Alumnae

Welcome Home
Once a Mercy Girl, Always a Mercy Girl

As a Mercy alumna, you are an integral part of our legacy.

Your pride, volunteerism, and financial support have left an indelible mark on our school and our students. 

Staying connected is the key to helping our community continue to thrive. Be sure to connect with us on social media, update your contact information, or submit a class note if you have news to share!

Connect with us on social media!

Events & Reunions
Save the Dates

Get Involved with Mercy

Mercy graduates are part of a powerful network—tens of thousands strong—who carry Mercy values into the world. Staying connected with your alma mater not only strengthens Mercy, it also provides opportunities for you to reconnect with classmates, share your expertise, and invest in the next generation of Mercy Girls.

Every contribution of time and talent strengthens Mercy. Whether you attend an event, volunteer behind the scenes, or share your story with students, you help carry Mercy’s mission forward.

There are many ways to get involved, whether you have a few hours to give or want to take on a leadership role.

List of 4 items.

  • Attend Events & Gatherings

    Mercy events bring together alumnae, families, and friends to celebrate our community and support today’s students! 

    View upcoming events

  • Alumnae Book Club

    The Book Club welcomes Mercy Alumnae from every graduating year, from the 1930s up to our most recent graduating class.
    The club reads a mix of fiction and non-fiction, current books, as well as oldies butgoodies. Any member is encouraged to suggest books for the list.

    Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at the Café in Penfield’sWegmans at 6:30 p.m., located at 2157 Penfield Rd., Penfield NY 14526 (corner of 441 and 250).
     
    2026-2027 Alumnae Book Club List
    October 12, 2026 - Selected Dr. Suess Books
    November 9, 2026 - The Friday Afternoon Club (memoir) by Griffin Dunne / Biography
    January 11, 2027 - Table for Two (short stories) by Amor Towles / Fiction
    February 8, 2027 - Lake Effect by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney / Historical Fiction
    March 8, 2027 - One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad / Nonfiction
    April 12, 2027 - Lord of the Flies by William Golding / Fiction
    May 10, 2027 - The Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn / Nonfiction
    June 14, 2027 - Five Weeks in the Country by Francine Prose / Historical Fiction
    July 12, 2027 - The Correspondent by Virginia Rees Evans / Fiction
    August 9, 2027 - Whistler: A Novel by Ann Patchett / Fiction
    September 13, 2027 - More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen / Fiction

    If you have any questions or how to join, please contact:
    Club Coordinator
    Taylor Saunders-Garrett ‘08
    (585)300-8610
    tato.tots.fdc@gmail.com

  • Mentor & Inspire Students

    We love welcoming our Mercy alumnae professionals back to campus to share their career journeys with students! If you’re interested in being a guest speaker or hosting a student for a  shadow/internship opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

    Sign Up Now

  • Reconnect & Lead

    Organize a Class Get-Together – Plan a reunion or informal meet-up in your city. Mercy can help you connect with classmates and spread the word.

    Serve as a Class Agent or Reunion Volunteer – Help keep your class connected year-round and during milestone reunions.

    Share Your Expertise – Lead a workshop, guest lecture, or mentor current students in areas where you have professional experience.

    Volunteer Now

Alumnae Awards & Recognition

Mercy Girls do remarkable things in the world. They build business empires, fight for the disadvantaged, defend our country, volunteer countless hours in service of others, and so much more. At Mercy, we want to honor and recognize the achievements of our amazing graduates. We do so through the Alumnae Circle of Mercy Award and Alumnae Service of the Year Award. Each of these distinguished awards are bestowed upon alumnae who have characterized themselves as leaders in their field, by their personal accomplishments, or by the time they spend helping others.

We know there are thousands of Mercy Girls across the globe who are deserving of these honors. Let us know who you think we should consider!

The recipients will be presented with their awards at the Alumnae Reunion in September.

Alumnae Circle of Mercy Award

This award is presented annually to a Mercy graduate whose accomplishments, personal or professional, are deserving of recognition. The recipient’s life should reflect the Mercy values of excellence, compassion, faith, leadership, and service.

Please nominate a woman who meets one or more of the following criteria:
  • Notable achievement in her profession or career
  • Exceptional support of church, parish activities or other volunteerism
  • Personal achievement
Nominate Now

List of 1 items.

