Merion Mercy Academy
Underclassman Awards Ceremony
Thursday, June 7, 2012
General excellence medals for Academic Achievement for this school year are awarded to:
Grade 11: Marina Tsikouras
Grade 10: Kathleen Dolan
Grade 9: Julie Bevilacqua
The Princeton Book Award is presented to a junior for outstanding academic achievement and exemplary community service. The book is presented this year to:
Katherine Riga
The Rensselaer Medal is presented each year to a junior who has excelled in the areas of math and science. Each medalist who is accepted and subsequently enrolls at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute receives a special medalist scholarship worth $60,000 over 4 years. This year the award is presented to:
Christine Hill
Certificates and pins are presented to students in each academic course. The Academic Excellence
Award is presented to the student who has performed the best in the course for this academic school year.
The Honorable Mention award is presented to the student with the next highest average. The Excellent
Effort Award is presented to the student who has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the course.
Course Academic Excellence Honorable Mention Excellent Effort
Theology
Hebrew Scriptures
Christian Scriptures
Church History
Sacraments
Morality
Social Justice
Julie Bevilacqua
Erica Murphy
Kathleen Dolan
Tam Le
Moira McChesney
Sarah Jensen
Amanda Browne
Caitlin Harrison
Olivia Gallagher-Kowit
Marina Tsikouras
Mary Kate Donahue Elizabeth Sack
Brittany Cunningham Alison Kane
Literature and Writing Moira McChesney
Literature and Writing A Julie Bevilacqua
American Literature Katleene Stone
American Literature A
British Literature
British Literature A
Audrey Cooney
Mary Kate Donahue
Katherine Riga
Fiction and Poetry Writing
Foundations in Writing Alyssa Giosa
Effective Writing Mary Hope
English
Erin Parker
Genevieve Manning
Kathleen Dolan
Christina O’Shea
Sarah Hughes
Grace Harbison
Megan Rogers
Katherine Lee
Mary Hope
Jasmine Raj
Jamilah Jones
Paige Pecora
Maggie DeVlieger
Krista Rossi
Allison Starr
Marissa Spalucci
Elizabeth Backe

Course Academic Excellence Honorable Mention
Algebra 1A
Algebra 1
Geometry A
Geometry
Jasmine Raj
Caroline Corzel
Julie Bevilacqua
Elizabeth Backe
Algebra 2A
Algebra 2
PreCalculus
AP Statistics
Statistics
Alexandra Hecht
Krista Rossi
Advanced Pre Calculus A Christine Hill
AP Calculus AB
Molly Powers
Christine Hill
Jeannette Cecchi
Mathematics
Erin Donnelly
Lauren Dice
Alison Snarponis
Elisabeth Gavin
Catherine Gormley
Summer Ziernicki
Bridget Cashel
Christina O’Shea
Science
Excellent Effort
Olivia Giangiordano
Olivia Alessandri
Kerlyn Rodriquez
Kimberly Rodriquez
Catalina Walsh
Natalie Trerotola
Anna Pappas
Elizabeth Bae
Sara Maminski
Sci. Methods, Appl, Reas & Theory Madeleine Procopio
Biology A
Biology
AP Chemistry
Chemistry A
Chemistry
Erica Murphy
Jasmine Raj
Christine Hill
Alexandra Hecht
Natalie Trerotola
AP Biology
Physics
Mary Klatt
Bridget Cashel
AP Environmental Science Marina Tsikouras
Allegra Malgier
Julie Bevilacqua
Mary Hope
Kathleen Dolan
Samantha DiFabio
Alyssia LaMonaca
Ciara Tucker
Mary Kate Donahue
Physiology A
Earth Science
Christina O’Shea
Biotechnology/Bioethics Alexandra Hecht
Gianna Croce
Katherine Lee
Social Studies
Rebecca Purcell
Jennifer Quach
Nolan Campbell
Maura Dougherty
Jennifer Laske
Kayla Lane
Julianne Kerwood
Christina Pawlish
Erica DiPascale
Emma Ibrahim
Anna Pappas
Erin Snyder
Cultures in World History Julie Bevilacqua
20th Century U. S. History Bridget Cashel
AP U. S. History Marina Tsikouras
Women’s History
Sociology
Themes in U.S. History
World Geography
Intro to Law
Audrey Cooney
Audrey Cooney
Tam Le
Rebecca McCarron
Language
Meghan Henry
Megan McCaffrey
Katherine Riga
Mary Catherine Carr
Alexandra Hecht
Latin 1A
French 1A
Spanish 1A
Spanish 1
Latin 2A
French 2A
Erica Murphy
Emma Ibrahim
Meghan Henry
Jianna Pappalardo
Christine Fay
Julie Bevilacqua
Catherine Maurer
Madeline King
Taylor McElwee
Alessandra Zito
Caitlin Harrison
Amy Weiss
Ashley Graves
Madeleine Procopio
Gabriela Ferroni
Audra Adams
Maria DiGiacomo
Sarah Hughes

