.
Siyi (Samantha) Xu ’15 - China
Hyeyoung (Kay) Shin ’15 - South Korea
Yayun (Helen) Zheng ’17 - China
Jinghan (Molane) Hu ’16 - China
Hye Jeong (Blair) Cha ’16 - South Korea
Tomoe Miyazaki ’16 - Japan
Thank you to all the parents, administration,
faculty, coaches, athletes and students who made
it possible for Mercy High School to be the 2014
recipient of this award. A plaque will be presented
on Monday, June 9th, 2014 at the Catholic League
Hall of Fame banquet.
National Scholastic Art Award
Katherine Chmielewski '14 won a National Scholastic Art Award SILVER MEDAL. She created her winning piece in
Drawing 2 class as a junior. Another Mercy student, Hayley Caddell, was the model. The 2014 Scholastic Art Competition
received approximately 255,000 submissions in 28 categories, and only 1% received national recognition.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
WHO EARNED RECOGNITION IN THE 2014 NATIONAL
MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
National Merit
Commended Students
Anjali Alangaden
Alicia Finnorn
Lena Pivetta
National Achievement
Scholarship Finalists
Jasmine Hunt
Tyler Parlor
National Merit
Scholarship Finalists
Cassidy Connolly
Alise Wenner
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SENIORS SIGN SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS
Congratulations to these Mercy High senior athletes who signed scholarships and committed to play a sport in college!
Ellie Schinella - Swimming, University of Michigan; Sierra LeGrande - Basketball, St. Mary's University; Katie Erdman - Soccer, Bowling Green
State University; Candice Leatherwood - Basketball, Liberty University; Paige Roberts - Soccer, University of Detroit Mercy; Lexi Kahler Lacrosse, Newberry College; Jordan Ewald - Softball, University of Michigan Dearborn; Tori Sullivan - Ice Hockey, Boston College.
Lauren Jackson – Figure Skating, Michigan State University; Alysa Graf – Golf, Adrian College; Kelli McDonald – Volleyball, Adrian College;
Lauren Melanson – Bowling, Aquinas College; Hayley Caddell – Bowling, Rochester College (MI); Shelbi Hines – Track & Field; Western
Michigan University; Tyler Parlor – Basketball, Oberlin College; Allie Gorcyca – Basketball, Hope College. Not pictured: Jaclyn Ruffolo –
Volleyball, Eastern Michigan University.
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GIVE ME A M, GIVE ME AN E, GIVE ME A R, GIVE ME A C, GIVE ME A Y!
Golf – Catholic League Champions
Swim & Dive – Catholic League Champions, Oakland County Champions, MHSAA Division 1 STATE CHAMPIONS
Volleyball – District Champions
Basketball – Catholic League Champions, District Champions, Regional Champions - STATE FINAL FOUR
Bowling – Catholic League Champions
Ice Hockey – Catholic League Champions
Go Mercy! Go Marlins! Spring sports are still in action, so be sure to check out more athletics
achievements and read about all the Marlins in the news at mhsmi.org/athletics!
7
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL NAMED APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL
Mercy is pleased to announce that we have been
recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2013
to 2015 for our integration of technology across the
curriculum and school life. The Apple Distinguished
School designation is reserved for programs that meet
criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational
excellence, and demonstrate a clear and consistent
vision of exemplary learning environments.
“Mercy has a decade of experience as a 1:1 computing school.
Using Apple technology provides students with concepts and
experiences that will prepare them for higher education and
future careers,” Carolyn Witte, Principal.
The selection of Mercy High School as an Apple
Distinguished School highlights our success as an
innovative and compelling learning environment
that engages students and provides tangible evidence
of academic accomplishment. All ninth graders are
required to take a Design Foundations course which
teaches multimedia skills in photo, film, animation,
and web design. Students collaborate on writing, and
edit each other’s work using iOS apps; text, video,
and audio recordings. An iWizard student technology
team provides training and resources to the school
community. Several faculty members present at
regional conferences on topics related to instruction
using the iPad.
“At Mercy, students have the opportunity to be technology
teachers and program innovators. Mercy High School is
always positioned for change because it has developed the
capacity to learn and lead in the field of technology,” Dr.
Cheryl Kreger, President.
We are proud that at Mercy, students have the
opportunity to be technology teachers and program
innovators. The multi-touch book submitted with our
application is available for all to enjoy through iTunes.
Check out some great media coverage about Mercy’s
commitment to technology at mhsmi.org/tags/news.
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APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL
Apple Distinguished Schools are K–20 schools that
provide 24/7, schoolwide, one-to-one access to
Apple notebook computers and/or mobile devices
to all students, teachers, and administrators. They
demonstrate an innovative and compelling learning
environment that engages students and provides
tangible evidence of academic accomplishment.
