MERCY HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE

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 2012
National Achievement
Scholarship Finalist
Kellie Brue
National Merit
Scholarship Finalists
Colette Berg
Elizabeth Eagle
Elaina Weber
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.
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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
P U BLISHE D
T W I C E Y EARL Y
FOR AL U MNAE ,
P AREN T S & FRIEN D S
Mercy High School Board of Trustees
mhsmi.org
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Mercy
High School
mission statement
Mercy High School,
a Catholic college preparatory
school for young women,
Editors
fosters spiritual, intellectual, moral,
Margaret Haapala Kurpiers '85
Director of Alumnae Relations
physical, and cultural development.
Julie Earle
Communications Coordinator
Enriched by students from diverse
backgrounds, Mercy nurtures
compassionate leaders
Ta bl e of C o n t e n t s
Athletic Achievements................... 3.
Solar Roof & iPads..................... 4-5.
committed to addressing
human needs, working for justice
and serving the poor.
Moments & Milestones............... 6-7.
Alumnae News & Events............ 8-9
Advancing Mercy........................ 10.
Class Notes & In Memory....... 11-14
Women Mean Business 2012...... 15
M-Hub........................................ 16
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
Cover Photo by Sharon Lemieux
2
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
Kamar Amanullah
Nancy A. Auffenberg
Vanessa Denha-Garmo '88
Carol H. Dooley
Anne Fleming, RSM
Brigid Johnson, RSM '53
Maureen McGarrigle, RSM '57
Julie M. Moll '81
Judith Mouch, RSM
John Nantais
Anne M. Nichols '79
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
Thomas Sklut – Director of Advancement
Ismael Rodriguez – Business Manager
Alumnae Board Members
Lisa Sikorski Formosa '93 - President
Marisa Abbo '80
Sallie Hinz Atsalis '79
Arleen Brennan Bonello '56
Christie Gardell Cannon '01
Danielle Dickow '00
Lisa Makar Dutton '92
Gina DeAgostino Gray '91
Lauren Longley Greer '03
Cheryl Duplessis Haithco '77
Mary Finger Hall-Price '73
Sherry Benge Hammond '83
Kimberly Blotkamp Hilliard '87
Jennifer Borowiec Jones '99
Rebecca Burnett Journigan '92
Andrea Kline '01
Cheryl Delaney Kreger '66
Margaret Haapala Kurpiers '85
Kelly Stirling McSweeney '93
Sonya Howcott Moore '80
Pamela Krol Morath '67
Karen Kent Moros '62
Tina Cyrol Russette '76
Stephanie Dickow Surowiec '91
Eleasha Mercer Tarplin '94
Joanne Albert Walle '77
Jill Mitchell Wise '78
W E
A R E
M E R C Y
M A R L I N S
Player Profiles
Meghan Cleary ‘12
Emily Orrico ‘12
Meghan Cleary ‘12 signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball
at Northwood University.
Emily Orrico ‘12 signed a National Letter of Intent to dive at the
University of Michigan.
Kayce Nieto ‘12 signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball at
the University of Utah. She's believed to be the first Michigan pitcher to
be recruited by a school within the prestigious Pac-12 Conference. The
Pac-12 is considered the dominant NCAA Division I conference in college
softball, producing 20 of the last 23 national champions. Kayce hopes to
lead the Marlins to a Final Four appearance in the state tournament this
spring.
Volleyball standout Maddy Doyle ‘12 won the title of Michigan Miss
Volleyball, 2011 becoming just the second Oakland County player to
Maddy Doyle ‘12
Photo Credit: studentandathlete.com
win this prestigious honor. She also was named the 2011-12 Gatorade
Michigan Volleyball Player of the Year. The award, which recognizes not
only athletic excellence, but also academic achievement and exemplary
character demonstrated on and off the court, distinguishes her as
Michigan's best high school volleyball player. “Her knowledge of the
game is well beyond that of most college athletes. She is a true leader on
and off the court. “ Loretta Vogel, Varsity Volleyball Head Coach. Maddy
signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball at George Washington
University.
Track & Field and Cross Country runner Heather Smith '12 earned the
Michigan High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award.
Lindsey Lerg '12 committed to play volleyball at the University of
Michigan.
Coaches Corner
Athletic
Achievements
Swim & Dive – Division I State
Champions (5th consecutive
State Championship); Oakland
County Champions (7th
consecutive); Catholic League
Champions
Kayce Nieto ‘12
Varsity Swim Coach Shannon Dunworth received two
major coaching honors. He was named MISCA Division I
Swim Coach of the Year and 2011 NFHS Coaches
Association National Coach of the Year.
photo credit: studentandathlete.com
Golf – Catholic League
Runners-Up; Regional Champions
Field Hockey – State Semi-Finalists; Division II Champions
Volleyball – Catholic League Champions; District Champions
Basketball – Catholic League Runners-Up; Michigan's Top 100
High School Basketball Sportsmanship Award
Bowling – Catholic League Champions
Ice Hockey – Catholic League Champions; State Runners-Up
Hockey Coach Butch Babler is the new Regional
Development Manager for USA Field Hockey Region
9. USA Field Hockey is the national governing body of
the sport. Region 9, also called the Great Lakes Region,
includes Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and
Wisconsin. Mr. Babler is a Futures and Scholastic coach
and has earned the status of a pending Level III USA Field
Hockey Coaching certification. He will be in charge of 85
coaches, more than 800 athletes, and all the referees for
Region 9.
Vicky Kowalski was honored as All-Area Golf Coach of
the Year for the seventh time.
3
S U N S AT I O N A L
E N E R G Y
DTE Energy Solar Panel Array
Installed & Operational on Mercy Roof
Contributed by NEWSPRINT Features Editor Elaina Weber '12
Photos Courtesy of John Gembarski
If there was anyone in the community who had not yet heard of Mercy High
School, they have now. Installing a $2.5 million, 400 kilowatt photovoltaic system
on 125,000 square feet of roof can do that to a school.
In July, DTE Energy entered into a 20-year agreement with Mercy, prompting
coverage by CBS, PR Newswire, and countless energy-specific, community-specific,
and education-specific news websites. Mercy is leasing its rooftop to DTE so the
utility can provide solar energy to its customers. Throughout the fall, a roofing
company and DTE's solar panel installation crew worked to get the system up and
running before the beginning of 2012. The solar array is operational and began
producing energy on December 28, 2011.
“Our participation is initially joining a movement,” said Associate Principal
Larry Baker. “Though Mercy was expected to receive energy directly from the roof,
the school didn’t have the technology to keep up with the solar panels. A costly new
electrical substation would have to be installed, and with Mercy’s Capital Campaign
to remodel parts of the school already underway, right now is not the time to purchase
such equipment. When that day comes, we would want to take advantage of this
technology,” Mr. Baker said. “In the meantime, we are part of a state-wide DTE
movement to move away from our addiction to fossil fuel and become responsible
global citizens looking to protect and preserve.”
DTE will continue to fund, operate, and maintain the solar energy system.
As part of the contract, Mercy will receive an annual payment equal to one
scholarship per year for 20 years. Mercy also received a one-time, up-front
construction payment to cover any inconvenience during installation and
indirect energy savings over time. The solar array installation is part of DTE
Energy’s pilot SolarCurrents program which is one of the largest distributed
solar programs in the country. Mercy High School is the first private high
school to participate in SolarCurrents and now houses the largest roof mounted
facility in the state of Michigan.
