Mother of Mercy High School
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Alumnae Magazine | Spring 2015
Centennial Feature: Part 3 of the History of Mercy
M essage from the P resident
Partners in Mercy It is a year of GREAT celebration – 2015! Mother of Mercy High School has officially begun her 100th year of serving young women. Only the very finest educational institutions reach their centennial milestone, and here Mercy is, standing among the very finest. Our success can be attributed to countless people and endless outcomes. Though the years continue to bring new faces, as well as new challenges, our core Mission to serve as a school sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy has never changed.
Mother of Mercy High School A Catholic 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 Excellence While steadfast in commitment to our founding mission and values, Mercy has also demonstrated a willingness to make changes in areas of critical impact. This mission-centered flexibility has enabled the school to still grow through some very significant challenges in recent years. As we usher in our new century, we stand proud of all our current strengths.
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The Class of 2019 (next school year’s new freshmen) represents another “gain” year for Mother of Mercy with 144 students already enrolled. Every year, more families throughout Cincinnati are coming to realize Mercy’s unique and valuable offerings, as well as our legacy of excellence. Starting this spring, our historic façade and front steps will be completely restored, thanks to the generous response from a number of vested supporters of Mercy. Collaborative efforts with McAuley High are bringing us new opportunities with an extended sisterhood among all of our students and greater access to professional development for our teachers. We continue to strengthen our partnership with MercyHealth as we seek to tap the greatest potential from our Mercy family identity and brand. And most importantly, our current students continue to exceed expectations in scholarships earned for college, matriculation rate to higher education, and overall excellence as women of character, courage and competency. One of the most exciting announcements we can make at this time is the fact our Vocal Ensemble students, along with their sister vocalists at McAuley High School, will be singing with Amy Grant in April when she performs for the MercyHealth Foundation’s gala. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young women and an experience they will surely never forget! Whether as schools, hospitals or pastoral care centers, we are all partners in Mercy, animated by the values of Catherine McAuley, which prioritize the individual improvement of each person. This is who we are – this is what we do. We move with the spirit of Mercy. To all of you who have been a part of our first one hundred years, thank you – and welcome to the future of Mother of Mercy High School. Be ready to BE INSPIRED!
Kirsten MacDougal President
Marching in Mercy Mercy and McAuley ladies make their voices heard. Walking to peacefully protest legalized abortion, 17 students from Mother of Mercy and McAuley High Schools joined hundreds of thousands of others in the annual March for Life. The students traveled to Washington, D.C. in January with a group from the St. Ignatius and St. John Neumann parishes. These students proudly joined a growing group of people willing to stand up and march for the sanctity of life and what they believe is right. This year’s theme was “Every Life is a Gift,” focusing on developing babies with a difficult prenatal diagnosis (such as Down Syndrome, Trisomy 13 or 18, Spina Bifida, etc.) and the cutting-edge research being done to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Pictured left to right: Back: McKayla Hackman, Amy Cline, Kayla Gay, Camille Flamm, Meghan Mays Front: Natalie St. George
Alive in Mercy In December, students from both McAuley and Mother of Mercy visited with several Sisters of Mercy, as part of the Cincinnati chapter of “Alive in Mercy” (AIM). This group helps young women become more familiar with the Sisters of Mercy and their ministries. They enjoyed refreshments and had fun getting to know each other! The students from Mercy were: Hannah Kemble ‘16 and Shelbie Weightman ‘16. The McAuley
students were Emma Geckle and Maya Hughes. The sisters who were present included: Sr. Ruth Boudot, Sr. Magdala Janz ‘44, Sr. Macrina Dorian, Sr. Carol Ann Holschuh ‘50, Sr. Carol Louise Inderhees ‘65, Sr. Clarice Stenger, Sr. Marian Oldiges, Sr. Donata Ovelgonne ‘46, Sr. Clyde Stiers ‘56, Sr. Brenda Brady ‘55, Sr. Marjorie Rudemiller ‘61, Sr. Judy Gradel and Sr. Mary Amadeus Richter ‘45.
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BLUE print Vol. 33, No. 1, Spring 2015
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 Charlie DeZarn MECC Vice President for Finance Dave Mueller MECC Vice President for Academics Karen White Principal Heather Wagner Associate Principal Mark DiStasi Vice President for Institutional Advancement 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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Ding dong the witch is dead! Dorothy and her friends celebrate after melting the Wicked Witch of the West in Mercy’s fall musical, The Wizard of Oz.
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In Their Language Between the constant Tweets and Pokes and Likes and Instagrams and Posts and Texts... we spend a lot of time and energy trying to get our students to put down their smartphones and iPads and actually get some work done. However, there are an increasing number of opportunities to forgo that daily battle and actually join them in an effort to do good work -- on social media. We’ve seen particularly this school year that Facebook and Twitter can be engines for great works of charity, charism and compassion. It can mobilize incredibly large groups of people to rally around a person, a cause or an effort in a way that is purposeful and in the spirit of our foundress Catherine McAuley, but is also a whole lot of fun. As summer heated up, many of us (and likely many of you!) were bombarded by videos on our Facebook feeds of people
dumping buckets of ice water over their heads. It was a viral sensation called the Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised awareness of the disease ALS, often called “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Often, after braving sometimes huge, sometimes tiny deluges of icy water, participants made a donation to help fund ALS research. After getting two requests, the Mercy faculty and staff lined up in the front circle and took the plunge. We made a donation to the John Paul II Medical Research Institute, an organization that researches possible cures for ALS with methods that are in keeping with Catholic teaching. A few months later, we traded buckets for basketballs and took the #LayupForLauren challenge. Lauren Hill is a Mount St. Joseph freshman who had been diagnosed with brain cancer and wished to play in just one college basketball game before her death. That game, against Hiram College in November, was moved to the Cintas Center at Xavier and sold out in just 30 minutes. It was called “Play for 22,” and Hill scored the opening bucket of the game. Hill created the Layup For Lauren challenge to raise awareness: participants spin around three times and shoot a layup with their non-dominant hand in order to simulate how the cancer affects her play. Again, Mercy joined the movement and took that challenge. Finally this Fall, we encouraged our students to take out their iPads (only during homeroom and lunches!) and vote for Mercy in the Celebrate My Drive social media contest, sponsored by State Farm. The contest raised awareness about distracted driving and safe driving
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practices for teens. Mercy landed in the Top 50 schools and earned a $25,000 grant! Ten percent of that check will be used on training students about distracted driving. The other portion will go towards safety and security updates for the school. A huge win for Mercy! What we have learned this year is that by sometimes embracing the newest tech and trends, we can do great work in the community and in the world. Not only that, we can relate to the students by meeting them where they are -- in their language.
Ellen Daniel Editor Director of Marketing & Communications daniel_e@motherofmercy.org
Let’s Connect ! Facebook: Become a fan of our official Alumnae Facebook page at facebook.com/MotherofMercyHighSchool. Twitter: Receive instant updates on awards, events, results and more. Follow @MMHBobcats1. Instagram: Follow the adventures of #FlatBobcat with occasional appearances by the real #MercyBobcat! Follow: @mmhbobcat YouTube: Check out Mother of Mercy’s YouTube channel for videos that tell the story of Mercy!
