MARLINS MAKING HEADLINES

Mercy Education Features Student Artwork

Congratulations to Jamiesha Faulker '26! Her *artwork "Heavenly Peace Hopes" was selected as one of three Christmas card designs to be printed by Mercy Education. Each year, Mercy Education invites Mercy schools to submit student designs, and we are thrilled that Jamiesha's design has been chosen for 2024! (*Medium - Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop; Reference for Mary with Jesus Art; Reference for the Peace Photo)

Brandon Malinowski NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator

The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) announces that Mercy Athletic Director Brandon Malinowski has been recognized by the NIAAA as a Certified Athletic Administrator! To earn this distinction, Brandon Malinowski has demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. The voluntary certification process included a thorough evaluation of the candidate's educational background, experience, and professional contributions, as well as a rigorous, comprehensive written examination. He is one of an elite group of interscholastic athletic administrators nationwide to attain this level of professionalism. Congratulations, B Mal! We are grateful for your commitment to excellence for our athletic program!

Michigan Volleyball Classic Delivers Big Donation

On September 6th, Mercy Volleyball made history by hosting the Michigan Volleyball Classic—the first-ever high school outdoor volleyball fundraiser in support of girls' athletics. This exciting event featured the 2023 MHSAA Division 1 Final Four teams: Clarkston, Forest Hills Northern, Mercy, and Northville High Schools.

Thanks to the incredible support from sponsors, the event raised $18,132.12, which was donated to the Rogel Breast Cancer Research Center at the University of Michigan. This past Friday, Varsity Coach Loretta Vogel, along with Varsity players Ava Bell and Anna Naida, proudly presented the donation to the Rogel staff.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped plan, support, and participate in this amazing event. Your efforts not only celebrated the power of girls' athletics, but also made a meaningful impact in the fight against breast cancer! See the MVC program and sponsors here.

HOSA Regional Winners

Congratulations to all our amazing Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) members who showcased their talents and dedication at the Regionals competition. Special shout out to those who secured top placements!

Research Poster 1st place - Chandravadana Koneru '26

Research Poster 2nd place - Emily Capatina '26

Physical Therapy 2nd place - Hope Carmona '27

Public Service Announcement Finalists - Abigail Bores '26 & Ava Eliya '26

These members will be heading to the HOSA States Leadership Conference in April!

MISSION & MINISTRY

Advent Confessions

As we await in joyful hope the birth of Jesus this Advent season, we invite and encourage all students, staff and parents to take time to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation next week in our Mercy Chapel. Advent is a season of preparation, and Catholics are encouraged to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a way to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. This sacrament is a powerful opportunity for renewal, healing, and spiritual growth during this special time of year. There are many opportunities to receive the sacrament, so please mark your calendar or check your unscheduled hours to find a time that works best for you. We hope you will take advantage of this chance to draw closer to God during this season of anticipation. Blessings to you all as we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth!

Wednesday, December 11

12:00pm - 3:00pm

Monsignor Zenz

Thursday, December 12  

1:00pm - 2:30pm

Fr. Lorn Snow

Friday, December 13 

9:30am - 11:00 am 

Fr. Dan Dixon

The Roots of Jesse

The story begins in Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot shall come out of the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” We invite you to journey along with our Jesse Tree reflections.

December 10: Wheat- Ruth and Boaz - Ruth 1:16, 2:5-7, 4:14

December 11: Noah’s Ark - Noah and his family Genesis 6:9

December 12: Scroll - Jacob Finds the Law - 2 Kings 23:1-3, Psalm 119:105

December 13: Stump - Prophecy of Shoot from the Stump of Jesse - Isaiah 11:1-5, John 1:14a

December 14: Lion - Prophecy of the Lion and the Lamb - Isaiah 11:6-10

December 15: Dove - Prophecy of the Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9:6-7, John 14:27

December 16: Hammer - He can’t stay away - Matthew 1:23

December 17: Cross - Prophecy of the Suffering Servant - Isaiah 53: Luke 2:8-18, John 19:11-18, 10:15

December 18: Heart - Prophecy of the New Covenant - Jeremiah 31:31-34, Acts 16:31

December 19: Tower - The Warrior Leader - Joshua 3 & 6

December 20: Fire - The Exile - Daniel 3:19-29, Jeremiah 1:8

December 21: Brick - The Return to the Land - Nehemiah 1:3, 2:18, 6:15, 16 Malachi 3:1, Revelation 22:20

December 22: Crown - The True King - 1 Samuel 16

December 23: Candle - The Light of the World - Luke 1:26-38, 2:32, John 8:12

December 24: Angel - Angels Proclaiming the Coming of Christ - Hebrews 1:14, Luke 2:8:14, Romans 6:23

December 25: The Baby Jesus - The Birth of Jesus - Luke 2:1-10, John 3:16 -17

Foundation Day Mass & Youth Mercy Association Induction

You're invited to Mercy High School for our Foundation Day Mass Thursday, December 12 at 10:15am in the Auditorium. Worship with us as we celebrate the Sisters of Mercy Foundation Day and induct our new Youth Mercy Associates.