An interactive SolarCurrents kiosk, provided by DTE, is located in the south hall alcove,
just east of the cafeteria. It monitors and showcases the amount of kw produced each day,
hour, week and current solar output. Stop by and check out all the sunsational energy!
What is Solar Photovoltaic Energy?
• A solar energy system generates electricity through the use of photovoltaic (PV)
technology. PV turns the sun’s light energy into electrical energy.
The power produced at Mercy High School in January and February 2012 totaled 38,751 kw
which represents output of:
• 28 metric tons of CO2 avoided
• 61,510 loads of laundry
• 23.6 acres of trees planted
4
M ercy
2 . 0
Apple iPads and Google Apps
The Mercy Administrative Team and I.T. Department are proud to
unveil an electrifying reboot to the instructional technology plan called
Mercy 2.0. The Mercy 2.0 generation will roll out beginning fall 2012
with students and staff using the Apple iPad and Google Apps
(Google Docs, Google Calendar, Gmail).
Mercy has always been at the forefront of integrating technology into
the curriculum. In the seven years that Mercy has had a 1:1 computing
environment there have been dramatic shifts in how subject matter is
learned. These shifts have allowed teaching staff to accommodate many
learning styles and pedagogies to further enrich students’ learning
experience. "We recognized the need to continue to move forward.
Mercy 2.0 is designed to keep us on the cutting edge of innovation and
to position us optimally in a rapidly changing environment."
Cheryl Delaney Kreger, Ed.D. '66, President of Mercy High School.
Mercy 2.0 evolved after months of surveys, focus groups, research, and
reflection. There is a changing trend in the personal computer world away
from the standard laptop to even more mobile devices. Accompanying
this trend is a move away from machines that have large storage capacity
and computing power to devices that connect to the cloud* for storage
and computing power.
“Hundreds of thousands of apps for the iPad have potential advantage for
education. We are giving our staff an amazing toolkit that can be customized
for their courses. We will reduce the weight of our girls' book bags with a
device whose battery charge will outlast a full academic day. In addition, we
are placing a very versatile and powerful tool in our students' hands at a greatly
reduced cost relative to the laptop computer we have used in the past.”
Larry Baker, Associate Principal
The incoming Class of 2016 will be required to purchase a preformatted
Mercy iPad. Students and staff will transition from Microsoft Office to
Google Apps, and will move to Gmail. The Mercy iPad bundle will be
sold directly and exclusively through the school web site and will include
an iPad (discounted), an extended 2 year warranty (discounted), an app
fee (used to purchase discounted apps), a small administrative fee to
cover the transactions costs, and a protective case with Mercy custom
design. This bundle will be uniform for all Mercy students.
All teachers will be provided with an iPad and will keep their current
HP Tablet. They will receive specialized training and will be ready to
maximize the potential of the iPad once the new school year begins.
Students who currently own an HP Tablet will have the choice to
continue to use it or to purchase an iPad. Mercy will support a mixed
environment of iPads and HP Tablets for at least three academic years.
“We are very excited about all of these changes and even the challenges
they bring, and we fully expect our reboot to benefit all students regardless
of device.” Dr. Kreger.
Teachers and students have been testing the
functionality of the iPads and various applications
over the past few months.
Jacqueline LaPres ’13 was
an iPad student tester first
semester. “It is a lot easier
to carry around and more
user friendly. I am looking
forward to the switch to
Apple technology. I love
the apps available on the
iPad. They are great to use in class and on homework,
especially in AP Chemistry when I have to visualize
molecules. I have found nothing that compares to the
educational tools available on the iPad.”
Sarah Philo ’12, who has used an HP Tablet during her
time at Mercy, believes the iPads will be more appealing
to students. “One benefit I can see coming out of the
new Mercy 2.0 Technology Plan is, because iPads are
less likely to malfunction and obtain viruses, students
will be more willing to use them. I found it much easier
to log into the network and remain in the network
without any problems. I also think that they will be a
much better study tool, as many apps available on the
iPad are extremely integrated with each other and easy
to use.”
Advantages of the Apple iPad for Mercy:
• The iPad functions fall more in line with usage than
our current HP Tablet computer. In addition, the iPad
reflects the major trends in computing: touch, mobility,
cloud.*
• The cost of a Mercy education should be measurably
reduced for incoming students by the purchase of
this device.
• The Mercy Wi-Fi system can accommodate the
current Tablet PCs and the iPad immediately.
The expectation is that the students will need little
time learning how to use the device.
• The iPad is light, has a battery life that will last
throughout our school day, and boots up/shuts down
almost instantly.
* What is “the cloud?”
Definition from techterms.com: Cloud computing
refers to applications and services offered over the
Internet. These services are offered from data centers
all over the world, which collectively are referred to as
the "cloud." This metaphor represents the intangible,
yet universal nature of the Internet. The idea of the
"cloud" simplifies the many network connections and
computer systems involved in online services.
5
M ercy
M O M E N T S
&
Heart of Mercy
M I L E S TO N E S
Welcome to the Board!
Mercy’s Board of Trustees proudly welcomes five new members.
We are blessed to have two experienced Sisters of Mercy and
three practiced professionals whose vision will be an invaluable
contribution in strengthening the Mercy mission.
~
Nancy A. Auffenberg
Oakwood's Center for Exceptional Families Volunteer
Coordinator; Dearborn Public Library Foundation
Board Member; Alumna Parent.
~
Anne C. Fleming, RSM
Mercy Education Project Math and Language Arts Teacher /
Tutor; McAuley Commons Board Member; Eastside Detroit
Community Development Credit Union Organizing
Committee Member.
~
Julie M. Moll '81
Wells Fargo Advisors LLC Vice President of Investments,
Senior Institutional Consultant; Michigan Association of
Public Employee Retirement Systems Member.
~
Judith A. VanderVeen, RSM - Secretary
Washtenaw Community College Professional FacultyAdvanced Nursing, Pharmacology, Obstetrical Nursing,
Medical Ethics; Mercy Executive Committee Member.
~
Thomas P. Vincent
Plunkett Cooney Law Firm Partner and Board Member;
Oakland County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan;
American Bar Association; American Association for Justice;
Alumna Parent.
“If the love of God really reigns in your heart,
it will quickly show itself in the exterior.” - Catherine McAuley
Congratulations and thank you to the 2012 awardees Mrs. Trish Brown, Counselor,
Meredith Clark ’12, and Ms. Jonell Linskey, Dean of Student Affairs, for being inspiring role
models, selfless leaders and compassionate ambassadors for everyone, every day at Mercy.
Reflections on Mrs. Brown:
Mrs. Brown exemplifies all of the Mercy values and is one of the most selfless, kind and
generous people I know. She welcomes all into the Mercy community, breaking down any
barriers that may exist. She truly changes lives and is the hands of God in helping others
make a difference in the world.
Reflections on Meredith:
As a leader, student, and friend, Meredith lives the axiom, “God is first, others are second
and I am last.” She has 260 plus service hours, serves as a Eucharistic minister and Kairos
leader, and donates time at the homeless shelter. She is a shining example of a Mercy
woman making a difference.
Reflections on Ms. Linskey:
Jonell has been the “Heart of Mercy” for the past 45 years. She lives out the Mercy values
through her selflessness and belief in the dignity of all students and staff. Ms. Linskey
often works quietly behind the scenes to resolve sensitive issues and care for those often
overlooked by others.
