Alumnae Magazine fall 2016
BLUEprint mother of mercy high school
In This Issue:
10 Compassion for a Classmate
16 Mercy Legacy Photos
20 Goodbye… and Good Luck
Our Growing Mercy Message from the President Kirsten MacDougal WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF MERCY? As a Catholic institution of over 100 years, this answer varies quite dramatically depending on what point in time you were part of Mother of Mercy High School. A graduate from the late 60s, for instance, experienced a Mercy that was packed with 900 students in 12 grades with nearly all Sisters as its administrators and teachers. The 60s saw the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council, the assassination of Martin Luther King and the Sexual Revolution. Women everywhere were weary of conventional thinking that led to only traditional futures. In contrast, women who graduated from Mother of Mercy in 2015, experienced classes of 25 or so students, walked on the marble steps and played every sport from basketball to lacrosse. With a steadfast devotion to God, they were encouraged to think critically, to question and to dream big.
“Speak as your mind directs, and always act with courage.” Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley.
If the walls of Mother of Mercy could talk, they would remind us of the history witnessed and the challenges faced. Mercy was here in 1920, when the 19th amendment finally gave women the right to vote, and today, a girl can not only become a mother, nurse and teacher, she can be a doctor, engineer, politician, or biochemist. Mercy was here when Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and still 44 years later in 2008, when America elected our first black President.
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Mercy was here when Armstrong walked on the moon, when the Beatles arrived, and when the Reds won the World Series in 1940, ‘75, ‘76 and ‘90. Mercy was here when commercial planes began flying overhead, when the internet was invented, when APPLE became defined as more than just a fruit and when Kim Kardashian somehow became famous. I recently had a conversation with Sister Nancy Merkle, RSM who graduated from Mother of Mercy in 1962, served as principal from 1990 to 2010 and is currently on staff, leading our Adult Faith Formation. Having been a student, teacher and administrator for our school, Sister Nancy’s perspective on Mercy’s journey is broad. While noting that there has always been a deep sense of spirit among the students, Sister added, “I really believe the Mercy values are even more prominent today. The young women now know who Catherine McAuley was and how important our mission of compassion and service is to others.” When asked what she hopes for Mother of Mercy, Sister Nancy stressed, “Mercy becomes a second home for many of these girls, and their classmates are ‘sisters.’ It is so important to them to know they can always keep that connection, that this place will always be their home. Fortunately, we have benefactors who understand this importance, and a standing invitation to others for their involvement. Some of you may be aware that Mother of Mercy has been engaged in the silent phase of its 100+ Centennial Campaign. Although the phase has been considered “silent,” it is hard to keep “quiet.” We are so very grateful to the following individuals, families, corporations and foundations who have stepped up as financial leaders for this campaign, pledging their support to our school’s greatest current needs: tuition assistance, facility improvements and annual operations. We are so very appreciative of their support.
Bob & Carolyn Hillebrand Abrams ‘66
Friend of Mercy
Tony & Barb Maas
Jennifer Hoffman Ruth ‘98
Dr. and Mrs. Marc Alexander
Mary Kay Willenborg Gerst ‘71
MagnifiedGiving
Ms. Beverly Sass
Jim & Kathi Hand Bastin ‘71
Sarah Meyer Godfrey ‘96
Linda Tranter Marsh ‘87
David & Judy Scarlato
Betty Bauer ‘47
Rita Schutte Griffin ‘52
Mr. Kevin Martin
Dale & Teri Weisbach Schibi ‘75
Marianne Eismann Becker ‘75
Claudia Wersel Grimm-Lundblad ‘75
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Mattlin
Gwen Zang Schnieder ‘90
Mrs. Johanna Becker
Carol Ann Fischer Harding ‘61
Bill & Linda Maurer
Adam & Kelli Schoster
Kathy Oliver Berninger ‘65
Ms. Sharon Harris
Amy Thomas Mazza ‘84
Sandra Seger Schroer ‘83
Peggy Stock Berninger ‘75
Tom & Berta Harter
Gene & Ann McCarthy
Tom & Genny Sedler
Carol Jung Besl ‘56
Denise Ortman Harvey ‘91
Tom & Heidi McKenna
Sedler Family Foundation
Terry & Christine Dowling Biehl ‘83
Jenny Friedmann Heidel ‘78
Medtronic Foundation
Scott & Nancy Zahneis Seger ‘81
Erin Biehl ‘13
Jim & Sue Heidemann
Arlene Rueve Mendel ‘72
Steve & Joycee Simendinger
Sarah Biehl ‘17
Toby & Judi Yunger Heile ‘64
Mercy Health Foundation
Catherine Fieler Singer ‘94
Greg & Mary Jane McSorley Bier ‘66
Joyce Lammers Hendy ‘51
Sr. Nancy Merkle R.S.M. ‘62
Dr. and Mrs. W. David Smith
Ms. Kelli Blum
Tina Schneider Henkel ‘83
Marilyn Grote Meyer ‘71
Paula Kirch Smith ‘92
Pamela Mullen Boehm ‘83
Ms. Anne Herrmann
Christopher & Mary Meyer
Mrs. Shannon Smock
Amy Waldeck Boehm ‘90
Dan & Mary Lee Kathman Heyd ‘79
Patricia O’Conner Meyers ‘75
Mrs. Kelly Starkey
Mary Beth Cummings Borcherding ‘69
Maureen Sweeney Hildebrandt ‘01
Tony & Roberta Baechle Michel ‘61
Jeffrey & Trisha Stowe
Mr. Greg Bouman
Jennifer Neyer Hilvert ‘90
Donna Zang Miliano ‘80
Ken & Joyce Bowman
Mr. Ron Hitzler
Mrs. Lauren Miller
Joe & Mary Lynn Webb Sunderman ‘75
Jennifer Stacey Brady ‘03
Mrs. Michele Hively
Kate Mitchell ‘93
Julie Schmitt Brandel ‘07
Mr. Jack Hoeting
Deborah Lampe Morris ‘94
Gene & Meem Breyer
Jane Klopp Holt ‘76
Hannah Mueller ‘10
Maggie Amann Brinck ‘00
Home City Ice
Dave & Barbara Klopp Mueller ‘72
Deborah Riehle Brodbeck ‘76
Hornsby Family Charitable Foundation
Elaine Mueninghoff ‘65
Mrs. Jenny Broering
Barbara Espelage Horton ‘65
Katie Abrams Muldoon ‘93
Ray & Suzanne Driehaus Broerman ‘72
Julie Driehaus Horton ‘85
Mr. Urban G. Neville
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Buchanan
Rosemary Meyer Huhn ‘58
Scott & Jeananne Bardua Nichols ’83
Jacquelyn Taylor Hummel ‘65
Gail Brehm North-Tasto ‘61
Cara Herman Hyland ‘01
Judith Cappel Olding ‘87
Martha Scalise Isbrandt Ph.D ‘61
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Penderghast
Kathy Nusekabel Ison-Lind ‘74
Marcia Enginger Peterman ‘79
Mrs. Marian Johnson
Steve & Carol Duffy Pieper ‘80
Mrs. Judy Jones
Steve & Meme Rebholz
Kathy Gerdes Jones ‘76
Pete & Mary Rebold
Amy Klopp Jones ‘78
Jennifer Busse Reder ‘84
Lisa Donisi Kammerer ‘81
Missy Beischel Redrow ‘80
Mr. Mike Kampel
Aimee Wolf Reilly ‘80
Mary Ann Klopp Keilholz ‘67
Taylor Reilly ‘12
Rachel Specht Kern ‘81
Tricia Penderghast Reisman ‘92
Josie Ziegler Kirby ‘96
Erin Sander Riestenberg ‘01
Jon & Tina Hoffmann Wocher ‘86
Miriam Neiheisel Kirch ‘65
Mark & Julianne Schmidt Rudemiller ‘74
Linda Holthaus Zinicola ‘71
Mr. Tucker Burton Joe & Jennifer Buse Amy Gay Bussard ‘81 Jennifer Heidemann Caldwell ‘84 Kathleen Ennis Capodagli ‘76 Colleen Powell Carle ‘61 Patti Rutshaw Coffaro ‘75 Greg & Lori Abrams Conners MD ‘90 Jessica Coors ‘16 Joyce Wagner Cummings ‘61 Sheila Miller Cummings ‘60 Mrs. Ellen Daniel Barbara Littner David ‘83 Jim & Elaine Day Deluxe Corporation Foundation Tim & Stephanie Dinkelacker Ms. Linda Drapp Mr. and Mrs. Scott Drapp Mrs. Robert J. Driehaus Mr. Hap Durkin Molly Moran Federle ‘71 Vernice Hasselbeck Fessel ‘75 Fifth Third Bank Foundation Mr. Robert Findley Jan Fischer Fischer ‘62
Barbara Ulmer Kitchen ‘87
Pete & Lisa Folzenlogen Colleen Collins Foster ‘69
Becky Berninger Sutton ‘88 Jackie Ruth Tegenkamp ‘82 Mari Thomas Ph.D Jamie Kirch Toon ‘90 Sandra Klopp Tumlin ‘84 Donna Bill Vale ‘74 Molly Breyer Vance ‘96 Vivian Heil Volpenhein ‘74 Mrs. Heather Wagner Linda Oberhelman Waldvogel ‘71 Mr. and Mrs. James Walsh Mrs. Linda Wandstrat Melissa Wegman ‘86 Martha Olding Welling ‘76 Holly Carle West ‘90 Western Hills Window Co./Allan Meyer Mrs. Leslie Whitford Heather Whitton ‘97 Cathy Lampe Witte ‘96 Mrs. Dorothy Wolf
Vera Schmutte Klopp ‘45 Mrs. Mary Klopp Matt & Renee Klusman Paula Klusman ‘64 Tom Nancy & Klusman Gail Ann Koenig ‘75 Bridget Flanagan Kraus ‘99 Christine Dearing Kroner ‘80 Ann Flick Lampe ‘55 Mr. Michael LaRosa/LaRosa’s Inc.