Stay Connected: Keep up with the latest news, events and programs at Mercy by making sure we have your current information. Simply visit motherofmercy.org/AlumnaeUpdate to change your contact information.
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Senior Success Senior Madeline Spetz was named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended Students place among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2014 competition by taking the 2012 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT). Spetz was also selected as the Honda-OSU Math Medal winner for the Class of 2015. The award recognizes the top senior mathematics student in each central and southwest Ohio high school.
Chosen as one of just 125 high school students in the country, senior Kristen Gandenberger was named to the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. She performed at halftime of the AllAmerican Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in January. During her all-expenses paid trip, Gandenberger was able to receive instruction from top collegiate, high school and drum and bugle corps instructors, and take part in sessions with members of the U.S. Army Field Band.
guard, under the direction of Mercy and LaSalle band teacher Brian Fischer. Army representatives came to Mother of Mercy to officially welcome Gandenberger to the All-American Bowl. In her acceptance speech at Mercy, Gandernberger thanked Fischer “for making LaSalle as exceptional a place to march as a girl like me can ever dream of. Even though I don’t like to admit it, he’s the reason for the family I have right now.”
Gandenberger is a member of The Pride of LaSalle Marching Band color
AP Scholars This school year, Mother of Mercy was notified that 11 graduates of the Class of 2014 and seven current seniors were named AP Scholars. The AP Program offers several AP Scholar Awards to recognize all high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. Receiving AP Scholar designation for scoring a 3 or higher on three or more AP exams were: Emily Budde ‘14, Sarah Doren ‘15, Sara Dressman ‘15, Delaney Greiner ‘15, Hannah Kern ‘14, Carolyn Kesterman ‘14, Kaitlyn Klusman ‘14, Catherine Kneip ‘14, Jessica Lienesch ‘14, Megan Ridder
‘14, Nadya Streicher ‘15 and Maria Vetter ‘15. The AP Scholar with Honor designation is awarded to those receiving an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams. Mercy’s AP Scholars with Honors are Danielle Diersing ‘15, Emma Hatch ‘14 and Rebecca Rhein ‘15. Mercy also had three graduates named AP Scholars with Distinction. Rachel Hautman ‘14, Abigail Rieger ‘14 and Ellen Steinmetz ‘14 each received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams and scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams.
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Student Achievements & Awards Yearbook Named One of Best in Country
The 2014 yearbook was inducted into the Walsworth Yearbook’s Gallery of Excellence. The Gallery of Excellence is a showcase of the best yearbooks published by Walsworth. Only a small percentage of the company’s yearbooks are selected for the Gallery each year. Mother of Mercy has now made the list three times, in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
Library Earns Learning Links Grant
The library earned a Learning Links grant this year to fund a STEM skills project -- a set of eight maker stations, where students can tinker and play and, most importantly, learn. At the stations, students can build robots, create items with duct tape, make origami and greeting cards, and learn to knit, all during their study halls, free bells, and before and after school.
Senior Part of District 14 Honor Band
Mother of Mercy senior Sara Dressman was accepted to the District 14 Honor Band. This is a group comprised of the best musicians in Hamilton and Clermont Counties. Sara plays the flute and is a member of the Pride of LaSalle Marching Band, under the direction of Brian Fischer. Five members of the band, including Sara, were selected for this prestigious group.
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Poetry Out Loud
Bathed in the “applause” of snaps, senior Brooke Benjamin was named Mercy’s Poetry Out Loud champion. She deftly recited two contrasting poems “Four Portraits of Fire” by Lorna Dee Cervantes, and “For the Young Who Want To” by Marge Piercy. Poetry Out Loud was started in 2006 by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation to encourage youth to learn about great poetry, to master public speaking skills and to build self-confidence. Brooke has qualified for the statewide competition in March. Winners at the state level will travel to Washington, D.C. for the National Finals in April.
Junior Accepted Into TAP MD Program
Junior Margo Waters is one of just 41 area high school students to be accepted into the prestigious medical training program, TAP MD. The program allows high school students to explore potential careers in healthcare through observation and hands-on activities. Students visit area healthcare facilities throughout the year to watch live procedures including surgeries and MRIs. They are even invited to try their hand at some minor tests and practice other procedures on dummies. Currently in its fifth year, TAP MD is a program designed to help exceptionally talented high school students “tap” into their potential to fulfill careers in medicine. More than 100 students have graduated from the annual program. Students must be strong academically (29 ACT and/or 1300 SAT), motivated, mature, dependable and have a positive attitude. The program has an ultimate goal that more than 50% of its students will pursue a career in medicine at the completion of the program.
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Artists Excel Scholastic Art Awards Mercy students made quite a showing at the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards this year. Two students received two Gold Key Portfolio awards, more than any other school in the Tri-State. Regional Gold Key Winners, Abby Schatzman ‘15 and Hannah Sheehan ‘15, will continue on in the national competition. Gold Key Winners: Emma Brueggemeyer ‘18, Leah Henkel ‘16, Michelle McCracken ‘15, Abby Schatzman ‘15, Hannah Sheehan ‘15
Works from the 2 Gold Key Portfolios Top: Abby Schatzman Bottom: Hannah Sheehan
Silver Key Winners: Ellen Baverman ‘16, Alyssa Coffaro ‘16, Emily Massengale ‘15, Michelle McCracken ‘15, Hannah Sheehan ‘15 (2)
Honorable Mentions: Erica Brewer ‘15, Lexie Carey ‘16, Katelyn Harrell ‘15, Leah Henkel ‘16, Abby Kallmeyer ‘16, Abby Schatzman ‘15, Hannah Sheehan ‘15 Harvest Home Art Fair Mother of Mercy’s art students rose to the top again this year at the Harvest Home Fair! Thirteen different students were recognized for their outstanding work. Several of those students earned ribbons, and one was even awarded Best in Show! Top prize in the General Category went to Emma Bruggemeyer ‘18. She won
Best in Show for her drawing! She also earned a first place ribbon for her work. Another first place ribbon went to Michaela Smith ‘15 for her series of photographs of a flower on lace. Hannah Bailey ‘15 earned a second place ribbon for her painting of a Venetian cityscape. Third place ribbons were awarded to 4 Mercy students: Hannah Muddiman ‘15, Hannah Bailey ‘15, Molly Grayson ‘16 and Mira Bauer ‘17. Library Teen Photo Awards Eight of Mercy’s artists were given awards in the Teen Photo Contest at The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Maria Abele ‘18 won Second Place in the 12 - 14 year-old category for her photograph of a Hocking Hills Bridge. Katelyn Harrell ‘15 won Third Place in the 15 - 18 year-old category for her photograph of Sea and Sky. Six Mercy students were awarded Honorable Mentions: Mada Ndome ‘18, Chelsea Bellman ‘18, Aleah Mersch ‘16, Michaela Smith ‘15, Hannah Sheehan ‘15 and Alyssa Cassidy ‘17. To view an online gallery of Mercy artwork please visit motherofmercy.org/ArtGallery.