Regional Scholastic
Art Awards
Celeste Gonzalez '12
Halie Zulch '12
Caroline Patterson '12
Congratulations to Celeste Gonzalez '12
and Halie Zulch '12 whose photography
portfolios earned finalist status in
the Regional Scholastic Art Awards
competition and will advance to New York
City nationals for talent scholarships.
Celeste and Caroline Patterson '12 won
gold keys in the individual photo contest
and are also up for national awards.
Katie Anderson '14, Angela Karkoski '13,
Rachel Mack '12, Sara Robertson '12,
Alex Schulte '12, Emily Schumer '13,
Logan Wiczewski '15 and Julianne
Williams '13 also received recognition.
Visit mhsmi.org/fine_arts to see all the
11 student award winners and pieces.
6
Let’s Hear It For The STAFF
Congratulations to these faculty and staff who achieved
a milestone in years of service at Mercy High School!
Jonell Linskey, Dean of Students.......................... 45
Lorrie Kusch, Business & Computers................... 40
Mike Gruber, English.......................................... 35
Ann Lusch, Religious Studies............................... 20
Jay Wesch, Maintenance...................................... 20
Jane Borowiec, Attendance.................................. 15
Lisa Robinet, Social Studies................................. 15
Colleen Rozman '81, Associate Principal.............. 15
Kristen Casey '93, Counseling.............................. 10
Lisa Schrimscher, Science.................................... 10
Lisa Solack, Administrative Secretary................... 10
Cliff Finney, Maintenance...................................... 5
Stacy Guerrero-Hurst, Language............................ 5
Alison Kline-Kator '97, Religious Studies............... 5
Eleasha Tarplin '94, Mathematics........................... 5
M ercy
M oments
&
M I L E S TO N E S
Go Wings!
Hey Mercy Sister!
Detroit Red Wings Hockey
Coach Mr. Mike Babcock
stopped by to speak to the
Mercy Ice Hockey team. He
shared personal stories of
playing, teaching, coaching,
winning, and being a Mercy
Dad. The girls were excited
to hear about the Red Wings
players and were truly inspired
by his motivational words.
Singer Songwriter Jess Godwin Visits Mercy
Singer/songwriter Jess Godwin recently visited Mercy’s choral and orchestra
classes to perform and share her message of, "who you are on the inside is what
really counts." The students were intrigued with her career and her words.
“I really missed being myself on stage. It was like God was telling me I needed to slow
down and try something different. The more I focused on my outward appearance,
the less I focused on improving myself as a person.”
youtube.com/MercyHighMI
View this heart-warming video which debuted
at the 33rd Annual Mercy Auction. “Mercy sister,
we are building up tomorrow with our lives today.”
Song Lyrics by Colette Berg '12
We’re Mercy High
We’re so proud and we will tell you why
A Mercy girl’s the strongest
And we can laugh the longest
Until we cry, cry, cry.
Achieving goals
Working to improve our minds as well as souls
Academic excellence, English, History, Science
Succeeding in all roles.
Mercy sisters, our family consists of
Girls of every race, from every place
Our story shows in every face
Mercy sisters, we are building up tomorrow
With our lives today.
The Suscipe
Each Day 1 we all stand up and pray
Justice, option for the poor,
Human dignity, and there’s more
Thank you Catherine McAuley.
Our sports teams win
5 years in a row, those girls can really swim
Softball and volleyball, skiers, bowlers,
Basketball, we are so proud of all of them.
We stand and sing
Joyful music that the Mercyaires all bring
Audiences blown away
By the acting in the fall play
And the musical in spring.
Day with Drew!
Brittany Wenzel '13 won the opportunity to bring NFL Detroit Lions Quarterback
and former Michigan State Quarterback Drew Stanton to Mercy for the day.
Her father Brian won the visit at a benefit for Stanton’s “High 5ive Foundation.”
Stanton graciously walked the halls with Brittany, attended her Anatomy and
Physiology class,
lunched in the
cafeteria, and spoke
to the Physical
Education class
about fitness and
being a professional
athlete. Mercy High
Student Council
donated $1,000 to
his charity.
We’re writers too
Newsprint and the Yearbook
Always are so true
Spirit week’s the best time of all
Crazy costumes wall to wall
We’re such a happy crew.
Mercy sister, how I’m gonna miss her
For it is our fate on that date
Oh, someday we will graduate
Mercy sister, we are building up tomorrow
With our lives today.
Birthday baked goods are a treat
Presents piled up all around your seat
No boys means sisterhood
The atmosphere is truly good.
Our skirts are plaid and black and gray
We wear them every single day
So we all just wanted to thank you.
Mercy sister, how I’m gonna miss her
For there’s evidence, I’m convinced
We all will make a difference
Mercy sister, we are building up tomorrow
With our lives today.
7
A l u mnae
N ews
&
E V E N T S
2012 Distinguished Alumna
The Honorable Diane Dickow D’Agostini '80
Chief Judge, 48th District Court
Oakland County, Michigan
Judge Diane Dickow D’Agostini has devoted her
career to serving and protecting the community.
She is a former assistant prosecutor and has
served for 11 years on the 48th District Court
Photo by Robert Chase,
of Oakland County, Michigan. In 2006,
courtesy of Detroit Legal
she was appointed Chief Judge by the Michigan
News Publishing LLC
Supreme Court and was recently reappointed
to that position. In November Judge D’Agostini
was awarded the Domestic Violence Prevention Award by the Oakland
County Coordinating Council Against Domestic Violence.
On April 29 at the 8th Annual Tea for Tuition, Mercy High School
President Cheryl Delaney Kreger, Ed.D. '66 will present Judge
D’Agostini with the Distinguished Alumna Award.
Judge D’Agostini finds great reward in teaching youth about the law
and its consequences. She formed a program called "Order in the Court”
wherein fourth-graders learn about the legal system by staging a mock
trial in her courtroom. She holds court sessions at local schools
so students can see the direct ramifications of drug and alcohol use.
The cable show she hosts and produces, “Our Kids with Judge Diane
D’Agostini,” highlights charitable works performed by area children
and teens. Additionally, she serves on the Board of the Birmingham
Bloomfield Community Coalition, which works to keep youth safe
and substance-free.
Marisa Abbo '80 writes, “Diane has embodied the mission of Mercy as a woman
who indeed is making a difference. She is committed to making sure the work she has
been elected to do is of consequence and value to her community. She is especially
devoted to educating children about the legal system.”
Judge D’Agostini has great respect for the Mercy tradition and values
of Justice, Service, Mercy, Human Dignity and Option for the Poor.
“When I walked the halls of Mercy, I felt encouraged to discover my talents and gain
the confidence to use them. I loved being a Mercy girl, which is why I am so proud that
my daughter, Gabriella, currently walks the halls of Mercy and has already become a
young lady who is making a difference.”
Tea for Tuition
Sunday, April 29, 2012
2 pm - 4 pm
Mercy High School
To attend or make an AbsenTEA donation,
contact the Alumnae Office at 248.476.3270 or alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org.