Maria Essen Leonhardt ‘84 Roger & Mary Ann Harter Fix-Meyer ‘68 Beverly MacDonald Linnemann ‘60 Peggy Willenborg Flanagan ‘74 Joan Hoeting Loebker ‘61 Lisa Mahon Fluegeman ‘78
Tori Sunderman ‘05
Suzanne Lohbeck ‘61 Taylor Maas ‘14 Jerry & Amy Maas
You can soon expect to hear more from the Campaign and Advancement Leadership teams regarding the public phase of our 100+ Centennial Campaign. There has never been a more exciting or more critical point in our history to express your commitment to the future service of Mercy. If you are interested in learning more or making a gift now, please call Hap Durkin at 513.661.2740 x313. By endurance and surrender, through evolution and dissolution, our Mother of Mercy has stood the test of all this time. And today, she is more important than ever before. Lives are transformed by Mercy. Futures are found by Mercy. Hearts are mended by Mercy. And social injustice is changed by Mercy. As a community, we must continue to Grow in Mercy and secure the future of this very fine school.
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BLUEprint Vol. 34, No. 2, Fall 2016 BLUEprint is published two times a year for alumnae and friends of Mother of Mercy High School by the Office of Institutional Advancement. executive administration Kirsten MacDougal MECC President Hap Durkin Vice President for Mission Advancement Mari Thomas Director of Strategic Program Development Dave Mueller Principal Heather Wagner Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs Denise Ortman Harvey ‘91 Assistant Principal for Student Affairs Athletic Director editor Ellen Daniel daniel_e@motherofmercy.org ALUMNAE COORDINATOR Lisa Mahon Fluegeman ‘78 fluegeman_l@motherofmercy.org mother of mercy high school 3036 Werk Road Cincinnati, OH 45211 Phone: (513) 661-2740 Fax: (513) 661-1842 www.motherofmercy.org Email: info@motherofmercy.org Please direct all address changes or correspondence to the above address. This magazine is printed on FSC certified mix paper from responsible resources.
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Students spent time walking around Mercy without shoes during the Week That Matters in order to raise awareness for those without proper footwear. For more on the Week That Matters, turn to page 22.
Cover Photo: Members of the Class of 2016 show their Mercy spirit at Graduation. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!
Mission Statement: Mother of Mercy High School is a College Preparatory School for Young Women Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Member of the Mercy Education Collaborative of Cincinnati, inspiring, educating and empowering young women to become faith-filled leaders through the Core Values of the Sisters of Mercy: Faith, Compassion, Service, Leadership and Excellence.
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National Merit Honorees
News & Awards Catherine McAuley Award The highest award that Mercy bestows on a student is the Catherine McAuley Award. Named for the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, the award is given to a senior student who exhibits the Mercy values -- Faith, Compassion, Service, Leadership and Excellence -- both inside and outside of school. Students are nominated by the faculty and their peers. The award is a great honor. This year’s recipient is Hemen Aklilu. Finalists included Ellen Baverman, Olivia Bley, Madalyn Hardig and Hannah Kemble. Hemen is studying Bio Chemistry at Case Western Reserve. Lisa Moore Award Another top honor, the Lisa Moore Award, named in honor of the late Lisa Moore ‘77, recognizes a senior athlete who has demonstrated her spirit, leadership and dedication to her team and the Mercy community over the past four years. The 2016 Lisa Moore Award was given to Aleah Mersch. She was a member of the Cross Country team for three years and the Track & Field team for four years. Aleah is studying Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati.
Congratulations to the six seniors recognized in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. Three students have been named National Merit Semifinalists, Hannah Doll, Olivia Hatch, and Alexandra Stevens. Three students have been named Commended Students, Alyssa Cassidy, Sophia Dahlquist, and Rachel Meyer. More than 1.6 million students entered the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2015 PSAT/ NMSQT. About 16,000 students have been named Semifinalists, representing less than 1% of all test takers. As Semifinalists, Doll, Hatch and Stevens qualify to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, to be awarded in the spring of 2017. About 34,000 students are named Commended Students, and are among the top 5% of test takers.
AP Scholars The students listed below have distinguished themselves by earning some of the highest honors awarded by the AP Program. AP Scholar. Students who receive a 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. Sarah Braunstein ’17, Maria Busken ’17, Alyssa Cassidy ’17, Sophia Dahlquist ’17, Emily Fromhold ’16, Molly Grayson ’16, Indigo Hudepohl ’16, Hannah Kemble ’16, Chloe Klusman ’17, Madison Link ’16, Hannah McKenna ’16, Sarah Merz ’16, Jennifer Minnelli ’16, Gabryel Reinstatler ’16, Heidi Sohngen ‘16 AP Scholar with Honors. Students who receive an average of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more AP exams. Hannah Doll ’17, Grace Mazza ’16, Rachel Meyer ’17, Katie Schweinberg ’16, Alex Stevens ‘17 AP Scholar with Distinction. Students who receive an average of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more AP exams. Alyssa Coffaro ’16, Emily Frame ’16, Olivia Hatch ’17, Emily Kuderer ’16, Megan Spraul ’16, Kerry Stephens ’16, Ashley Sullivan ’16, Margo Waters ‘16
Valedictorian & Salutatorian Valedictorian Margo Waters is studying biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame. Margo was the captain of the Cross Country and Track & Field teams, a member of Mock Trial and was involved with Student Recruiting Committee, Campus Ministry and INTERalliance. She was a Freshman Focus Leader and Business Editor of the Yearbook. Margo was in National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. Salutatorian Jenna Minnelli is studying mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University. Jenna played soccer and swam, was a 4-year member of the handbell choir and was involved in the Theatre Department. Most notably, Jenna played Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and was nominated for a Cappies award for her critique of Walnut Hills’ The Cherry Orchard. Jenna was in National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.
