March 2015

As the situation with Archdiocesan handbook policies continues to draw attention, I wanted to reassure all of our Mercy community about the relevance this has on our school. There will not be any changes to our handbooks or contracts. Mercy is owned and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, West Midwest Community. As a Catholic school, we foster and form our Catholic identity within the context of the charism of the Sisters. This charism, unique to the education of young women, fosters open minded intellectual inquiry within the context of compassion, hospitality and academic excellence.

We pray for the Archdiocesan schools and the archbishop that they may, within the next few months, negotiate a positive and collaborative solution to this situation.

Our hope is that, no matter which school a person chooses to attend, that they will choose one of our excellent Catholic schools, including Mercy, San Francisco. May these individuals be welcomed into a community of faith which fosters acceptance, tolerance and kindness.

Sincerely,

Dorothy J. McCrea, Ed.D.
Principal, Mercy High School

3250 Nineteenth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94132

In This Issue

Alumnae

Announcements

School News

Upcoming Events

Alumnae

FAIRY TALES CAN COME TRUE

Victoria Saitz '14 has published her first novel A Fairytale. In the book, two boys' lives are changed forever after a chance visit to a fortune teller sends them tumbling into a world where fairytales are reality. They soon find the land has been taken over by an evil queen and must face tax collectors, witches, pirates, and mermaids as they follow their new friends on a quest to take back the land and bring back all the happy endings. A Fairytale is available at Florey's Book Co. in Pacifica and online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is geared for teens to adult.

MERCY GRAD JOINS A PRESTIGIOUS CATERING COMPANY

After graduating from Mercy High School, Kristina Wong '07 went on to San Jose State University for a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management degree.This February, 2015, after having gained experience in retail, food and events, Kristina was hired as a catering sales assistant at CuisineStyle by Pamela Keith in Burlingame, a company doing high-end catering and events. Among the company's client list are Apple, Google, Facebook, eBay, Oracle, and Stanford University.

We are happy to learn of her success, no doubt a result of her determination, passion and drive.

MERCY GRAD LANDS ON A MAGAZINE COVER

Revel Wolf (formerly known as Denise Garcia '85), co-founder of Revel Wolf Collective, creates work environments that are wholly unique to one's culture. Each space is transformed into an area where people feel inspired to stay longer and work harder. Her design made the front page of Seattle Met Magazine's March issue. Click here to read more about her company.

WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE EMPOWERS OUR STUDENTS

Many thanks to our Keynote Speakers: Dr. Lourdes Libre Barton '01 (Supervisor, Ambulatory Clinical Pharmacy Services, UC Davis Health System) and Patricia Gwilliam Ziegler '67 (Founder of Banana Republic, Writer and Entrepreneur). We had over 40 presenters for this amazing event on February 27, 2015. We are so grateful for our alumnae and community participation.The conference was a great success and inspired our students to "Dare To Dream"! We appreciate the time many of you took out of your busy schedule to join us and thank you for sharing your insights and expertise with our young women. Your willingness to volunteer your time, energy and support on behalf of Mercy High School was greatly appreciated.

Katalina Mendoza '18 found Dr. Libre-Barton's speech "very inspirational" and her life experiences similar to her own. Jessie Lin '18 was impressed with how founder of Banana Republic, Ms. Ziegler "started with really simple things and grew them into a famous brand."

RECONNECT: 2015 Reunions and Events

Class of 1965 Golden Diploma Reunion

Save the Date! The Mercy High School Class of 1965 will celebrate their 50th graduation anniversary "Golden Diploma Reunion." Please mark your calendars. We look forward to welcoming you back to your alma mater.

DATES:

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Luncheon Committee: Anne Scully '65 and Joanne Sehorn Cooper '65

Luncheon at Original Joe's, San Francisco. A time to share memories, photos and celebrate!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Committee Chair: Irene Eccher '65

Mercy Day Eucharistic Liturgy with the Mercy student body, faculty and staff, celebrating the founding of the House of Mercy by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland. The liturgy will include the Class of 1965 as honored guests and the 50th Golden Diploma commemoration followed by a campus tour, program and luncheon in Rist Hall.

Please email amagnusen@mercyhs.org for additional information.

All Class Reunion - Save the Date

Saturday, May 2, 2015 | 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | McAuley Pavilion | $35 per person

Begin your summer getting reacquainted with old friends at the Mercy High School, San Francisco All Class Reunion. Consider reconnecting with your classmates, reliving the moments of your high school years, and rediscovering your alma mater.

