CLASS OF 2026
COMMENCEMENT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
IMPORTANT REMINDERS & UPDATES 5/21/26 COMMUNICATION
In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, every student must have her white graduation gown approved by Dr. Kreger or her assistant, Mrs. Wojcik. Graduation gown requirement letter found here. Please bring the dress to the Advancement Office or send a picture of the front and back of the dress, or a picture of you wearing the dress to cdkreger@mhsmi.org or mmwojcik@mhsmi.org.
This is a reminder of the 3/23/26 communication here in regard to graduation tickets, requirements, extra ticket request form and more. Each Senior will receive eight graduation tickets and may pick up tickets beginning Friday, May 1. The extra ticket request form requiring a parent signature can be found here.
GRADUATION PHOTOS FROM LIFETOUCH
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Scan the QR Code here or *text the Gallery Access Code: 34454GY26 to number 90738.
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Visit galleries.photoday.io and enter the Gallery Access Code: 34454GY26.
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Use pre-order link here.
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FaceFind – simply upload a photo of the graduate and the facial recognition tool automatically finds their photos in the collection.
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Tags – search photos by category (portraits, handshake, or candids for example).
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All photos – view all photos in the gallery.
COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS
We will be sending final transcripts to colleges the first week of June. Transcripts will be sent automatically by your Counselor. Your final transcript will be sent to the college you named as "enrolling" in SCOIR. If you have already updated your SCOIR account indicating where you will be attending in the fall - you are all set and no further action is needed on your part.
ACTION REQUIRED MERCY GOOGLE ACCOUNT
Please be aware that your Mercy Google account and managed iCloud/Apple ID will be deactivated on August 1, 2026. After this date, you will no longer have access to emails or files stored on these platforms.
Here are the steps you should take before the August 1st deadline:
1. Google Workspace Data
To keep your emails and Drive files, use Google Takeout. This tool allows you to download a copy of your content or transfer it directly to a personal Google account.
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Tip: This process can take several hours or even days depending on your file size, so we recommend starting this well before August 1st.
2. Apple iCloud (Photos & Files)
To save data associated with your school managed Apple ID, visit privacy.apple.com to request a download of your data. Alternatively, you can sign into the Google Photos or Google Drive apps with a personal account on your iPad to sync your files there.
3. Notability Notes
To ensure you don't lose your work, please use one of the two methods below to back up your notes:
Option A: Auto-Backup (Recommended)
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Open Notability and tap the Gear icon (lower left).
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Select Auto-Backup.
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Choose a service (such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive) and sign in with a personal account to upload your files.
Important Note: If you already have Google Drive backup turned on using your Mercy Google account, you must disconnect it first. Then, reconnect using your personal Google account to ensure your data is saved to a drive you will still be able to access after August 1st.
Option B: Migrating to a Personal iCloud Account If you prefer to keep your notes synced with iCloud, follow these steps:
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In Notability, tap the Gear icon and turn iCloud Sync OFF.
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When prompted to keep or delete your notes on the device, select "Keep on my iPad."
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Go to the iPad Settings app, sign out of your school Apple ID, and sign in with your personal Apple ID.
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Return to Notability and turn iCloud Sync back ON. Your notes will now sync to your personal account.
Note on Subscription: To continue using Notability’s premium features after graduation, you will need to purchase a personal subscription. However, even without a subscription, you will always be able to view and export your existing notes as PDFs.
4. Third-Party Accounts
If you used your Mercy email address to create accounts for services like Instagram, Spotify, or Dropbox, etc. please log in to those sites and change the associated email to a personal address before August 1st.
5. Your iPad After Graduation
Once you graduate, you officially own your school-assigned iPad! We will begin removing Mercy’s management settings and restrictions during the last week of May.
A quick note on device status: Even after school management is removed, your device may still display the message: "This iPad is supervised and managed by Mercy High School." when you open Settings. If you would like to permanently remove this message, you will need to erase your iPad and set it up as a new device.
If you have any further questions regarding saving your data or your iPad, please feel free to stop by the Tech Office or email tfjames@mhsmi.org.
IMPORTANT DATES & INFO
May 28: Mandatory Graduation Practice
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Graduation practice is mandatory. If a student is not present, they will not be allowed to participate in the Graduation ceremony.
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Parking is located at the Detroit Opera House Parking Center at 1426 Broadway Street and graduates should enter the garage at the John R Gate. Mercy will pay for the parking and graduates must take a ticket when they enter, and leave it in their car to receive validation.
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When you arrive, enter through the Cadillac Cafe, where the moderators will meet you and guide you backstage. It is located on the Madison street side of the building.
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Graduates are asked to please dress in appropriate school dress down attire and bring the white dress shoes to be worn at Graduation.
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To avoid conflicts, please do not make appointments until after 1pm. We may run over the scheduled time, and all graduates must stay until practice is completed.
May 31: Graduation Ceremony
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Graduates are asked to please check their Mercy email for last minute updates and instructions.
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We kindly ask you to allow extra time for travel, traffic and arrival downtown as the Grand Prix is also taking place. This shouldn’t affect parking. They have the Detroit Opera House Parking Center (1426 Broadway Street) designated for Mercy and guests should use the John R Gate Entrance. Please note there is a $20 parking fee per vehicle payable by credit card only.
