Mount Mercy Academy’s 119th graduating class held its Baccalaureate Mass and Awards Ceremony at the Mercy Center Chapel in the spring.

The Social Studies department recognized Rylee Strefeler of Dunkirk for her interest in and appreciation of history and the social sciences. The Women in Social Sciences Academy is a program designed to encourage students’ interest in the Social Sciences. Strefeler has completed requirements of the Academy through a combination of coursework and field experiences.

McAuley Scholars are those students who through their career at Mount Mercy Academy maintained a minimum of a 95 average. These students are required to take at least 2 AP or college level courses beginning in their sophomore year. The McAuley Scholar from the Class of 2024 is Strefeler.

The Business Academy was started in the 2021-2022 school year to give the students the real life experience of creating a small business. The students were asked to successfully complete the introduction to business class as well as put in at least 20 hours of work time between the Magic Market and the Wizard Wear store. The student who has achieved these goals is Strefeler.

Mount Mercy has a proud tradition of encouraging its students to complete service hours as a way of fulfilling the legacy of Catherine McAuley. Every single member of the senior class fulfilled her service requirements.

Strefeler was recognized as the winner of the 2024 Community All-Star Award from Independent Health which recognizes a student who has made a positive difference in the lives of people at school and in the community.