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In Appreciation to The Howley Foundation

“No work is more productive to the good of society than the careful instruction of women.” Recipients:

~Catherine McAuley, Foundress

Class of 2022 Madison Brady Nyla McGill

Dear Nick, Lorie, and Meg,

Kayla McGuffie

Almost 200 years ago, Catherine McAuley penned these words,

Liseth Mejia Perez

defying 19th century perceptions of what women could and should achieve. Here and now at Merion Mercy, we continue to guide and redefine what our students can achieve, despite their circumstances. We thank The Howley Foundation for partnering with us to encourage academic pursuits, as well as spiritual and personal

Class of 2023 Ti’Yan Driggins Cecilia Lam Joi Lewis Shannon Pagan Kaije Williams

development, as a vehicle toward lifelong personal achievement. These students defy perceptions of what women from low-income

Class of 2024

families—particularly women of Mercy—will achieve.

Hannah Cramutola Jacklyn Dang

True to the intentions of The Howley Foundation, we awarded this

Naomi Hines

scholarship to support 20 Howley Scholars at Merion Mercy in the

Catarina Lam

2021-2022 academic year. We cannot be more grateful for the

Carolyn Pham

generosity of The Howley Foundation toward these students. We extend our humble and heartfelt thanks to Nick, Lorie, and Meg for shining this light on Merion.

Jonae Thomas Class of 2025 Abigail Habteslase

With that in mind, we are pleased to introduce our Howley Scholars

Ayanna Jones Katie Lisaint

for the 2021-2022 academic year. These exceptional young women

Justine Weng

reflect the outstanding inspiration of The Howley Foundation.

Sabrina Zou

In Mercy,

Laura Farrell Head of School

Madison Brady ’22

Liseth Mejia Perez ’22

As my time at Merion Mercy comes to an end, I have reflected a great deal on the tremendous value of the very strong academic experience and the life-changing opportunity of being in this Mercy community. I will miss my school enormously, but the spirit of Mercy will be with me forever. My deep thanks to The Howley Foundation for enabling me to have this amazing opportunity. As a Howley Scholar at MMA, I have become much more self-aware on every level. I do not believe I could have achieved such growth anywhere but here. For this, I thank you.

As a graduating senior, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the generosity of The Howley Foundation throughout my years at Merion. Without your support, I would not be here. Yet I am, and I thrived. As a freshman, I was nervous about finding new friends and taking on new responsibilities that come with teenage years. As a senior, I have become an exceptional young woman who is ready for college. The clubs offered at Merion certainly contributed to my growth. I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate in Model UN, Blue Key Society, Gospel Choir, Asia Club, and Mercy Mission Corps.

This school is where the dream of my future took shape and where I was given the tools to make that dream real. I want to be a physical therapist and plan to pursue this dream at Thomas Jefferson University. Ultimately, I will have a PhD in physical therapy in an accelerated program, with three years of undergraduate studies and three years of graduate work. Even though I am leaving this community, the Mercy values and the bond of sisterhood will never leave me.

Nyla McGill ’22 From the bottom of my heart, I thank you so very much for my Howley Scholarship. You have extended to me the wonderful opportunity to make my journey in Mercy. I have made the best, lifelong friends anyone could ever have. I have developed relationships with teachers who have become my mentors for life. My time at Merion Mercy has been wild and wonderful. Each year, we continued to adapt and shift, and I have enjoyed tremendous support every step of the way. Earlier this year, I was injured in a serious traffic accident. Along with injuries, I suffered PTSD and missed a lot of school. Though I fell behind, I was able to catch up with the wonderful support I received from my teachers. They were all tremendously kind, loving, and understanding. I have felt supported from every corner of Merion Mercy. This concern for my well-being brought amazing light into my life. Through all my trials, I have learned a great deal about myself and my capacity to overcome any challenge that comes my way. I also have much to be proud of, especially joining the National Latin Honor Society. I was motivated to really push myself in Psychology and in my United States Government course, through which I learned to be an effective public speaker. I am also proud to say that next year I will attend Neumann University, where I will major in marketing. As my Merion Mercy journey comes to an end, please know that I am enormously grateful for having been a Howley Scholar. Thank you so very much for this amazing opportunity.