8
Mark Your Calendar
Alumnae Book Club
Tuesday, April 17
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Offsite meeting
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
8th Annual Tea for Tuition
Sunday, April 29
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Mercy High School (Pre-registration required)
Alumnae Board Meetings
April 25 and May 16
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Mercy Advancement Office
(All alumnae welcome)
Questions? 248.476.3270 or alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org
Upcoming Class Reunions
Class of 1962
September 28 – 30, 2012
Embassy Suites, Livonia, MI
Karen Kent Moros
cruellagramma@msn.com 586-978-9450
Class of 1972
Labor Day Weekend 2012
Time and location to be determined
Anne Kelley
annekelley@aol.com
Class of 1987
Planning is in process
Kim Walker Kaczor
kimkaz33@yahoo.com 734-934-3824
Class of 1992
September 15, 2012
Time and location to be determined
Rebecca Burnett Journigan
rebecca-revised@hotmail.com 248-320-6228
Class of 2002
Planning is in process
Jessica Fishwick
jessica.fishwick@gmail.com 313-912-8001
Cortney Boes
cortneyboes@gmail.com 810-623-1433
Class of 2003
Planning is in process
Karen Kudelko
kkudelko@gmail.com
Nadia Bazzy
nmbazzy@gmail.com 313-478-3512
A l u mnae
N ews
&
E V E N T S
Promise Neighborhood
If you collaborate with another Mercy alumna, we’d like to hear about it.
248.476.3270 or alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org
In Suitland, Maryland, a high-poverty, high-crime area that borders the District of Columbia, a Promise
Neighborhood is up and running, in part because of the efforts of Linda Valli ’65 and Marla Philpot
Dean ’87. Linda co-wrote the grant proposal that set the initiative in motion, and Marla was recruited
to lead a low-performing school in a new direction.
Linda, a professor at University of Maryland, and Marla, the principal at Drew Freeman Middle School,
met at a conference after each of them had committed to the project. A question about hometowns
Marla Philpot Dean ’87
led them to the realization that they both had attended Mercy High School. It quickly became
and Linda Valli ’65
apparent that the women shared a common goal of enriching the lives of disadvantaged children.
Linda remarks, “Marla and I have a common vision. The education we received at Mercy has encouraged us to change structures
in order to prevent neighborhoods from being difficult places in which to grow up.”
A Promise Neighborhood is a model for improving life prospects of urban youth through rich educational opportunities and
integrated support services such as tutoring, health care, counseling and enrichment activities. A leadership team partners
with community groups, public agencies and the school district to create a united community in which children can thrive.
The focal point for activities in Suitland is Drew Freeman Middle School (DFMS). Among other programs, DFMS houses a Climate,
Ocean, and Weather Institute designed to build knowledge and skills in climate science. It also aims to create a pipeline of
students who will continue their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in college. The experience
has ignited so much excitement that some kids have set their sights on earning a Ph.D. To explore the possibilities of Promise
Neighborhoods visit, www.promiseneighborhoodsinstitute.org.
Linda’s name sound familiar? She is a former Religious Sister of Mercy and Mercy High School English teacher.
Wedding Wager
When Leslie Banas ’02 and her fiancé Zach Archer registered for
wedding gifts, Mercy High School was the beneficiary. Here’s how it all
unfolded.
While dating, Leslie and Zach participated in a fundraiser by climbing
the stairs of the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) in their hometown of
Chicago. Zach was convinced he could beat Leslie, so the couple made
a bet. Leslie recalls, “We decided that whoever had a faster time would
receive two dozen cupcakes. I won, and Zach had to deliver the cupcakes
to my office. After that, I think he just wanted to win a bet, so every time we
would disagree about something, he would ask to bet cupcakes on it.”
Their relationship grew, and they decided to marry. As they set up a gift
registry, Leslie and Zach realized that they needed very little, each having
lived on their own for several years. They also recognized that their high
school experiences had shaped their lives in very positive ways. Leslie
reminisces, “The most important thing I took away from my time at Mercy
was learning to be confident in myself. The environment at Mercy was
accepting, fun, and pushed me academically.” Zach attended Mary Institute
and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS) in St. Louis, Missouri, where
he also had a rewarding high school experience.
Leslie says, “We decided that it would be great if we could talk friends
and family into donating to our respective high schools instead of buying
gifts for our wedding. After a heated discussion about who would get more
donations, the Wedding Cupcake Challenge was born.”
Dominique Rondot '03, Jenna Dwan '03, Margaret Ready '03, Pooja Gulati '02,
Leslie Banas Archer '02, Beth Rutkowski '02, Jessica Fishwick '02,
Kristen Palombo '02 and Moira Cronin '02 pose with Zach Archer.
The result: Leslie and Mercy High School won the challenge with 14 donors
giving a total of $2,400. The amount donated to both schools was more
than $4,000.
“Our hearts are incredibly warmed by Leslie and Zach’s generosity.
What an extraordinary example of selflessness,” says Cheryl Delaney
Kreger, Ed.D. ’66, President of Mercy High School.
Leslie works at the American Bar Association and Zach trades
commodities with the firm DRW. Leslie reports that Zach’s climbing times
are starting to get faster, but he owes her two dozen cupcakes for her recent
win climbing the stairs of the Hancock Tower!
9
A DVA N C I N G
M E R C Y
The Gift of a Mercy Education
The Gift of a Mercy Education is made possible through your generous
response to our Annual Fund comprised of the Annual Appeal, Auction,
Student Sweepstakes Drive and Golf Outing. One specific use of funds that
closely aligns us with the vision of Catherine McAuley, Sisters of Mercy founder,
is tuition assistance. Here are some excerpts from a speech presented at
this year’s Circle of Mercy reception, from the parent of a student financial
aid recipient:
I sent my daughter to Mercy because it provides her with access to an exceptional academic
experience, exposure to superior athletic challenges, as well as a social and spiritual environment
that I feel is invaluable. Plainly stated the Mercy experience builds relationships that last a
lifetime, establishes and reinforces values that define humanity, and produces leaders that
are compassionate, kind and loving. Your gift of a Mercy education will alter my daughter’s life
forever. Beyond this one young life, you are taking a step to alter our world. My daughter stands
before you as living evidence that it is due to your generosity, guidance, support and love that
Mercy is able to touch the number of lives it does.
This evening gave me a rare opportunity to share with you my love for Mercy as well as my
perspective on the “magic of Mercy.” As supporters of the scholarship fund, you are the fuel behind
the magic of Mercy. Without your gifts many viable students would not traverse these halls and
benefit from Mercy’s extraordinary spirit. Finally, I would like to offer my words of personal thanks
to all supporters for the assistance my daughter has received. Thank you for helping me fulfill my
commitment to my children. Thank you for giving my daughter the life-gift of Mercy and all that
comes with it. Thank you for assisting in making her the best citizen that she can be. Thank you
for holding her close to your heart as you assist in molding her emotionally, spiritually and
intellectually. Thank you for letting her know that she is supported, believed in and loved by more
than her family. It is through your generous gift that I know angels walk among us.
WE ARE MERCY 33rd Annual Auction
The 33rd Annual
Mercy Auction
held February 25th
was a successful
evening filled with
friendship and
fundraising. Close
to 400 parents,
alumnae, staff
and supporters
bid with heart on hundreds of items to raise over $155,000
for Mercy girls. Principal Witte’s Wish ushered in $22,000
for an additional computer lab, and the handmade Mercy
quilt went for $2,800. Thank you to all the dedicated parent
volunteers and generous guests. We are Mercy!
