Alumnae Return as Field Day Judges

Mary Antonelli Pyzik ’68, P’00 was a catcher on the Mercy Fastpitch Softball team, and she served as Student Council vice president, and then president. She also served as one of the Field Day captains for her class, leading them to Field Day victories two years in a row in 1967 and 1968, as both Juniors and Seniors. Mary earned the Flame Award in both her Junior and Senior years. Upon graduating from Mercy, Mary went to work for Maryland Casualty Insurance where she met her husband. She and her husband were married in 1981 and are celebrating their 45th anniversary this May! Together, they raised three children, and they are the grandparents of three fantastic grandchildren. Mary’s daughter, Theresa Pyzik Cox ’00, continued Mary’s legacy by attending Mercy where she also played on the Softball team as well as the Volleyball team. For the past few years, Theresa served as the cover design judge for Field Day. Mary is an active supporter of Mercy and served on the Alumnae Executive Board for 13 years, serving twice as secretary and also as treasurer. She was also an officer of the Mercy Mothers’ Club and has chaired or been part of every class reunion committee. 

Mary and her classmates from the Class of 1968 remain in close contact, meeting monthly for lunch or dinner, traveling together to locations like Las Vegas and New Orleans to celebrate milestone birthdays, and supporting one another through life’s journey. Together with her classmates, Mary continues to support Mercy through giving of her time, her talent, and her treasure. 

Helen Battaglia Commodari ’78, P’12 served as President of her Sophomore class and as Field Day Exercise Captain during her freshman year. She earned a Flame Award all four years, and also was part of the Girls Athletic Association. Helen’s family is also part of the Mercy sisterhood: her sisters, Mary Battaglia Kerrigan, graduated in 1974, and Terri Battaglia Calva, graduated in 1977. She is the proud mom of Maura Commodari from the Class of 2012, and the aunt of Lauren Calva from the Class of 2010. After graduating from Mercy, Helen attended cosmetology school. She is currently a hairstylist and manager of Deja Vu Salon and Spa in Kingsville, Maryland, where she specializes in color, highlights, and updos. Helen is married, and in addition to Maura, has a son named Sam. Helen shared that her love for Mercy has been that the friends she met as a student are still an active part of her life. 

 

Kenyatta Bush ’85 was a writer for The Shield, Mercy JV Cheerleader, Calvert Hall Cheerleader, and Field Day Captain in the costume category for the Class of ‘85’s Senior Celebration theme. After graduating from Mercy, Kenyatta attended Catholic University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. Kenyatta now works for a nonprofit housing developer as an event planner, delighting guests with creative and memorable event experiences. She is a certified personal trainer, former competitive bodybuilder, and she also works as a professional tennis line umpire having worked at the top levels of professional tennis events, including the US Open. Kenyatta’s fondest high school memories are the genuine sense of sisterhood at Mercy, the many friendships forged during her four years, and Calvert Hall mixers. 

 

Kristi Pilarski Barrows ’95 served as the Freshman Costume Field Day Captain and actively participated in Field Day dance groups. She was a four-year member of the cheerleading team, and served as JV Co-Captain. She also was a member of the volleyball team and the choir, and a member of Prom Committee. Kristi graduated from the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex, in 1999, earning her Associate Degree in general studies. Kristi helped organize her 30th reunion from Mercy and previously served on the Alumnae Board for one year. Since 2013, she has worked for Baltimore County Government where she is currently an Application Administrator in the Office of Information & Technology. Kristi is married to a Baltimore County paramedic and is the proud mother of two Future Mercy Girls, Bailey (12) and Mary (8), and is the youngest of four Pilarski sisters — along with one cousin — to attend Mercy. Her favorite Mercy tradition has always been the Big Sister/Little Sister program, which fosters mentorship, connection, and a lasting sense of family that continues long after graduation.

Sara Della Rose Steingesser ’05 served as Field Day Exercise Captain in her sophomore, junior, and senior years, and she also played an important role in writing songs for her class. Her class earned a second-place Field Day finish in her freshman and senior years, and a first-place finish in her sophomore and junior years. Her favorite part of Field Day is how everyone comes together to help one another! Sara was also a Varsity Cheerleader at Mercy and in her senior year was named an All-American. In addition, Sara was a member of Mercy’s Dance Team. After graduating from Mercy, Sara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management at Salisbury University. She currently manages her family’s restaurant, Della Rose’s Perry Hall Pub. Sara was excited to recently celebrate the Class of 2005’s 20-year reunion where she was able to reconnect with many of her Mercy sisters!