Congratulations to the Mount Saint Mary Academy Class of 2026! Commencement Exercises were held on May 30 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception where diplomas were conferred to 76 seniors and special awards were distributed. This graduating class garnered over $35 million in scholarships and grants.

On Tuesday, May 26, nine Mount juniors received special college recognition and book awards. The awards were presented by Dana Goad, Director of School and College Counseling. Jacqueline Muratore, M.A., Ed.M, M.S., Assistant Directress, was also on hand to offer words of congratulations along with members of the School and College Counseling Department. 

Mackenzie Daly '26, the Valedictorian of the 2026 graduating class at Mount Saint Mary Academy, received the Central New Jersey (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Scholarship.

Congratulations to Sabrina Cialdella '27 who has been awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Pre-College Program at the Sports Management and Leadership Academy this summer. Sabrina will attend the in-person program from July 12 to July 25.

The culmination of our Freshmen Mercy Scholars' participation in the Mercy in Action Honors Seminar during their second semester took place on Tuesday, May 19, during a special Symposium in the Kennedy Library Media Center. 

On the morning of Sunday, May 17, Mackenzie Daly '26, a member of the Mount Track & Field team, was recognized at the 33rd Annual Scholar Athlete luncheon at the Pines Manor in Edison, where she received the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete award!

On the morning of May 20, members of the World Language Department held the National Latin, Italian and Spanish Exam Award Breakfast in the Sister Lisa Gambacorto Theater.

The academic/extracurricular accomplishments of our students as well as the professional and volunteer efforts of our Mount community were lauded and recognized on the evening of Monday, May 18, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception during our 42nd Annual Academy Awards Night.

Mount Saint Mary Academy is proud to recognize the students who have earned their Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certification, a credential widely respected by global financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies, and top-tier universities. Congratulations to Lori Anne Co '28, Brielle Dubois '27, Annika Jeena '27, Casey Lynch '28, Kolby Okyne '28, and Gabrielle Sangillo '28.

The NASA HUNCH Prototype & Design and Culinary teams traveled to Houston, Texas to compete in the Finals at the NASA Johnson Space Center on April 28 where they presented their projects to astronauts, judges and other attendees. They also had the opportunity to add their signatures to the ISS (International Space Station) locker which will go to space! The results of the competition will be shared in May.

Madeline Albrittain, World Language Department Chairperson, revealed the addition of French to the Mount's World Language curriculum and introduced Denise Curti-Rechkin as our new French teacher who will join us in September.

The culmination of the Mount Saint Mary Academy Mercy Distinguished Scholars program is a Senior Capstone research project. The Senior Mercy Scholars have worked over the past year to design, implement, and present an original project that combines their academic passion with a Mercy Critical Concern or Catholic School Teaching principle.

Members of the Mount Saint Mary Academy faculty and staff felt extra special this week as they were celebrated for their hard work, commitment, and Mercy spirit.

Our May Crowning Liturgy was celebrated on the morning of April 29 in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception and led by Monsignor William Benwell. The proud grandparents of sophomores and juniors also attended the Liturgy.

On Monday, Mount Saint Mary Academy Directress Sister Lisa Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S. congratulated Mackenzie Daly '06 on being named Valedictorian and Sabrina Tse '26 on being designated Salutatorian. The formal announcement was made by Jacqueline Muratore, M.A., Ed.M., M.S., Assistant Directress, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception during a special Convocation.

On April 27, Meghan Dwyer '26, a member of the Mount Swim team and Soccer team, was recognized at the Skyland Conference Luncheon at Maggiano's in Bridgewater, where she received the Skyland Conference Scholar-Athlete Award.

The elegance and timeless theme of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" impressed all who attended the Mercy Guild Fashion Show, Luncheon & Basket Raffle on Sunday at the Bridgewater Marriott. A special thanks to Kathleen Cogan (Mercy Guild President), Tracey Anselmo and Jo Anne Purpora (Co-Chairs), all Fashion Show Committee members, and the Office of Institutional Advancement for their support and publicity of this very special fundraiser.

Sabrina Tse '26, a member of the Mount Tennis team and Equestrian team, was recognized on April 29 at the Bridgewater Marriott where she received the Somerset County Scholar-Athlete Award.

Oh, the places they'll go!...On Thursday morning, members of the Class of 2026 donned their sweatshirts and t-shirts featuring their college choices for a traditional keepsake photograph.  

It's almost time for the current Student Council Executive Board to pass the gavel to the incoming officers! Pictured, left to right, are: 2025-2026 members Eavan Batista '26 (Director of Spirit & Service), Sophia Chmura '26 (Director of Communications), Zoe Drivas '26 (Secretary), Sarah Algier '26 (Vice-President), Courtney Carew '26 (President), and 2026-2027 members Isabella Zuena '27 (President), Maia Chayapruks '27 (Vice-President), Aiden Steinwald '27 (Secretary), Brienne Steinwald '27 (Director of Communications), and Caoimhe Gorham '27 (Director of Spirit & Service).

