WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27,  2019

I have wanted a rowing program at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School for nearly 20 years. Last year, when Mrs. Marbach shared that she was working to bring rowing to Gwynedd, I felt like a dream was realized. I wanted to assist in extending the tremendous opportunities rowing provides young women to students of Gwynedd. I could not wait to help be part of the team building this program for my alma mater.

The sport has had a significant impact over the course of my life, from the time I began my rowing career while in high school. In college, all of my friends rowed. My brother rowed throughout high school and college, and represented the United States as a member of the Junior National team. In both my personal and professional life, I have been immersed in the sport and have witnessed all of the benefits and rewards of crew.

This sport is like no other. It has its own, unique culture, customs and language and instills in participants skills that become part of all aspects of life. Rowing is an impactful sport for participants, promoting a healthy lifestyle, discipline, mental health, and the power of teamwork.

As we continue to establish the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Rowing Program, I am observing all the benefits of this sport amongst the young women who have chosen to accept the challenge of rowing. Rowing empowers participants, fosters discipline and those attributes quickly appear in classroom work. All are welcome to come and celebrate this exciting chapter in Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School's history on May 11, 2019 at the programs official "Launch Party.  Please keep checking our website for upcoming registration.

(L): Emilie Grace Derstine & Dr. Derstine on October 13, 2018 at the Navy Day Regatta - the First Race of Gwynedd Mercy Academy Rowing.

(R): Dr. Alison McGrorty-Crotts '04, Mr. John R. McGrorty, and Dr. Karalyn McGrorty Derstine '01 together in Recice in the Czech Republic at World Rowing Final when John was a member of United States Junior National Men's Rowing Team.

Bill Ernst, Executive Head Coach
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Crew

In the late stages of May, 2018 I was approached by Denise C. Marbach, President and Theresa Fasano, Athletic Director of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School to take the lead in forming and overseeing the creation of a rowing team. The idea of creating a Crew at Gwynedd had been pondered in the past and now was the time to act on the momentum the school had created in announcing it would now be a reality. While I had spent the better part of my teenage and adult life involved in the sport as a coxswain, crew coach, and rowing referee, the prospect of starting a team from scratch and breathing life into it was rather daunting and quite frankly frightening!

However, the immediate support I received from every component and what seemed like every department at the school was overwhelming! It was obvious rather quickly that I would not be in this alone and truly had nothing to fear! Regardless of who I called upon (Maintenance Department; Advancement Department; Athletic Department; etc.) it was clear our goal to build a crew team was our combined mission and it would succeed. I quickly came to the realization that the Mercy culture is not merely words on a poster or printed page, but rather it is a way of life deeply ingrained in those that choose to believe in it. It is the essence of educating, inspiring, and empowering young ladies and the start-up of crew would merely be another means to that end. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with young ladies whose poise and confidence in accepting the challenge, and at times the pressure, of being the "foundresses" of our Crew has been nothing short of amazing. It is their desire to learn the new sport and willingness to meet and exceed expectations that has been inspirational and the cornerstone for all those to follow to build upon. It is the excitement you feel; the pride; the good natured vibe as you enter the main entrance that drew me to Gwynedd. The sense that together we will take on this task, and together we do our very best to succeed is a powerful bond that drives not only Gwynedd as a whole but specifically our team on a daily basis.

As proud parents of a soon to be graduating senior at Merion Mercy Academy (sadly the crew came four years too late for her) and a rising freshman (proud member of the GMAHS Class of 2023), we know the value of a Mercy education regardless of the hallways in which it was obtained. Live Mercy and Seek Justice is not just a phase she learned the first few days of high school, but the compass by which she will be able to successfully navigate her life. A Mercy education and all the potential that is held within the walls of the school is truly the greatest gift we can provide our daughters. Gwynedd then affords them the opportunity to further immerse themselves in a myriad of activities like the arts and music, athletics, speech and debate, robotics and so much more. I look forward to the day when I look back with my fellow crew coaches with immense pride at what Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Crew has become; knowing if not for the wonderful foundation the school as a whole provided, none of it would have been possible. It was Gwynedd that gave me the courage to begin the journey with the Crew; it will be Gwynedd that will provide the source of pride and determination to grow it out from its beginnings; and it will be Gwynedd and the Mercy Spirit that sustain it. To the founding members of the 2018-2019 Gwynedd Crew---job well done ladies! I could never be prouder! You have proudly brought the dream to life for all to see!

