Illustration by Kristen Yezzi '23 |
Come Home for Afternoon Tea & Estate Planning Talk
Experience the timeless charm of a "comfortable cup of tea," symbolizing hospitality and kindness by Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, on Thursday, May 9 at 3 PM in the Learning Commons.
Sponsored by GMAHS’s Catherine McAuley Legacy Society, this event will feature two 30-minute presentations by our speakers plus, time for refreshments and conversation on estate planning to nurture your family’s well-being and legacy.
All members of the Gwynedd Mercy family – alumnae, parents, grandparents, and friends – are welcome! Meet the Speakers |
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Mary Kay Kelm, Esq. P’15, ’18 is Principal of Kilcoyne & Kelm, LLC in Montgomeryville, PA, specializing in civil litigation, zoning, and estate planning & administration. She also advises small businesses on corporate matters. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Bar Association and as Treasurer of the Probate Section. Mary Kay earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph's University and her Juris Doctor from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. She is a past President of the St. Joseph’s Law Alumni and a former coach of GMAHS’s Mock Trial Team.
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Steve Grourke is Senior Vice President, Leadership Giving at the National Park Foundation. Previously, he held roles as Senior Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations at The American College of Financial Services, and Executive Director, Office of Gift and Estate Planning at Villanova University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Gwynedd Mercy University and a Master of Public Administration from Eastern Washington University. Steve is designated as a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy, a Certified Fund-Raising Executive, and a 21/64 Certified Advisor.
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May 9, 2024, 3-5PM Catherine McAuley Legacy Society Afternoon Tea Sponsored by GMAHS’s Catherine McAuley Legacy Society, the event will feature, tea, delightful conversations, pastries, and a brief program on estate planning to nurture your family’s well-being and legacy.
Register May 22, 2024, 7PM Mother Daughter Celebration & Alumnae Induction The Class of 2024 and their moms/guardians are invited to enjoy the next step in their Gwynedd journeys—their induction into the Alumnae Association.
June 25, 2024, 6-8PM Alumnae Happy Hour
Join us for an evening of drinks and Lifelong Sisterhood at Winnie’s Manayunk, owned by Winnie Murphy Clowry ’77. Registration coming soon October 18, 2024, 11AM Circle of Mercy Luncheon
This annual luncheon brings together alumnae who graduated from the Academy 50 or more years ago. It is a wonderful opportunity to visit with classmates and other Mercy Women who shared school days together at Broad Street and in Gwynedd Valley. Registration coming this summer October 19, 2024, 11AM Reunion
Honor and toast to all milestone reunion classes ending in 4 and 9 and enjoy delicious food and drink while mingling and touring the red and gold corridors. All are welcome! Registration coming this summer |
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Bidding Farewell to the Cafeteria After serving students since 1955, our beloved cafeteria will soon be closed for construction to make way for new beginnings. Our cafeteria has been full of laughter, friendship, and delicious meals for generations of students.
As a send-off, parents wrote notes of encouragement to their daughters on the walls. Then, Gwynedd Girls were given the opportunity to leave their mark. Many of them also covered the walls with the names of their alumnae family members, including sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and cousins. |
Learn more about A Place to Soar, Gwynedd's Campaign for a New Monarch Wing. The renovation and addition will provide students with an expansive dining and community commons, seminar room, counseling center, and two classrooms. These spaces, covering over 37,000 square feet, will foster academic innovation, self-advocacy, leadership, and community connections, ensuring the promise of our strategic plan "She is the Future."
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One Week for GMA Results
Thank you to everyone who supported One Week for GMA! Together, we are empowering Mercy education and every Gwynedd Girl to lead purposeful lives and make a positive impact on the world.
We are still working toward completing our Current Parent/Guardian Participation Challenge and G.O.L.D. (Graduates of the Last Decade) Challenge. Please consider making a gift of any amount today to help us reach our goals. With your help, we can get there!
See our challenge results below and additional information about alumnae giving incentives. If you won a prize, the Alumnae Office will be in touch with you this week. Congratulations! |
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Nominate a Fellow Alumna Each year, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School and its Alumnae Association honor alumnae and other members of our community for exceptional leadership and service at Gwynedd’s annual Reunion celebration. The Alumnae Awards will be presented at the All-Class Reunion on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Submit your nominations by May 30, 2024. |
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MINISTRY & SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES |
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Calling on Classes Ending in "5" to Make Gifts to Strawberry Market
In an effort to keep the shelves of Strawberry Market consistently stocked, the Alumnae Association asks for donations from the members of the class years ending in the number that matches the current month. That means during May, we are looking for donations from the classes ending in 5. Please consider supporting this special alumnae-sponsored initiative in one or more of the following ways: - Purchase items directly from the Strawberry Market's Community Target Registry and automatically ship to Alison McGrorty-Crotts, M.D., M.P.H. '04.
