Sr. Mary A. McCarthy, RSM, Principal, stated,” I stand before you tonight, and it is indeed a privilege, no longer as your principal but as your “Sister in Mercy” – one of the many “Women of Mercy” you have encountered during your years here at Mercy, and hopefully, will continue to encounter on your journey through life.  She later thanked the Class of 2011, for the gifts they have shared and the joy they have been.  “As those brave women left Baggot Street and changed the world, so you too can leave Randolph Road and take the world by storm!  You are, after all, Women of Mercy!  I speak for the faculty and staff when I say congratulations and thank you!  We are proud of you! You are the real thing! Go with our love, respect and affection!” exclaimed Sr. McCarthy.

During the ceremony, Sr. Mary also recognized the mothers and grandmothers of 20 of the graduating seniors who are alumnae of Mercy High School or other secondary schools sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy.

Julia Marie Kannam, class salutatorian, welcomed the graduates and guests, “To our second home for the past four years, and out alma mater for the rest of our lives.”  Julia, a Harry Potter fan, made reference to the book series during her salutatory address.  She concluded by saying, “I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of such an amazing group of women as every single one of us moves on to higher education.  Just like Harry, we’ve all grown up – we’ve now reached the end of book seven and are about to start a new chapter of our lives.  It may be sad, exciting, relieving, terrifying, or all of the above, but I know that only the best lies ahead of us.” She concluded with a quote by Dumbledore, a character in the Harry Potter series, “Now let us step out into the night and pursue that fighty temptress, adventure.” Julia will attend Dartmouth College in the fall.

The valedictory address was given by Julia Louise Kelly, who will continue her education at Brown University. As she said farewell, she thanked parents, administration, faculty, staff and her fellow classmates for providing that warm and nurturing environment that is so unique to Mercy.  She proclaimed that the Class of 2011 can face the challenges ahead because, “Mercy has instilled in us the self-assurance that we need to do well.  This confidence that we now possess will follow us into the future, and help us try new things, to take some risks, to accept our failures, and to embrace our successes. “

In addition to its graduates, Mercy recognized Ms.Betsy Gilmartin , who is retiring after 28 years of service, as teacher, coach, and athletic director.  Sr. Mary McCarthy remarked, “ Thank you for your commitment to this school and, particularly, for all you did to build Mercy’s Athletic Program so that it is today, one of the most respected programs in in the state for young women athletes! We are proud and grateful that you have been a true Mercy Educator!”