Merion Mercy Academy
Underclassman Awards Ceremony
Thursday, June 9, 2011
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AWARDS
FOR ACADEMICS & ACTIVITIES
Medals
General excellence medals for Academic Achievement for this school year are awarded to:
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Grade 11:
Grade 10:
Grade 9:
Stephanie Furlong
Marina Tsikouras
Alexandra Hecht
Book
The Princeton Book Award is presented to a junior for outstanding academic achievement and
exemplary community service. The book is presented this year to:
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Julia Gallagher
Certificate
The Rensselaer Medal was first presented in 1916 with two purposes: to recognize the
superlative achievement of young men and women and to motivate students toward careers in
science, engineering, and technology. Each medalist who is accepted and subsequently
enrolls at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute receives a special medalist scholarship worth
$60,000 over 4 years. The medal is presented each year to a junior who has excelled in math
and science. This year the award is presented to:
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Stephanie Furlong
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. We ask the following students to come forward to
receive their awards:
Course
Academic
Honorable Mention Excellent Effort
Theology
Hebrew Scriptures
Christian Scriptures
Church History
Sacraments
Morality
Social Justice
Sarah Hughes
Caitlin Harrison
Elizabeth Dierkes
Mary Kate Donahue
Elizabeth Manning
Emily Buongiorno
Mary Hope
Marguerite Gorman
Audrey Cooney
Christina O’Shea
Marina Tsikouras
Jacqueline Fioravanti
Stephanie Furlong
Katherine Riga
Mary Hope
Katherine Riga
Sarah Hughes
Amanda Browne
Sarah Farrell
Mary Klatt
Katrina Keating
Taylor Barrett
Mary Hope
Catherine Gormley
Brittany Cunnigham
Christine Hill
Kellie McClatchy
Elizabeth Manning
Katleene Stone
Christina Brennan
Alexandra Hecht
Rebecca McCarron
Mary Klatt
Kathleen Dolan
Jennifer Laske
Christine Hill
Jennifer Heinerichs
Stephanie Furlong
Audrey Cooney
Jenna Ertel
Christina O’Shea
Julia Hall
Elizabeth Manning
Katrina Keating
Mary Klatt
Emily Buongiorno
Audrey Cooney
Stephanie Furlong
Katrina Keating
Kathleen Dolan
Elizabeth Manning
Emily Buongiorno
Stephanie Furlong
Sinead Merriman
Allison Lajeunesse
Elizabeth Talvacchia
Elizabeth Duska
Gabrielle Mazza
Caitlyn Ibrahim
English
Literature and Writing 1
Literature and Writing 1A
American Literature
American Literature A
British Literature
British Literature A
Fiction and Poetry Writing
Foundations in Writing
Effective Writing
Jael Brown
Gina Marcozzi
Alyssia LaMonaca
Mary Hope
Jennifer Laske
Natalie Trerotola
Yadira Mejia
Julia Hall
Jennifer Grugan
Catherine Gormley
Emilee Faillace
Mathematics
Algebra 1A
Algebra 1
Geometry A
Geometry
Algebra 2A
Algebra 2
Advanced Pre Calculus A
AP Statistics
Stephanie Furlong
Kerlyn Rodriguez
Alanna Bonavitacola
Christina DiGiacomo
Natalie Trerotola
Jonisa-Niani Davis
Samantha Siegfried
Megan Kurtz
Caroline Kelly
Science
Biology A
Biology
Chemistry A
Chemistry
AP Biology
Environmental Science
Physiology A
Biotechnology & Bioethics
Emma Brown
Maria DiGiacomo
Maura Dougherty
Shannon Saldutti
Caroline Theveny
Alyssia LaMonaca
Social Studies
Cultures in World History
20th Century U. S. History
AP U. S. History
Samantha Fioravanti
Emily Hughes
Kellie McClatchy
Psychology
Sociology
Elise Nowak
Courtney Lewis
Course
Academic
Honorable Mention
Excellent Effort
Themes in U.S. History
World Geography
Katherine Riga
Maura Dougherty
Rebecca McCarron
Abigail Fondren
Stephanie Thomas
Tammy Le
Sarah Hughes
Christina Brennan
Samantha Fioravanti
Meaghan Courtney
Erin McGarrity
Marina Tsikouras
Megan Montgomery
Erin McGarrity
Samantha DiFabio
Monica Buccieri
Kerry Candeloro
Mary Catherine Pierson
Stephanie Furlong
Bridget Squilla
Maura Murphy
Alessandra Zito
Taylor McElwee
Jane Burke
Eileen Tran
Alexandra Hecht
Emily Shields
Mary Grace Zeller
Madison Pollino
Emilee Faillace
Emma Campbell
Mary Catherine Carr
Emily Toal
Caitlyn Ibrahim
Gemma Ochman
Samantha DiFabio
Jacqueline Fioravanti
Kerry Candeloro
Elizabeth Dierkes
Kaitlin Peck
Gabriella DiFabio
Briana Protesto
Language
Latin 1A
French 1A
French 1
Spanish 1A
Spanish 1
Latin 2A
French 2A
French 2
Spanish 2A
Spanish 2
Latin 3A
French 3A
French 3
Spanish 3A
Spanish 3
Katherine Lee
Sarah Byrnes
Nicia Chiavacci
Cassidy Guilday
Nicia Chiavacci
Bridget Cashel
