Cause for Applause

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Welcoming President Alissa DeJonge

We welcomed Mercy Alumna Alissa DeJonge ’95 as the second president of Mercy High School in July 2020.

Opening of the 2020-2021 School Year

The 2020–2021 school year began on schedule with August orientation days and many TV stations covered the first day of classes, September 2nd. Students and teachers were given the choice to learn/ teach in person or remotely.

Congratulations Class of 2025 Academic Scholarship Winners

Shown above, left to right: Abigail Gomes; Marylyn Afoakwa-Abrokwa; Emily Murphy; Tiana Harley; Ms. Alissa DeJonge; Lian Ong; Fiona Fay; Claire Fresher.

Lily Herron and Kaila Lujambio Receive National Scholarship Awards

Lily Herron (below on left) was named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Kaila Lujambio (below on right) was named a National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar and Commended Student.

Yellow Rose (Virtual) Auction

The 32nd Yellow Rose (Virtual) Auction, “In the comfort of your home,” was a huge success! Visit our website for more details of our upcoming 33rd Yellow Rose Auction. Save the date info below:

Friday, November 26, 2021 at 7 p.m.—Auction Kick Off

November 26–December 4, 2021— Auction Online Bidding

December 4, 2021 at 9 p.m.—Auction Online Bidding Ends

Celebrating Our SCC Scholar Leaders

Shown above, left to right: Dilawaiz Rao; Ms. Alissa DeJonge; Anastasia Rosenthal.

Mercy Receives the AP CSP Female Diversity Award Three Years in a Row

Mercy was awarded the AP CSP Female Diversity Award from the College Board for achieving high female representation in the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course once again this year.

Honoring Extraordinary Efforts

The Honors and Sports Assembly was held in May with a slightly different format. View Book Awards, Department Awards and Baccalaureate Awards at: www.mercyhigh.com/page/awards-and-honors-2021

Three Cheers for Our Class of 2021 Scholar Athletes

Congratulations to five Mercy seniors who excelled in both the classroom and in athletics!

Shown above, left to right: CIAC Scholar Athlete Alexa Boone; Mercy Scholar Athlete Kaila Lujambio; Athletic Director Tim Kohs; Senior Athlete of the Year Kaylie Zemke; Mercy Scholar Athlete Elisia Pagliuca; CIAC Scholar Athlete Isabella Bartolomei.

TechTigers Roar for Another Win

The TechTigers robotic team won the New England District Chairman’s Award in a virtual competition. The FIRST website describes the Chairman’s Award as, “the most prestigious award at FIRST, it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the mission of FIRST. It was created to keep the central focus of FIRST Robotics Competition on the ultimate goal of transforming the culture in ways that will inspire greater levels of respect and honor for science and technology, as well as encouraging more of today’s youth to become science and technology leaders.” This is the third year in a row the TechTigers earned this distinguished award at the New England district level. The team also won the Game Design Imagery Award that celebrates attractiveness in visual aesthetic integration and for the mini-bot challenge they were awarded the Spirit Award.

New Honor Roll Plaque Dedicated to Mrs. Sylvia Garstka

Members of the administration and faculty joined for the dedication of the new honor roll plaque displayed outside the Main Office. The plaque was dedicated to Mrs. Sylvia Garstka, a former member of the English Department who taught at Mercy for 49 years.

Shown above, left to right: Mr. Rory Butterly, English Department Chairperson; Ms. Ann Drewry, Principal of Student Life; Mrs. Sylvia Garstka; Ms. Alissa DeJonge, President; Mrs. Melissa Bullock, Principal of Academics and Technology.

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Marines Present Catharine Harrison ’21 with NROTC Scholarship

Catharine Harrison will be attending the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. The NROTC four-year scholarship program prepares officers for leadership and management positions in the Navy and Marine Corps.

Shown above, left to right: Ms. Alissa DeJonge, President; Cpl. Jared Sabins; Catharine Harrison; Capt. Andrew Edwards; Kathy and Barry Harrison

CAS-CIAC Scholar Athletes

Congratulations to Isabella Bartolomei ’21 (below on left) and Alexa Boone ’21 (below on right), our 2021 CAS-CIAC Scholar Athletes.

Mercy Summer Internships

2021 Communications Department summer interns, Kelsey Caramanica ’19 (below on left) and Emma Cahill ’20 (below on right), worked on marketing strategies, upcoming events, social media posts and brainstormed ways for students to get involved and exposed to the world of communications and marketing.

CAS Honors Two Mercy Seniors

The Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) honors two outstanding seniors from each of their member schools in the state who excel in the performing or visual arts and demonstrate leadership. Congratulations to Mercy’s 2021 honorees Isabella Bartolomei ’21 (below on left) and Emily Paterno ’21 (below on right.)

Tiger Talk Podcast Series Launched

Subscribe to the new Tiger Talk Podcast Series on your preferred streaming service: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Spotify, or find the link on our website. The music for the podcast was created in the Music Lab by Abigail Weaver ’21 and Lily Herron ’21.

Bringing Smiles to Mercy Retirees

Ms. Alissa DeJonge heard that the Mercy retiree group was resuming their lunchtime gatherings this past spring. The retirees hadn’t been together for almost 11/2 years because of COVID. Ms. DeJonge brought along cheerful greetings and some Mercy swag for everyone.

Reuniting at Mercy is a Sweet Treat

The Class of 2020 held a reunion and ice cream social on July 15, 2021. These students, who have not been together since March of 2020, enjoyed a sweet treat, played yard games, walked the halls, and caught up with their Mercy sisters and faculty!

Showing Gratitude to the Tomc Family

In June, Mercy welcomed the staff of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Rich and Joan Tomc and Sr. Mary back to Mercy! We are extremely thankful for the generous donation from the William and Mary Tomc Memorial Fund to the Sr. Mary 45 Scholarship Fund that honors Sr. Mary's 45 years for service to Mercy High.

Shown above, left to right: Joan Tomc; Rich Tomc; Sr. Mary McCarthy; Ms. Alissa DeJonge, Mercy President; Cynthia H. Clegg, President & CEO of CFMC.

This donation received a matching gift from the Leahy Family as part of their donation to the Sr. Mary 45 Scholarship Fund Campaign.

Shown above: Tracy and Kevin Leahy, parents of Kaitlyn Leahy ’19, with Ms. DeJonge (center) in the Tiger Den. Stay connected and keep up with the latest news and events by visiting the school website www.mercyhigh.com and social media platforms!

Two Mercy Students Accepted into the Connecticut Music Educators Association Regional Ensembles

Congratulations to Paula Opena (below on left) and Isabelle Stottlemyer (below on right)! Paula was accepted as an alto in the treble choir and Isabelle Stottlemyer was accepted into the orchestra on harp and received a perfect score!

A Picture Perfect Golf Day!

The 2021 Mercy Golf Classic was a fantastic tournament thanks to our wonderful sponsors, volunteers and players! Mercy golf team members were gracious volunteers at the tournament, shown below, left to right: Isabelle Camli-Saunders ’22, Calle Dennis ’22, Emma Lemieux ’24 and Marlayna Papacoda ’23.

Shown above, on left: Alex Zampini ’14 and her father Mark Zampini. Photo on right, from left: Golfers Sheila Dupuis Green; Cathy Schultz; Sister Patty Moriarty, RSM; Kay Novicki Green ’70.