Mission and Ministry Sneaker Recycling Event: Donate Your Athletic Shoes

Mission and Ministry has partnered with Got Sneakers to host a sneaker (athletic shoe) recycling event when we return from break! We’re accepting athletic shoes in any condition—the only requirement is that they must be paired together. Shoes that are no longer wearable will be recycled and repurposed into other materials, reducing waste and helping the environment. If you’d like to clear out your athletic shoes before the Christmas break, drop them off with Mission and Ministry. Proceeds from this initiative will support our service trip program. Thank you for helping us make a difference in our community and beyond!

CHRISTMAS CONCERT TONIGHT

Come enjoy the sounds of the season at the annual Christmas Concert Tonight, Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00pm in the Auditorium. Featuring music of Christmas, other cultures, solos, small groups, Varsity Chorus, Mercyaires, cello, piano and more! Donations welcome. Enjoy holiday treats after the show. Contact Mrs. Abha Dearing at adearing@mhsmi.org with any questions.

DAYS OFF AWARDED FOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Mercy tradition is to be awarded a day off school for each team State Championship win. Thanks to our Golf and Swim & Dive champions, there will be no school on Friday, February 21 and Monday, February 24, 2025.

THANK YOU MOTHERS' CLUB & TREE SPONSORS

A huge thank you to Kristin Bell and all the amazing Mercy Moms who brought the holiday spirit to life by decorating the stunning Christmas trees around our school! We are also deeply grateful to our generous sponsors for making this festive tradition possible.

NEWSPRINT

Read the latest issue of the student-produced Newsprint here. Features include: Emotions rise as temperatures drop; Thanksgiving; Ethnic Bazaar 2024: United in Diversity; Are black Friday deals worth the hype; Attitude of Gratitude; Senior athletes sign their way to the future; Winning like a Marlin and more.

REMINDER: END OF SEMESTER DATES & POLICIES

Tuesday, December 17 - All final English papers are due by this date. 

Tuesday, December 17 - All class assignments should be graded and posted by midnight for ALL courses, except for Final Exams, Essays, Projects, and Presentations.

December 11 - 17

The five days prior to exams should be assessment free for students to prepare for final exams, complete final projects/presentations, and prepare for world language orals. Students can be assigned classwork but not extensive homework these days.

Final Exams Dates

Wednesday, December 18

1st hour: 8:30 am - 9:50 am

2nd hour: 10:00 am - 11:20 am

Thursday, December 19

3rd hour: 8:30 am - 9:50 am

4th hour: 10:00 am - 11:20 am

5th hour: 11:30 am - 12:50 pm

Friday, December 20

6th hour: 8:30 am - 9:50 am

7th hour: 10:00 am - 11:20 am

Final exams are given on the assigned test day and time unless, for serious reasons and under rare circumstances, other arrangements have been made with Administration. Students must initiate that request two weeks before the date by completing and submitting this form to be signed by the parent, verifying the need for a change in test time, accompanied by appropriate documentation (i.e. medical documentation, airline tickets, etc.). The request must be approved by the Associate Principal of Academic Affairs, the Dean of Students, and the teacher involved.

Students can rearrange their final exams to ease their load on the 3,4,5 day or two hard finals on one day by changing the day/hour (but not to finish earlier). Please work with your teachers and request they send an email notification, approving this arrangement to Ms. McMaster.

Final Exam/Essays/Project/Presentation Policy

Final Exams/Essays/Projects/Presentations will be weighted 20% of the final grade in ALL classes except for some courses in the Performing Arts and Art departments. All Final exams/Essays/Projects/Presentations will be a common final assessment (exam, project, paper). This will be implemented in ALL courses. Exams need to be at least 75% the same for all students taking the course. The other 25% can be determined by each individual teacher.

Saturday, December 21 - Thursday, January 2 - PowerSchool will be turned off on Saturday, December 21, and turned back on Thursday, January 2. The purpose of turning off PowerSchool is to give students and staff a true break over the holiday.

Please note: Staff are not expected to answer emails during the Christmas holiday. Emails can be sent, but staff may not respond until they return to school on Monday, January 6, 2025. Classes will start for students on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

Wednesday, January 8 - First semester grades will be reviewed, double-checked, and posted by teachers at 9:00 am. Final grades will be stored and posted to transcripts/report cards by 3pm Friday, January 10. 

VOTE FOR CLASS OF 2025 CHRISTMAS TREE

Tyner Furniture Ann Arbor

Officers, students and the moderators of the Class of 2025 invite you to vote for the Christmas tree that they decorated at Tyner Furniture in Ann Arbor (located at 3900 S. State St. on the corner of State and Ellsworth). From now until December 31st, guests visiting the store have the opportunity to place a vote in the box next to the Mercy tree. One vote per adult is allowed, with the opportunity to earn an extra vote if you contribute to Toys for Tots. There will be cash prizes awarded to the trees that get the most votes. Thanks for supporting the Class of 2025! 

LORE YEARBOOK - Deadline Extended for Senior Ads!

Secure Your Copy Today!

Yearbooks are available for purchase online here with code 13826.

Place a Yearbook Ad

The Lore Yearbook staff is very excited to capture memories of the year for our students, especially this year’s Senior Class.

