The Mercy Momentum - Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School

The Mercy Momentum
Prayer Knowledge Service
SPRING, 2008
Volume 12, Issue 2
Principal’s Preface
MERCY Travels to the Orient
“The sun will come up tomorrow”… The strains
of the signature song of the Broadway play Annie, Jr.
rang through the gym of Our Lady of Mercy School.
Just under 400 students from grades 5 through 8
produced, directed, and performed for over 1,300
people in three performances. Teddy Jo (TJ) Pate,
choir director, with her calm demeanor and quiet
leadership involved everyone, students and adults,
faculty and parents, in all aspects of the production.
She empowered young people while expecting
responsibility.
Students responded in kind,
resulting in achievement beyond anyone’s
expectations.
Lessons were learned that extend far beyond a
musical score. In a real world setting, students
applied principles of language and math, light and
sound, geometry and engineering, problem solving
and compromise. The play enabled students to
display talents in a venue not so often available to
them and experience success and applause.
Annie, Jr. can be called the culminating activity
of the educational program at Our Lady of Mercy for
the past 10+ years. Active learning, cooperative
groups, presentations, and academic competitions
take learning to a level higher than rote
memorization to the ability, with the confidence, to
apply and create in new and different settings. The
arts are alive and well at Our Lady of Mercy School,
making academics stronger all the while. Bravo,
Bluejays!!!
Sandy (a. k. a. Sunny Caruso)
says to be sure to check out
pages 4 and 5 for some great
highlights from the Our Lady
of Mercy production of Annie, Jr. Special thanks to
Tina LaHaye and Stephen
Toups for sharing their wonderful photographs, and making the recap possible. Enjoy their work seen inside this issue!
400 Marquette Avenue
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Pictured (l. to r.) at the Our Lady of Mercy Church and
School “Mercy Travels to the Orient” Auction are Allison
Traxler, Co-Chairperson, Monica Hadlock, Chairperson,
Carolyn Guidry, Principal, Rev. Miles Walsh, Pastor, and
Decorations Chairpersons, Cyndi Deshotels, David Deshotels, and Gabriella St. Amant.
Approximately 300 guests gathered to enjoy an
evening at the Our Lady of Mercy Church and
School Auction held on March 8, 2008. “Mercy
Travels to the Orient”, was the theme of the annual event. With vibrant red, teal, and black colored
decorations filling the school’s gymnasium, entering
the room was like stepping into a beautiful village
in the Far East. Large hand-painted lanterns suspended from the ceiling, table centerpieces, large
paintings on the stage, and black parasols accented
with gold designs, served as details to further enhance the festive atmosphere.
The dinner included an Asian style menu, and
Allen Persick served as Auctioneer. Guests had the
opportunity to bid on the 400 plus items included
in the silent and live auctions throughout the evening. Some of the most coveted of auction items
were those created in the classrooms by the students at each grade level. Among the impressive
paintings offered during live auction were, original
works including the Kinder “Garden” floral print,
the third grade “Country Scene”, as well as an abstract painting donated by Mercy alum and artist,
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806
Continued on page 2
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225-924-1054
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Fax 225-923-2201
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MERCY Motivates
Learning About Local and Foreign Traditions and Cultures
First graders Jaylin Mason and Catherine Tran are happy to
model their newly created Egyptian hairstyles and jewelry.
Pre-K student Brayden Galante, prepares to glue the final
pieces to a Magnolia, the Louisiana State Flower.
Early Childhood studies in past months have
enlightened students with an awareness of their
local culture and interests, as well of those of our
friends in other countries. Pre-K and Kindergarten
students participated in a detailed study on the
state of Louisiana. These students studied various
aspects of their home state using some very creative
methods . . . from Pre-K math lessons that included
the use of red beans as counters, to Kindergarten
art lessons that examined the unique shape and design of the fleur-de-lis to explain the concept of
symmetry. Following a mini unit on Mardi Gras,
students concluded their activities by participating
in the annual Our Lady of Mercy Mardi Gras Parade.
First grade students “traveled” a bit farther to learn
lessons about the fascinating culture of Egypt. During their studies, students had the opportunity to
create items that were uniquely Egyptian. Classroom activities included the modeling of pyramids
and tombs, as well as comprehensive studies comparing and contrasting modern day to ancient
Egypt. Other lessons included researching the
dress, life, homes, and cuisine of the country. As a
culminating activity for this lesson, first grade students visited the mummy exhibit on display in the
Louisiana Arts and Science Museum’s Egyptian Gallery.