Course
French 2
Spanish 2A
Spanish 2
Latin 3A
French 3A
French 3
Spanish 3A
Spanish 3
Academic Excellence
Sokha Lanctot
Alexandra Hecht
Mary Hope
Katherine Riga
Marina Tsikouras
Mary Kate O’Riordan
Erin McGarrity
Krista Rossi
Honorable Mention
Katherine Lee
Paige Pecora
Nicia Chiavacci
Melissa De Leon
Excellent Effort
Marguerite Gorman
Elizabeth Backe
Mary Grace Zeller
Stephanie Thomas
Cassidy Guilday
Allison Starr
Jenna Ertel
Fine Arts
Art Major 1A
Art Major 2A
Principles of Design 1
Principles of Design 2
Yadira Mejia
Samantha DiFabio
Christine Fay
Julia Littleton
Music Major 1A
Music Major 2A
Kathleen Dolan
Elizabeth Dierkes
20 th Cent Pop & Theatrical Music Caitlin Harrison
Emma Brown
Nicole Marchese
Clarissa Cooney
Juliana Angelone
Mary Paschos
Gabriella DiFabio
Samantha Fioravanti Catherine Fogarty
Fatimah Maiga
Audrey Cooney
Marialena Rago
Katherine Dombrowski
The 2012 Exploravision Contest, sponsored by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers’ Association, awards the following students for exercising their imaginations in the areas of science and exploring its impact on technology. Competing among over 5,000 entries in the U.S. and Canada, three Merion team won honorable mention.
 Honorable Mention: o For the Linolector , the latest breakthrough in anti-inflammatory treatment for the heart, joints, and brain:
Kelly Barton, Ciara Bauwens, Emily Conroy, Genevieve Manning o For Mommy Needs a New Mammogram , a device that detects breast cancer using thermography and odorant detection:
Madeline King, Corinne Pisauro, Julia Roccato, Catherine West o For The Chloroplast Space Pack , a space suit life support system that uses artificial photosynthesis to support an astronaut in space.
Emma Ibrahim, Catherine Maurer, Celia Mongeluzi
The Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society sponsors an award for excellence in chemistry and recognizes a student for her demonstrated enthusiasm and perseverance in the study of chemistry. This year’s award is presented to:
Tammy Le

MMA students continued to earn honors in the WordMasters critical reading challenge meets this year.
As a result of strong performances in the four challenge meets, the freshmen placed tenth in the nation and the juniors placed ninth in the nation.
In addition to this success, two students have won highest honors for year-long individual achievement as well: freshman Megan Bevilacqua and junior Mary Kate Carr placed among the 22 highest-ranked students nationwide in the cumulative standings for their respective grade levels.
For leading the National Honor Society with a strong sense of duty and dedication, an award is presented to:
Mary Grace Zeller
Honorable Mention: Martha Zeller
The following students have achieved distinction in the National French Exam:
 Level 1 o National Winners: Emma Ibrahim and Catherine Maurer (bronze medals) o Regional Winners: Mary Kate Magee and Madeleine Procopio o Honorable Mention: Emma Drennen, Deirdre McCloskey, Grace Mullen, Audrey Rake,
Minh Vu, and Annette Young
 Level 2 o National Winners: Sarah Brown and Christine Fay (bronze medals) o Honorable Mention: Mary Grace Bullock, Elizabeth Loftus, Fatimah Maiga,
Meghan Rafter, Gabriella Schneider, and Alessandra Zito
 Level 3 o National Winner: Marina Tsikouras (2 nd place trophy and silver medal) o National Honorable Mention: Abigail Fondren and Christina O’Shea o Honorable Mention: Anna Calderone, Madalaina D’Angelo, Maura Dougherty,
Julianne Kerwood, Jennifer Laske, L’oreal Oliver, Emily Parker and
Stephanie Thomas
 Level 4 o Honorable Mention: Olivia Gallagher-Kowit
The following students have achieved recognition for Cum Laude performance in the National Latin Exam :
Latin 1A: Jennifer Quach
Latin 2A: Maria DiGiacomo
Latin 3A: Mary Grace Zeller