In the span of one half day, the Mount Saint Mary Academy community bands together to illustrate the importance of the Mercy Core Values - Inspired by Faith and Compelled by Mercy - by reaching out to improve the lives of others in need during Service Day. This annual event, which was held on April 15, featured separate grade levels under the advisement of faculty/staff in different shifts, assisting various organizations on and off campus. 

Astronauts savoring shrimp tacos while enjoying a few rounds of chess in space? Thanks to the NASA HUNCH Prototype & Design and Culinary Teams at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, this may be a possibility that defies gravity! After competing extensively this year among regional teams, the Mount teams have been invited to the Final Design Reviews at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas on April 28 where they will present their designs to NASA scientists and engineers.

Grace Johnson ‘28, Ava Mandel ‘28, Stella Viegas ‘28, and Emma Moschetto ’27 were chosen to participate in the 2026 Teens With Stethoscopes Program on March 21 at the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center Auditorium in New Brunswick.

Members of the Students of Color Affinity (SOCA) and other Mount students attended an impressionable and valuable field trip on March 19, sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association in Westfield. Madeline Albrittain, World Languages Department Chairperson and SOCA Advisor, and Dr. Diana Artis, the Mount’s DEI Coordinator and CEO/Founder of Olive Branch Educators, served as chaperones.

Annika Jeena '28 represented the Mount with incredible skill at the New Jersey FBLA State Leadership Conference (SLC) which took place from March 9 to 11. Her hard work in marketing, customer service, and retail strategy truly paid off, and we couldn't be prouder of her dedication. 

Mount Saint Mary Academy sophomore, Maeve O’Connor ‘28, a staff writer for Peeks, Mount’s student newspaper, has been selected to attend the New York Times Summer Academy in New York City from July 5 to 17.

Representatives from over 70 colleges and universities attended the Mount Saint Mary Academy Spring College Fair on Tuesday afternoon where Mounties had the opportunity to explore a variety of options to further their successful journeys. Juniors from Oratory Prep also participated in the event, which was organized by Eileen Honicky, College Counselor, with assistance from members of the School and College Counseling Department.

Congratulations to Aiden Steinwald '27! She has been selected to receive the Junior Travel Study Abroad Scholarship from the American Association of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). From July 18 to 26, Aiden will be immersed in the language and culture of Salamanca, Spain.

While celebrating the theme of "Wicked" based off the popular movie, middle school students from local schools were excited to vie for trophies during this year's Junior High Forensics Competition on March 11th. The three-hour event was organized by Nicole Doria '18, Italian Teacher. 

The Diocese of Metuchen’s Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry presented special awards to three Mount Saint Mary Academy students during a ceremony on Saturday, March 7, at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen. Diocesan Administrator, the Very Reverend Jonathan S. Toborowsky, congratulated Sarah Algier ’26, Kelsey Quane ’26 and Abigail Hanifin ‘27 on being recognized for their extraordinary spiritual and outreach endeavors.

With solemnity and prayer, the Mount Saint Mary Academy community gathered in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception for the Ash Wednesday Liturgy.

The Mother Mary Patrick Gymnasium was filled with Administration, faculty, staff, students, family, and coaches on February 4th who were eager to congratulate seniors Emily Castela '26 and Fiorella Perone '26 on their athletic commitments. After graduation later this spring, Emily will continue her academic career at Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA (Division 3, Lacrosse). Fiorella will attend Colgate University in Hamilton, NY (Division 1, Soccer). 

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized for academic excellence and elected to the Cum Laude Society at Mount Saint Mary Academy on February 2nd. The inductees were joined by Sister Lisa Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S. (Directress), Jacqueline Muratore, M.A., Ed.S., Ed.M. (Assistant Directress), Dana Goad (Director of School and College Counseling), and Eileen Honicky (College Counselor), as well as other well-wishing faculty and staff members.

Josie Heim '27 has earned a Gold Key, the highest certificate awarded by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. She won in the Printmaking category for her linoleum print entitled, “Red and Blue As Promised.” This distinction is part of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest running and most prestigious recognition for creative teenagers.

On Thursday morning, the Mount community united in faith during a special Catholic Schools Week Liturgy in Immaculate Conception Chapel led by Monsignor William Benwell. He reminded the students that they should always be grateful for their Catholic School education because it is a gift.

It was a meeting of the math minds this morning at the Mount during the 19th Annual Math Competition between 50 young women from area schools competing on our campus, as well as young men competing at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen.

The College Board announced that Mount Saint Mary Academy has been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning Platinum distinction. Platinum is the highest level in a program that includes bronze, silver, gold, and platinum categories. Once again, Mount Saint Mary Academy exceeded the criteria for Platinum recognition across all AP School Honor Roll metrics.

On January 6, members of the Class of 2025 returned to the Mount to share their first-semester college experiences with seniors during a panel discussion held in the Sister Lisa Gambacorto Theater as part of the annual Return to the Mount celebration. The event offered seniors encouragement, perspective, and valuable guidance as they prepare for their own transitions to college.