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Honda-OSU Math Medal Congratulations to Alex Stevens ’17, who was selected to receive the Honda-OSU Math Medal Award for the Class of 2017. Alex was chosen for her exceptional academic performance in mathematics through the end of her junior year.
Harvest Home Fair Art Awards Mother of Mercy earned an impressive 23 art awards at the Harvest Home Fair Art Show, including two Best of Show winners. This collection of awards and ribbons highlights Mercy’s rich tradition of excellence in the arts. It also exemplifies the diversity and depth of Mercy artists’ talent. Senior Mira Bauer won Best of Show in the Photography Division. Senior Megan Macenko won Best of Show in the Art Division. Needlework Division: Hannah Doll ‘17 - First Place (crochet) and Alyssa Cassidy ‘17
- Third Place (crochet). Photography Division: Mira Bauer ‘17 - Best of Show and an Honorable Mention. Sarah Kenkel ‘17 Second Place and Honorable Mention, Abby Brunsman ‘17 - 2 Honorable Mentions, Sierra Houser ‘17 - Honorable Mention, Maria Abele ‘18 - Honorable Mention. Art Division: Megan Macenko ‘17 - Best of Show, Sierra Houser ‘17 - Third Place and an Honorable Mention, Mira Bauer ‘17 - Honorable Mention, Sophie Dahlquist ‘17 - 2 Honorable Mentions, Maria Schroeder ‘17 - Honorable Mention, Sarah Kenkel ‘17 - Honorable Mention, Emma Bruggemeyer ‘18 - First Place and Honorable Mention, Anna Burger ‘18 - Third Place for her art and Anna also received a ribbon for her apple pie! Kaylee Frede ‘19 - Honorable Mention, Claire Farrow ‘20 - Honorable Mention
ap art exhibit Mother of Mercy’s Art Department is known for producing creative and highly-skilled artists who have a distinct point of view. The students in the department are highly-decorated, often earning not just local but statewide and national recognition for excellence. This year is no exception! Mother of Mercy has learned that a piece of art created by Kerry Stephens ‘16 was selected for the 2016-2017 AP Studio Art Exhibit. The exhibit is produced each year by the AP Program to honor and celebrate the work of outstanding AP Studio Art students. Just 30 pieces of art were chosen from all of the AP Studio Art portfolios submitted in 2016. In fact -- there were more than 50,000 portfolios submitted this spring! Kerry’s piece was selected because she demonstrated the extremely high level of rigor, commitment and accomplishment that can be achieved by taking this course.
champions of mercy Congratulations to faculty members Lauren Schroeder and Johanna Becker, who were recently honored for being Champions of Mercy. At the beginning of October, Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio recognized the individuals and groups in the area who most exemplify “mercy,” as described by Pope Francis during this Year of Mercy. These two women live out mercy every day through their care and compassion for all students and their commitment to the development of our student’s faith.
Pictured from top: Hemen Aklilu - Catherine McAuley Award // Aleah Mersch - Lisa Moore Award // Jenna Minnelli & Margo Waters Salutatorian & Valedictorian // Sophia Dahlquist, Alyssa Cassidy, Alex Stevens, Hannah Doll, Olivia Hatch and Rachel Meyer - National Merit Honorees // Megan Macenko and Mira Bauer earn Best in Show awards at the Harvest Home Fair Art Show // Kerry Stephens - AP Art Exhibit
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Campus Life Mercy Day 2016 Mercy Day 2016 was another special day at MMH! We joined together with organizations all around the world to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the first house of Mercy by Catherine McAuley. Remembering each year the risks she took, the confidence and strength she had, and the compassion she showed for women inspires us again each fall as we continue our mission to educate the young women of Cincinnati. It’s become a beloved tradition at Mother of Mercy to commission the groups of people within the Circle of Mercy to be mercy for another year. During the all-school Liturgy, the leaders of each class and representatives from the administration, staff, faculty and the Sisters of Mercy, among others, are called down one by one, to light a candle on behalf of their cohorts. Playing behind this call to action is the song “The Circle of Mercy,” a reminder that all those who have ever been part of Mother of Mercy are united in mission and ministry. After the Liturgy, the students wrapped up the school’s fall fundraiser with a Walk. Money collected in the weeks leading up to the Walk fund tuition assistance, a cause certainly near and dear to Catherine McAuley’s heart. A portion of the proceeds each year supports one of the Sisters of Mercy’s critical concerns. This year the Walk fundraiser supported Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio and their Refugee Resettlement Services. The students had a great time walking the 6-mile route around Westwood. It was an unseasonably hot day. So we’d like to send a special thanks to Cone Zone and Mercy alumna Mindy Perrino Sweeney ’96 for serving up frozen treats to our students during the event!
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Remembering each year the risks she took, the confidence and strength she had, and the compassion she showed for women inspires us again each fall as we continue our mission to educate the young women of Cincinnati.
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Compassion for a Classmate
Spiritual Life
In times of uncertainty or hardship for a member of the Circle of Mercy, Mother of Mercy is known for responding with compassion and care. This summer the students at Mercy responded to the critical need of a classmate. A member of the junior class, Cristina Carrero, was diagnosed over the summer with a type of brain cancer commonly found in young people. She was treated with radiation over several months, and this fall, she is undergoing chemotherapy. She has not yet been able to return to Mercy this school year. To show support for their classmate, members of the junior class organized a Cups for Cristina event on the first day of school. The event was inspired by similar events hosted by Cristina’s parish, St. Teresa of Avila. At a Cups for Cristina event, the organizer opens up a lemonade stand and collects at will donations in support of Cristina’s family. Typically on the first day of school, Student Council serves donuts to the students as they arrive. Junior class co-chairs Julia Bley and Cecilia Feldman thought they could put a twist on the traditional event, and serve up some lemonade as well, in hopes of raising some money.
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“We wanted to do something for Cristina to let her know we’re thinking of her and wishing she was here with us,” Feldman told The Community Press, who featured the Cups for Cristina event. The lemonade stand was open less than an hour, and the organizers raised more than $400. “Even girls who don’t know Cristina wanted to help,” Bley told The Community Press. “There is such a strong sense of family here at Mercy.” Although Cristina has been at home this school year, she is connecting as much as possible with friends and classmates. She often Skypes into her Religion class. She also receives messages of support through cards, texts, phone calls and through her Facebook group Get Well Cristina.
Throughout her treatment, Cristina has had a positive attitude and has remained strong. “Cristina always, always has a smile on her face,” said Athletic Director Denise Ortman Harvey ’91. “She’s a smart girl. She’s a little quiet, but she’s always happy to be here. We’ll all be thrilled to see her when she’s ready to come back.”
“Even girls who don’t know Cristina wanted to help. There is such a strong sense of family here at Mercy.”
Cristina is on the Bowling team at Mercy. Her teammates and coach Joe Lengerich have visited Cristina at home and held a fundraiser for her at Stumps Lanes.
Cristina was able to come back to Mercy for a day recently. She and her dad, Eric Carrero, made it to the Junior Pin Ceremony. This special ceremony officially welcomes the juniors as upperclasswomen and calls them to step up and become leaders of the school. Cristina got a standing ovation when she received her blue and gold Mercy pin, which symbolizes courage.
The courage and leadership she has shown in her fight thus far has truly inspired the Mercy community. We keep her in our thoughts daily and pray for her recovery.
