Academics

THE MERCY INNOVATION TECH TEAM (MITT) is a group of students that act as a mini tech company for Mercy. These students work with different departments, including Advancement and Marketing, teachers, and more to provide tech support, materials, training, and programming. The team’s core mission follows the design thinking format, which includes a growth mindset and an iterative process. As the leader of the team, I am trying to create a real-world experience of what it’s like to work at a company. Students do not need to understand how to use technology. They just have to have a positive attitude that they can figure it out! —Lindsay Stewart, Science Teacher

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Creative Problem Solving is an opportunity for Mercy Girls to "build stuff." The important things we learn are to be persistent, to work together, and stick-to-it-iveness. The class includes work with 3D printing, robots, sewing machines, Arduinos, and electronics. However, with Distance Learning in place, we thought we could take advantage of the need to record results of projects and work with the materials we have at home. This ball run/Rube Goldberg machine was built by students using materials found around the house. Thanks to all the girls for contributing and their caregivers for putting up with the chaos for a day or two! You can see more on the video on our Facebook page. —Sarah Murphy, Library Coordinator

NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY Congratulations to our new National Honors Society members! In October, Mercy students were initiated as they took their oath and had their pinning and candle ceremony via Zoom. The Mercy community is so proud of them!

“NHS is the National Honors Society. Students must apply and be accepted by a group of teachers on the basis of their academic standing, service to community, leadership, and character. This year, we had Sister Diane Clyne, RSM as our keynote speaker. Sister Diane has been a Sister of Mercy for over 50 years, and she has been instrumental in her service to Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Honduras and El Salvador.”

—Thomas Wootten, Teacher Social Studies Department AP Government/Economics American Government and Economic THE OAKS WINTER 2020

ACADEMICS NEW Welcome! Faculty & Staff

Andrina Auyong Accountant Victor Cervantes Chorale Teacher

Noëlle Houle English, Health & Wellness and Yearbook Teacher

Alex Hyman English Teacher

Carmen Martinez Spanish Teacher

Calvin Nixon Religion Teacher

Caroline Ocampo Director of Strategic Communications Courtney Rosen Math Teacher

Not Pictured:

Sandra Elgelda Main Office Assistant

Rafael Garcia Director of Facilities and Maintenance

Guest Speakers

KRISTINE MAYS

"Life doesn't exist without art! As women of today, we have to work extra hard to showcase our work and to be known and acknowledged. The VPA Department had the pleasure of having guest artist Kristine Mays share her knowledge, art, history, and expertise with our students. Her presentation, like her work, reflected moments of the past while also addressing contemporary social issues." —Nadine Baroudi, Ed.M. VPA Department Chair & Visual Arts Teacher

Kristine Mays’ art was recently on exhibit at Filoli Garden in Woodside, and her award-winning work has been featured at Art Basel in Miami.

LAURIE SHELBY & AMY CHAFFIN

A special thank you to two powerful guest speakers: Laurie Shelby, Vice President of Environment, Health, and Safety at Tesla Motors and Amy Chaffin, Vice President of National Specialty Retail at the Coca-Cola Company. They gave our Mercy students exceptional life and career advice, placing special focus on servant leadership, finding passion in your work, and not being afraid to challenge yourself. Both Amy and Laurie spoke from the heart and shared the tremendous impact women have in leadership roles.

MERCY WEEK

Mercy Week is our greatest tradition at Mercy High School. Mercy Day, September 24, celebrates the day that our foundress Catherine McAuley opened the first House of Mercy in 1827. Every year, we turn Mercy Day into a week-long celebration that honors the Sisters of Mercy and their mission, brings alumnae back to Mercy, and encourages school spirit. This year, we “virtually” enjoyed the energy that Mercy Week brought to our students and Mercy community.

It’s important to remember the tremendous work and sacrifices the many Sisters of Mercy have made in their vocations over the 193 year history of the order. Sister Camille D’Arienzo, RSM once said, “We have learned from (our foremothers) strength to explore alternate ways of getting behind doors closed to us...and we are not afraid to tenderly touch those who hurt, to offer mercy and a word of love.” We are incredibly grateful to be the recipients of this precious gift and mission!

Thank you Sr. Marilyn!

During Mercy Week, Sister Marilyn Lacey spoke to Mercy students about Mercy Beyond Borders and her work educating girls and young women in areas of extreme poverty. Sister Marilyn founded Mercy Beyond Borders in 2008 after witnessing devastation during a visit to South Sudan. Mercy Beyond Borders now serves more than 1,400 women and girls annually in South Sudan and Haiti through educational and economic opportunities. Sister Marilyn encouraged Mercy students to always be on the lookout for the needs of the world and to be open to opportunities throughout their lives.

Thank you!

Our Mercy Day Celebration included inspiring talks from our amazing Alumnae! Thank you to the following Mercy Alumnae who spoke with our students about being women in today’s workforce and how Mercy played a part in who they are today.

Keynote Speaker

Vashti R. Sinigayan, MPA ‘99

Staff HR Operations Manager, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco BS from San Jose State/Masters at NDNU

Beverly Desuasido ‘97

Emmy Award Winning TV Executive Producer, Director, and Writer, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA

Odalis Castellanos ‘16

Clinical Psychology MFT, Notre Dame de Namur, studied Spanish in Havana, BA in Psychology, San Jose State University

Ana Angeles

Director of Development, American Lung Association

Emily GonzálezJauregui ‘15

Project Management Intern, Junior Strategist at Iris Worldwide, UO Craft Center University of Oregon

Audrey Dancel Vandenbroeck ‘98

Senior Director, Customer Success and Support at Issuu in Silicon Valley

Sonia Satchell ‘98

Currently working at the Sacramento District Attorney Office, BA from USF and Law School at Fordham in Manhattan

Alumnae Virtual Events

Virtual events have provided opportunities for connection between alumnae, families, and friends throughout the world. Mercy alumnae from England, Japan, New Zealand, and Hawaii have participated in recent online gatherings, lectures, and talks. Members of the Mercy community shared their expertise, while other alumnae celebrated with beloved teachers and classmates. For a full listing of upcoming events, visit Virtual Events for Alumnae on the Mercy website.

Special thanks to our speakers and those who joined us!

In September 2020, Olivia Feller '14, Cassidy McCarter '14, and Alana Wilson '14 formally established The Agape Award Endowed Scholarship with a goal of raising $25,000 in memory of their classmates Camila Ron Ruiz ‘14 and Maya Isabelle Thone ‘15. This Award honors the legacy of two very special Mercy alumnae and their legacy of supporting and helping others. The recipient of this Award will be a young woman of color who has exhibited the qualities of Mercy spirit and the unique characteristics exemplified by Camila and Maya. These demonstrated qualities should include leadership, compassion, ambition, work ethic, and a desire to make the world a better place. To make a gift or pledge and to learn more about The Agape Award, go to: https://www.mercyhsb.com/giving/ agape-award ESTATE PLANNING ADVICE FOR WOMEN WITH LAUREN SUHL RIOS ‘05 Lauren Suhl Rios ‘05 spoke to women of all ages in her comprehensive estate planning presentation. She shared practical advice and outlined important steps to take on how to develop an estate plan.

BREAST CANCER AND YOUR RISK Dr. Andrea Metkus (Ava ‘23) and Dr. Harriet Borofsky gave an in-depth presentation on breast cancer followed by Q&As. Participants were able to ask questions and probe deeper into health concerns. Mercy is grateful for the opportunity to discuss this disease that impacts so many women. There is no doubt that everyone came away with a new awareness of breast cancer and its risks.