  • Past Recipients

    2026 - Cecelia Viggo Wexler ‘66
    2025     - Katie Martin Claire '05
    2024     - Nancy Barry Bond '74 and Margaret Howe '74
    2023     - Ann Lame Christ '73 (deceased)
    2022    - Jessica Crossed Shanahan '85, Amy Crossed Rieck '87, Katherine Crossed Schnittman '94
    2019 - Joan Reichart Erbin '48
    2018     – Mary Jo Gugino Colligan ‘70
    2017 – Claire Mongeau ’07 and Renee Tudisco Dunn ‘83
    2016 – Barbara Conradt ‘69
    2015 – Barbara-Ann Mattle ’55
    2014 – Andrea Zopp ’74
    2013 – Mary Lou Freda Ognibene ’57
    2012 – Margaret Lane Oberst ’73
    2011 – Patricia Hoffman Schwimer ’64
    2010 – Lisa Nolan ’99
    2009 – JoAnn Woleslagle Mancuso ’65
    2008 – Rena Kuipers Tolsma ’76

Alumnae Service of the Year Award

Presented annually, this award recognizes an alumna who has given of her time and talent for the benefit of Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women. The person has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the school and has been an ambassador for Mercy. She has a passion for Mercy and its mission to educate young women in academics and faith.

Nominate Now

List of 1 items.

  • Past Recipients

    2025 - Amy Liebert Hentschke '90
    2024     - Mary E. O'Brien Zeiner '74
    2023     - Sister Patricia Prinzing, RSM '58 (deceased)
    2022     - JoAnn Belle-Isle '65
    2019     - Linda Wojciechowski '81
    2018     – Julie Spath Hetterich ‘80
    2017 – Linda Roessel Vandenberg ’68
    2015 – Pam Fennell Baker ’74
    2014 – Kristin Vanden Brul ’79
    2013 – Judith Trabert ’67
    2012 – Sr. Nancy Whitley, RSM ’51
    2009 – Andrea Tomaino ’80
    2008 – Karen Ralph ’72

Alumnae Spirit of Giving Award

This award, established in 2026, is presented annually to an alumna whose exceptional philanthropic support has made an extraordinary and lasting impact on Mercy. It recognizes generosity that advances the school’s mission, honors Mercy’s legacy of philanthropy, expands opportunities for our students, and inspires others to invest in Mercy’s future.

List of 1 items.

Mercy Athletic Hall of Fame

Established in the 1990s, the Our Lady of Mercy Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding student athletes, coaches, teams, and special contributors. Through recognition, these individuals provide our current students and athletes with an understanding and appreciation for the history of Monarch Athletics. 
Learn More
Alumnae competing at the collegiate level and beyond

List of 3 items.

  • College Athletes

    Typically, 10-15 percent of each Mercy graduating class features students who are recruited for collegiate competition.
    View College Commitments

  • Professional Athletes

    Only a select few athletes in any sport rise to the professional level, but, true to its tradition of excellence, Mercy has produced competitors whose career paths have included a number of professional sports.
    View Professional Athletes

  • Olympic Athletes

    Mercy alumnae carry themselves with dignity, confidence, and poise— representing what it means to be a Mercy Girl on the world stage.
    View Olympic Athletes
We strive for this information to be as accurate as possible. If you know of an omission or correction, please contact info@mercyhs.com.

Our Alumnae Have Stories to Tell

Tell us how Mercy has shaped your path in college, career, family life, and service to your community!

Alumnae Giving

Mercy alumnae often wish to donate to the school in honor of their class, a class member or teacher, or through a scholarship. We welcome any and all donations to Mercy; whether as part of the Mercy Fund, or through these special funds.

List of 3 items.

  • Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Fund

    The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Fund was established by Mercy Principal, Dr. Sherylanne Diodato ’93 and her classmates. It will be used for simple gestures like “just because days,” opening day survival kits, ice cream sandwiches on a hot day, crafts to relax, or hot chocolate on a cold winter day. This fund would provide all of our students, a little unexpected love from the Circle of Mercy.

  • Spirit of Mercy Fund in honor of Karen Ralph ’72

    This Fund was established to assist Mercy students with unexpected financial hardships who struggle to afford items such as school supplies, uniforms, Mercy Spirit wear, transportation/bus passes, and dance/prom fees.

  • Class of ’88 Guiding Star Fund

    The Guiding Star Fund was established by the Class of ’88 to honor classmates lost too soon by funding scholarships, Junior rings, student lunches, and yearbooks for those students in need.
Make an unrestricted gift to the Mercy Fund

Discover More
Continue Exploring...

    • Photo Collage

      First Day of School11 (1)

    • Photo Collage

      Facility Mercy Building Front Door Sunny (1)

    • Photo Collage

      Aerial Mercy Campus 0 (3)

Your Daughter Will Thrive at Mercy!
Begin the Journey Today.

1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610
Phone: 585-288-7120    |    Fax: 585-288-7966    |    Email: info@mercyhs.com

Stay Connected:

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women is a sponsored ministry of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and a member of Mercy Education.
© 2026 Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women.