Mercy on iTunes
iMercy is a 27 page Multi-Touch book
Tech Talk Conference for Educators
Mercy hosted the forum “Tech Talk for Educators” on
February 28th for those in the K–12 classroom. Keynote
speaker Liz Kolb, from the University of Michigan, kicked
off the conference with her presentation “Passion-Based
Learning with Everyday Technical Knowledge.”
250 teachers and faculty from Metro area schools attended
breakout sessions of their choice which featured presenters
from a wide range of schools and technology disciplines.
Breakout sessions include classroom technology integration
topics such as: SMARTboard; iPad Student Resources and
Apps; Flipped Classroom; iBook Publishing; Web Portfolios;
Paperless Grading; Social Media; Teacher Productivity.
Here’s a selection of Twitter chat about the conference:
#mhtalk Thank you for a great experience! The format of
the day allowed for a lot of learning and gave me much to
think about for my district.
Outstanding presentation on Formative Assessment
via tablets, smartphones, & laptops by Kevin Hankinson.
#mhtalk
@lkolb great keynote today at #mhtalk. Awesome personal
story to hit home need for passion-based learning in schools.
You have me thinking..
Thanks to @labcbaker and all at Mercy H for 1st
MercyTech Talk conf. Great people, excellent facilities,
wonderful sessions! #mhtalk
packed with movies, photos and other
multimedia highlighting Mercy's integration
of technology across the curriculum and
school life. iMercy is now available for free
through the iTunes Store and designed
for the iPad using iBooks. The Apple
Distinguished School award was achieved
on the basis of this book. Download with
iBooks on your Mac or iPad, and with
iTunes on your computer. Search "iMercy"
at the iTunes store, download, and enjoy.
Mercy Mobile APP
Stay up to date with Mercy on the go! The Mercy
High School mobile App is ready for download to
your smartphone or mobile device. Simply search
"Mercy High School" in your App store.
iTunes U Courses
Educational technology and leadership
courses offered from Mercy High
School on iTunes U authored by Mercy
Associate Principal Larry Baker.
Becoming a Digital School Administrator
will expose enrollees to a rich variety of
digital practices by principals and their
assistants.
Create a Student Tech Team at Your
School is designed to introduce an array
of possibilities for establishing a student
tech team who will perform important
functions such as online tutorials,
troubleshooting and tutoring.
SCHOOLOGY
Mercy has decided to switch learning management systems (LMS) from
Moodle to Schoology. Teachers, students and parents will be able to access Schoology
from their smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android) or any web browser. More
information will be provided to the Mercy community regarding Schoology at the start of
the 2014-15 school year. Some features include:
s3EAMLESSINTEGRATIONWITH0OWER3CHOOL)FYOUTAKEAQUIZORSUBMITANASSIGNMENT
your grades will automatically sync with PowerSchool.
s%ASYINTEGRATIONWITH$ROP"OXAND'OOGLE$RIVE
s4HEABILITYTORECORDVIDEOANDAUDIOSUBMISSIONSRIGHTFROMYOURI0ADORLAPTOP
s.OSTORAGELIMITONWHATYOUUPLOADTO3CHOOLOGY
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10th Annual TEA
FOR
TUITION
Celebrating a Decade of Making a Difference
A record-setting 340 guests gathered at Mercy
on Sunday, April 13 for the 10th Annual Tea for
Tuition. Our largest event to-date raised more
than $22,000 for the Alumnae Association
Tuition Assistance Fund. Alumnae, parents, staff,
students, donors and friends all played key parts
in making this event a reality. Our gratitude
extends to many in the Mercy community:
40 table hostesses and their guests
35 adult volunteers and 35 student servers
Guest speakers Paula Chermside ’72 and
Phoenix Dempster ’15
Itty Bitty Photography by Krissy & Terese
Livonia Bakery and Café
Mercy Maintenance
Mercyaires
Morrison Management Specialists
Linda Pudlik
Mary Wallace ’75 & Julie Tenbusch ’57,
Wallace Scones
Alumnae Association & Alumnae Board
2014 Committee - Joy Morris Brietzke ’75,
Leslie Demyan ’81, Cathy Dinan Dillon ’77,
Kim Kozlowski McNulty ’85, Molly Bosco
O’Connor ’87, Maureen Carlson Sisco ’82,
Joanne Albert Walle ’77
Special thanks to Natalie Stacey of Meijer and
all of our generous donors!
“The food was very good and the atmosphere was warm and friendly. I enjoy hosting a table at Tea for Tuition
because it is a great way to reconnect with classmates and meet some current students. At the same time, I am able
to donate to help support a future Mercy student’s education. How wonderful!” - Denise Dinan-Panico ’69
10
“Some may find it hard to believe that a school can have such a huge impact on one’s life, unless of course, those
people attend Mercy High School. By going to such a wonderful school, I have learned life lessons and values that
will continue to help me throughout the rest of my journey…I cannot say thank you enough.”
