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Mount Mercy Academy holds annual Ring Day

Apr 12, 2023 | Lifestyles

The day that every Mount Mercy student eagerly awaits occurred on Thursday, March 30, when juniors from the Class of 2024 received their school rings in a ceremony held in the Mercy Center Auditorium. At this event, students placed the distinctive Mercy ring on their fingers for the very first time.

Tina Webster, Director of Admissions and Junior Class Moderator, as well as an alumna from the Class of 1991, served as the mistress of ceremony for the evening. Junior class president Vayana Stoyanova (Gowanda) welcomed the parents and classmates to the ceremony. Rosalie Bandura (West Seneca), junior class vice president, explained the history of the ring.

The signature Mercy ring, a rite of passage and responsibility, was first worn in 1916. The ring is a reminder of the virtues held dear by Mercy students and alumnae. The gold band represents loyalty to God, country and school. The seven pearls represent faith, hope, charity, obedience, humility, patience and joy.

Readings were proclaimed by juniors Meghan Balen (Cheektowaga) and Amelia Labby (Buffalo). 

The students received their rings from Michele Melligan, Head of School. Melligan, a 1992 Mount Mercy graduate, also shared her own reflections on the meaning of her Mount Mercy Academy ring.

Jennifer Hoefer Ellicott, a 1992 graduate of Mount Mercy, addressed members of the Class of 2024 about what her ring has meant to her and the significance of the Mount Mercy Academy ring for the newest ring recipients.

Mount Mercy Academy is a distinctly Catholic college-preparatory high school dedicated to educating young women for academic excellence, compassionate service, Christian leadership, global awareness and life-long learning. Rooted in Catherine McAuley’s vision for women and those who are poor, Mount Mercy affirms the uniqueness and dignity of individuals and fosters faith with a commitment to the challenges of building a just society.

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