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On Pointe Taking the Stage with the Cincinnati Ballet A Mercy freshman takes the stage with the Cincinnati Ballet. 14-year-old Amanda Janszen, from Our Lady of Visitation parish, recently performed in Alice (in Wonderland), her fourth ballet with the nationally-acclaimed company. Amanda is no stranger to the stage. She began dancing at the age of 3. She started, as most young girls do, in ballet,
jazz and tap with Head to Toe studio. By first grade, she had joined the competition dance team. However, eventually, she wanted to focus more on ballet. So in seventh grade, Amanda auditioned to be a part of the Cincinnati Ballet’s Otto M. Budig Academy, the area’s preeminent classical ballet training program. She was placed in Level 3 (of 7 levels) and has been promoted a level each
know what they’re talking about and do everything right.” Ballet is a passion for Amanda and something she hopes she can continue doing past high school. Even though college is four years away, she is working hard now to put herself in place to continue dancing. In addition to her rigorous class schedule, she hopes to
There is more school work to do now that I’m in high school, but the teachers at Mercy have been very helpful and encouraging along the way. year since. As a freshman in high school, she currently takes Level 5 classes. In her short time with the Cincinnati Ballet, Amanda has been in four productions -- the others The Nutcracker, Bolero, and Peter Pan. She has to audition for each production and attends rehearsals on top of her normal ballet classes. In Alice (in Wonderland), Amanda played a Gerber Daisy. Amanda says getting to dance on the stage with professional ballerinas was a thrill. “It makes me feel special, yet a little intimidated. They
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attend a summer intensive training program in Louisville this year. Juggling regular ballet classes, rehearsals for Alice (in Wonderland), and school work was a challenge for Amanda, but she says she is keeping up. “There is more school work to do now that I’m in high school, but the teachers at Mercy have been very helpful and encouraging along the way.” Amanda says they have been understanding of her firm commitments with the Cincinnati Ballet and have worked with her in completing her assignments. Amanda says her favorite part of the show was the Queen of Hearts character. The dancer is one of her former teachers, who Amanda says is very warm and friendly off-stage. Amanda says it was fun to see the dramatic difference to her character on-stage. When Amanda took the stage Febuary 13, she says her parents, Cathy and Jim Janszen, her younger brother, and her grandparents were all in the audience.
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Bobcats for a Bluer Planet - 40th Annual Walk Six miles from start to finish. Some ran. Others walked. A few lagged. But all students finished the 40th Annual Walk course to make good on the pledges they collected from family, friends and neighbors. Every year, Mercy students raise money to support the school’s scholarship fund. Then after Mass on Mercy Day, they grab some breakfast provided by Lenny’s Fruits & Vegetables and head outside to complete the Walk. The Walk weaved through Westwood and Cheviot. Many students made a pit stop at Cone Zone, owned by Mindy Perrino Sweeney ‘96, which opened early to offer $1 ice cream cones! A portion of the donations are given to a Mercy Global Action project, chosen by Student Council. This year’s Walk theme was “Bobcats for a Bluer Planet,” and five dollars per student was donated to the help the Sisters of Mercy advocate for clean and safe water for every-
one around the world. The Sisters of Mercy are working with the United Nations on this issue, with the conviction that clean water is a basic human right. This year, the seniors topped the charts for donations, bringing in an average of more than $74 per student. The freshmen followed in second place. The school as a whole raised an average of $61 per student. Principal Karen White made good on her promise to give the students an extra day off for reaching the school-wide goal. Special thanks to Chick-fil-A, Penn Station, Panera and Subway for their generous donations during Spirit Dinners. And thanks to our generous families, alumnae and friends of Mercy who supported our students during the event: Lenny’s Fruits & Vegetables, Cone Zone, Dunkin Donuts, Price Hill Chili, Arby’s, Frisch’s, Skyline Chili and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.
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BOBCATS IN ACTION Fall Sports Wrap Up
Athletic Signing
CROSS COUNTRY Alex Stevens ‘17 - GGCL 1st Team, Honorable Mention All Cincinnati Coaches Association, Enquirer Media Fall All Star Megan Zeinner ‘15 - GGCL 1st Team Maria Waters ‘15 - GGCL 2nd Team, Honorable Mention All Cincinnati Coaches Association, Enquirer Media Fall All Star Hannah Doll ‘17 - GGCL 2nd Team Rachel Leonhardt ‘15 - GGCL Honorable Mention Scott Ridder - GGCL Coach of the Year
Mother of Mercy’s Athletic Department congratulates Madison Johns ‘15 who has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue her volleyball career at Thomas More College! Madison is a Defensive Specialist and was critical to the Bobcats’ success this season. She will study Early Childhood Education at Thomas More.
GOLF Emily House ‘15 - GGCL 1st Team, 3rd Team All Cincinnati Coaches Association, Enquirer Media Fall All Star Rachel Hoferer ‘16 - GGCL 2nd Team Maria Vetter ‘15 - GGCL Honorable Mention SOCCER Emily Rickett ‘16 - GGCL 1st Team Morgan Miller ‘16 - GGCL 2nd Team Heather Runk ‘16 - GGCL 2nd Team TENNIS Samantha Smith ‘17 - GGCL Honorable Mention VOLLEYBALL Carly Schneider ‘16 - GGCL 1st Team, Enquirer Media Fall All Star, SWOVBCA First Team Olivia Hart ‘15 - GGCL 2nd Team, 2nd Team All Cincinnati Coaches Association, SWOVBCA Second Team, SWOVBCA Senior Academic Award Madison Johns ‘15 - GGCL Honorable Mention, SWOVBCA Senior Academic Award Sam Seger ‘16 - GGCL Honorable Mention Abby Connor ‘15 - SWOVBCA Senior Academic Award Erika Schmitt ‘15 - SWOVBCA Senior Academic Award Emma Bley ‘15 - SWOVBCA Senior Academic Award Team Award - SWOVBCA Team Academic Award
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MERCY
MOTHER of
BOBCAT BROADCASTING CLASS
Remember, you can catch all of Mother of Mercy’s home Basketball games live! Tune in for live streaming and commentating at www.motherofmercy.org/streaming.
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Coach Hits Milestone 250th Win This fall, Mother of Mercy’s head volleyball coach hit a major milestone. Denise Ortman Harvey ‘91, also the school’s Athletic Director, won her 250th volleyball match October 15 at the Bobcats’ playoff game verses McAuley (25-19, 20-25, 25-14, 25-16). This is Harvey’s 15th year as head coach, which means she’s averaged more than 16 wins every season. Before becoming the head coach in 1997, Harvey was the assistant for three years. Her overall record is 250 132 as Mercy’s head volleyball coach. “Coaching at Mercy all these years has been a wonderful experience. I understand that as a head coach, you get the official wins and losses, but Mercy has had so many wonderful players and coaches during my time here. I am so grateful for all the hard work many have put into the Mercy volleyball program,” Harvey said. Harvey and the Bobcats had a great Fall season, ending with a 16-9 record.