Wine (21 and over) and hors d'oeuvres reception; photo booth fun

Full access to Mercy High School for campus tours

Invitation and online access reservations available in March 2015

Would you be able to serve as a class coordinator? This person works in conjunction with our Advancement Office to invite all members of your class to attend and helps plan additional activities for the class (if so desired). If you would be willing to serve as the class coordinator for your class or plan your reunion separate from the All Class Reunion, please contact Audrey Magnusen, Director of Advancement and Alumnae Relations: 415.337.7218 or amagnusen@mercyhs.org.

Additional Reunions and Connections

1970 (45 Years)	Coordinators:	Need Volunteers
1975 (40 years)	Date:	Saturday, October 10, 2015
	Time:	TBA
	Location:	Rist Hall, Mercy High School
	Coordinator:	Mary Coyne '75
1980 (35 Years)	Coordinators:	Need Volunteers
1985 (30 years)	Coordinators:	Need Volunteers
1990 (25 Years)	Coordinators:	Need Volunteers
1995 (20 years)	Coordinators:	Joy Rodrigues-Guandique '95 & Lenie Santos-Ugaitata '95
2000 (15 Years)	Coordinators:	Need Volunteers
2005 (10 years)	Coordinators:	Laura Nelson '05 (coordinating with All Class Reunion)

Attention Class of 1957

Marilyn Mitchell Brook '57 organizes a lunch group that meets twice yearly in the Spring and Fall for fun get togethers. Any '57 alumnae who would like to join may email Marilyn Mitchell Brook.

	Announcements

	Support Mercy High School as your giving choice for 2015! The collective support of alumnae, parents and friends has generated funds for Mercy's most critical need: tuition assistance. We are asking you to consider a Spring gift this year to help us reach our Annual Goal of $1,000,000 by June 30, 2015! It doesn't take a large donation to have a big impact. Gifts to Mercy's Annual Fund, whether $25 or $2,500, create one of the school's most significant sources of support. Click here to make an online donation. If you have already made a gift to MERCY HIGH SCHOOL for 2014-15, thank you! Support the Parent Giving Campaign Support Mercy High School's campaign to replace all the existing seats in the theatre. We are currently at 31% Parent Giving. Our goal is for 100% parent participation at $200 per family, but any donation possible will raise our goal. Payments can be made online. Choose Parent Giving on this page. Thank you for all your support! You are truly making a difference in the lives of our amazing young women. The Technology Department recycles used cell phones, laser toner and inkjet cartridges throughout the school year. Please have students drop off items in the Computer Lab, room 319.