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A ticket is required for entry at the Graduation Ceremony and each graduate can pick up their tickets at Mercy until May 26. If they aren’t picked up by May 26, graduates can get them from Ms. McMaster at Graduation rehearsal on May 28.
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Graduates must be at the venue by 1:00pm and will enter through the stage/security doors off Madison.
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Entry for those individuals with an early access pass due to accessibility accommodations begins at 1:00pm. If you are in need of one of these passes and have not yet reached out, please contact mvallone@mhsmi.org. Doors on either side of the Detroit Opera House will be open at 1:15pm for family and guests to enter. Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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View graduate seating chart here.
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To preserve the dignity of the event and due to the lack of security backstage, graduates should please leave their cell phones and personal belongings with a family member.
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Please plan to meet your graduate after the ceremony. Guests will not be able to re-enter the Opera House after exiting.
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Tue, 5/26 - 7:30am - 2:30pm
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Wed, 5/27 - 7:30am - 12:00pm
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Thu, 5/28 - 7:30am - 1:30pm
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Fri, 5/29 - 7:30am - 12:00pm
October 7: Senior Blessing Mass
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Wear cap, gown and medallion
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10:15am Mercy Auditorium
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Parents/Guardians welcome to attend
October 17: Senior Tailgate 7:00am-7:45am
October 25: Senior Photo Yearbook Deadline for Prestige Portrait
November 9 : Diploma Names Due
December 1: Yearbook Congratulatory Ads Due
January 28: Senior Class Alumnae Breakfast
March 1: Service Hours & Reflection Paper
May 1: End of Year Promise Due: An agreement that you will represent Mercy well in all of the end of year activities, including but not limited to, prom, Moving Up & graduation. If you do not submit the promise, you cannot participate in end of the year activities.
May 1: Graduation Gown Approval Deadline
May 8: Senior Survey Deadline
May 14: Senior Prom
- How do I buy tickets? Click this link and follow the instructions carefully.
- When do online ticket sales end? Wednesday, April 29 at 11:59 p.m.
- What if I miss the online ticket sale deadline? Bring $105 per ticket ($210/couple), CASH or CHECK ONLY, to Ms. Richter to purchase tickets in person on Thursday, April 30th or Friday, May 1st.
- What if I will have the money but I don't right now? Please reach out to the Senior Moderators as soon as possible to discuss what options may be available to you.
- What if I'm bringing a guest? Be sure to read the directions for purchasing tickets carefully. Also, be sure to complete this form and have it returned by Monday, May 11th
- What if I'm arriving and/or leaving on a party bus? Complete this form and return it by Monday, May 11th.
- When and how will I get the table form? The table forms will be emailed on Monday, April 27th and need to be returned by 8 a.m. on Friday, May 1st. There are 10 people per table - only one form per table needs to be completed.
- What if I tried to buy tickets online and it won't let me? Reach out to the Senior Moderators to see what is causing the hold to be placed on your ticket(s). Holds have been placed for: not having your End of the Year Promise in, detentions, Business Office, not having your service paper in and/or not having your 40 service hours in.
May 18-20: Senior Final Exams & End of Semester Policies
May 19: Baccalaureate Mass & Reception
Mercy HS Auditorium
Arrival: 5:30pm
Mass: 6:00pm
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Family members are invited and welcome to attend.
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Graduates are to wear their cap and gown along with proper dress-up attire.
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Following Mass, the Senior Class will process to the courtyard and place a rose on the altar of Our Lady of Mercy. This procession, which began at the original high school campus in Detroit, is a long standing, solemn, and beautiful tradition in Mercy's history.
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Closing remarks will be shared by Senior Class Officers, Sr. Emily George Award winner, and Heart of Mercy recipient.
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Reception for families in the Gym to follow the celebration with light appetizers.
May 21: Mercy Celebration Day - Honors Convocation & Moving Up
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All Seniors are expected to be in attendance for the full day for Adviser Parties, Honors Convocation and Moving Up. Students will wear their caps and gowns and should sign-in with their Adviser by 8:00am. If your daughter is absent from the Honors Convocation, she will not be allowed to participate in the Moving Up Ceremony. We would like to invite Senior Parents/Guardians to join us for the Honors Convocation at 8:45am.
RESOURCES & FORMS
Extra Graduation Ticket Request Form
End of Year Promise
In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, every student must have her white graduation gown approved by Dr. Kreger or her assistant, Mrs. Wojcik. Please bring the dress to the Advancement Office or send a picture of the front and back of the dress, or a picture of you wearing the dress to cdkreger@mhsmi.org or mmwojcik@mhsmi.org.
- Graduation gown requirement letter found here.
Adopt a Seat
Leave a legacy for your graduate! For a minimum contribution of $200, you can Adopt a Seat in your graduate’s honor in Mercy's Auditorium. For further info or to Adopt a Seat, click here or contact the Advancement Office at advancement@mhsmi.org.
Two marvelous Mercy Cafe Staff are available for your graduation party needs.
CONTACT INFO
2026 Class Officer Board: April Butler; Stella Coe; Jamiesha Faulkner; Grace Kim; Sophia Segars
Senior Moderators Gretchen Faunce and Brandi Lavely: seniormoderator@mhsmi.org
Dean of Student Affairs Eleasha Tarplin: edtarplin@mhsmi.org
Associate Principal Colleen McMaster: cmcmaster@mhsmi.org