Kaylah McGuffie ’22 I offer a huge thank you for supporting me as a Howley Scholar. If not for you, I would not be here, and my life would have taken a very different turn. I love Merion Mercy and all the people here, especially the teachers. The student experience is extremely positive. Within this building, we share a joyful spirit. The community, all the clubs, Sisterhood Days, Mission Week—there is always something fun going on. One of my recent favorites was “Anything but a Backpack Day.” On that day, we could not bring our backpacks, so we needed to think outside-of-the-backpack and find a different way to carry around our belongings. People used coolers, baby strollers, luggage, wagons, and more crazy things—so much fun!

One of my favorite memories is practicing for Gospel Choirs each week and then performing together as a showcase for special events. I developed a devotion to service in the Blue Key Society and Mercy Mission Corps. I plan to continue this passion throughout my college career. My leadership skills have also flourished, as I had the opportunity to lead Hispanic Heritage Month, planning fun and informative activities for all. I will always be grateful for my Social Studies teacher, Mr. Clementi. From the first day in his class, he challenged me to push outside of my comfort zone. His encouraging smiles pushed me forward. He could tell when I was having a rough day and ask me how I was doing. From him, I learned that it is acceptable to ask for help and be vulnerable once in a while. Now, I am much more comfortable talking with teachers and advocating for myself. I have even earned Distinguished Honors. As a first-generation college student, I am very excited to attend Villanova University! I will participate in the Academic Advancement Program. There, I will take college credit courses and meet faculty and admitted students. This will be a challenging transition, but I know I will have the resources I need to meet that challenge. I plan to major in political science and minor in economics. I hope to understand how politics make positive change. I know my Merion Mercy education has led me to make myself and the world better. No positive impact is too big or too small. Thank you again to The Howley Foundation for believing in my potential!

Ti’Yan Driggins ’23 I am so thankful and proud to be among the Howley Scholars at Merion Mercy. This is an outstanding opportunity that enables me to push myself to my highest potential at this wonderful school. The academic program is challenging, but the teachers here encourage us and care for us in a personal way, helping us to see the many paths to meeting each challenge we face. My teachers have built special bonds with me, helping me to grow personally and academically. This has greatly helped me to strengthen confidence in my abilities, and I am so appreciative! Earlier this year, I was struggling in math, and it was getting difficult for me to catch up. My teacher, Mrs. Pellicone, really went to great lengths to help me. She would meet with me early in the morning or late in the afternoon to make sure I understood the material. She was determined not to let me fall behind, and, for this, I am very grateful. In fact, I somehow managed to earn Distinguished Honors. I feel like I am supported in all important ways. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Black Student Union (BSU) at Merion. This community is very supportive of me and other students of color, helping us to understand that we belong here at Merion as we continue to embrace our culture. I have grown a great deal and look forward to my next two years, continuing to mature and to recognize all my gifts and blessings. I am happy to be at Merion Mercy, and I have The Howley Foundation to thank for that!

The teachers here are treated as if they are celebrities. They are happy people who know us personally and really care about us. I feel both challenged and highly supported. Two very challenging classes were Honors Latin and Anatomy and Physiology. Success in these classes made me believe I could do anything! This year, I made Distinguished Honors. I am so grateful for this opportunity to attend Merion. In addition to achieving Distinguished Honors, I have learned to be my authentic, fearless self. Now, I look forward to a career in nursing and will pursue my degree at Neumann University in the fall. Thank you, Howley Foundation. You have made all the difference! 2

Cecilia Lam ’23

Shannon Pagan ’23

I am very grateful to The Howley Foundation for giving me the opportunity to attend Merion Mercy Academy. I am able to form many strong friendships and accomplish wonderful things. At my old school, I was not able to connect with students who shared the same culture as me. However, at Merion, I found students like me through the Asian Student Association (ASA). I became the leader of the ASA as well as the ASIA Club, through which everyone is invited to learn about the diverse Asian cultures. I am proud of successfully planning a month of activities in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In doing this, I have grown as a leader and as a student.

The Howley Foundation has provided me with a wonderful high school experience that I will value for my entire life. I appreciate everything The Howley Foundation has done for me and my fellow Howley Scholars.

My English teacher, Ms. Mattera, reaches out to students asking how we are doing, always making sure that each of us is comfortable in class. She is very patient with shy students like me. Ms. Mattera is incredibly understanding and kind. As I have gotten to know her better, I feel very comfortable talking about my personal life and sharing good news or my struggles. Thanks to The Howley Foundation, I have had the chance to achieve wonderful things, including Distinguished Honors, and to develop trusting relationships with friends and teachers. I am honored to be a Howley Scholar and very grateful for this opportunity.