Cristina, we hope to see you back at Mercy soon! fall 2016
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Service Life
of all ages who are abandoned and abused. The girls helped paint the dormitories, worked in the garden and spent time with the students. St. Vincent De Paul Immersion
Summer Mission Trips Mother of Mercy has a vibrant summer mission trip program. Students have the opportunity to participate in a week-long, intensive service experience either close to or far from home. This year, Mercy students participated in seven different mission trips! arise A group of students traveled to south Texas for an immersion service program in June. They worked in the communities of Muniz and Las Milpas, running a children’s day camp, working at a refugee center, and learning about the issues surrounding immigration and the Mexican border. alive in mercy A group of students traveled to San Antonio, Texas to serve people in that community. Students did an assortment of tasks, including packaging food for elderly residents, pulling weeds, and painting. jamaica Several students went abroad to Jamaica this summer. They worked with the residents at the St. John Bosco Home for Boys in central Jamaica. The Sisters of Mercy there educate and help boys
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Another group worked with students at McAuley High School and St. Vincent de Paul in Over-theRhine. The students volunteered at various nonprofits around the city. They also got a chance to explore poverty and homelessness through various activities and got to see first-hand what life is like in Cincinnati’s inner-city neighborhoods. Lake Erie In June, students took a trip north to Fremont, Ohio to stay with the Sisters of Mercy at Our Lady of Pines Retreat Center. There, girls worked on a Mennonite farm to learn about migrant workers and the victims of human trafficking. Appalachia This group traveled to North Carolina, where they worked at a summer camp for Mexican immigrants’ children. They worked with the kids on reading and math, then planned activities and meals for the children. Mercy Urban Immersion Some Mercy students served the community right here at home through the Urban Immersion project. Students worked with Bethany House Services and Mercy Neighborhood Ministries over the course of the week and got a chance to interact with some of the people those organizations help.
Jaylah Mason ’16 spends time with residents from the St. John Bosco Home for Boys during Mercy’s mission trip to Jamaica.
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Mercy Track & Field Wins GGCL Title
Bobcat Life SPRING SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
Katie Cavanaugh ’16 – GGCL First Team (1600m relay), GGCL Honorable Mention (High Jump) Margo Waters ’16 – GGCL First Team (1600m relay) Olivia Hatch ’17 – GGCL First Team (1600m relay) Sarah Hoesl ’16 – GGCL Second Team (100m, 400m relay, 800m relay) Brittany Marzheuser ’18 – GGCL Second Team (400m relay, 800m relay) Emily Sutton ’16 – GGCL Second Team (400m relay, 800m relay) Jordan Kassie ’19 – GGCL Second Team (400m relay, 800m relay) Madison Link ’16 – GGCL Second Team (Shotput, Discus)
LACROSSE
Jessica Coors ’16 – GGCL Second Team (High Jump)
Elizabeth Fladung ’17 – GGCL First Team
Rachel Ramsey ’18 – GGCL Honorable Mention (300m IM Hurdles)
Anna Thorner ’16 – GGCL First Team Jordan Schwiers ’18 – GGCL Second Team
Paige Sweitzer ’19 – GGCL Honorable Mention (100m High Hurdles)
SOFTBALL
GGCL Coach of the Year: Mary Hatch
Katy Elsen ’19 – GGCL First Team Katie Kearns ’19 – GGCL First Team, Enquirer All Star Honorable Mention Sydney Dulle ’16 – GGCL Second Team Sam Grandstaff ’18 – GGCL Second Team
MERCY TRACK & FIELD WINS GGCL TITLE Congratulations to the Track & Field team who won the Girls Greater Catholic League meet for the first time in 21 years! The team’s victory was truly a team effort. They placed in 15 out of 17 events. The team also had three event winners – the 1600m relay, and Jennifer Ramsey ’17 in the Long Jump and 100m.
TRACK & FIELD Jennifer Ramsey ’17 – GGCL First Team (100m, 1600m relay), GGCL Second Team (200m), Enquirer All Star Honorable Mention
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2016 GGCL SCHOLAR ATHLETE Margo Waters ’16 was named the top Scholar Athlete for the entire GGCL in 2015-2016. The criteria for this award include SAT/ACT scores, class rank, national merit recognition, NHS
Cross Country Takes Cincinnati, Classroom by Storm!
membership, athletic participation, team captain and all league recognition. Margo was team captain of the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. She received GGCL All Star recognition including honorable mentions twice and first team. Margo was a member of NHS, a National Merit Commended Student and the Class of 2016 valedictorian. This is a tremendous honor that recognizes Margo’s special talent both in the classroom and on the track.
tennis Grace Dearing ‘17 – GGCL Honorable Mention Sophie Hill ‘17 – GGCL Honorable Mention Jackie Lienesch ‘17 – GGCL Honorable Mention Ryan Olinger ‘17 – GGCL Honorable Mention Samantha Smith ‘17 – GGCL Honorable Mention volleyball
fall SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
Shelby Dennis ‘19 – GGCL First Team, SWOVBCA Second Team
cross country Hannah Doll ‘17 - GGCL First Team
Chloe Klusman ‘17 – GGCL First Team, SWOVBCA First Team, OHSVCA All State Honorable Mention
Alex Stevens ‘17 – GGCL First Team, State Qualifier
Kiki Carle ‘18 – GGCL Second Team
Olivia Hatch ‘17 – GGCL Honorable Mention
Holly Hilvert ‘18 – GGCL Honorable Mention
Meredith Meyer ‘19 – GGCL Honorable Mention
Alyssa Overbeck ‘19 – GGCL Honorable Mention
golf
Cross Country Takes Cincinnati, Classroom by Storm!
Erin Tedtman ‘19 – GGCL First Team Rachel Hummel ‘19 – GGCL Honorable Mention soccer Mackenzie Coon ‘17 – GGCL First Team Maddie Scherpenberg ‘17 – GGCL First Team Jordan Harley ‘18 – GGCL Second Team Peyton Miller ‘20 – GGCL Second Team Hannah Wagner ‘17 – GGCL Second Team
Fall Enquirer All Stars have not yet been released.
Mercy’s Cross Country team finished the season strong! They qualified for Regionals as a team for the seventh time in 8 years. The odds were stacked against them; they were seeded sixth going into the race, but rose to the challenge and finished third. Senior Alex Stevens finished 20th overall and qualified for the State Meet. Senior leadership has been a key component to the team’s success. The four team captains are not only strong runners, they’re incredibly hard-working and talented in the classroom. All four received National Merit recognition this fall! Alex Stevens, Hannah Doll and Olivia Hatch were named National Merit Semifinalists. Alyssa Cassidy was named a National Merit Commended Student. Congratulations to the 2016 Cross Country team – who define what it means to be a scholar-athlete!
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Campus Life Legacy Photos 2016 The members of the class of 2016 graduated strong, confident young women, ready to succeed at the next level. They truly embody Mercy’s core values of Faith, Service, Compassion, Leadership and Excellence and exemplify the value of a Mercy education. Our graduating class received more than $20.4 million in college scholarships. Members of the Class of 2016 are attending 31 different universities (with acceptances to 99). More than half of the students from the Class of 2016 can claim an alumnae connection - mother, grandmother, aunt, sister or cousin. Many blessings to all who are part of the Circle of Mercy!