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Drop items off in a bin located inside Gwynedd's front door.
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Purchase a Target gift card and send it to strawberrymarketsmhc@gmail.com.
- Send money via Venmo to @strawberrymarket.
- Make a check out to Alison McGrorty-Crotts and mail to GMAHS.
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Sign Up to Mentor a Student! The Gwynedd Force Mentorship Program is seeking 96 dedicated Alumnae Mentors to guide and support the Class of 2025. Sponsored by the Alumnae Association in collaboration with Gwynedd's Leadership Department, this program is a unique opportunity to give back and make a meaningful impact on our students' lives. As an Alumnae Mentor, you'll have the chance to connect with your student mentee throughout the school year, providing guidance and support as they navigate the college application process and prepare for their future careers. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, your wisdom and experience are invaluable to our students' success.
Your commitment involves just four meetings, either virtually or in person. Please consider signing up to become a mentor by May 26th.
For inquiries, please contact Associate Director of Leadership Initiatives Caitlin Fitzgerald Straub '01 at cstraub@mikeshiner.com. |
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| Class of 2024 Prepares for College
Theology teacher Judy Wilson '87 collaborated with the Counseling Department to plan an "Ask a Professor" session for the Class of 2024. During this session, Catherine E. Wilson, Ph.D. '90 (sister of Judy Wilson), Associate Professor and former Chair of the Department of Public Administration at Villanova University, met with seniors and answered their questions. The session was designed to relieve some of the anxiety students might experience as they prepare to transition to college life. They focused on topics such as time management, the importance of office hours, how to cultivate good relationships with professors, study abroad programs, tips for succeeding in college, and how to find a work-life balance.
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Alumnae Gather in Prayer The Young Alumnae Prayer Group, led by Elizabeth Hasson '18 and Megan Romano '18, met at Gwynedd on Mondays throughout the month of April to discuss their faith and spend time together in prayer. |
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| Sign Up for Summer Camp
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is offering the following camps during the summer of 2024: - Athletics: Basketball, Tennis, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Soccer
- Arts: Music Lessons, Triple Threat Theater Camp
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Camp Inspire: a four-day "confidence camp" designed to expose girls to a STEAM field while also teaching them to develop their sense of purpose and self-worth from within. Applications are now open.
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Submit Your Class Notes!
Did you have a baby? Celebrate a personal or professional milestone? Receive a degree or award? Get married? Fill out the form linked below to notify us!
And if you are preparing to get married or have a baby—let us know! We'd love to send you a GMA flag for your reception or a GMA bib for your little one. And be sure to snap photos, tag @gmahighschool on Instagram, and submit them with the Class Notes form. |
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| Alumna Welcomes Baby Boy
Eve Siconolfi Phillips '15 and her husband Drew had their first baby on April 4, 2024! Leo Augustine Phillips was born 9 lb14 oz and 23 inches long at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Congratulations to Eve, Drew, and Leo! |
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Griffin Sisters Play Ball
Kaylie Griffin '21 and Hannah Griffin '23 were profiled by The Philadelphia Inquirer, highlighting their lifelong involvement in basketball and current college basketball careers. The Griffin sisters were raised going to games and practices thanks to their mother, St. Joseph's University women's basketball head coach Cindy Griffin P'21, '23. Now, Kaylie is a junior at SJU and Hannah is a freshman at College of the Holy Cross where she played in a historic season that included a Patriot League championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
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Community Members Visit Baggot Street
Members of the Gwynedd Mercy community embarked on memorable journeys to Ireland, and what better place to stop than the Mercy International Center on Baggot Street in Dublin! Pictured left to right: -
Melissa Dolan Kerr '92, P'24, '28, Suzanne McGeever Dolan '63 P'89, '91, '92, GP'24, '28,
Emma Kerr '24, Grace Kerr '28
- Vince Dolan P'89, '91, '92, GP'24, '28
- Karen Cavacos, Director of Family Engagement
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Submit Your Photos Do you have photos from your days as a student? Or pictures of you and your classmates spending time together as alumnae? Share your photos using the Class Notes form to be archived, used for reunion promotion, and more! |
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| National Merit Scholars Announced
Please join us in congratulating Calliope Beaty '25, Sarah Giordano '25, and Lauren Ryan '25 as they have met the requirements to enter the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. From more than 1.3 million program entrants, these Monarchs are among some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores. Participants will be recognized as either Semifinalists or Commended Students in the fall.
