The OLMA Overview -- January 12, 2018
Welcome to 2018 and what is turning out to be a snowy winter! I hope your holidays were amazing and that this week's Overview finds you feeling blessed and happy. I wanted to give one last shout out to the OLMA Moms who decked our halls this Christmas. To say that they were festive would be an understatement! Fabulous job, as always.

This week, we began a brand new semester! On the academic front, my advice is to stay on top of your work, take advantage of the support available from teachers and put in the time and effort necessary to be successful. You can do it!

On the athletics front, our teams are having an awesome season! A special note of congratulations to senior, Iyanla Kollock on being invited to run the 60 meter in the New Balance National Grand Prix race in Boston!

Looking ahead, we will be celebrating Catholic School's Week from January 28 to February 3. This is a special week nationwide for all Catholic School students and families. For the very first time, the National Catholic Education Association is sponsoring "Many Gifts, One Nation: A Day of Giving to Catholic Schools" online event. It will take place on January 30 from 9 AM--9 PM with the goal of raising as much funding as possible for Catholic schools in a single day. OLMA will be participating. If you haven't made your Annual Fund gift yet, please consider doing so on that day.

Finally, if you haven't visited us lately, you won't believe your eyes when you see the total transformation of the porch located on the third floor of our main building. Check out the photos below and stop on by!

For now, have a great weekend!

Student Spotlight
Victoria "Tori" Smith, Class of 2018
OLMA senior, Tori Smith is nearly always smiling, plays a mean tambourine, looks out for her friends, and is as fun loving as they come. She's also at the top of her game both academically and athletically.

While softball is her first love, Tori is tearing up the basketball court this season averaging 15.2 points per game! She's one of the area's top scorers and she's just getting started. OLMA Athletics is part of the Cape Atlantic League and Tori says that her goal is to make First Team in basketball and softball this year. "I've been named to Second Team and received Honorable Mention before, but I'm going for First Team this time around," said Tori. "I want to finish strong."

She is certainly on the right track and loving every minute of it. In true Tori style, she is giving her all and is proud of her entire team. "We have a lot of new players and are competing against a lot of larger schools, but we're holding our own," she said. "We don't always win, but we get better, reflect, re-group and get back out there."

Tori's can-do attitude has served her well academically, as well as athletically. She is an excellent student and plans to pursue a career in Engineering. Already accepted by six schools, she's waiting to hear from the rest before making a final decision on where she will spend her college years.

Tori said that she found her way to OLMA by shadowing Brittni Giosa, Class of 2016. "I also knew a few other girls and Amanda Willis and I were friends and decided to check it out," she said. "I'd do it all over again because I can't see myself anywhere else." The same is true when she talks about her love for OLMA Softball.

"I love softball and play third base," said Tori. I had hoped to have my 100th hit by now, but I broke my wrist and tore some ligaments in sophomore year." She's ready now and determined to reach that milestone this spring along with making First Team.

In the meantime, Tori is enjoying senior year with her classmates. "We all get along great," she said. "We're really excited for everything that's coming next like our Disney Trip, Prom, Mary Day and Graduation." Don't blink, Tori, as it will be here before you know it. Enjoy.

Exploring Spain
Three OLMA students, Hope Viviani (senior), Brielle Middleton (junior) and Annalise Barrett (junior), arrived in Madrid, Spain over the weekend. They are there as part of year two of the Spain Exchange program. With them are students from St. Augustine Prep and Malvern Prep. Below are photos of our group of world travelers arriving in Madrid and visiting the school they will attend for the next three weeks.
Come Sit a While
We couldn't agree more. Thanks to a donation from a current OLMA family of their time, talent and treasure, the very old porch located on the third floor of our main building has undergone a major transformation. Once furnished, it will be used by students, faculty and staff, the Daughters of Mercy, and more. The next time you are here, please check it out. In the meantime, here are some before and after photos!
There's Still time!
Have you made your gift yet? If not, there's still time. All gifts are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 in cash donations by June 30, 2018. With your help, we know we can do it. For all the details and to make your gift, visit the Annual Fund section of our website, or follow the button below.

