WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Emilee Desmond '16

Alumna

Emilee Desmond '16, daughter of Stacey Zoto Desmond '87, is a junior at La Salle University. Emilee is studying communications with a focus in journalism and writes for "Her Story." She is also the sports editor for the University's newspaper, The Collegian; a sister of Alpha Theta Alpha, and a coordinator for Project Haiti. Emilee's recent article emphasizes the value of a Gwynedd Mercy education.

A Day in the Life of an All-Girls High School Graduate

One of the best parts of college is meeting new people and learning about the different backgrounds they come from, hoping to find some commonalities. These simple commonalities turn into bigger similarities, which grow into some of the best friendships. What state a person is from, how many siblings they have, whether or not they have a pet, etc., are all questions that arise in conversation. Sometimes even, "What high school did you go to?" 

As a rising college junior and graduate from an all-girls Catholic high school, I can honestly say my answer to that specific question is still one of the hardest for people to understand. 

Before I go any further, I want to answer some of the questions I get every time I tell someone my high school was only for girls: 

1. No, not every girl in my grade wanted to become a nun or came from families who wanted them to be nuns. Although, the nuns I did have as teachers will forever be my favorites. 
2. Yes, we know what boys are. If you can believe it, we also know how to talk to them! Truly, there was not a lot of unnecessary drama either. If I had a dollar for every time someone asked, "How did you survive going to an all-girls high school?" or made a comment about anything I addressed previously, I'd be rich. 
3. My decision to attend an all-girls Catholic high school was no survival quest, but rather a quest that completely shaped me into the confident, independent, strong woman I am today. 

To sum up my experience, going to an all-girls school meant waking up 15 minutes before you had to be out the door, never brushing your hair, screaming the Alma Mater just because, having a tradition for everything, and on every Friday afternoon having your religion teacher send you off for the weekend with a reminder to, "Be safe, be sound, be sober, and be chaste." 

At my high school, I felt comfortable. I was able to be me with no judgment from anyone else. I could say what I thought in class with no regard to whether or not a boy thought what I was saying was weird. Having about 90 girls per grade wasn't abnormally small in my mind and wearing plaid skirts with a polo and penny loafers every day was the norm. I had great relationships with all of my teachers because of the class size, and that relationship allowed me to progress academically in a way that would ensure my success in college. 

My graduation consisted of 86 girls standing side by side with a bond like no other. We wore long white gowns with long white gloves accompanied by a set of a dozen red roses. Every step was perfectly choreographed. 

Even though I spent four years wandering the two-sided, one floor high school, it wasn't until graduation that I completely understood the values instilled upon me in the last 1,460 days. These values opened a door to a world of opportunities to not only benefit myself, but also others through the community of service. My high school motivates girls to make a difference in the world. We create our own strong moral compass that sets our goals high and gives us the confidence in our own abilities to not only assist ourselves in succeeding, but also to help others succeed as well. 

One of the biggest takeaways from my high school, which completely encompasses my experience, is a quote from our foundress when she said, "I have great confidence in you to do what you think best. State your opinion and always act with courage." 

Attending an all-girls Catholic high school was one of the best decisions I ever made. I developed a life-long sisterhood with a group of girls who will be my future bridesmaids. To me it is the norm, and it's the norm for a lot of girls who had the same experience as me. Looking back, I would do it all over again. 

Recently, two of our Gwynedd Seniors, Allison Pollick '19 and Sarah McLaughlin '19 were guest speakers at a Mercy Focus on Haiti fundraiser. The ladies shared their experiences in Gros Morne, Haiti this past spring. Together, they discussed how meeting various women raising families on less than $1 a day, water conservation, and raising awareness for developing countries is crucial in our society today. To learn more about the program or to donate to the cause, visit https://mercyfocusonhaiti.org.

Recent Alumnae / now Drexel University students (and roomies!), Carley Fusco '18 and Julia Thompson '18 pose for pic with Sr. Bernadette. The ladies stopped by for a visit and to donate their beloved blazers to the "uniform closet" future Gwynedd gals!

Gwynedd Crew hit the water for practice! Stay tuned for exciting Crew news...coming soon!

The Gwynedd Mercy family of schools- Elementary, High School and University were the proud sponsors of Lower Gwynedd Township's Pike Fest 5K. Thanks to the Gwynedd students, faculty, staff, and family members who volunteered to represent our School and assist with the 5K.

A message received from Alumna, Dr. Agnieszka Sol-berg '94: " I don't usually post about my work on social media, but it's a special day! I am taking over Society in Interventional Radiology's social media today during Women in Medicine Month.

Only 7% of Interventional Radiologists are women! It has been a long road, but it is a rewarding career.  🙂

Thank you to GMA for strengthening my core values and providing a strong  💪 education which prepared me for the future. I still use Sister Christy's 5 paragraph essay in my writing!

This image is a successful stroke intervention - a patient who could not speak and was paralyzed is able to move minutes after the procedure when the blood flow to the brain is restored. Feeling happy about such a great outcome!"

Gwynedd Golf Team qualified 7 golfers during the District 1 3A Tournament held at Spring Hollow Golf Club.

Four Gwynedd Golfers will move onto District 1 3A Championship Tournament on Monday, 10/8 at the Gilbertsville Golf Course. They are Lindsey Fogarasi '19, Michaela Hansen '19, Chloe Hansen '19, and Molly Gregor '22.

On September 24, the Mercy community celebrates Mercy Day, the feast day of our beloved Sisters of Mercy. Our celebration consisted of fun activities with our students on Friday. Then, on Monday the morning began with a Alumnae Mother and Student Daughter tea reception, followed by a community Mass, renewal of vows by Gwynedd Sisters of Mercy, installation of our new student leaders, and participation by the school in an educational component on one of the critical concerns of the sisters, nonviolence. Mercy Day is a time which is steeped in tradition and brings our community together in a special way.

As faculty member, Mrs. Battisto, shares, "For anyone who is not familiar with the story of Mother Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, the story of her life and her mission of Mercy is fascinating and inspirational to anyone who is Catholic, Irish, a young woman, from Philadelphia, rich or poor, raising young women, and honestly anyone who is human, loves his/her neighbor, and is called to service. I hope that our extended community feels our love today... our sister Mercy schools around the nation and the world as well as our Alumnae, who we cherish and who will always be a part of this celebration in spirit, no matter where they are today." 

Thanks to all who joined us for Mercy Fest on Saturday! This year's CK5K Run / 1- mile walk had a record number of participants and sponsors; we thank you all! The food trucks at the end were a bonus as we finished.

Gwynedd's new Multi-Sport Complex was then officially blessed, as Sr. Bernadette Duross, RSM led us in prayer. We thank the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Board of Trustees, School Administration, Alumnae, Parents, Families and Friends who great commitment and generosity to bring these facilities to life for the Gwynedd community. Kudos to the Gwynedd Advancement team whose tireless efforts made this possible and who produced the wonderful festivities to bring our Gwynedd family together.

Utilizing a research-based color chart as their guide, which displays specific emotions associated with specific colors, students in Mrs. Cymerman's Theology class spent a block period last week assessing their personal faith journey in a creative, unique and fun way. This exercise will be conducted once more prior to the end of the academic year to allow the students to consider if any measurable difference in their faith journey has transpired.

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P.O. Box 902, 1345 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437

(215) 646–8815

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