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GMA Wins Two Philly Favorites Awards We're thrilled to announce that Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School won bronze medals in TWO of the Philadelphia Inquirer's Philly Favorites categories: Best High School and Best Private School. We are thankful to all who voted and showed support for our school. Together, we continue to shine bright in the community! |
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| Gwynedd Celebrates Mission Week
During Mission Week, the Gwynedd Community was honored to host Sr. Marilyn Lacey, RSM, founder and Executive Director of Mercy Beyond Borders. She shared inspiring stories of the resilience of girls in South Sudan, highlighting the impact of providing refuge and girls' education to transform and save lives.
Junior and senior students met with Sr. Marilyn, learning about her mission and experiences abroad. Sr. Marilyn's advocacy left a lasting impression, inspiring empathy and a commitment to social justice among Gwynedd students. To learn more about Sr. Marilyn's visit, read a reflection by Charlotte Wolfe '25 and Camille Campbell '25, below.
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Students Learn Self Defense
Gwynedd Girls empowered themselves one kick and block at a time! Mrs. Tobias' Women's Mini Health Classes leveled up with a self-defense session led by Master Harry from Villari's Self-Defense Center. Thanks, Master Harry, for the invaluable lessons! |
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| Students Learn Management Skills
Mr. Frank's accounting students took charge in prepping our School Store for a new chapter. With a focus on learning inventory management, they got the store all set for online-only sales while our store will soon undergo some construction upgrades. |
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Arts and STEM Students Showcase Talents
The Annual Gwynedd Arts Festival was an amazing celebration of creativity, innovation, and talent! Students showcased their visual arts and STEM projects throughout the red and gold corridors. Performing Arts ensembles impressed with Taylor Swift medleys and pop music orchestrations, captivating the audience! |
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| Student Athletes Sign with Colleges
Our Athletics Department celebrated Spring College Signings with two more signees, bringing the total Class of 2024 College Athletic Commitments to 13! Congratulations to: -
Jennifer Keagy ‘24 - Field Hockey, Lacrosse: Marywood University
- Ella McManus ‘24 - Swimming: Lafayette College
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Coding Club Competes Coding Club members competed in the Code LM competition held at Flux Space! They tackled 10 challenging questions in Python or Java against students from local schools. Congrats to Shannon Talley '24 and Bayliegh Finn '24 for placing 3rd in the Intermediate Division! |
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Investment Club Presents Portfolio
The Investment Club participated in the Saint Joseph's University Investment Club Challenge! After teaming up with a finance student from SJU in January, they've been diving deep into the world of stocks. The GMA Monarchs—Emma Greenhalgh '24, Lilly Morrissey '25, and Katelyn McGuire '24—shared their investment picks, strategies, and the impressive growth of their portfolio in front of nine schools and a panel of prominent business leaders. Way to go, Monarchs!
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| | Spanish Club Hosts Guacamole Competition
Spanish Club wrapped up the year with an epic Guac Off! Teams concocted their own recipes while faculty members lent their taste buds as judges. Before the Guac Off commenced, Spanish Club co-presidents Marlena Henkels '24, Ava McCafferty '24, and Mia Hudak '24 shared tales and snapshots from their recent Spring Break adventure in Spain. ¡Qué divertido! |
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Model UN Team Participates in Conference
The Model UN team participated in Cornell's Model UN Conference. Over four days, eight students joined simulations of United Nations committees to discuss, collaborate, and argue resolutions on topics ranging from climate change or refugees to specialized and crisis committees on The College Board and a future second Constitutional Convention set in 2030. Most importantly, the Model UN team gained confidence, experience, and knowledge through research, public speaking, and cooperation, all while navigating Cornell's beautiful, sprawling campus. Our team left energized and well-prepared for future competitions, and we are proud of their hard work and dedication. Madeline White '26 received the Outstanding Delegate award for her committee, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This was the first multi-day conference the team has participated in, and they are looking forward to participating in more moving forward.
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Fathers and Daughters Catch a Phillies Game
The Fathers' Club had a blast at their annual Father-Daughter Phillies outing. Dads and daughters enjoyed a pre-game tailgate before cheering on the Phillies to a 9-5 victory over the White Sox! |
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Please send any personal or professional updates, questions about how to get involved with GMA, or other inquiries to the Director of Alumnae Engagement Erin Reimel Clements '12 at eclements@mikeshiner.com.
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© 2024 Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School 1345 Sumneytown Pike | Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002 Unsubscribe Link |
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