Anna DeFeo
Sarah Gloniger
Elizabeth Manning
Alora McDonnell
Art/Music
Art Major 1A
Principles of Design
20th Century Pop & Theatre
Music Major 1A
Music Major 2A
Megan Kurtz
Kaitlin Peck
Caroline Pusak
Giovana Crozier-Fitzgerald
Stephanie Schallenhammer Sharisse Sutherland
I invite the students receiving the following awards to please come forward. Students who earn
Honorable Mention status should stand and be recognized.
Certificates and Pins
The 2011 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, one Merion team was a regional winner and two teams won honorable
mention. Certificates and pins are presented to all three teams:
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Regional Winners:
o For the biology project “Parade (pair-uh-day) Protection”
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Emma Brown
Audrey Cooney
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Jodi Jansen
Honorable Mention:
o For the biology project “No Complainer Retainer”:
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Olivia Gallagher
Marygrace Hegarty
Marybeth McLaverty
Honorable Mention:
o For the biology project “The Concussion Proof Helmet System”:
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Christine Callahan
Samantha Fiorvanti
Catherine Fuller
Certificate
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:
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Mary Klatt
Certificates, Medals and Plaques
The following students have achieved distinction in the National French Exam. Please come
forward to receive your certificate, medal, and/or plaque when your name is called.
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Level 1
o Regional Winners:
Sarah Brown
Jennifer Quach
Alessandra Zito
o Honorable Mention:
Christine Fay
Jodi Garvey
Fatimah Maiga
Level 2
o Regional Winners:
Jeanette Cecchi
Christine O’Shea
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o National Winner:
Marina Tsikouras
o Honorable Mention:
Maggie DeVlieger
Maura Dougherty
Julianne Kerwood
Jennifer Laske
Loreal Oliver
Caroline Pusak
Stephanie Thomas
Level 3
o Regional Winners:
Caitlyn Ibrahim
Megan Ketchell
Christina Schweingruber
Sharisse Sutherland
o National Winners:
Kerry Candeloro
Olivia Gallagher
o Honorable Mention:
Holly Dennis
Moira Kaiser
Shannon Magee
Level 4
o Honorable Mention:
Anna DeFeo
Certificates and Medals
These students in the Latin Department have achieved beyond expectations through their
exceptional performance in this year’s National Latin Exam. Please come forward to receive
your certificate and/or medal when your name is called.
The following students have achieved recognition for Cum Laude performance:
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Latin 1A:
Emma Aldaya
Madilyn Grey
Taylor McElwee
Meghan Rafter
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Latin 3A:
Caitlyn Ibrahim
Lana Sikahema
The following students have achieved recognition for Magna Cum Laude performance:
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Latin 1A :
Jane Burke
Elizabeth Doyle
Abigail Fondren
Jodi Janson
Anna Pappas
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Latin 2A:
Stephanie Della-Porta
Alexandra Fanto
Sarah Maminski
Christine Rice
Stephanie Thomas
The following students have merited a certificate and a silver medal for their Maxima Cum
Laude performance:
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Latin 1A:
Amanda Browne
Clarissa Cooney
Kate Knebels
Jillian Kupcha
Maura Murphy
Margaret Quigley
Mariah Quinn
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Latin 2A:
Giovanna Crozier-Fitzgerald
Marygrace Hegarty
Deanna Javage
Rebecca McCarron
Katherine Riga
Noel Saraceno
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Latin 3A:
Monica Buccieri
Megan Zak
The following students have merited a certificate and a gold medal for their Summa Cum
Laude performance:
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Latin 1A:
Audrey Cooney
Kathleen Dolan
Erin Snyder
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Latin 2A:
Nicia Ciavacci
Mary Kate Carr
Sarah Farrell
Meghan McCaffrey
Erin McGarrity
Allison Starr
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Latin 3A:
Anna DeFeo
Stand for Recognition
The following students have achieved distinction in the National Spanish Exam. Please stand
to be recognized when your name is called and remain standing until all the winners from your
level of Spanish have been called.
