Mercy High School Names Novi Students Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Two Novi students have been selected to serve as Salutatorian and Valedictorian of Mercy High School's Class of 2013.

Valedictorian Kathleen M. Coerdt and Salutatorian Christina Hadley will address the 179 graduates at the Farmington Hills private school's 68th commencement ceremony, held May 30 at Compuware Arena.

According to a school press release, the Valedictorian and Salutatorian "must exemplify an academically exceptional student who has pursued a well-balanced program of studies while attending Mercy High School." Selection is based on a student self-appraisal, staff and senior class input, and an interview with administrators.

Coerdt has received a number of honors, including the Rosalie Hebeler Award for Excellence in AP Chemistry and 1st place Farmington Community Library Teen Creative Writing Contest. An officer in the National Honor Society, she participated on the school's soccer and field hockey teams.

Among other volunteer activities, Coerdt co-founded Chapters of Love, which collects and donates books to schools in Detroit. She is an in-patient surgical volunteer at Providence Park Hospital in Novi. A 4.0 student, Coerdt will attend Georgetown University, where she plans to major in biology or chemistry and continue to medical school. 

“My life goal is to become a physician because I have a passion for helping others," she said. "I believe that the health care industry has endless possibilities, and I want to be a part of it. I want to be a woman who makes a difference.”

Hadley is a National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction. She won Honorable Mention for newspaper layout design from the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association and a Sparty Award for excellence in journalism. A member of National Honor Society and French Honor Society, she has also participated in Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, Science Club and is the Newsprint Web Editor. She volunteers at Maybury Girl Scout Day Camp.

Hadley will attend Northwestern University. 

"Very simply, I have one major life goal: to be happy," she said. "Work is included in my plan for happiness because I have found that I am most content when accomplishing meaningful tasks. I think it is important to select a career where my full potential can be realized and used and is a benefit to humanity.”

Source: Mercy High School press release