At Merion Mercy, the visual arts program is just wonderful. I am clearly improving my skill set and further exploring my passion. The art program here is giving me the tools to turn this passion toward a career path. I will be well prepared to study art in college. The small class size is fabulous. I learn from my peers with critique sessions and one-on-one feedback. I am further blessed to take full advantage of our wonderful art teachers and our beautiful Art and Design Gallery. I am involved in the Art Honor Society, which combines artwork and service, and I lead one of our diversity clubs. Since freshman year, I have played the clarinet in the Orchestra and performed in the Handbells Choir. I cannot thank you enough for making it possible for me to come to Merion Mercy Academy, where I am growing academically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Joi Lewis ’23

Kaije Williams ’23

I am now a junior at Merion Mercy, and my experience here will come to an end next year. As for now, I am very grateful to be a Howley Scholar. I am happy I have had the opportunity to attend Merion Mercy and explore this outstanding curriculum. I have also made amazing friends, and we have learned to support one another.

Now in my junior year at Merion Mercy, I can see I have grown in innumerable ways, especially in channeling my positive energy into action. I have a strong sense of myself as I seek to understand the world in which we live. I have learned to present ideas with both candor and compassion. One way I expressed this is by competing in the Philadelphia Regional Shakespeare Competition at the Arden Theater, in which I recited a soliloquy and a sonnet from memorization. I was one of three winners!

Academically, I am making a great effort to succeed. My mother calls it “striving.” I work very hard. School is my main focus. Last year, online learning was a struggle. This year, Honors Pre-Calculus has put me through the paces. I laughed and cried because of that class! Mrs. Restifo, my English teacher, is amazing. She is my advisor and almost a second mother to all students, but particularly to students of color. I love Dr. Hogg’s Chemistry class; she has been enormously helpful. Modern European History and British Literature are also great. These courses are challenging, but I am learning I can meet these challenges. In fact, I have achieved Distinguished Honors.

Another very meaningful experience is leading the Melodies of Heaven Gospel Choir. Sometimes I lead rehearsals and get pretty intense because I am committed to having our group produce beautiful sounds. I have learned that hard work leads to joy! I also love participating in the Hip Hop Dance Team and the Summer Service Program.

Dungeons and Dragons (DND), one of my co-curriculars, is so much fun because it involves fantasy, strategy, and roleplaying. I have made a lot of great friends there. Kpop is totally new to me and also a lot of fun. We celebrate Korean popular music and drama, and even have dance-offs! Both the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and the Black Student Union (BSU) have been havens for me. In those spaces, I am surrounded by people who face struggles within their communities and who seek to be embraced by others like themselves.

I am happy to report that I had a great first semester and am now an Honors student. Algebra 2 is challenging, but I developed strategies for checking accuracy by ruling out some conclusions and confirming others. In French class, I work to speak completely in French all the time, even when I ask questions. I am beginning to believe I have an ear for languages. Modern United States History, Psychology, British Literature—all of my classes are great. I love participating in class discussions.

My time at Merion Mercy is filled with wonderful, enriching experiences. I love belonging to this community and sharing in this journey of Mercy. For this, I extend my abundant thanks to The Howley Foundation for this scholarship. Your support is a great blessing to me and my family. I am humbled and honored to be among the Howley Scholars. Thank you.

Thank you very much for enabling me to be a Howley Scholar. I have grown into a fearless learner. This scholarship has provided me with an outstanding high school experience, and I take great comfort in knowing that this scholarship supports people like me. The Howley Foundation has provided me with an essential sense that I belong at Merion Mercy Academy. I am extraordinarily grateful to you.