Additional Fall Sports Highlights The Mother of Mercy Bobcats finished a great Fall season! Their motto is, “Expect to win,” and many teams did that! CROSS COUNTRY Mercy’s Cross Country team won the Girls Greater Catholic League (GGCL) title for the second year in a row. Mercy placed third at the District meet, marking the sixth-straight season they qualified as a team for Regionals.
volleyball coaching ranks and I am proud to represent Mercy. I learn something new all the time from all our players and coaches. That is what makes it so much fun!” Harvey said.
The team won the Fall Classic Volleyball tournament, and they did it at home. The tournament was hosted at Mercy for the first time since 2007. They also finished 5-5 in the competitive Girls Greater Catholic League. The Bobcats finished the season as sectional runner-up. Harvey’s 250th win was her last of the season. “I think this might make me one of the most experienced members of the girls high school
Photo Courtesy The Western Hills Press
Coach Scott Ridder was named GGCL Cross Country Coach of the Year. This is the sixth time Ridder has earned this award in his 18 years as head coach. VOLLEYBALL Athletic Director and head volleyball coach Denise Harvey and the Bobcats had a great Fall season as well, ending with a 16-9 record. The team won the Fall Classic Volleyball tournament, and they did it at home. It is their first tournament win since 2007. The volleyball team also finished 5-5 in the competitive GGCL. The
Bobcats finished the season as Sectional runner-up. Harvey won her 250th win as head coach at Mother of Mercy this season. GOLF Mercy Varsity Golf qualified for Districts for the second year in a row! They finished 7th at Districts, which is a 5-place improvement from the year before. They also finished 3rd at the GGCL Golf Tournament. Senior Emily House was recently named Third Team all District.
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C ampus L ife Winter Sports Wrap Up BASKETBALL Emma Bley ‘15 - GGCL 1st Team, District 16 Coaches Association 2nd Team Sarah Leyendecker ‘17 - GGCL 2nd Team De’Jah Locke ‘15 - GGCL Honorable Mention BOWLING Mary Bowman ‘15 - GGCL Player of the Year, GGCL 1st Team Victoria Brackett ‘15 - GGCL 1st Team, State Qualifier Meghan Lanter ‘16 - GGCL 2nd Team
Upcoming Athletic Events Great Golf! Great Cause! Great Value!
Mercy Golf Outing August 14, 2015 Grand Oak Golf Club West Harrison, IN
SWIMMING Lauren Buse ‘17 - GGCL Honorable Mention Megan Buse ‘15 - GGCL Honorable Mention, State Qualifier Kara Heckmuller ‘18 - GGCL Honorable Mention Amanda Scola ‘16 - GGCL Honorable Mention GYMNASTICS Kiki Carle ‘18 - State Qualifier
Catch up with former teammates and coaches!
Athletic Reunions Reunion plans are in the works for
Additional Winter Sports Highlights BOWLING Mercy’s Bowling team had a great season! Senior Mary Bowman was even named GGCL Player of the Year! This is the third year in a row the GGCL has named one of Mercy’s bowlers Player of the Year! The team qualified for Districts, and senior Victoria Brackett qualified for State!
Cross Country Soccer Volleyball
SWIMMING Another great year for the Mercy Bobcat swim team. Senior Megan Buse made it back to the State meet this year in the 100m Breaststroke. In qualifying, she broke the school record with a time of 1:06.14!
Make sure your contact information is up-to-date at Mercy so you can receive details on these familyfriendly, fun reunions to be held in late summer! Details will be announced in the Alumnae eNews and on Mercy’s Social Media sites.
GYMNASTICS Did you know Mercy has a gymnast? Freshman Kiki Carle trained with Oak Hills but competed for Mercy. She qualified for State in the floor exercise!
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Hall of Fame Inductions Congratulations to two former Mercy athletes who were recently inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. Melissa (Missy) Harpenau ‘08 and Julie Bachman Nagel ‘88 join the group of athletes and coaches who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to Mother of Mercy athletics. Melissa Harpenau ‘08
Harpenau played volleyball for the Bobcats. She was an integral part of the 2007 state champion team! She holds several school records, including most kills in a season, a match and in a career. Her senior year, she was named Mizuno/Volleyball Magazine First Team All American, Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year and GGCL Player of the Year. She later played volleyball for the University of Cincinnati, where became just the sixth player in school history to record 1,000 kills (1285) and 1,000 digs (1414) in a career. Her team won three Big East titles, and she was named Big East Female Scholar Athlete of the Year twice. Harpenau was unable to attend the induction ceremony, but her father very proudly represented her. She is currently working in Sydney, Australia, where she is the office manager for Auscorp, a marketing and sales company.
Mother of Mercy, ring out your name! Yes, it is you, MMH, we proudly proclaim. Our alma mater, greatest and best; Glad to show it and we’ll let the whole world know it!
Loyal we stand and true
Julie Bachman Nagel ‘88
Nagel was a three-sport standout during her time at Mercy. She played softball, volleyball and basketball. While at Mercy, Nagel was named GGCL first team in both softball and volleyball, and she holds the school record for most hits in a season (volleyball). She later played volleyball at Walsh University, where she helped the team win the school’s first District title. She was inducted into the Walsh Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. Her family has a long history of athletic excellence at Mercy. Two of her sisters, Bev Bachman Rotundo ‘73 and Sue Bachman Nicholas ‘79, are already members of the Hall of Fame, and her daughter, Tricia Nagel ‘16, currently plays volleyball at Mercy. She is married to Andy Nagel, and they have three children. She has been teaching 1st grade at St. Jude for 14 years.
we’ll remain. We’ll raise our voices to shout our happy refrain! Our white and blue mean dare and do For Mother of Mercy High!
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C entennial F eature
Mother of Mercy Through the Years W
elcome to 2015, Mercy’s official 100th birthday! In this issue of BLUEprint, we look at the final piece of Mercy’s history, from 1965 to the present. Each part of this feature can be found on Mercy’s website, along with other Centennial news, at www.motherofmercy.org/Centennial.
PART 3: 1965 to Today Thanks to the population baby boom and the expansion of the suburbs, Mother of Mercy’s enrollment grew significantly in the early 60’s and maintained a high level throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, a full 70% of Mercy’s alumnae - which now numbers over 12,000 - graduated after 1965! That’s a lot of young women who have experienced the same assemblies in the gym, performances in the theatre, lunch in the cafeteria and the beauty of the light coming in the stained glass windows. The grade school academy was closed in 1969 and high school student enrollment was at its highest in the 1970s, with more than 900 students. The last two Sisters of Mercy to live on the campus relocated in 1985. In their honor, the theatre was dedicated as the Sr. Mary Carlos Theatre, and the front garden became the St. Joseph Garden. There were physical changes to the building, too. Many renovations took place, most notably the expansion of the gym and remodeling of the chapel and science labs in 1997. The Tech Wing, which houses state-of-the-art Mac and PC computer labs, the library and media center, and a graphic design and broadcasting studio, was completed in 2007. And something you can always count on, the look of the students changed quite a bit during this time period. In 1994, the uniform was changed from the navy blue jumper to today’s crested polo shirt and navy-and-white plaid skirt. There is one thing, however, that has remained true throughout Mercy’s rich history. Mercy was always focused on its mission of educating young women and providing them a firm foundation in the Mercy values, so that they would become true women of Mercy.