- Alumnae Association Tuition Assistance Recipient
New England Tea
The festivities began a day early this year, as the New England
alumnae community joined in the spirit of Tea for Tuition,
gathering Saturday at Athan's Bakery. The alums are excited
about maintaining their newfound connections. Thanks to
Carol Flanigan ’00 for organizing this “remote” Tea.
We hope the concept catches on!
L to R: Carol Flanigan '00, Meredith Burnett Anatolios '94, Maureen
Cavanaugh '77, Carrie Tracey Murphy '79, Cathleen Cavanaugh '73,
Anne Batcheller '82, Annette Plant Coleman '80
2014 Distinguished Alumna
Dr. Cheryl Delaney Kreger ’66 presented the 2014
Distinguished Alumna Award to Paula Chermside ’72.
Paula is COO of Aspirus Grand View Hospital in Ironwood,
Michigan. Previously, she was a health care executive with
MidMichigan Health. Paula is a Mercy Associate and has
an extensive background in medical social work. Read her
full bio at mhsmi.org/alumnae/distinguished_alumna.
Sr. Nancy Thompson ’50, Paula Chermside ’72, Dr. Cheryl Delaney
Kreger ’66
Many Sisters celebrated with Paula.
Front row: Judith VanderVeen, RSM; Lois Burroughs, RSM;
Elizabeth Mary Burns, RSM; LuAnn Hannasch, RSM
Back row: Jane Bower; Jeanne Gamache, SSJ;
Nancy Thompson ’50, RSM; Paula Chermside ’72;
Anne Fleming, RSM; Rachelle Harper ’52, RSM;
Mary Joel Zobro, RSM; Marie Henderson ’67, RSM;
Brigid Johnson ’53, RSM
Help us ensure a bright future for a Mercy student. Join us in planning next year’s Tea for Tuition on April 26, 2015,
or host a remote tea in your area. Contact alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org or 248.476.3270.
See more photos at mhsmi.org/alumnae/tea_tuition/2014.
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Friends Never Say Goodbye
Upcoming Reunions
Class of 1959
August 6, 2014
12:00 pm
Home of Yvette Ducharme Vandersluis
Pinckney, MI
RSVP 810.231.8569
Class of 1964
Fall 2014
Mercy High School
Carole Bruce Rizzo-Baum
cbrizzo@comcast.net
248.338.8900
Class of 1974
September 19-21, 2014
Friday: TBD
Saturday: 12 pm
Mercy High School
Sunday: 10:30 am
Fox Hills, Plymouth
Judy Barrett & Sue Conat-Stencel
mercy1974reunion@gmail.com
mercy1974reunion.wordpress.com
Our Lady of Mercy High School Class of 1974
Class of 1972
Class of 1994
Fall 2014
Eleasha Mercer Tarplin
edtarplin@mhsmi.org
Mercy High School Class of 1994,
20 Year Reunion
Class of 2004
Kelly McIntosh
kellyanne1985@gmail.com
Class of 1988
Class of 1972
Class of 2003
Check mhsmi.org/alumnae/reunions for updates.
You
HAVE
RECEIVED TUITION
ASSISTANCE?
If you benefitted from tuition assistance
while at Mercy, we would like to hear from
you! What are you up to now? What role has
Mercy played throughout your life?
alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org 248.476.3270
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2014 Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Eleasha Mercer Tarplin ’94
Congratulations to Mercy Alumna and Math Teacher Mrs. Eleasha Mercer Tarplin ’94 on being
named the Mercy High School 2014 Teacher of the Year. Here are some remarks by students
who nominated Mrs. Tarplin, “She will work with you and explain things until you understand.
She truly cares about her students and her teaching style seems effortless. Mrs. Tarplin is so
genuine and easy to talk to.”
Mrs. Tarplin has taught at Mercy for 7 years and will welcome her own daughter Elon as a
freshwoman for the 2014 – 2015 school year. She currently teaches Honors Algebra I,
Applied Geometry, Algebra II and Entrepreneurship, Marketing & Media.
Mrs. Tarplin states, “I am truly honored to be awarded Teacher of the Year. The joke with my
students has been, don't nominate me because I don't want to speak at graduation. Well we see
how much they listen to me! When I was called to teach, leaving corporate America, Mercy was
the only place that I wanted to go. I am a Mercy grad and to be a Mercy teacher was a dream
come true. Now to be recognized as Teacher of the Year by my students and peers is a blessing
and to God be the glory.”
FAREWELL FEATURE
Look for a farewell feature
in the Fall Mosaic on
Dean of Students
Ms. Jonell Linskey and
Business Education Teacher
Mrs. Lorrie (Rhodes) Kusch,
both of whom will be
retiring at the end of this
school year.
70TH ANNIVERSARY AND GRAND REUNION WEEKEND ~ SEPTEMBER 25-27, 2015
ALL INCLUSIVE ~ ALL YEARS ~ ALL CLASSES
Everyone is invited!