Mercy Sweepstakes Drive
Support Mercy High School and you could be a big
money winner! Purchase a book of 5 tickets for
$25 by sending an email to klweber@mhsmi.org
with your name, address, phone
number, and number of booklets
desired. Or stop by Mercy to
pick up a few. Tickets are on sale
through June 1.
Sr. Mary Timothy Brown, RSM
Endowed Fund Summer Fundraising Party
Sunday, July 29 ~ 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Oakland Hills Country Club Bloomfield Hills, MI
Watch your mailbox and inbox for details!
Dear Mercy Friends and Family:
My husband, Bob, and I have been blessed over many years
in the Trust business to have counseled many successful
individuals and families. The portion of the planning
discussion that deals with “What’s important to you?” and
“What do you want to be your legacy?” prompted us to ask
ourselves that very question. It was easy to answer because
both of us have devoted a significant number of years of our
lives supporting education.
When it came to naming a specific institution to receive a gift from our estate when
we’re no longer alive, we chose Mercy High School. Why? Because we continue to be
moved and impressed by the numerous and diverse careers and accomplishments
of alums we’ve met. They are women involved in creating a better future and a better
community. They are doers and critical thinkers. They are moms, daughters, friends, CEOs.
Just skim the pages of the Mercy Mosaic for a few current examples.
That’s a legacy that merits support! Ours …and yours! We hope you’ll join us.
Sincerely,
Joan M. Doemer Colladay, CPA ‘69
To leave a lasting legacy, contact Director of Advancement Thomas Sklut at 248.893.3538 or twsklut@mhsmi.org .
10
This year’s outing supports Tuition Assistance and Athletics.
Please join us
Make a Difference for Mercy Golf Outing
Monday, September 24, 2012
8:00 am Registration
9:00 am 18 Hole Shotgun Start
Western Golf and Country Club
Redford, MI
Invest in Mercy Girls!
Sponsor • Donate • Golf
mhsmi.org/advancement/golf alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org
248.476.3270
A l u mnae
C lass
1950s
Pat Toupalik Horton '50
was honored in October
2011 as Woman of the Year
by West Valley Women
(AZ). She is president
and founder of All About
Marketing, serves on the
Board of Directors of the Sun
City Visitors Center, is a diplomat for the Surprise
Regional Chamber of Commerce, and launched a
sock drive for American troops. She is the mother of
eight and grandmother of ten.
Joan Carr Wisely '57 celebrated her 50th wedding
anniversary January 6, 2012 with husband John and
their five children and 12 grandchildren. The couple
renewed their vows at the church where they were
married, St. Benedict, Highland Park, MI. Daughters,
Kathleen Wisely Krolicki '80, Maryanne Wisely
Foster '83 and Sheila Wisely-London '91,
planned the celebration, which included a luncheon
at the Detroit Athletic Club and an afternoon cocktail
at the Gaelic League of Detroit, where the wedding
reception was held. Below, left: Sheila WiselyLondon '91,
Maryanne Wisely
Foster '83, Joan
Carr Wisely '57,
Kathleen Wisely
Krolicki ’80
Michaeleen Ward '58 has worked for nearly 20
years as a travel agent. She arranges group cruises,
including cruises for the Notre Dame Class of
1960, to which both her husband and the husband
of Noreen Keating McGowan '58 belong. To be
notified of upcoming trips (Northern Ireland, the
Holy Land, river cruise in France) contact her at
m_michaeleen@yahoo.com.
1960s
Janice McAleer Korn '63 became a grandmother
last July to a beautiful little girl named Brooklyn.
Janice and her husband, Rich, both retired from
Janice’s family business, Formax Mfg. Corp. in
Grand Rapids, MI and purchased a condo near Port
Austin, MI. “I will miss my job and especially my
youngest daughter, Kate, who lives in GR, but I am
looking forward to watching my daughter Julie’s
little one and all her ‘firsts’ that will arrive so quickly.
Warm wishes to all my Mercy Sisters!”
N otes
Drs. Elizabeth RiceMunro '69 and Roderick
Munro of Northport, MI
have been presented
with The United States
President’s Call to Service
Award, presented by
the President’s Council
on Service and Civic
Participation. Both
Elizabeth and Rod have given many thousands of
hours of mentoring, coaching, teaching and help in
professional, church, adult health and civic areas.
Carrie Tracey Murphy '79 writes, “We are the
Mercy Girls! Best Friends Forever! We met in
Chicago in August 2011 to celebrate a ‘momentous’
birthday!” carrie.t.murphy@gmail.com
Below: 1979 alums Kathy Bego, Carrie Tracey
Murphy, Chris Bego Sturm, Joan Hittler
Hammell, Mary Harrington Naud, Rose Apap
Fricke, Michele Fisher Paris.
Correction: An entry in the Fall 2011 issue
incorrectly referenced the husband of Karen Kent
Moros '62. Karen’s husband, Stanley, is deceased.
1970s
1980s
Mary Ferrari '70 shares, “After being a letter carrier
for 35 years in the lovely state of Michigan, I decided
that I wanted to move to a place where it never
snows. The area I’m in is near Bullhead City, AZ.
I am very much enjoying my retirement. God bless
you all.” rcav777@hotmail.com
Lynne Metevier Flowers '81 is Principal at
Flowers Energy Consulting, LLC. She works with
solar and other power developers, helping them
navigate federal and state regulatory processes
in an effort to generate clean energy in a timely
and efficient manner. lmmaccts111@gmail.com;
flowersenergy.com
Camille Grohowski Atkinson '74 writes, “Gary
and I are the new owners of Three Dog Bakery
in Plymouth, MI, and our son Nate is our pastry
chef. We carry all-natural dog food and treats and
specialize in personalized bone-shaped birthday
cakes. It is a real family operation – our dogs are
our taste testers!”
Nancy Duda Shannon '76 raised four children
and now works full time as a hair transplantation
surgeon with Bosley in Troy, MI. Nancy would love
to reconnect with old friends in the area. She spent
a day with Sue Steiner ’76 when visiting California.
njs.mi.usa@gmail.com
Marlene Buffa '77 is an IT
Specialist with the Arizona
Department of Liquor Licenses
& Control. mbuffa@cox.net
Kathleen Thompson '77 wrote an essay on why
she is Oprah’s Ultimate Viewer. Her essay was
one of 150 winning entries, landing her a trip to
Australia in December 2011. Kathleen had the
opportunity to dance with the Aborigine people,
learn how to surf, spend a day with Olivia NewtonJohn and set sail on a tall ship in Sydney Harbour.
kthompson@madonna.edu
Sr. Mary Ellen Brennan, RSM '65 enjoys living in
Mexicantown in Detroit. She tutors women preparing
to take the GED exam and serves as an Outreach
Visitor at the only Michigan prison for women,
in Ypsilanti. mebrennan@mercydetroit.org
Janet Harns Darnell '65 received her Bachelor’s
Degree from Oakland University in 1981. Her
daughter, son-in-law, and four-year-old grandson
live in Royal Oak, MI. Her husband, Gerry, is a selfemployed quality consultant. Jan and Gerry have
lived in Fishers, IN for seven years.
Carole Healy
Gibb '81 has
moved to Seattle
after 16 years in
remote Alaska.
She’s eager to
catch up with old
acquaintances.