Creative Projects Enhance the Lessons
Lauren Barksdale. An LSU Tailgating and Game
Package, Fishing trips, and New Orleans Weekend
travel packages were also items of high interest.
Chairperson for the event, Monica Hadlock,
served with co-chairperson, Allison Traxler. Decorations chairpersons were Cyndi Deshotels and Gabriella St. Amant. Other members of the Steering Committee included: Cheryl Cardelli, Sandy Roppolo,
Kathleen Balden, Raymond Prince, Dennis Peters,
Connie Deleo, Dawn Beale, Jeff Gremillion, Kim
Price, Judith Dugar, Virginia Richard, Chandra Joseph, Christy Bacas, Fr. Miles Walsh, Carolyn
Guidry, Margaret Peters, and Dave Kneipp.
A very special thanks to all who came to support
this event that so greatly benefits our church and
school. We look forward to seeing you as we continue our “Travels to the Orient” on April 25, 26,
and 27, at the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Fair. Be
sure to join us for this weekend event filled with
FUN, FOOD, and FELLOWSHIP!
Mercy Travels to the Orient
Continued from page 1
MERCY Merits
Traditions and Cultures
Continue in Middle School
Our Lady of Mercy students in grades 6-8 participated in the 2007 YMCA Middle School United
Nations Assembly. Four teams of students attended
the event, serving as representatives for the countries of Thailand, Mexico, Ireland, and Australia.
Students worked in groups prior to the event to
make decisions on what country they would represent, as well as to prepare proposals, make costumes, and design displays including artifacts for
their chosen country. Our Lady of Mercy School
was well represented, and all teams did outstanding
work. To sum up the day’s accomplishments:
 All 16 proposals written by Mercy students
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Laville, Michaelyn McGinnis, Brady Connelly,
and Caroline Vinning.
 Team Awards went to Thailand and Mexico for
their cultural displays which consisted of a back
board, food, and a brochure about their country.
Thailand also won for their cultural showcase,
which was a song about the country.
Thanks to all who made this such a successful
event for the students and for Our Lady of Mercy
School!!
passed their summit assembly.
 Three proposals from Mercy were chosen to
move on to the General Assembly, and all three
were passed. Alex Gaudin, Emily Robb, Caroline
Vinning, Abby Grant, Allie Young, Anna Kennedy, and Emily Lewis were Awarded plaques
for these bills.
 Stephanie Toups was selected as the Secretary
General and Allie Young who also ran for Secretary General was elected as the presiding officer
for her summit.
 Outstanding delegate awards went to Andree
Pictured with their award winning cultural display on Mexico are: Grant Brian, Elizabeth Rumfola, Kaitlyn Rothkamm,
Mary LaHaye, Dan Murray, Molly Toups, Tyler Parker, and
Evan Wampold.
Christian Life Awards
Biography Presentations
Second Nine Weeks
K-1
K-2
K-3
K-4
1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
2-1
2-2
2-3
3-1
3-2
3-3
4-1
4-2
4-3
5th
6th
7th
8th
Ricky Juarez
Beau McCrary
Jacob Fontenot
Joel Bauder
Brennan Bourg
Jacob Finley
Grace Lachney
Brandon Garrido
Tyler Pirello
Sam Gianfala
Dalton Polito
Sean McGoey
Kyle Beadle
Christian Snow
Andrew McGuire
Tres Turner
Jacob Etue
Hayden Mixon
Parker Say
Carson Day
Brian Tullier
Diana Dinh
Gabrielle Montagnino
Kate Long
Olivia Guilbeau
Emma Daniel
Bailey Ardoin
Alex Harrison
Elizabeth Priddy
Nicola Pocorello
London Holmes
Isabella Canova
Kaci Harper
Karley Doyle
Kaitlyn Doyle
Wendy Hernandez
Katherine Vukovics
Michaela Mitchell
Mary Grace Constantin
Brooke Richard
Madeleine Jeansonne
Lindsey Giacone
Students in Mrs. Foote’s third grade class had a great time
dressing up as the person featured in their chosen biography presentations. Pictured above starting with the front
row are: Marissa Lally, Emily DeSilva, Grace Landry, Eric
Anderson, Michael Howell, Austin Bertrand, Lauren Carter,
Kyle Beadle, and Marshall Etue .
