Alumnae

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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!

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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.

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  • 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 but goodies. 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’s Wegmans from 7-8 p.m., located at 2157 Penfield Rd., Penfield NY 14526 (corner of 441 and 250).

    2025-2026 Alumnae Book Club List
    1. October 13th : The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Kline
    2. November 10th: The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnson
    3. January 12th: An Unfinished Love Story: A personal History of the 1960’s by Doris Kearns Goodwin
    4. February 9th: Excellent Women by Barbara Pym
    5. March 9th: Lovely One: a memor by Ketanji Brown Jackson
    6. April 13th: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
    7. May 11: Black Angels by Maria Similios
    8. June 8th: The Rivers In The Sky by Elif Shafak
    9. July 13th: Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson
    10. August 10th: The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
    11. September 14th: This Could Be Us by Ryan Kennedy

    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 October.

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

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  • Past Recipients

    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
    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

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  • 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
    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

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

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  • 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.

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  • 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

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

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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.
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