Mercy High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced

Sr. Mary A. McCarthy RSM, Principal of Mercy High School has announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2010. Jane McGuinness, Valedictorian, is the daughter of Paul and Judi McGuinness and sister of Noah of Killingworth, CT. Jane is an exceptionally distinguished student who has received numerous department awards for outstanding achievement in the areas of English, AP Latin Vergil, Spanish, Biology, Chemistry, AP Physics, World History, AP US History, Geometry, and Algebra. Recognized for her academic excellence and outstanding character, she was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award and the AP Scholar Award.

Jane has been named a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program and the Governor's Scholar Program. This past summer, Jane was selected to participate in the Yale Medical School Discovery to Cure High School Internship Program and the Explore Engineering Program at the University of Connecticut.

Jane is an active member of the National Honor Society and has been honored with the position of Vice President of Tutoring. Her involvement in extra-curricular activities includes: Praise & Worship, No Ordinary Love, the Mercy Recruitment Team, Ballroom Dancing, Peer Ministry, and Home Room Representative to the Student Activities Council. In addition to her involvement in the Mercy High School community, Jane has dedicated herself to service in her local community through Habitat for Humanity and Vacation Bible Camp, and has participated in mission trips to Brooklyn, New York.

In September, Jane will attend the University of Notre Dame to pursue an undergraduate degree in Engineering.

Kelly Ann Conklin, Salutatorian, is a resident of East Hampton, and the daughter of Arthur and Kathleen Conklin and sister of Christopher. An academically stellar student, Kelly was selected as a candidate for the 2010 Presidential Scholars Program and is a commended National Merit Scholar. She also received the Smith College Book Award.

Described by her teachers as intelligent, creative, insightful, intuitive and highly motivated, Kelly has received several department awards for excellence, including AP United States History, Honors Physics, Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry, Honors Civics, and Honors English.

Kelly is also an involved member of her community, volunteering at the East Hampton Public Library, Middlesex Hospital, Woodside Intermediate School, and the Middlesex Land Trust. Kelly is an athlete as well as a scholar, and has been a member of the Mercy Swim Team, Lacrosse Team, and Cross Country Team. Her extra-curricular activities include participation in Peace Jam, Mercy/Xavier Musicals, and the National Peace Alliance. In September, Kelly will attend Middlebury College.