Legacy pictures taken by Amy Ellert Inderhees ’94, Into Wishin Photography
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Claire Zernich with sister Michelle Zernich Bell ’06; Sarah Hoesl with grandmother Carole Steinle Lauber ’51; Rachel Hoferer with mother Christine Ulm Hoferer ‘87
Kaitlyn Reid with mother Kathy Young Reid ’86, aunts Patti Umberg Beck ’71 and Becky Reid Kremer ’94; Emily Sutton with mother Becky Berninger Sutton ’88 and grandmother Kathy Oliver Berninger ’65; Karly Maas with sister Taylor Maas ’14 and cousin Katie Burger Morris ‘08
Elizabeth Neiheisel with sister Stephanie Neiheisel ’10, aunts Tess Neiheisel Evans ’79, Martha Neiheisel Kelly ’80, Deborah Neiheisel Dezarn ’83, Vicky Neiheisel Monahan ’88 and Patricia Neiheisel ‘91
Heather Runk with mother Casey Korfhagen Runk ’77, aunts Joan Borgemenke Korfhagen ’69, Jerilynn Sucher Korfhagen ’70, Angela DelNegro ’72 and Linda Korfhagen Hesford ’78; Anna Thorner with aunt Nancy Thorner Winkler ‘95
Emily Suder with mother Michelle Theders Suder ’89, grandmother Marlyn Fuller Suder ’69, aunts Diana Fuller Rischmann ’74 and Mary Fuller Walroth ’75; Kiely Muccillo with sister Victoria Muccillo ‘12
Kaylee Zeller with grandmother Barbara Whitaker Zeller ’60, cousins Jessica Lovell ’08 and Erica Lovell ’10; Jessica Coors with mother Heather Whitton ’97, cousins Nancy Braun Kramer ’77 and Morgan Kramer ‘12
Danielle Russell with mother Lisa Davis Russell ’86, grandmother Linda Cantzler Phillips ’65 and aunt Ami Davis ’90; Bailey Wills with mother Stacey Bass Wills ’88, grandmother Donna Taylor Bass ’61, sisters Lauren Wills ’07 and McKenzie Wills ‘12
Rachel Freking with sister Sara Freking ’13; Olivia Bley with mother Lisa Ohmer Bley ’86, grandmother Joyce Strasser Ohmer ’61, sister Elizabeth Bley ’11, aunt Karen Bley Witterstaetter ‘94 and greataunt Jeanne Strasser Hawn ‘75
Hailey Siefert with mother Victoria Lameier Siefert ’84, grandmother Joyce Brodbeck Lameier ’64, sister Hannah Siefert ’14, aunt Debbie Lameier Flick ’86, great-aunts Mary Brodbeck Farrell ’66 and Janet Brodbeck Brannock ’69, (in frame) great-grandmother Mary Ginley Brodbeck McCormick ‘33
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Julia Brown with mother Terri McCullough Brown ’80; Hannah McKenna with grandmother Mary Sue Doepker McKenna ’61; Emily Kuderer with mother Amy Kroeger Kuderer ’91, grandmother Nancy Klett Kroeger ’63, aunts Julie Kroeger Schloemer ’94 and Sarah Kroeger Ruwe ‘97
Carley Schnieder and Brittany Daugherty with mothers Gwen Zang Schnieder ’90 and Carol Zang Daugherty ’82, grandmother Mary Kampel Zang ’51, aunts Debbie Zang Celek ’75, Sandy Crofton Zang ’77, Donna Zang Miliano ’80, Julie Zang Middendorf ’87, Laura Schnieder Monti ’98 and cousin Nicole Miliano Meiners ‘02
Anna Bunke with sister Emma Bunke ’12; Leah Henkel with mother Tina Schneider Henkel ’83, aunts Paula Schneider Gambetta ’81, Michelle Schneider ’89, great-aunt Mary Ann Henkel Ryan ’52, cousin Anne Tepe Gambetta ‘00
Mikaela Stephan with mother Tricia Friedmann ’83, sister Nicole Stephan ’13, aunts Mary Beth Friedmann Brinkman ’74, Jenny Friedmann Heidel ’78 and Dottie Friedmann Meder ‘79
Lexie Carey with sister Kelsey Kleiman ’13; Madison Link with aunt Helen Wierling McDonald ’55; Madelyn Frimming with sisters Meghan Frimming ’05 and Katlin Frimming Schwind ‘08
Kelly Wilzbach with mother Annemarie Ludwig Wilzbach ’79, sisters Lauren Wilzbach Hunt ’02 and Kristen Wilzbach ’04; Emily Frame with grandmother Patricia Dugan Frame ’65 and sister Allyson Frame ‘14
Mycayla Young with stepmother Martha Stocker ’84 and aunt Patty Young Palmer ’78; Emily Rickett with mother Jamie Doerger Rickett ’89, grandmother Patricia Feucht Doerger ’54, great-aunt Judy Feucht Martini ’65 and aunt Theresa Doerger Hunt ‘80
Hope Smith with sisters Haley Smith ’11 and Hanna Smith ’13; Kate Jackson with mother Lori McCarren Jackson ’89, aunts Diane Gerdes Jackson ’85 and Robyn Pohlman Jackson ’85, great-aunt Maureen McCarren Lewis ’68, (in frame) grandmother Kathy Lange Breen ’66
Jennifer Kaiser with mother Lisa Beckemeyer Kaiser ’81 and sister Rebecca Kaiser ’13; Ellen Garbsch with mother Margaret Schlimm Garbsch ’81, grandmother Patricia Simon Schlimm ’53 and sister Claire Garbsch ’14; Caroline Enwright with mother Kelly Brogan Enwright ‘86
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Zoey Hacker with mother Suzy Zentmeyer Hacker ’87, grandmother Margie Menges Zentmeyer ’53, aunts Betsy Zentmeyer ’85 and Sandy Zentmeyer Angel ’87; Abby Kallmeyer and grandmother Carolyn Sewell Kallmeyer ‘51
Allison Laake with mother Jayne Bova Laake ’85; Kelsey Zahneis with mother Cindy Bova Zahneis ’87; Samantha Seger with mother Nancy Zahneis Seger ’81, sisters Jessica Seger ’11 and Jamie Seger ‘14
Gwendalyne Homan with mother Shelli Schlanser Homan ’95, grandmother Peggy LeSaint Schlanser ’73, aunt Betsy Schlanser Haynes ’98 (in frame holding Gwen as a baby!); Indigo Hudepohl with mother Jennifer Hudepohl ’89 and aunt Donna Hudepohl Nenadov ’71; Megan Aufderbeck with mother Ann Reynolds Aufderbeck ’87 and sister Jami Aufderbeck ‘12
Megan Spraul with mother Lisa Weissmann Spraul ’88; salutatorian Jennifer Minnelli with sister Katherine Minnelli ’14; valedictorian Margo Waters with sister Maria Waters ’15; Ellen Baverman with mother Mary Ann Flick Baverman ‘76
Rachel Brady with mother Tricia Prince Brady ’90 and grandmother Joyce Sciarra Prince ’64; Ann Fields with mother Colleen McMahon Fields ’80; Hannah Kemble with mother Beth Mellott Kemble ’84 and sister Abbie Kemble ‘13
Katie Quatman with mother Jennifer Schulze Quatman ’86 and grandmother Claire Kemme Schulze ’51; Megan Heimkreiter with mother Karen Cummings Heimkreiter ’91 and grandmother Lynn Wiete Cummings ‘66
Cousins Abigail Shad and Erin Hussong with mothers/aunts Bridget Seiler Shad ’86 and Tara Seiler Hussong ’94, grandmothers Mary Jo Bihn Seiler ’62 (both) and Sue Riddel Hussong ’69 (Erin), cousin Samantha Buschle ‘10
Cousins Kathleen Anderson and Claire Herzog with mothers/aunts Rosemarie Brennan Anderson ’73 and Meg Brennan Herzog ’82 and sisters/cousins Maggie Wilhelm ’05 and Terese Herzog ‘13
Savannah Siebenburgen with mother Cindy Mechley Siebenburgen ’91, aunts Tammy Mechley Schultz ’83 and Christy Mechley Turner ’89, cousin Samantha Turner ‘11 Not pictured: Patricia Nagel with mother Julie Bachman Nagel ‘88
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Alumnae Life Goodbye… and good luck At the end of the school year, we said goodbye to four dedicated and treasured faculty members who retired. Although they are no longer here every day, they are certainly not forgotten at Mother of Mercy. Their absence is felt throughout the building, among the faculty and staff, and by the students. To Linda Behen, Maureen Bird, Rose Koch, and Kathy Robb, we want to say thank you for your years of service to the Mercy community and most importantly, the hundreds (and for some of you thousands!) of young lives you have touched. You will always be part of the Circle of Mercy.
