Mount Mercy Academy

88 Red Jacket Parkway

Buffalo, New York 14220

www.mtmercy.org

(716) 825-8796

Mercy Celebrates the New Academy of Science & Healthcare in Partnership with Catholic Health

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

MMA’s Science Week, held in March, marked the official kick-off to the Academy of Science & Healthcare in partnership with Catholic Health and Bishop-Timon St. Jude High School.

Behind the MaskOn Thursday, March 8th, Mercy Hospital and Catholic Health hosted “Behind the Mask” - a special event to celebrate the first year of the Academy of Science & Healthcare at Mount Mercy Academy and Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School. The entire Mercy community was able to learn more about this exciting partnership and the internship and mentoring programs available to students at Mount Mercy Academy and Bishop Timon. Representatives from Catholic Health joined school administration and faculty, as well as students currently participating in the Academy. Following the program, guests got a “Behind the Mask” tour of Mercy Hospital.

The Science FairMount Mercy Academy held a Science Fair on Wednesday, March 7th, sponsored by the University at Buffalo AIAA (American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics) Group. Mercy students worked with graduate students from UB on the Science Fair projects. UB AIAA supplied the students with the necessary supplies and equipment which will then be donated to the Academy.

SPR I NG 2012 I S SUE | A QUARTERLY NE WSLE T TER FOR MMA PARENTS & STUDENTS

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Ring Day page 7

Presenting the Class of

MUSIC NEWSpage five

EVENTS & HappeningsMay Spring Concert

Early Dismissal

Last Day of Classes for Seniors

SAT Exam

May Mass

AP Exams Start

Incoming Freshmen Orientation

Mother’s Day

Art Week

MMA Student Art Show

Junior/Senior Prom

National Debate Tournament

No School - Memorial Day

Baccalaureate Mass

Graduation

JuneEarly Dismissal

4th Quarter Honors Assembly

Last Day of Classes

Regents & School Exams Start

Father’s Day

End of the 4th Quarter

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MAY - JUNE 2012

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SPRING IS HERE WHICH MEANS THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IS NEAR .. .

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MMA and infoTech Niagara are proud to announce Joyce Fruth, MMA Director of IT, winner of the “Techie Award for Small to Medium Sized Companies” 2012 BETA Awards. We also congratulate the other nominees: Ryan DiMillo - Quinlan & Co., David Scibetta - Copier Fax

Business Technologies, Mike Sellitto - Diamante Business Solutions and Matthew Whelan - 360PSG

ACADEMIC NEWS

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Pictured here: Co-Salutatorian Isobel Johnston, Valedictorian Victoria Riso, Co-Salutatorian Janelle Lauciello, and Principal Margaret Staszak

The Class of 2012 was officially inducted into the Mount Mercy Academy Alumnae Association on April 17, 2012.

At their final assembly as Mercy students, the Seniors enjoy a slideshow of photos from their last four years.

We present to you... the Mount Mercy Academy Class of 2012!

It’s never an easy decision on where you want to spend the next four years of your life after graduating from high school.Many factors play in to a decision like what kind of academic programs do the colleges have? It is close to home? How are their athletics programs?

Mount Mercy Academy senior softball player Alison Benz factored in all those questions and when it was all said and done choose Gannon University to continue her education and softball career.

Gannon had everything Benz wanted. It has a solid softball program and a great academic program. She chose Gannon over 12 others schools.

“I applied to about 12 schools,” stated Benz. “But, I really like the school. And, I kept on going back there for pitching clinics.”

In a process that took a very long time, Benz is happy that it’s over and she can now just focus on this season, which as off press time the Magic are off to a 2-0 start.

“It has been a really long process trying to decide on a college,” stated Benz, after the school held a signing day for her and Kayla Larson. “I am glad I signed and hopefully this will enable me to reach all my potential and goals.”

Benz has been a sold player for Mount Mercy since her freshman year. But, last season was extra special as the Magic won the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association title.

The win put the spotlight on Benz and the team. And, be-cause of it, more college started to take notice of her accom-plishments.

“It (the title) definitely added to my profile as a pitcher and a player,” she said. “And, I am really proud of the team for coming that far.”

Another thing she is proud of is the way Mount Mercy has pre-pared her for the next chapter of her life.

Alison Benz Signs on to Play Softball at Gannon University

SPORTS NEWS

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Usually, freshman don’t step right in to a college program and start right away.

Don’t tell that to Mount Mercy Academy senior Kayla Larson, who is looking to make a name for herself next year when she moves on top play softball at Mercyhurst College.