Within Lore every year, the families of the graduating class have the opportunity to purchase ads to celebrate their students with a personalized message and photo. We are extending the deadline for ads until the end of January to accommodate families who are still waiting for their senior photos. However, we appreciate it if you can purchase your ad sooner than later.

There are various sizes and price options for these ads, ranging from a full-page ad ($325) to a sixteenth-page color ($25). To design and purchase an ad for your graduating senior, please visit the order website (job number: 13826) and follow these instructions:

1. Choose the size ad you would like to create.
2. Select student when prompted for whom to buy the ad.
3. Enter your student’s name. Please use her full name as it appears on PowerSchool, not a nickname.
4. Choose whether you would like to create the ad online or send the message and photos to the Lore staff to make the ad. 
5. Follow all of the prompts and instructions to complete the ad.

Please feel free to contact the Lore Yearbook staff with any questions at mercylore@mhsmi.org.

JOIN THE SANP COMMITTEE

Let’s give our amazing Class of 2025 the ultimate send-off with the Senior All Night Party (SANP)! This cherished Mercy tradition is the perfect way for our Seniors to laugh, cry, and make unforgettable memories with their classmates before embarking on their next big adventure.

The SANP happens because of YOU! 

The Senior All Night Party Parent Committee from all grades (Freshman through Senior) runs the event's planning, coordination, and facilitation. Whether you’re ready to lead the charge or want to help with a specific area like Entertainment, Gift Bags, Security, Food, or Decorations, there’s a spot for everyone.

Good news:

Last year’s SANP Event Chairs are happy to share their playbooks and meet with the committee to help get you started! They have created a resource-packed binder with maps, vendor info, and pro tips to help make planning a breeze.

Mark your calendars:

The party typically happens on graduation night—this year, that’s Sunday, June 1, 2025. It’s been held at Mercy High School and Joe Dumars Fieldhouse (now closed), but offsite venues like Tree Runner Adventure Park or Urban Air Adventure Park are also possible. Have you got ideas? We are open to fresh suggestions, too!

Ready to jump in?

Complete interest form here by Wednesday, December 4, to start the planning! Questions? Email Colleen McMaster at cmcmaster@mhsmi.org.

Let’s make this night one to remember - the Class of 2025 is counting on YOU!

2025-2025 AOD TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION & RESOURCES

Application

The 2025-2026 AOD Tuition Assistance Application will open on December 16, 2024, and close on February 28, 2025. Parents may visit the Detroit Catholic Schools Tuition Assistance webpage here for application information.

Parents should reference the Parent information Document here for details regarding the application and contact FACTS Customer Service at 866-315-9262 for individual application questions.

For Catholic Families only:  All awardee families must be current members of a Catholic parish within the Archdiocese of Detroit. Your Pastor’s signature on the form here is required to complete your application. Forms must be turned into your school’s office by February 28, 2025. Non-Catholic Applicants do not need to turn in a Pastor Signature Form.

Parent Webinar Information

New for the 2025-2026 AOD Tuition Assistance application, the Department of Catholic Schools alongside FACTS Grant & Aide will be hosting three webinars for parents. These webinars will be a chance for applicants to fully understand the application requirements and ask any questions they may have. These webinars will be recorded and posted on the Tuition Assistance page of the Detroit Catholic Schools website.

You can submit a question here prior to the webinar.

• Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
• Registration link
• Wednesday, January 8, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
• Registration link
• Wednesday, february 12, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
• Registration link

AOD RISE "FINDING PEACE"

A Gathering of High School Youth in Detroit

In the spirit of Unleash the Gospel, the Archdiocese of Detroit invites 9-12th graders to attend RISE Detroit 2025.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

9:00am - 7:15pm

Mercy High School

Standard Admission: $35 for all participants: teens and adults. Includes lunch and dinner!

Teens must be accompanied by an adult chaperone (youth minister, high school campus minister, teacher, pastor, parent, etc...) The speakers include: Mari Pablo, Bishop Monforton, and Fr. John Shi. Activities include: keynotes, powerful music, worship experiences, two workshop opportunities, small group discussion, and Liturgy.

Learn more and register at risedetroityouth.org.

CONNECT TO MERCY MEDIA

Social Media

Connect to @mercyhighmi, @mercyathletics, @mercyperformingarts and @missionandministry_mhsmi on Instagram. Plus, show your own Marlin pride and use the Marlin giphy stickers available on Instagram by searching @mercymarlins when you post to stories! Don't forget to follow @MercyHighSchoolMI, @MercyMarlinsAthletics and @MHSMIPerformingArts on Facebook. Check out list of social media accounts here.

Mobile App

Be sure to download and use the Mercy mobile app designed to enhance communication and engagement between our school, parents, students and community! You’ll find quick access and links to resources with the click of an icon. 

To get started:

• Visit the App Store or Google Play
• Search for "Mercy High School - MI"
• Download and install the app
• Open and explore

Compelled by our Catholic faith and the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy High School is a premier college preparatory school that educates and nurtures young women of diverse backgrounds to excel academically, serve compassionately, and lead courageously.