Elizabeth Roper, Director of College Counseling and AP Coordinator, reported on July 5 that Mount Saint Mary Academy students have earned commendable scores after taking the AP examinations in May. According to Ms. Roper, 75 percent of AP Exam scores were a score of 3 or higher. (Scores of 3 or higher may allow a student to be eligible to receive college credit.) Scores of 5 (highest possible) were achieved in 15 of the 18 subjects.

The victors of this year’s Euro Challenge competition - Zoe Daly '24, Victoria Fekete '24, Lillian Del Rossi '24, Charlotte Jotz '24, and Akshaya Karanam '24, Katie Ferris '24, and Gwen Oakley '24 traveled to Washington, D.C. on Monday, June 13, where they were celebrated for winning the contest last month with the topic of Gender Inequality in Germany. 

The Class of 2023 (the rising senior class) of students and parents were provided an informative presentation on “Finding Your College Fits” on the evening of June 15.

Teresa Sengel, World Language Department Chair and Italian teacher, announced that Zoe Daly '24 received an Award of Excellence in Italian from the Italian Honor Society (Societa Onoraria Italica). Zoe was nominated by Mrs. Sengel for the honor based on her performance on the National Italian Exam.

Congratulations to the Mount Saint Mary Academy Class of 2022! Commencement Exercises were held on Saturday, June 4, in Immaculate Conception Chapel where diplomas were conferred to the 78 seniors and special awards were distributed. To view the list of awards and the program, click here.

On the eve of their graduation, members of the senior class and their parents gathered in Immaculate Conception Chapel for a Baccalaureate Mass which was led by Bishop Paul Bootkoski of the Diocese of Metuchen.

On June 2, the Mount community held its Closing Liturgy in Immaculate Conception Chapel which was led by Rev. Monsignor William Benwell.

Congratulations to the Mount's Class of 2022 as they were inducted into the Alumnae Association in Immaculate Conception Chapel on Tuesday, May 31st. The induction was followed by a memorable Mother/Daughter Tea in the Sister Lisa Gambacorto Theater.

Elizabeth Roper, Director of College Counseling, attended the 2022 NJACAC (New Jersey Association of College Admission Counselors) Annual Conference on May 25 and 26. The annual conference brings together college admission professionals, secondary school counselors and educational service providers to connect, exchange and learn.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, qualifying members of the Mount Speech and Debate Team competed in Washington D.C. at the 2022 Grand National Tournament held by the National Catholic Forensic League 

The Mount Saint Mary Academy Department of Athletics hosted its annual Sports Awards at Pines Manor in Edison on the evening of May 18.

Kathleen Brennan, Math Department Chairperson, reported that the Mount's Euro Challenge team edged out four other finalists in the competition on May 19th. Their topic was Gender Inequality in Germany.

Congratulations to all of the honorees at the Academy Awards Night on May 16th. Held in Chapel, our community’s artistic, academic and service endeavors and accomplishments were recognized and lauded. Academy Awards Night is organized by Donna Toryak, Director of Enrollment.

Ankita Mallik '23 will spend six weeks, from June 20 to July 31, as a 2022 Democracy Summer Fellow with her campaign assignment to Congressman Tom Malinowski at his office in Basking Ridge.

Marina Cialdella '23 and Madeline Carnesi-Silberstein '23 have been selected to attend prestigious music programs to hone their talent and skills this summer.

On the morning of May 12, Mount Saint Mary Academy revealed the names of additional Class of 2022 student-athletes who have expressed their intent to further their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The following students were honored by Denise Materia, Director of Athletics and Assistant Directress (Student Life), S. Lisa D. Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S. (Directress) in Mother Mary Patrick Gymnasium. Family members, faculty/staff, coaches, and classmates were also on hand to offer their congratulations.

S. Lisa D. Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S., Directress, has announced that the following members of the Board of Trustees have retired after nine years of service. Please join us in expressing gratitude to Chairman Raymond Szymanski (pictured), who received a special proclamation, as well as S. Francesca Holly, RSM (pictured), and Brian Searls.