The following students have achieved recognition for Magna Cum Laude performance:
Latin 1A : Victoria Basso and Jamilah Jones
Latin 2A: Emma Aldaya, Abigail Fondren, Casey Hofmann, and Allison Toal
Latin 3A: Marygrace Hegarty
The following students have merited a certificate and a silver medal for their Maxima Cum Laude performance:
Latin 1A: Maura Avington, Kristen Konieczny, Jasmine Raj, and Jacqueline Sereni
Latin 2A: Amanda Browne, Lydia Esposito, Erin Loftus, Maura Murphy, and Meghan Rafter
Latin 3A: Meghan McCaffrey and Allison Starr
The following students have merited a certificate and a gold medal for their Summa Cum Laude performance:
Latin 1A: Emma Drennen, Ashley Graves, Katherine Hock, Sarah Hughes, Ahn-thu Le,
Elizabeth Mattera, Moira McChesney, Marie McFalls, Elizabeth Messina,
Erica Murphy, Elizabeth Schrieber, Alison Snarponis, Minh Vu, and Annette Young
Latin 2A: Audrey Cooney, Kathleen Dolan, Elizabeth Doyle, Elisabeth Gavin, Madilyn Grey,
Tammy Le, Taylor McElwee, Erin O’Brien, Anna Pappas, Margaret Quigley,
Mariah Quinn, and Erin Snyder
Latin 3A: Mary Kate Carr, Nicia Chiavacci, Sarah Farrell, and Katherine Riga
The following students have merited perfect scores on the National Latin Exam:
Latin 1A: Julie Bevilacqua Latin 2A: Clarissa Cooney and Jodi Jansen
For dedication and excellence as a member of the Latin Club , an award is presented to:
Marygrace Hegarty
Honorable Mention: Olivia Gallagher-Kowit
The following students have achieved distinction in the National Spanish Exam :
 Level 1 o Gold Medal: Kelly Barton, Meghan Henry, Madeline King, and Leyla Lewenec o Silver Medal: Gabriela Ferroni, Bridget Kayes, Sarah Klippel, Genevieve Manning,
Stephanie Paras, and Katherine Riga o Bronze Medal: Caroline Barton, Ciara Bauwens, Isabel Cieri, Ashley Graves,
Clare Hegarty, Sarah Jensen, Elaine O'Hara, Casey Robinson,
Julia Roccato, Megan Rolfes, and Chelsea Stone

 Level 2 o Gold Medal: Corinne Pisauro o Silver Medal: Marissa Abbonizio, Emma Brown, Jael Brown, Catherine Fuller,
Marguerite Gorman, Caitlin Harrison, Alexandra Hecht, Katherine Lee,
Kerlyn Rodriguez, and Emily Turek o Bronze Medal: Christine Callahan, Rachel Craig, Samantha Fioravanti, Gina Marcozzi,
Erin O'Brien, Kimberly Rodriguez, Deanna Rosini, and Gabrielle Sweeney
 Level 3 o Silver Medal: Greta Bradbury, Mary Burke, Nicia Chiavacci, Christine Hill,
Deanna Javage, Alyssia LaMonaca, Erin McGarrity, Lucia McGettigan,
Claire Murray, Maura Murphy, and Erin Snyder o Bronze Medal: Mariana Capizzi, Mary Kate Donahue, and Allison Starr
 Level 4 o Silver Medal: Elizabeth Dierkes
Certificate
For her outstanding enthusiasm for the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures, and for her commitment to the Spanish Club , an award is presented to:
Emma Campbell
Honorable Mention: Greta Bradbury
Mock Trial students face the daunting tasks of applying their excellent writing and forensics skills to a complex legal problem. All members of the team are to be congratulated for their efforts. In recognition of their top 16 placement at the Princeton University Moot Court Competition the Mock Trial awards for outstanding underclassmen is presented to:
Christine Fay and Meghan Rafter
For her leadership and her outstanding dedication to the principles of peace and diplomacy as part of the
Model U.N.
, and for her participation in and promotion of the club’s debates, an award is presented to:
Marina Tsikouras
Honorable Mention: Erin Snyder
For a genuine desire to develop an economic, political, and cultural understanding of people from other countries as a member of the World Affairs Club , an award is presented to:
Casey Hofmann
Honorable Mention: Rose DeFino
For promoting the study of and appreciation for history in all its forms, and for demonstrating a devotion to making history interesting and relevant as a member of the History Club , an award is presented to:
Olivia Gallagher-Kowit
Honorable Mention: Rebecca McCarron