Hannah Cramutola ’24

Naomi Hines ’24

I am extremely grateful for being selected as a Howley Scholar. This genuinely helps me and my family, and I really, really appreciate it. This has been a great journey so far. Last year we had both virtual and in-person learning, and it was tough. This year, as a sophomore, we are all together for the first time, and I can see a living spirit of sisterhood. I love being able to say hello to my classmates and upperclassmen and hanging out with friends. This year, together with my class, I have come to fully appreciate just how great the Merion Mercy experience is! I am shy by nature, but I love the positive energy of the Merion Mercy community, and I am so happy we are together every day. No matter who you are, you will find people just like yourself here at Merion Mercy. One of the things I enjoy the most is WIN time—20-minute breaks, twice a week, to do “What I Need.” It’s very helpful for homework or class projects. I am particularly grateful to participate in community service. It is so heartwarming to know I can have an impact on people. Now I am trying to take full advantage of everything. I am really enjoying chemistry, even though I was not expecting to. My teacher, Mrs. Hogg, helps everything make sense. I have found I really love science, and I have decided this is where I want to go in the future. I also find social studies fascinating. I had psychology this year and loved it. My American Literature teacher, Mrs. Restifo, is my favorite. I love to write! I am also learning how to be very organized, which is a help with everything, especially my mental health. Being able to attend Merion for two years now has been an amazing opportunity. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me. Thank you so much to The Howley Foundation! You are making a huge difference in my life, and I am immensely grateful.

I am beyond grateful to The Howley Foundation for enabling me to attend Merion Mercy. I am maturing into a responsible young woman, growing academically and personally. Here, I have the opportunity to challenge myself academically among like-minded students, all of us working together to build a strong community and positive relationships within our diverse student body. At Merion, I participate in co-curricular activities such as Black Student Union and Meriannal, our yearbook. I also belong to the Blue Key Society, a selective group whose role is to serve the Merion Mercy community as leaders who exemplify service and integrity. I am proud of the student I have become, and I am delighted to continue in all these activities. I am particularly proud to be accepted into the Blue Key Society. This role has brought me joy, purpose, and has helped me to solidify my identity at Merion Mercy. Here at Merion, I have learned to push forward out of my comfort zone and leave my fears and anxieties behind. Now I am passionate about new experiences and greater challenges. I am proud of the lively, outgoing student I have become. Mrs. Harris, our Director of Student Activities, puts her whole heart and soul into supporting me on this journey. She is a source of wisdom, helping me understand my personal strengths. I am so fortunate to have people like her in my life. The Howley Foundation has lifted me up. Thanks to you, I am in an environment that dares me to meet academic challenges while caring for me and nurturing my personal growth. Without The Howley Foundation, I simply would not be where I am today. The Howley Foundation has empowered me to seek excellence in every way. I owe all of my gratitude to the great generosity of The Howley Foundation.

Catarina Lam ’24 As I end my sophomore year, I extend abundant thanks to The Howley Foundation for enabling me to be here at Merion Mercy. I love the MMA community. I have had wonderful new opportunities, met friends of all grades, and enjoyed numerous activities.

Jacklyn Dang ’24 I am very grateful to be among the Howley Scholars at Merion Mercy. You have allowed me to attend this wonderful school. I am certain I am getting an excellent education, and I feel great pride in all I can and will accomplish here. This year, I have made Distinguished Honors. This is a very positive and welcoming environment. I met so many loving people, especially my friends and teachers. I find the educational experience here exciting, and I think it will only get better! Aside from academics, I am proud to be able to participate in great activities. These too are great opportunities to grow. Something that I am most proud of in my Merion journey is being able to contribute to club activities. As a Blue Key Ambassador, I am growing socially as I introduce Merion Mercy to incoming students. As a member of the Stage Crew, I have learned about the value of teamwork and effort. The ASIA Club gives me the opportunity to reflect on my culture and value who I am. All these activities help me to grow personally, and I am also having a lot of fun too! I am getting really immersed in science, even though, before now, it never came easy to me. I am currently in Honors Chemistry, and it is very challenging and a lot of work, but I am so proud that I understand this complicated subject. I am very grateful to have Dr. Hogg as my Honors Chemistry teacher. Whenever the class does not understand something, she will review it with us step by step, making everything very clear. All the teachers here are caring and friendly, making the learning process very personal and meaningful. If it were not for The Howley Foundation, I would not be here. I so appreciate this opportunity to be here at Merion Mercy. Thank you for counting me among the Howley Scholars.

