News

Join the Mercy McAuley Wolves for summer learning and fun at our Summer Sports and Enrichment Camps! For full camp details and to register, CLICK HERE.

Mercy McAuley High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Jay Kramer as Athletic Director. In this role, Jay will provide leadership and expertise in overseeing the school’s robust athletic program. Jay will begin his role as Athletic Director on July 1, 2025.

Jay has served as Mercy McAuley’s assistant flag football coach for the past two seasons and served as assistant golf coach last season. He previously was employed as I.T. Assistant Manager and Computer Systems Analyst with Greater Cincinnati Water Works, where he served for 30 years.

Over the past 20+ years, Jay has been dedicated to youth sports and has served in a variety of coaching and volunteer roles. In addition to being an OHSAA certified youth basketball referee and baseball umpire, he has coached boys/girls basketball and soccer, boys baseball, girls softball, and boys lacrosse. Jay has also served as a ProCamps volunteer at Xavier University’s Holiday Basketball Camp and Crosstown Collaborative Basketball Camp, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy’s Jonathan India Baseball Camp, Sycamore High School’s Joe Mixon Football Camp, and Moeller High School’s Sam Hubbard Football Camp. For over a decade, Jay served in the St. Jude Athletic Association in the roles of  gym, field and baseball coordinator and web administrator.

Jay has also served in several roles with Greater Cincinnati sports, including Cincinnati Bengals Visiting Team Clubhouse and Sideline Assistant, Cincinnati Open Field Service Intern, Miami View Golf Club Assistant, and LPGA Kroger Queen City Championship Scorer and Course Marshall. He has also volunteered with the University of Cincinnati for the Men’s Basketball Final Four and ESPN GameDay, as well as USA Soccer for the US Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Games. 

Jay received his Master of Science in Sports Administration from the University of Cincinnati. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Information Systems from Xavier University, where he also completed a certificate program to become a Certified Project Manager. Jay is an Elder High School graduate.
    
“Jay’s tremendous passion for Catholic education and youth sports, along with his extensive experience in athletics, make him the ideal candidate to help us take Mercy McAuley’s athletic programs to even greater heights,” said Lauren Clements, Principal, Mercy McAuley High School. “I am confident that our student athletes, coaches, parents, and our school community will benefit greatly from Jay’s leadership and enthusiasm for Mercy McAuley’s athletic programs.”

"I am deeply honored and incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead Mercy McAuley High School’s athletic programs,” said Jay. “Over the past few seasons as a coach, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the strong sense of community, dedication, and school spirit that make Mercy McAuley such a special place. The passion and commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, and supporters have created an incredible culture, and I am eager to build upon that foundation.”

Jay added, “Athletics play a vital role in shaping young individuals, teaching valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. I am committed to fostering an environment where our student-athletes not only develop their skills on the athletic fields but also grow as individuals who uphold the core values of a Mercy Education. My goal is to continue inspiring and empowering the young women of Mercy McAuley to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives—academically, athletically, and personally."

Please join us in welcoming Jay to his new role!
 

Congratulations to the following sophomores and juniors, who were inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) on April 3, 2025!

Class of 2026
Haley Bonecutter
Kendall Cook
Kara Doenges
Isabella Han
Audrey Neal
Mia Roetting
Rowan Sabers
Grace Siener

Class of 2027
Ella Adams
Lilyana Davis
Isabelle Dunham
Evelynne Durepo
Callie Elmer
Margaret Evenson
Allison Ferrier
Alexandra Fischer
Ella Fisher
Brooke Glazier
Olivia Griffith
Gabrielle Hase
Emily Hodapp
Ava LaFary
Isabella LeCount
Macy Lohbeck
Liv Moeves
Madeline Neyer
Anna Parsons
Sarah Phelps
Rubi Pohlmeyer
Rylie Porter
Sarah Rios
Grace Saylor
Anne Spaeth
Ava Thelen
Sophia Ward
Peyton Wheeler

Congratulations to the following students, who were inducted into the World Language Honor Societies on March 13!