For being outstanding members and top scorers of the Junior Varsity Mathletes team, awards are presented to:
Erica Murphy (freshman) and Katherine Lee (sophomore)
Certain Merion sophomores were invited this year to participate in the 63rd annual American
Mathematics Contest . With over 4,000 schools participating nationwide, its purpose is to spur interest in mathematics and to develop talent in problem solving through the excitement of competition in a timed format. The following participants should please come forward to receive their certificates:
Taylor Barrett
Mary Burke
Kathleen Dolan
Christine Fay
Catherine Fuller
Catherine Gormley
Caitlin Harrison
Alexandra Hecht
Sarah Hughes
Tammy Le
Katherine Lee
Kathleen Dolan has earned special recognition as Merion Mercy’s winner at this year’s American
Mathematics Contest.
In the spring semester Director’s Choice Awards were given to seniors for their outstanding contributions to the Merion Mercy Music Theater program’s annual musical.
The Production Staff of MMMT commends the company of The Phantom of the Opera for its tremendous accomplishments. Special recognition was given in March to the following individuals for going above and beyond what was expected, and for their professionalism, enthusiasm, leadership, and excellence in the following areas.
For performance: Allison Boyle
For dance: Cassidy Giordano
For her passionate dedication as editor-in-chief and her willingness to do whatever it takes to produce a magazine worthy of its name, the 2012 Image Explosion award is presented to:
Mary Kate Carr
Honorable Mention: Erin Snyder
For outstanding commitment and faithful service to the Ricordia , awards are presented to
Madalaina D’Angelo
Honorable Mention: Victoria DiRenzo
For outstanding service to the Ministry Team , demonstrating reliability, generosity, commitment to the ideals of the Gospel, compassion for all God's people, and leadership as a Christian role model, an award is presented to:
Anna Pappas
For outstanding representation of the values and beliefs of the Multicultural Club , for fostering the belief that all cultures enrich the world, and for the spirit and joy of sharing oneself, an award is presented to:
Shelsy Tity
For her sense of adventure and effort to promote culture, fine arts, performing arts, the reading of great works of literature, and an appreciation of etiquette, an award for the Finer Things Club is presented to:
Maura Avington
Honorable Mention: Meghan Rafter and Maria Calabrese

For raising awareness of the many works of mercy and service performed by students, parents, and alumnae of MMA as members of Mercy Works , an award is presented to:
Victoria DiRenzo
For superlative teamwork, effort, and dedication as a member of Communications Club , an award for the Good Morning, Merion!
broadcast team is presented to:
Greta Bradbury
Honorable Mention: Natalie Trerotola
For superlative creativity, dedication, and for endless hours planning, filming, and editing movies as members of Communications Club , awards for Merion Cinema Society are presented to:
Katherine Buckley and Mary Grace Bullock
Honorable Mention: Madeleine Procopio
The Community Service Corps Award for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to promoting social justice and participating in service activities at Merion and in the community is presented to:
Erin Snyder and Marina Tsikouras
Honorable Mention: Mary Kate Quinn
An overall award for the Best Continuous Program was awarded in May by the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia to Merion Mercy Academy’s chapter of Community Service Corps for our partnership with
LaSalle Academy . This is the second time MMA has won this award in the last three years from among all of the private and diocesan high schools in Philadelphia. Many students and faculty members have been involved over the years with this partnership and are worthy of recognition for their dedication.
Mrs. Meacham came forward to receive a certificate on behalf of the school.
The following students, as committed, enthusiastic members of the Literary Bears Book Club have excelled at this year’s Reading Olympics hosted by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit.
Certificates and first-place blue ribbons are awarded to:
Emma Brown
Kathleen Dolan
Jodi Jansen
Aisha Maiga
Yadira Mejia
L’oreal Oliver
Jennifer Quach
For her incredible creativity and enthusiasm in promoting a love of literature and in bringing the magic of
Harry Potter’s world to Merion Mercy through dynamic activities, an award for S.P.E.W.
(Students
Perilously Entertained by Wizardry) is presented to:
Madalaina D’Angelo
For her creativity, teamwork, and perspective in dedication to and organization of the Photography Club , an award is presented to:
Stephanie Thomas
Honorable Mention: Sarah Byrnes

