Following on from my post yesterday about fashion and all that I gleaned from my time at Mercy High School, I thought I would write more about Mercy while it is at the forefront of my mind. Let me begin by saying this: I am a big believer in the notion that some things never ever leave you. And with that thought in mind, I am thinking of Mercy.
More pointedly, I am thinking of the Mercy students and today's times. It is so hard to be a young woman today. The media seems to glorify the outrageous and the sordid and the banal. And there, in stark relief, is the Mercy girl. Remember all the assemblies where we were told that we were to be women of substance and to achieve our dreams?
I must note that there was never any mention/undercurrent of "Don't let being a female hold you back" as it never occurred to us that it was a handicap. Indeed, we all thought that women could achieve anything they wanted simply on their merits. That is what it meant to be a Mercy girl.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Whenever I come across a capable and smart woman and then find out that she too went to Mercy, I always silently say to myself, "Well, of course. The tell-tale signs were there." And by that I am referring to the hallmarks of a Mercy girl - someone who is smart and savvy and competent and reliable. Put another way, ask a Mercy girl to do something and consider it done. And not only done, but done to a high standard. End of story. (I can just see the myriad Mercy alums nodding their heads in agreement as they read this.)
From time to time someone will find out that I went to Mercy and this will pique their interest. Some want to know "what it's really like there." And the real deal is this: they are conducting very serious business there - they are entrusted with the care of adolescents in hopes that they will help shape their characters into something worthy of the world. In short, the students are being taught how to be their best selves.
Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
To all the Mercy girls past present and future - study hard, girls. The world awaits.
All the best,
Lea
P.S. With It being February and all, I know that our thoughts turn to love and issues of the heart. And so I am thinking of all the things that are dearest to my own heart. With that in mind, I chose this song for my alma mater. I think it touches on all the things that a Mercy girl should embody - timelessness and elegance.
P.P.S. I welcome your thoughts and comments on all of my posts and look forward to hearing from many a Mercy girl. My hope is that mine isn't the last word on the topic...but merely the beginning of a conversation.
