Dear Mercy Senior Parent,

We congratulate you on your daughter's many accomplishments throughout her four years at Mercy and her grace as she navigates this difficult time! Mercy seniors are exceptional as individuals and in the way they as a class have led, encouraged one another and continue to lift the spirits of their Mercy sisters. Our wish for your daughter is that she may always recognize her inner strength as she navigates future challenges.

As you patiently await news of senior celebrations and traditions, we continue to work diligently behind the scenes to explore various options and scenarios. In making decisions, we want you to know that health and safety come first, and plans must be in line with the governor's Executive Orders. As part of planning, we surveyed senior students and parents, and had conversations with senior leaders. Current projections indicate that large gatherings may be out of the question for some time, yet we want to celebrate our graduates. We share with you what we now know:

Friday, May 8:

Senior Parade and Last Day Celebration on the Mercy campus with a 7:00pm arrival. The parade will begin promptly at 7:15pm. We invite seniors to wear their uniform and graduation cap and decorate their car! One car per family is allowed and all occupants must reside within the same household. All participants must stay in their car at all times. Please also note that it is prohibited for occupants to ride in the back of a pickup truck.

Details were emailed to Senior families and can be referenced here . An important mandatory safety protocol for all to follow may be found in this video message . We are grateful for our partnership with the Farmington Hills Police Department who has offered to be present in support of this wonderful activity! 

Sunday, May 31:

Feast of the Visitation of Mary and Virtual Baccalaureate Mass with messages from our Heart of Mercy Awardee and Sister Emily George Awardee after Mass. Seniors will be honored across the country by Mercy families and alumnae who will light Luminaria on their porch for our graduates. " We should be shining lamps giving light to all around us. " -  The Venerable Catherine McAuley 

Wednesday, July 1:

Prom remains scheduled at the Roostertail and will be held if it is safe and in accordance with public health orders. We continue to monitor conditions.

Radio Shout Out to Seniors:

Senior shout out on WJR 760 with the date and time to be announced. Mercy Valedictorian Angela Rea will give a brief intro and the names of all seniors will be read on air by Dr. Kreger and Mrs. Sattler. Tune in!

Sunday, July 19:

Graduation. We are planning for two scenarios - one to be held at the Detroit Opera House in the traditional format, and the other to be outdoors at Mercy HS with social distancing protocol in place. Attendance may be limited to parents only because of distancing regulations. 

Seniors will have the option of wearing a traditional white dress or the Mercy Maroon cap and gown. (Contact Dr. Kreger if financial help is needed to purchase a white dress if that is your daughter's choice. Dr. Kreger also has many donated gowns as well in various sizes, some never worn). We know that each option has varied significance to our graduates, so we ask each choose the option that gives the most meaning in celebrating this milestone. Should your graduate decide to wear a white dress, please continue to send a picture to Dr. Cheryl Kreger at cdkreger@mhsmi.org for approval.

Senior All Night Party:

We continue to work with the Senior All Night Party parent committee to ensure a meaningful celebration. If possible we envision an event at Mercy so senior students may once again gather to celebrate their time together. A date has not yet been selected.

Senior Slideshow:

The Senior Slideshow will be included in the professionally produced Senior Memory DVD that will be a gift from Mercy to all seniors. Students who already paid for this DVD will be reimbursed, and we will be sure to distribute the DVD to each student.

Social Media Surprises :

We will continue to honor and #SeniorSalute our wonderful graduates through Mercy social media. Stay tuned and stay connected for more upcoming shout outs, speeches and surprise posts.

Senior Awards: The Mercy administration will develop a plan to distribute to each senior earned awards, certificates, cords/pins, yearbook, etc. 

This communication may leave you with questions, and we will answer them as we have answers. Please send your inquiries to Senior Class Moderators Mrs. Polan or Mrs. Harris-Schultheis at seniormoderator@mhsmi.org.

Traditions this year may be different, with some new. Your successes are real. Celebrate!

You and your Mercy Class of 2020 senior remain in our special thoughts and prayers,

Dr. Cheryl Kreger

Mrs. Patricia Sattler

Ms. Colleen McMaster

Mrs. Eleasha Tarplin

Mrs. Nancy Malinowski

Mrs. Angela Harris-Schultheis

Mrs. Christa Polan