In addition to achieving Distinguished Honors, I have participated in a number of great activities: The Ricordia, our school newspaper, Literary Bears, Merion Mercy Music Theater (MMMT), Chorale, K-POP Club, ASIA Club, Asian Student Association (ASA), and Comedy Club. The ASIA Club has been really special. Next year, I will serve in a leadership role in the ASIA Club, and I cannot wait to share my ideas and cultures with others. This year, we performed the Lunar New Year Lion Dance for AAPI Heritage Month. We only had two weeks to prepare for this performance, which involves lion costumes, the music of beating drums, clashing cymbals, and resounding gongs. Our preparation was a little stressful but extremely worthwhile. The performance was a great success, and it was especially meaningful to me. The other Asian students and I got to know each other well, and we really bonded. This year, Merion Mercy Music Theater’s production of Anastasia was another incredibly meaningful experience. While I do not have much background in singing or dancing, I auditioned on a whim. I was cast in the ensemble and delighted to participate. We had multiple, long rehearsals in the week leading up to opening night, when we finally performed on stage to a live audience. It was a lot of work, like the Lion Dance, and proved every bit as worthwhile. My Merion sisters and I continually supported and encouraged each other to keep pushing forward. The show was a huge success, and I am very happy to have shared in that performance. I see this as my greatest achievement of the year. Even though it was difficult, I would not have it any other way. Gathering the whole cast in the music room, singing our hearts out, will be one of my greatest memories. Every moment, we were called on to be our very best. I want to express my deep appreciation for The Howley Foundation in providing this wonderful scholarship. My family could not afford this great Merion Mercy education. I would not have these wonderful memories that I so greatly treasure. I love this school so much that I wish I could be a freshman again so I could experience everything once more. I cannot begin to express how happy and thankful I am for this scholarship for enabling me to be part of this community. Thank you, Howley Foundation, for transforming my life.

Carolyn Pham ’24

Jonae Thomas ’24

Thank you, Howley Foundation, for allowing me to attend Merion Mercy Academy. Since eighth grade, I knew Merion Mercy was my dream high school. Right away, I could see how kind and friendly everyone was. This abundant positive energy has encouraged me to be more outgoing and to develop meaningful friendships with girls who are supportive and trustworthy. My peers in class discussions demonstrate the importance of listening and respecting everyone’s opinion.

I cannot believe I am finishing my sophomore at Merion Mercy Academy. It seems like just yesterday I was a scared freshman walking through the doors on the very first day of school. Thanks to The Howley Foundation, I have been given the opportunity to learn so much about myself and to truly grow into a student of Mercy. This year has been the most challenging for me academically—between Honors Chemistry, Honors Algebra II, and AP Human Geography— and the workload has definitely increased. Yet, I have learned a great deal about balance, time management, and stamina, and I am an Honor student. As a member of the Track and Field Throwing Team, and my involvement in the Black Student Union, which I will lead next year, I have become a more well-rounded, compassionate, and self-aware student.

I am also eternally grateful for the academic rigor here at Merion Mercy. I am a Distinguished Honors student. My American Literature course has been challenging, but it has also been very thought provoking. There, I gained the courage to form and share opinions. Theology classes here are wonderful. We write essays that allow for personal reflection and subjective analysis. This also encouraged me to develop a fearless voice. Now, as a sophomore, I have become fully aware and grateful for the privilege of attending a beautiful, accepting, and academically challenging school. This would not be possible without your help. This year I joined three clubs— Environmental Club, French Club, and ASIA (Asian Students in America) Club—and I took Chorale as a class. Environmental issues have always been my passion. I love to compost, buy second-hand, and use reusable dishware. We learned about endangered animals such as the leatherback sea turtle and about making ecobricks, which are plastic water bottles filled with plastic waste to be made into homes in South America. It also inspired me to pursue environmental science in college. The French Club is my favorite. I love celebrating all things French! Next year I will be a club leader. I have many plans to enrich the French Club, such as recreating French art pieces and analyzing French movies. This position will help me develop my public speaking skills and inspire me to show more of my personality. My friends encouraged me to join the Asian Students in America (ASIA Club), and I am so glad I did! ASIA Club helped me to be proud and comfortable with my heritage, which I have struggled with in the past. I feel accepted and heard in this group. I can relate to members of this club with things like the food we like or our role as daughters in an Asian household. We planned activities for American Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) month, focusing on raising awareness on the accomplishments of AAPI women. Everyone was grateful, receptive, and interested. Ever since I was little, I found great joy in singing. This year I joined Chorale, and this has been the most fulfilling experience at Merion. I look forward to our weekly rehearsals and hate to see them end. Gradually, I became more comfortable singing in front of an audience. I always feared making a mistake, but I learned that singing from the heart is more important than singing perfectly. Our performances at the Christmas and spring concerts were joyful and memorable moments. My favorite teacher is Mrs. Crawford, who teaches Algebra II. She is engaging, organized, and clearly has a passion for math. Because of her, math is now my favorite subject. Her class is a very safe and positive place. She challenges us and really wants us to succeed. She prepares us very well for tests. My confidence in math has grown a great deal this year. Mrs. Crawford makes things very clear, and this class makes me want to make her proud by working and studying hard. The opportunity to be a student at Merion Mercy has changed my life. Thank you again for believing in my education. Thank you for this scholarship and for making it possible to attend my dream high school. Please know I will never take this amazing gift for granted.