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C entennial F eature
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Filling a Need Two Mother of Mercy seniors made it their mission to put presents under the tree for Tri-State kids in need this Christmas. As part of their senior capstone service project, Katie Koch and Erika Schmitt collected toys to donate to St. Joseph Orphanage in the weeks leading up to the holiday; the weekend before Christmas, the two students loaded up a truck and dropped off 550 items at the Monfort Heights facility.
spectators at a December basketball game in return for a toy donation.
“We chose this orphanage because St. Joseph serves 1,300 kids, and the thought of the kids at St. Joseph waking up on Christmas without any gifts to open really bothered us,” said Koch. “We wanted to change that and to make the holiday season a wonderful and fun experience for all the kids.” Collecting toys for St. Joseph has been a long-standing tradition at Mother of Mercy. However, the students who had been integral in organizing it the last few years graduated, and it was in danger of not happening this year. Koch and Schmitt stepped in to fill the void. “Their actions were a direct reflection of our foundress Catherine McAuley, who devoted her life to identifying and fulfilling the needs of the community that were not being met,” said Service-Learning Coordinator Megan Kruse Knapke ‘06. Koch and Schmitt say there was an overwhelming response from Mercy students, parents, faculty and staff. The Mercy community got behind their efforts to make Christmas a little better for local children. The Athletic Department played a large role, too, by donating a portion of its profits from a sidewalk sale in its spirit shop, and offering free admission to
“We would never have achieved that amount without the help of our peers and teachers,” Schmitt said. “The staff at St. Joseph was unbelievably grateful for the donation that the Mercy community helped us make.” The senior capstone project at Mercy is a way to encourage students to get beyond the walls of Mother of Mercy and complete a project that meets a genuine community need. Each senior is responsible for conceiving, implementing and following through on a major service project before she graduates. “Other than providing a few suggestions and directions, I provided very little assistance to them in completing the project,” Knapke said. “Erika and Katie really took ownership and demonstrated strong leadership skills. I am extremely proud of both of them and the outcome of their project.”
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Community Service Update Service comes second nature to the students at Mother of Mercy. Here’s a look at organizations Bobcats have been helping out throughout the school year.
Prepare Affair
Westwood Town Hall Clean Up
Dozens of Mercy students volunteered at the annual Prepare Affair event hosted by People Working Cooperatively. Students joined 3,000 volunteers to help elderly homeowners prepare their homes for winter. This is one of the largest one-day events in the tri-state.
More than 30 students from Mercy and Dater High Schools spent a beautiful Saturday morning cleaning up the grounds around Westwood Town Hall. The students helped place mulch around the gardens, trees and shrubs. They also helped rake leaves, picked up sticks and garbage, and weeded that area. One group worked to scale back and replant the two gardens around the sign by the library across the street.
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries Thousands of canned goods were collected for Mercy Neighborhood Ministries during Mercy’s Thanksgiving Canned Good Collection. The two-week food drive challenged classes, sports teams and extracurricular clubs to collect as many non-perishable food items as possible. This year, there was an extra incentive to bring in items. Students were given a #FlatFrancis and were rewarded extra prizes if caught by the “pope-arazzi.” For the third year in a row, Mercy alumnae also took part in the challenge by dropping off their donations on a Saturday morning.
St. Boniface Bobcat Buddies
Holy Family Food Pantry Mercy Works spends the entire school year doing a variety of service activities and helping the community. One particular event is baking cookies for The Holy Family Food Pantry. To help with the efforts, Mercy Works enlists the help of Future Bobcats at Christmas on Campus to bake and package the cookies for the food pantry.
Once again this year, members of the freshmen class have been building relationships with their little buddies at St. Boniface. So far this year, they have seen each other three times. In December, the freshmen hosted their buddies here at Mercy. They read Christmas stories, made ornaments, decorated cookies, and drank hot chocolate. St. Nick even stopped by and left some presents for the buddies! The freshmen are currently working on putting together booths for a science carnival for the last visit at Mercy in May.
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Celebrating 100 Years Mother of Mercy’s Centennial year is here, 2015. We are very blessed to have a long standing tradition of academic excellence that has made Mercy the vibrant academic institution it is today. We are equally as fortunate to have the tremendous support of our donors who help us build upon that tradition into the next 100 years. Throughout this issue of BLUEPrint, as well as on www.motherofmercy.org and social media, we’ll continue to keep you informed of the events we have coming up celebrating Mercy’s Centennial. We hope that you can join us on September 19 for our birthday celebration. Bishop Joseph R. Binzer will be the celebrant of the Mass, followed by many fun-filled activities. On September 24, Mercy Day, Mayor John Cranley will make a proclamation in honor of Mercy’s 100 years. Stay tuned for more information on these and other Centennial events. Thank you to Carol Duffy Pieper ’80, Lisa Raterman ‘85 and all the class agents and alumnae volunteers with all their planning and managing of the Centennial year.
Celebrate
with style!
Mercy’s 100th Birthday
Thanks to the support of many donors, over the next several months, we are restoring the façade of the main school building. The iconic entry to this magnificent school building will be brought back to its original grandeur, and construction will reinforce its structural integrity. I invite you stop by and see the progress. The Mercy Fund is a significant component of our annual giving program at Mother of Mercy High School. The funds go directly to supporting our operating budget. If you have not already made your gift, please consider supporting the Mercy Fund this year. In this issue is an envelope for your convenience. We are most grateful for all that you do for Mother of Mercy.
Mark C. DiStasi, MSOL Vice President for Advancement
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Join us Saturday, September 19, 2015 for a birthday bash befitting Mercy’s long-standing tradition of excellence
advancement
MERCYBALL Mother of Mercy’s annual gala fundraiser, MERCYBALL, was a huge success! It was certainly a night of glitz, glamour and giving! This year’s event honored the school’s rich, 100-year history and paid tribute to all the men and women of Mercy who have made, and continue to make, the school extraordinary. Guests were dressed to the nines, men in “blue tie” optional. They were greeted by Mercy students, serenaded by the Vocal Ensemble, then ushered into the gym -- where the main event took place. The gym was barely recognizable. A dramatic transformation from a wooden court and bleachers to an elegant ballroom. The ceiling was draped in white fabric, and glittering balls hung from the ceiling. The centerpiece of the decor was a giant birthday cake float, celebrating Mercy’s 100th birthday! Even more impressive was the real cake, created by Cheryl Tenholder Harper ‘81, as it was wheeled in amidst confetti and balloons. Then Skip Meyer Huhn ‘58 was crowned Queen of the Ball, representing all alumnae. This year’s honorees were the Men and Women of Mercy who have supported the school -- in the past, present and future. President Kirsten MacDougal welcomed all the guests then turned it over to centennial co-chairs Lisa Raterman ‘85 and Carol Duffy Pieper ‘80, who talked about all the exciting events still to come this year. Guests were treated to a video portraying the incredible history of Mother of Mercy.