Plans are underway for a memorable weekend which will
include Mass, a Grand Reunion party and more!
If you would like to help, please contact the Alumnae
Office at alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org or 248.476.3270.
We need assistance locating lost classmates
and planning class-centered events.
WE ARE ALL MERCY!
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A L U M N A E
C L A S S
1950s
Colleen Kelly Jahn ’50 has 11 children
and 32 grandchildren. She writes,
“There is nothing like a Mercy
education!”
Gertrude Gaudreau Olds ’51 is retired
and still plays golf at age 81.
Mary Green White ’54 is a former math
teacher (Mercy College). She is the
mother of seven and the grandmother
of 13. In July, she and her husband
will celebrate their 15th wedding
anniversary.
Carol Verreau Bussa ’55 is a retired
media specialist (Livonia Public
Schools). She serves on the Board of
Directors of Infant Jesus Charitable
Foundation, which raises tuition funds
for orphans in India.
Patricia Cooney-Cummings ’55 lives in
Bluffton, SC and spends part of the
summer in Michigan. Her husband of
28 years passed away in September
2011.
Michaeleen Robichaud Ward ’58 and
husband William moved to Maine over
10 years ago. Michaeleen continues to
put together small travel groups. Noreen
McGowan Keating ’58 has been on
many trips. “If anyone is interested in
joining us on this year's trip to Provence
and Barcelona, let me know. The Mercy
connection will be there again.”
m_michaeleen@yahoo.com
1960s
In November 2013,
Lynn Gayney Pheney ’61
was named a
Distinguished Volunteer
by The Association
of Fundraising
Professionals (AFP)
Greater Detroit Chapter.
Lynn was recognized
for her work with Starfish Family
Services, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to creating brighter futures
for the children of at-risk families in
metropolitan Detroit.
Carol Lucik Venanzi ’65 retired in
December 2013 after 31 years a
professor of Chemistry at New Jersey
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N OT E S
Institute of Technology. Besides
teaching physical chemistry, she did
research in computer-aided design
of drugs to treat addiction. She and
her husband Tom will spend their
retirement in New York City. Carol
would love to hear from her classmates.
carol.venanzi@gmail.com
Patricia Hagerty Smith ’66 and her
husband recently retuned to their
home in Denver after serving in the
Peace Corps in rural Jamaica, where
they assisted elementary students with
literacy.
Mary Beth Houlihan Wheeler ’66 and
husband Bob spent the month of
January in India with a small group
from Stanford University, Bob's alma
mater. Stops included Ranthambore
National Park, Sarnath, Varanasi, and
eight days cruising on the River Ganga
through the Gangetic Plain and down to
Kolkata. They also met a priest whose
catechism teacher was Mother Teresa.
mb@thewheelers.com
Chris Connon Perry ’67 retired in 2008
after teaching 37 years at Lapeer
Community Schools. Chris is enjoying
her grandchildren and traveling with
her husband, Dennis, in their RV.
She's also a singer in Sweet Adelines.
“Singing in the choir at Mercy was a
good start!” connonperry@hotmail.com
Mary Cary
Crawford ’71
visited Andrea
Sigetich ’71 at
her home in
Bend, Oregon.
They hiked,
talked about
books, and reminisced about Mercy
days. Mary lives near Escanaba, MI.
marycrawford53@gmail.com
Diane Fortune Potter ’71 is an audit
representative with TaxAudit.com and
owner of a promotional advertising
company, Gold Nugget Promotions.
She and her husband Dennis have
been married 38 years and have two
daughters.
Donna Ankus ’72 is a veterinarian
in West Bloomfield, MI.
davgray@sbcglobal.net
Mary Grace Ricci VanDuinen ’72 is
Head Secretary at Grand Rapids Public
Schools. Son Bryan married Hannah
on June 8, 2013 in Traverse City, MI.
vanduineng@att.net
Mary Anne Madden Hoffman ’69 has
been promoted to Acting Executive
Director of Human Resources with
Allison Transmission Holdings Inc.
Mary Anne has been with the company
since 2012 and has been responsible
for international human resources and
employee training and development
activities.
1970s
Kristine Shenefield Sampson ’70 lives
in New York and is a senior analytical
chemist with Avon Products, Inc. She
has a daughter and two granddaughters
in New York, a daughter and three
grandsons in Oregon and a son
in Arizona. Kristine opened The
Bullhouse, a restaurant in Chestertown,
NY, run by her daughter. “If you're
in the area, stop in and have dinner.
Mention you went to Mercy and dessert
is on me!” kshaes@verizon.net
Lynn Babington, PhD, RN ’73, professor
and dean of Fairfield University’s School
of Nursing, has been named one of
20 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
(RWJF) Executive Nurse Fellows.
