February 2016

On Wednesday, February 10, we gathered as a Mercy High School faith community to celebrate Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. During this time, we are called to engage more deeply in the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The Lenten season focuses our attention on personal and communal conversion, inviting us to look deeply within our own hearts so that we both seek and accept forgiveness and reconciliation. In this way, we can make God's mercy and love more evident in our lives and world.

During the season of Lent, our community immerses ourselves in the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving through our Lenten Food Drive, gathering for Lenten Liturgies of the Word, as well as taking opportunities to practice Centering Prayer. These formative experiences are what truly make Mercy a unique educational experience for our young women.

Our alumnae, as well as current juniors and seniors, have benefited from the formative experience of Mercy's Intersession Program. Intersession week this year is from February 29 to March 4. Overnight courses include cultural adventures to Vancouver and New York City, border experiences in Laredo and McAllen (Texas), as well as the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. Again and again, Intersession proves to be an amazing week of experiential learning that has been a Mercy tradition for over 30 years!

Following Intersession week we will have our Accreditation Visit from the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA). The faculty, staff, and administration have worked diligently on Mercy's self-study report and have created an Educational Improvement Plan that sets a path for continued educational excellence. The Visiting Committee will be on campus from March 13-16, 2016, and we look forward to welcoming them.

Finally, we look forward to our Skipper Fundraiser Holiday on Friday, February 26, 2016. Congratulations, again, to the young women of Mercy for reaching 100% of their Skipper Fundraising goal!

In gratitude,

Rita E. Cutarelli, Associate Principal of Mission and Campus Life
Audrey Magnusen, Director of Advancement and Alumnae Relations
Daniel Meyers, Director of Academic Affairs
Janine Nolfi, Director of Student Activities
Laura Schulkin-Parnell, Director of Counseling
Lorelei Zermani, Director of Finance and Human Resources

In This Issue

Alumnae

Announcements

School News

Upcoming Events

	Alumnae

	ELAINE IMWINKEIRIED-STEVICK GIVES BACK TO SOCIETY Elaine Imwinkelried-Stevick '69 attended San Francisco State University and was granted her BA and MA in Communicative Disorders. She became a Speech Language Pathologist and worked for the Easter Seal Society of Marin, the Petaluma City School District, and then started a private practice, Speech, Language, and Learning Services of Marin-Sonoma. She received a Fellow and Honors award from the Association of the California Speech, Language, and Hearing Association. She loved to sing from her days in the Mercy Glee Club and currently sings at her church choir: the Petaluma Chorale. Elaine is married with three children and now tutors an elementary school child in reading through United Way. MARY PADUA MAKES A NAME IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE Dr. Mary G. Padua, ASLA '74 studied Landscape Architecture at UC Berkeley and was awarded her BA in 1978. After graduation, she worked for design firms in the SF Bay Area, before studying at UCLA's Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning, earning a Master's of Architecture degree in 1984. After graduation she worked as an urban designer and landscape architect in the public and private sector. Her projects received awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). In 2000 she was recruited by the University of Hong Kong's Department of Architecture (HKU) and shifted her career from for-profit commercial work to a design educator and expert on urbanism and designed environments. She later joined Clemson University's Department of Landscape Architecture as Professor and Founding Chair. She also serves as a founding international member of the Editorial Advisory Board for Landscape Architecture Frontiers, a peer-reviewed academic journal that just received the 2015 ASLA Honor Award for Communications. The South Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects just nominated her to the Council of ASLA Fellows. She states, "Please know that the profession of landscape architecture is the 21st century design profession. Our cities and towns and their infrastructure are aging and landscape architects work collaboratively with engineers, urban planners, architects, scientists, lawyers and allied professionals working in the built and natural environments. Here at Clemson, we are educating transformational design leaders who think creatively, critically and work collaboratively". NOREEN CHAN PURSUES MASTERS DEGREE IN NURSING Noreen Chan '93 is a registered nurse at the San Francisco Veterans Hospital in the Ambulatory Surgery/Post Anesthesia Care unit. She is on her 12th year of employment at the VA. She is in graduate school through the SFSU/VA cohort program to obtain her Masters in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Noreen received the Employee of the Quarter award, is an active member of the Nursing Research and Evidenced Based Council, and serves as the VA's Patient Advocate Representative. When there are any issues related to patient care, she meets with the patient, assesses the situation and helps to improve the state before the issue reaches patient advocacy. She co-chaired the vision screening program at Holy Name School in San Francisco for the past 6 years and chairs the Under 5 Ministry at Holy Name Church. Noreen is married with two children, Reyna (Mercy's Class of 2019) and Nolan. RECONNECT: 2016 REUNIONS AND EVENTS It's time to plan for 2016 reunions! Please call or email Audrey Magnusen at 415.337.7218 for information on being a class reunion coordinator. Class of 1961 - 55 years Luncheon September 2016 TBD Coordinators: Linda Frei Phelan '61 and Sue LaRocco Scheppler '61 Class of 1971 - 45 years Class of 1976 - 40 years Coordinator: Chris Powis Emerson '76 Class of 1981 - 35 years Class of 1986 - 30 years Coordinators: Natasha Morris '86 925.997.0670 & Mary Vlahos '86 Class of 1991 - 25 years Class of 1996 - 20 years Class of 2001 - 15 years Class of 2006 - 10 years Save The Date: Class of 1966 Golden 50th Reunion Sunday, June 5, 2016 Luncheon at the Lake Merced Golf Club 2300 Junipero Serra Blvd., Daly City, CA 94015 11:00 am to 3:00 pm A time to share memories, photos and celebrate! Luncheon Chair - Nancy Dito '66 \| 415.608.5792 Formal invitations will be mailed in April. Thursday, September 22, 2016 1:30 Mercy Day Liturgy 3:00 Reception 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 1966, Class of 1956 and the Sisters of Mercy as honored guests followed by a campus tour and reception in Rist Hall. Save The Date: Class of 1956 60th Reunion Saturday, September 17, 2016 On June 11, 1956, a class of 173 seniors received diplomas and became the first graduating class of Mercy High School. El Rancho Inn - 1100 El Camino Real, Millbrae, California 94030 Chair: Ann Marra Doran '56 \| 925.513.2862 Pat Keller '56 \| 916.408.4191 Carol Quigley '56 \| 650.871.5524 Thursday, September 22, 2016 See information for Class of 1966 above.