We have all learned so much from Mrs. Behen, from her various presentations, and from the database guide she put together for all of us to use, or how to put more paper in the printer in the library. But in return, Mrs. Behen also learned from us. Throughout these five years, she says that we were always teaching her tips and tricks when it came to technology, that we taught her a little more about pop culture than she probably wanted to know, and that she learned about the subjects we had assignments on. As her time at Mercy is coming to an end, she is grateful for the memories she has made. We all have been able to experience the impact of the Circle of Mercy, and Mrs. Behen says that she wishes she made it to Mercy sooner. She wishes she had more time to experience the support and compassion of the Circle of Mercy for more than just five years – and we do, too! Thank you for everything you have done for us over the past five years, and for putting up with us when we got a little too loud in the library during study halls. We will definitely miss you and all the Tweets of us playing Uno, knitting scarves, making pins and duct taping. When you are having your morning coffee, think of us. We, too, will be thinking of you. Cecilia Feldman, Class of 2018, Junior Class Co-Chair
Below are the speeches given by Student Council members in each retiree’s honor, illustrating the great impact each retiree had on the students.
Kathy Robb
Linda Behen Mrs. Behen has been the librarian here at Mercy for five years. Over those five years, she has seen many changes in both the Mercy and worldwide community. Mrs. Behen has led Mercy through the ever-changing world of technology and social media. She has even been nicknamed the “technology queen.” We would always count on her smiling face to greet us as we entered the library. Mrs. Behen was always there to offer advice, whether it was how to find a reliable source or why our iPad wasn’t working.
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We had the honor of working with Mrs. Robb this school year through Student Council. We immediately were able to see just how much she loved teaching. She came to work and did the best she could to make sure everyone was living out the five values and strengthening our relationships with each other. Mrs. Robb showed all of us her compassion through her smiles in the halls. She showed her leadership by stepping up as student council moderator. Her excellence was demonstrated by pushing us girls to always work our hardest in and out of school. Her faith was strong, and she encouraged the whole student body in matters of faith. Mrs. Robb’s 25 years of teaching here at Mercy demonstrate her dedication to service. When asked Mrs. Robb’s favorite memories at Mercy, she responded, “a kaleidoscope of all the beautiful faces that I have taught through the years, the exultation of the seniors’ graduation
hats, and once I walked into my room and a sock was hanging in my room. The sock read, ‘Mrs. Robb rocks my socks.’” We have been honored to have had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Robb and enhance our vocabulary. On behalf of all of the students at Mercy, we will miss you.
Mercy community these past 24 years. We hope you blow lots of bubbles, sing lots of songs, breathe lots of 4-7-8’s, and follow your path to happiness that you have shared with us this year. We wish you the best of luck in all you do, and we love you! Lexi Carey and Julia Brown, Class of 2016 Senior Class Co-Chairs
Ella Klusman and Cath Hoferer, Class of 2019, Sophomore Class Co-Chairs
Rose Koch Maureen Bird Mrs. Bird has been a religion teacher at Mercy for 24 years. When asked what she will miss most about Mercy, Mrs. Bird says she will miss her students’ joy, laughter, and goodness. She says that the Circle of Mercy has impacted her life by making her whole and holy by its goodness and grace. Mrs. Bird says that one faculty member who has touched her life is Mrs. Mary Barnard, the head of the religion department when she first came. She says, “Mary found my gifts first and suggested I create and teach Prayer Class for seniors. I have done this for 23 glorious years.” When asked about what has changed the most since her time at Mercy, Mrs. Bird notices that everyone has gotten younger! When asked if she will come back to sub, in the future, Mrs. Bird says, probably not, but she will continue to pray for everyone at Mercy everyday. Mrs. Bird would like to tell future seniors what she hopes her current students have learned from her classes. She hopes Mercy students will gain/have gained: Illumination!; The ability to stop each day, take 3 deep breaths, and remember they are loved by God now and forever; To realize everything is connected; To have enthusiasm for life and to live with joy each day; To shine their light into the world and to be a voice for those who do not have one; To pray about everything; To let go of judging others; To see the beauty in the ordinary; To live in the present moment- to have fun, to laugh, and sing everyday Mrs. Bird, on behalf of the senior class, we would like to wish you a very peaceful and relaxing retirement. We hope you can allow others to serve you in the way you have served the entire
We would like to recognize a faculty member for 40 years of service – Mrs. Koch. Mrs. Koch started at Mercy as a student teacher. She began coaching basketball, and was hooked! When Mercy first hired her, she taught math and PE. She strangely loved this combination. Over the years, she has coached volleyball, freshman basketball, and track, plus served as the GAA moderator. Mrs. Koch went into administration sometime in the early 80s. She took the student activities role and was a full time teacher. Mrs. Koch said she will miss the students, because we keep her in the loop... but most of all, she will miss the people she works with. She said they are so wonderful, kind, and the reason she loves to work. Mrs. Koch’s favorite memory is when she coached the volleyball team all the way to state… However, she doesn’t have any specific other favorite memories because every new project she was able to do, she did with the people she loved to work with. Mrs. Koch also said she loves being a member of the Mercy community. She grew up around here, and knows that everywhere she goes, she will see a Mercy person. Her advice to all of us was to continue collaborating, and make sure to hear everyone’s voices. She also wanted to remind students to appreciate their time here; it’s a special place, and we might not notice that until we are gone. Mrs. Koch admitted there was one thing she will not miss about her job… waking up at 5:45 every morning. In her retirement, she plans on doing a service project and, of course, sleeping in. On behalf of the entire school, we want to thank you so much for everything you have done these past 40 years. Mercy won’t be the same without you. Sam Seger and Olivia Bley, Class of 2016 Student Council Co-Presidents
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Campus Life The Week That Mattered Mother of Mercy made a week last spring really matter. The “Week That Matters” raised awareness on issues of human dignity, clean food and safe water, women’s issues and health and well-being. The effort was an extension of the One Book/One Community project. Each year, the entire Mercy community reads and reflects upon a common book, specially chosen to inspire and influence. The selection was Start Something That Matters, a memoir by TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie. In the book, Mycoskie says that you don’t have to be rich to give back, and you don’t have to retire to spend every day doing what you love. You can find profit, passion and meaning all at once – right now. Inspired by Mycoskie’s encouragement to make a difference and his initiative to donate shoes to children in need through TOMS, Mother of Mercy’s Key Club, Student Council, Campus Ministry and HerStory class hosted an activity each day that engaged the students in philanthropy or awareness. Campus Ministry: Celebrating Human Dignity Campus Ministry members kicked off the week with a video empowering students to be whatever they are. They also hid compliments around the school and encouraged students to send hand-written compliments to their friends during lunches.
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HerStory: Celebrating International Women’s Day Students were encouraged to bring in dresses from past dances to donate to Kenzie’s Closet. They could order t-shirts with the message “This is What a Feminist Looks Like” and filled out papers with their personal she-roes’ names. Alive in Mercy: Focusing on Safe Food and Clean Water Students donated jars of peanut butter, jelly, crackers and fruit snacks to help provide weekend meals for our friends at St. Boniface. They also donated cash to help families affected by the Flint, Michigan water disaster. Key Club: Spending a Day Without Shoes Everyone was encouraged to wear TOMS this day. They brought in gently used shoes of all sizes to donate. The students spent some time walking around outside without shoes on, in order to raise awareness of those without access to proper footwear. Student Council: Focusing on Healthy Living More than a hundred Mercy students donated their hair to Beautiful Lengths. Before the haircutting event, students heard from two of their classmates who have struggled with hair loss. Anna Bunke ‘16 talked about her battle with cancer and subsequent amputation of her leg, and Sam Seger ’16 talked about her struggle with losing 80% of her hair because of complications from an auto-immune disease. Along with the students, English teacher Kate Mitchell ’92 and drama teacher Claire LaNicca made the big cut.