Spanish - Sydney Bouldin, Corinne Cox, Grace Dangel, Lilyana Davis, Evelynne Durepo, Callie Elmer, Allison England, Margaret Evenson, Gabrielle Fago, Caroline Gardner, Ava LaFary, Bailey MacKendrick, Sarah Phelps, Sarah Rios, Jenna Smith, Isabella Spitler, Ava Thelen, Jayla Walker, Riley West

Latin - Gabrielle DiPuccio, Ella Fisher, Marcella Heiert, Madeline Neyer, Anna Parsons, Isabella Roos, Michyala Townsend, Abigayle Wirthwine, Atlas Zimmer

French - Aubrey Novak, Anne Spaeth

Mercy McAuley High School is pleased to announce it has received a $600,000 gift from Terry and Steve Schrantz, longtime supporters of Mercy McAuley and McAuley High Schools, which will be used to fund an endowed academic scholarship. Beginning with the Class of 2029, one high-achieving student each year will be awarded the Terry & Steve Schrantz Family Scholarship, a full 4-year academic scholarship. This gift is part of Mercy McAuley’s transformational capital campaign, which is designed to fund scholarships, campus improvements, and faith and academic program enhancements.

Emmalyn Honan, an 8th grader at St. Ignatius of Loyola School in Monfort Heights, is the first student to be offered the Terry & Steve Schrantz Family Scholarship. Emmalyn, daughter of Stephanie and Mike Honan of Colerain Township, plans to accept the scholarship on January 31, 2025, which is the first day 8th graders can accept high school admission and scholarship awards per Archdiocese of Cincinnati requirements.

“We are thrilled to provide Mercy McAuley High School with this gift that recognizes students with high academic achievements,” says Terry Schrantz, a 1968 alumna and past board member of McAuley High School. “Mercy McAuley High School is known for its outstanding and innovative academic programs and curriculum. It is our pleasure to fund a scholarship that celebrates the strength of Mercy McAuley’s academics and recognizes high-achieving students who choose a Mercy McAuley education – an education that is second to none.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Terry and Steve Schrantz for their generous gift and for their ongoing commitment to the students of Mercy McAuley,” says Brigitte Foley, President, Mercy McAuley High School. “The Terry and Steve Schrantz Family Scholarship will have a significant impact on our students who achieve exceptional academic success. We are thankful to the Schrantz family for sharing our commitment to providing our young women with a rigorous, top-notch education of the highest academic standards.”

Congratulations to senior swimmer Amelia Hlebak, who signed her National Letter of Intent to swim at Franklin College. Way to go, Amelia!

Mercy McAuley High School is pleased to announce a new admissions partnership with Xavier University. Beginning with the Class of 2025, the partnership will provide eligible Mercy McAuley students with direct admission to Xavier University and a merit scholarship offer, along with a stackable scholarship of $1,831.

To be eligible, students must submit a formal application to Xavier University during the fall of their senior year at Mercy McAuley and meet specific admission criteria, such as GPA requirements and leadership/service experience.

“We are thrilled to partner with Xavier University to provide our eligible students with a seamless, efficient admissions process to one of the nation’s finest Catholic universities,” said Lauren Clements, Principal, Mercy McAuley High School. “This new partnership reflects our commitment to providing our students with an innovative, college-prep education of the highest quality. We are confident that this agreement will open new doors for our students and create exciting opportunities for their future.”

Congratulations to the following student athletes, who signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level!

• Kristen Berwanger - Track & Field - Miami University
• Caroline Moore - Volleyball - Oakland University
• Ashley Sess - Volleyball - Northern Kentucky University

We are so proud of these student athletes, and we look forward to following their college athletic careers!

Congratulations to the following students, who received ribbons for their art entries in the Harvest Home Fair Youth Hobby Show!

Photo: Color

• Bella Meyer - Mountains - Honorable Mention
• Bella Ventre - Phone/Roller Skate - Honorable Mention
• Bella Ventre - Lights - 2nd Place

Photo: Black & White

• Elise Overstake - Mt. Ranier - Honorable Mention
• Elise Overstake - Sailboats - 1st Place
• Bella Meyer - Plane Landing - 3rd Place
• Bella Meyer - Cincinnati Bridge - Honorable Mention
• Bella Ventre - Flowers - 2nd Place

2-D Original Artwork

• Bella Ventre - Pomegranate Pencil Drawing - Honorable Mention
• Lucy Fulmer- Low Poly Landscape - Honorable Mention
• Margaret Evenson - Bottles - Honorable Mention
• Maddie Burkart - Character Illustration Phone - Honorable Mention
• Rubi Pohlmeyer - Hallway Drawing - Honorable Mention
• Sophia Pinotti - Drawing of Bathroom - Honorable Mention
• Maria Dollries - Glass Colored Pencil - Honorable Mention
• Piper Frame - Stipples Portrait - Honorable Mention
• Elise Overstake - Colorful Cousins Stamps - Honorable Mention
• Sofia Schaffer - Chalk Pastel Horse - Honorable Mention
• Gabby Fago - 3 Dummies Suckers in Pencils - Honorable Mention
• Bria Hase - Forbidden Candy Colored Pencil - Honorable Mention