“After seeing a couple of their games, I definitely think I can handle and step in and suc-ceed,” said Larson. “It’s not anything I can’t handle.”

Larson, along with fellow senior Alison Benz, who is be heading to Gannon next fall, recently signed her letter of intent at a ceremony held at Mount Mercy Academy earlier this week.

After a long process, Larson is glad she can now focus just on softball and not where she is headed to college.

“I started off by just showcas-ing in general, like at camps and different tournaments,” said Larson after she signed her letter. “One day after a tourna-ment, Mercyhurst contact me for a tour of the school and I fell in love with it and I talked to a

coach and everything kind of panned out from there.”

Besides falling in love with the school, Larson also noted the academics, especially the strong bio program the school has to offer.

“It was pretty much a combina-tion of both [academics and athletics], she said. “They have a really strong bio program and a really strong softball program and the fact that I could have the best of both worlds was the best.”

With winning the title last season, Larson said it put a lot of focus on the team, which then brought more colleges to watch and scout the players.

“It definitely drew people here,” she said. “Every time they see Mount Mercy Academy they [colleges] are going to say oh they were champions and they are going to follow us.”

Larson went on to say, however, that none of this would be pos-sible if it wasn’t for the people at Mount Mercy Academy.

Kayla Larson Looks to Step Right in at Mercyhurst

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

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Congratulations to the Mercy Music Department for their Spring achievements!MAGIC BELLES | FRESHMEN CHORUS | PURE MAGIC SHOW CHOIR | WOMEN’S CHORUS

The spring of 2012 has been a momentous one for the Mercy Music Department. In March, Mercy freshmen Shannon Blake, Gen DeWitt, Mary Russo, and Bethennie Tolbert sang a number of selections in the SSA Junior High South Chorus. They rehearsed with other Junior High students from many public and private schools throughout Erie County.

In April of 2012, our four Mercy music groups attended the Heritage Music Festival in Orlando, Florida. Freshmen Chorus, Women’s Chorus, Pure Magic Show Choir and the Magic Belles all received gold medals! Congratulations to Mr. Fred Kirisits and our talented students for their hard work and dedication to music at Mount Mercy Academy.

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

New Online Excuse FormMMA has a new, convenient Online Absence Excuse Form (click here to view). It allows parents to submit excuses to the attendance office by filling out a short online form. It can also be found on our website, www.mtmercy.org, under Quick Links.

ACADEMIC NEWS

The Junior/Senior Prom is Friday, May 18th at Brierwood Country Club. Post-Prom Party will also be held at Brierwood - featuring bowling, DJ and other fun stuff. It is a great opportunity for the prom give the girls the late night prom experience but keep them safe and at the same time!

How You Can Help... The Parents Guild will support this event by collecting items to raffle off that evening for the students. We are looking for college dorm items, gift cards (at least $10 in value), sports tickets, sweatshirts, tee shirts and other fun giveaways. Parents could also chip in to get a big item like a dorm fridge or microwave. Monetary donations are also welcome! Parents can drop these items at the MMA office. Thank you and let’s make sure our girls have a safe prom night to remember!

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Class of 2012

Meghan Fitzgerald

Alexandrea Lenk

Alexis Martin

Bryanna McKinnon

Class of 2013

Annie Barnes

Erin Bender

Marjorie Bishop

Erin Friedman

Emily Gangloff

Madeline Greene

Lee Haggerty

Jenna Kersten

Laura Pantano

Evania Santiano

Megan Sheehan

Marissa Stack

MMA Students Inducted into the National Honor Society Four of Mount Mercy Academy’s seniors

and twelve juniors were inducted into the National Honor Society on March 27, 2012. The ceremony was held in the Mercy Center Chapel and Michele Renzoni, MMA Class of 2004 was the speaker for the evening.

These students proudly recited the following membership pledge with their families and current NHS members present: I pledge myself to uphold the high purpose of the National Honor Society to which I have been selected; I will be true to the principles for which it stands; I will be loyal to my school; and will maintain and encourage high standards of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

The Tradition Continues... Mercy Girls Receive Their RingsON FEBRUARY 9, 2012, THE CLASS OF 2013 PROUDLY WORE THEIR MERCY RINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

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M M A P H OTO G A L L E R Y

Our MMA Photo Gallery is a fun place to look for friendly

MMA faces from the previous month! If you have photos to include on this page from an MMA event or school day, please email Chris Newman at cnewman@mtmercy.org.