Carole has written
a memoir titled
Pelican, Alaska
... population 100, with the tagline: When Plans
Go Awry, Wild Things Can Happen. “It contains
confessions about commercial fishermen, goof-ups,
grizzlies, introspection and a dog, and thanks to
Our Lady of Mercy High School, may be somewhat
grammatically correct.”
ch@wildchipmunk.com
LPGA champion Meg Mallon '81 was named
captain of the 2013 U.S. Solheim Cup team.
The tournament will be played August 13-18, 2013
at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, CO.
Audrey Brennan Eagle
'82 has been appointed to
serve on the National Child
Passenger Safety Board as
the representative for Vehicle
Manufacturers. The mission
of the NCPSB is to maintain
the quality and integrity of the
National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training
Program, which trains and certifies child passenger
safety technicians and instructors. A technician
for more than 10 years, Audrey plans to earn her
instructor’s certification during 2012.
11
A l u mnae
C lass
1980s continued
Sherry Benge Hammond '83
is the proud single parent of three
children: Nick, Jr. (22) is headed to
the Air Force; Raymond III is in 11th
grade at Southfield Christian School;
and Rachel (pictured with Sherry) is a 10th grader at
Mercy High School. mercygirl683@yahoo.com
Ann-Margret Ewald Manley '83 writes, “I am
currently a busy stay-at-home-mom working on the
8th annual Flint, Michigan Arthritis Walk in honor of
my daughter, MeggieRose Manley. For all
those 1983 grads...can
you believe it has been
almost 30 years since
we walked the halls of
Mercy?” To help Team Manley reach its goal, contact
Ann-Margret at manleymom2@gmail.com.
Patty Miller Ciccoretti '85 lives in Arlington, VA
with husband Eric and sons Quinn (11) and Charles
(9). They recently renovated their 1910 historic
home. A publications manager and editor for many
years, Patty is now a homemaker.
Julie De Ward '87 is a coordinator for CETUSA
(Council for Educational Travel, USA). For information
on hosting a foreign exchange student, contact Julie
at julesdeward@yahoo.com.
Pamela Davis VandeVord '88 accepted a position
as an Associate Professor and Head of Undergraduate
Programs for the School of Biomedical Engineering
and Sciences at Virginia Tech University. She makes
the move with her husband, Todd, and two sons.
Gigette Ilagan Bejin '89, her husband, and their two
sons moved to Bonn, Germany for a three-year period
beginning in August 2011. Son Peter is 13 years
old and son Alex is 9 years old. Gigette continues
to practice patent law and is learning how to speak
German. gbejin@comcast.net
Meghan Cleary '89 launched her second book,
Shoe Are You? and was a consulting producer on
the feature documentary God Save My Shoes which
premiered at NY Fashion Week. She is the creator
of the trademarked Shoe Are You?® online column
and the Miss Meghan® footwear capsule collection
at SHOPNBC. Meghan has appeared on the TODAY
show, Extra!, The CBS Early Show, The Tyra Banks
Show and The Rachael Ray Show. She recently got
together with classmates living in the Los Angeles
area. shoeareyou.com
Below: 1989 alums Monica Singh Haley, Meghan
Cleary, Jennifer Harrison Koutouras, Shay Scott,
Juliette Gronkowski Raymond, Nicole Kostecki.
12
N otes
Heidi Ewing '89 co-directed the film DETROPIA,
which won the U.S. Documentary Editing Award
at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The film
was produced by Loki Films, a NY-based company
founded in 2001 by Heidi and co-director Rachel
Grady. True Life Presents: Resist the Power! Saudi
Arabia won a 2011 Gracie Award for Outstanding
Documentary. Previously, the directing team has been
nominated for an Academy Award and an Emmy.
lokifilms.com; detropiathefilm.
com Left: Heidi Ewing '89 and
Meghan Cleary '89 at the
Gracie Awards Gala.
Megan Nelles Kubicz '89 works part-time as
a creative director in the auto industry. Daughter
Kathryn started kindergarten this year, and twin boys
Colin and William turn two in June.
1990s
Juliet Stockhausen Culp '91 and
husband Todd announce the adoption
of their second daughter, Penelope
Rose Mei Qi, born May 5, 2010 in
Chenzhou City, China and adopted
November 7, 2011. Penelope’s
middle name, Rose Mei Qi, is a combination of a
paternal family name and her given Cantonese name.
Tara Jackson '91 will receive her Master of Arts
in Counseling from Adams State College (CO) in
May 2012. She will continue in private practice in
Colorado and New Mexico, as well as work as a
domestic violence advocate and crisis counselor.
Tara is also a court appointed custody evaluator.
taramaryjackson@hotmail.com
Maura Pheney Lamoreaux '91 and husband
Jason welcomed baby girl Shea Marie in October.
Shea was the latest gal invited to the annual holiday
lunch enjoyed by several high school friends. All
were invited to
Maura’s wedding in
2010 where
they celebrated
with other alumnae,
including Betty
Shannon Cooper
'55, Loretta
Povinelli Carney
'61, Lynn Gayney Pheney '61, Carole Gayney
Bell '62, Megan Pheney Riesenberg '85, Kitty
Pheney Suhayda '87 and Kerry Sayers Doucet
'89. maurapheney@me.com
Pictured: Maura Pheney Lamoreaux '91, Kim
Reichard '91 (holding Shea), Carrie Walton
Templer '91 (above Kim), Kathleen Berrigan '92,
Judi Rosowski Engel '91.
Karen Sanders '91
married Justin Bumann
on October 22, 2011.
Rebecca
Lewandowski
Schmitt '91 and
family relocated to
India in August 2010. Rebecca is the HR Director
for Accenture’s India Delivery Centers (offshore
operations). William (15), Emma (13), and Nolan
(10) are enrolled in International School.
rebecca.a.schmitt@accenture.com
Katrina Siekierka '91 writes, “I am a happy stay-athome-mom living in Berkley,
MI with kids William (12),
Danterius (7), Raven (1½)
and Bill Davidson, my man of
15 years.”
Tiffany Tyra Zendejas '91 and husband Julian
own Sincerely Yours in Northville, MI. The store
specializes in custom invitations, stationery and gifts.
Tiffany and Julian will welcome home their first child,
a son, from Russia this spring. They have made one
trip to Russia to meet him and are excited to bring him
home. mrszacai@yahoo.com; sincerelyyoursinc.com
Monica Jiddou-Patros '94 and husband Andy
welcomed the birth of their beautiful twins on the
same day as their nine-year anniversary. Elliana Rose
and Andrew Adel were born August 4, 2011. Monica
will complete her cardiology fellowship in June and
will begin an interventional cardiology fellowship in
July at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI.
Stacy Fuller Baecker '95 recently celebrated her
10-year wedding anniversary to Lt. Commander
Shelby Baecker, U.S. Navy. The couple has lived in
San Diego, CA for the past six years. Stacy received
her Master of Science degree in 2009 in physician
assistant studies and completed her residency in
general surgery at the Yale School of Medicine. She
works in robotic surgery in the field of gynecologic
oncology. Shelby and Stacy have lived in several
continents, and they look forward to an upcoming
hiking and kayaking trip to Patagonia, Argentina.
Kathleen Wesolowski Beecham '96 gave birth
to her second son on November 6, 2011.
Susan Burek Brice '96 and husband David
welcomed their first child, Claire Margaret, on
July 2, 2011.
Natasha Kelly Burns '96 earned a Master’s in
Family Studies from Spring Arbor University (MI).
