Celebrating 125 Years of Educating Women Who Lead
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Celebrating 125 Years of Educating Women Who Lead A Trip of a Lifetime “I can cross that off my bucket list,” shares science department chair Karen McClennen while chatting with colleagues about the science department trip to the Galapágos Islands over spring break. Along with her husband George and science teacher Aimee Quinn, Mrs. McClennen led nine MMA juniors and Merion Mercy Academy 511 Montgomery Avenue seniors on the trip of a lifetime. Merion Station, PA19066 Mrs. McClennen thought this destination provides Joan Koob ‘07, Virginia Hamilton ‘11, and 610-664-6655 Mackenzie Halter ‘11 take in the sights on endless opportunities for learning. “I knew the Galapágos www.merion-mercy.com this “trip of a lifetime.” Islands would be a fantastic experience! We held pre-trip meetings where students learned more about what we Mater Matters is published twice a year by earth), and saw swallowtail gulls, frigate birds, blue-footed the Office of Institutional Advancement. would see and study; the real lessons, though, came with boobies, land iguanas, marine iguanas, and sea lions. “To the actual trip - feeling totally immersed in study and understand just how awesome this was, it is important to having images and studies come alive is a rare know that the animals on the Galapágos have never been opportunity.” The group concur that it was a spring hunted by man nor do they have natural predators. Principal break that would not easily - if ever - be topped. S. Barbara Buckley '72 Therefore, the animals are shockingly tame. We were only It started on April 3rd. After almost a day and a half of feet away from nesting birds, nursing sea lions, and Director of Institutional Advancement traveling, the group arrived at their destination and met ‘honeymooning’ blue-footed boobies. That afternoon we Monica Wilson their guide at the airport. “From the airport, we took a snorkeled and went to a beach where saw pink bus to a ferry to another bus. We all clamored to window flamingoes,” adds Crenny. Editor seats. April is the wet season in Ecuador, so everything on Kristina Stanton Cawley '90 Before going to the airport, the final stop was the Charles the island was a brilliant shade of green. There were Darwin Research Station. At the research station, they saw prickly pear cacti as far as I could see. The ocean was Editorial Staff many baby tortoises and some grown ones. “We saw Linda Miele Benton '75 unbelievably blue almost artificial like the color of a blue Lonesome George, who is the last of his species of giant Eileen Daly Killeen '68 raspberry Icee,” explains Mary Kate Crenny ’11.“While tortoise. We were surprised to learn that Lonesome Patricia McAleer on the bus, bright sunshine turned into pouring rain so George is named after the late American comedian Patricia Sack quickly it was as if someone had set off a fire sprinkler. George Carlin,” says Crenny.“Everyone was sad to leave. We trekked through rain and mud to see the islands’ A nice woman on the plane offered me the window seat; Proof Reader primary attraction: giant tortoises.” Lisa Schaad so I was able to watch the island shrink behind us on In addition to the tortoises, the MMA explorers visited a take off...I remembered something Grace Warkulwiz ’11 Graphic Design lava tube, snorkeled, stopped to see Los Gemelo (massive had said earlier that day, that the whole trip had felt likea Carrie Boyden, Boyden Design craters, which were created by gas escaping from the dream and none of us were ready to wake up.” I www.boydendesign.com ON THE COVER: November Remembrances Graduates from 2010 who are the last In a continual effort to “Go Green,” your November Remembrance Go green! sister in their family to graduate from Card is included here, rather than in a separate mailing. Please fill MMA gather. out those you would like remembered and mail to the attention of Front row: Alyssa Norfleet, Keira the Development Office at Merion Mercy Academy, or visit Zambon, Anne Wechsler, Krisandra Bianca www.merion-mercy.com for an online form. ¡ Cuenta, Elena DiGiovanni, Briana Potito, and Sarah Benton. November is traditionally the month in the Church calendar dedicated to the Holy Souls. We’d like to invite you Second row: Sara Siegfried, Elizabeth to join with us in remembering those deceased relatives and friends who are important to you. To make this Meehan, Elizabeth Bennett, Meghan remembrance more personal for you and for the MMA community, we invite you to write the names of your Sansoni, Pietra DelPizzo, Leah Tassoni, deceased relatives and friends on the attached form and return it to MMA. Your list will be placed in the basket and Allyson Cedrone that remains in the school’s chapel throughout the month of November. Theology classes use the lists each day as a litany and as a way of bringing together the communion of saints. Third row: Victoria Terry, Jaclyn Prazenica, Rachel Ryley, Grace Harris, Kelly Please join us in remembering your loved ones. You and those for whom you ask remembrance are an important McKeown, Melissa Cattai, and Katherine part of the Mercy community.Thank you for allowing us to form the merciful Body of Christ at MMA. In your Schaad. prayers, kindly remember the following deceased: Fourth row: Elizabeth Wurfel, Elizabeth Nolan, Kimberly Wendling, Lauren Montie, Gina Angelo, Lauren Prince, and Stephanie Smedile. Your Name: Association with MMA: 2 Mater Matters Summer 2010 Fashion Show 8 Barbara Mullahy DeNault '83 and Sara DeNault '10 and Maggie '10 and Kathleen Moran enjoy this Ring ceremony special luncheon. Juniors pose after receiving their rings. 