Students and their mother or a special woman in their life are invited to attend the Mother-Daughter Celebration and Alumnae Induction on Tuesday, May 25 at 7PM at Gwynedd.

The evening will celebrate the special bond between mothers and daughters. The event will include a prayer service, special video tributes, alumnae speaker(s) celebrating the Lifelong Sisterhood and the Class of 2021 being induced into the Alumnae Association.

Event attire should be church-appropriate, meaning a dress or dressy-casual. Please be mindful of your necklines and hemlines. Bare midriffs and flip-flops are not permitted.

Graduation practice will be held on Wednesday, June 2. Everyone is expected to attend practice and Class Day. Practice will include:

• Baccalaureate Mass
• Graduation
  • Procession
  • Acceptance of medals and diplomas

On June 3, President Denise Marbach '72, Principal Mary Kirby and Dean of Academics Anne Casavecchia will lead the Class Day Ceremony recognizing special awards and scholarships earned by members of the Class of 2021. The ceremony will be livestreamed for viewing by parents and families. Following Class Day, students will have practice for graduation.

Class Day is a special day and girls are expected to dress up.

Baccalaureate Mass is the spiritual culmination of students' four years at Gwynedd Mercy Academy. This is the last time the class will have the opportunity to make a statement to each other and their parents, and pray for their future health, happiness, and success. Baccalaureate Mass will be held Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 5PM at Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School.

Event attire should be church-appropriate, meaning a dress or dressy -casual. Please be mindful of your necklines and hemlines. Bare midriffs and flip-flops are not permitted.

Each graduate may be accompanied by two parents or guests.

Commencement is Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 9:30am. Commencement is a formal ceremony; students are representing graduates of the Academy originated by the Sisters of Mercy and the girls' dresses signify the celebration of their academic success.

Graduation dresses should reflect the modesty of youth. Dresses must be “summer” white (not “winter” white or ivory,) ankle length, and may not have a train. This means:

• No deep cleavage or bare backs
• Strapless dresses are not permitted
• Refrain from sequins on the dress.
• Consider a slip if the dress is not lined because of the stage lighting.

Each girl must have formal white shoes (classic pumps are appropriate) and arm length white gloves. Some girls choose to wear flowers in their hair. Please keep in mind that a ribbon (approximately 16”) with graduation medal must be able to fit over their head.

Professional photographers/videographers will be covering the ceremony. Parents and attendees may take pictures from their seats but will not be permitted to move around the auditorium during the ceremony.

Awarded to “the student demonstrating extraordinary leadership, scholarship, and character.” Mother Mary Bernard was responsible for moving the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy from Broad Street in Philadelphia to the present campus in Gwynedd Valley in 1947 when it was renamed Gwynedd Mercy Academy.

Awarded to the student who demonstrates school spirit in all venues of school life (student government, ministry and service athletics and extracurricular activities, academics). Karen (daughter of an alumna in the 1930’s) was an amazing young woman with a debilitating congenital disease that affected growth and caused mobility problems. She died in 1963. She was known for her school spirit, and attended sporting events to cheer on teams. An alumna was quoted: her disability “never distracted from or destroyed her spirit of Mercy.” She was known for amazing courage of spirit and dedication to GMAHS.

Awarded to the student who leads by example of her service to others (ministry and service activities, “behind the scenes” help to teachers and moderators, in every day interactions with peers). Sister Mary Loyola was the plants/grounds manager for Gwynedd when it was part of the college campus, Byrne Hall. This award was extended to recognize her great service to the school as she managed all the details with regard to running the maintenance of the school in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Sister died in 1959.

Awarded to the young woman who demonstrates these characteristics throughout her daily work and activities at GMAHS. Michele loved being a student at GMAHS and being involved in activities, especially the school musicals. (She was a munchkin in the Wizard of Oz!) Her love of GMAHS and life was cut short as she suffered from leukemia. She died in her junior year in 1985. There is a plaque in her honor on the school grounds.

Awarded to the student who has achieved the highest average of all subjects combined over four years of study. The student achieving the second highest general average over four years of study receives Honorable Mention.

Awarded to the student who has achieved the highest general average in a discipline (Art, English, French, History, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Spanish, Science, Theology) over four years of study. The student achieving the second highest general average over four years of study receives Honorable Mention.