Mercy Life & Extracurricular Activities

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Through the framework of Student Government, Mercy strives to establish an informed community in which students, faculty, and Administration contribute to decisions, policies, and activities. Student Government roles are elected positions.

Mercy’s Student Council is comprised of the Student Council Executive Board (one Chair and three council women) and the Class Officer Boards (one board per grade). The Executive Board represents and performs duties for the school at large. The Class Boards function in their small groups to represent and perform duties for their classmates. The Student Council functions as an entire group as they sponsor various school activities throughout the year.

HUMAN RELATIONS COUNCIL: This Council has four elected representatives from each class plus at large positions filled by invitation only. HRC is responsible for promoting positive human relations among the Mercy School Community. The council meetings are open to all students on their unscheduled time. Students are encouraged to bring issues that could cause disharmony or injustice within the school community to the attention of the council. 

ACADEMIC TEAMS

BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS of AMERICA (BPA)

Purpose: BPA is a national career and technical student organization that helps students gain experience now for their future. In addition to service and leadership activities, members participate in the Workplace Skills Assessment Program, which allows students to apply knowledge and skills in realistic job scenarios. The organization offers more than 50 events in various areas related to video/film, speech, finance, coding, management and marketing. Members compete against students from area schools at the one-day Regional Leadership Conference (RLC) in January. Winners from RLC are eligible to compete at the three-day State Leadership Conference (SLC) held in March in Grand Rapids. Winners from SLC are eligible to compete at the National Leadership Conference (NLC) in May.

Membership: Open to all students. Members must pay dues each year to cover local chapter, state and national membership, as well as registration for RLC. Cost to attend SLC or NLC is additional. BPA meets after school.

FORENSICS

Purpose: Forensics is a competitive speech team focusing on building students’ confidence and articulation through participation in one or more of six individual events. Competitors strive to portray either their own speech or the work of another speaker, playwright, or author effectively.

Membership: Eligible students must complete Oral Interpretation in the fall of their sophomore, junior, or senior year and assist with fundraising activities to compete in this winter sport. Competitions are held on five Saturday mornings, and eligible students may also compete in a national tournament. Please see Ms. Moore for additional information regarding membership.

MOCK TRIAL

Purpose: Mock Trial is for students considering the field of trial law. The Mock Trial team competes in tournaments that simulate a real trial where student participants play the roles of attorneys, witnesses, jurors etc. Students work together with classmates, teachers and volunteer attorney-coaches on a hypothetical case to learn real lawyer skills. Members will develop and sharpen critical analysis, public speaking and interpersonal skills while learning about the protocol and procedures unique to the U.S. Justice system. Learn more at http://www.miciviced.org/mock-trial/what-is-mock-trial

Membership: Open to all students. Students may try-out in mid-October. Coaches are looking for confidence, enthusiasm, commitment to learn, and a sense of giving back to teammates. A team of 12 students is selected from those who try-out. Practices run October – March, Tuesdays (6-8:30 p.m.) and Wednesdays (2:45-4:15 p.m.).

MODEL UNITED NATIONS

Purpose: MUN is an academic club which simulates issues at the United Nations.  Each participant represents a country and debates the policies of that country as they relate to world situations. Qualified students may attend out-of-town simulations.

Membership: Open to all students. Members must pay $10.00 dues each year, attend club meetings, participate in MUN sponsored functions and attend 2 local weekend simulations at Mercy and/or other schools. MUN meets outside of the school day.

QUIZ BOWL

Purpose: Quiz Bowl is a game in which two teams compete head-to-head to answer questions from all areas of knowledge, including history, literature, mythology, science, fine arts, current events, sports, and popular culture using a lock-out buzzer system (like Jeopardy). Mercy’s teams are based on grade level and experience, playing in a co-ed local league against private and public schools in the area, as well as Saturday tournaments at colleges throughout the state.

Membership: Open to all students. Participants must pay $50 dues each year, which covers registration, materials, transportation to local league meets, and a uniform polo.  Practices are held Tuesdays from 3 p.m. until 4 p.m. from September to March. Local meets are scheduled during the Winter sports season and are held after school about once a month.  Players can earn an academic letter after accumulating 100 Varsity points, which can be earned through consistent attendance at weekly practices, monthly meets, weekend tournaments, and correct answers in games.

ROBOTICS TEAM

Purpose: Mercy’s FIRST Robotics Team 1481, “The Riveters”, compete in FIRST Robotics Competitions, which combine the excitement of a varsity sport with hands-on training in science and technology to help high school students discover how rewarding a career in engineering or technology can be. Remote-controlled robots, piloted by students and cheered on by thousands of screaming fans, go head-to-head in short games on the floor of a sports arena, battling it out to earn points during a two-minute round. Students on FIRST teams learn from and play with the “pros” – professional engineers who donate their time to work side-by-side with students to help design and build the sophisticated competition robots. Visit Robotics website here.

Membership: Open to all students. The team meets once a week in the evening throughout the school year. Students are welcome to come when they are able. During build and competition season (Jan - April) the team meets twice a week (one evening and on Saturdays). There is a participation team fee to cover registration, uniform, snacks and build season meals. Students can earn not only a Varsity Club letter but also first-hand experience in engineering, CAD, business and/or programming. 