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Level 1
o Gold Medal:
Kerlyn Rodríguez
Alexandra Hecht
o Silver Medal:
Jael Brown
Emily Turek
Caitlin Harrison
Kimberly Rodríguez
Katherine Lee
Emma Brown
o Bronze Medal:
Catherine Gormley
Marguerite Gorman
o Honorable Mention:
Gina Marcozzi
Gabrielle Sweeney
Rachel Craig
Samantha Fioravanti
Katherine Harris
Marissa Abbonizio
Level 2
o Gold Medal:
Nicia Chiavacci
Erin McGarrity
Alyssia La Monaca
o Silver Medal:
Greta Bradbury
Mary Kate Donahue
Mary Lastowka
Mary Burke
Mary Klatt
Marygrace Hegarty
Elena Conway
Kelly Lee
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o Bronze Medal:
Melissa DeLeon
Maura Murphy
Erin Snyder
Allison Starr
Claire Murray
Julianne D'Orazio
Deanna Javage
Lucia McGettigan
Meghan Stranick
o Honorable Mention:
Mariana Capizzi
Victoria DiRenzo
Level 3
o Gold Medal:
Stephanie Furlong
Kaitlin Peck
o Silver Medal:
Amanda Alvarez
Emily Buongiorno
Elizabeth Dierkes
Julia Gallagher
Katrina Keating
Elizabeth Manning
Melissa Teixeira
o Bronze Medal:
Shannon Dixon
Caroline Kelly
o Honorable Mention:
Cristina McCormack
Santina Pescatore
Level 4 (Bilingual Category)
o Silver Medal:
Yadira Mejía
Certificates
Mock Trial students face the daunting tasks of applying their excellent writing and forensics
skills to a complex legal problem. This year your Mock Trial program was the only school to
place two teams in the District Round playoff. All members of Mock Trial should be
congratulated for their efforts. In particular, awards are presented to the following students:
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For team 1, Shannon Dixon
For team 2, Nicia Chiavacci
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Honorable Mention: Emily Turek (team 2) and Kate Riga (team 2)
Certificate
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:
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Mary Lastowka
Honorable Mention: Erin Snyder
Certificate and Book
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 and 2-year president of the
History Club, an award is presented to:
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Christina Schweingruber
For her dedicated service as president, Christina was already presented this year with a copy of
the book 1776, signed by the Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough.
Certificates
For being an outstanding member and top scorer of the Junior Varsity Mathletes team, awards
are presented to:
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Olivia Gallagher (top sophomore) and Meghan Rafter (top freshman)
Certificates and Pins
Certain Merion students were invited this year to participate in the 62nd 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:
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Mary Burke
Mary Kate Donahue
Olivia Gallagher
Christine Hill
Alyssia La Monaca
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Maura Murphy
Claire Murray
Christina O'Shea
Caroline Pusak
Marina Tsikouras
Maura Murphy has earned special recognition as Merion Mercy’s winner at this year’s
American Mathematics Contest. Maura, please come forward to receive a pin.
Stand for Recognition
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.
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For performance: Allison Boyle
For technical: Katie Barton
For production: Stephanie Furlong
For Cappies critic: Kerry Candeloro
I inivite those MMMT members to please stand and be recognized.