8 The event is now held in the evening, and Merion Mercy Academy held its annual Mother and Daughter fashion show. This families enjoy a reception at the school. year's theme was “Celebrate in Style.” The theme was chosen as part of MMA’s Posing left to right with their new rings are year-long 125th birthday celebration. The event took place at Drexelbrook; close Sarah Blake, Carolina Ramirez, Kathreen to 400 moms and daughters attended. Fashions were provided by the following Sterling, and Brianna Mattio. boutiques: Elizabeth Maar, Just Girls, and Bala Girls. Father/daughter mother/ dinner dance senior Merion Mercy Academy held its 58th annual Father luncheon Daughter Dinner Dance. Students from each grade are Moms and senior invited to attend; more than 300 hundred daughters daughters look forward came to the event with their dads and father figures to to some “girl time.” enjoy a special and unique evening. Donna and Kimberly Marandola 8 and Jennifer and Marita Hurst connect for a photo. 8 John and Molly Powers ’13 and Mary Kate ’13 and Martin O'Riordan take a moment to pose on this special evening for dads and daughters. Kelly and Patricia McKeown 8 pose at the event. Alum Activities Blossom in Spring Special guest Devin Finn ’00 Thank you to the current executive officers of the presided over the senior Alumnae Association, Linda Quinlan ’96, Rosemary assembly. Alumnae Association Gonnelli Smith ’83 and Fran McElroy ’64 for the time, president Linda Quinlan ’96 talent and leadership they have brought to the association joined Devin in presenting during their term. The new slate of officers, Kristina each graduating senior with Stanton Cawley ’90, Maureen McShane Chrest ’01 and her Alumnae Association card, which officially Maureen Brennan Kozak ’82 will take their positions welcomes her to the group. officially at the September 28, 2010 meeting. Please join The Heart of Mercy Award them as they plan the many events the alumnae will was also given at this event. sponsor during this school year. Any questions please This year’s recipient was contact Patti McAleer at 610-664-6655x103 or Therese Donnelly. [email protected]. Therese Donnelly 8 Mark your calendar for Meri-union on April 2, 2011! www.merion-mercy.com 3 One hundred and twenty four Merion Mercy Academy seniors graduated Sunday, June 6, 2010 on campus. The Class of 2010 earned a total of $11,762,580 in academic scholarships. Collectively, they’ve also earned 504 acceptances to 144 colleges. The Excellence Medal for the Highest The Excellence Medal for the Highest Cumulative Achievement is awarded to: Achievement in the study of Social Stephanie Kan Studies is presented to: Allison Theveny HONORABLE MENTION: Victoria Romvary The Excellence Medal for the Highest Achievement in the study of Art is The Excellence Medal for the Highest presented to: Meredith McDevitt Achievement in the study of Spanish is HONORABLE MENTION: Elizabeth Meehan presented to: Stephanie Kan HONORABLE MENTION: Sara Haines Graduates Stephanie Kan and Meghan Pierce reminisce before The Excellence Medal for the Highest the ceremony. Stephanie was recognized as the graduate with Achievement in the study of English The Excellence Medal for the Highest is presented to: Caitlin Mattera Achievement in the study of Theology the highest GPA and Meghan was the Baccalaureate speaker. HONORABLE MENTION: Saara-Anne Azizi is presented to: Allison Theveny The Sister Elizabeth Carroll Award for Letters of Commendation from the the Highest Achievement in the study National Merit Scholarship of French is presented to: Corporation have been awarded to: Jasmine Azizi Gabrielle Bruno Cecilia Cammisa The Excellence Medal for the Highest Rebecca Daily Achievement in the study of Latin is Victoria Romvary presented to: Saara-Anne Azizi Allison Theveny HONORABLE MENTION: Caitlin Mattera The following students have received The Excellence Medal for the recognition as National Merit Finalists: Highest Achievement in the study Jasmine Azizi of Mathematics is presented to: Saara-Anne Azizi Stephanie Kan Caitlin Mattera Stephanie Kan The Excellence Medal for the Highest Rachel Ryley Achievement in the study of Music is presented to: Alana Youssefian Among these students, Saara-Anne Azizi has been selected as the winner The Excellence Medal for the Highest of a National Merit Scholarship by Achievement in the study of Science is the National Merit Scholarship presented to: Saara-Anne Azizi Corporation HONORABLE MENTION: Stephanie Kan Gabrielle Bruno and Elizabeth MacNeal squeeze in a last minute “chat” before graduation.