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MERCY Moments
Annie, Jr. is a Hit at Our Lady of Mercy School!!!
Over 350 students in fifth through eighth
grades at Our Lady of Mercy School participated in
the Broadway Junior Collection production of Annie,
Jr., which was presented on February 29th, and
March 1st. Director, Mrs. T.J. Pate, also the school’s
Music and Choral Director, enlisted the help of fellow faculty members to serve as production assis-
tants while guiding students through the entire production process. The students involved in the production of Annie, Jr. included more than just the
cast of actors. Under the direction of the school’s
Band Director, Felix Dawson, the orchestra performed the overture, and members of the school
choir also assisted during musical performances.
 Annie, portrayed by Cassidy Woods, has another unpleasant encounter
with Miss Hannigan, as portrayed by Stephanie Toups.
 Andrew Caruso as
Oliver Warbucks.

Matthew Cavell as Oliver
Warbucks, with Jeannie
Vicari as Grace Farrell.

Brooke Richard (Lily St. Regis) and David Doiron (Rooster Hannigan)
are on Easy Street!.
Tessie, Kate, July, Duffy, Pepper, and Molly . . . Or is it
MERCY Moments
Students were members of numerous crews formed
to ensure that the work would develop into three
performances for over 1,300 audience members. The
members of the teams developed for concessions,
costumes, lighting and sound, make-up, props, programs, sets, stage managers, strike crews, security,
tickets, publicity, and video and recording, worked
Alli, Arianna, Shelby, Emily, Elizabeth, and Michaelyn?
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together to create this incredibly successful event
for the school. The showcase of musical, choral,
and dramatic talents of our students evidenced that
the arts are alive and well at Our Lady of Mercy
School!. Applause, applause for all students, faculty,
staff, and numerous parent volunteers for your efforts in making this a highlight for MERCY in 2008!!
 Andreé Laville portrays Annie as she continues to dream of reuniting
with her parents.
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
 Paige Pocorello and Olivia Miller with
Berton Guidry as Rooster Hannigan.
Star-to-Be in NYC, Elise Richard (center).
Seth Spinner as the flirtatious Bundles
McCloskey.
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MERCY Merits
Our Lady of Mercy Students Hard at Work!!
Congratulations to Molly Toups, Sara Lane, Hadley
Guidry, Elizabeth Metzger and Shelby Toups, who
were selected for the All State Elementary School Choir.
Congratulations as well to Stephanie Toups, Anne
Grout, Madeleine Jeansonne, and Alex Hebert who
were selected for the All State Middle School Choir.
These students were selected from among 390 students
throughout the state at the elementary level, and 467 at
the middle school level. Congratulations on an amazing
concert held on October 13, 2007, at the Holiday Inn
Express in Baton Rouge.
Congratulations to third grader Mary Kate Donahue
and fourth grader, Whitney Say, who were winners in
the Baton Rouge General’s Fall 2007 Children’s Art Contest. An Awards Presentation and reception was sponsored by the Baton Rouge General in late fall. Mary Kate,
Whitney, and other award recipients, were chosen from
among thousands of entries from Baton Rouge and surrounding areas.
Congratulations to third grader Austin Bertrand, who
received a blue ribbon for his award winning bookmark
design for the Great American Smoke-Out. This contest
was sponsored by I CARE, and open to third grade students. The design submitted had to be an original piece,
hand-drawn by the student. The theme for Austin’s
bookmark was: “Tobacco is a drug . . . “
Congratulations to fourth grader Alonzo Stewart who
was named the Exxon Mobil Science Star in January
2008! Alonzo was selected by television station WAFB,
due to his winning essay on why he loves science!
Alonzo was featured during the 5:oo PM weather telecast on Monday, January 31st! He represented Our Lady
of Mercy School and his fourth grade class very well!
Congratulations to the Our Lady of Mercy Choir for
their participation in the District Choir Festival held in
February. Our students achieved superior (1) ratings in
performance and sight reading, and won the Sweepstakes Trophy!!! These honors qualified students for
state competition.
Congratulations to Brooke Barbay, Chase Cangelosi,
Christopher Hebert, Layton Barbay, Berton Guidry,
Michael Marcin, and Brian Tullier, who were chosen as
members of the Catholic High Invitational Honor Band.