As always, we thank you for your support!
Congratulations Morgan!
Congratulations are in order for OLMA senior, Morgan Hagerty! She was selected as a recipient of a  Comcast Leaders and Achievers ®  Scholarship Program  award in the amount of $1,000! Morgan is President of Student Council, Co-Captain of the OLMA Softball team, Co-Caption of the OLMA Volleyball team, and was recently named the Cape Atlantic League's first-ever Unsung Hero.

Morgan works after school at Edgarton Christian Academy where she works with children in the school's Preschool after-care program. It's great practice as she plans to pursue a career in Early Education. While Morgan hasn't made a final college choice just yet, Widener University is certainly in the running. They made it clear that they want Morgan last year when they presented her with a $25,000 leadership scholarship. Congratulations and good luck, Morgan!
Calling All Coaches!
It's time to think spring sports! We are ramping up and are searching for assistant coaches for our Lacrosse, Softball and Crew teams. Our teams are growing by leaps and bounds as are our winning records.

If you, or anyone you know, would like to join OLMA's coaching staff, please send a letter of interest to Athletic Director, Matt Lenguadoro at:

Our Lady of Mercy Academy
1001 Main Road
Newfield, NJ 08344

You can also reach Coach Lenguadoro by email at: mr.lenguadoro@olmanj.org. Thank you!
Show Me the Money!
Feeling lucky? If so, today's the day to purchase your Annual OLMA Super 50-50 ticket. At a cost of $100 each, tickets include dinner for two at the Luau (Drawing Party) set for February 24 in Carew Hall. The event is a blast and there are a billion ways to win. The evening features special high-value raffles, tons of Tricky Tray baskets and cold hard cash prizes as the 50-50 numbers dwindle down to the last few. Don't miss out! Call today, or send in your check for $100 made out to OLMA, and we'll reserve your ticket number. Only 400 will be sold -- and we sell out every year!
Time to Make the Baskets
If you've ever attended OLMA's Super 50-50 Drawing Party, you know that a highlight of the evening is trying to win one (or 10) of the amazing baskets! They are raffled off Chinese Auction style and one is better than the next! As in past years, the Parents Society is asking each homeroom to bring in the items needed to create one themed basket. Here are this year's assignments with a few suggestions for each:

Let's Bake A Cake (All things baking) -- Mrs. DeValerio
It's Dad's Turn (Auto detail & accessories) -- Mrs. Fortis
Good Sports (Any and all sports Items) -- Mr. Coyle
Coffee Talk (Wawa, Donut Donuts, Starbucks, accessories, mugs) -- Mrs. Cavagnaro
Family Fun Night (Movies gift cards, DVDs, board games, cards) -- Mr. Jarrell
What's For Dinner (Gift cards to area restaurants of all types, crock pot, cookbook, cooking utensils/gadgets) -- Ms. Coppinger
The Artist In You (Gift cards to Hobby Lobby, AC Moore and Michaels, canvas, art supplies) -- Sr. Margaret
Beach Bum/Vacation ( Beach chair, beach towel, badges, suntan lotion, sunglasses, sand toys) -- Ms. Hopman

Please have all items in homerooms by February 9 . Thank you!
Calendar Reminders

Martin Luther King Day/No School -- January 15

Catholic Schools Week -- January 29 through February 3

Many Gifts, One Nation: A Day of Giving to Catholic Schools -- January 30 (9AM-9PM)


OLMA Chorus Performs at Jubilee Mass -- February 3

Progress Reports -- February 5

Career Day -- February 7

Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Augustine Prep -- February 14
We hope you enjoy the OLMA Overview. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Mrs. Kinkade at 856.697.2008, ext. 140, or email her at: mrs.kinkade@olmanj.org