Thanks to the passage of time and the lifting of many COVID restrictions, my sophomore sisters and I have been able to enjoy the wonderful Merion traditions that we have been looking forward to—Harvest Moon, Soph Hop, and especially Weenie Roast! The joyful memories of these events will last a lifetime. I have also built strong friendships and widened my circle to many other groups of friends. My MMA friends are constantly encouraging me to keep working hard and not give up. This incredible support system is a great blessing. Another great blessing is the teachers and staff who have unfailingly supported me academically and emotionally—Mrs. Restifo, Mrs. Duffy, Mr. Crossland, Ms. Maria, Ms. Scott, Ms. Chard, Dr. Hogg, Mrs. Moran, and especially Mrs. Harris, who has become one of my greatest role models. I truly admire her as a Black woman and a Merion alumna. She is an incredible inspiration. She brightens the day of all who cross her path. Mrs. Harris is just one of the incredible Merion faculty who truly embody what it means to live Mercy. I am so thankful that Merion has gifted me with these amazing people. I am tremendously grateful to The Howley Foundation for all of these abundant blessings. Being a student here has molded me into a woman of Mercy. I am so excited to see what the next two years hold.

Abigail Habteslase ’25 Thank you for generously supporting me as a Howley Scholar. I am tremendously grateful for your kindness and generosity. My family and I can not thank you enough for allowing me to experience this extraordinary opportunity. Even as a freshman, Merion feels like home. I have met so many wonderful girls here, and I know I will cherish these friendships forever. Seeing these people every day puts a bounce in my step! School is fun! Spanish class is fun, too! We learn the language as well as Spanish culture and history, all in a very interactive fashion. Algebra is my favorite subject. My wonderful math teacher is empathetic and caring, always willing to help us. I am happy to report that I am a Distinguished Honors student. I have joined several great clubs. I am most active in Women for Life and Love, which is about empowering women and fighting for the lives of unborn children. I also enjoy the Self-Care and Beauty club, which focuses on productivity and mental/physical care, beauty and self-expression, and feeling comfortable in ourselves. The Spirit Club, in which we plan school activities and events, is a lot of fun, too. I am really enjoying my time here. Every aspect of Merion has been astounding. The people here are incredible, and I love being a part of this welcoming and very accepting community. All of this is thanks to your kindness and generosity. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for your generosity, but please allow me to say again, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Ayanna Jones ’25

Justine Weng ’25

My first year at Merion was quite interesting—from meeting new people from a variety of different backgrounds, to learning how to deal with the responsibilities of a very strong curriculum. I am very grateful to be a Howley Scholar because this has given me the opportunity to meet wonderful people and has introduced me to an amazing new environment.

I count myself as quite fortunate to be a recipient of a Howley Scholarship. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to attend Merion Mercy. My family and I are incredibly grateful. My parents immigrated here from China. As the Coronavirus spread, we suffered a significant downturn in business at our family restaurant. Notification of this scholarship came at just the right time. You have my deepest gratitude for everything that you have done for me.

The Black Student Union (BSU) has helped me to be comfortable here in this new school, where there are not many people of color. I have made wonderful friends through the BSU. I also ran track this year, and I am glad I did. I found that I am very good, and I have become passionate about running. I have also been very successful in Art class. I love being able to take what is in my mind and express it onto a blank page. This is hard work, but I am very proud of my efforts. I count myself very fortunate to form close relationships with my teachers. I truly feel they are there for me, to share my personal joys and sorrows, whether they are school-related or not. I have an especially meaningful relationship with my literature teacher. She makes me feel safe. She reminds me of a family member that everyone loves. Thank you to The Howley Foundation for allowing me to experience this wonderful school. I think that in the three year ahead things will get even better.

