Gabrielle Cialdella '26 is looking forward to exploring her passion for art during the MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) Pre-College Summer Program from July 13 to 26.

On April 30, students in the Junior Honors class at Mount Saint Mary Academy joined the Rutgers Book Initiative and Scarlet Letterpress for The Medieval Scriptorium where they experienced what it would have been like to transcribe medieval writing in their original languages.

Sabrina Tse '26 has been accepted to The Governor's School of Engineering & Technology, which is hosted by the Rutgers University School of Engineering.

On April 28, Annie Zwally '25 was presented with the Skyland Conference Carl Weigner Scholar Athlete Award during the Skyland Conference Luncheon held at Maggiano's in Bridgewater. 

A special May Crowning Liturgy was celebrated on the morning of May 2 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and led by Monsignor William Benwell. The proud grandparents of sophomores and juniors also attended the Liturgy.

During the Somerset County Scholar-Athlete Dinner at the Bridgewater Manor on Wednesday, April 30, Grace Puglisi '25 received special recognition as a Scholar-Athlete. Grace has been an athlete on the Mount’s Soccer, Basketball and Lacrosse teams all four years during which the teams won four divisional titles. 

On the steps of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, members of the Class of 2025 donned their sweatshirts and t-shirts on Thursday morning featuring their college choices for a traditional keepsake photograph. 

During Easter Vacation, the Mount Civic Engagement Club traveled to Boston to participate in a Senate Immersion Module at the Edward M. Kennedy Senate Institute. They took on the roles of U.S. Senators, debated election reform, and experienced democracy in action on a full-scale replica of the Senate floor.

On April 30, Emma Schulenburg '25 announced her commitment to The Catholic University of America where she will participate in Cross Country and Track & Field. Sister Lisa Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S. (Directress), Denise Materia (Assistant Directress for Student Life and Athletic Director), and Kevin Kozic (Assistant Athletic Director) were on hand to congratulate Emma. 

The Mount Saint Mary Academy Student Council Executive Board for the 2025-2026 academic year has been announced! On Monday afternoon, members of the 2024-2025 board met to "pass the gavel" on to the new members in front of the pillars of the Mount Building.

In the true spirit of Mercy, a group of our junior Mounties participated in the "Sleep Out: Women Unite Edition" for Covenant House from Friday, April 11 to Saturday, April 12 at Met Life Stadium. Sponsored by the New York Giants, the fundraising goal of $200,000 was exceeded by all 116 participants - including our students - and will build hope for youth overcoming homelessness and survivors of human trafficking. Our Mounties raised $16,995! 

Donna Toryak, Director of Enrollment Management, shared that the hill was alive with the sounds of grade 6, 7 and 8 siblings during our annual Mount Sisters Shadow Day on April 8th. 

Within only three hours on Wednesday morning, the Mount community united to illustrate the importance of the Mercy Core Values - Inspired by Faith and Compelled by Mercy - by reaching out to improve the lives of others in need during Service Day. This annual event featured separate grade levels under the advisement of faculty/staff in different shifts, assisting various organizations on and off campus.

On March 27, the 12th annual Teens for Teens gala was held at Stone House in Warren. Students from the Mount, who have been furthering the organization’s mission for years, include Emma Grillon '25, Maeve Mooney '26, Frances Studer '26, Cora Waldron '26, Maia Chayapruks '27, Josie Heim '27, Ellie Baglien '25 and Lexi Baglien '27.

Members of the Mount community turned out on April 2 to celebrate Ryan Oden '25 for her commitment to Middle Tennessee State University for volleyball. 

Maria Pasqua '26 has received a Junior Travel Study Abroad Scholarship in study in Costa Rica during the summer from AATSP (American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese), an organization committed to recognizing student achievement and promoting language proficiency in the studies of Spanish and Portuguese.

Jessica Lopes, Student Assistance Counselor, organized the Senior Safety Seminar, which was held on Wednesday in the Sister Lisa Gambacorto Theater. The topics included good decision making, healthy relationships, social pressures and substance use/abuse prevention. 

