At the recent Third Quarter Honors Assembly, Mount Mercy Academy Principal Margaret Staszak named the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2019.  Madeline Szwed and Kaitlyn Morris were honored for their outstanding four year academic records.

    Szwed, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Szwed of Cheektowaga, finished her four years with the highest cumulative average earning the right to be the Valedictorian for the Mount Mercy Academy Class of 2019.  Szwed is a student ambassador and is the president of the McAuley Chapter of National Honor Society. In addition she is a section editor of the school yearbook, a member of the Health and Science Academy, environmental and foreign language clubs and a McAuley Scholar. Szwed is a four year member of both the soccer and lacrosse programs.   She plans to attend Rochester Institute Technology in the fall to study chemistry. Szwed received an Air Force ROTC Type One scholarship which will cover her tuition and room and board in full.  She has also received a Presidential Scholarship to RIT. She will enter the Air Force as a second lieutenant and will work as a chemist.

    Morris, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morris of Orchard Park, completed her years at Mount Mercy with the second highest overall average in the class, and was named as the Salutatorian for the Class of 2019.  Morris is the vice-president of student government, a member of the National Honor Society and a McAuley Scholar. She is a section editor for the school yearbook and is a member of mock trial, Pure Magic Show Choir and foreign language club. Morris plans to attend Mercyhurst University in the fall and will major in music therapy.  She has earned four scholarships from the university, including the Mercyhurst Music Scholarship, Herriman Merit Award, Heritage Award and Erie Diocese Award.

    Mount Mercy’s 114th graduation will be held on May 22, 2019.