Lynn will participate in a three-year
leadership development program
designed to enhance nurse leaders’
effectiveness in improving the United
States health care system. Since 2000,
she has been president of Intercultural
Nursing, Inc., providing health care
to people in rural communities in the
Dominican Republic and Haiti. In 2011,
she was a Fulbright Scholar in Israel.
A L U M N A E
C L A S S
Sue O'Leary Wagener
’74 is a medical
technologist and
works in the clinical
laboratory at
St. Joseph Mercy
Health System
in Brighton, MI.
smw9592@gmail.com
Terry Weideman Mifsud ’76 graduated
with a master’s degree in 2013 in
Nutritional Dietetics. She is a
dietician and professor at Oakland
Community College.
Cheryl Duplessis
Haithco ’77
writes, “After four
wonderful years
as Development
Director at Japhet
School, an awardwinning Independent
School in Clawson,
MI, I am happy to announce I am now
Vice President of Development for Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan
Detroit.” The organization provides
children facing adversity with safe,
strong and enduring, professionally
supported one-to-one relationships.
chaithco@gmail.com
Kathleen Soeters-Cobb ’77 graduated
from Madonna University's Doctorate
of Nursing Practice program in May,
2013 and is a surgical service nurse
practitioner at John D. Dingell VA
Medical Center. Kathleen has two
grandsons and one granddaughter,
Mathilde Jariett, daughter of Lindsey
Litwinczuk-Jariett ’03. Kathleen prays
Mathilde will be blessed with the
opportunity to be a fourth generation
Mercy woman.
N OT E S
Mercy girls
lead the
charge at
Bridgeport
High School.
Suzanne
Brown ’78,
Principal, and
Kara Weigle Showerman ’88, Dean of
Students, are both in their 14th year
at Bridgeport Spaulding Community
Schools. Suzanne has been an
administrator for the past 14 years, and
Kara has been a teacher and counselor
and is now an administrator. Suzanne
writes, "Kara has done a wonderful job
as the Dean of Students. In my lifetime
I have not run into a more dedicated,
hard-working educator. Go Marlins."
browns@bscs.k12.mi.us
1980s
Christine Cronin Hurst ’80 attended
Columbia University and the Wharton
School of Business at the University
of Pennsylvania, where she received
an MBA in Finance. After 22 years
working on Wall Street and in Money
Management as a Portfolio Manager
for Fidelity and the American Funds,
Christine retired. She lives steps
from the Pacific Ocean in Manhattan
Beach, CA with her husband, Mark,
and children, Keira (7), and Spencer
(13). She is serving a four-year term
for the Manhattan Beach Unified
School District and is involved with the
Catholic Education Foundation of the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Susan Moran Linkous ’82 moved back
to Michigan after 25 years in North
Carolina. She has been promoted
to Clinical Team Lead at Covance, a
pharmaceutical research company.
She has two grown children.
Elizabeth Eads ’84 is a physician with
Volusia Hospitalists LLC in Ormond
Beach, FL. dr_e_eads@yahoo.com
Karole Vesnaugh Pickett ’84 is
completing her Master’s in Curriculum
and Instruction in Urban Education at
Weber State University and is proud
to be teaching in an urban setting.
karolepickett@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Bonello Reust ’85 retired
after 24 years with the Lansing Police
Department, including nearly 14 years
as a detective with the Crimes Against
Children Unit. Elizabeth has been
named Police Officer of the Year by
Kiwanis Club and has been honored
by Women Police of Michigan. She
holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees
in criminal justice from Michigan
State University.
Alycia Wojtowicz Chase, JD MA ’86
was awarded Michigan Social Studies
High School Teacher of the Year.
She teaches at West Bloomfield High
School, MI.
Amy Stock Ranger ’86 is a part-time
eye surgeon, part-time travel soccer
coach, and full-time mother who fully
appreciates all the hats she wears.
She and husband William live in
Traverse City, MI. amystock@aol.com
On January 28, 2014, Diane Sobczynski
Jones ’88 was sworn in as Kent
County (MI) Commissioner - District 4.
dianecjones2005@yahoo.com
1990s
Marjorie Mendoza
Almeda, DO ’90 is
Medical Director for
DRS Housecalls, a
visiting physician
practice which
provides primary
care mostly to elderly,
homebound patients.
Lesli Thom ’92 is working with Orin
Mazzoni (CC ’92) on his documentary
film Sharing the Rough. Lesli is
managing social media and marketing.
The film follows a single rough
gemstone, mined in East Africa, through
the cutting and jewelry design process,
sharing the stories of the men and
women who've touched it along the way.
sharingtherough.com
15
A L U M N A E
C L A S S
1990s continued
Erin Porth
Carlesimo ’93
graduated
from UDM in
2009 with a
BSN to add to
her bachelor's
degree in
Zoology from
Michigan State. Erin is a registered
nurse in the Emergency Department
at Harper University Hospital, Detroit.