Original Ceramics

• Kierstyn Hines - Halloween Cup and Saucer - Honorable Mention
• Kierstyn Hines - Box with Lid - Honorable Mention
• Bella Ventre - Vase - 3rd Place
• Bella Ventre - Cassette Box - 2nd Place

Miscellaneous

• Bria Hase - Flowers of Healing - 1st Place
• Julianna Duker - Book Sculpture - 3rd Place
• Gwen Agliata - Scull Sculpture - Honorable Mention

Needlework: Best Felted

• Kristen Berwanger - Zach Effron - 2nd Place

We are thrilled to welcome our newest employees to the Mercy McAuley family! From L to R: Abby Wells (Math Teacher); Dina Beluan Moore (Executive Assistant to the President); Brittney Billiter (Learning Coordinator); Liz Wells (Health/PE/Computer Lit Teacher); Maura Korn (Alumnae Engagement Officer); Brigid Huber (Director of Finance); Lauren Clements (Principal); Kathy Parsons (Music Teacher); Nicole Humphrey (American Sign Language Teacher); Tricia Anglin (Nurse).

A Ribbon Cutting & Ice Cream Social was held on August 11 to commemorate the opening of our new main entrance! The new entrance is a visible and welcoming focal point for the campus and includes expanded space with new tables for students to gather at lunch and before/after school. The new entry also includes new glass doors designed for optimal safety for students, employees and visitors. The large circles within the entrance symbolize the Circle of Mercy! We are incredibly grateful to the generous donor who made this possible. Special thanks also to Hudepohl Construction, the Drawing Department, and our board members for partnering with us on this project!

Mercy McAuley High School is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Schardine as Head Varsity Volleyball Coach. Coach Schardine has been a part of the volleyball coaching staff at Mercy McAuley since 2019 as an assistant coach for the Varsity and JV teams. He also served as assistant volleyball coach at Mother of Mercy High School from 1998-2001.

In addition to his coaching roles at Mercy McAuley and Mother of Mercy, Coach Schardine has spent the past 24 seasons as an assistant varsity coach for St. Xavier High School’s volleyball program. He also previously served as head coach for both Northwest and Purcell Marian High Schools, assistant coach at Oak Hills High School, and a volunteer assistant for the University of Cincinnati volleyball program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Schardine to his new role as head varsity volleyball coach at Mercy McAuley,” said Sierra Millar, Athletic Director at Mercy McAuley. “Matt brings many years of experience in coaching volleyball, both at Mercy McAuley and in the broader Cincinnati community, along with tremendous skills, passion and enthusiasm for our program. We look forward to an exciting 2024 volleyball season under Matt’s leadership.”

“I am excited to lead Mercy McAuley’s volleyball program, which is characterized by teamwork, effort, commitment, success, and school spirit,” says Schardine. “I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence that our students, parents and community have come to expect from Mercy McAuley’s volleyball program.”

Mercy McAuley’s Varsity Volleyball Team won the Division 2 State Championship in November 2023.

Congratulations to the critic team and cast and crew of our spring musical, "Once Upon a Mattress," on winning FIVE Cappies Awards at the Cappies Awards Gala at the Aronoff Center! Our awards included:

• Catherine Foster - Returning Critic
• Costumes
• Hair and Makeup
• Ali Lewis - Lead Actor in a Female Role in a Musical
• BEST MUSICAL!

The cast and crew even had the opportunity to perform a song from the show on the Aronoff stage at the ceremony! We are so proud of our critic team, cast, crew, theatre director Kate Geckle, and ALL who make our theatre program the best in the city! Thank you and congratulations to ALL who made this amazing show possible! Bravo!

Congratulations to the following Latin students for their exceptional results on the National Latin Exam!

Congratulations to senior Lauren Birkle, winner of Founding Forward's National Youth Essay Contest! Lauren's essay answered the questions, "Why are responsible citizens important to our system of government? What can I do to develop the necessary traits to become one and encourage others to do so as well?" As the winner, Lauren received a George Washington medal and certificate, and Mercy McAuley Social Studies teacher Mrs. Lisa Heiert was on hand to congratulate her! Lauren also recently participated in Founding Forward's Spirit of America Youth Leadership conference at Valley Forge. Way to go, Lauren!

Congratulations to our Vocal Ensemble, led by Music Director Mrs. Shawn Wyatt! They earned FIRST place in Show Choir with a Superior rating at the Music in the Parks competition at Kings Island! We are very proud of these talented vocalists!