	School News

	WITA INTERPRETS "DARE TO DREAM" THEME IN 3D The WITA students recently created 3D interpretations of Mercy's school year theme, "Dare to Dream" -- an installation art project that held ground in the courtyard outside the McAuley Art Pavilion. The installation which incorporated doors as portals into the students' dreamscapes, spoke to dreams as oases in a concrete, hectic world. Plants and other living elements referred to the vibrant qualities of our dreams, and how important it is to allow space for them to thrive. RELIGIOUS STUDIES CLASS BRINGS GOSPEL TO LIFE Recently, the Foundations of Religious Studies classes covered two passages from the Gospel according to Matthew: "Salt and Light" and "Jesus Walks on Water." The two were selected to emphasize that when we shine our light, or when we act from the authenticity of our true self, we can do even the impossible. Mr. Kevin Pease, the teacher of this class, interpreted Jesus' call for truth through movement, using tea light candles to represent our light and water to convey the healing power of the miraculous in our lives. SPIRITED WEEK AT MERCY Spirit Week started on Monday, March 2nd and ended with a high energy rally in the Catherine McAuley Pavilion on Friday, March 6th. Each day leading up to the rally had a theme and students who came to school dressed to the theme of the day received class participation points in homeroom. This year's junior class won for the most students dressed to theme over the five days - way to go class of 2016! Photo shows the Freshmen getting into the spirit of the end-of-week rally. WITA STUDENTS VISIT KEITH HARING EXHIBIT The Women in the Arts (WITA) students had a busy February. They showed their artwork, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, in their annual WITA exhibition and had a reception on Thursday, February 12, in the McAuley Gallery. The next day, Friday, February 13, the group traveled with Ms. Gail Bennett and four WITA mother volunteers to the de Young Museum to view the final weekend of Keith Haring-The Political Line, which was the premiere United States exhibition. The group of 24 students toured the exhibition with their individual chaperones and used an assignment that was available on their electronic devices. Students were asked to take photographs to document different categories as they walked through this exhibition. This photo shows WITA students from the Class of 2018 posing with one of Keith Haring's three-dimensional sculptures just outside of the museum. Pictured from left to right are: Alexandra Lewis '18, Sophia Fulton '18, Athena Go '18, Claire Wiater '18, and Kea James '18. SUPPORT THE NEW MERCY STUDENT STORE Mercy High School has a brand new student store selling one-of-a-kind Mercy apparel, sports specific wear, and other items certain to raise that Mercy spirit! The store is open every Red Day during both lunches. All proceeds from the store go to the Athletics Booster Club to help fund our fantastic Mercy athletes! EXPLORING ETTY HILLESUM Mercy's tradition of an annual all-school book came alive in a new way this semester. We hosted playwright and actor Susan Stein for a performance of the one-woman show Etty, based on the writings of Etty Hillesum. All students studied excerpts from Hillesum's diary and letters-written during her imprisonment at Westerbork transit camp-as preparation for viewing the play. Susan, accompanied by Holocaust survivor Jacob Boas, remained on campus for two full days, visiting classes, sharing expertise, and engaging with students. In the photo above, Susan and Jacob are visiting an Art class, in which students created prayer flags incorporating Holocaust-related symbols. DANCE ENSEMBLE PERFORMS AT THE VISION SERIES Mercy's 14th year performing in Dance Repertory's Vision Series at the Cowell Theater in Fort Mason was a day to remember! Five dancers on Mercy's Dance Ensemble performed Nicole Nastari's piece Stay Here on Saturday. On March 7, 2015, the dancers spent the entire day at the Cowell Theater bonding with their buddies from Capuchino High School and Mathis Reed Dance Company, taking master classes and piecing together/rehearsing a fantastic "chance dance" that included all the performers. The day ended in a concert of dance that showcased dancers from all over the Bay Area - hundreds of dancers were involved and were inspired through this collaborative effort! FACULTY MEMBERS BIKE IT TO THE MARIN HEADLANDS Ms. Jennifer Kramer and Ms. Jupei Hsiao made their way to the faculty/staff retreat on March 11 by using "pedal power." The retreat day at Nature Bridge in the Marin Headlands was facilitated by Catherine Regan, Ph.D. - a Mercy Associate, psychologist, spiritual director, and leader of Centring Prayer.

	Upcoming Events

	March 2015 Tuesday, March 17 Happy St. Patrick's Day Wednesday, March 18: 6pm Parent Guild Meeting Friday, March 20 Red Minimum Day Tuesday, March 24: 9:45am Lenten Liturgy of the Word Friday, March 27: 5pm International Food Festival Saturday, March 29 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Tuesday, March 31 Lenten Food Drive ends April 2015 Wednesday, April 1: 9:45am Holy Week Liturgy of the Word Thursday, April 2 Holy Thursday - No Classes Friday, April 3 Good Friday - No Classes Sunday, April 5 Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord - Easter Sunday April 6-10 Easter Vacation Monday, April 13 Classes Resume April 17, 18, 24, 25: 7pm Spring Musical "The Wiz" Sunday, April 19: 11am Class of 2019 Welcome Reception April 22-24 Junior/Senior Overnight Retreat Monday, April 27 Senior Holiday Wednesday, April 29 College Sweatshirt Day for Seniors Thursday, April 30: 9:45am Easter Eucharistic Liturgy May 2015 Friday, May 1 Earth Day/Spring Day - Special Schedule Friday, May 1: 7pm Junior/Senior Prom Saturday, May 2: 4pm All School Reunion Saturday, May 9: 6pm Booster Club Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner & Awards Friday, May 15 Red Minimum Day Saturday, May 16: 6pm Visual & Performing Arts Red Carpet Awards Dinner Sunday, May 17: 1pm Art & Soul Exhibit May 20 & 21: 7pm Visual & Performing Arts Festival Friday, May 22: 7pm PAA Student Directed Performances Monday, May 25 Memorial Day Holiday - No Classes May 26-28 Final Exams - Special Schedule Thursday, May 28: 6pm Senior Celebration Dinner Friday, May 29: 9am Senior Awards Assembly Saturday, May 30: 10:30am Graduation Eucharistic Liturgy ____________________________________________________________________ International Food Festival Friday, March 27, 2015 McAuley Pavilion 5:00 pm Spring Musical: The Wiz April 17, 18, 24, 25, 2015 Mercy Theatre 7:00 pm Click here to purchase tickets online. Junior Senior Overnight Retreat April 22-24, 2015 Presentation Center, Los Gatos Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday, May 9,2015 Rist Hall, Mercy High School 7:00 pm \| $25 per person Click here for more information.