She is raising three boys: Vincenzo (8),
Augustine (5), and Antonio (2). “I wake
up early in the morning to feed the
chickens and collect eggs. I also make
and sell Nonno's Peanut Brittle! Look for
me on Facebook.”
erincarlesimo@gmail.com
Sonya Rani Choudhury ’93 will travel this
summer with other Habitat for Humanity
volunteers to the Chengdu region of
China to build homes for local villagers.
Sonya has been a volunteer, active
team leader and member of Habitat for
Humanity International for over 20 years.
She has volunteered in Costa Rica,
Guatemala, Honduras, Brazil, Portugal,
India, and across the U.S. Sonya lives in
New York City and is a nurse practitioner
in palliative and hospice medicine.
Stephanie David
Kinnie ’93 and
husband Eric
welcomed
their first child,
William George,
on October 11,
2013. After teaching for Birmingham
Public Schools for 13 years, Stephanie
now enjoys being a stay-at-home mom.
Yvonne Bankowski ’94
has worked for 15
years at Ford Motor
Company as a plastics
materials engineer.
She married Leonidas
Merritt on November
23, 2013 in Royal Oak, MI. Renata
Bankowski ’02 was the maid of honor.
The couple resides in Royal Oak.
Anne Rashid ’94 received tenure and
was promoted to Associate Professor
of English at Carlow University in
Pittsburgh, PA.
16
N OT E S
Carrie Fling
Nantais ’96 and
her husband
David (U of D
’88) welcomed
their second
son, Theodore
(Theo) Martin,
on July 20,
2013. He is
adored by big brother Liam (4), who is
now in preschool.
Diane Roy Duneske ’97 has accepted
the position of Image Analyst at
DigitalGlobe. She lives in Loveland,
CO with her husband, Joel, and their
children, Alex and Hana.
diane.v.duneske@hotmail.com
Alison Desmond
Krumm ’97
and husband
Alex welcomed
another future
Mercy girl,
Madelyn Eileen,
on November 23, 2013. Madelyn joins
big sister, Grace (2).
Vera Loggins ’97
earned a PhD in
Physics from Wayne
State University, with
a concentration in
Nuclear Physics.
Vera is the first
African American
woman to graduate
from WSU with a
doctoral degree in Physics. She holds
bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
Electrical Engineering from University of
Detroit Mercy and WSU, respectively.
Katie Callan ’98,
Mercy Physical
Education
Department, will
marry Michael
Wehrle on
May 30, 2014.
The couple
will reside in
Milford.
Katy LaCroix
Wagner ’98 and
her husband
Mark welcomed
their first
child, Nicholas
LaCroix Wagner, on April 18, 2013.
Katy completed her doctoral degree in
education in October of 2013.
Theresa Gauthier ’99 married Kristopher
Fogle on July 19, 2013 in Grosse Pointe,
MI. The couple resides in Charleston,
SC where Theresa is a teacher. They
are expecting their first child in April.
In attendance were Meghan Dyke ’99,
Jennifer Boyle ’97, Alison Kline-Kator ’97
(Mercy Religious Studies Dept.), Mary
Lisiecki ’14, Jennifer Gauthier Marsh ’97,
Dameka Ross ’99, and JoAnne McCardell
Iwanicki ’59.
Carey Czech Jansen ’99 is a grants
manager with Child Advocates of San
Antonio. careysjansen@gmail.com
2000s
Jeanette Burrell ’00 is a financial literacy
coach with Starfish Family Services.
Kathryn
(Katie) Lucey
Kawel ’00
and husband
Kevin
welcomed
fraternal twin
girls Olivie
Josephine
and Aibhlinn
Kay on May 6, 2013. Katie received her
Master of Social Work at the University
of Michigan in 2006 and is practicing
as a medical social worker at a local
area hospital.
Katie Lynn Mason, PhD ’00 married
Captain Daniel Shane Summers in
April 2013. Their first child, Samantha
Grace, was born January 13, 2014.
Katie is a faculty lecturer at The
University of Kansas. Dan works as an
Operational Research Systems Analyst
at Fort Leavenworth. The family resides
in Kansas City, MO.
A L U M N A E
C L A S S
Vanessa Rennels Miller ’00 transferred
to the Grand Rapids, MI area from
Virginia. She and husband Dan will
celebrate 10 years of marriage with a
dive trip to Indonesia this summer.
Stephanie Sabbagh ’00 married
Matthew Aulin Crist in September 2013
in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Sara M.
Sabbagh ’99 was the Maid of Honor.
Nicole Asciutto
Mardegian ’01
and husband
Alan relocated
from Kings
Bay, GA to
Chesapeake, VA
due to a military
move. They have moved seven times
since 2005 and are still enjoying the
adventure. The couple has two kids,
Hayden (5) and Dominic (1).