Certificate
For so generously sharing her talents, her time, and her leadership skills as assistant editor of
the 2011 Image Explosion, an award is presented to:
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Mary Kate Carr
Certificate
In appreciation for their contribution, service, and dedication to the Meriannal, an award is
presented to:
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Courtney Lewis
Honorable Mention: Natalie Trerotola
Certificates
For outstanding commitment and faithful service to the Ricordia, awards are presented to:
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Lana Sikahema and Melissa Teixeira
Honorable Mention: Madalaina D’Angelo
Certificate
For outstanding service to the Ministry Team, demonstrating 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:
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Kerry Candeloro
Certificate
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:
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Gemmika Champion
Certificate
For her efforts to promote culture, fine arts, the reading of great works of literature, and an
appreciation of etiquette, an award for the Finer Things Club is presented to:
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Elise Nowak
Certificate
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:
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Stephanie Furlong
Honorable Mention: Stephanie Schallenhammer
Certificate
For superlative teamwork, effort, and dedication as a member of Communications Club, an
award for the Good Morning, Merion! broadcast team is presented to:
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Gemmika Champion
Certificate
For superlative creativity, dedication, and for endless hours planning, filming, and editing movies
as members of Communications Club, an award for Mercy Feature Films is presented to:
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Brighid Kelly
Honorable Mention: Gemmika Champion
Certificate
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:
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Emily Parker
Honorable Mention: Katrina Keating and Alex Sullivan
Certificate
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:
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Julia Gallagher
Certificate
For being a role model to the new students, and for her outstanding dedication, effort, and
contribution to the Freshman Orientation program as an Orientation Week Leader, an award is
presented to
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Julia Gallagher
Honorable Mention: Maggie DeVlieger
Certificate
For leadership and commitment as a member of Merion Mercy’s Literary Bears Book Club, an
award is presented to:
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Yadira Mejia
Certificate
For their incredibly 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 SPEW
(Students Perilously Entertained by Wizardry) is presented to:
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Jacqueline Uveges
Honorable Mention: Maddy D’Angelo, Delia Moran, Moira Pannepacker, Michaela Shea
Certificate
For her creativity, teamwork, and perspective in dedication to and organization of the
Photography Club, an award is presented to:
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Holly Dennis
Honorable Mention: Stephanie Thomas
Certificate
In recognition of the efficient management of the National Art Honor Society as well as
individual service projects, an award is presented to:
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Megan Kurtz
Certificate
For outstanding performance and commitment to the development and excellence of the Tri-M
Music Honor Society, an award is presented to:
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Kaitlin Peck
Honorable Mention: Sharisse Sutherland
Certificate
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:
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Greta Bradbury
Honorable Mention: Ali Zito
Certificate
For outstanding performance and dedication to the Ensemble, an award is presented to:
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Kelly Lee
Honorable Mention: Stephanie Schallenhammer
Stand for Recognition
I invite Kaitlin Peck to please stand. Kaitlin is to be recognized and congratulated for
participating as a clarinet-playing member of the District Band, the Regional Band, and the AllState Pennsylvania Band.
Certificate
For excellence in performance and dedication to the Glee Club, an award is presented to:
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Alora McDonnell
Honorable Mention: Maya Watson
Certificate
For excellence and commitment as a distinguished member of the Chorale, an award is
presented to:
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Emily Lunardi
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Honorable Mention: Hye In Kim
Certificate
For excellence in performance and dedication to the Handbell Choir, an award is presented to:
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Marcelene Sutter
Honorable Mention: Caroline Pusak
Certificates
Recognition of perfect attendance for the 2010-2011 school year is awarded to:
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Monica Buccieri
Emily Buongiorno
Megan Kurtz
Bridget Merenda
Santina Pescatore
Megan Zak
Amalia Cristiano
Gianna Croce
Maura Dougherty
Marygrace Hegarty
Alyssia LaMonaca
Emma Brown
Amanda Browne
Sarah Byrnes
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Nolan Campbell
Audrey Cooney
Clarissa Cooney
BriYana Crocker
Christina DiGiacomo
Kathleen Dolan
Caitlin Harrison
Jodi Jansen
Madeline Maloney
Bridget Manion
Nicole Marchese
Audra Musumeci
Jennifer Quach
Rodesha Washington
Recognition of perfect attendance for two (2) consecutive years is awarded to:
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Megan Brennan
Emma Campbell
Maria DiGiacomo
Olivia Gallagher-Kowit
Sarah Maminski
Brianna Nelson-Williams
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Anna Pappas
Christina Pawlish
Katherine Riga
Shelsy Tity
Natalie Trerotola
Cierra Williams.
Recognition of perfect attendance for three (3) consecutive years is awarded to:
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Kerry Candeloro
Anna DeFeo
Julia Gallagher
Sarah Gloninger
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Alora McDonnell
Stephanie Schallenhammer
Sharisse Sutherland