	Announcements

	Support Mercy High School as your giving choice for 2016! Please support the Parent Giving Program The Parent Giving Program is a four-year commitment made by parents during their daughter's freshman year. We ask each family to pledge or give annually any amount that is reasonable for them. We are thrilled to announce that we are close to completing the Theatre seat and Theatre upgrade appeal, "Take Your Seat". Whether $25 or $2,500, your participation is so appreciated. Currently for this school year we are at 16 % parent pledge commitments. Our goal is 100%! Please join us this year as your giving choice. Every gift is 100% tax deductible. Your name, if you wish, will be included in the 2015-16 Mercy News. If your company matches, your gift is doubled! If you have recently made a gift, thank you! For your convenience, you may go to online giving. To get a pledge card mailed to you, please email Audrey Magnusen. Annual Fund 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 gift this year to help us reach our Annual Goal of $1,000,000 by June 30, 2016! We are at 81% of our goal. 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 2015-16, thank you! Gifts of cash, check or credit card are tax deductible and provide immediate funds to the school. Pledges are encouraged and payments can be set up monthly or quarterly. The easiest way to donate is online. Transfer of Stocks Gifts of stock are accepted through a Direct Transmittal from your Broker. Please call the Advancement Office for instructions 415.337.7218. Giving Levels Catherine and William Callaghan Circle $50,000 + Catherine McAuley Circle $10,000 - $49,999 Mercy Society Circle $5,000 - $9,999 Principal's Circle $2,500 - $4,999 Red & White Circle $1,500 - $2,499 Skipper Circle $500 - $1,499 Friends $1 - $499 Current Capital Projects at Mercy "Take Your Seat" Theatre campaign to replace all existing seats and curtains, and refurbish the stage floor. The total campaign goal is $200,000. Join this amazing vital campaign! "Stairway to Heaven" Rooftop Terrace is on the 4th floor, extending off of the former community room in the convent. The outdoor Rooftop Terrace will be a beautiful 1,000 sq. ft. space for all types of Mercy events, receptions and student use. Your gift will enhance the terrace with seating, lighting and plants! "Buy a Brick Program" If you would like to buy a personalized brick for the Mercy courtyard, please email amagnusen@mercyhs.org for details. 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

WAVTEC AT VEX ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT

WAVTEC-Robotics, a program of Mercy High School's Technology Club, participated in the "Duel in Diablo," a VEX Robotics Tournament at Clayton Valley Charter High School in Concord, CA, on February 6. Our team consisted of Cici Yu '17, Kaitlyn Wan '18 and Iris Wu '17. Under the direction of Mr. Murphy, WAVTEC-Robotics made its first appearance in this tournament and managed to win one of their qualification matches. "Next year, we must make changes and improve our robot. In addition, teamwork is also very significant. How much your team scored can reflect how cooperative your team was," said Kaitlyn Wan. WAVTEC is evolving and invites all students to join. In addition to the robotics program, WAVTEC offers a coding program (Mondays, with Ms. Miner, Room 208), Web Design (Tuesdays, with Mr. Evearitt in the Computer Lounge, Room 319), and Robotics and 3D Printing (Thursdays, with Mr. Murphy in the Computer Lounge, Room 319.)

PHILIPPINES AIDED IN THE RESCUE OF JEWS

On Wednesday, January 27, The Helen and Joe Farkas Center of Mercy High School presented the film, An Open Door: Jewish Rescue in the Philippines. This after-school presentation hosted guests Mr. Jack Simke, a native of the Philippines and contributor of content material to the film along with Mary Farquar and Margrit Paul who have a major connection with the story and are in the film. At the conclusion, the students were able to Skype with Mr. Sonny Noel Izon, the writer and producer of the film, who lives in the
Philippines.