Maureen Stirling Weiss '96
and husband Matthew joyfully
welcomed second daughter Mary
Clare on November 1, 2011. Big
sister Maeve is one.
Alison Desmond Krumm '97
and husband Alex welcomed their
future Mercy girl, Grace Elizabeth,
on December 19, 2011.
A l u mnae
C lass
1990s continued
Carey Czech Jansen '99 and husband Kevin
welcomed son Bryce David on December 14, 2011.
Monica Osterberger '99 wed Daniel Ochoa on
October 1, 2011. The ceremony was at St. Hugo of
the Hills and the reception at Meadowbrook Hall.
Left: 1999 alums Katie
Sailer Kraft, Sarah
Arnesen Klein, and
Lauren Abro attended
the wedding of classmate
Monica Osterberger.
Rebecca Phelps Thurmond '99 and husband
Jaime welcomed triplet daughters on November
7, 2011. “Beatrice Danielle (Bea) passed away on
November 9. Please keep her in your prayers. Amelia
Jean (Millie) and
Lucille Louise
(Lucy) recently
came home
after a 100 day
stay in the NICU.
Thanks to our
Mercy family for
your many thoughts and prayers.” The girls are the
granddaughters of Barbara McGarry Phelps '72
and Daniel Phelps.
Heidi Wegmueller '99 was named
the Assistant Athletic Director for
External Affairs at Bradley University
(IL). Previously, she worked for the
Professional Golfers’ Association
(PGA) of America.
2000s
Katie Matous Magnuson '00
graduated from Saint Louis University
School of Medicine in May of 2011
and is currently in her first year of
pediatric residency at the University
of Wisconsin. Her husband, also
in residency at UW, is completing
his training in Radiation Oncology.
kmagnuson23@gmail.com
Himani Shah Kesliker '01 will graduate in May
2012 with her Master of Business Administration
from the Krannert School of Management. Upon
graduation, Himani and her husband will be moving
to Cincinnati, OH, where she will join the Procter &
Gamble team as an associate brand manager. Himani
has joined a team of women who mentor young
women as they contemplate career and life choices.
N otes
Margaret Prest '01 married Christopher De
Arcangelis on August 13, 2011 in Baltimore. Julia
Dekovich '01, Andrea Baker '01, and Jenny
McInerney '01 were
in attendance. Margaret
graduated from the University
of Maryland in December
with joint masters in Urban
Planning and Historic
Preservation. Julia received
her JD from Northeastern
University and works as a public defender in
Philadelphia. Jenny received her JD from Wayne
State University and works in Novi. Andie will
graduate in May with her Master’s in Social Work
from the School of Social Service Administration,
University of Chicago. Pictured above are Andrea,
Margaret, Jenny, Julia.
Carrie Barton Terpay '01 and husband Alex
welcomed daughter Evelyn Brianne on September
17. Evelyn joins big brother Alex, 2. Carrie is a
registered nurse and assistant manager in the
oncology department at Providence Hospital (MI).
Tiffany Graham '02 bought a new home in
December in West Bloomfield, MI with her fiancé,
and is the manager at Cass Lake Dry Dock Marina in
Waterford.
Monica Boomer '03 is Director of Community
Engagement at Zaman International, a humanitarian
organization in Dearborn, MI that was founded
by Najah Bazzy, mother of Nadia Bazzy '03.
“Mrs. Bazzy has brought many Mercy girls on-board
in various capacities - as board members, consultants
and volunteers - and it has been wonderful to meet
and work with all of them. I look forward to involving
current Mercy students in our volunteer opportunities
throughout the year!”
Elyse Carnagie '03 is starting at University of
Detroit Mercy School of Law in the fall and has been
awarded the prestigious Deans’ Scholarship. She
wed Jacob Nelson on November 3, 2007, and they
bought a home in 2011. fishy_ec@hotmail.com
Anne Racey '04 married
Jesse Whitaker on July
8, 2011. The wedding
party included Colleen
McKernan '06, Kendall
Carlson Basore '04 and
Laura Rogers '04.
Fiona Kouka '01 married
Ahmed Salama on April 17,
2011. They welcomed their
first baby
girl, Alia Eve,
on January
4, 2012.
Lauren Slubowski '04
will marry Patrick KeenanDevlin on October 6, 2012
in Evanston, IL. Lauren will
complete her doctoral degree
in medical anthropology at
Northwestern University in
2013, and Patrick is finishing
his final year of law school at
Loyola Law. They are both committed to social justice
and plan to make their careers working in Chicago.
Kathleen Degenhardt '05 completed her first
marathon in September 2011. She finished in
4:39 with minimal training, yet a great amount of
determination. Katie has completed 11 Olympic
distance triathlons, one half-Ironman and a halfmarathon. kldegenhardt@gmail.com
Megan Malinowski Herman '05 has been serving
in the United States Navy since April 2010. She is
stationed on the USS John
C. Stennis (CVN 74), with
home port in Bremerton, WA.
The ship is on deployment in
support of Operation Endurng
Freedom and New Dawn.
Megan wed John Herman
July 21, 2011 in Port Orchard,
WA. John is stationed in Washington, DC.
Elizabeth Love '06 is
engaged to Justin Marcero.
They will be married on
August 3, 2012, at the Inn at
St. John's in Plymouth, MI.
Nicole Rotondo '06 wed John Battista (Orchard Lake
St. Mary’s '03) on October 15, 2011 at Orchard Lake
St. Mary’s. Many alumnae were present, including
maid of honor
Gina Rotondo
'08, bridesmaid
Teresa Rotondo
'11 and Nicole’s
mother, Karen Kluk
Rotondo '80. Jill
Verderbar '06 and
Kristin Porubsky
'06 also were part
of the event. Nicole’s mom and aunts, as well as lots
of their friends from the Classes of 1980, 1981, and
1982, were seen having a blast on the dance floor!
The couple resides in West Bloomfield, MI.
Fan Mercy on FACEBOOK!
facebook.com/MercyHighSchoolMI
facebook.com/MercyHighAlumnaeMI
Follow Mercy on TWITTER!
twitter.com/MercyHighMI
Watch Mercy on YouTube!
youtube.com/MercyHighMI
13
A l u mnae
C lass
2000s continued
Meredith Carson '07 is involved in the puppy
raising program through Leader Dogs for the
Blind in Rochester Hills, MI. Meredith’s year-long
commitment involves taking in a foster puppy,
giving her basic obedience and house training, and
exposing her to the community. Eventually, the puppy
will go back to the Leader Dog campus for formal
training and will hopefully be placed with a blind or
visually impaired partner.
Megan Haapala '07 earned
her Bachelor of Arts degree
in Elementary Education from
Michigan State University.
She is a student teacher at
United Oaks Elementary in
Hazel Park, MI and coaches
Lacrosse. Megan was
recently named Queen, Court of St. Brigid, receiving a
scholarship for her poise, appearance and knowledge
of Irish heritage. She has also been selected as a
Fulbright Scholar and will travel to Australia and New
Zealand this summer to further her studies.
Lorraina Yaldo '07 was diagnosed with kidney
failure in December 2009 and received a kidney
transplant in May 2011 at the Mayo Clinic in
Rochester, MN. She is now in perfect health!
Christina Bender '09 has co-founded a company at
the University of Michigan called Filmic Productions.