Alumnae Life Maura K. Moran ‘73 is the IEEEUSA Vice President for Government Relations. IEEE is the world’s largest technological professionals’ association, and IEEE-USA advocates to the U.S. Government on behalf of the more than 200,000 U.S. members of IEEE. Maura is a partner at Cambridge Technology Law LLC, providing legal services in Intellectual Property, licensing, and business transactions. She is active in the Boston chapters of IEEE Women in Engineering and IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, and is a member of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC). Maura lives in Sudbury, MA, which is happily convenient to Boston, beaches, and mountains. She is the proud mother of two grownups who are happy, healthy, and welllaunched. Her daughter, Emily Plumb, who was married last year to Kit Plumb in a splendid wedding in Oahu, recently received a masters from the University of Hawaii. And her son, Greg Gazda, has recently graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from Northeastern University. Mary Jo Flamm-Miller ’74 is a professor of Early Childhood Education at Ohio University-Chillicothe. She also has been running two successful family programs in the Chillicothe community - Discovery Garden Family Playgroup and Dad & Me Adventures - which have engaged over 1,400 families in the last ten years. Mary Jo’s husband, David, died August 9, 2016. Mary Jo shares that she and David “were married at St. Martin of Tours Church 38 years ago. He was a good man. Dave gifted the Cleveland Clinic with his body so that others might benefit from research into his medical conditions - polymyositis (a rare form of muscular dystrophy) and interstitial lung disease.”
Katie Buse Fussnecker ’92 was married to Drew Fussnecker on April 23, 2016 and moved to Dayton, OH. Included in the wedding party were Katie’s sisters Alison ‘99 and Emily ‘97 and nieces Megan ‘15 and Lauren ‘17. Christine Patty Kelley ’03 lives in Florida and “recently added another little one to the family. Big brother Cole (Feb. 7, 2014) welcomed little brother Kent on October 5, 2015. Proud grandma is Pamela Backscheider Patty ’81.”
Katie Harvey Ress ’03 and husband Mike welcomed their first child, Willow Imogene Ress on March 19, 2016 at 3:52 am. Mom, dad, and baby are doing well.
Rachel Kramer Vollrath ’07 shares that “my husband, Danny, and I welcomed our daughter, Hazel, into the world July 13, 2016. She is our first child and we are very happy to be starting our family.”
Erin Bueker Grote ’08 and Jon Grote were married June 24, 2016 at St. William Church. Julia Kramer Phillips ’10 works is an Edison Design Engineer at GE Aviation. Julia writes that “I am now happily married to Patrick Phillips! Our wedding was June 25, 2016. I met Patrick during The Miracle Worker at Mercy and we dated from senior year of high school through college. Patrick may be most remembered as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and Gerry in Dancing at Lughnasa, while I was Agnes.”
Stacey Schultz ’04 is an attorney and the compliance director at Sugar Creek Packing Co, earning her Juris Doctorate from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University. Alyssa Kotte Clark ’06 is the Human Resource Manager & Corporate Marketing Director at Busken Bakery. She and her husband live in Green Township. Amy Whittle ’06 is an active duty physician in the United States Air Force, currently stationed in Nebraska. She is in her final year of residency in family medicine.
Mary Petrocelli ’11 “had my first child, a son, on August 24, 2016 with my boyfriend, Joshua. The baby’s name is Gabriel Darcey Petrocelli-Roseman, and he was 7lb and 15oz. He’s wonderful! Looked just like me when he was born, but changes more into his father every day.”
Kelly Knapke Recanati ’07 and Jen Schmidt Hayes ’07 took turns being the bride and maid of honor this year. Kelly’s wedding was July 2, 2016 and Jen’s was May 14, 2016. Kelly and Jen have “been friends for over 20 years and attended St. Martin of Tours and Mercy together.” fall 2016
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Spiritual Life In loving memory ANNA KROGER ‘19 2001-2016 We remember a special member of the Circle of Mercy, Anna Kroger. Anna was a freshman at Mother of Mercy who died suddenly last May at the age of 15. Anna loved Mercy, and she loved to tell anyone who would listen what exactly she liked about the school. She had a vibrant and bubbly personality and filled the halls with laughter. She was very close to her cousin, Katie Kroger ‘18, and often walked and joked with her between classes. She loved to wear crazy socks to school every day. She was a member of the Academic Team, and was known for always answering “Boutros-Boutros Ghali” (an Egyptian Secretary General of the UN in the 90s) to any question she didn’t know, even questions unrelated to the United Nations, enlivening Academic Team practices with her infectious giggle. She was also a member of the Pride of La Salle Marching Band, in which she played the flute. Soon after her death, LaSalle dedicated their next band performance to Anna. After the show, her aunt Joanne Kromski and cousin Maycie Merritt ‘20 were driving past Anna’s grade school, St. Ignatius, and spotted a beautiful rainbow over another place Anna loved so much. They pulled over, and Maycie snapped the picture above then posted it on social media, noting that Anna was there with them in spirit
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that evening. Maycie was also very close to Anna, and while she was never a student at Mercy with her cousin, she looked forward to sharing the halls with her this year and misses her very much. When we see rainbows at Mercy this year, we remember Anna and know she is with us here as well. Anna is deeply missed in the halls this year.
Time for me to go now,
Time for me to leave you,
I won’t say goodbye;
I won’t say goodbye;
Look for me in rainbows,
Look for me in rainbows,
Way up in the sky.
High up in the sky.
In the morning sunrise
In the evening sunset,
When all the world is new.
When all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, Just look for me and love me, As you know I loved you.
And I’ll be close to you.