Gabriella “Ella” Vivona '25 has qualified for the National Gymnastics Championships which will be held in Des Moines, Iowa this June. This is the second consecutive year that she has been selected for this honor.

Olivia Encarnacion '23 will attend the Notre Dame Leadership Seminar program for 10 days in July on the Notre Dame campus. Among thousands of applicants, Olivia was one of approximately120 students selected to participate in the leadership program.

Ruth Anne Munroe, Director of Campus Ministry and Student Council Moderator, reported that the Mercy Girl Effect Award has been presented to the Academy’s 2021-2022 Student Council Executive Board.

Gabriella Robinson '22 has earned her Gold Award after completing over 80 hours of community service in partnership with the Lower Raritan Partnership, the 4H Club, Jack and Jill of America, the Central NJ chapter, and the township of Piscataway and Middlesex County.

Joanne Cadigan-Peters, Social Studies Department Chairperson, reported that Taryn Murphy '23 was selected to participate in the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State that will take place the week of June 19th at Georgian Court University.

Elizabeth Roper, Director of College Counseling, announced that Mary Claire Scheck '23 and Renee Vozza '23 have been accepted to the Summer Academies of two military institutions. Mary Claire will attend USMA (U.S. Military Academy/West Point) Leadership Experience and Renee will attend USNA (U.S. Naval Academy/Navy) Summer Seminar.

An extraordinary program of music entertained families and friends, as well as faculty and staff in attendance at the Spring Concert on Thursday evening.

Earlier this month, Mount Saint Mary Academy Directress S. Lisa Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S. congratulated Diana Neste '22 for being named Valedictorian and Jerrine George '22 for being designated Salutatorian. The formal announcement was made during a Convocation in Immaculate Conception Chapel by Jacqueline Muratore, Assistant Directress for Faculty, Curriculum, and Planning. 

On April 13, the Mount community gathered for Stations of the Cross in Immaculate Conception Chapel. Bishop James F. Checchio of the Diocese of Metuchen offered special remarks at the beginning of the program.

On the evening of Monday, April 11th, students and their families gathered in Immaculate Conception Chapel for Honors Convocation. During the program, students were inducted into the Art Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, English Honor Society, Mathematics Honor Society, Science Honor Society, World Language Honor Societies (Italian, Spanish, Latin), National Honor Society, and The Cum Laude Society.

On Saturday, April 9, the Mount Saint Mary Academy Dance Club, which is moderated by Julia Pierce (Enrollment Management Associate), took part in the Applause Talent Dance Competition in Whippany, NJ. Their two performances earned them a huge trophy for the Overall High Score.

Isabella Latini '23 received Blue Ribbon designation, the highest award bestowed, after auditioning at The Piano Teachers Forum of Central New Jersey 2022 Spring Festival on March 12.

The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) recently named Lana Abbott of Piscataway the District New Coach of the Year for her dedication and service to the Forensic Speech & Debate Team at Mount Saint Mary Academy (MSMA). Mrs. Abbott, a 1986 graduate of the Academy, was nominated by John Maldonado, MSMA English teacher, and she is the mother of senior Emily Abbott.

After many months of planning, the Mercy Guild's "Luncheon in London: A Quintessentially Mount Experience" was held on April 3 at the Bridgewater Marriott.

Once again the Mount Saint Mary Academy community answered the need to help fill the shelves of the Starfish Food Pantry in Plainfield during the Academy’s HOPE Club Cereal Super Bowl drive. Families of the Class of 2026 added 50 boxes to the 200 collected by our faculty, staff, alumnae and students. Juniors in Ms. Isabel Gachko’s class collected a grand total of 64 boxes, more than any grade level theology class. Junior Class Pattern FF earned the Golden Cereal Bowl Award.

An eye-opening and soul-stirring presentation by Sister Lisa Atkins, RSM breathed fresh life and inspiration into faculty and staff on Spirituality Day on March 30, 2022.