The group has created videos for the university and
beyond and has been asked to speak March 29 at the
TEDx Conference at U of M, a showcase designed to
inspire and promote “ideas worth spreading.”
View the videos at filmicproductions.com.
bendercm@umich.edu
N otes
In Memory
Mercy Alumnae
Eileen Kuptz DelGrosso '46, February 2010
Maureen Tierney Crowley '50, October 2011
Marjorie Cutcher Wielgosh '53, December 2011
aunt of Janine Cutcher Cox '77, Mary Jo Cutcher
Janusky '82 and Carolyn Cutcher Gabel '83
Anne Depew Mulcahy '54, September 2011
Carly Francavilla '10 was named Miss Northville
USA and competed in the Miss Michigan USA 2012
pageant, where she was named a finalist. She has
modeled locally and nationally and is continuing her
education in health communications. Carly’s most
recent work includes being in the movie Oz: The
Great and Powerful (2013), being the 2012 cover
model for Moosejaw, shooting for Redtrend magazine
and appearing in Art Van commercials.
News
Have
to share?
Mercy loves to hear from you
and so do other Mercy alumnae!
Send all updates on family, career,
travel, etc. to:
alumnaeoffice@mhsmi.org
or call 248.476.3270.
Margaret M. Keller, November 2011
mother of Catherine Keller Creighton '73, Mary Keller
Stuart '76, Beth Keller Wilkerson '81 and Anne Keller '89
Mary Lou Landry, May 2011
mother of Kathleen Landry Qualy '82 and Mary Lou
Landry Habib '81, honorary alumna
George Thomas Macdonald, October 2011
father of Lori Macdonald '81
Genevieve Oldham Shipp '57, January 2012
Andrew J. Mack, January 2012
father of Donna Mack Gula '78 and
Gail Mack Palmer '81
Nancy Hart Cronk '58, January 2011
sister of Susan Hart Wilson '59
Rose Madden, April 2011
mother of Mary Anne Madden Hoffman '69
Richalee Dixon Shonk '59, April 2011
Irma Geraldine Malley, January 2011
mother of Barbara Malley Johnson '61
Mary Kathleen Kiffner Munn '55, October 2011
Carol Newberry Davio '61, January 2012
sister of Mary Newberry Spansky '64
Audrey Mack Gillett '62, August 2010
Carolyn Konrek '66, June 2011
sister of Judith Konrek Olsen '63, Pamela Konrek
Haisman '65 and Nancy Konrek Lydic '72
Barbara Nora Sorenson '67, September 2011
sister of Donna Nora Elmore '71 and Patricia Nora
Abbasabadi '79
Janice Budd Cline '70, October 2011
sister of Linda Budd Hagan '66 and
Marilyn Budd-Morley '68
Rita Sproule Aimar '71, June 2011
Agnes Ohno '71, December 2011
sister of Rosa Ohno '76, Barbara Ohno '78
and Mary Ohno '83
Kathleen Babcock Minielly '74, October 2011
Karen P. Jeffries '79, August 2011
Susan Murawski Brady '81, February 2012
2010s
Robert Emmett Galvin, January 2012
sister of Mary Galvin '62
Kourtney Sterrett '83, February 2012
aunt of Brenna Hammond '13; cousin of Maria
Joseph Thompson '80 and Lisa Joseph Benson '81;
member, Mercy Alumnae Board
Malikah Bragg '04, January 2012
Mercy Family
Sara Abowd, March 2012
mother of Rosemary Abowd Schwendler '77,
Michelle Abowd Yoder '78 and Paula Abowd
Sinacola '86; grandmother of Alexandra Abowd '12
Harry M. Apap, January 2012
father of Rose Apap Fricke '79 and Mary Anne
Apap Napolitano '80; grandfather of Jessica
Fricke '03, Amanda Fricke '05, Emma Fricke '09
and Angela Napolitano '06
Michael J. Brennan, October 2011
father of Susan Brennan Tarnas '81 and
Kathleen Brennan Alcorn '85
Deborah Sue Cassatt, October 2011
sister of Phil Cassatt, Mercy Maintenance
Louis Clinton Finger, October 2011
father of Mary Finger Hall-Price '73 and
Maureen Finger Hoffman '76
14
John Paul Malley, Jr., June 2011
brother of Barbara Malley Johnson '61
Mary Maloney, November 2011
mother of Sharon Maloney Casey '79
Matt Michaels, November 2011
father of Wendy Michaels Stine '79
Donald P. Moylan, November 2011
husband of Joan Marchand Moylan '51
Karl J. Myrand, December 2011
father of Lauren Myrand '07
Patricia Oakes, September 2011
mother of Judy Oakes Zbikowski '64 and
the late Janet Oakes '61
Sr. Johanna Marie Perry, RSM, November 2011
Mercy Media Center volunteer
Loretta Mary Phillips, December 2011
mother of Chris Phillips '89
Valerie Ponto, February 2012
mother of Emily Ponto '06 and Alyson Ponto '07
Rose Avalon Skellett, November 2011
mother of Jim Skellett, Mercy Religious Studies teacher
Claire Smak, January 2012
mother of Diane Smak Justewicz '71
Anna Theiring, January 2012
mother of Annette Theiring Flumerfelt '56 and
Julie Theiring Lacki '59; mother-in-law of Maureen
Villeneuve Theiring '64; grandmother of Jennifer
Theiring Goldsmith '86
Beatrice Danielle Thurmond, November 2011
daughter of Rebecca Phelps Thurmond '99
Lorenzo Wells, December 2011
father of W. DeWayne Wells, past Chair,
Mercy Board of Trustees
Robert Wine, October 2011
father-in-law of Emily Sullivan Wine '89
Bram Gwydion Zander, December 2010
son of Andrea Sokalski Zander '91
Correction: The Spring 2011 issue incorrectly listed
Michael Augustine, son of Patricia Knoff Augustine '49,
as deceased. The entry should have read Matthew
Augustine, deceased March 2008. Matthew was
Michael’s twin brother.
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Please return to the Alumnae Office, Mercy High School, 29300 W. 11 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336.
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Mercy High School Presents
WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS
Join us for an evening of personal conversation
with some of Michigan's most dynamic women leaders
Honorable Roberta Archer '88
Vivian Pickard
Chief Judge Pro Tem, 36th District Court
President, General Motors Foundation
Terry Barclay
JoAnne Purtan
President, Inforum
Co-Anchor, WXYZ Action News
Mary Beth Bolton, MD '69
Andra Rush
Medical Director, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Rush Group
Listen as they share their stories, their vision for the work world of tomorrow and their hopes for our next generation of young women professionals.
Panel Presentation - Q&A Session - Table Discussions
Thursday, April 26, 2012 • 6 to 9 p.m.
Mercy High School • 29300 11 Mile Road • Farmington Hills, MI 48336
248-893-3582 • mercyadvancement@mhsmi.org
$20 per person. Proceeds will support the Mercy High School Scholarship Fund • Hors d'oeuvres & Desserts
Make reservations at www.mhsmi.org/women_mean_business_register
15
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Mercy High School
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Mercy High School M-Hub Project
Create, Connect, Contact, Collaborate
M-HUB is an interactive, online database designed
to connect members of the Mercy High School
community with current students, enabling them to
network with experts before even leaving high school.
Help Mercy girls become women who make a difference.
Fill out your survey and become an M-HUB mentor today!
www.mercy-mhub.net