We profess our common faith and our hope of eternal resurrection for those who have passed through death to new life. Student: Anna Kroger ‘19
Kim Huber Buchert ‘80 Becky Wessendarp Haehnle ‘88
alumnae: Phyllis Krall Krug ‘40 Jean Huelsman Roettker ‘42 Mary Margaret Schmitt Dreyer ‘43 Jeanne Hellman Schottelkotte ‘43 Imelda Engel Ball ‘45 Virginia Huth Rust ‘45 Edith Hirschberg Maurer ‘47 Marian Lauch Roedersheimer ‘47 Marie Keilholz Kort ‘48 Joan Ahlers Scahill ‘48 Sr. Mary Johanna Niklas RSM ‘49 Gloria Benson Fahey ‘50 Marion Thaler Schmidt ‘51 Joan Meyer Stirrat ‘53 Mary Berger Kelly ‘54 Nancy Jo Karches Kraimer ‘54 Sr. Ann Mary Beiersdorfer RSM ‘55 Patricia Koeninger Wuebold ‘55 Alice Tepe Baker ‘56 Alice Cannon Fitzgerald ‘56 Martha Steigerwald ‘56 Mary Doll ‘58 Sr. Barbara Gooding RSM ‘58 Shirley Dechant Enneking ‘59 Judy Robers Buelterman ‘60 Geraldine Thinnes Bomkamp ‘63 Connie Kramer Moormann ‘63 Pam O’Brien Peters ‘79 Diane Jansen Young ‘79 Denise Schulte Pieper ‘82 Kaylee Merschbach ‘15
granddaughter of: Arlene Hammerle Kroger ‘60
husband of: Ruth Kreimer Bigner ‘49 Mary Ellen Bartlett Tressler ‘49 Carlann Ober Sunderhaus ‘50 Shirley Tekulve Furio ‘52 Suzanne LeCount Hasl ‘58 Joyce Thinnes Roberto ‘58 Claire Borntrager Laib ‘62 Carol Kreimer Martin ‘65 Gerri Drees Kramer ‘66 April Mertens Brauch ‘71 Mary Jo Flamm Miller ‘74 Mindy Ackerman Placke ‘83 daughter of: Nancy Wachsmuth Willenbrink ‘73 Cecilia Korb Merschbach ‘86 son of: Carol Merenfield Salamone ‘57 Mary Fink Heil ‘71 Sue Sicking Howland ‘72
grandson of: Jo Ann Schulte Wessendarp ‘58 Barb Cruse Baker ‘73 mother of: Carole Hemsath Beck ‘56 Barbara Booth Mueller ‘58 Patricia Hizer Schneider ‘58 Peggie Roettker Karbonit ‘65 Kathleen Schuster Schwab ‘66 Sandra Seitz Amend ‘67 Gretchen Landen Klein ‘67 Kathleen Hizer Staska ‘67 Kathleen Dattilo Bowie ‘68 Joanne Grueter ‘68 Cheryl Hudepohl Fehring ‘69 Nancy Schuster Hood ‘69 Carolyn Deluco ‘70 Kathy Haven Gable ‘70 Rose Marie Hanak ‘70 Teresa Haven Dransman ‘71 Susan Kreutzer ‘71 Nancy Gargano Mongillo ‘71 Donna Hudepohl Nenadov ‘71 Susan Roth Allen ‘72 Theresa Grueter Hayes ‘72 Deborah Schmutte Herrmann ‘72 Marilyn Roettker Murray ‘72 Connie Roettker Klingelhoffer ‘73 Sandra Hudepohl Newrath ‘73 Sharon Boing Reynolds ‘73 Jo Anne Gargano Baracka ‘74 Carol Huber Hartman ‘74 Carol Haven ‘74 Martha Roedersheimer Kroger ‘74 Phyllis Grever Roland ‘74 Lynn Wernke Weil ‘74 Peggy Stock Berninger ‘75 Mary Broerman Denier ‘75 Marcia Landen ‘75 Mary Ellen Viox Burgess ‘76 Mary Roedersheimer Reddington ‘77 Diane Schuster ‘77 Jane Roth Ahlrichs ‘78 Karen Wernke Schwartz ‘78 Mary Ellen Kreutzer ‘79 Cathy Broerman Rothan ‘79 Mary Anne Lyons Powell ‘80 Lisa Savicki Basham ‘81 Linda Ruwe Lawson ‘81 Alice Haven Mack ‘81 Theresa Schmidt Kendall ‘82 Betsy Roth Strawser ‘82
(Mercy has been notified of these deaths through October 31, 2016.)
Sandra Ruwe Gordon ‘83 Vicki Viox Holton ‘83 Amy Savicki Scheurer ‘84 Kim Stock Schmidt ‘84 Cindy Schmidt Rubey ‘85 Melissa Schmidt ‘86 Nancy Seitz ‘77 Linda Grueter Goode ‘77 Cathie Roettker Reis ‘78 Mary Anne Lyons Powell ‘80 Andrea Grueter Weitzel ‘83 Jennifer Hudepohl ‘89 Julie Bick ‘94 Melissa Bittner Cunningham ‘97 Lori Marckesano Watt ‘99 father of: Donna Boudot Rogers ‘63 Elaine Meiners Westrich ‘64 Gayle Mueller Rayles ‘65 Barbara Schultz Yockey ‘65 Anna Kramer Pocisk ‘67 Casey Conner Betz ‘69 Christine Conner Emerson ‘70 Irma Kramer Biddle ‘72 Lynn Bunning Mitrovich ‘74 Debbie Rauen Schemer ‘74 Connie Conner Griffin ‘75 Kathy Fagedes Rork ‘75 Joan Kohorst Van Dam ‘76 Linda Ertl Budde ‘77 Patti Conner Prickett ‘77 Lisa Mahon Fluegeman ‘78 Darla Michel Boone ‘79 Elaine Hendy James ‘79 Cathy Bunning Rittenhouse ‘80 Melissa Memering Miller ‘81 Jennifer Fagedes Garrity ‘82 Maureen Hennie Groll ‘82 Kathy Deal Gulasy ‘83 Julia Hasl Miller ‘84 Jennifer Cross Woelfel ‘84 Jill Siegmundt Caminiti ‘87 Christine Ninos Wills ‘87 Marla Bunning Gottesman ‘88 Mary Beth Martini Price ‘88 Kathryn Hasl Schwartz ‘88 Christina Grote Harrison ‘89 Carrie Hargreaves Abner ‘90 Wendy Lingg Cox ‘94 Karen Wurtz Peabody ‘94 Sara Grote Cook ‘96 Christy Lingg Thaler ‘97 Elizabeth Dehne Hartlaub ‘98 Maria Dehne ‘02 Anna Stegeman ‘09 Sarah Stegeman ‘12 former faculty: Ruth Hemme
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Reunions
Class of 2011
Many classes held reunions during the summer and fall of 2016, with the Class of 1986 and the Class of 2006 still looking forward to celebrations. Check out the Facebook pages for both!
Mercy is grateful for the generous donations made to the Circle of Mercy Scholarship Fund in honor of: Class of 1951 65th Reunion Class of 1956 60th Reunion Class of 1966 50th Reunion Class of 1976 40th Reunion
Class of 2001
It’s never too early to start planning the next party! Attention Classes of: 1942 – 1947 – 1952 – 1957 – 1962 –
Class of 1976
1967 – 1972 – 1977 – 1982 – 1987 – 1992 – 1997 – 2002 – 2007 – 2012! The year 2017 is a reunion year for you. Contact Lisa Mahon Fluegeman ’78, Alumnae Coordinator for assistance in planning a special event for your class
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Upcoming
Would you like to reach 12,000+ Mercy alums and friends who work, eat and shop in the area?
Events
Activities for alumnae, future bobcats and friends of Mother of Mercy: www.motherofmercy.org
Place Your Ad Here For More Information on Advertising Opportunities Contact Hap Durkin at 513-661-2740 ext. 313
Homecoming Saturday, January 7 Games at 3:00, 4:30 & 6:00 Root for the Bobcats as they take on McAuley in basketball. Stick around to welcome the Mercy Hall of Fame’s newest inductees!
Breakfast With Santa Saturday, December 3
Mother-Daughter Fashion Show
9:30 a.m.
Sunday, December 11
$10 for adults | $5 for children
Western Hills Country Club 11:30 social hour & shopping 12:30 brunch 1:30 fashion show
Breakfast, arts and crafts! Get a picture with Santa and celebrate the Christmas season. This event benefits the family of Cristina Carrero. Register at www.motherofmercy.org/santa
Register at www.motherofmercy.org/fashionshow
Christmas Concert December 16 & 17
Mercy Groovy Gala Save the Date Saturday, February 18, 2017 A night of far out, can you dig it, Saturday Night Fever FUN! More information at www.motherofmercy.org/gala
Super Split the Pot Get your chance to win big bucks with super split-the-pot!
7:30 p.m.
Drawing on May 1, 2017 $30 each or 2 for $50
Celebrate the sounds of the season with Mercy! Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Buy online at www.motherofmercy.org/splitthepot
Basketball Spirit Games Christmas on Campus Friday, December 9
Thursday, January 5
$5
Future Bobcats join the cheering section as Mercy’s basketball teams face St. Ursula. Games at 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30
The premiere social event for 8th grade girls!
More information at
6 – 11 p.m.
Register at www.motherofmercy.org/ christmasoncampus
www.motherofmercy.org/futurebobcatevents
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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CINCINNATI, OHIO PERMIT NO. 3896
Office of Institutional Advancement 3036 Werk Road Cincinnati, OH 45211
#MERCYFITS You’ve seen the billboards and other ads around Cincinnati showing how grade school girls will find their own perfect fit at Mercy. But that message is for alumnae, too! Whether you live near or far from the home we all call Mercy, find out how Mercy fits you now. @MMHBobcats1 Send your updated mailing and email addresses to alum@motherofmercy.org.
MMHBobcat
Mother of Mercy High School – Official