Students performed at Catholic High on February 16,
2008.
Congratulations to Layton Barbay and Brooke Barbay
on their selection to the EBR Parish Honor Jazz Band.
Congratulations to Beta members who participated in
the Beta Club District Meeting. The group participated in
a Group Talent Competition under the direction of club
leaders Catherine Buller and Claire Polito, as well as
Faculty and Students - Before and After Hours
WAFB 9News Morning Anchor Diane Deaton, pictured with
Our Lady of Mercy Science teacher Nessie Galliano, and
LSU College of Education Assistant Professor Dr. Pam
Blanchard, during an EARLY morning broadcast that explained the school’s involvement in the Coastal Roots Program. On November 30, 2007, all eighth grade students from
Our Lady of Mercy School traveled to Fontainebleau State
Park in St. Tammany Parish for a restoration planting trip.
The students planted longleaf pine and southern bald cypress seedlings that had been maintained in the school’s
nursery, as part of the Seedling Nursery Program for Wetland Restoration. (Photo by Monique Friloux)
On November 4, 2007, Brian Rees served as a Junior Captain
during a New Orleans Saints game. Brian, an 8th grade
OLOM football player, was the winner of this opportunity,
courtesy of First Bank. Brian is pictured above with Saints
Defensive Captain, Scott Fujita.
MERCY Merits
parent volunteers. Special congratulations to Brady Connelly for achieving 2nd place in T-Shirt design competition, and Allie Young and Clair Chapman for winning
1st place in the poster design. Allie and Clair’s poster
will advance to state competition.
Congratulations to Our Lady of Mercy Quiz Bowl
Teams for grades 5/6 and 7/8. Our school participated
and performed very well, with the 5/6 Grade team placing first in the Diocesan Quiz Bowl sponsored in early
February.
A number of seventh and eighth grade students participated in Youth Legislature in early March. Youth Legislature is a mock legislative session, and students ran for
office, proposed legislation, argued bills, and voted on
laws. Many students excelled at this competition. Cabinet member Cassidy Woolie served as Superintendent
of Health and Welfare; House and Senate Officers were
Connor Bueche, Senate Chaplain, and Sarah Jones,
House Sergeant at Arms; Hall of Fame Legislators,
Press Delegates and Officers: Layton Barbay, Eden
Camp, Trey Gaudin, Mary LaHaye, Olivia Miller, Annie Suydam, Maddie Childers, Berton Guidry, Jenny
Landry, Matthew Cavell, Michelle Gremillion, Evan
Ashy, Abby Grant, Alex Gaudin, Alex Hebert, Brady
Connelly, Brad LaVergne, Emily Robb, Bria Johnson,
Andrea Villa, and Jeannie Vicari; Hall of Fame Bills
with Sponsors and Co-sponsors - signed into law:
Jeannie Vicari and Andrea Villa, Be Bright When Hunting; Patrick Buzbee and Mary LaHaye, Commercial
Fisherman and Nets.
A number of students in grades 5-8 participated in the
recently held Regional Division Social Studies and Science Fairs. The following are results for our students in
these events:
Social Studies Regionals / Sixth Grade
Anthropology Individual, 1st/Emma Matthews; Group,
1st/Haley Runnels and Maddie Douglas
Economics Individual, 1st/Marianne Konikoff; Group, 1st/
Alli Bourgeois and Even Heitman
Geography Individual, 1st/Chris Hebert, Group, 1st/Molly,
Ben and Jack Toups
History Individual, 2nd/William Reinschmidt, Group, 1st/
Megan and Sarah Major.
Political Science Individual, 1st/Andree Laville
Sociology Individual, 1st/Chandler Bueche, Group, 1st/Max
Eysink and Nic Cordaro.
Social Studies Regionals / Eighth Grade
Anthropology Individual, 1st/ Lindsey Giacone.
Economics Individual, 2nd/Julia Price; Group, 1st/Brad
LaVergne and Brian Rees
Geography Individual, 2nd/Kevin Orr; Group, 1st/Michael
and Jacob Marcin.
History Individual, 2nd/Dakota Martin; Group, 1st/Allison
and Emily Franklin.
Political Science Individual, 1st/Jeannie Vicari.