Kim Warzyniec
’02 married
Adam Bogrow
on August 31,
2013 in Chicago.
The couple
enjoyed a 3-week
honeymoon in
Australia and New
Zealand during
January 2014.
They live in Chicago where Kim is a
CPA and Adam is an asset manager for
a real estate investment firm.
Heather Sexton
Pfitzenmaier ’03
was named to
Forbes 30 under
30, Law and
Policy category,
in December
2012. Heather is
Director, Young Leaders Program with
The Heritage Foundation.
Mary Catherine Costello ’04 married
David Koehler in 2011. Mary Catherine
is a counselor at St. Ignatius High
School, Cleveland, OH. She earned a
Bachelor of Arts in 2008 from John
Carroll University and a Master of
Education in 2011 from University of
Dayton.
Rebecca Viau Lynch ’04 is a senior sales
manager for White Lodging Services.
rebeccalynch85@gmail.com
N OT E S
Cathleen Kowalski ’05 recently won the
Metro Detroit USBC Association Rip
10 Entertainment Women’s Invitational
bowling event. She was the top qualifier
in the invitational field of 16. Cathleen
coaches the JV bowling team at Mercy
High School.
Kristin Martin ’05 married Nick Lefere
on August 31, 2013 at Our Lady of
Sorrows Catholic Church, Farmington,
MI. Kristin graduated from University
of Detroit Mercy School of Law in May
2012 and is currently an associate
attorney at the Law Office of Daniel E.
Goodman, LLC in Rosemont, IL. Nick
will graduate from the physical therapy
school at the University of Illinois at
Chicago in May 2014. kristinmrtn@
gmail.com
Timeka Williams
’06 married
Christopher
Tounsel of
Skokie, IL on
December 28,
2013. Timeka
is a doctoral
candidate at
the University
of Michigan,
Ann Arbor.
Grace Griffin ’09, former Mercyaire, is
living in New York City and is preparing
to release Timeless, her first solo R&B
EP. Grace's brand of music is heavy in
sampled elements, classic sounds, hiphop, and harmonies. iheartGG.com
2010s
Lauren Babb ’10 is a Research Analyst
with the Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee in Washington,
DC. laurenababb@gmail.com
Kate Johnson ’11, a junior at the
University of Michigan, won a national
championship in club boxing in April
2014.
Christine
Osimowicz
Tietze ’05,
husband
David, and big
sister Madeline
welcomed
baby sister
Brooke Alexandria on September 14,
2013. Chelsea Bos Woodward ’05
captured this photo of the family.
Nicole Rotondo
Battista
’06 and
husband John
welcomed
their first
child, Vincent
Michael, on October 24, 2013.
Nicole graduated from Madonna
University with her Master of Arts in
Teaching English to Speakers of Other
Languages, with a focus on K-12
education as well as adding the English
as a Second Language endorsement
to her teaching certificate. She was
awarded the 2014 Nolan Award
for outstanding achievement in the
Humanities. nmr10@albion.edu
Kaitlin Nelson ’12 was crowned Detroit's
United Irish Society Maid of Erin 2014.
Kaitlin is a student at Saint Mary's
College, IN.
Olivia Samoray ’12 earned a walk-on
spot in her sophomore year with the
swim team at University of Michigan.
She earned Academic All-Big Ten
(2014) and U-M Athletic Academic
Achievement Award (2014). Olivia is
enrolled in the School of Kinesiology,
majoring in movement science.
News
HAVE
TO SHARE?
Mercy wants to hear from you!
Submit all updates and photos of
family, career, travel, etc.
