Clubs and Organizations
Students at Mercy are given the opportunity to participate in a broad range of co-curricular activities. These are designed to foster personal development and enrich their high school experience. The following clubs and organizations are available:
Art Club
This club is open to all students. Here they learn about art from an insider's point of view by putting on a gallery show from start to finish. The students learn how to work with outside companies and balance the differences in art and business. Art club makes connections within the Mercy community involving all students (by a school wide call for artists) and alumni (by showing their work in a special section of the gallery).
Black Awareness Club
This club educates the Mercy community on the impact/ presence of African American achievements, current hapenings, and ambitions on society. The members of this club are encouraged to participate in discussions, grasp information, and put it into action. This club challenges the members to be the change they want in the world. Everyone of every culture is welcome.
Book Club
The purpose of the Book Club is to foster school-wide interest in reading and gather together avid readers so that they may discuss the significance and the overriding themes of the books that they choose monthly for discussion. In addition, bimonthly poetry or play readings (non-inclusive) will be organized not only for analysis of the works of open readings, but to better one's speaking skills and build confidence.
Computer Club
The members of this club photograph events for inclusion in school publications including the website. They assist departments with their use of technology and videotape school events, concerts, athletic games, and theatre productions. The Computer Club designs and produces the Senior PowerPoint Presentation and assists classes with Field Day music and production.
Dance Troupe
This co-curricular program explores the genres of ballet, modern dance, and jazz dance, in addition to offering students performance opportunities within the school year. This dual emphasis on both the technical and artistic training provides the students with not only a solid, comprehensive foundation, but also a stimulating and enjoyable artistic encounter. Master classes taught by guest artists further enrich the learning process. This group of talented dancers practices two times per week and present their evening and daytime concerts in May. Auditions are in the Fall.
Environmental Awareness Club
This organization is devoted to the enhancement of environmental qualities at school and the education of other students in the area of living in a healthy and benign manner. Meetings occur once a month after school.
Footlighters
This theatre arts organization produces two full scale productions and sponsors the Annual Coffeehouse. Members also serve as the technical crews for school-wide functions. Students experience all aspects of the theatre arts, from make-up and costumes, scenes, improvisations and monologs, to stage lighting and scene design. All members are required to work at least one crew for one production during the school year. Footlighters meets Monday during Specialty Time.
Garnet Staff (Yearbook)
Students on the Garnet staff determine theme, set structure, create pages and publish the yearbook. Students are recommended for participation by English Teachers. The yearbook staff meets every Monday and Thursday during Specialty Time.
Girls’ Athletic Association
The GAA strives to generate school wide enthusiasm, support, and spirit for all athletic events. GAA also works to promote service within the school that will benefit both the athletic community and the school community as a whole. Some activities include Field Day, fundraisers for the athletic program, and a pep rally for the Mercy/IND basketball game.
Health Awareness Club
This club provides information on current health issues to students, faculty and staff. It encourages students to care about their nutritional and fitness needs and promotes the acceptance of a healthier lifestyle.
International Club
The International Club fosters an appreciation of various cultures and awareness of the diverse community around us. Students are encouraged to share their own ethnic culture with the rest of the Mercy community. Each meeting is enriched by ethnic food, performance or presentation. Meetings occur every other Thursday after school.
Lance Staff (School Literary Magazine)
This talented group of writers publishes the finest submitted works written by Mercy students in an annual literary magazine. A purpose is to encourage the creative writing talents of our students. Members are selected primarily from Writing Workshop by invitation of the editor and moderator. The Lance staff meets during second semester after school.
McAuley Club
The purpose of this organization is to unify the Mercy community to serve those less fortunate; to embody the values of the Mercy community; and to promote awareness of the problems in the world around us. Students are given the opportunity to be active in community outreach work that benefits the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the needy. Membership is open to all year levels and meets once a month after school to do various activities. All work is exclusive of Junior service hours.
Mercy Ensemble Players
This instrumental music group places an emphasis on chamber music and performs at the Christmas concert, the Spring concert, and at selected events in school. The Mercy Ensemble Players meets weekly before and/or after school. Auditions are required.
Mercy Choir
The choir offers students the opportunity to participate in a quality vocal ensemble. It performs at the Christmas and Spring concerts. Concert dress is required. The Mercy Choir meets during Specialty Time every Thursday and every other Tuesday. Auditions are required for interested freshmen and transfer students.
Mercy Madrigals
Students in Madrigals must also be members of the Mercy Choir. This group of talented vocalists performs at the Christmas concert, Spring concert, and at selected events outside of school. The Mercy Madrigals meet every Tuesday and Thursday, either during Specialty Time, before school, or after school. Auditions are required for interested freshman and transfer students.
National Honor Society
This national organization recognizes students who exemplify scholarship, character, service and leadership within the school and the community. Members are selected for membership at the end of sophomore and junior year. Meeting occur monthly after school.
Organization of American States (High School Model Session)
The Organization of American States at Mercy focuses on preparation for the national Model held in Washington, DC every December. Writing and debating skills are fine tuned as students research issues affecting the Western Hemisphere. OAS is open to all students who are looking to have fun, become the leaders of tomorrow and meet other students from across the nation. Meetings occur every Tuesday and Thursday during Specialty Time. New members are invited to join in January.
Pep Squad
The Pep Squad is a group of students who show their Mercy pride and talent through stepping and dancing at basketball games. Meetings occur after school from October through February.
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)
Students Against Destructive Decisions promotes the safety and health of all students through positive decision making. SADD's goal is to spread the message of the consequences of destructive decisions such as, drinking and driving, drug usage, and other destructive health decisions. SADD encourages students to make good decisions today and become the leaders of tomorrow. Meetings occur monthly after school.
Seeds of Peace
Seeds of Peace would like to impart and share the experience within oneself. Peace must be present within a person before it can branch out into the community. Seeds of Peace also wants to show its members to deal with people in a tolerant, compromising manner. This club hopes to inspire people to take t he initiative to try to create peaceful communities in schools, homes, and neighborhoods. "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Meetings occur the second Tuesday of every month.
Shield Staff (School Paper)
This group publishes the school newspaper monthly. Members are selected from among those who submit writing samples or demonstrate artistic or photography ability, and/or computer literacy. Meetings occur every Monday during Specialty Time.
Social Dancing Club
Members of the Social Dancing Club learn the basic steps in ballroom dancing, with an emphasis on popular social dances, such as swing. Dance experience is not necessary. Meetings occur twice a month after school.
Spirit Committee
The Spirit Committee will promote spirit and unity to the students, faculty and staff of Mercy High School. The club will send birthday cards to each student on their birthday. The club will also send emails to the big/little sisters about upcoming birthdays, sell wrapping paper, help clubs promote their upcoming activities by making flyers and posters, and sponsor "spirit" events and activities such as Spirit Day.
Student Council
This leadership body of the school promotes community spirit and creates an environment where students can share ideas and concerns about the Mercy community. The Student Council consists of a President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Class Officers and Advisee Representatives. Student Council sponsors many service and fun activities during the year. Students are elected as members or serve as at-large members. Meetings occur one Thursday a month after school as noted on the school calendar.
Voices of Justice
This club works toward the goal of giving its members, and the student body in general, a better understanding of world concerns and problems. It gives members a chance to understand and help improve the condition of human rights around the world.
Writing Workshop
This activity is open to students of all grade levels who are serious about their writing. Students present their work to the group, give constructive feedback, and aim for publication. Workshops are offered in two sections during Specialty Time: one on Mondays and another on Thursdays.