Bailey Elizabeth Klemm, a 2019 graduate of Mount Saint Mary Academy, has been accepted to Syracuse University’s Master of Public Administration program, the top M.P.A. program in the nation according to Best Public Affairs Schools in 2022 – US News.

Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung and St. Joseph High School in Metuchen coordinated an annual mathematics competition for seventh and eighth grade boys and girls this morning. Jacqueline Muratore, Assistant Directress for Faculty, Curriculum and Planning, said that 87 girls participated in the competition on the Mount campus.

S. Deirdre Mullan, RSM, visited Mount Saint Mary Academy on World Water Day - March 22 - to discuss with administration, faculty, staff, and students the importance of water resources for impoverished countries in conjunction with the Mercy Girl Effect: Women at the Well initiative. 

Teaching AP English Literature and Composition requires a special blend of patience, passion, and creativity, according to Danielle Lovallo, a 2005 graduate of Mount Saint Mary Academy who has been instructing the course for three years.

After ending an epic and historic season for the Mount Saint Mary Academy Lions, Megan Decker learned on March 21st that she has been designated the NJ.com Girls Swimming Coach of the Year.

Mount Saint Mary Academy parent Cecelia Fontana (Julianne ’22 and Natalie ’20) collected seamlessly endless stacks of donations made by the Mount community for Meest, an organization which is mobilizing an outreach effort for the Ukrainian American Culture Center in Whippany. Donations included hygiene products, linens, diapers, blankets, easy-to-prepare food items, bedding, and more. Isabel Gachko, Department of Theology Chairperson and Associate Campus Minister shared that the community also raised $1,500 for Catholic Relief Services. The collection for Ukraine will continue through Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

As service to others is one of the cornerstones of the Mount Saint Mary Academy experience, the campus was bustling on the morning of Wednesday, March 16, as students, faculty, and staff members rolled up their sleeves to aid various organizations serving people in need.

While she may be one of the newest teachers at Mount Saint Mary Academy, Madeline Albrittain has effortlessly generated an atmosphere of enthusiasm, curiosity, and energy in her Advanced Placement Spanish Language & Culture classroom which resonates through the hallways of the St. Joseph’s Building.

As we look forward to the performances on March 25 and 26 of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, did you know that this production was staged before at Mount Saint Mary Academy? In fact, S. Lisa D. Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S. (Directress) and Assistant Directress Jacqueline (Conti) Muratore ’01 took the stage during the first production when Sister portrayed Woodstock and Mrs. Muratore was Marcie.

On February 26 and 27, members of the Mount Saint Mary Academy JSA (Junior States of America) Chapter attended Winter Congress 2022 virtually. This event simulates our U.S. Congress so students can learn how bills are made and passed.

Denise Materia, Director of Athletics and Assistant Directress at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, reported that the following members of the swim team have qualified for the Meet of Champions at Gloucester County Institute of Technology, Sewell NJ. 

On Sunday, February 27th, the Mount Saint Mary Academy Swim Team completed their historical season with a NJSIAA Non-Public A State Championship. The team competed against Immaculate Heart Academy in Gloucester.

The Mount Saint Mary Academy Forensics Speech & Debate Team is heading to Mary Help of Christians Academy this Saturday where they will compete in the Grand Tournament of the Catholic Forensics League. This event will determine who qualifies for the National Competition in Washington D.C. during Memorial Day weekend.

The Mount Saint Mary Academy Students of Color Affinity Group (SOCA) organized a virtual visit with 1985 alumna Janeen Uzzell, the CEO of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the largest Black STEM community impacting society and industry, on the morning of Thursday, February 17, in the Sister Lisa Gambacorto Theater.

AP Psychology students engaged in a Harkness roundtable discussion during which they explored women’s visibility, education in America, and how their personal experiences have shaped their learning.

We gave the NFL time for their glory with all the Super Bowl hype, so now it is our turn to fill the bowls! The HOPE Club has launched its annual CEREAL SUPER BOWL.