When it comes to choosing the right college, it can be challenging to navigate the seemingly endless options and factors that go into make the best choice. Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review helped clear the path for parents and students at Mount Saint Mary Academy during a special guest speaker presentation on March 13th.

Mount Saint Mary Academy held its Annual Junior High Forensics Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. The event, which was called "In My Forensics Era," was organized by Nicole Doria, Italian teacher. Students from the following schools participated: St. Michael (Cranford), Assumption School (Morristown), Warren Middle School, and Holy Trinity Interparochial School (Westfield).

The National Merit Scholarship Program has determined that Madison DeFrancisco ’25 and Grace Prayias ’25, who were among 16,000 Semifinalists in September, have met all of the requirements to advance to Finalist standing in the competition. They will be considered for the National Merit Scholarship Awards with announcements to be made between April and July.

On February 14, Sister Lisa D. Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S. (Mount Saint Mary Academy Directress and President of the Mount’s Chapter of the Cum Laude Society), Denise Materia (Assistant Directress for Student Life and Athletic Director), Jacqueline Muratore (Assistant Directress of Faculty, Curriculum, and Planning), Elizabeth Roper (Director of College Counseling and Chapter Secretary of the Cum Laude Society), Eileen Honicky (Assistant Director of College Counseling), Dana Goad (School Counseling Department Chairperson), Jennifer Morzano (School Counselor), and Elise McTamaney '15 (School Counseling Assistant & Testing Coordinator) recognized the seniors elected to the Cum Laude Society for the Class of 2025.

The Echoes literary magazine, which is published by the students at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, recently received “Distinguished” status from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for its edition entitled, "Utopia." This honor marks the 12th year in a row that our students have produced literary publications worthy of recognizable merit. The upcoming theme of this year's magazine will be "Nostalgia."

The Mount's NASA Hunch Culinary Team (L.I.O.N.S. - Ladies In Ongoing NASA Studies) participated in a competition on February 3 at Passaic County Tech Institute in Wayne. In September, the team was given the NASA Hunch Culinary Challenge of creating a unique pasta dish. Over the past few months, students brought in several dishes to try which needed to meet strict nutritional guidelines. The recipes were adapted to meet that criteria. 

On Thursday morning, the Mount community united in faith during a special Catholic Schools Week Liturgy in Immaculate Conception Chapel led by Monsignor William Benwell. Prior to the Mass, members of the ASL (American Sign Language Club) taught students how to sign a portion of the gathering song, "I Say 'Yes,' My Lord."

On January 24, the Future Medical Professionals Club received a hands-on experience with cadavers and were instructed by first- and second-year medical students at the Rutgers Medical School Cadaver Lab. The trip, led by Dr. Michael Bernard (science teacher and club advisor) was especially impactful for Julia Kot '26 and Liliana Gallagher '28, who shared their insights.

The Diocese of Metuchen’s Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry presented special awards to two Mount Saint Mary Academy students during a ceremony on Saturday, January 25, at St. Francis Cathedral in Metuchen. Bishop James F. Checchio congratulated Katherine Byrne ’25 and Manuela Roncancio-Roldan ’25 on being recognized for their extraordinary spiritual and outreach endeavors.

It was a meeting of the math minds at the Mount during the 18th Annual Math Competition between 50 young women from area schools competing on our campus, as well as young men competing at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen on January 25.

Mount Saint Mary Academy has earned College Board's AP^® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to both AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). The Academy has been recognized by the College Board for its excellence in educating young women in AP Computer Science since the award was established in 2018.

Congratulations to Madeline Fretz '27, Celia Carnesi-Silberstein '27, and Erica Anselmo '27 for their nomination to attend the HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Leadership) New Jersey Leadership Seminar at Drew University from May 30 to June 1 due to being outstanding leaders.

On January 7, members of the Class of 2024 shared their college/university insights and experiences with seniors during a special panel discussion at the annual Return to the Mount in the Sister Lisa Gambacorto Theater. The event was coordinated by the Advancement Office/Alumnae Office/Alumnae Association and the College Counseling Department.