In recognition for outstanding service, leadership and commitment to the Merion Mercy Community as an officer of Student Council , an award is presented to:
Deanna Javage
For being an outstanding member of the National Science Honor Society who has encouraged interest in, and awareness of, scientific knowledge and discovery within the Merion Mercy community, an award is presented to:
Julianne Kerwood
Julianne has received the Annenberg Scholarship to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on
Medicine this summer.
For her respect for the natural world, and her initiative and commitment to promoting awareness of important environmental issues as part of Environmental Club , an award is presented to:
Emily Parker
Honorable Mention: Cierra Tucker
For outstanding performance and commitment to the development and excellence of the Tri-M Music
Honor Society , an award is presented to:
Elizabeth Dierkes
Honorable Mention: Allison Boyle
Recognizing our communal prayer in the liturgy, the following have served the Merion Mercy community by enhancing all of our liturgical celebrations. For outstanding service and commitment through time and talent, an award for the Liturgical Ensemble is presented to:
Kathleen Dolan
Honorable Mention: Alessandra Zito
For outstanding performance and dedication to the MMA Ensemble , an award is presented to:
Elizabeth Dierkes
Honorable Mention: Kathleen Dolan
For excellence in performance and dedication to the Glee Club , an award is presented to:
Jasmine Raj
Honorable Mention: Caitlin Harrison
For excellence and commitment as a distinguished member of the Chorale , an award is presented to:
Mary Kate Carr
Honorable Mention: Christina Brennan
Two other members of Chorale, Allison Boyle and Elizabeth Duska, earned recognition in a regional contest hosted by the National Association of Teachers of Singing . Allison was a semi-finalist and
Elizabeth won 2 nd place.

For excellence in performance and dedication to the Handbell Choir , an award is presented to:
Anna Pappas
Honorable Mention: Katherine Riga
The following students received special recognition throughout the school year from their peers and mentors for being models of mercy within our community. For the outstanding ways in which they put into action our school’s core values of compassion, service, and collaboration, pins are presented at this time to the various winners of the Miss Mercy honor for 2011-2012:
Julie Bevilacqua, Emma Ibrahim, and Katie Lee
Recognition of perfect attendance for the 2011-2012 school year is awarded to:
Class of 2015
Caroline Barton
Julia Brenner
Olivia Diaz
Erin Donnelly
Gabriela Ferroni
Sara Figueroa
Cameron George
Clare Hegarty
Patricia Markey
Ann Marie McShea
Ashley Miller
Erica Murphy
Christina Nunno
Jianna Pappalardo
Erin Parker
Class of 2014
Madeleine Procopio
Jasmine Raj
Audrey Rake
Maya Rhodes
Jane Burke
Christine Fay
Catherine Fuller
Catherine Gormley
Sarah Klippel
Katherine Lee
Eileen Tran
Christina Burgese
Class of 2013
Aisha Maiga Allison Starr
Recognition of perfect attendance for two (2) consecutive years is awarded to:
Class of 2014
Emma Brown
BriYana Crocker
Kathleen Dolan
Caitlin Harrison
Nicole Marchese
Audra Musumeci
Class of 2013
Jennifer Quach
Rodesha Washington
Gianna Croce Maura Dougherty Marygrace Hegarty
Recognition of perfect attendance for three (3) consecutive years is awarded to:
Class of 2013
Megan Brennan
Emma Campbell
Maria DiGiacomo
Sarah Maminski
Anna Pappas
Christina Pawlish
Katherine Riga
Alyssia LaMonaca
Natalie Trerotola
Cierra Williams