Trooper, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/28/2021 -- Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation have included two students from Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School among approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 67th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Anna Marie Patti '22 and Hayley Young '22 have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered next spring.

Also being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship program are Kira Kawczynski '22 and Alexis Kelerchian '22 who have been named National Merit Commended Students. Approximately 34,000 Commended Students are being recognized throughout the nation for their academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2022 competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

Hayley Young also earned the highest possible ACT composite score of 36 which is earned by less than one-half of 1% of all test takers.

"We are so proud of these young women who have achieved this tremendous national honor," said Principal of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Mary Kirby. "In addition to their academic achievements, they have each demonstrated leadership and a commitment to our Gwynedd Mercy community. Our students continually give me hope and inspiration for what lies ahead."

Rooted in the Catholic faith and charism of Mercy, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School educates, inspires, and empowers young women to be merciful in spirit, innovative in thought, and courageous in leadership.

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Gwynedd Valley, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 09/25/2020 -- September 24, 2020, Each year, on September 24, the Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School community joins with the global Mercy community to commemorate the day in 1827 when Venerable Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, opened the first House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland.

On this Mercy Day, Gwynedd also celebrates a historic $375,000 gift—the largest ever from an individual in the Academy's 159-year history—from the estate of alumna Joan McDermott Bellwoar '51. Joan's extraordinary generosity will further Gwynedd's strategic plan, "She is the Future," by ensuring student access through an endowed scholarship for families with financial need and by providing all students with a more innovative, 21st-century learning environment through facility enhancement support. Her commitment also demonstrates unwavering confidence in the Academy's future.

A scholarship student at the Academy, Joan served as editor of The Magnet—the School newspaper, vice president of the School, and left-wing of the hockey team. She attended Chestnut Hill College and became an educator, teaching at Archbishop Prendergast High School and Merion Mercy Academy. She also was a teacher of her seven children with her beloved husband of 62 years, Harry J.J. Bellwoar.

Following a Mass in celebration of Mercy Day, students and guests will hear more about Joan from fellow Gwynedd Mercy alumna, Chair of the School's Board of Trustees, and beloved daughter-in-law, Kathleen Kirk Bellwoar '81, including a story of how, when attending a conference as the editor of the school newspaper, she met the renowned entertainer Ed Sullivan. Joan told him all about her school and the Sisters of Mercy, of which Mr. Sullivan indicated he was a fan. Subsequently, Mr. Sullivan made a guest appearance at the Academy that same year, much to everyone's delight.

Academy President, Denise Corkery Marbach '72 offers, "Today marks a historic occasion for a ministry ignited by the faith and will of one woman to serve and empower those in need and her determination to ensure Mercy endured for generations to come. It is our great privilege and duty to honor, preserve, and advance the legacy and mission of Mercy that Catherine has bestowed upon us. With Catherine's inspiration and Joan's generosity, the future of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is very bright.

On this Mercy Day 2020, our hearts are particularly filled with joy and gratitude for our incredible family of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School. We acknowledge all we have accomplished as a family in the past 159 years and recognize the continued need for Mercy in our world today and tomorrow. It is incumbent upon each of us to show and share Mercy. Together, we will continue to do great works of Mercy to honor our legacy."

About Gwynedd Mercy
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is an independent college-preparatory school set on 47 beautiful acres and located in Gwynedd Valley, Montgomery County, PA. Rooted in the Catholic faith and tradition of Mercy, Gwynedd educates, inspires, and empowers young women to be merciful in spirit, innovative in thought, and courageous in leadership. Gwynedd alumnae are women of action who have gone forth to become prominent business leaders, diplomats in developing nations, leading scientists and researchers, respected physicians, inspiring educators, award-winning athletes, authors, journalists and technologists, accomplishes musicians and artists, women of purpose who serve both the local and global communities, and much more. At Gwynedd Mercy, She is the Future. www.gmahs.org

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Sahiba Tandon, class of ‘21 and Kathryn Tereshko, class of ‘20 competed in the world’s largest National Honor Society event in multiple categories at the National Speech and Debate Tournament, taking home the coveted National Championship and second place, runner-up, respectively, in Expository Speaking.

Gwynedd Valley, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/24/2020 -- Since the 1930's, The National Speech and Debate Tournament has welcomed middle and high school students across the country to debate, share stories and voice their opinions on current issues and events. After months of training and preparation from their coaches, rigorous participation in district qualifying tournaments, and five days of ferocious competition at the National Finals, a first-rate student will emerge and be crowned the best of the best in front of thousands. This year has been no exception.

The 2020 National Speech & Debate Tournament, which was held virtually this year, saw 5,073 competitors from 1,322 different schools across every state in the United States as well as three other countries. Out of 140,000 eligible students worldwide, only about 6% qualify to compete. Once qualified, you move through preliminary rounds and once through, compete at the National Finals, putting you in the top 4% of Speech and Debate competitors. Making the Final Round puts you in the Top 1/10 of 1%, a momentous achievement. During the 2020 virtual event, Gwynedd Mercy High School had several students qualify and compete at the national tournament, which is remarkable.

Gwynedd Mercy High School has qualified young women at this prestigious national championship for years, attending a total of 17 times. This year, four Monarchs qualified from the Valley Forge District Tournament: Jill Dougherty '20, Rachel Edwards '20, Kathryn Tershko '20, and Sahiba Tandon '21. Sahiba and Kathryn advanced to the final round of Expository Speaking, placing first and second. This is a historic achievement for the all-girls Catholic preparatory school.

Sahiba Tandon is this year's student body president for her class of 2021. She is also the leader of Gwynedd's Diversity Club and the new National Champion for Expository Speaking.

Kathryn Tereshko placed second and runner up to Sahiba in the Expository Speaking event. She is graduating this year and heading to Vanderbilt University.

Cory Clark Shay, alumna '95 and coach to Sahiba and Kathryn, also received her second Diamond Coach Award from the National Speech & Debate Association at this year's tournament, recognizing her years of coaching and the many successes of her students.

Cory states, "Placing first and second nationally in an event is an incredible feat. Every single GMA Speech and Debate team member, present and past, shares in this achievement. Our team learns from one another; our older students and alumnae serve as mentors and have created a legacy of hard work, commitment, and perseverance."

While this year was extremely different from past years, the coaches and staff who worked with these two young women are nothing short of proud of their fantastic accomplishments. Normally performing in front of hundreds of thousands of people, this year posed new challenges and tribulations that were no match for both Sahiba and Kathryn, who came out on the very top.

For more information on the National Speech and Debate Association, click here.

About Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
Gwynedd Mercy Academy is an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory high school immersed in the teachings and traditions of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Gwynedd Mercy Academy not only provides the optimal environment for excelled academic achievement but also fosters a sense of leadership, growth, and well-roundedness for each individual. Holding the highest of expectations and standards, Gwynedd Mercy Academy is based on the values of compassionate presence, justice, service, and respect for the dignity of all persons. To learn more about the school, click here.

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