Class of 2026 Salutatorian

Sophia Segars - Yale University

It is an honor to also recognize Sophia Segars as a 2026 Mercy Salutatorian. Sophia has excelled at Mercy and made a meaningful difference in countless ways. She embraced rigorous academic opportunities with both determination and humility, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA while completing an impressive transcript that includes eight Advanced Placement courses alongside an extensive honors curriculum. Sophia is also a Commended National Merit Scholar. Yet, for Sophia, success has never been measured simply by the number of advanced classes she has taken. What makes her most proud is the mindset and character she has developed through her time at Mercy -  the intentional way she has “shown up” each day with perseverance, integrity, and purpose.

There are countless places throughout Mercy where Sophia’s impact can be seen and felt. Service has been a cornerstone of her Mercy experience as Chair of Service on Mercy’s Ministry Team and Student Director of Mercy’s Service Planning Team. Through her creativity, leadership, and faith-centered vision, Sophia has helped create opportunities that connect Mercy’s mission with meaningful student leadership and service experiences. Just as importantly, she has consistently supported and empowered her Mercy sisters in bringing their own ideas and passions to life.

Sophia is deeply committed to standing up for values rooted in dignity, justice, and inclusion - even when doing so may not be the easiest or most popular path. She works intentionally to ensure others have a seat at the table, and when necessary, she is willing to help create a new table.

As the founder and president of Mercy’s UNICEF chapter, Sophia has led initiatives promoting advocacy and service in support of children’s rights to safety, education, healthcare, and dignity. Through her leadership, Mercy students have organized and participated in twelve advocacy and service projects that have made a meaningful impact both locally and globally.

In 2023, Sophia also played an instrumental role in rebuilding Mercy’s Model UN program, helping lead Mercy delegates to thirteen conferences where students not only earned awards, but also discovered passions for diplomacy, global awareness, and advocacy.

Beyond her many accomplishments, Sophia possesses an intrinsic kindness and warmth that elevates every space she enters. She creates a welcoming environment where others feel valued, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. She leads with dignity, respect, and authenticity.  A classmate shared, “Sophia represents the best party of Mercy.  In fact, when I think of Mercy, I think of Sophia.”

We congratulate Sophia on being a Mercy Salutatorian and wish her the best as she prepares to attend Yale University to double major in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology as well as the History of Science, Medicine and Public Health.

Her future career plans include pursuing a career in healthcare focused on improving health outcomes for marginalized and under-served populations.