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Guests took in the party atmosphere while they bid on silent auction items and purchased jewelry raffle and split-the-pot tickets. When everyone sat down for dinner, they were treated to an exquisite meal -- chicken and prime rib -- by Montgomery Inn. Then students made a special delivery -- Esther Price Candies -- to each table. Setting the scene were the incredible sounds of the University of Cincinnati Jazz Band, directed by Dr. Terren Frenz. The Sapphire Girls, joined by several students from St. Xavier, kicked off the live auction. Their performance was a birthday bash, another nod to Mercy’s big year. Some Junior Sapphire Girls joined in the fun, representing Mercy’s future and the promise of its next 100 years. Sapphire Girl alums jumped in as well. Then Julie Leis Raleigh ‘82, Mercy FUNdraiser, and her husband, Steve Raleigh, emcee for the evening and Chief Meteorologist for WCPO Channel 9, took the spotlight. This live auction was more than just a bidding war, it was entertainment! Mercy students dressed the part to get the crowd excited about each auction package. Mother of Mercy thanks everyone who attended this year’s gala and is grateful to all the sponsors, volunteers, businesses and guests who made MERCYBALL a huge success!
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A lumnae L ife Mary Patricia Brankamp Steimle, ‘63 and husband Ken, celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary on December 12, 2014. Mary Pat and Ken are the parents of three children, Christine Steimle Eichhold (husband Brian) and granddaughter, Lindsay, a Mercy freshman, Keith and Marie (Ayson) Steimle and Terrence (Terry) & Christy (Walters) Steimle. Oldest son, Keith retired from the US Navy in November and Mary Pat and Ken were fortunate to travel to Maryland for the ceremony. Colleen Conners Yunker ’76 works for Patheon Pharmaceuticals and is always very busy! She has “raised three kids and am now raising my two grandchildren. My wonderful husband and I are trying to make the best of it by running them to soccer, basketball, Girl Scouts as well as teaching them to ski and snow board. Never a dull moment!” Jennifer Mayer Hall ’94 received her masters degree in executive leadership and organizational change and is the Associate Dean at Cincinnati State Community College. Sara Stark Keegan ‘98 married Shaun Keegan on December 21, 2013. “We purchased a new home in Oakley in August 2014 and welcomed our first child on October 18, 2014 - Victoria Ferguson Keegan “Fergie”, 7 pounds 8 ounces, 19 inches long.” Jennifer Koch Bross ’01 is Director of Marketing for a real estate law firm in Chicago, and husband David is Assistant Vice President Trust Advisor for PNC Bank in downtown
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Cincinnati. They married June 8, 2013 and reside on the east side of Cincinnati. Jen and David welcomed their twins on January 8, 2015: Violet Lynn was born at 2:05 p.m. weighing 5lbs-6oz measuring 19.75”; Logan Joseph followed 2 minutes later, weighing 6lbs-9oz measuring 20”.
Shannon McKenna Williams ’01 writes “This year has been an exciting and wonderful year! First, I was accepted into Student Leadership Academy at Ivy Tech Community College (where I am pursing my Bachelors degree in Communication) and then I married my best friend, Chris Williams. I have a wonderful daughter who is now in middle school and is already planning on attending Purdue to be a veterinary assistant. I couldn’t be more proud! I also have a 4-year-old step son, an awesome little guy who has changed my world. We now have a farm with goats and mini pony and have a wonderful life.”
Katie Harvey Ress ’03 became a medical assistant in 2006, then started nursing school in 2010. She graduated with an associate degree in June 2012 and passed the state boards in August 2012. Katie got engaged to Mike Ress (Taylor High School) in 2012 and bought her first house in 2013. She and Mike got married on October 4, 2014, then enjoyed a honeymoon to St. Lucia. Samantha Dick Folkert ’05 married Stephen Folkert (Elder class of 2006) in 2011 at St. Martin of Tours church. Samantha and Stephen now have three gorgeous kids - Brayden James, age 8, Jordan Michael, age 4, and Kennedy Nicole, age 22 months.
Elizabeth Riesser ’05 shares “Praised be Jesus Christ! I am a newly Professed Religious Sister with the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus (D.C.J.), having made my First Profession of Vows on July 2, 2014! I am very much at peace and so joyful in this vocation! Thank you to all for prayers! It has
A lumnae L ife been a long journey since Mercy to get to this day, and I could not have done it without God’s grace and all the prayers. Thank you! In religious life I am known as “Sr. Mary Elizabeth of the Divine Heart of Mercy, D.C.J.”
ers from the Circle of Mercy, including Ali Chaney ’06 (bridesmaid), Jeni Gettler Prosser ’04 (photographer, who snuck off with Shannon to snap photos at Mercy), and Maria Acito Schiering ‘06, (hair and makeup stylist), among others in attendance. Shannon and George now live in George’s hometown of Canton, OH; George is a dental resident at Mercy Hospital and Shannon is an intern at the Sisters of Charity Foundation.
Stay in Touch!
Diana Merz Stock ’05 and husband Matthew added daughter Tenley to the family in August 2014, joining big brother Cole.
Mother of Mercy has over 12,000 graduates and we want to stay connected with each and every one of you! Make sure your contact information is up-todate and let us know what you’ve been up to - whether you graduated 5 years
ago, 25 years ago or more! You can update your mailing address, email address, married name and share what’s been going on in your life by visiting motherofmercy.org/alumnaeupdate.
The Circle of Mercy Award The Alumnae Circle of Mercy Award is presented annually to a Mother of Mercy alumna who best reflects the Mercy values of faith, compassion, service, leadership and excellence.
Shannon McMahon Williams ‘06 has quite a lot to report! She graduated in May 2014 with her Masters in English literature from Ohio University and recently submitted her article about early 20th century feminist periodicals for publication in an academic journal. Three weeks after graduation, she married the love of her life, George Williams (who just graduated from dental school) in Westwood. The day would not have been possible without several oth-
Nominations are now being accepted for an alumna who meets one or more of the following criteria: • Notable achievement in her profession or career • Exceptional support of church or parish activities • Personal achievement in the arts, sports or public service • Volunteerism to one or more activities on a continuing basis
To nominate an alumna today or to download a nomination form, please visit www.motherofmercy.org/CircleAward. *** Deadline: April 3, 2015 *** SPRING 2015
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50th Reunion Update
A Message from the Class of 1964 Reunion Committee The Class of 1964 celebrated its 50th reunion at the Western Hills Country Club on September 20, 2014 with a total of 110 people participating, including 89 classmates and 21 guests. Enhancing the enjoyment of that evening was the short vocal recital by approximately 15 young women who are current members of the Vocal Ensemble program at Mercy High. The next day a small group also attended mass at St. Martin’s Church together followed by a tour of the school. This class submitted a donation of $3,353.95 to the school, composed of $773.95 collected as part of the reunion dinner registration process and the rest in extra donations from alums who made checks payable directly to MMHS with the understanding that those funds were to be part of the Class of 1964’s donation to the school. The Reunion Committee wishes to thank the members of the Alumnae Office at Mercy for all their assistance and the classmates who attended the dinner reception for making this a very successful event and for their generosity to our alma mater.