Sociology Individual, 1st/Christian Marchiafava; Group,
1st/Taylor and Alexa Zambito
(1st and 2nd place winners qualify for the State SS Fair).
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Regional Science Fair Results
4th Place: Hailey Katzman, Mary LaHaye and Annie Peek,
David Doiron and Jonathan Hoffmann, Annie Suydam, Jean
Pittman, Lindsey Giacone, Alex Say, and Clair Chapman.
3rd Place: Anne Marie Trepovicht and Maddie McFarland,
Barrett Beam.
2nd Place: Abby Grant and Daniel Grant, Caroline Vinning
Special Award: 2nd Place for Outstanding Achievement National Society of Women Engineers to Anne Marie
Trepovicht and Maddie McFarland.
(2nd and 3rd place winners qualify for the State Science Fair).
Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the 4th Grade Duke Talent Identification Program (T.I.P.):
Patrick Campesi, Anna Deshotels, Taylor Dottley,
Heather Edwards, Ashley Gremillion, Claire Hadlock,
Kenny Hingle, Christopher LeBlanc, Jackson Marcin, Addie Otterstetter, Delanna Poiencot, Trevor Thibodeaux,
Madeline Van Pelt, Tyler Werner, Amelia Adams, Ethan
LeBleu, Ashton Morales, Abby Morgan, Jack Poss, Whitney Say, Ysabella St. Amant, Olivia Thurman, David
Toups, Devin Tullier, Katie Vukovics, Mary Katherine
Audiffred, Thomas Broussard, Andres Castillo, Claire
Cordell, Joseph Gaudin, Josie Hillis, Lindsey McDonald,
Michaela Mitchell, Colin Mix, Brian Montagnino, Mary
Catherine Reinschmidt, Emily Rumfola.
Students have participated in Math Competitions throughout the year, most recently at St. Joseph’s Academy and Redemptorist High Schools. Results for the 4th, 5th, and 6th
grade students at SJA are:
4th grade:
Free Response: Taylor Dottley, 2nd; Chris LeBlanc, Honorable Mention; David Toups, Honorable Mention; Katie
Vukovics, 4th.
Multiple Choice: Chris LeBlanc, 3rd; Josie Hillis, 5th
Team Relay Ribbon: Taylor Dottley, Devin Tullier, Olivia
Thurman, Claire Cordell, David Toups.
Overall: Chris LeBlanc, 4th; Taylor Dottley, 6th
5th grade:
Multiple Choice: Lizzie Vukovics, 3rd; Nicholas Sciortino,
4th
Team Relay: Claire Palmer
6th grade:
Free Response: Thomas Barfield, 1st; Parker Say, 3rd;
Marianne Konikoff, 5th
Multiple Choice: Thomas Barfield, 1st; Molly Toups, 4th,
Marianne Konikoff, Honorable Mention; Dylan Zeringue,
Honorable Mention.
Team Relay Ribbon: Ben Toups, Marianne Konikoff, Jack
Toups, Nick Cordaro, Molly Toups.
Overall: Thomas Barfield, 1st; Marianne Konikoff, 4th.
Results for the 7th and 8th graders at Redemptorist are:
2nd Place Overall Sweepstakes Trophy!!
Individual Test: Avery Thibodeaux, 1st; Colleen Verrett,
2nd
Ciphering: Avery Thibodeaux, 1st; Aaron Finley, 2nd.
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Alumni
News . . .
MERCY Moments
Special Moments Caught by the Camera!
Who is that giant frog???
Well, that would be 2001
Mercy alum, Adrian Work!
Adrian, (a.k.a. Jeremiah the
Frog) and co-worker Sara Kirschner, were here to visit Kindergarten students to discuss
the importance of taking care
of their teeth. Both visitors
work in Pediatric Dentistry at
Smile Stars, with Dr. Steve
Ripple, D.D.S. and Paige Gaudet, D.D.S. Their presentation
included a talk and a video,
followed by receipt of a gift
bag by each student. Pictured
with Jeremiah are Kindergarten students Connor Beadle
and Mary Catherine Carville.
“Principal for the Day”, sixth grade student Olivia Armanini, spends some time
reading to the Pre-K students. Other duties for the day included morning announcements, carpool duty, and classroom
visits while shadowing the Principal.
The Mercy Momentum
Our Lady of Mercy School
400 Marquette Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
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