HONOR SOCIETIES

FRENCH HONOR SOCIETY

Purpose: To provide an opportunity to recognize outstanding scholarship of students in the study of French through rich, cultural and social activities which support their learning experiences in and beyond the classroom setting.  In addition, members provide and engage in services to the school and community which further promote the study of the French language, history and culture throughout the Francophone World.

Membership: The SHF (La Société Honoraire de Français) is open to students enrolled in a second, third or fourth year French language course. Students must have a 3.4 GPA in French studies and a 3.2 GPA overall at the time of application and acceptance. Students are expected to maintain the required language and overall GPA as well as enrollment in a French class each year of membership. In addition, members are required to pay dues and participate in 75% of the activities sponsored during the year, which include National French Week and the major annual fundraiser, French Immersion Day. Attendance at all meetings is mandatory to remain a member of the SHF. SHF meets on Language Honor Society Meetings Day.

INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SOCIETY (ITS)

Purpose: To promote and strengthen theater arts at Mercy and to recognize students who have performed meritorious work in the Performing Arts Department.

Membership: Open to students who have participated in at least two Mercy productions in two different aspects (acting or crewing) of theater arts and have accumulated a minimum of 100 hours of excellent work according to the International Thespian Society’s guidelines. Members are required to participate in some way in both major Mercy productions as well as in the troupe’s activities. ITS meets on Club Meetings Day, during the school day.

JUNIOR CLASSICAL LEAGUE (JCL)

Purpose:  Through an acquaintance and study of the civilization of Greece and Rome, JCL seeks to help students understand and appraise the world of today in its government, laws, literature, language, and arts. JCL seeks to develop responsibility, foster community, promote enthusiasm, encourage competition, inspire dedication, and enrich students’ total growth through State and National JCL Conventions.

Membership: JCL membership is open to any student currently enrolled in Latin, who pays both State and National JCL dues. Club activities are open to all students. JCL meets on Language Honor Society Meetings Day.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY (NHS)

Purpose: The National Honor Society at Mercy High School recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship, leadership, character, and service to the school community.

Membership: Seniors who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.4, have 20 hours of verified in school or out of school service (not counting the MCAP service requirement for graduation) may be considered for membership. Juniors may apply during the second semester of their junior year while seniors may apply the first semester of their senior year. NHS meets outside of the school day.

SPANISH HONOR SOCIETY

Purpose: To recognize high academic achievement of upper level students in the Spanish language and to promote continuing education of Hispanic culture as well as community service.

Membership: The SHH (La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica) is open to sophomore, junior, and senior students who are enrolled in third and fourth year Spanish classes and earn at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA in Spanish.  Students are expected to maintain the required GPA as well as enrollment in Spanish classes each year of membership. Additionally, members are required to pay dues, participate in 75% of the SHH activities, participate in the annual fundraiser, and attend all club meetings to remain a member of SHH. SHH meets on Language Honor Society Meetings Day.

NATIONAL AFFILIATIONS/ORGANIZATIONS

BASE (Black Awareness Society for Education)

Purpose: To raise everyone’s awareness about issues in the African American community, while bringing people from all ethnic backgrounds together to discuss these issues. The club’s goal is to unite and educate students of various backgrounds on issues and events that occur in the world and which impact racial harmony.

Membership: Open to all students. Members must pay $5 dues each year and attend meetings regularly. BASE meets on Club Meetings Day, during the school day, and after school 1 - 2 times per month.

LINK CREW

Link Crew is a research based, Transition and Orientation program, created by The Boomerang Project. Link Crew is offered at High Schools across the country, many in Michigan. Link Leaders are partnered up and assigned a Crew of Freshwomen to get to know and befriend. Link Leaders are the principal piece to our Freshwoman Welcome Day orientation, welcoming our new students and conducting activities that lead to helpful discussion about succeeding in high school.

PRETTY BROWN GIRL

Founded by Mercy Alumna Sheri Crawley, The Pretty Brown Girl (PBG) is one of the fastest-growing girls' movements in the country, focused on the well-being of Black and Brown girls. The belief is that by developing positive self-esteem and confidence while giving the gift of self-love, girls will be inspired to dream their biggest dreams! This year the program will be 100% virtual for 15 weeks, led by trained PBG mentors. This an awesome opportunity to build relationships, have access to programming specifically designed for Black and Brown girls and increase your self-esteem.

TEAM ONE LOVE

Purpose: We educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse and learn how to love better.

YOUTH MERCY ASSOCIATES

Purpose: The Youth Mercy Associates aim to come to know God and learn more about Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy, and the five Critical Concerns — Earth, immigration, nonviolence, anti-racism, and women. Members hope to accomplish these goals in many ways, but are especially focused on doing so through service. 

Membership: The orientation process for new Youth Associates usually takes from six months to a year to complete. During this time, new members complete a service project, read a book about Catherine McAuley, go to a special event, hold prayer service, and attend a retreat and meetings.

ADDITIONAL STUDENT CLUBS