11TH ANNUAL V-DAY AT MERCY

Mercy SF celebrated it's 11th annual V-Day on Friday, February 12th with an all school assembly. V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through special events and benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler's award winning play The Vagina Monologues. The "V" in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina with V-Day activists at work in 120 countries.

Mercy's 11th V-Day celebration theme was "Self Love" and Susan Carroll from La Casa de las Madres presented on the topic of teens dating violence and healthy relationships. The Assembly concluded with two powerful pieces of choreography performed by the Grrrl Brigade from San Francisco's Dance Mission called "Weapon of Choice" and "Resistance". Once again, another empowering day for all our sisters and brothers at Mercy SF!

ENTER LENT IN THE SPIRIT OF REPENTANCE, HUMILITY AND JOY

"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." Over and over again, these words echoed through the Catherine McAuley Pavilion as both student and faculty ministers traced the sign of the cross on the foreheads of their classmates and colleagues. The Ash Wednesday Eucharistic Liturgy allowed our entire community to enter Lent not only with a spirit of humility and repentance, but also with a joyful sense of gratitude for all that this holy season offers to us. Over the next 40 days, we will pray together frequently: through all-school Liturgies of the Word, through Centering Prayer, and through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will also engage in collective almsgiving through our participation in the annual Lenten Food Drive. May these traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving-particularly as we undertake them in this Holy Year of Mercy-bring us ever closer to the One who is Mercy Incarnate.

WIM SPONSORS ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE

Women in Medicine (WIM) students host the annual Mercy Blood Drive as their senior project. This year Mercy collaborated with the Red Cross, but the WIM students were still responsible for all the planning, promoting the drive, registering potential donors, providing information on eating a healthy diet, and signing in donors on the day of the drive. Approximately 32,000 pints of blood are used each day in the U.S. At our drive, 35 units (one unit is roughly equivalent to one pint) of blood were collected. Each pint of donated blood can help save as many as three people.

Women in Medicine Angel Cui '16, Jennifer Ohmura 16, Kei McHale 16, Jocelyn Ho '16 and Nina Medernach '16 checking in donors at the Mercy Blood Drive

Women in Medicine Kei McHale '16 and Quynh Tran '16 registering students and teachers for the Mercy Blood Drive. Their traditional Japanese and Vietnamese dresses were for Spirit Week Multicultural Day.

MERCY HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS

Mercy High School Summer Programs continue to provide a unique summer experience designed just for girls.

ACADEMIC SUMMER PROGRAMS 2016

Make the best out of your summer! Join us for academic & enrichment based camps for students entering 5^th through 8^th grade. These summer programs will challenge your daughter academically while having fun. Our program continues to evolve so be sure to join us again in 2016.

GIRLS SUMMER PROGRAMS

Think Like a Girl

This 4-week program will help your daughter to uncover her potential through hands-on learning. Mercy High School teachers will lead the way to making new discoveries and and fostering talents. Camp begins June 20, 2016.

Technology Camp
Science and Mathematics
English and Theatre
Healthy Minds/Heathy Bodies

We will also be adding one week of a jewelry making workshop that continues after Think Like a Girl summer program.

New!! Little Skippers Summer Camp (Formally known as Skipper Camp for Girls.)

We are excited to introduce our new camp for girls' entering 2^nd through 4^th grade. Discover a summer of excitement, enrichment, creativity and fun! This 2-week summer camp will blend academics, exercise, crafts, friendships and more. Camp begins June 20, 2016.

Not ready to go home just yet? For the first time, Fundamental First Academy will be joining Mercy SF this summer! A positive basketball experience from 1-4pm where your daughter can learn basic techniques, teamwork, sportsmanship and make new friends!

Sports Camps for Girls

Basketball and Volleyball Camps

HIGH SCHOOL ENRICHMENT AND REMEDIATION

Summer Rise:

Specially designed for incoming freshmen to Mercy High School, this program offers an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences and to meet fellow classmates while having fun. We will review the fundamentals of English and Math and continue to educate young women for their expanding roles in society.

Expository Reading and Writing Workshop:

Specially designed for rising high school juniors and seniors who want to improve their reading, critical thinking and writing skills so they are ready for the demands of college-level text analysis and writing. This 4-week Workshop led by Karen Vanuska, English teacher at Mercy High School, San Francisco and certified instructor for CSU's Expository Reading and Writing Course.

Job Skills Workshop for Teens

Many girls don't have the opportunity to realize their inner strength and beauty. This workshop will provide job skills necessary in applying for a job, writing a resume, learning interview techniques, and much more. We want to empower every girl with knowledge and skills to succeed in today's challenging market.

Summer Photography

A time where young women will learn and enhance their interest in photography. This also presents a great opportunity through photography to reaffirm the importance of having a strong sense of self-respect and positive self-image. This course is held on Mercy High School, SF campus where the beauty is all around. We welcome grade 7 through high school to join us this summer! In this course, we will provide instruction about the camera (Automatic, Program, etc), basic lighting technique, composition, portraiture, and still life! You will also learn the history of photography to the present day "selfie".

About the instructor: We welcome Mario Parnell, from Table Top Photography. BFA-Art Center College of Design, Commercial Photographer for 23 years, Photography Instructor and Adobe Photoshop Retoucher.