mhsmi.org/alumnae/
update_information or
alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org
17
In Memory
Mercy Alumnae
Gay Ann Johnston ’56, February 2014
Kathleen Biddinger Vrooman ’62, April 2014
sister of Patricia Biddinger ’65, Joan Biddinger
Cannon ’71, and Beth Biddinger Keeney ’77
Barbara Brady Kaufmann ’71, April 2014
sister of Joann Brady ’73, Diana Brady
Whitney ’74, and Dorinda Brady Flannery ’79
Rhoda Jean Holloway Jackson ’83,
January 2014
Veronica Melissa Danou ’85, December 2013
sister of Vanessa Danou ’86 and Jessica
Danou ’93
Jean Bonello Hawn ’89, May 2014
daughter of Arleen Brennan Bonello ’56;
sister of Mary-Jelisse Bonello ’83 and
Elizabeth Bonello Reust ’85
Jennifer Coffelt Sorgen ’93,
December 2013
Andrea Jackson ’96, July 2013
sister of Jennifer Jackson ’93
Mercy Family
Barbara J. Adams, December 2013
mother of Molly Adams Hyde ’72, Jane
Adams Sondergaard ’73, and Margaret
Adams Gaudin ’81
Edward Altesleben, October 2013
brother of Evonne Altesleben Serpa ’85
Janet Bahler, October 2013
mother of Maggie Bahler Rizzio ’81
Francis Joseph Begue, May 2013
brother of Marie Begue Robertson ’46,
Agnes Begue Godek ’49, and the late
Sr. Therese Ann Begue, RSM ’53
Fred Bourbeau, April 2014
husband of Ilene Panciatici Bourbeau ’59
John Brisbois, May 2014
father of Kathy Brisbois Maximiuk ’79 and
Mary Brisbois ’82; father-in-law of Carla
Brisbois-Gribbs ’75
Lisa DeNardo, December 2013
mother of Gabriella DeNardo ’13
John Robert Denton, December 2013
son of Rosemarie Zwiller Denton ’75
18
Edward L. Ewald, Sr., March 2014
father-in-law of Melissa Swiacki Ewald ’85;
grandfather of Jordan Ewald ’14 and Morgan
Ewald ’17
Joseph F. Fedea, Jr., February 2014
father of Nancy Malinowksi, Athletics;
grandfather of Courtney Malinowski ’04
Lillian Eugenia Blakely Fuller, February 2013
grandmother of Melanye K. Johnson ’89
Robert George, March 2014
brother of Board of Trustees Member
Diana George Jacokes ’67 and Carol George
Kirkland ’68; uncle of Kristy George Martin '00,
Julie Jacokes Koehler ’01, Kelly George
Hermann '03 and Erin Kirkland '10
Joan Given, March 2014
mother of Mary Ann Given Anstandig ’61,
Elizabeth Given Deni ’67, and Colleen Given
Jabczenski ’72
Camille C. Gosselin, December 2013
sister-in-law of Kathryn Anderson Sikorski ’66;
aunt of Lisa Sikorski Formosa ’93
Eileen E. Hagerty, January 2014
mother of Patricia Hagerty Smith ’66;
mother-in-law of Maureen Harmon Hagerty ’70
and Nancy Zlotek Hagerty ’74
Peter A. Halash, January 2014
brother of Katelyn Halash ’14
Patricia Ann Hammer, February 2014
mother of Mary Claire Hammer Kenney ’78
and Margaret Mary Hammer ’81; grandmother
of Christine Hammer ’99, Kathleen
Hammer ’02, Elizabeth Kenney ’11, and
Bridget Kenney ’17
Margaret M. Kennedy, April 2012
grandmother of Meagan Giovanni ’08
John G. Lowry, February 2014
father of Nancy Lowry Doyle ’95 and
Kathleen Lowry ’98; father-in-law of
Heather Cahill Lowry ’90
Gregory Francis Marrs, February 2014
father of Jennifer Marrs Kibbey ’91
Kenneth G. Mathieu, November 2013
father of Jeannie Mathieu-Dendrinos ’69,
Renee Mathieu ’70, Patricia Mathieu ’73,
Michelle Mathieu ’74, Maureen Mathieu ’79,
and Karen Mathieu Campbell ’80;
grandfather of Kathleen Mathieu ’03
Paul Edmund Mueller, February 2014
brother of Karen Mueller Clinton ’81 and
Kathleen Mueller ’84
Elsie O'Connell, September 2013
mother of Mary Beth O'Connell ’74 and
Jane O'Connell-Devlin ’79
Mary Delphine Oles, November 2013
mother-in-law of Gerry Meloche, Science
Department; grandmother of Amy Meloche
Hengstebeck ’98 and Laura Meloche
Antuna ’03
Dr. Eugene E. Pettis, January 2013
father of Kara Pettis ’82 and Erica Pettis ’84
Margaret Reinhardt, January 2014
mother of Jane Borowiec, Attendance;
grandmother of Jennifer Borowiec Jones ’99
and Erin Borowiec Larson ’01
John Sanderson, October 2013
father of Alexandra Sanderson ’17
Julia Hanba, December 2013
mother of Janice Hanba ’82
James Gordon Scharret, January 2014
father of the late Elizabeth Scharret ’85
Helen L. Hart, April 2014
mother of former science teacher Mike Jones
Thomas N. Sklut, November 2013
father of former Advancement Director
Tom Sklut; grandfather of Anna Sklut ’06
William (Bill) J. Hubbarth, January 2014
husband of Stephanie Smela Hubbarth ’84
Bernard Irwin, October 2013
grandfather of Lindsey Lerg ’12 and Jenna
Lerg ’15
Leo Junker, March 2013
brother of Joann Junker King ’64
John J. Kennedy, July 2013
grandfather of Meagan Giovanni ’08
Robert J. Straub DDS, September 2013
father of Susan Straub Edwards ’71, Sheryl
Straub St. Jean ’76 and Sharleen Straub
St. Jean ’79
Charles F. Vella, August 2013
husband of Sylvia Murphy Vella ’61
Carol West, December 2013
mother of Alison West Moffatt ’91;
mother-in-law of Meghan Marlatt West ’88
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