We profess our common faith and our hope of eternal resurrection for those who have passed through death to new life. (Mercy has been notified of these deaths through February 15, 2015) Alumnae:
Lois Heilmann Peter ‘54
Elizabeth Muth Chaney ‘49
Son of:
Mary Decker Franz ‘33
Jacqueline Walter Wagner ‘55
Louise Hoerst Altenau ‘50
Virginia Harris Gerhardt ‘48
L. Grace Rack ‘41
Donna Kurtz Behne ‘56
Arlene Grosardt Frey ‘50
Denise Hasenohr Sierra ‘72
Ruth Brandstetter Richey ‘41
Patricia Bertke Osfeld ‘57
Lorain Schmutte Kelly ‘52
Sr. Mary Remi Stoeser RSM ‘41
Judi Heidorn Gubser ‘58
Joan Loebker Mann ‘54
Mother of:
Rita Ratterman Lindhorst ‘42
Barbara Miller Hohman ‘58
Carol Ann Erras Feeley ‘55
Jeannine Grannen Carmichael ‘53
Marian Neuhaus Morelan ‘42
Linda Meyer Acton ‘59
Shirley Westerman Ruter ‘55
Kathleen Grannen Glaser ‘55
June Bezenah Baker ‘43
Joan Bucher Harnishfeger ‘59
Nancy Steinwert Horn-Spillane ‘56
Gloria DiToro Betsch ‘58
Marjorie Allingham Bastian ‘46
Marylyn Torbeck Middendorf ‘59
Jeanne Murnan Roetting ‘56
Mary Jo Neiheisel Riegel ‘59
Virginia Gleason Schottelkotte ‘47
Margaret Ruthmeyer Roe ‘60
Mary Jane Bietenduvel Hauck ‘57
Barbara Bouck Kiefer ‘60
Ritamary Krabacher Frybarger ‘48
Joanne Klosterman Becker ‘61
Peggy Buttelwerth Klingensmith ‘57
Betty Gene Neiheisel Porotsky ‘60
Janet Koch Heil ‘48
Maureen Rohe Bode ‘64
Sally Carmosino Rasso ‘58
Dolly DiToro Rosfelder ‘61
Jean Reiner Kenning ‘48
Alice Krummen ‘67
Diane Hofmann Blazer ‘59
Joyce Summe Warner ‘61
Rose Hellmann Littner ‘48
Lauren McDonough Renneker ‘67
Marylyn Torbeck Middendorf ‘59
Jan Fischer Fischer ‘62
Sr. Ruth Nastold RSM ‘48
Ruth Ann Berkemeyer Stone ‘71
Jan Fischer Fischer ‘62
Nancy Eveslage Radcliffe ‘63
Barbara Butscha Kock ‘64
Joyce Bouck Scheper ‘63
Marian Honnert Elsen ‘49 Carolyn Toerner Roell ‘49
Husband of:
Donna Brown Benton ‘67
Earlene Ferneding Retford ‘64
Joan Tuccinardi Haneberg ‘50
Phyllis Shofner Howell ‘44
Mary Beth Cummings Borcherding ‘69
Mary Ann Vogel Wilson ‘64
Janice Guilfoyle ‘51
Carol Meyer Stautberg ‘46
Rosemary Dalton Guethlein ‘73
Geri Franz Amrhein-Boniface ‘65
Mary Ann Davis Lambing ‘51
Marian Lauch Roedersheimer ‘47
Jane Brueggemeyer Houser ‘73
Judy Hetzer Filhaber ‘65
Rita Schlueter Schrenk ‘51
Elsie Owen Toerner ‘47
Anne Marie Childers Fisherback ‘82
Antoinette Pasternak Long ‘65
Helen Fisher Maguire ‘52
Laverne Nieman Boeing ‘48
Ruth Hoffrogge Fohl ‘53
Martha Miller Eicher ‘49
Daughter Of:
Suzanne Pasternak Pagano ‘67
Marianne Simon Haffey ‘54
Leslie Buerkel Knapp ‘49
Dorothy Keilholz Berkemeyer ‘47
Beverly Bouck Coates ‘68
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Donna McKinney Rapp ‘65
S piritual L ife
Susan Kuhlman Niehaus ‘68
Karen Massa ‘78
Joyce Menninger Schafer ‘64
Elise Thieken Mills ‘78
Barbara McKinney McDonald ‘69
Marcia Braun Schwettmann ‘78
Janet Shappelle Baroni ‘67
Mary Beth Godar Ryan ‘78
Bonita Kenning Ziegler ‘69
Jackie Pasternak Bensing ‘80
Barb Menninger Graf ‘67
Diane Menninger Abel ‘79
Sandra Barlage Wallace ‘70
Mary Jo Kuhlman Lewnard ‘80
Diane Rais Keith ‘67
Sue Droege ‘79
Marcia Bantel ‘71
Lisa Middendorf Woodall ‘80
Lynda Droege Noel ‘69
Beth Brockmeyer Haught ‘79
Carol Anderson Jordan ‘71
Connie Wolfram Olthaus ‘81
Nancy Stautberg Cook ‘70
Ann Honnert Farney ‘79
Jo Ann Heimlich Becker ‘72
Virginia Littner Schmidt ‘81
Mary Carol Menninger Gennett ‘70
Kathy Sunderman Kirschner ‘79
Peggy Gravina Reed ‘72
Trina Anderson Niemer ‘82
Martha Rauen Hardin ‘71
Diane Jansen Young ‘79
Penny Mangold Herr ‘73
Clare Muenchen Koch ‘83
Barbara Meyer Sanchez ‘71
Lisa Middendorf Woodall ‘80
Debbie Kenning ‘73
Barbara Littner David ‘83
Diane Schirmann ‘71
Theresa Moning Beresford ‘81
Gloria Massa Laneve ‘73
Christi Mangold Norton ‘84
Susan Shaffer Luebbe ‘72
Judi Sunderman Maly ‘81
Rae Jean Mersch Ense ‘74
Kim Westerkamp ‘84
Mary Ann Jansen O’Hara ‘72
Cherie Muenchen Ritzie ‘81
Vicki Muenchen Kroger ‘74
Tracy Westerkamp Claiborne ‘85
Vicki Schock Winterhalter ‘72
Monica Roell Burger ‘82
Sharon Barlage Quinn ‘74
Amy Lohmiller Aker ‘87
Mary Lou Harnist Friesinger ‘73
Mary Frank Crossen ‘82
Claudia Krekeler Adelhardt ‘75
Diane Muenchen ‘87
Karen Droege Harrison ‘73
Rita Blazer Gattermeyer ‘82
Mary Jo Littner Beyer ‘75
Patricia Lohmiller Pickens ‘88
Janet Droege Isaack ‘74
Jill Kettner Laine ‘82
Cheryl Mangold Cavendish ‘75
Mary Jo Peter Hericks ‘91
Gloria Massa Laneve ‘73
Carol Harnist Ludwig ‘82
Kathy Muenchen Kraus ‘75
Amy Wolfram Slaszyk ‘91
Pamela Dase Brooks ‘74
Susan Moning ‘82
Kathleen Littner ‘76
Cher Lohmiller Woycke ‘92
Gloria Tebelman Horstman ‘74
Lesa Postel ‘83
Peggy Kuhlman Ruwe ‘76
Debbie Peter Reinhold ‘93
Martha Roedersheimer Kroger ‘74
Jennifer Brockmeyer Young ‘83
Patty Elsen Whalen ‘76
Lisa Niehoff Cicirelli ‘96
Donna Lane Muthert ‘74
Maria Rasso Arcuri ‘84
Debra Wolfram Wieland ‘76
Christina Bast ‘00
Kathy Lane Hartey ‘76
Dianne Moning Otten ‘84
Tina Brockmeyer Bernheimer ‘77
Debbie Muenchen Saho ‘84
Patty Gravina Carter ‘77 Kathy Elsen ‘77
Father of:
Debbie Droege Hellferich ‘77
Donna Blazer Groene ‘85
Lori Mecklenborg Kelley ‘77
Sherry Stahley Dietz ‘61
Mary Roedersheimer Reddington ‘77
Michelle Postel Stedam ‘85
Melissa Mangold ‘77
Mary Sue Doepker McKenna ‘61
Peggy Herdeman Decker ‘78
Margie Keller Castelli ‘86
Suzanne Barlage Martin ‘77
Charlene Stahley Carter ‘62
Karen Kelly Freudemann ‘78
Barbara Blazer Logan ‘88
Gayle Littner Piron ‘77
Sr. Cheryl Erb RSM ‘63