Congratulations to all of the winners of the Junior Forensics Meet, which was held virtually on February 3rd. Teresa Sengel, World Languages Department Chairperson and organizer of the meet, shared the results:

On January 26, three members of the Mount's Forensics Speech & Debate Team competed virtually in Denver, Colorado in the first annual Falcon Fiesta Speech Tournament. Hosted asynchronously by Highlands Ranch High School, Mount Saint Mary Academy competed against 13 other schools from across the United States. 

Throughout Catholic Schools Week, Mount Saint Mary Academy students, faculty and staff celebrated the value of a Catholic education, the importance of the Mercy Core Values, and the uniqueness of our community. During our Liturgy with Monsignor William Benwell of the Diocese of Metuchen, he encouraged us to focus on the importance of loving one another as God has called us to do. He told the students that they are receiving a complete education for life at the Mount.

Demonstrating the Mercy Core Values, the Mount held a collection of coats and winter wear to be donated to Franciscan Catholic Charities in Newark. Service is alive and well at the Mount during #CatholicSchoolsWeek! Pictured, seniors Caitlin Cotter '22 and Emily Benewiat '22 help collect coats to add to our growing collection!

On Thursday, February 3, students engaged in a variety of workshops which emphasized the importance of different aspects of wellness and self-care. Wellness Day was organized by Kathleen Ketofsky. LCSW (Student Assistance Counselor), Jacqueline Muratore (Assistant Directress - Faculty, Curriculum, and Planning), Kacey King and Dana Goad (School Counselors), Denise Materia (Assistant Directress - Student Life/Director of Athletics), Isabel Gachko (Theology Dept. Chair, Associate Director of Campus Ministry), and Elizabeth Roper (Director of School & College Counseling).

On the evening of Wednesday, January 26, 2022, two seniors from Mount Saint Mary Academy were honored during a ceremony held by the Diocese of Metuchen at St. Francis Cathedral in Metuchen with Bishop James F. Checchio.

Congratulations!! Members of Kathleen Brennan's Financial Math class at Mount Saint Mary Academy celebrated the results of their Financial Literacy certification tests. They all passed with flying colors! Pictured, left to right, are: (back row) - Aayushi Arvikar '24, Emma Szabo '24, Dylan Elizabeth Wolski '24, Kelsie Neidenbach '23, Kathleen Altobelli '24, Brynn Merklinger '24, Margaret Ferris '22, Theresa Morrison '24, Katherine Ferris '24, Zhouqi “Jolcy” Cao '22; kneeling from left - Vanessa Kosuda '24, Maya Ullrich '24, Shannon Rooney '24, and Ava DeAngelis '24. @wisenewyork @NextGenPF #FinLit #mission2030 

Congratulations to Margaret Ferris '22! She has received a $1,000 scholarship from Next Gen Personal Finance for your creative response to the National Payback Challenge according to Kathleen Brennan (Department of Mathematics Chairperson).

As the Mount Saint Mary Academy community prepares to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, the new Mercy Core Values which are upheld daily by students, faculty and staff are specifically brought to mind. They include: “Compelled By Mercy,” “Educational Courage,” “Inspired by Faith,” “Principled Leadership” and “A Voice For Dignity and Respect.”

When they begin their college studies, juniors and seniors at Mount Saint Mary Academy know that their experience in Dr. Dorothea Kominos’ Advanced Placement (AP) Biology course will have given them a solid foundation for excellence in the sciences.

Rigorous training and a commitment to aiding others in their time of need recently led Claire King '22 to be named a Cadet Captain of the Berkeley Heights EMS.

Elizabeth Roper, Director of College & School Counseling, participated and presented at the Winter Institutes of NYSACAC (New York State Association of College Admission Counseling) on January 7 and 14. The events were hosted by Cornell University and Syracuse University, respectively, in a virtual format.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Mid Atlantic Regional Oireachtas for Irish dancing took place in Philadelphia for the first time since the pandemic. Out of 100 girls from all over the region, Hannah Cunniffe '22 placed second overall in the competition. She is now qualified to participate in the World Irish Dancing Championships to be held in Belfast in April 2022.