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.
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.
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.
Thank you for writing me. I really appreciate it. To be honest, I am always humbled when anyone takes the time to read what I have written. Yes, Mercy students and alumnae alike are very special women - special because they tend to focus on what is truly of consequence of life. Like I said in my post, was it not drilled into all of us to be women of substance? To all my fellow Mercy girls past present and future....warm regards on this wintry afternoon. As the song I posted for all of you says, you are all in my heart. All the best, Lea
So pleased that the Alumnae Association has shared your blog! I just got through this one post but am looking forward to catching up on ALL the posts. (maybe tomorrow when I am snowbound?). I am Mercy '79 and definitely one of those alums you guessed were nodding their heads in agreement. I have the absolute privilege of working at Smith College, another institution dedicated to the education of women. And you can imagine my delight when a Mercy girl enrolls! I had the great fortune of having lunch with two of our current students who came to us from Mercy. THANK YOU for this lovely blog. I carry Mercy in my heart always.
I am very happy to read all of your comments. I am glad I got the conversation started. Lia - very happy to hear from another Mercy girl who practically is my namesake. Again, mine is not the final world but, hopefully, just the beginning. Kind regards to everyone wherever you are and, above all, please keep on reading! Lea
Sandra Russo-Driska, City and Town Clerk Middletown, Class of 1984
Rene Karas-Johnson Class of 1987
Kind regards on this wintry afternoon, Lea P.S. Please do read all of my blog posts. That would make me smile with my heart to know that fellow Mercy girls the world over were reading along with me online.
Who can finish this song: "We are the Mercy Girls, we wear our hair in curls, we wear our dungarees rolled up to our knees, we never play with toys, we only play with..." (B class of 1982)
Why don't you drive up to the housing projects in Hartford and explain to all the parents there that they can choose to pay for private school if they feel that Hartford's dismal schools aren't doing an adequate job? You might also suggest that if they buy a house in Avon the schools there will still be free but are much better. "I am sure the people of Mercy are almost all very successful in life. If anyone was able to go there, I am sure those results would change as well." You're talking about 14 to 18-year-olds, a bit young to judge their lifetime success. And in any event, Mercy is a college prepatory school. Such schools are not for everyone, but I'm confident that anyone who has the ability level necessary would do fine there. Not everyone has to go to Mercy, but every family should have a choice where their children are educated. The public schools were apparently not good enough for the children of Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Barack Obama and Joey Hairplugs, shouldn't everyone in America have the same rights? . .
All the best, Lea