Karen Massa ‘78
Michele Keller Rizzo ‘88
Prayer Requests
Kathleen Kelly Walker ‘88 Katie Moning Ballinger ‘89 Francine Rasso Gunning ‘89
Our Mother of Mercy High School community is happy to keep you in
Brenda Blazer Witten ‘97
our prayers. We are pleased to list your prayer requests and/or special
Angela Guethlein ‘01
intentions in the petition book located in the Chapel as well as online and
Maureen Guethlein ‘01
will remember them at our school prayer services and liturgies.
Nikki Guethlein ‘04 Alison Houser ‘06 Ellen Groneman ‘09
Please contact: Lisa Mahon Fluegeman ’78 at 513.661.2740 ext. 304 or email fluegeman_l@motherofmercy.org mail to: Mother of Mercy High School
Former Faculty: Larry Borcherding Jim Littenhoff
Prayer Request, 3036 Werk Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio, 45211 Or submit your request online at www.motherofmercy.org/PrayerRequest
“If we are humble and sincere, God will finish in us the work He has begun. He never refuses His grace to those who ask it.”
Catherine McAuley, Sisters of Mercy foundress
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Upcoming Events
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Freshmen and Sophomore Drama Students present
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Friday, April 17
Seventh graders are invited to enjoy an ice cream social and movie with other Future Bobcats. Learn everything Mercy has in store for you during your eighth grade year and be entered to win a giveaway! RSVP online at motherofmercy.org/SpringIntoMercy.
Two high school students -- the captain of the basketball team and a shy, academic transfer -- form an unlikely friendship and try out for leads in the school musical.
April 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. Sr. Mary Carlos Theatre
Spring Concert
May 15 & 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Mercy Art Exhibit May 3, 2015 1 - 4 p.m. Please use the Epworth Entrances
Join Mercy’s Freshman Chorus, Upperclasswomen Chorus, Vocal Ensemble and Handbell Choir for an evening of Broadway songs. Performances will be held in the Sr. Mary Carlos Theatre. Tickets are $6 and will be on sale in Mercy’s Main Office the week of May 11.
Contact 513-661-2740 for more details.
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Upcoming Reunions Class of 1955 - Our “regular” lunch will be on Friday, April 17 at 12:30 at Perkin’s on Hamilton Avenue and Ronald Reagan Highway. In addition, please mark your calendars for Sunday, July 12, 2015 for a 60th reunion celebration at Clovernook Country Club. Contact Zita Klett Jeanmougin via email at pjeanmougin@cinci.rr.com for more information.
Class of 1975 is beginning to plan for a 40th Reunion. Contact Teri Weisbach Schibi at aunttea75@zoomtown.com if you would like to help!
Class of 1956 has scheduled their meetings for the year: March 25 – June 24 – September 23 – December 16 at Nick and Tom’s at 6:30 p.m. Contact Jan Gibson Mathews at jan.mathews@fuse.net or (513) 481-0468 for more information.
Class of 2010 is beginning to plan for a 5-year reunion. Contact Elizabeth Mahon at mahoneh@mail.uc.edu if you would like to help and/or have suggestions.
Class of 1965 - Look for more information soon about 50th reunion in September 2015 at the Western Hills Country Club! Contact Mary Lou Voellmecke Fette at (513) 923-1163 or leelou@fuse.net for more information. In addition, classmates will have their regular dinner on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at LaRosa’s. Contact Peggy Kleimeyer Tonnis at (513) 923-4256 for more information.
Class of 1985 is beginning to plan for a 30th Reunion. Look for more details soon and contact Sandi OrtmanTomlin at sorttom@yahoo.com for more information.
Along with Mercy’s 100th birthday, 2015 is a reunion year for the Class of 1935 – 1940 -- 1945 – 1950 – 1955 – 1960 – 1965 – 1970 – 1975 – 1980 – 1985 – 1990 – 1995 – 2000 – 2005 – 2010! Be part of the centennial celebration and throw a party! Contact Lisa Mahon Fluegeman ’78, Alumnae Coordinator for assistance in planning a special event for your class.
Class of 1967 is beginning to plan for their 50th Reunion. There will be a spring dinner meeting at the Meadows – more details to come. Contact Joyce Doogan Weinewuth by email jweinewuth31@yahoo.com for more information.
A society honoring alumnae graduated more than 50 years, cordially invites the classes of 1919 - 1964 to attend a celebration luncheon on
Saturday, May 2, 2015 Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Sr. Mary Carlos Theatre. Brunch will be served at noon in Mercy’s cafeteria followed by a performance by Mercy’s Vocal Ensemble. Please RSVP to Mercy's Alumnae Office at 513-661-2740 ext. 304 or e-mail alum@motherofmercy.org. Visit www.motherofmercy.org/GoldenGuild for more details.
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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
Registration is now open for 2015 Summer Camps! For campers ages 3 - 15 for the 2015 - 2016 school year.
Mercy offers a variety of summer camps for grade school boys and girls. With athletic, academic and extracurricular camps to choose from, your children will be sure to find at least one camp that meets their interests! Stop by Mercy’s Main Office or download registration forms at www.motherofmercy.org/SummerCamps.
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