Mercy High School Names Novi Students Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Kathleen M. Coerdt and Christina Hadley will speak during the school's May 30 graduation ceremony at Compuware Arena in Plymouth.

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 …

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Mercy High English Teacher Wins 'Touchstone Award'

Farmington Hills resident Jan Mordenski is one of 12 Michigan arts educators who will be honored at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in May.

In her 35th year on staff at Mercy High School, Farmington Hills resident Jan Mordenski will be honored next month for doing what she loves: teaching poetry.  The Michigan Youth Arts Festival (MYAF) named Mordenski among a dozen educators from around the state who will receive the Touchstone Award, given to arts educators who "exemplify best-practices in arts education, with a record of advocacy for arts programs, dedication to bringing out the very best in their students, and continued commitment to artistic excellence," according to a Festival press release. Mordenski said she holds a Master's degree in folklore and creative writing, and "amazingly, I was able to teach both here." Mercy offers a full semester of poetry for juniors and …

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Women Mean Business at Mercy High School Seminar

Detroit Public Television anchor Christy McDonald and a panel of professional women share their experiences April 24.

An all-star line-up of women who make a difference in the world will participate in the “Women Mean Business Conference”, held April 24 at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills. “We are preparing a new generation of young women to enter the professional ranks,” said Carolyn Witte, principal. “We thought it only fitting that they hear from some of the trailblazers who have gone before them.” Panelists taking part in the 6 p.m. event will share empowering stories of triumph and personal achievement as well as valuable advice about the importance of work, self-esteem, volunteering and job choices. Led by Christy McDonald, special coverage anchor, WTVS Detroit Public Television, they include: In addition, each table will have a local woman …

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Where Are Farmington Seniors Heading Next Year?

College acceptance letters are in—tell Patch where you're headed next!

Calling all Farmington and Farmington Hills seniors and senior parents: What's next for you after graduation? Whether you're headed to college or starting a new job, tell us your plans in the comments below. You can upload a picture here, too. Just click "Upload Photos and Videos." Congratulations, Class of 2013!

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UPDATE: Power Outage Closes Mercy High, Costick Center

More than 1,200 DTE customers in Farmington Hills lost power Friday morning.

UPDATE: Power was restored in an area south of I-696 shortly before 10 a.m. Friday. DTE Energy crews worked in the I-696 and Middlebelt area of Farmington Hills following a Friday morning power outage that affected more than 1,200 local customers, as well as more than 570 in Southfield. The outage, which began shortly after 7 a.m., left Mercy High School and the City of Farmington Hills Costick Activities Center closed Friday morning. It stretches south of I-696 almost to 10 Mile Road, and from a few blocks west of Middlebelt to Inkster.  "We know there's an open circuit breaker out there that's caused the power outage," DTE spokesperson Len Singer said, adding the cause of the open breaker was not immediately known.  Singer didn't have a …

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Marian Tops Farmington Hills Mercy, Takes Top League Spot

The Mustangs sank all 10 free throws down the stretch and topped the Marlins 56-45 for a key home win.

The Marian High School Mustangs scored a big home win Tuesday night over rival Farmington Hills Mercy to improve to 4-2 in the Catholic High School League Central Division, good enough for first place. Following the 56-45 victory, the Mustangs share the division lead with Dearborn Divine Child, according to miprepzone.com. The Marlins fell to 3-3 in the CHSL Central Division. Marian lead much of the game, but a 14-5 scoring run by the Marlins in the fourth quarter tightened the score before Peake and Brittany Gray each sank four free throws in the final two minutes to secure the win, said Bob Hanon of the Marian Athletic Board. “We were fortunate to make all of our free throws,” Marian Head Coach Mary Cicerone told miprepzone.com. “…

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Giving Back With Dodgeball: Area Students Organize Charity Tournament for Africa

Two Farmington Hills Mercy High School students are hosting Dodge for a Cause this weekend at Groves, a charity dodgeball tournament that's raising money for the Troy nonprofit, Bands that JAM for Africa.

When Mercy High School sophomores Alexandria Sobczak and Christina Miracle began thinking about what they wanted for Christmas this year, they had one big idea: they wanted to give back. Though the teens attend school in Farmington Hills and live in Bloomfield Hills and Beverly Hills, they're giving back to a Troy-based charity to help those who not only don't have Christmas presents, but who don't have food, water or a place to sleep at night. In Dodge for a Cause, a charity dodgeball tournament happening this Sunday at Birmingham's Groves High School, the girls are pairing up with the nonprofit Bands that JAM for Africa. The organization hosts benefit concerts and provides funding for the South African-based nonprofit, Joint Aid …

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Mercy High Places Second at State Division 1 Swim Meet

The Farmington Hills high school also captured their 22nd Catholic High School League state swimming and diving title.

With a team score of 272, the Farmington Hills Mercy Marlins took 2nd place in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 1 swim and dive state championships, held Nov. 16-17 at the Holland Aquatic Center in Holland.  The Farmington Observer reports that the Marlins also captured their 22nd Catholic League High School championship on Nov. 10, scoring 673.5 points and easily outdistancing Birmingham Marian, which finished with 544.5 points. Division 1 - Mercy High School Girls 200 Yd. Medley Relay - 4th, 1:45.75 (Elliott Schinella, Maddy Loniewski, Ellyse Conn, Roxanne Griffore) Girls 200 Yd. Freestyle - Kathleen McGee, 3rd, 1:52.34 Girls 200 Yd. IM - Maddy Loniewski, 1st, 2:05.09; Jordan Ewald, 11th, 2:10.08; Annie …

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Farmington Area Golfers Named to All-County Girls Golf Team

Vicky Kowalski, Farmington Hills Mercy, is honored as all-county head coach.

Mercy High Students Get a Look at Local Government in Action

The seniors attend Monday's Farmington city council meeting to fulfill a class assignment.

Five Mercy High School seniors fulfilled a homework assignment by attending Monday night's Farmington city council meeting. Stephanie Luther of Novi, Catherine Morgan of Farmington, Logan Horejsi of White Lake, Gretchen Schultz of Farmington and Morgan Hellwig of Northville stayed through the 90-minute meeting. Their assignment, for an advanced placement government class, includes writing a paragraph on what they learned. Students heard a presentation by the new owners of Drakeshire Plaza and watched officials approve an employment agreement for new Community and Economic Development director Kevin Christiansen and adopt a policy for the sale of the former 47th District Court building on 10 Mile Road. 

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