Katie Lisaint ’25 This is my first year at Merion Mercy, and I have already experienced so many things I would never have dreamed possible. I love it all, and I would never have had this opportunity if not for the help of The Howley Foundation. I have had wonderful experiences, and I have met wonderful people. I was particularly pleased and proud to be chosen to join a panel to welcome incoming Merion freshmen. It was great to meet these soon-to-be underclassmen. Since I was 10, I have loved to draw, and I was very excited about the opportunity to take art courses at Merion Mercy and to see our beautiful creations hang in the Frances M. Maguire ’53 Art and Design Gallery. I had a great experience in Principles of Design 1 class. I grew to dearly love my art teacher. I valued that class and always looked forward to going in to start a new piece. My passion for art has grown, and I look forward to taking another art class next year. Ms. Atisha, my art teacher, and Senorita Scott, my Spanish teacher, each truly helped me make the most of my transition to high school. Because of them—their great generosity and love—this year was the best experience ever. It was wonderful to have these two amazing Black women encourage and mentor me. I now truly feel that I belong at Merion Mercy. My transition into a predominantly white instruction was challenging at first. Joining the Black Student Union (BSU) was enormously helpful, particularly with supporting my sense of belonging here. I see people who look like me, talk like me, and act like me succeed on every level. This is incredibly inspiring. Thanks to the BSU, I now feel a real sense of connection and belonging. I feel safe, accepted, and that I will have every opportunity to succeed. I love all my classes, especially because I am encouraged to use my voice and actively participate. I extend my greatest effort, and I am growing into a very responsible student. I am happy to share that I have become an Honor student.

Merion has been an amazing experience for me. I am so happy to be in a school where I can be my authentic self. I have met so many wonderful people, some of whom are best friends who will always be there to support me. My teachers are phenomenal. Each of them is very understanding, offering help whenever I need it. Some classes that I enjoy are World Cultures and Biology. In World Cultures, we explore different countries and study the evolution of various empires. I also love Biology. This year, we did a lab about adaptation and natural selection. I have also joined some wonderful clubs—Mock Trial, ASIA, and Mathletes. My favorite is Mock Trial. We advanced to the regional level in this year’s competition! So far, Merion has been a wonderful experience. I made Distinguished Honors this year. I love being part of this community. This is an exceptional environment, from the classes to the teachers, even the food. I am having a blast, and I cannot wait for it all to unfold. This was all possible because of your generosity and kindness. Please know I truly appreciate this wonderful opportunity to experience this amazing school! It is hard for me to express just how grateful I am, but please know I am humbled and honored to be among the Howley Scholars at Merion Mercy.

Sabrina Zou ’25 I am very grateful to have been awarded a Howley Scholarship. Without it, I would be enrolled in another school because my parents would not have been able to pay the tuition at Merion Mercy. But thanks to The Howley Foundation, I am thrilled to be here! In my first year here, I achieved Honors and reached important goals in mathematics and science. In prior years, I had little interest in math and performed poorly. But now, I have my all-time-favorite teacher for Algebra class. Mrs. Pellicone motivates me every day. Now, I love this subject, and I am a thriving math student, always looking for greater challenges. I have also met great success in Biology. In that class, I love learning from the amazing Mr. York and studying plants and lizards with all my classmates. I have also really branched out into other areas. I joined the swim team, even though my swimming was not strong, and now I am seeing real improvement in my swimming ability. Chorale is another new activity for me, and I love it. I also love my art class, where I can explore my creative side. I have found that creating art and visualizing my thoughts is very calming. While the process takes time and effort, I find creating art is very worthwhile, despite the time and effort needed to produce a beautiful and pleasing work of art. Without the generosity of The Howley Foundation, I would not have had any of these experiences that I love so much, especially my newfound love of mathematics! I am extremely proud and happy to be among the Howley Scholars at Merion Mercy. I love the people here, the academics, and the wonderful activities. Thank you for granting me this scholarship! I could not ask for anything better.

I love everything here—the outstanding faculty and staff, all the wonderful Merion traditions, building friendships with my sisters, and even the lunches! I cannot wait to see my journey unfold. I am certain the teachers and staff here have paved a way for me to be the very best person I possibly can be. Thank you, Howley Foundation, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I am most grateful.

THANK YOU!

MERION MERC Y ACA DE M Y 511 Montgomery Avenue, Merion Station, PA 19066 phone: (610) 664-6655 web: merion-mercy.com