MISSION WEEK - MARCH 11-15

What a wonderful week Gwynedd enjoyed recognizing and celebrating the mission of Mercy that we live each and every day. The week began with an inspiring visit by Sr. Marilyn Lacey, RSM, author and foundress of Mercy Beyond Borders.

Each day of the week, activities and exercises engaged students to focus on a unique aspect of our Mercy mission including service and the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy. Various videos were screened, courtyards cleared, bird feeders hung, milkweed planted in Monarch Meadow, games created for Project Mercy Carnival, supplies crafted for the homeless, blackout poetry beautifully developed and lifesaving blood donated.

MUSIC - PMEA REGION CHORUS

This weekend, Chloe Thum '20 and Erin Jolly '21 participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association's Region Chorus Festival in Haverford. Congratulations to Chloe Thum for qualifying for Soprano 1 for the All State Festival in April.

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Mrs. Battisto's AP U.S. Government and Politics students have been hard at work preparing for the College Board exam in May. Under the newly redesigned curriculum, students are now required to demonstrate knowledge of nine foundational documents. They will answer multiple choice questions regarding these documents and will also use them to back up arguments in the new Argumentative Essay Free Response Question.

"We recently finished studying the last of our nine documents, and were ready to take on a review activity to check our knowledge of the central themes of each. In groups, students were given quotes from each of the documents and tasked to place them around the room under the documents from which they came," states Mrs. Battisto.

"Afterward, students looked at their work and noted which quotes they thought were misplaced. We had a class discussion about the proper placement of each quote and then took pictures of our finished products when we had them all in the correct spaces so we can use them as a study tool for the exam. Discussion and debate were lively and the students have a nice visual representation of the content knowledge and historical thinking skills they have acquired throughout the school year."

MIXED MEDIA STUDIO

Mixed Media Studio students selected inspirational, North American landscape scenes from the internet to paint. The art students were required to include foreground, middle-ground, background, and atmospheric perspective in their compositions. They completed their paintings with acrylic paint on canvas board. The landscape genre in art history documents our natural world, tells the story of place, inspires us, and celebrates our environment and earth.

To view more student artwork, visit the Student Projects page.

MERCY MANIA AND MINGLE

A fun and fabulous evening Friday, March 15th as we welcomed our newest Monarchs of the Class of 2023 into the Circle of Mercy!

NATIONAL FRENCH HONOR SOCIETY

SELF-DEFENSE

ATHLETICS

CREW

Gwynedd Crew took to the water March 17th and ruled the river!
Congratulations to the two Monarch boats sweeping first in their races at the Manny Flick / Horvat Series Regatta!

WELL DONE, MONARCHS!

SWIMMING

Congratulations to the Swimming Monarchs who ruled the pool at States, held at Bucknell University March 11th & 12th. Our team of 7 did AMAZING, coming in 3rd overall!

Annie O'Dare '19
100 breaststroke: Gold Medal
200 IM: Silver Medal

Ella Gross, Aileen Murray '20, Nicole Sasso '20, Annie O'Dare

200 Medley Relay: 5th place Medal
 
Ella Gross '21
100 Fly: Bronze Medal

200 Free: 4th place Medal

Ella Gross, Aileen Murray, Nicole Sasso, Annie O'Dare

400 Freestyle Relay: Silver Medal

Strong showings at States from:

Aileen Murray who finished 21st in the 200 IM
Isabella Kellner '20 finished 21st in the 100 FLY
200 Freestyle Relay finished 17th

Way to go, Monarchs!

BASKETBALL

The Monarchs took on Bethlehem Catholic in the State 4A Sweet 16 game at Governor Mifflin on Wednesday, March 13th. Despite a strong rally and lead in the first quarter by the Monarchs, BC took the lead and never looked back, and weren't able to be defeated. The Team put forth a valiant effort filled with lots of heart, and we are #Gwyneddproud of the tremendous season produced by these young ladies!

SHE IS THE FUTURE.

©2019 | Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School

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

(215) 646–8815

gmahs.org

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